The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Women’s Summit has formed an advisory council t hat will provide oversight and guidance to the organization, as well as aid in planning for the 2014 Women’s Summit Conference.
Provost Joan Lorden, who appointed the council members, stated, “This advisory council represents an outstanding group of highly qualified and committed members of our community who will guide and direct the Women’s Summit as it moves ahead. … I am delighted and most appreciative that such a distinguished group of women is ready to help shape the future of the Women’s Summit and to lead us into that future.”
Earlier this year, Chancellor Philip L. Dubois reauthorized the Women’s Summit as a unit within the Metropolitan Studies and Extended Academic Programs Office.
Alisa McDonald, vice president of the Duke Energy Foundation is chair of the advisory council. Gina Esquivel, project director for Project Hope, Crisis Assistance Ministry, is chair-elect. Other community representatives on the council are Jenny Bonk, director of marketing for the banking industry group, Jones, Lang LaSalle; Amy Chiou, Lincoln Harris, analyst; Marty Viser Clontz, community relations manager, Piedmont Natural Gas; Kelly Forney Coyne, co-director, Domestic Violence Service Area, United Family Services; Mary Curtis, journalist; Amy Farrell, executive director, GenerationNation; Tamera Green, owner/president, Viridian Marketing; Paula Guilfoyle, owner, Claim Your Best Life; Wendy Laxton, owner, Laxton CFO Services; Nancy McNelis, director of the McColl Executive MBA, McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte; Theresa Major-Payton, president and CEO, Fortalice LLC; Sharon Matthews, leader, HR workforce policy, Wells Fargo; Renee Alexander-Sherrod, vice president, diversity and community affairs, TIAA-CREF; Bernie Monroe Washington, corporate relations coordinator, Novant Health; and Lauren Woodruff, vice president, marketing and communications, Bank of America.
UNC Charlotte representatives on the council are Deborah Bosley, English; Nancy Gutierrez, dean of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences; Suzanne Leland, director of the MPA program in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration; Krista Newkirk, chief of staff to the chancellor; and Coral Wayland, associate professor, Women’s and Gender Studies Program and Anthropology Department.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Women’s Summit is a center for women’s public policy and leadership development in the Charlotte region, providing research and analysis on issues that impact women and girls and developing women leaders. The summit is committed to ensuring that women’s perspectives are represented in research, public policy, leadership development and education.
Photos: Women's Summit Advisory Council chair Alisa McDonald (main); chair-elect Gina Esquivel (inset)