Appointee Profile: Teresa Miller

Teresa Miller was appointed By Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice. Teresa recently joined the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in May 2021. She brings more than six years of experience serving in state government in Pennsylvania, most recently as Secretary for the Department of Human Services. In this role, Miller led a department working to address health disparities and racial inequities, finding innovative ways to address social determinants of health like food insecurity, housing and employment, connecting Medicaid enrollees to work supports, redesigning employment and training programs for Pennsylvania’s lowest income residents and supporting Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable residents through the pandemic. As the leader of the department, Miller oversaw a staff of approximately 16,000 and a total budget of more than $45 billion.

Prior to her time at Pennsylvania DHS, Miller served as the state’s insurance commissioner, beginning in 2015. As commissioner, Miller renewed the department’s commitment to consumer protection and reestablished an emphasis on consumer education and financial literacy in partnership with other state agencies, consumer groups, and advocates across Pennsylvania. Miller led the Insurance Department through attempts to replace the Affordable Care Act and advocated across Pennsylvania and to the United States Congress in defense of the law and how it has helped more than a million Pennsylvanians directly access health coverage and countless others through its consumer protections.

Before coming to Pennsylvania, Miller held leadership roles in the federal government’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and was administrator of the insurance division at the State of Oregon’s Department of Consumer and Business Services. Currently, Miller is serving on the Congressional Budget Office’s Panel of Health Advisers, providing feedback on federal policies and legislation that affect health care consumers.

A native of Oregon, Miller received a juris doctor from Willamette University College of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology from Pacific Lutheran University.

It’s Time for Change to Stick - Paid Family Leave

From Our President & CEO Wendy Doyle

Wendy D. Doyle

Image c/o Justina Kellner

Research tells us that family leave policies are critical to the economic success of families and communities. We know that women are disproportionately affected by these policies, more often having to give up their job to stay at home to provide childcare when circumstances change. The most recent - and perhaps most destructive - instance of this impact is the increase in women staying home amidst COVID-19 challenges. 

Family leave is a pillar of our efforts to increase gender equity. Of course, we are not alone in our commitment to advocating for better paid family leave policies. Melinda French Gates recently lobbied for a national paid leave policy, detailed in a Time magazine feature. As she noted, 75% of American voters across party lines support a national paid leave policy; her guess on why the support is so broad is that the need is universal. The unexpected changes in our lives, from an ailing family member or new baby to small business struggles, will impact all of us at some point and therefore must be incorporated into the fabric of our workplaces and communities. 

As the Bipartisan Policy Center states, providing leave supports work, as employees can return to jobs more effectively when they’re given opportunities to take time away. While a national paid leave policy is still widely in discussion, these articles and resources prove the importance of establishing better scenarios for women and families to effectively participate in the workplace - both before, during and after unexpected circumstances - is critically important. 

Here in our homeland, we’ve seen executive orders advancing paid family leave in Missouri and more recently commended and supported Governor Laura Kelly for making great progress in Kansas. Thousands of additional state employees in Kansas now benefit from paid parental leave, as the Judicial Branch and Board of Regents updated their paid family leave policies in September. Learn more about these updates here. In August, the Legislative Coordinating Council approved a significant change to the legislative employee parental leave policy. Changes included more leave for both primary and secondary caregivers. 

We’re also hearing from women across Missouri in our Economic Development Town Halls that families need better policies in order to maintain - or regain - financial stability.  I want to share a few comments with you directly from working women: 

  • “There is no one of childbearing age in my leadership. Who’s fighting for us in these discussions when you talk about these different policies?...Someone told me, ‘When we had kids, my wife stayed home.’”

  • “During COVID, exceptions were made for families to give flexibility because schools and daycares were closed. Although we are still very much in the pandemic, we are no longer in COVID mode, [and] the expectation is you have permanent care as if you were in the office. Even from that perspective there’s the mindset that now we have to move on. The care still isn’t there, some of that is related to [being] underpaid [or] having a higher education degree.”

With national attention on the need for better family leave policies, it is more important than ever for change to stick. It is not enough to draw awareness to the statistics and the families facing difficulties; we must enact change that lasts for generations to come. Imagine a future where a national policy is in place and our economy is full of women who thrive in the workplace and at home. If we imagine this future, we can achieve it. 

So, what can we do as individuals, corporations, and communities to achieve this future and improve paid family leave across our nation? I encourage you to do the following:

  • Individuals: Ask local policy members to step up and advocate for change to stick. Ask the women in your life what they need, what they’re missing, and how they’ve been impacted at work by COVID-19. And review our paid leave report that shares findings and opportunities for advancing policies that empower women and families.

