to see the 2015 Program - YWCA National Capital Area

2015-16 YWCA NCA Board of Directors
Jenny Baragary
Kelly Makins Baugh
Ingrid Beckles
Kathy Bradley Wells
Maureen Bryant
Mary-Jean Collins
Lis Driscoll
Viola Gonzalez
Artencia Hawkins-Bell
Jeannina Perez
Lis Lang
Marilyn Massey Ball
Cheryl Mayo
Calesha Mitchell
Karen Scipio-Skinner
Evelyn Sommers
Annette Stanley
Jane Thompson
Kim Watson
Zillah Wesley
Karen Williamson
Vanena Wilmot
Natalia Wilson
Tamara Smith - Chief Executive Officer
of
WOMEN
ACHIEVEMENT
2015 Awards Breakfast
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
Mastro’s Steakhouse
600 13th Street NW | Washington DC 20005
8:00 am - 10:00 am
proud sponsor of the
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
YWCA Women
of Achievement
Awards Breakfast
YWCA National Capital Area
2303 14th Street NW | Suite 100 | Washington DC 20009
www.ywcanca.org 202.626.0700
United Way #8482
CFC #49224
Thank You
The Women of Achievement Awards Breakfast highlights extraordinary women in the Washington DC area
who have made a significant impact in their community and career. Each honoree, in “Women of Achievement”
and “Women of Excellence,” has demonstrated some form of service that aligns with our mission of
eliminating racism and empowering women.
Registration and Networking
Dear Friends,
Welcome
Tamara Smith, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA National Capital Area
The YWCA National Capital Area has been blazing trails for women and girls for nearly 110 years. We were active in the Women’s Suffrage Movement, the Civil Rights Movement and the Equal Rights Movement. Today, we support economic empowerment of women, equal pay for equal work and the elimination of violence again women and girls.
Women of Achievement Awards
Angela Alsobrooks, State’s Attorney, Prince George’s County
Presented by: Artencia Hawkins-Bell, YWCA NCA Board Chair
As we host our second YWCA NCA Women of Achievement Awards Breakfast, we ask that you join us in celebrating these
women who have been trailblazers in their professions and in their communities. They have served as role models for so many
women and they embody the YWCA’s mission of empowering women and eliminating racism.
Carolyn Berkowitz, Managing Vice President, Community Affairs, Capital One Financial Corporation;
President, Capital One Foundation
Presented by: Marilyn Massey-Ball, YWCA NCA Board Member
As you learn more about our Women Achievement and Women of Excellence award recipients, you will see that they personify
what if means to be a leader, a role model, a mentor and a woman committed to “being the change they want to see” in their
communities.
Dot Powell-Woodson, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP
Presented By: Kathy Bradley-Wells, YWCA NCA Board Member
Please join us in celebrating each of our honored guests for their outstanding achievements and for the positive impact they have
had in the National Capital Area and beyond.
Nina Albert, Director of Community Affairs, Walmart
Presented by: Vanena Wilmot, YWCA NCA Board Member
Abby Fenton, Chief External Affairs Officer, Whitman-Walker Health
Presented by: Viola Gonzalez, YWCA NCA Board Member
Rising Leader Award
Emilie Aries, Founder & CEO, Bossed Up
Presented by: Natalia Wilson, YWCA NCA Board Member and 2014 Rising Leader Recipient
Women of Excellence Awards
Tamara Smith, Chief Executive Officer, YWCA National Capital Area
Teresa Payne-Nunn, Vice President, Large Enterprise Operations - US, Federal Operations, Xerox Corporation
Rachael Alexander, Partner, Wiley Rein LLP
Cheryl Ibanez, Administrator, GEICO Philanthropic Foundation
Jan Stewart, Vice President, Human Resources, GEICO
Closing Remarks
Shana Heilbron, Chief Development Officer, YWCA National Capital Area
The YWCA National Capital Area is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting
peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
Our bold goal is to ensure that a majority of women and girls of color in high need communities across the national capital
area have the resources and support necessary to achieve personal, educational and professional success.
