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.

Appointments Project Helps Increase Representation of Women on KC Civic Boards to 43 Percent

The Appointments Project® today released new data showing the percentage of women on Kansas City boards and commissions has increased from 33 percent in 2014 to 43 percent for mayoral-appointed positions and 41 percent overall.

With gender parity at the local level within reach, the organization challenged elected leaders to improve the gender and racial diversity of civic boards and commissions at all levels of government. Established by the Women’s Foundation in 2014, the Appointments Project works to empower women and strengthen communities by increasing the gender diversity of public boards and commissions. Originally piloted in Kansas City under Mayor Sly James’ administration, the program is now operating in dozens of cities in Missouri and Kansas.

“This is solid progress, but there’s more work to be done to make sure women have a seat at the table and a voice when important decisions are made,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “Thanks to the leadership of Mayor Quinton Lucas, former Mayor Sly James, and the hundreds of women who have stepped up to apply for these positions, gender parity on Kansas City boards and commissions is finally within reach. Greater diversity in leadership results in greater public trust, better policy outcomes, and more effective governance for everyone. Now it’s on all of us to keep up this momentum and close the gender leadership gap for good.”

The report, prepared in partnership with Accenture, found that as of July 2019:

Women hold 313 seats (43 percent) of 730 board and commission positions appointed by the mayor. Thirty-two of those appointments were facilitated by the Appointments Project.

Boards with the highest percentage of women are the Kansas City Library Board of Trustees (78%), the Health Commission (65%) and the City Market Oversight Committee (63%).

There were 32 Kansas City boards and commissions with open positions that were less than 50 percent female.

Ten boards had no female representation:
Urban Agricultural Zone Commission
MARC Solid Waste Management District Management Council
MARC Solid Waste Management District Executive Board
Kansas City Chapter 353 Advisory Board
Jackson Co University of Missouri Extension Council
Jackson Co Board of Equalization
Investment Committee
Firefighters Pension System Board of Trustees
Fairness in Professional Goods and Services
Central City Economic Development Sales Tax Board

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Appointee Profile: Sherri Wattenbarger

“I’m honored to be joining the Kansas Board of Healings Arts, and I’m grateful to Governor Kelly and the Appointments Project for this opportunity to serve my community and advance the health of Kansas families.”

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Sherri Wattenbarger was appointed to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts by Governor Laura Kelly. Sherri currently works as a federal government attorney. Previously, she was a law clerk to the Honorable Pasco M. Bowman II, of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Wattenbarger received a Juris Doctor from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, and graduated first in her class. In 2011, she was named Woman of the Year by the Association of Women Lawyers of Greater Kansas City, and in 2012 she was awarded the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Community Service as well as the Women’s Justice Award for Public Service by “Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly.” 

Wattenbarger has served – and is currently serving – on several advisory boards and commissions related to law. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from UMKC and a J.D. from UMKC Law.

Appointee Profile: Robin Wenneker

Robin is joining the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education

“The Appointments Project inspired me to apply for this position, and I’m so glad I did. Higher education is a passion of mine, and it’s so important for women to have a seat at the table where these decisions are made. Serving on the Coordinating Board for Higher Education has been a tremendous honor, and I’d encourage any woman with an interest in public service to raise their hand to serve.
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Robin Wenneker was appointed to serve on the CBHE by Gov. Mike Parson in August 2019. Wenneker is the managing partner for her family-owned multi-county property management company with farm, rental and raw land holdings. She brings extensive involvement in the community to her position, serving on the University of Missouri College of Agriculture’s Food and Natural Resources Foundation, the University of Missouri Alumni Association, Assistance League of Mid Missouri, Children’s Grove, and the Columbia Housing Authority.

Wenneker holds a bachelor’s degree in administrative management from the University of Missouri, and a master’s degree in business administration from Washington University.

Appointee Profile: Krista Watkins

Krista is joining Kansas City's Westport Events Management Committee.

