CONTACT:
Barbara C. Perez
YWCA President/CEO
March 28, 2016
513-241-7090
Images available upon request
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
YWCA NAMES EIGHT WOMEN AS 2016 CAREER WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT
37th Annual Luncheon: May 11, 2016
Keynote Speaker: Zainab Salbi
CINCINNATI – Eight Cincinnati-area women whose collective career experiences, vision
and leadership skills have contributed greatly to entrepreneurship, the private sector and
the public sector have been selected as 2016 YWCA Greater Cincinnati Career Women of
Achievement.
The 37th Annual YWCA Career Women of Achievement Luncheon will be held 11:00 a.m.1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11, in the grand ballroom of the Duke Energy Convention
Center in downtown Cincinnati. This event is the single largest fundraiser for the YWCA
Greater Cincinnati, a 147-year-old organization. Proceeds from the event, which attracts
over 2,000 attendees each year, directly sponsor the YWCA community-wide programs
serving more than 35,000 women and families.
Honorees were announced by event co-chairs Monica Newby, DDS, President/Owner of
Newby Orthodontics and a 2011 honoree, and Teresa J. Tanner, Executive Vice President
and Chief Administrative Officer of Fifth Third Bank and a 2014 honoree.
The Luncheon keynote speaker is Zainab Salbi, an Iraqi-American humanitarian,
entrepreneur, author and media commentator. Salbi’s “Nida’a” talk show on the Dubaibased OSN Networks is the first of its kind to air in the Middle East and Northern Africa. At
age 23, Salbi founded Women for Women International, a grassroots organization that
helps women survivors of wars rebuild their lives through economic self-sufficiency. She
also is editor-at-large at Women in the World Media. She has authored three books:
Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tyranny, Growing up in the Shadow of Saddam (with
Laurie Becklund); The Other Side of War: Women’s Stories of Survival and Hope and If
You Knew Me, You Would Care.
Luncheon tickets are $75; corporate sponsorships are also available. For information, call
the YWCA Greater Cincinnati at (513) 241-7090 or visit www.ywcacincinnati.org.
The 2016 winners are:
Claudia M. Abercrumbie, President & CEO, The Abercrumbie Group
Fueled by a belief that events make a difference in the community, Claudia Abercrumbie
provides the drive, vision and inspiration for some of the most impactful signature events
in the Greater Cincinnati region and beyond as President & CEO of The Abercrumbie
Group. From a background in ethnic marketing at The Procter & Gamble Company,
convention management at Ethicon Endo-Surgery, and fund development at the University
of Cincinnati Foundation, Abercrumbie branched out full time in 2005 with her own event
management company – a firm that has established a stellar reputation for managing
events for companies and nonprofit organizations, as well as producing innovative new
events for the region. Known for her passion, persistence and perseverance,
Abercrumbie’s signature events include Men of Honor, A Salute to African American Men
in Cincinnati and now in Indianapolis; All About Women; A Celebration of Black Music; the
OH-KY Construction Summit; the Cintas Business Retreat, and the South Central Ohio
Healthcare Supplier Diversity Symposium.
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP
•
Generated $74 million in contracts for minority and women-owned businesses
since 2010 from the South Central Ohio Healthcare Supplier Diversity Symposium
•
Created the first upscale, strictly black tie event that honors African American men
for their extraordinary accomplishments
•
Former Director of the Regional Leadership Forum
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
•
Created and produces A Celebration of Black Music event every June in honor of
Black Music Month
•
Partners with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center to work with students
from Project SEARCH
Karen Bowman, Principal and Sector Leader, Deloitte Consulting
If there is a reason for the many “firsts” in Karen Bowman’s career – first general counsel
and first woman on the executive team at MATRIXX Marketing, first woman Senior Vice
President at Convergys – it is perhaps because of her avowed mission to “make a
meaningful positive impact on every organization and life I touch.” Today, Bowman is
Principle and Sector Leader at Deloitte Consulting, where she holds leadership positions
in all three of the firm’s execution groups, and where her insights and contributions touch a
variety of industries (dining, transportation, gaming, sports, professional services, and
more). She is a member of the Deloitte Consulting Board of Directors and, in 2015, she
chaired the U.S. Nominating Committee for the $16 billion Deloitte U.S. business. Bowman
mentors women at all levels of the company and participates in the Women’s Initiative
(WIN) for the Consumer and Industrial Products Industry Leadership Team. According to
the Deloitte colleagues who nominated her: “When (Karen) takes on a community role,
she delivers – with diligence and competence, with grace and kindness.”