  • Corporations: Implement better policies that encourage women to address their family’s needs outside the workplace, knowing they can confidently and successfully come back to work. 

  • Communities: Ask women and families how local policies can better support them. Advocate at the city and state level. Find families like yours and listen, respond and act.  

In all of our lives we will have moments of progress and times of setbacks. We will all be impacted by the need for workplace support as we face challenges. Now is the time to unite and create change that sticks, moving away from a piecemeal approach that doesn’t achieve the future we envision. I hope you share in our commitment to improve family leave policies for families across the nation. Let’s get to work.

Kindly,

 

Wendy D. Doyle, President & CEO

Wendy Doyle Inducted Into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame

Congratulations to our very own Wendy Doyle for being inducted into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame!

The Class of 2021 induction ceremony took place on October 15. Wendy was inducted alongside Christopher “Kit” Bond, Dr. Patricia Dix, Bob Holden and Dred Scott. Each inductee was honored for defining the essence of public affairs and consistently acting for the benefit of others.

Wendy, thank you for all you do in advancing women and fighting for equality in the workforce, our community and across the nation. You are a true trailblazer, making meaningful change for women across the country.

Three Decades of Women’s Empowerment: United WE Signature Event features Groundbreaking Speakers

KANSAS CITY, MO – September 30, 2021 – Through a uniquely hybrid in-person and online format, United WE presented We Work for Change 2021, a celebration of equity, diversity, and 30 years of empowering women on September 29. 

Hosted at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts and through a virtual livestream, attendees included political leaders from across state and party lines like Kansas Governor Laura Kelly and Missouri United States Senator Roy Blunt. 

“Congratulations to United WE for 30 years of empowering women and working for change across Kansas and Missouri. Your research and policy solutions have made a lasting difference for thousands of women,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “United WE has been an important partner for my administration on women’s issues, and a voice and resource for women across Kansas and beyond.”

The event program featured virtual speaker Mellody Hobson, a nationally-recognized voice on financial literacy. Named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the world, Hobson serves as Chair of Starbucks, the only Black woman to lead the board of directors for an S&P 500 company. She is also the co-founder of Ariel Investments. 

“I’m focused on women – particularly people of color – being brave. I think that fear keeps us from realizing our potential,” said Mellody Hobson. “So many people are held back by fear, and life is not living with an absence of fear, but courage is overcoming it.”

Attendees also heard from in-person speaker Tiffany Dufu, Founder & CEO of The Cru, a peer coaching platform for women. Dufu’s book, Drop the Ball, provides a manifesto for women to learn to let go. Dufu spoke with United We’s President & CEO Wendy Doyle and event chair Mary Jane Judy in a fireside chat, with some questions asked by local youth attendees.

“I think it’s important for us to recognize that there are many different ways to add to the ecosystem of empowering women. It wouldn’t be feasible for all of us to be on a Fortune 500 board or to have seats in Congress,” said Tiffany Dufu. “What’s important is we all need to support one another. We all need each other.”

Formerly known as the Women’s Foundation, this year’s event was particularly impactful for the organization as it marked the celebration of 30 years of empowering women. Formerly known as the Women’s Foundation, United WE was incorporated in 1991 to help address the unmet needs of women and girls in Kansas City. Today, the organization’s strategic investments and passionate work have resulted in work across seven states, including 20 impactful research studies, 39 meaningful policy actions, and 162 women appointed to civic leadership positions through the Appointments Project®. 

United WE unveiled a 30th anniversary video encapsulating milestones from the past three decades, celebrating the women —and men— who said yes to creating meaningful change in their communities. Several of those bold and trailblazing leaders were at the event and featured in the video, available here. 

In addition to celebration, the signature We Work for Change Event raised more than $670,000 to support the United WE mission and programs, including the commission of transformative research, support for barrier-removing policy reforms, advocating for the legacies of women, and more. 

Join United WE in creating meaningful change for all women and learn more at www.united-we.org.

Progress in 30 Years & Plans for the Future

I am in disbelief that we are already approaching the end of 2021. As I pause and reflect on the year so far I can’t help but acknowledge the hardships, the progress and the opportunities that lie ahead. Despite the heaviness in our world, I’m fueled by the thousands of lives United WE is impacting and the trail we are blazing for the future.  

In our 30th year, our work is focused on creating meaningful change through strategic research and systems change initiatives. Though we continue to face uphill battles for gender equity, we have taken important steps forward.

