Mayor Sly James Appoints Doniele Carlson to The Platte County MU Extension Council; Lisa Hickok to the Municipal Arts Commission; Emily Truebner to Serve on the Environmental Management Commission
Kansas City, MO – Recently, Mayor Sly James announced the appointments of Doniele Carlson to the Platte County MU Extension Council, Lisa Hickok to the Municipal Arts Commission, and Emily Truebner to the Environmental Management Commission. Women’s Foundation promoted these women through the Appointments Project which aims to remove barriers for women to serve in civic leadership positions and increase the number of women serving on boards and commissions so that they are more reflective of the populations they serve.
"We have reached our 20th appointment through the Appointments Project in Kansas City, where the concept was launched,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “We’re very happy with the progress we’ve made in our home city in partnership with Mayor James, moving the needle toward equal gender representation in government.”
“Many thanks to Doniele, Lisa and Emily for accepting these appointments," Mayor Sly James said. "I remain grateful to the Women's Foundation for its role in helping my office through our Women's Empowerment initiative with our Appointments Project partnership, which is bringing more inclusive and effective leadership to Kansas City’s boards and commissions."
Doniele Carlson, appointee to the Platte County MU Extension Council, holds a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas and has experience serving on a national board and boards whose service areas cover Missouri and Kansas.
“I am excited to continue my record of public service through the work of the Platte County MU Extension Council,” said Doniele Carlson. “What better way than to get involved with Women’s Foundation’s mission to balance the gender representation on civic boards and commissions?!”
The newest appointee to the Municipal Arts Commission, Lisa Merrill Hickok, holds a Master of Arts in Speech and Communication from the University of Missouri. She is active in many Kansas City community boards and commissions such as being on the Goodwill of Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas Board of Directors, and she is President of the Kansas City Ballet Guild.
"I have always loved the arts, and the Municipal Arts Commission is a great place for me to apply my expertise and passion and give back to the city that I love,” said Lisa Hickok. “I thank the Women’s Foundation for their guidance and support through the appointment process.”
Emily Truebner, appointed to the Environmental Management Commission, currently works in the renewable energy sector and has over fifteen years of environmental consulting experience. She received her Bachelors of Science in Geology from Colorado State University and is currently a member of the Urban Land Institute.
“Thanks to Women’s Foundation I now have the opportunity to serve my community through a local Kansas City Commission,” said Emily Truebner. “The Environmental Management Commission will allow me to use my expertise to improve our community and environment.”
The Women’s Foundation Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead their communities and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. Women’s Foundation guides women through the process of applying for these positions and recommends applicants for appointment.
Since its launch in the spring of 2014, 20 women have been appointed to local and state boards and commissions in Kansas City through the Appointments Project. The Appointments Project is currently active in helping recruit and train more women serve on boards and commissions for the State of Missouri, City of St. Louis and Kansas City, Missouri, and Olathe, Kansas.
Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.
###