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP
•
Member of the United Way Women’s Leadership Council
•
Cincinnati Women’s Executive Forum Member
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
•
Board Chair and Executive Lead for Cincinnati Arts and Technology Center
•
Circle of Red Chair and Executive Committee Member, American Heart
Association
Christi H. Cornette, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Cincinnati Bell
Her rise from systems engineer and sales representative to the newly created position of
Senior Vice President for Marketing at Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions (CBTS) is
testament to Christi Cornette’s expertise, vision and leadership in the traditionally maledominated technology sector. Praised for her consensus-building skills and forthright
opinions, Cornette is credited with moving CBTS from an early-stage data center and
technology services company to its current status as a technology powerhouse that
provides customized solutions to enterprise customers. Colleagues praise her for her
“business acumen, technological insight and an unwavering concern for customers,
employees and the community.” In this role, she focuses on both consumer marketing and
business relationships and vendors. The married mother of three grown sons, Cornette
has spent more than five years on the board of directors of CancerFree Kids in support of
its mission to eradicate cancer as a life-threatening illness in children.
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP
•
Advisory Council Member, Juniper Networks, a network innovation company
•
Co-Leader, Cincinnati Bell Women’s Network
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
•
Member, Board of Directors, CancerFree KIDS, 2011-present
•
Member, Cincinnati Bell/CBTS Charitable Giving Committee
•
Facilitator, corporate charity programs for the Technology Pavilion at Great
American Ballpark
Laura Mitchell, Deputy Superintendent, Cincinnati Public Schools
Anyone can have an opinion about how to improve public education, but Laura Mitchell’s
career has been dedicated to making improvement tangible and accountable. As Deputy
Superintendent-Academics & Accountability for Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), Mitchell
successfully led the School Turnaround Team, an Elementary Initiative that provided
professional support to principals, teachers and staff and helped 13 of the district’s 16
lowest-performing elementary schools boost performance by 80% and successfully move
out of the low-performing category. Described as a hard-working public servant and role
model for women of color in the CPS system, Mitchell began working with the district in
1993 as an elementary teacher at Central Fairmount School, and now supervises
curriculum and instruction, textbook adoption, and elementary schools and assistant
principals. Mitchell helped develop Vision i5, CPS’ “uncommon approach to the Common
Core and state standards,” and also leads the district’s My Tomorrow Initiative which
empowers CPS students to turn their dreams, aspirations and strengths into concrete
plans for their future. She prepares urban youth for college/career success through
rigorous curriculum, Advanced Placement courses, one-to-one digital devices, enrichment
opportunities, college and career experiences and through community service projects.
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP
•
Developed a Turnaround Team of principal and teacher coaches to improve school
performance
•
Co-facilitated a $20 million General Electric grant for math and science education
•
Founded the Ascend Performance Institute supporting the use of e-books
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
•
Greenlight Fund Advisory Selection Committee, 2016
•
Member, Economic Center Board, 2016
•
Former Board Member, American Heart Association, 2014
Lakshmi Kode Sammarco, MD, Coroner, Hamilton County
Among the “firsts” in Dr. Lakshmi Kode Sammarco’s accomplishments are first female
coroner in Hamilton County, first radiologist elected coroner in Ohio and first Asian-Indian
elected to political office in Hamilton County. But those firsts pale in comparison to the
dramatic improvements she has made in the coroner’s office since her appointment and
subsequent election to the post in 2012 – and to her unceasing support of law
enforcement, crime victims and families’ members whose loved ones’ deaths she must
investigate. As coroner, she is the public official and medical professional in charge of
investigating criminal, violent, suspicious deaths and suicides. Described by colleagues as
“a public servant who makes citizens believe in government again,” Sammarco is credited
with improving the facilities, technology, laboratory and reputation of the coroner’s office,
as well as increasing the number and responsibilities of women who serve as physicians
and scientists in its crime lab. A native of India and mother of two, Dr. Sammarco has
worked tirelessly to educate the community about child abuse, the growing dangers of
drugs, and domestic violence against women and children.
