In Context: Women on the Rise Honorees

Meet Lauren Cristella, our Barrier Breaker nominee! 

Lauren Cristella is breaking barriers in civic leadership and strengthening democracy through public engagement, education, and community leadership. As the first woman to serve as president and CEO of the Committee of Seventy in its more than 120-year history, Lauren leads one of the nation’s oldest nonpartisan civic leadership organizations at a pivotal time for voter participation, election administration, and civic education. 

Under Lauren’s leadership, the Committee of Seventy works to advance representative, ethical, and effective government by helping Pennsylvanians become informed and engaged participants in civic life. In 2024, the organization partnered with schools and teachers across Pennsylvania to reach a record-breaking 23,000 students through civics programming. Its Interactive Voter Guide also helped tens of thousands of voters research candidates, make voting plans, create and share sample ballots, locate polling places, and check their voter-registration status. 

Lauren has also helped strengthen the systems that support elections through her leadership at the Committee of Seventy. In partnership with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, the Committee of Seventy hosted 52 training sessions for poll workers, helping Philadelphia polling places reach full staffing on Election Day. 

Her leadership has earned recognition from organizations including the American Bar Association, which honored the Committee of Seventy with its 2024 Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award. Lauren has also been named a Woman of Influence by the Philadelphia Business Journal and has received the 2025 Alma Jacobs Award from Women for Greater Philadelphia and Generation Citizen’s 2025 Civic Changemaker Award. 

Lauren’s civic leadership extends beyond the Committee of Seventy. A former president of the League of Women Voters of Philadelphia, she continues to serve on its board while contributing her leadership to organizations across the Philadelphia region. 

Join us in celebrating Lauren Cristella as a Women on the Rise Barrier Breaker for breaking new ground in civic leadership, expanding access to civic learning and participation, and helping more Pennsylvania communities engage with confidence in the democratic process. 

Website: https://seventy.org/ 
LinkedIn: Lauren Cristella 
Instagram: @laurencristella 

Meet our Women on the Rise Honorees. Each of these women has contributed to helping realize America’s enduring promises of freedom, independence, and opportunity. We are shining a light on their impact and celebrating their efforts.

Know a woman making an impact? Nominate someone for our Women on the Rise campaign.

  • Meet Heidi Brown, our Community Uplifter nominee! 

    Heidi Brown has dedicated her career to working with young people and families through community-based programs in Colorado. She joined Partners for Youth in 2021 and serves as its empowerment program director. Before moving to the Yampa Valley, she provided multi-generational, community-based programming for refugee and immigrant youth and their families in Denver, including work in social and emotional development, early childhood education, parent education, and youth physical activity. 

    At Partners for Youth, Heidi leads an Empowerment Program that includes Youth Action Councils in Steamboat Springs, Hayden, and Craig. Through the councils, middle and high school students develop leadership skills, build relationships with peers and supportive adults, and lead projects focused on issues including mental health, substance use, and social isolation. In 2024–25, the councils planned 19 prosocial events that engaged 1,203 youth and collaborated with 39 community partners. 

    Youth participants have gone on to join statewide youth councils, start school clubs, and contribute to efforts to pass statewide legislation. One participant shared that the program helped her find her voice and gave her opportunities to help other young people do the same. 

    Heidi has also served on the Routt County Youth Services Coalition Board since 2022, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that promotes connection and collaboration and increases visibility among families and organizations to support youth services in Routt County, CO. 

    Join us in celebrating Heidi Brown as a Women on the Rise Community Uplifter for her work supporting young people and creating opportunities for youth leadership and community engagement. 

    Website: https://partnersyouth.org

  • Meet Liz Accles, our Purpose-Driven Leader nominee!

    Liz Accles has spent 30 years working to advance social and economic justice through policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, and coalition building. As executive director of Community Food Advocates (CFA), she leads efforts to create more equitable food systems by building highly effective strategic coalitions and ensuring that the people most directly affected by policy decisions have a leadership voice in shaping them. 

    Under Liz’s leadership, CFA has helped drive major changes in food access across New York. Through the Healthy School Meals for All Coalition, CFA co-lead the campaign for universal free school meals for 2.7 million students across New York State. In New York City, CFA secured $275 million to transform the cafeterias in every NYC middle and high school through its Lunch 4 Learning work. CFA also launched the Supermarket Access Project after studying the city’s supermarket landscape and identifying six policy priorities for expanding access to quality, affordable food. 