Tamara A. Smith - CEO of the YWCA National Capital Area
Artencia Hawkins-Bell - Board President of the YWCA National Capital Area
AngelaAlsobrooks
CarolynBerkowitz
A
C
ngela is on a mission, and has her own tagline to prove it: “To seek justice for all through firm, fair and consistent prosecutions with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.” In a local interview Angela shared, “I
wanted to do something I love, something that would make me get out of bed in the morning, something that
would help people, be impactful, and mean something and I think prosecution is just that.” In 2010, Angela Alsobrooks
was elected to serve as the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney. This was her first elected office and she is the first
“I wanted to do something I love, something that would make me get out of bed in the
morning...be impactful and mean something and I think prosecution is just that.”
woman to be elected State’s Attorney in Prince George’s County. In her role, she leads a staff of 90 attorneys and 100
professional administrative staff who work tirelessly to prosecute people accused of committing crimes. She plays a
key role in public safety and under her leadership, prosecution rates have risen across the board, including a 17% increase in the homicide prosecution rate, and a 7% increase in the sex crimes prosecution rate. It was while studying
at Duke University that Angela realized she was especially interested in the plight of people – not simply politics and
political parties — but serious and complex socio-economic issues that all too often made justice and equality out of
reach for far too many people. At that moment she knew she wanted to study law. After completing her undergraduate
degree, and earning her law degree from the University of Maryland, Angela was hired to serve as the county’s first fulltime Assistant State’s Attorney dedicated to prosecuting domestic violence perpetrators. She tried scores of cases and
successfully prosecuted violent offenders. Prior to her election, Angela served the county as an education liaison and
then as executive director of the Prince George’s County Revenue Authority. Currently, Angela resides in Upper Marlboro with her daughter, and is a member of the First Baptist Church of Glenarden and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
arolyn is the kind of leader you want to work for or be mentored by. Her transparency, authenticity and belief that the only
way that people truly learn is to try it out on people they trust. Carolyn is the Managing VP of Community Affairs at Capital
One Financial Corporation and President of Capital One Foundation. Under her leadership, Capital One and the Capital
One Foundation invest in community initiatives that build the human, financial and social capital of residents in markets where the
company operates and in national organizations that help scale successful strategies. In her words, “There are millions of people who
go unseen because they are poor or they don’t have degrees; but they have an incredible amount of talent. If they could leverage their
skills, they could increase their personal economic power and improve their community. Research shows that when women have
“She’s a great manager. She’s a great mom. She’s a great mentor...All of these qualities
independently are tremendous, but together are astounding.”
good jobs and make a good living, the impact they make is enormous. The well-being of the community is positively impacted when
women have economic power. When you save the woman, you save the world.” Janelle Nowak, the Senior Brand Manager at Capitol
One, shares: “Carolyn is a great leader because she’s a great person. She’s a great manager. She’s a great mom. She’s a great mentor.
She’s a great communicator. All of these qualities independently are tremendous, but together are astounding. Carolyn never stops
learning. I manage social media at Capital One. It’s a scary space for most senior executives - there is a tendency to just hit ignore,
instead of engage. Not Carolyn. There was not one mentor meeting I have ever had with her where there wasn’t a, “What about this
twitter thing? Can I blog on Linked In? What if I want to use Instagram in NY next month - can you help show me how?” That
to me is the measurement of a leader. You’re never done learning, you just keep growing.” Carolyn’s long list of accolades include
Washington Business Journal’s Power 100 list, NOVA Executive’s Top 10 Women in Business, and Washington Business Journal’s
Women Who Mean Business. She also serves as Chair of the Board of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation and is a member
of the advisory board of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Corporate Citizenship Center and the Virginia Community
College Board. Prior to joining Capital One, Carolyn served as Senior Vice President for Community Mobilization for the America’s Promise Alliance, and as Vice President of the Points of Light Institute. Carolyn and her husband Alan reside in Burke, VA.