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP
•
Senior Member, American Society of Neuroradiology and Radiological Society of
North America
•
Member, Admissions Committee, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
•
Member, Advisory Committee, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and the Indian
American Chamber of Commerce
•
Member, Hamilton County Heroin Coalition-Heroin Task Force
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
•
Board Member, Boys Hope Girls Hope, and Council on Child Abuse
•
Co-Chair, Rights and Safety Committee for Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley’s Task
Force on Immigration, 2015
•
Hosted the first-ever Coroner’s Masquerade Ball (2013-2015), raising more than
$105,000 for nonprofit groups supporting abuse prevention, crime prevention and
youth programs
Sandy Berlin Walker, President/CEO, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
The regional organization that Sandy Walker oversees provides multi-generational
services that touch on nearly every aspect of life: health education, physical fitness,
wellness, early learning, student success, afterschool enrichment, diversity and inclusion.
The first woman in 163 years to serve as the President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater
Cincinnati, Walker has expanded the Y’s reach beyond its 16 neighborhood branches to
80 school and program sites to address equity and access through programs that are
closing the Academic Achievement Gap developing youth leaders, promoting healthy
living, and preventing chronic disease like diabetes all with the focus on strengthening the
community. The Y’s CincyAfterSchool program, providing child-care and educational
services to 5,000 students yearly, has been a national model for its impact on student
success and educational opportunities. Through the Y’s partnership with Medicare,
Cincinnati is one of 19 sites for the Y-USA Diabetes Prevention Program. A self-described
“cheerleader, sounding board, promoter, congratulator, truth-teller and friend,” Walker
recently chaired the YMCA’s North American Network and is past chair of the Y-USA
Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee.
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP
•
Member, STRIVE Executive Committee to support student success and higher
graduation rates, 2006-present
•
Chair, Leadership Cincinnati Alumni Association and Member, Cincinnati Chamber
Leadership Advisory Committee
•
Expanded YMCA’s Black and Latino Achievers, celebrating 100% high school
graduation rates and 95% acceptance at post-secondary institutions
•
Steering Committee for Cincinnati Preschool Promise
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
•
Launched a Global Center for Excellence (GCE) team in Cincinnati, a diverse
group of YMCA employees focused on organizational and community inclusion
•
Led the $4.7 million capital campaign and renovation of YMCA Camp Ernst in 2014
•
Hosted a 2015 Camp Corral at Camp Ernst for 200 children of military families
Moira Weir, Director, Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services
As Director of Hamilton County’s Job and Family Services (JFS) Department, Moira Weir
tackles some of the area’s most challenging and intransigent social problems. Poverty.
Child and domestic abuse. Unemployment. Through community collaboration and
strategic leadership during some of the county’s harshest budget cuts, Weir has
transformed the department into an award-winning $2.1 billion agency that is now viewed
as a state and national model for evidenced-based interventions and partnerships. JFS
has won national and state awards for innovative programs that are helping hundreds of
thousands of Hamilton County residents in areas of child protection, elder protection, child
support enforcement, workforce development and food stamp/Medicare disbursement. Her
2015 Friends and Advocates Making Investments in Local Youth (FAMILY) Fund has
raised more than $50,000 for the special needs of foster children and others served by the
agency. Weir rose through JFS ranks, starting as a child welfare worker in 1993 and being
appointed director in 2007. Inspired by a goal of “making life better for women,” she is one
of the highest-ranking women in Hamilton County government.
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP
•
Earned 12 National Association of Counties Achievement Awards from 2009-2015
for innovative programs and initiatives
•
Member, Ohio Supreme Court Advisory Committee
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
•
Board Member, Hamilton County Community Action Agency, and Cincinnati Tennis
Club
•
Launched the Choose Your Partner Carefully campaign to educate young single
mothers about warning signs of abuse in their partners
•
Inspiration for the University of Cincinnati Weir Scholarship, for her vision in
founding the Higher Education Mentoring Initiative
Susan B. Zaunbrecher, Partner, Corporate Department Chair, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
Susan Zaunbrecher’s career at Dinsmore & Shohl LLP became a phenomenon of “firsts”
the moment she accepted a position as an associate in the law firm’s corporate
transactions group – her first job right out of law school. Since then, she has served as
Dinsmore’s first woman department chair, and the first woman on the Executive
Committee. Since 2008, she is the first woman in the firm’s 108-year-history to serve as
Chair of the Corporate Department, overseeing nearly 200 legal professionals in six states
and Washington D.C., as well as the firm’s tripling in size over the past several years. She
also is the Chair of the Business, Acquisitions and Securities Practice Group. Known
equally for her mentorship of other female attorneys and her legal acumen in financial
transactions, mergers and acquisitions, Zaunbrecher’s clients include Fifth Third Bank,
Lexmark International, The Limited, Chemed Corporation and other companies. She also
is general counsel to the Music Hall Revitalization Company, overseeing the $130 million
renovation of Cincinnati Music Hall. Zaunbrecher founded and chairs Dinsmore Cincinnati
Women’s Initiative, a program to bring together women attorneys for mentoring,
networking and social endeavors.
