Ninth Woman Appointed since Launch of Women’s Foundation Appointments Project
Kansas City, MO – Mayor Sly James today announced the appointment of Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Lynch to the Kansas City Fairness in City Contracts Board. The Women’s Foundation promoted Lynch through their Appointments Project, which has partnered with Mayor James to address the gender gap in city leadership positions.
“As an attorney and community leader, Betsy Lynch will provide great value to the Fairness in City Contracts Board and we were pleased to provide support to her through the appointments process,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “Thanks again to Mayor James for his leadership in appointing Betsy Lynch and continuing to work to have boards and commissions reflect the population they serve.”
“I commend Betsy’s enthusiasm and commitment to service,” said Mayor Sly James. “She will certainly bring a great amount of experience and knowledge to the Fairness in City Contracts Board and I thank her for her commitment to Kansas City.”
Betsy Lynch is the owner of Lynch, Sharp & Associates, where she also is a practicing attorney. In 2012 and 2013, Betsy was named “Best of the Bar” by the Kansas City Business Journal and was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine in 2013. In the spring of 2014 she was honored as a Rising Star of Philanthropy by The Independent magazine and NonProfit Connect for her volunteer service in the Kansas City community. Betsy serves on the Council for the Young Lawyers Section of the Missouri Bar Association and the Board of Directors for Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph, Missouri. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Junior League of Kansas City from 2011 to 2013. She enjoys volunteering for several philanthropic organizations such as the Association for Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City. Betsy earned her B.A. at Westminster College and her J.D. from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
“It is an honor to be one of the first women appointed to a board position from the Appointments Project. The Women’s Foundation made the appointment process very easy and matched me to the commission that most suited my background, interests, and area of expertise. Women are really struggling to find representation in city and state government, and I’m glad we, as a community, are recognizing the problem and talking about it,” said Betsy Lynch. “I’m also extremely proud that the Women’s Foundation is taking the extra step of DOING something about it. It’s time for women to step forward! If women are running our houses, our families, our children, our businesses - surely we can help run our governments.”
The Women’s Foundation Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor, and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead in Kansas City and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The Women’s Foundation guides women through the process of applying for these positions.
Nine women have been named by Mayor James to leadership positions in Kansas City since the launch of the Appointments Project in the spring of 2014: 1) Cecelia Carter, Employees Retirement System; 2) Ajia Mignon, Land Bank Agency; 3) Amber Hackett, Parks and Recreation; 4) Darline Henrius, Youth Commission; 5) Estela Montserrat Espitia-Cuellar, Youth Commission; Janelle Bailey, Ethics Commission; 7) Sarah Martin-Anderson, Health Commission; 8) Mishelle Martinez, Land Bank; and Betsy Lynch, Fairness in City Contracts Board.
The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women and girls, using philanthropy, research and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.
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