In The News

Elise Partin, mayor of Cayce, SC, was recently awarded the 2022 Presidential Citation Award from The Columbia Chapter of The American Institute of Architects. The award recognizes exceptional service and professional partnership to enhance local community design.  Click here to read more.

Carol Lovin, Atrium Health Enterprise Executive Vice President, has been named one of the 2022 Most Influential Women Executives in Corporate America by WomenInc. in its fall issue. The esteemed list features women executives, influencers and achievers leading corporate America.

Dena Diorio, Mecklenburg County Manager, was named County Executive of the Year in the 4th annual LocalSmart Awards, for her COVID-19 leadership. The awards highlight people and projects that make city, county and municipal government better.   Click here to read more.

Roslyn Artis, was featured in World's Leaders Magazine as one of the "World's Most Influential Women in Education to Follow, 2022.

Mary-Ann Baldwin won re-election as mayor of Raleigh.  Click here to read more. .

Tally Casey thanked voters who supported her bid for South Carolina lieutenant governor with gubernatorial running mate Joe Cunningham. She told supporters she believes in the democratic process and will support re-elected Gov. Henry McMaster and Lt.

Barrie Christman has agreed to serve on the Audit and Finance Committee of the IWF Global Board, effective January 1, 2023.

Lori Collins Luski has joined Braemar Energy Ventures as the leader of Environmental, Social and Governance. Braemer Energy Ventures is an active investor in transformative energy technology companies. Click here to read more.

Joyce Russell, President of Adecco Group US Foundation, was named a director on the board of the American Staffing Association.  Click here to read more.  Joyce was also named to Staffing Industry Analysts Global Power 150 list for 2022.

Andrea Smith, former Chief Administrative Officer and current Alumni Network Chair for Bank of America will be inducted into the North Carolina Business Hall of Fame in March 2023 at a celebration hosted by Junior Achievement of Central Carolinas, a youth empowerment nonprofit.

Roslyn Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College, was inducted into The National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame.

Jessica Donan, Office Managing Partner, EY Charlotte, was named to the South Carolina Business News Accounting Power List.  Jessica was also named as the Greenville Chamber of Commerce chair-elect for 2023. Click here to read more.

Kathryn Hill announced her retirement at the end of this year from the Levine Museum of the New South.

Joyce Russell, President of Adecco Group US Foundation, was selected to speak at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit.

Katie Tyler won the US National Pro/Am Latin Dance Championship held last month in Orlando by the U. S. Dance Championships.

Laura Wellman, Duke University Class of 1973 and Parent 2011, is a 2022 recipient of the Charles A. Dukes Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service, which recognizes alumni volunteers who serve in Duke leadership roles and have devoted themselves to extraordinary, long-term efforts that help the university further its mission. Click here to read more.

Jennifer Appleby, President and Chief Creative Officer of Wray Ward, offers advice for Charlotte companies seeking to connect with the city's newer and younger residents.  The Charlotte Business Journal ranked Wray Ward as Charlotte's largest advertising agency in both local office revenue and number of employees. Click here to read more.

Sue Cole, Board Chair of National Association of Corporate Directors rings the NASDAQ closing bell on August 25 with colleagues from NACD.  Click here to read more.  .

Carol Hardison, CEO of Crisis Assistance Ministry in Charlotte, has been awarded the Women in American History Award by the Halifax Convention Chapter of the National Daughters of the American Revolution. The DAR honored her decades-long service working to improve the lives of those in need. Click here to read more.

Janet Labar, President and CEO of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, shares the Alliance's strategy of using the President's Cup to bring new business and investment to the area. Click here to read more.   .

Vi Lyles, Mayor of Charlotte, shares her top priorities for the city. Click here to read more. .

Grace Ueng, Founder of Savvy Growth and columnist for WRAL's TechWire, focuses her column on the power of improv in leadership based on the IWF Carolinas event. Our members are highlighted. Click here to read more.

Tally Casey, CEO of Wyche Law Firm,  was chosen as Lt. Governor running mate to Joe Cunningham, a Democrat running for governor of South Carolina.  Casey was the first female pilot in the SC Air National Guard.

Vi Lyles, mayor of Charlotte, and some City Council members received a death threat in an email Friday. Click here to read more. This after Mayor Lyles cruised to another term as mayor of North Carolina's largest city, defeating Republican Stephanie de Sarachaga-Bilbao with 68% of the vote.

Machelle Sanders, secretary of the Department of Commerce for North Carolina, climbed the corporate ranks before taking charge of the state's thriving economic development prospects. Now, she must keep the momentum going. She talks to the Business Journal about leadership and her strategy for growth.

Lori Collins Luski, owner of Collins Climate Consulting and  president of IWF Carolinas, has been appointed to the EPA Environmental Financial Advisory Board (EFAB) for a three-year term. "I'm very excited and think this will help me bring my clients additional insight and perspective on national climate resilience issues related to infrastructure and financing," Luski said.  EFAB is one of the longest charted Federal Advisory Committee at EPA and provides ideas and advice on ways to lower the costs of and increase investments in environmental and public health protection.

Barbara Laughlin and Joyce Russell, both community advisors to Dress for Success Charlotte stepped up to sponsor the Ultimate Power Lunch, an annual fundraiser. The event, to be held in-person on September 27 at the Fillmore, has been virtual since the pandemic. Laughlin joined several other community advisors with individual sponsorship support and Russell is providing foundation support.