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP
•
Founder, Member and former Chair, Dinsmore Professional Development
Committee
•
2015 Girl Scouts of Western Ohio Woman of Distinction
•
Nominating Committee, Cincinnati Bar Association
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
•
Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
•
Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, University of Cincinnati Economics
Center
•
Corporate Committee, Cincinnati Art Museum
Other key events of the May 11 YWCA Career Women of Achievement program include:
•
Presentation of the Charlotte R. Schmidlapp Scholarship Award, Fifth Third Bank,
Trustee to Angel Raquel Bush of Walnut Hills, a single mother and full-time student
who began receiving parental education services in 2014 from the YWCA’s Every
Child Succeeds Education and Literacy Program. She is studying business at
Chatfield College and hopes one day to start her own business to support herself
and her son. She also envisions creating a nonprofit foundation in honor of her
mother, who died recently of breast cancer.
•
Presentation of the Mamie Earl Sells Scholarship, presented by Kroger, to Sydney
Mantell, a straight-A senior and class leader at North College Hill High School.
Raised in a single-mother, biracial family, Mantell is Head Student Mentor of Girls
Creating Change, a social and academic organization for high school girls; captain
of the varsity volleyball team; captain and co-founder of the Varsity Academic
Team, and member of the school’s Drama Department and its Student Leadership
Team. She has applied to 12 leading colleges and plans to study biology.
•
Keynote speech by editor-at-large, author and women’s advocate Zainab Salbi, an
Iraqi-American who, at age 23, founded Women for Women International, a
grassroots humanitarian and development organization that helps women who are
survivors of war rebuild their lives. The organization has distributed more than
$100 million in direct aid, micro credit loans and other forms of support to women
as they move from poverty and crisis to economic self-recovery. In October 2015,
Salbi launched “Nida’a,” a talk show for Arab women on the Dubai-based OSN
network. The first program of its kind in the Middle East and Northern Africa, the
show aims to empower and advocate for young Arab and Muslim women across
the globe. She has written three books: Between Two Worlds: Escape from
Tyranny: Growing up in the Shadow of Saddam (2006); The Other Side of War:
Women’s Stories of Survival and Hope (2006), and If You Knew Me, You Would
Care (2013). Currently serving as editor-at-large at Women in the World Media, a
collaborative news platform hosted on The New York Times website, Salbi’s team
produces journalistic narratives, stirring videos and provocative discussions about
women who make an impact – and the men who champion them. She was named
among the top 100 Most Influential Women of 2011 by Newsweek and The
Guardian, Most Influential Women on Twitter in 2014 by Forbes magazine, and
Most Influential Women on Social Media in 2015 by Wear Your Voice, a feminist
media outlet.
Judges for this year’s event were:
•
Donna Jones Baker, President & CEO of the Urban League of Cincinnati and a
2006 YWCA Career Women of Achievement honoree
•
Phil Castellini, CEO of the Cincinnati Reds
•
Alandes Eure-Powell, Director, Senior Vice President, Collection Operations of Citi
and a 2013 YWCA Career Women of Achievement honoree
•
Lee Ann Liska, a 2011 YWCA Career Women of Achievement honoree
•
Sean Rugless, President, Katalyst Group
About the YWCA
The YWCA IS ON A MISSION to eliminate racism, empower women, and promoting
peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. YWCA Greater Cincinnati has been serving the
community since 1868. It serves more than 35,000 women and their families each year
through programs in crisis intervention, health and wellness, education and training, youth
services, and recognition and advocacy.
TO INTERVIEW AN HONOREE, CO-CHAIR OR YWCA PRESIDENT AND CEO Barbara
C. Perez, contact Nancy A. Spivey, (513) 361-2126.