DotH.Powell-Woodson
NinaAlbert
D
N
ot knows the value of surrounding herself with really good people who have skill sets that compliment hers; she trusts in their
shared vision, and then empowers those around her to do what they need to do. Says Wiley Rein partner Kay Tatum, “Dot has no
prejudice, judgment, or presumptions about people who don’t look, believe, or live like her. She is not only an inspirational role
model, but she insists on justice and fairness for all, using her leadership skills and professional status to mentor young people and contribute with passion to a wide range of community organizations.” Dot Powell-Woodson is currently a Partner at Wiley Rein LLP, and serves as
co-chair of the Firm’s Health Care Practice and counsels clients on health care and government procurements and contracting, contract ad-
“My commitment to mentoring has involved not just providing words of encouragement
and guidance, but demonstrating what it means to overcome adversiy and to persevere.”
ministration, and state and federal regulatory compliance relating to complex prime, subcontract, and affiliate agreements. Her practice focuses on these areas principally in connection with the Federal Employees Health Benefits, Medicare, TRICARE, and Medicaid programs,
although she also has extensive experience with commercial sector offerings. Dot has served in many different roles connected to the health
care industry, including serving as the Governor’s appointed Director of Virginia’s health care agency, as a Virginia Assistant Attorney General, and as Vice President for Legal Services for two national health care entities. She also served early in her career as a corporate attorney
for a Blue Cross and Blue Shield plan. Dot shares in her own words, “Mentoring for me has been a lifelong commitment, in part because my
parents imbued in my siblings and me a desire to serve and lift up others, but also because my many opportunities and experiences have
provided a platform from which to encourage and advance others. My commitment to mentoring has involved not just providing words of
encouragement and guidance, but demonstrating through my actions what it means to overcome adversity and to persevere.” As a Wiley
Rein equity partner and member of firm management, Dot recognizes that she is among a small group of African-American women to
rise to such a level. She therefore believes it is important to serve as a role model, coach, and guide, to navigate the sometimes turbulent
waters of advancement in the legal profession. Dot takes this commitment seriously and devotes hundreds of hours annually to helping
women lawyers, law students, and others chart a course for success. Because of her own life experience, she realizes the critical importance
of having real life leaders—women who “walk the walk” - and that only through education and empowerment can women truly succeed.
ina is a trailblazer. As a young bi-racial woman, she earned an engineering degree, joined the Army, and started a career in real
estate and economic development. The male-dominated nature of all those fields was not going to hold her back. As she describes, she was not the first to break down barriers, but she is one woman who continues to expand the realm of opportunities
for the next generation of women. Nina Albert is currently the Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Walmart in
Washington, DC and the State of Maryland. In her position, she is responsible for communicating with a large and diverse customer
base, including community groups, government officials, and not-for-profit partners. She shares, “I have always been taught to believe
“I have always been taught to believe in myself, to take risks,
and to fully utilize my talents.”
in myself, to take risks, and to fully utilize my talents. I hope that my daily example inspires others to do the same.” And, it does. Nina is
currently a mentor to two managers at Walmart, and she is helping to expose them to all aspects of the business so they can build their
personal brands and be better prepared to take on greater responsibility. Nina adds, “It is very rewarding to be part of the path of possibility for these emerging leaders, and I believe that every manager or leader should participate in the growth and development of the
people in their organization.” The YWCA’s mission of “eliminating racism and empowering women” could not be more important to
Nina; in her words, “our society would fundamentally be changed, for the best, if this mission were achieved. Imagine our community if
every individual in it could focus on creativity rather than stress; on possibility rather than disappointment; and, on achievement rather
than survival.” Prior to joining Walmart, Nina worked for the Government of the District of Columbia for six years, spearheading public-private waterfront redevelopment projects, as well as launching energy efficiency financing incentives for commercial real estate investment. Nina has worked in private industry as a real estate developer, and served active duty for three years in the U.S. Army. She is a
graduate of the University of North Carolina with a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Regional Planning. She received
her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University. Beyond the workplace, she is passionate about sustainability,
affordable and livable cities, and workforce development. She serves on the Board of Directors for Mary’s Center for Maternal and
Child Care, the Sustainable Energy Funding Program, the DC Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Washington Board of Trade.
