Women’s Foundation Appointments Project Sees More Success in 2015
Kansas City, MO – Mayor Sly James today announced the appointment of Mishelle Martinez to the Kansas City Land Bank. The Women’s Foundation promoted Martinez through their Appointments Project, which has partnered with Mayor James to address the gender gap in city leadership positions.
“We’re very pleased to see Mishelle Martinez appointed to the Land Bank Board,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of Women’s Foundation. “Our partnership with Mayor James continues to promote more women into local leadership positions, and we look forward to many more successes in 2015.”
"Mishelle will be a great asset to the Kansas City Land Bank," said Mayor Sly James. "I appreciate her for taking the initiative to become engaged and involved in her community and thank her for her willingness to serve."
Mishelle Martinez is a Polsinelli attorney who practices in the firm’s Construction, Energy and Real Estate Litigation Practice. Martinez earned both her J.D. and B.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a member of the Missouri Bar and is fluent in Spanish.
“I’m deeply honored to be appointed to the Land Bank,” said Martinez. “Resolving issues of abandoned and blighted property is good for the overall success of the City and ultimately helps attract business and makes Kansas City a better place to work and live. I am sincerely grateful to the Women’s Foundation’s Appointments Project for their dedication to getting women involved in the city’s leadership positions.”
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.
Eight 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; and 8) Mishelle Martinez, Land Bank.
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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