Our very own LW Board Secretary, Sheilah Clay, has been elected as the Vice Chair of The Empowerment Plan Board of Directors.  The Empowerment Plan works to create significant economic impact by serving as a stepping stone out of poverty into a state of stability.  One of the ways they do this is by producing a durable and innovative coat that transforms into a sleeping bag – creating an employment opportunity for each person they hire to earn a stable income, find secure housing, and regain their independence.

Upon her announcement as Vice Chair, Sheilah commented, “- I am honored to have been elected Vice Chair of The Empowerment Plan Board of Directors yesterday. This is a phenomenal organization that is truly transforming the lives of homeless families by “empowering” them. You may know us best by the product we produce – the sleeping bag coat, but that coat also produces jobs and a path to economic stability.”

Sheilah, congratulations on this new position.

Congratulations to LT’07 Cynthia Conroy (El Paso, Texas) for being one of three women appointed to the Governor’s Commission for Women. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday appointed Cynthia Conroy, director of Community Outreach, community reinvestment act officer and aide to the Chairman of Weststar, to the commission for a term set to expire on Dec. 31, 2021.

Governor Abbot has charged the commission with “developing a strategy and implementation plan to help make Texas the No. 1 state for women-owned businesses and to address the issue of human trafficking.”

Cindy has more than 12 years of academic administration and grant management experience with the University of Texas at El Paso, where she served as the Program Manager of the Environmental Science and Engineering PhD program.

For more information, check out KTSM in El Paso.

Way to go, Cindy!

Congratulations to Mary McQueen, LT’01, for being awarded Rotarian of the Year Award for District 5930.  A visit by Ellison Crider District Governor 5930 at the RYLA meeting,  2019-2020, surprised Mary with the award.  “I have to admit, I teared up. The best people in the world are Rotarians! They give of themselves to make our communities and countries better. To be honored by this amazing group is incredible,” said Mary as she recalled the special day.

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers over six continents who come together to make positive, lasting change in communities at home and abroad.  Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision and our members use their passion, energy and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we continuously working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.  Grassroots at the core, it started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on February 23, 1905 so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas, form meaningful lifelong friendships and give back to their communities.

Thank you Mary, for your dedication, commitment and vision!

Leadership Women would like to congratulate three outstanding Leadership Women graduates for their recognition as a Dallas Business Journal’s “Women in Business Award” honoree:  Trisha Cunningham (LT’10, LI’13), President and CEO, North Texas Food Bank; Lauren Hasson (LT’10, LA’19), Founder, DevelopHer; and Sheena Payne (LT’14), Director of Community Affairs, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.  “This prestigious award is given to 30 women who go above and beyond in the business and community sectors.”

The Dallas Business Journal‘s “Women in Business Awards” highlight decision makers across the metroplex that have shaped Dallas’ business community through legal and financial services, hospitality and tourism, human resources, manufacturing, civil service, nonprofits and more.

The awards will be presented virtually on Wednesday, August 19th from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.  For information on the event or tickets, click Women in Business Awards or go to https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/

Join us as we raise a glass to toast these amazing women for their leadership and their gifts to the city of Dallas.

Leadership Texas 1986 graduate, Janie Barrera, President and CEO of LiftFund, has been a long-standing advocate of small business owners so it was no surprise when Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that LiftFund and Goldman Sachs were partnering to provide $50 million in loans to small businesses in Texas impacted by COVID-19.  “I thank Goldman Sachs and the LiftFund for providing this lifeline to Texas small businesses and their employees by providing them with the support they need to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19″ stated Governor Abbott.

As a non-profit organization, headquartered in San Antonio, LiftFund helps small business owners with limited access to capital.  More than 55% of LiftFund’s clients identify themselves as Hispanic, 23% as African American and 16% as White.  Women comprise 38% of borrowers.  And in 2019, 65% of their borrower’s were classified with low-to-moderate income levels.  But LiftFund’s advocacy for small business owners transcends societal impact.  As their website says, “What we do is rewarding beyond words.  And knowing we are helping at the grassroots level  in the communities we serve is a blessing and an honor.”

Janie Barrera has received recognition for her accomplishments, including the Small Business Administration Financial Services Advocate of the Year and the Minority Enterprise Development Consortium’s Corporate Advocate of the Year. San Antonio Business Journal listed her as one of “Twenty Defining Players: People Who Have Helped Shape the City,” and also named her as one of 2013’s “Legacy Leaders.” Janie has served on many national, state and local boards, including the Federal Reserve Board’s National Consumer Advisory Council. President Barack Obama appointed her to the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability and she also was named to the board of directors for the Federal Reserve of Dallas’ San Antonio Branch.

The San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame will honor Leadership Texas ’10 graduate, Barbara “Barbie” Scharf-Zeldes and current Leadership Texas 2020 participant, Glenda Raichlen, at their 2020 Induction Gala.  These two amazing women will be celebrated along with their fellow inductees on March 21, 2020.

Barbie Scharf-Zeldes will be honored under the Law category.  A San Antonio attorney, Barbie has more than 20 years of legal experience in the areas of family law and probate.  In addition to having her own firm, Scharf-Zeldes Law, she also serves as the Associate Judge of the Mental Health Court for the San Antonio State Hospital and is a staff attorney for Group Legal Services.  Barbie is a certified mediator, a member of the San Antonio Bar Association and the Bexar County Women’s Bar Foundation.  Barbie has written numerous articles on various legal topics.  She is a graduate of Brandeis University and St. Mary’s University School of Law.