Today I see that there is hope for women and families with recent advancements in occupational licensing  policies like House Bill 2021. We are continually focused on striving for better support for veteran families. We are currently gathering real-time feedback from women across Missouri through our Town Halls initiative to better understand economic development gaps and opportunities. And throughout this year we’ve supported several new women appointees to leadership positions in their communities. I feel encouraged by these moments of dialogue and progress, and as we celebrate 30 years as an organization this year, I am optimistic about how we will continue to shape the future for women, their families, and the next generations of females. 

Now is an important time for women in leadership throughout the country, with nine women serving as state governors. Historically, almost 40% of states have never had a female governor. My hope for the future? Not only will we see females holding leadership positions in all states, but we will have a national paid family leave policy that acknowledges working parents, and also see a female holding the top government position: President of the United States. 

Image via Statista

Image via Statista

I wrote earlier this year about the goals for the future of our organization as we celebrate 30 years of supporting women in our communities and throughout the country. In addition to occupational licensing, paid family leave, veterans, and women in civic leadership, we also plan to continue investing in research that shapes our initiatives, with a large statewide effort in Kansas beginning early next year. We’re also continuing our Legacy of Women initiative to honor trailblazing historical women in their communities. 

And speaking of trailblazing women, I am immensely grateful to the women who came before our current United WE team to shape our organization over the past three decades. If you haven’t visited the new History page on our website, I encourage you to revisit our story, and view videos from some of our inspiring leaders including Past Board Chair Sherri Wattenbarger, Chair of the Board Joan Ruff, Advisory Board Member Debby Ballard, and Past Board Chair Linda Doolin Ward. These women inspire me with their grace, grit and passion for elevating women and girls, and I will continue doing my part to further the mission and success of our organization into the future. 

I’d like to end by thanking the speakers, civic leaders, sponsors, and guests who joined us on September 29 at We Work for Change. We celebrated equity, diversity, representation, passion and 30 years as an organization. Stay tuned for a recap of this incredible event, and mark your calendar to join us in 2022.

United we will demolish today’s gendered barriers, opening up a more equitable and better world for all.

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Kindly, 

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Wendy D. Doyle, President & CEO

Appointee Profile: Denise Ryerkerk

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Denise Y. Ryerkerk, AIA, was recently appointed to the Jackson County Plan Commission.  Denise is a registered architect with over 30 years experience, primarily in the federal public sector. Her project management experience includes major systems and tenant renovations, historic preservation, disaster recovery, sustainability, and security and blast upgrades.  Her current focus is on project planning and development,  process improvement, building accessibility, and coordinating design reviews.  She holds a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Iowa State University, and a Masters of Architecture in Management from the University of Kansas.  She is married with a teenage daughter.

Appointee Profile: Emily Cramer

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“After attending some networking events with the Appointments Project, I knew I had to apply.  I was recently appointed to the Roeland Park Community Engagement and Racial Equity committees and am so excited to play a more active role in these spaces.”
— Emily Cramer

Emily Cramer was appointed to the Roeland Park Community Engagement and the Racial Equity Committees.  As a Senior Specialist, Culture & Development at a legal tech company, Emily supports corporate training and professional development programs.  She loves helping colleagues discover and capitalize on their strengths, which ensures they bring their best selves to work each and every day.  She also works part-time for KCSourceLink, a local entrepreneurial support organization that is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses in Kansas City. About a year and a half ago, Emily moved to Roeland Park and absolutely fell in love with the tight-knit community.

Paid Parental Leave Expands to More State Employees in Kansas

Thousands of additional state employees will benefit from paid parental leave, as the Judicial Branch and Board of Regents have updated their paid family leave policies.

Both of the policies reflect the Governor’s executive order with the following changes:

  • The Judicial Branch altered its paid parental leave policy to eight weeks for both parents (instead of four weeks for the secondary parent).

  • The Board of Regents require their employees to be employed for 12 months to be eligible (instead of 180 days).

“Our research has shown that paid family leave is a win-win for families, employers, and the economy — so we’re thrilled that more state employees will have access to this family-friendly benefit,” said Wendy Doyle, President & CEO of United WE. “We look forward to continuing to work with legislators to pass paid family leave laws and urge other states without paid family leave policies to consider the research-backed benefits that support employees and their families.”

Expanding access to paid leave has been a top priority of the United WE, formerly Women’s Foundation, which works with Kansas leaders to provide research on the benefits of paid family leave.

More information on United WE’s research into paid family leave is available at: https://united-we.org/paid-leave.

