WOMEN WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Pg 1. Patricia Bransford, Tojia Coverdale, Peggy
Davis, Megan Gaiser
Pg.2.
Jeniffer Harper, Monique Hayward,
Yolanda Cash Jackson, Kathy Baker-McLean
Pg.3
Monica Merel, Felicia Palmer, Angela Reddock, Kimball Williams
Pg.4.
Patricia Williams, Arnita Wise
PATRICIA BRANSFORD
Patricia Bransford is the
Founder and President of The National Urban Technology Center and an expert in
using technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of delivering
education and vocational services to low-income communities.
She is the author of the
Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) educational curricula that transforms the
conventional classroom into an interactive learning environment for youth 10
to 17.
In conjunction with
creating the YLA curriculum Bransford developed a “franchise” approach and
“turn-key” process for building state-of-the-art computer training centers in
multiple countries across the country.
This process, called
SeedTech, has been adopted by the Department of Justice, Weed and Seed, for
transferring technology skills to inner-city communities. The National Urban
Technology center has built more than 500 computer centers across the country.
Prior to establishing The
National Urban Technology Center, Patricia Bransford worked at IBM for more
than 20 years in a career in technology. During her years at IBM she was
instrumental in turning a former IBM manufacturing facility into the largest
minority employee-owned computer manufacturing company in the world; directed
IBM’s $100 million business with New York City including strategic planning,
marketing and implementation of large-scale information systems projects in
the areas of social services, criminal justice housing and finance; and
assisted government officials in developing economic development and
differentiation strategies for the 21st
century among other roles.
Patricia Bransford sits on
the Board of the Urban Business Assistance Corporation, which serves the needs
of minority entrepreneurs and business owners in New York City. She was
awarded the Beacon Award by the Morehouse and Spelman New York Alumni
Scholarship Fund in honor of her distinguished accomplishments and work in
disadvantaged communities.
She also has received the
Granville T. Woods Award given by the National Association of
Black Telecommunications Professionals to “the outstanding CEO of a
corporation with the greatest impact in the community.”
Patricia Bransford has a
Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Catholic University in
Washington, DC and a Master’s Degree from the N.Y.U. Stern School of Business
Administration.
TONJIA COVERDALE
“Divapreneur” Tonjia
Coverdale left her career as a University professor of IT and traded in her
stilettos for sneakers when her son Benjamin was born last year. Like so many
new mothers, Coverdale struggled with being a “mom-me” – balancing a new
lifestyle, a demanding schedule and a new body. After only a few months of
motherhood, she was inspired to create a couture clothing/accessories line
targeting women who are transiting their bodies – and their lives – to their
new role as mothers. The result: Divas N Babes.
“Beneath the oversized
T-shirts and baseball caps of today’s busy Mommies lies an inner diva
screaming to get out,” said Coverdale. “Divas N Babes provides a return to
‘everyday elegance’ with our selection of trendy apparel and accessories
perfect for a play date or a trip to the grocery store.”
Created for haute
mamas and by haute mamas, the company specializes in expressive,
contemporary couture with casual flair for today’s busy Mommies.
Divas N Babes is an
affordable couture line with creative and casual flair. With expressive
statements like “I AM at work!” for mommies and “Been there, broke
that” for babies, the company allows haute mamas and their cool
babes to “speak” to the world around them. The online store also features
various types of clothing options for families of multiples including onesies
that read, “I’m the man!/No, I’m the man!”
Additionally, Divas N Babes
encourages mommies to wear their most valuable accessory – their babies – in
comfortable, fashionable baby slings that promote bonding and hands-free
flexibility. By offering stylish options like the Ring Sling and Mei Tai,
Divas N Babes makes it easier for mothers to cultivate a nurturing
relationship with their child as they continue their busy lifestyles. The
slings, which are hand-crafted by a team of stay-at-home mommies like
Coverdale, are made of the finest luxury silk. A choice of colors, designs and
fabrics for each style also helps mommies wholeheartedly embrace babywearing.
