TOPEKA, Kan. – The Women’s Foundation today commended Gov. Laura Kelly’s administration and Acting Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda for their commitment to increasing gender diversity in leadership. With Secretary Zmuda’s recent appointment of two women to lead the Norton and Topeka corrections facilities, leadership at three of the state’s eight adult prisons will be held by women, the most in Kansas’ history.
Zmuda announced that Hazel Peterson will be the permanent warden at Norton Correctional Facility, and Gloria Geither will be appointed to serve as warden for Topeka Correctional Facility, the state’s only women’s prison.
“We commend Governor Kelly and Secretary Zmuda for their commitment to gender diversity and closing the leadership gap in Kansas,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “These historic appointments come as Governor Laura Kelly has appointed more than 100 women to boards, commissions and the judiciary. Putting more women in leadership positions is more than a nicety, it also increases public trust and improves effectiveness. When women lead, everyone wins.”
Gov. Kelly’s administration is participant in the Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project®, which works to empower women and strengthen communities by increasing the gender diversity of civic boards and commissions. Gov. Kelly has appointed more than 100 women to boards, commissions, and the judiciary since she took office in January. Research continually shows that increasing gender diversity in leadership improves organizational effectiveness and increases public trust.
Established by the Women’s Foundation in 2014, Appointments Project® works to increase the gender diversity of civic boards and commissions in both Kansas and Missouri. You can learn more about Women’s Foundations’ work to close the leadership gap here: http://www.womens-foundation.org/a-p.