Press Release: United WE’s Appointments Project® Announces Expansion to Austin, Texas

Mayor Pro Tem Harper-Madison, Council Member Alter, Mayor Adler and United WE announce their collaborative partnership to increase the number of women on local civic boards and commissions through the Appointments Project. Started in 2014, the Appointments Project has successfully placed more than 160 women on boards and commissions, including 18% women of color.

“I’ve seen first-hand the need to have more women and women of color in leadership positions across the City,” Mayor Pro Tem Harper Madison said. “I’m absolutely excited to call others into service in this partnership to ensure that we’re drawing on the talents and diversity of all our residents.”

“My own experience serving on the Parks Board inspired my run for office,” said Council Member Alter. “As a super majority female council, we work to create opportunities for women in our community to lead. Through the Appointments Project, I hope we chart even more pathways for female leadership and service.”

“Our partnership with United WE and the Appointments Project is strengthening our city by increasing the number of women of all ages, including women of color, who are at the decision-making table for Austin,” said Mayor Adler.

United WE’s Appointments Project serves as a talent bank, advisor and advocate for women seeking opportunities to lead their communities and works to attract diverse applicants for appointed positions on boards and commissions. The award-winning approach guides women through the process of applying for these positions and suggests applicants for appointment.

Read the full press release here.

From Our President & CEO: A Reflection on 20 Years Since the September 11 Attacks

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This year, we acknowledge that two decades have passed since an extremely dark time in our nation’s history. Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, first responders and frontline workers bore much of the brunt of the destruction impact and recovery efforts. Many of those heroes have faced a new challenge over the past two years with the widespread devastation of COVID-19. As time has passed and we have seen the tireless bravery of the frontline healthcare workers, emergency responders, hospital staff, and countless others who have faced our nation’s challenges head-on, I want to express my gratitude for their sacrifice, grace and courage.

At United WE, we make a concentrated effort to acknowledge the struggles of frontline, veteran and survivor families. We know that our work cannot replace the grief felt by the families impacted by events like September 11th or COVID-19, but we do know that policies and programs can help share the burden.

Today our policy efforts are concentrated on improving conditions for families, and we are proud of the progress we have made in Kansas and Missouri to acknowledge the service members who put their lives on the line, and their families who make great sacrifices from home. We advocate for and support programs that invest in these families’ ability to fully participate in the workforce as a small tribute to those who choose to serve their communities. 

One key piece of our work is focused on education, and we have supported bills and expansions that provide the children and spouses of veterans or first responders killed or injured in the line of duty with the opportunity to pursue higher education without the burden of tuition or debt. We also advocate for occupational licensing reciprocity, knowing that women are often disproportionately affected by state-to-state regulations for service licenses and occupations. We applaud and thank leaders like Missouri Governor Mike Parson and Kansas Governor Laura Kelly for sharing our commitment to advocating for veterans and their families. 

Our support of this legislation is based on objective research findings. United WE, formerly Women’s Foundation, conducted a “Project Diane” study that focused on the integration of women into leadership positions in the U.S. Army Special Forces. Additionally, “The Status of Women in Kansas” research report focused on economic development indicators and developed a baseline to monitor Kansas’ progress to advance women’s economic and civic leadership.

I want to share a few highlights from our recent and upcoming work: 

  • The Veterans & Survivors Grant Program in Missouri 

    • This grant was enacted to provide support to children and spouses of veterans impacted while serving in action. 

  • The Veteran & First Responders Program in Kansas 

  • HB 2021: adds to the Wartime Veteran and First Responder Survivors’ Educational Opportunities

    • This important legislation furthers our mission to advance all women’s economic leadership by expanding an education fund for spouses and family members of individuals that died, and now includes individuals injured in the line of duty. It allows for up to $350,000 to be awarded per year. 

  • Ahead of the 20th anniversary of 9/11 next month, I will participate in a press conference with Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple to share how we need more legislation like HB 2021 that benefits the families of wartime veterans and first responder survivors, and reflects Kansas’ ongoing commitment to military families, higher education and workforce development opportunities.

We are pleased with this progress, and know that advocating for veteran families is an ongoing priority as our world continues to evolve and new challenges surface. As we observe the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks and continue to battle the coronavirus, I ask you to remember those who put their lives on the line amid these tragedies. How are you supporting the veterans, survivors and families in your community? I invite you to learn more about our work here, and share the opportunity of this education benefit with the families of wartime veterans and first responder survivors. 

Thank you to the women and men who serve our country. Your bravery, compassion and dedication are what make us proud to be Americans. 

Kindly,

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Wendy D. Doyle, President & CEO