Appointments Project® Commends Progress to Close The Gender Leadership Gap in STL County

KANSAS CITY – The Appointments Project today commended St. Louis County Executive Sam Page for making progress to close the gender leadership gap by appointing women to civic boards and commissions. Jill Nowak was recently appointed to the Metropolitan Zoological Park & Museum District Board (ZMD) through the Appointments Project, an initiative to empower women and strengthen communities by increasing the number of women serving on civic boards and commissions. Nowak is one of 52 women appointed to county boards and commissions since Page took office.

“St. Louis County is taking meaningful strides towards gender equity by making county government more diverse and responsive to the communities it serves,” said Lisa Weingarth, Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis, which promotes the Appointments Project in St. Louis. “Jill Nowak’s appointment is another example of County Executive Sam Page’s commitment to making government more inclusive, diverse, and effective. We look forward to working with County Executive Sam Page and the Appointments Project to put even more women in positions of power where decisions are made.”

Nowak is the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for Missouri Foundation for Health, and has worked collaboratively with organizations throughout the state and country to develop and implement strategies addressing the social determinants of health. She also manages the socially responsible investment of the Foundation’s portfolio and the implementation of policies which create an equitable, diverse and effective Foundation workforce. Jill has held volunteer and leadership positions with several organizations focused on supporting women and families including the Women’s Foundation of Greater St. Louis and, currently, as a board member for Women’s Funding Network.

“Jill’s appointment is a prime example of why we created the Appointment Project five years ago,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Kansas City-based Women’s Foundation, which created the Appointments Project in 2014. “We talked to countless women who were qualified, willing, and ready to serve in leadership roles – but most civic boards and commissions were dominated by men. Now the Appointments Project is helping to change that by empowering more women to serve in leadership roles and make positive change in their communities.”

“I believe that access to cultural institutions and the mind-expanding knowledge they bring is critical to building a more empathetic and inclusive world,” said Nowak. “That access should not be limited by income or neighborhood. The Zoo Museum District ensures that all St. Louisans, our neighbors and our visitors can enjoy several cultural institutions without concern of the cost.”

Established by the Kansas City-based Women’s Foundation in 2014, the Appointments Project® works to empower women and strengthen communities by increasing the gender diversity of civic boards and commissions. Through a landmark study, the Women’s Foundation identified the barriers causing women to be underrepresented on civic boards and commissions, and we established the Appointments Project to increase the number of women serving.

Johnna Norton Appointed to Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board Through The Appointments Project

KANSAS CITY — The Women’s Foundation today praised Governor Laura Kelly’s appointment of Johnna Norton to the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. Norton was appointed with the support of the Appointments Project®, which serves as a nonpartisan resource, talent bank, advisor and advocate for women interested in serving on state and local civic boards and commissions. To date, the project has helped 120 women get appointed to civic boards and commissions in Kansas and Missouri

“We’re excited to be building a larger pipeline for women’s leadership by helping rising stars like Johnna Norton earn an appointment to the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “We created the Appointments Project® to close the leadership gap and empower more women to make positive change, and over the last five years that’s exactly what we’ve done.”

“The Appointments Project®  does excellent work increasing the number of women serving on public boards and commissions,” said Norton. “I’m proud to have worked with this dynamic organization, and to have the opportunity to serve my home state in this exciting new capacity.”

Ms. Norton is the Executive Director of the Mount Carmel Foundation of Pittsburg, Kansas. She previously worked for Pittsburg State University for ten years, rising through the development and alumni association offices to serve as executive director of the alumni association where she doubled the number of events for alumni and constituents to increase engagement in the University, including a new line of popular on-campus family events. Norton has been an active member of Rotary International for over a decade and held leadership positions with Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) during her time at Pittsburg State. She continues to serve in leadership roles for multiple civic and university organizations.

Prospective appointees can learn more and express their interest in serving at: united-we.org/appointments-project

Established in 2014, Appointments Project® works to empower women and strengthen communities by increasing the gender diversity of public boards and commissions. The initiative offers training and information and helps match women’s talents and interests with open positions.

Lynn Parman Appointed to The Missouri State University Board of Governors by Governor Parson Through the Appointments Project®

“I have long admired the Women’s Foundation’s work to empower and inspire. I am excited to be part of shaping the future of Missouri State University.”

Lynn Parman was appointed to the Missouri State University Board of Governors by Governor Mike Parson. Ms. Parman is the Chief Operating Officer of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Previously, she served as the Vice President of Business Development for McCownGordon Construction and as President and CEO of the American Royal Association.

Ms. Parman was named to Ingram’s 40 Under 40 list recognizing Kansas City’s top business and community leaders under 40 years of age. She has also received the International Economic Development Council’s Cluster Based Strategy of the Year Award for the creation and execution of the KC Animal Health Corridor initiative. Ms. Parman holds a Bachelor of Science in public administration from Missouri State University in Springfield. She is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.