Krista joined the Appointments Protect® to become more involved in her community. By joining the board, she hopes to acknowledge community concerns and work to solve issues.

Krista will be joining the Westport Events Management Coordination Committee and will be working together with the CID and other community organizations to further education aimed at preventing gun violence, including lessons learned from the screening process.

Appointee Profile: Dee Nighswonger

Dee is joining the City of Wichita District II Advisory Board. The primary purpose of the District Advisory Board is to provide the City Council, City Staff and the elected Council member advice and recommendations on matters of public policy, citizen involvement and problems or issues specific to District II.

Dee has had the opportunity to serve her community through employment with Sedgwick County for over 15 years as well as through non-profit board service and volunteer work. She loves leadership and feels called to exercise it whenever, where ever and for however long she is able. After hearing about the Appointments Project at the Know Your Worth Conference last fall, she recognized the opportunity to explore new avenues for her own personal leadership development that would make an impact.

Dee looks forward to learning about how the City of Wichita engages with citizens to make progress on important issues facing our community. She hopes to continue to improve her capacity for contributing to progress on challenges faced by both the City and County while representing her fellow citizens from District II.

Appointee Profile: Shelby Ostrom

Shelby Ostrom has been appointed to the Kansas Volunteer Commission. Shelby currently manages the Donor Network for young professionals at United Way, an organization promoting economic opportunity in the Greater Kansas City area.

Since 1993, the Kansas Volunteer Commission has been promoting community service and volunteerism. As an appointee, Shelby will be responsible for helping to administer grants to the AmeriCorps and Volunteer Generation Fund programs in Kansas.

Shelby encourages any woman wanting to get involved with the Appointments Project to tackle the opportunity to serve head-on.

“By serving, I hope to encourage other young professional women to stand up and serve as well. Our voices deserve to be heard!”

Initiative to Appoint More Women to Local Boards Now Accepting Applications in West Plains

Women in West Plains, Missouri encouraged to apply for positions on local boards and commissions through the Appointments Project®

CONTACT:
Channing Grate, Women’s Foundation, channing@gpsimpact.com
Todd Shenks, City of West Plains, todd.shanks@westplains.net, 417-256-7176

WEST PLAINS, Mo – In the wake of a historic election for female candidates nationwide, an initiative to appoint more women to civic boards and commissions is now operating in West Plains, Missouri. Women interested in serving the public are encouraged to apply to the Appointments Project®, a program launched by the Women’s Foundation to help increase the diversity of public boards and commissions.  

A free webinar for prospective appointees will be held on November 27 from 12-12:30pm. Women interested in participating can sign up at: http://www.womens-foundation.org/new-events/.

“We’re thrilled to expand the Appointments Project into West Plains and encourage all women interested in serving their communities to apply,” said Wendy Doyle Women’s Foundation President and CEO. “Adding more diverse voices to the decision-making table will improve public policy and help local boards and commissions be more responsive and reflective of the communities they serve.”

The Appointments Project will work to empower women and encourage greater diversity on West Plains’ public commissions by helping to educate and engage prospective officials on the application and appointment process.

“Local government works best when everyone’s voices are heard and when citizens have confidence that their views are represented,” said West Plains City Councilman Josh Cotter. “This initiative will help build a pipeline of empowered, qualified women and make our city government more efficient, effective and responsive to the citizens we serve.”

Launched in 2014, the Appointments Project aims to remove barriers for women to serve on public boards and commissions so they are more reflective of the populations they serve. Based on a first-of-its-kind study that identified numerous barriers causing women to be underrepresented on public boards and commissions, the Appointments Project serves as a talent bank and advisor for women seeking appointed positions in state and local government.

The Appointments Project saw a 300% increase in the number of Appointments Project locations in 2018, and the two dozen locations are now present in every congressional district of Kansas and Missouri. In Kansas City, where the program was piloted, it helped increase the percentage of women on city boards and commissions from 33-percent to 42-percent in just three years.

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