Dora Brown will be retiring at the end of January after 50 years in the banking business.  “I have survived Breast Cancer and a stroke…the doctors are calling me a walking miracle, so I think it’s time to let the younger generation do my job.” While someone might be able to do Dora’s job, they won’t be able to replace the woman.  As Chief Senior VP & Chief Marketing Manager, Dora’s responsibilities include marketing, advertising, public relations, financial literacy, and community relations for IBC Bank McAllen.  But her real legacy is Minitropolis!

The brainchild of Dora and Sam Houston Elementary Principal Connie Mahawari, Minitropolis is Dora’s passion.  It started with one school in McAllen, Texas in 1996.  Now, the program has extended to 30 elementary schools throughout Texas.  The goal of Minitropolis is to help school aged students gain a better understanding of financial literacy concepts while learning the value of leadership and responsibility that will set them up for success as adults.  The program functions as a mini city within a school, where students earn money they can save and spend at local businesses within their Minitropolis.  Check out IBC’s video.

The majority of these schools are in low-moderate income areas and the students get an opportunity to learn responsibilities, life skills and develop self-esteem.  Dora still keeps in contact with a young student of Sam Houston Elementary and the Minitropolis program, who went on to she serve as the “IBC Bank President” in 4th grade and the “Mayor” in 5th grade.  Recalling the then shy young lady, “She did not like math at all, and now she has graduated from college and received her Master’s, working for one of the top accounting firms in McAllen.”

As she reflects on her career, Dora attributes her success to her team, colleagues and community partners.  Of her participation in Leadership Texas 2004 and Leadership America 2005, she says, “I met a lot of very good, intelligent and outstanding women and gained a lot of knowledge, experience and memories that will last me a lifetime.”

What does the future have in store for Dora?  Travel with her husband, Joe, and spending time with her daughter, husband-in-law and 18th month grand baby girl.  You deserve it, Dora!

Jodi Joyce, current LW Board Treasurer and Leadership America ’16 graduate, has been selected as Unity Care NW CEO.  She will take over the position at the end of January 2020.

“I am honored to accept this role and am inspired by the vision, passion, and expertise of the individuals who make up Unity Care NW,” said Joyce.

Jodi will be leaving the University of Illinois in Chicago to relocate to Bellingham, Washington. During her time at UI Health, Jodi and her colleagues have led a large “improvement journey” that has resulted in substantial improvements in quality and patient safety. She also teaches courses on quality, safety, leadership, and change management at several of UIC’s health sciences schools. Jodi’s former roles include Vice President for Quality & Patient Safety at Legacy Health, a six-hospital system based in Portland, Oregon, and co-founder and Chief Operating Officer for Kaiser Permanente’s Care Management Institute.

Congratulations, Jodi!

Leadership Women would like to congratulate Audrey Selden for being selected as Executive Women in Texas Government’s Woman of the Year for 2019.  Presented at EWTG’s Annual Conference each November, the Woman of the Year award “recognizes an individual woman who has distinguished herself in EWTG, her profession, and her community.”

Audrey Selden is an innovative public speaker, attorney, teacher and facilitator. Audrey served as the Texas Assistant Secretary of State and Deputy Commissioner for the Texas Department of Insurance, Compliance Division. She consults with educational institutions and government agencies regarding equity, leadership and diversity and inclusion. In 2016, Audrey was an invited presenter at the White House Conference on Inclusive STEM Education for Youth of Color.

Audrey is a 1992 graduate of Leadership Texas, a 2004 Leadership America graduate and has completed five Leadership Women International programs.  She currently serves on the Leadership Women Philanthropic Planning Council and is a LW Board Emeritus.

Check out EWTG’s Woman of the Year page for the soon to be released video highlighting Audrey’s career.

Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare, the parent company of Saint Francis Hospital, announced in October that Sally Deitch, LT’00, will be chief executive over the Memphis market and Saint Francis’ hospitals.  As reported in the Memphis Business Journal, Deitch has been Tenet’s chief nursing officer and VP of patient care services since May 2018.  “With both a strong clinical and operational background, I am confident that Sally is the perfect leader to coordinate and enhance the service offerings of our Mid-South Group and Memphis market,” Dr. Saum Sutaria, Tenet’s COO, said in the Oct. 15 press release.

Tiffany Masson has been named the president of the Kansas Health Science Center, a new $75-million medical school project in Wichita.  As the former Chicago Campus Dean and Online Studies Dean for The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, the move to KHSC is a move within the TCS Education System.  In a recent article, Tiffany mentioned that her immediate attention, as it relates to building a college of medicine, will be to focus on the community of Wichita.  She noted, “at the end of the day, if our goal is to be able to make a community impact, we have to listen to the community.”  Congratulations Tiffany!