2015 Teresa Schwartz
Rising Leader Award
E
AbbyFenton
A
bby believes that you should always enter every conversation thinking about what you can do for that person rather than what you
can do for yourself. Abby Paige Fenton is the new Chief External Affairs Officer at Whitman-Walker Health. She has always had a
passion for helping people and has given much of her time to nonprofits in our region, and knows the work she is doing is making
a difference. Prior to joining the Whitman-Walker Health team, Abby served as Director of Community Relations at ABC7/WJLA-TV and
News Channel 8. Her responsibilities included coordinating community outreach activities, negotiating media partnerships and driving
public relations initiatives for programs and station endeavors. Kimberly Bassett, Director of the DC Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and
Initiatives said of Abby, “She is a natural leader and possesses a remarkable energy that instantly drew me to her. Her willingness to listen
“I love the idea of women lifting other women up.”
and penchant for leadership made her an ideal selection for Mayor Bowser’s Commission for Women.” In her own words, Abby says “I love
the idea of women lifting other women up. Washington can be a daunting place. There is no question that in many ways our city is a divided
city between “have” and “have-nots.” Having a space where women can feel that no matter what they have experienced or are currently
experiencing, they can succeed is so important; and that is a beautiful thing.” After graduating from Kenyon College (Go Ladies, Go Lords),
Fenton moved to Baltimore, Maryland to work at Center Stage where she helped raise over $14 million for their capital campaign. She then
moved to Washington, DC to work for Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, and completed a second capital campaign raising almost $9
million. Later, Abby become the Director of Partner Engagement at the DC Chamber of Commerce, where she was responsible for coordinating major events and cultivating relationships with the metropolitan corporate community. Abby has been included in Washington
Life Magazine’s list of the most influential people in Washington under 40, serves on the DC Jazz Festival board and continues to play an
active role in the Kenyon College Alumni community. She is a member of LGW’s Class of 2012, and can also be found among the Hollywood elite on the website IMDB (Internet Movie Database) for her work as Executive Producer on the film Cruzando – a feature film that
received accolades both nationally and internationally and was the audience favorite at the HBO New York Latino Film Festival. An avid
dog lover, Abby is a strong supporter of the organization, K9s For Warriors, which is dedicated to providing service canines to warriors suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disability, traumatic brain injury and/or military sexual trauma as a result of military service post 9/11.
milie believes that you can’t be it, unless you can see it, and that
leadership as it looks today, isn’t all that leadership can be. She
shares, “We are transforming what it takes to be a leader, and
redefining it to make it possible for more diverse voices to be heard.
It’s important that we have more women showing those behind them
that it is possible to have an ambitious career and fulfilling personal life.” Emilie Aries is a political organizer turned award-winning
women’s development coach. As Founder and CEO of Bossed Up,
she has helped hundreds of women navigate career transition and
prevent burnout. Her TED talk, “The Power of No,” shows how to set
healthy boundaries and invest in sustainable long-term achievement.
In Emilie’s words, “While I believe we’re finally seeing a broader acknowledgement of and appreciation for intersectional feminism, we
can’t truly talk about gender inequality without addressing racial inequality and its confounding effects. I founded Bossed Up with that
at heart, and love working side-by-side with the YWCA.” Previously,
Emilie has served in politics on statewide and national campaigns as
a digital strategist and grassroots organizer, where she trained and
managed hundreds of volunteers, helped campaigns leverage online communication technology, and smashed stereotypes
about women in tech. She earned her B.A. in political science from Brown University and completed a Fellowship on
Organizing at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Emilie is based in Washington, DC and combines her political instincts and personal experience with burnout to help women step into their power and be the boss of their lives.
EmilieAries
Teresa Schwartz personifies the phrase ‘setting a good example’. For decades, the Shapiro Professor Emer-
itus of Public Interest Law at George Washington University has committed her time and energy to helping
women succeed. She graduated first in her class from the Law School and was a White House Fellow in
1978. She shares, “Over the years I have mentored many students, and I continue to mentor young women.
In my experience, the key elements of mentoring are: getting to know your mentee well, listening carefully
to her concerns and questions, being available when she needs you, setting a good example, and encouraging her to dream and stretch to fulfill her dreams.” Teresa has served as the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Consumer
Protection at the Federal Trade Commission, and was a member and also chair of the Consumer Reports Board. She has
served for several decades on the Board of the YWCA NCA, many of those as president, and now supports the organization
by serving on committees that help sustain it financially. Teresa has been a major philanthropic supporter of the YWCA and
also serves on the Board of Studio Theatre and of several other non-profit organizations. Teresa earned her B.A. from Stanford University and her J.D. from the George Washington University. She is a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia.
of
WOMEN
EXCELLENCE
Jan Stewart is vice president of human resources at GEICO, a position she has held
since 2006. Before assuming her current
responsibilities, Stewart served as assistant vice president and corporate secretary, beginning in 2002. Prior to joining
GEICO, she was in the private practice of
law for 15 years. Stewart holds a bachelor’s
degree in economics from Illinois State University and a law
degree from the University of Illinois. She has served since
2002 as a trustee of the Retirement Fund established for the
employees of the YWCA organizations across the country.