Glenda Raichlen will be honored in the category of Military.  Glenda retired from the Air Force after 27 years of service and traveling the world. As a career Information Technology Officer, she held a wide variety of positions at the flight, squadron and group levels. During her last ten years, she was a Deputy Group Commander followed by being a Group Commander in charge of Air Force recruiting in the northeast United States. She served in the Pentagon as well as an instructor at the Armed Forces Staff College. Selected for promotion to the rank of Colonel in 2003 her final assignment was at Scott Air Force Base as Director of software development supporting the deployment of personnel and supplies to the middle east during Iraq War.  Glenda is currently is co-owner and CFO of Access Imaging Solutions in San Antonio

More info at www.sawomenshalloffame.org

Congratulations to Patricia Diaz Dennis, former LW Board Member, for her “tenacity, courage, and commitment to achieve gender parity in positions of leadership, influence, and responsibility in the legal profession.”  Patricia will be honored for her efforts with the Hortense Ward Courageous Leader Award at The Center for Women in Law’s Award Luncheon on April 17, 2020.

No stranger to advancing women through her civic and community service, Patricia served for 16 years on the Leadership Women board (formerly Foundation for Women’s Resources).  She was the first Latina Board Chair for the Girl Scouts of the USA, serving on their board for nine years.  In addition to being active in legal associations advancing women, she also served as a visionary delegate for Vision 2020: The Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership.  Since 2013, she has chaired the Sanctions Panel for the Global Fund, whose mission is to end tuberculosis, AIDS, and Malaria world-wide.  And if Patricia wasn’t busy enough, she continues to find time to be active in the San Antonio Women’s Forum.

Leadership Women commends the CWIL for recognizing the leadership and tenacity of Patricia Diaz Dennis, a change maker who has dedicated her life and career to advancing women.

To read more about the CWIL and Patricia Diaz Dennis, click here.

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!

The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas has promoted Katherine Sedgwick to Vice President of Financial Management.  Previously serving as the Assistant Vice President, joined the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in 2011 as an accountant within the corporate accounting function and was promoted to manager of accounting policy and operations in 2012. She transitioned to management of the strategic risk management team in 2013 and was promoted to director in 2015. She played a key role in the establishment of the District Project Management Office and has become a significant contributor to the System’s risk and controls efforts. In 2016, Katherine was promoted to Financial Management Officer and assumed additional responsibility over the budget and cost accounting function. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of North Texas, graduating with summa cum laude honors and is a member of the Leadership Texas Class of 2018.

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.”

Sheree Boegner, LT’18, was recently honored at the George Bush Library in College Station, Texas as founder and organizer of the annual Sassy Shoe Social, benefiting awareness of those dealing with domestic abuse.  For her community work, Sheree is one of the a recipients of the national Jefferson Awards for Public Service presented by the American Institute for Public Service.  The Institute, created by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis,  Senator Robert Taft and Sam Beard, presented the first awards in 1973.  Local citizens have been honored since 2004.  Check out the amazing article and video by KBTX-TV3 in Bryan/College Station about Sheree’s role as community leader and loyal advocate, which is driven by her passion for helping others.

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.

Congratulations to Leadership America 2014 graduate Amy Stewart for her nomination and recognition as one of the twenty-five 2019 Minority Business Leader Award honorees who were honored on February 12, 2019.  As noted by the Dallas Business Journal, this year’s honorees “represented a variety of industries and roles, in addition to displaying an excellent track record of community service.”

Amy is one of the Founding Partners of Stewart Law Group, a minority and woman-owned litigation boutique in Texas.  Also certified by the National Association of Women and Minority Owned Law Firms, Stewart Law Group brings a culturally diverse perceptive to the legal practice.

In addition to her recent award, Amy was elected to the Dallas Bar Association’s Board of Directors as a Director-At-Large in January.

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.

Leadership Women congratulates, 2016 Leadership Pipeline and 2018 Leadership Texas graduate Shalyn Bridges for her recognition as EWTG’s 2018 Women of the Year!  Executive Women in Texas Government (EWTG) recognizes one outstanding member as “Woman of the Year” who demonstrates excellence in her personal and professional life, as well as commitment to the community. This distinguished member is judged across five categories including: educational achievements, career accomplishments, participation in EWTG, community involvement and overall leadership qualities.

As noted in the December edition of the EWTG Star, “Shalyn Bridges, met and exceeded the expectations to earn this prominent award. Shalyn was born in Galveston County, Texas and grew up in La Marque, Texas. She currently serves as a Senior Paralegal & Law Librarian working for the Texas Legislative Council. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History & Politics from Cornell College and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from The University of Texas at Austin. Shalyn is a Certified Paralegal and a certified etiquette consultant. She is an active member of EWTG, serving since 2009 on various committees and as a board member during 2017 and 2018. In addition to her membership with EWTG, she serves the community through the Austin Junior Forum, The State Agency Libraries of Texas and is the owner & instructor of the Bridges Etiquette & Academics, LLC. ”

Of her participation in Leadership Texas 2018, Shalyn reflects as her number-one take-away, “The things that divide us might seem big and complicated, but they are outnumbered by the values we have in common. Common ground is the starting point to finding solutions.”

For more information on the EWTG and Shalyn’s recognition, check out EWTG’s website.

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.

Leadership America 2018 graduate, Anna Roach, has just been named the new COO of Fulton County in Georgia.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle reported, “Fulton County Manager Dick Anderson has promoted the county’s chief strategy officer, Anna Roach, to become Fulton’s new chief operating officer.  Roach has worked for Fulton County for five years. Before that, she spent 14 years as a criminal defense attorney and as a consultant to various government agencies, including MARTA, the Georgia Division of Aging Services and the city of East Point, Ga.”

“Anna’s leadership and acumen as an administrator made her a natural fit for this role,” Anderson said. “She is an innovator whose contributions to Fulton County have already accelerated our progress in areas of behavioral health, justice and performance management. I look forward to her continued success in this new role.”

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.