Recently members of Blue Cross Blue Sheild of Texas, including LT’14 graduate Sheena Payne, visited with Tracy Yellen, LT’19, to learn how the Paseo del Norte Foundation was addressing the El Paso shooting victums’ needs after the horrific event.  Yellen, CEO of the Foundation, spoke of the lessons they learned, the procedures they have put in place to disperse funds, and the additional needs of the community.  Sheena Payne recognized the work of the Paseo del Norte Foundation by presenting the Foundation with a generous donation from BCBSTX, which will directly impact the victims.  #ElPasoStrong

Leadership Women honors 2013 Leadership Texas graduate and 2014 Leadership America graduate, Dianne Dorsett, for her Lifetime Achievement award presented by the San Antonio Business Journal in conjunction with their 2019 Women’s Leadership Awards.  The San Antonio Business Journal recognized Dianne with the award for her years of commitment to Methodist Healthcare Ministries.

In 1995, Dianne was hired as Methodist Healthcare Ministries first employee, helping to build the newly formed non-profit from scratch before it has a name, mission or CEO.  As highlighted by the San Antonio Business Journal, Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas continues to provide funding and access to support uninsured and low-income families across a 74-county area.

After nearly 25 years with Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Dianne prepares to step down as the board liaison.  She told the San Antonio Business Journal, “There will be some sadness. But I’m ready,” Dorsett said. “I’ve been afforded the privilege of selecting my time to leave. I was told I could stay as long as I wanted. That gave me the comfort to make the decision I needed to make.”

Starting in July, Savita Raj, LT’16, will head from Austin to New York to serve as the Vice President of Community Engagement & National Partnerships for Girl Scouts of the USA.  Stepping down as Executive Director of the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) after nine years in the position, she posted on the organizations website, “There is no easy way to say goodbye.”   Savita continued, “The work of TAME is very close to my heart, and I won’t be traveling far. In fact, you’ll probably see me volunteering at the State STEM Competitions over the next few years! Meanwhile, in my new position as Vice President of National Partnerships and Community Engagement with the Girl Scouts of the USA, I will be working to strengthen an ecosystem of opportunity that supports all of our young people.”

Since 1976, TAME has been working to build a strong STEM workforce that reflects Texas: more women and more minorities contributing to their communities and to the world through STEM careers.  They wish Savita all the best in her new position, asking those who knew her to share a memory or leave her a note on their website.  “We are grateful for her years of effort and cannot wait to see what she will do next!”

Leadership Women knows that Savita will make an impact at Girl Scouts and we also extend our best wishes to her.  To read Savita’s full “goodbye” letter to TAME, click here.

Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene recently recognized the 2019 Hall of Leaders inductees at its annual Hall of Leaders Luncheon.  Leadership Texas 2010 graduate, Cynthia Pearson was one of four inductees, chosen from current and former students, faculty and staff who “exemplify leadership, service and are people of character.”   Recognized for her community leadership, Cynthia is a non-profit executive and current CEO and President of Day Care Nursery in Abilene.  Read more about Cynthia and her accomplishments on her HSU graduate page.  Learn more about all of the inductees and the luncheon by reading HSU’s Induction article.

We are excited to announce that 2018 Leadership America graduate, Jennifer Wayne, PhD, was selected as the 2019 recipient of the H.R. Lissner Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Jennifer is a professor in the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Biomedical Engineering.  She is the first woman recipient of the Lissner Medal and the first recipient from VCU, in recognition for her outstanding achievements in development of new computational tools for understanding the biomechanics of joints and effects of injuries and surgical procedures, for training medical and bioengineering professionals and her service to the organization.

Fellow LW graduate, Dr. Barbara Boyan, LT’88, LA’89, the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Dean of the College of Engineering praised Jennifer’s accomplishment.  “The recognition of Dr. Wayne’s contributions to the field of biomedical engineering is well deserved. Like the Lissner Medal winners in the past, she has dedicated her career to the application of cutting edge biomechanics in order to better understand conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system and how to best treat these conditions. At the same time, Dr. Wayne has been an outstanding educator, not only of VCU’s undergraduate engineering students, but also surgery residents and fellows in orthopaedics, as well as graduate students in biomedical engineering,”

Check out a video of her Orthopaedic Research Laboratory.

Make sure you add Colleen Brinkmann’s new book, “Moonshot Leadership: Catalyzing an Enduring Nonprofit Brand (Against All Odds)” on your reading list. The former chief philanthropy officer of the North Texas Food Bank shares in her book how she went from a childhood in India to successfully leading a $55 million capital campaign.

Our very own Leadership Texas 2010 graduate recently chatted with D Magazine’s Frontburner to discuss her motivation for the book, her tenure with the NTFB, the loss of Jan Pruitt (LT’09, LA’12), and her salute to fellow LT’10 classmate Trisha Cunningham.

Check out the full interview and Colleen’s plans for the future at D Magazine Online.