Cheryl P. Ibanez is the administrator of
GEICO Philanthropic Foundation, a position she has held since July 2009. Prior
to assuming her current responsibilities,
Ibanez served as Community Affairs Coordinator in GEICO’s Public Affairs Office. She joined GEICO in July 1987 as an
executive secretary to the Vice President
of the Service Department. In addition to managing the
day to day responsibilities and budget of the GEICO Philanthropic Foundation, Cheryl coordinates GEICO’s companywide United Way Campaign. Cheryl also serves on
a variety of committees and workgroups within GEICO,
including its Corporate Community Citizens & Funding
Committee, Children’s Hospital Campaign Committee,
Public Affairs Workgroup, and Diversity Committees. She
is an active member of the National Council of Negro Women, Potomac Valley Section (PVS), former PVS officer, and
a charter member of the Friendship Heights Toastmasters.
She attended Hampton Institute, in Hampton, Virginia, and
is currently completing a bachelor’s degree in Management
Studies at the University of Maryland University College.
Rachel Alexander is a standout Partner at
Wiley Rein LLP. She counsels clients on health
care and government contracting matters,
focusing on state and federal regulatory compliance, contract administration, procurement matters, and litigation. Rachel advises
on issues related to Medicare, TRICARE, the
Federal Employees Health Benefits, and Medicaid programs. She is a certified Legal Lean
Sigma Institute (LLSI) White Belt, and uses the LLSI process and
project management approach to deliver increased value to clients. In addition, she has made major contributions in numerous pro bono cases that have truly changed people’s lives for the
better, notably for families and children in the Washington, D.C.
Family Courts and social services system. Rachel also serves in
important leadership roles—both at Wiley Rein and outside the
firm—many of which are geared to mentoring women. As cochair of Wiley Rein’s Recruiting Committee, she plays a critical role, ensuring that the firm brings talented lawyers into its
practices. She founded and serves as co-chair for the Women in
Government Contracting Initiative, providing growth and networking opportunities for women in the field. In addition, she
recently was named to an important leadership position at the
Women in Law Empowerment Forum, the premier organization
for women attorneys that is dedicated to women from the largest
law firms and corporate law departments in the United States.
Teresa Payne-Nunn is the Vice President
and General Manager, Federal Operations of Xerox Corporation. She has fiduciary responsibility for all operations,
marketing and sales, for federal clients in
the United States. Teresa has over 25 years
of experience in leading global organizations serving both the public and private
sector. She has held sales, marketing, and executive positions in leading companies including Xerox Corporation
and W. W. Grainger, Inc., and has served as a mentor for
many throughout her career. Teresa earned her Bachelors
of Science degree in Accounting and Marketing from The
Ohio State University and Executive Management Certificates from Smith College, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Dartmouth University, and Tuck School of
Business. She is an Executive Board member and Treasurer
for Suited for Change, and on the Board of Trustees for the
Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Overseas Schools Advisory Council and the Xerox Political Action Committee.
She is also a member of the LGW class of 2014. A fifth generation Washingtonian, Teresa currently resides in Maryland.
YWCA
Empowerment
Summit
proudly supports
the
& congratulates the 2015 Women
of Achievement Awardees
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Congratulations Dot Powell-Woodson
Our Mentor, Friend, Partner, and Leader
For the well-deserved honor of receiving a
YWCA 2015 Women of Achievement Award.
Dot, your outstanding leadership, civic engagement, and
commitment to empowering women inspire us every day.
h+ h
We applaud all of today’s distinguished
YWCA award recipients for their extraordinary
accomplishments as leaders in their communities.
Wiley Rein is proud to support the YWCA National
Capital Area 2015 Women of Achievement Awards.
wileyrein.com