Young Women's Leadership Academy Foundation Has 5 New Board Members

  • Tuesday, August 25, 2015

The Young Womens Leadership Academy Foundation (YWLAF) announces the appointment of five new members to its board of directors.  The mission of the Young Womens Leadership Academy Foundation is to identify, support, and advocate research-based educational programs and policies that advance gender equity to prepare girls and young women for 21st century leadership.  To further this mission, YWLAF's primary focus is to provide the necessary resources to operate and support the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy (CGLA), the first single-gender public charter school in Hamilton County and Tennessee.

 

At YWLAFs Annual Meeting, Executive Director Dr.

Elaine Swafford welcomed the newest directors, Marilyn Center, Gordon Davenport, Donna Killian, David Patten and Donna Roddy.  We are thrilled to welcome a such a talented group of business and community leaders to the Foundation Board, said Dr. Swafford. We look forward to working with individuals willing to provide their time to such a wonderful mission as we continue to build a successful educational program at CGLA.

 

Marilyn Center is the past chair of the Girls Preparatory School Board, the Erlanger Foundation Board and the Hunter Museum Board.  The Allied Arts of Chattanooga raised $2 million during a campaign under Centers leadership.

 

Former Krystal Company executive and business owner Gordon Davenport served as honorary chair of YWLAFs ODYSSEY 2015 luncheon.  He has also held board positions on the Stadium Board and has been board president for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chattanooga.

 

Donna Killian is vice president of First Tennessee Bank who currently serves on the board of Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. The Leadership Chattanooga graduate also co-chaired our ODYSSEY luncheon in 2012.

 

David Patten is senior vice president of Patten-Oehmig Wealth Management Group of Raymond James.  Within the community, he is vice-president of the Chattanooga History Center, a board member of the Scenic Land School and a trustee at the Baylor School.  He also volunteers at T.C. Thompson Childrens Hospital and Siskin Hospital with the help of his pet therapy dog Katie.

 

Retired nurse Donna Roddy was the manager of Client Advocacy at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.  She has served on the Tennessee Board of Nursing and is currently a board member for the Womens Fund of Greater Chattanooga. 

 

The slate of YWLAF Board members for 2015-2016 includes:  Kristina Montague, Chair; Cheryl Godwin, Secretary; Ray Ryan, Treasurer; Hazel Bell, Stefanie Crowe, Grant Law, Dana Perry, Meredith Perry, Edna Varner, Sue Anne Wells and Jo Ann Yates.


Student Scene
Local Students Receive College Honors
  • 7/3/2025

The 176th Commencement Exercises of Rhodes College took place on campus May 17. The college awarded more than 500 degrees, including the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Science ... more

Lee University’s Educator Preparation Programs Earn National Accreditation
Lee University’s Educator Preparation Programs Earn National Accreditation
  • 7/3/2025

The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation has awarded five-year initial accreditation to the educator preparation programs at Lee University’s Helen DeVos College of Education. ... more

Chattanooga State Students Turn Skills Into Success At SkillsUSA National Competition
Chattanooga State Students Turn Skills Into Success At SkillsUSA National Competition
  • 7/3/2025

Last week, 25 Chattanooga State students and 16 advisers traveled to Atlanta to participate in the SkillsUSA 2025 National Leadership & Skills Conference, and 12 returned victorious. "The ... more