Recently appointed to the Board of Social Work Examiners, Leadership Texas 2011 graduate Megan Graham, recalls when she came back from each of her LT sessions on fire and eager to part of the solution to the issues facing the state.  “A few years ago, I decided I make an impact on the state level, so I got my application together for the Board of Social Work Examiners. This was possible because of Leadership Texas!”

Encouraged to apply for Leadership Texas by ’95 LT graduate Nancy Neal, Nancy was also the first reference on her application list.  “Thanks in part, to this LT sister’s support, I am honored to have been appointed by the Governor to a four year term,” notes Megan.

Returning from her first weekend on the Board of Social Work Examiners, Megan says, “I have already learned so much about the process of licensing and accreditation for social workers.  I am excited to be part of helping our government run as effectively as possible.”

Megan exclaims, “I truly believe that my time with Leadership women and my connections to women of leadership have allowed me to continue on a grander scale to the service for which I feel called.  Thank you for your work to empower and motivate women.”

We are proud to announce that the October Issue of Arlington Today features recent 2018 Leadership America graduate, Mary German (center).   As Chief Operating Officer of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Executive Director, Travel & Sports Legacy Foundation, she has been instrumental in developing innovative programs that benefit the city of Arlington, Texas.  As noted, “there’s rarely a day that the 26-year ACVB veteran isn’t busy helping enhance the appeal of the city to folks who visit.”

Mary created the Travel & Sports Legacy Foundation, the 501c3 non-profit charitable arm of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau. The foundation is an innovative and solution-driven program that focuses on assisting youth with educational attainment, financial support and career opportunities in travel, tourism and sports management, and providing workforce solutions for tourism industry employers.

“I’m inspired by many world and local leaders whose vision and good deeds have had an indelible impact on civilization and the communities they serve,” she says. “I try to create opportunities for innovation and growth, strive for excellence and lead with integrity and honor.”

For more check out Arlington Today’s October Issue.

As part of a two-year tricentennial celebration, the Times-Picayune and NOLA.com embarked on a celebration of 300 events that shaped New Orleans, and 300 people who have made it a better place.  One such person…Leadership America 2017 graduate, Melissa Sawyer!

Melissa’s work with the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP) was focused in “Just say YEP: One woman’s fight for New Orleans’ future.” A native of Canada, Melissa came to New Orleans in 1998 with Teach for America and left two years later to get a Master’s degree from Harvard.  She would later return to work for the Juvenile Justice under the Post Disposition Project to get young people out of jail.  The article on NOLA.com states, “Sawyer realized there were no programs to help kids when they returned to their communities and tried to get an education so they could find work.”  Thus YEP was born.

When asked why she stays in New Orleans, Melissa was quoted, “”Seeing for the first time the amount of dire poverty and the inequitable distribution of wealth in New Orleans was so staggering. I think that’s why I’m still here, quite frankly. We have so much work that we need to do. I don’t feel like I’ve played a big enough role in trying to make it better.”   Read more at NOLA.com.

Alyssa Cervantes, LT’16, Associate Managing Director at Texas Tech Health Sciences Center in El Paso, met America Adame during her Leadership Texas year.  After America shared her story during a presentation at Amarillo College, Alyssa introduced herself.  She saw the opportunity to show America that she could triumph and succeed in spite of life’s obstacles – and she has served as her mentor ever since.  Alyssa challenged America to make good on her promise to graduate from college and as her mentor, she would accompany her every step of the way in her journey, to ensure that America reached every milestone and accomplishment that she dreamed to reach.

America graduated with a bachelor’s degree this past May, but Alyssa continues to mentor and guide her.  “I remind her regularly that she is my role model, and one day, will tell her story to so many more young ladies who need to hear it. I know that one day soon, she will trade places with me, and will mentor young ladies just like herself,” adds Alyssa.

Leadership Women applauds Alyssa for exhibiting real leadership in action and for her commitment to mentoring America.

Congratulations to Carolyn Schmies, LW Ambassador, for receiving the Barbara Ann Kazen Award from the United Way of Laredo Board of Directors in recognition of her volunteer spirit.

The Barbara Ann Kazen Award was created to recognize an individual who brings hope for a brighter tomorrow and faithfully gives of themselves to care, love and advocate for those less fortunate.  Carolyn is on the Board of Directors of Literacy Volunteers (LVA), working to help hundreds of non-reading adults by developing fundraisers such as the “Adult Spelling Bee.”  She has also developed fundraising programs at Laredo Community College to support the United Way.

Tasha Hopper, LT’18, is the new CEO of The Hospitals of Providence Transmountain hospital campus. She replaces Nicholas Tejeda, who recently was promoted to Providence’s El Paso Market CEO. Hopper, a registered nurse, has worked for Providence for 20 years. She previously was chief operating officer for the Transmountain campus, and oversaw construction of the hospital, which opened in 2017. She received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing, and Master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of Texas at El Paso.