The Young Women’s Leadership Academy Foundation (YWLAF) announces the appointment of five new members to its board of directors. The mission of the Young Women’s 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 YWLAF’s 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 Center’s leadership.
Former Krystal Company executive and business owner Gordon Davenport served as honorary chair of YWLAF’s 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 Children’s 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 Women’s 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.