Sophia Wajnert, leader of the Raleigh site for Credit Suisse, has stepped down after four years in Raleigh and 14 years with the financial institution. Click here to read more.  .

Donna Rhode was named to the Advisory Board of Avallano.  Click here to read more.  .

Vi Lyles, Charlotte mayor, received an honorary doctorate from Johnson C. Smith University. Click here to read more.

Moira LoCascio, CEO of MYgroup, was honored by the North Carolina Employee Assistance Professionals Association with the 2022 John Burke President's Achievement Award.

Adrienne Cole, President and CEO of the Raleigh Chamber, speaks to WRAL TechWire on the state of women leaders in the Triangle. Click here to read more.  .

Carol Spalding, President of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, was honored by the Board of Trustees with the naming of the new tech center on campus. The building is called the Dr. Carol S.

Susan King, former dean of UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, was inducted into the UNC Media and Journalism Hall of Fame. Click here to read more.   She looks back at her UNC career and stormy final year with NCPolicyWatch.

Lou Kennedy, President, CEO and owner of Nephron Pharmaceuticals Corporation, was featured in a story by NBC News about our shrinking economy. Lou discussed Nephron Pharmaceuticals efforts to move their manufacturing to South Carolina from international locations due to supply chain issues. Click here to read more.

Valerie Hillings, Director of the North Carolina Museum of Art, was featured in a New York Times article highlighting the benefits of world-class museums in mid-size cities. Click here to read more. (Subscription required) .

Ravila Gupta, CEO of Bagchi Group, was invited by Ascend to attend the NASDAQ closing bell ceremony on May 12, in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Click here to read more.  .

Sharon Gaber, UNC Charlotte Chancellor, shared her vision for the university with WFAE 90. 7.  Click here to read more.

Roslyn Artis, president of Benedict College, joins HBCU thought-leaders in discussion on how to maintain accountability and further mission values.

Laura Wellman has been named the 2022 Harold P. Josephson Award winner by the World Affairs Council of Charlotte. She will be honored during the 2022 World Citizen Award Gala Dinner to be held Tuesday, June 7 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Andrea Smith's career with Bank of America Corp. has been recognized with a $2 million donation from her former employer to two Charlotte organizations. The CharMeck Family Justice Center received $1 million to spearhead the creation of The Umbrella Center, which will provide services for those impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse, human trafficking or child abuse.

Joyce Russell, president of Adecco Group US Foundation, recounts the pivotal moments in her life in a new book, Together We Rise. The book features the stories of fifteen leaders in the staffing industry including their struggles to rise up and stand out in an industry with too few women at its highest ranks. Their stories emphasize the power of women supporting women.

Dr. Terza A. Silva Lima-Neves, an IWF 2020/2021 Fellow, has been named a 40 over 40 award winner by the Charlotte Ledger.

Lissa Broome was highlighted in the Carolina Alumni Review, highlighting her many years as an outstanding faculty member who has been recognized numerous times over the years for her achievements and contributions.  Click here to read more.  .

Mary-Ann Baldwin has joined First Tee of the Triangle as vice president of advancement. "The organization helps children build character through the game of golf," Mary-Ann wrote on LinkedIn. "It's great to return to my non-profit roots and help improve the lives of young people.

Karen Albritton, CEO of Walk West and board chair at the American Marketing Association, was featured in WRAL's TechWire discussing how executives can drive organization-wide growth by connecting business goals to marketing investments.

Laura Meyer Wellman moderates a panel on gender bias, sponsored by Bank of America and the World Affairs Council. Click here to read more.   .

Grace Ueng launches her regular column with WRAL Techwire with lessons on leadership and happiness.

Mayor Vi Lyles leads effort to sever Charlotte's ties with Russian sister city. Click here to read more.  .

Lori Collins Luski spotlighted in Women+ in Climate Tech, as part of the Taskforce for Equity in Climate-related Financial Disclosures, where she highlights Laura Meyer Wellman's role in her career. Click here to read more.  .

Andrea Smith has been named an independent director on the board of HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: HCA), a provider of healthcare services including hospitals, surgery centers, urgent care centers, and physician clinics, in the U. S.

Machelle Sanders, NC Secretary of Commerce, has been named to the BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:BCRX) Board of Directors.   BioCryst Pharmaceuticals, located in Durham, discovers novel, oral, small-molecule medicines that treat rare diseases.

Jessica Donan, Managing Partner of the EY office in Greenville, SC was named one of Greenville Business Magazine's 50 Most Influential People of 2021. Click here to read more.  .

MaryAnn Bruce was named Board Chair-Elect for C200, a premier invitation-only organization of C-suite corporate executives and entrepreneurs. Click here to read more.  Additionally, MaryAnn has joined the Advisory Board of Divershefy Inc.

Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of South Carolina's Benedict College, has been elected to the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College (SACSCOC) -- the accrediting body of degree-granting higher education institutions in the southern states. Click here to read more.

Andrea Smith talks about retirement from Bank of America, community work and what is next for her.   Click here to read more.  .

Mayor Vi Lyles speaks with WFAE's Mike Collins looking back at successes and challenges for Charlotte in 2021.    Click here to read more.  .

Susan King discusses Nikole Hanna-Jones controversy and future of journalism as she steps down from the Hussman School of Journalism.  Click here to read more.  .

Dianne Chipps Bailey has been selected as the new chair of the Women's Philanthropy Institute (WPI) Council. Click here to read more.  .