“Like most new mothers, I
struggled with being a ‘Mom-me’,” she said. “Now I hope to inspire other
mommies to shed their baggy shirts and sweats for contemporary gear that
reflects their inner diva without compromising comfort.”
Divas N Babes was created
to help mommies feel good about their post-baby appearance as they reclaim
their sense of style. The Wilmington, Delaware-based company’s online
boutique’s Website features a Divas Den, a blog that gives mommies the
opportunity to share their pregnancy and motherhood stories.
There is also a Virtual
Playgroup for consumers who are interested in networking with other mommies
and receiving the monthly e-newsletter which features tips, resources and
monthly promotions.
PEGGY A. DAVIS
Peggy A. Davis, Vice
President, Diversity, Exelon Corporation, is a former partner in the
government relations and labor and employment practices in the Chicago office
of Winston & Strawn LLP. She also has extensive experience in the public
sector, including her most recent service as chief of staff to the Chicago
Public Schools CEO.
She served nine years as
general counsel to the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, and also
worked for the City of Chicago’s law department and the Chicago office of the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
As vice president of
diversity, Davis oversees all Exelon diversity and compliance initiatives.
Prior to her current position, she was associate general counsel at Exelon
responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s corporate
compliance program, including conducting and monitoring investigations of
potential violations of Exelon’s code of business conduct andpreparing
quarterly reports on these matters for Exelon’s audit committee.
She also developed and
implemented programs and delivery systems for ethics and compliance case
management, training, and communications.
“Peggy is an extraordinary
lawyer, but it is her relentless commitment to the advancement of community
and sound public policy that sets her apart,” said William A. Von Hoene, Jr.,
senior vice president and general counsel, Exelon. “Her superb work with the
Chicago Public Schools, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority and
the Lawyers Trust Fund are illustrative of the broad impact she has had. She
is regarded universally in the legal and broader community as a wonderful
leader, demonstrating the type of vision, drive and integrity to which all of
us should aspire.”
Davis
spent six years as a board member of the Lawyers Trust Fund (LTF) where
unprecedented gains were made in LTF’s ability to increase funding for civil
legal programs. At LTF, Davis lead and supported the completion of a statewide
Legal Needs Study that quantified the unmet legal problems faced by those
unable to afford a lawyer; the adoption of a Supreme Court rule to promote
pro bono among lawyers; technology improvements for all legal services
programs; and the creation of statewide initiatives to make the promise of
Equal Justice Under the Law a reality for all citizens of Illinois. She is a
member of the American Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. She
is the outgoing president of the Lawyers Trust Fund of Illinois,
treasurer-elect for the National Association of Women Lawyers, and is a
member of the Chicago Board of Education.
Peggy Davis holds a
bachelor’s degree in social welfare and a J.D, both from the University of
Wisconsin.
MEGAN GAISER
Megan Gaiser is President
and CEO of Her Interactive – the pioneer in interactive entertainment targeted
towards female play preferences. Gaiser is responsible for short- and
long-term corporate strategy as well as day-to-day operations of the company.
Under her stewardship, Her Interactive has experienced continued growth,
increasing revenues more than 377%, and achieving combined sales of more than
three million units worldwide for the company’s Nancy Drew PC game
franchise.
The series has garnered 12
consecutive awards for excellence from the respected Parents’ Choice Gold
Awards and for the last two years has been the number one PC adventure
title in units in the US.
Prior to joining Her
Interactive in 1997, Gaiser spent eleven years as editor and producer of
several award-winning documentaries as well as corporate, educational and
public service announcements. She then went to Microsoft Corporation as
producer of CarPoint, the company’s first online-specific product.
Gaiser also produced
Microsoft’s first online surround video segment, a virtual online chat
environment and several promotional ads, one of which received Microsoft’s
Consumer Division CD Sampler Award in 1995.
Megan Gaiser is the
recipient of over fifteen Cine Golden Eagle Awards; three New York
Festival Awards; and the International Documentary Milano Award.
She has also contributed works to the International Film & Video Congress in
Zurich, and the International Eko Film in Czechoslovakia.
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