    Liz’s work also extends to transforming how public institutions purchase food. Through the Good Food Purchasing Program, CFA has built coalitions of more than 120 food system leaders across New York City and New York State. That work, including more plant-based production and connections with local growers, has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions from New York City’s food spending from 330,000 to 242,000 tons of carbon dioxide and increase local food spending from $76 million to $123 million. CFA is also working to advance the Good Food NY Bill, which would enable public food contracts to benefit New York farmers and farmworkers. 

    Liz’s approach is grounded in the belief that food justice is economic justice. Throughout her career, she has worked to bring people most affected by inequities into the policy and advocacy process, building coalitions that turn community priorities into systemic change. 

    Join us in celebrating Liz Accles as a Women on the Rise Purpose-Driven Leader for her commitment to food justice, economic equity, and creating lasting change through community-driven policy. 

    Website: foodadvocates.org
    LinkedIn: Liz Accles
    Instagram: @youthfoodadvocates

  • Meet Rachna Krishnan, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree!

    Rachna Krishnan is transforming access to mental health care and survivor support as CEO and executive director of The Women's Center, a 50-year-old nonprofit serving the Greater Washington region. Through her leadership, The Women's Center continues to expand its ability to provide counseling, advocacy, education, and resources that help individuals and families build healthier, more stable futures. 

    Since becoming CEO in 2020, Rachna has guided the organization through the development and implementation of its first comprehensive strategic plan, strengthening infrastructure, aligning programs with community needs, expanding workforce diversity, and building a sustainable financial foundation for continued growth. 

    Under Rachna's leadership, The Women's Center reached 3,312 people in 2025, providing 30,363 hours of services, including counseling, group support, advocacy, career resources, and educational programs. Her commitment to equitable access ensures that cost is never the reason someone goes without care, and 59% of clients receive reduced-fee or free services. 

    Rachna has also strengthened The Women's Center's support for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. In 2025, the organization provided trauma-informed counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention, and safety planning for 464 survivors, with 96% reporting enhanced safety after receiving support. 

    Rachna extends her commitment to community wellbeing beyond The Women's Center through service on several councils dedicated to strengthening the region, including the Fairfax Alliance for Human Services, the Council to End Domestic Violence, the DC Council Against Domestic Violence, and Kaiser Permanente's Culmore PBI Coalition. She has also volunteered and served on the boards of nonprofits including Crisis Link and Women Organized Against Rape. 

    With more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, consulting, and business strategy, Rachna brings both compassion and operational expertise to her leadership. Her impact has been recognized through honors including the David Bradt Nonprofit Leadership Award and the Northern Virginia Leadership COVID-19 Hero Award. 

    Join us in celebrating Rachna Krishnan as a Women on the Rise Purpose-Driven Leader whose work is expanding access to mental health care, strengthening organizations that serve communities, and ensuring more people receive the support they need to thrive. 

    Website: https://thewomenscenter.org/
    LinkedIn: Rachna Krishnan and The Women’s Center
    Instagram: @twcvienna

  • Meet Phyllis A. James, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree!

    Phyllis A. James has spent her career opening doors, and now she is ensuring more women have the knowledge, confidence, and connections to walk through them. After decades of breaking barriers in law, government, and corporate leadership, she is using her experience to expand access to leadership education, mentorship, and networks that prepare women and people of color to shape America’s future. 

    A Harvard-trained attorney, Phyllis became the first African American partner at a major Western corporate law firm before making history again as the first woman appointed corporation counsel for the city of Detroit. There, she led a 100-lawyer department through a remarkable turnaround while advancing transformational development projects for the city, including Comerica Park, Ford Field, Campus Martius, and the city's gaming industry. These projects played an important role in Detroit's economic revitalization. 

    Phyllis later spent 17 years at MGM Resorts International, ultimately serving as executive vice president and chief diversity and corporate responsibility officer for the Fortune 500 company. In that role, she embedded diversity, inclusion, and corporate responsibility into the organization's leadership culture and business strategy. Her work demonstrated that inclusive leadership is a strategic advantage that strengthens organizations and communities alike. 

    Building on that legacy, Phyllis established the Foundation for Women's Leadership and Empowerment (FWLE) in 2019. As president and CEO, she is expanding access to affordable leadership education, mentoring, and professional networks that prepare women and underrepresented leaders to succeed across business, government, and nonprofit sectors. Through FWLE, the Women's Leadership Conference, and her board service in the nonprofit, higher education, and technology sectors, she continues to create lasting systems that empower others to lead with confidence and purpose. 

    Join us in celebrating Phyllis A. James as a Women on the Rise Purpose-Driven Leader for ensuring the doors she spent a lifetime opening remain open for generations to come, empowering more women and underrepresented leaders to lead, serve, and thrive. 

    Website: Women's Leadership and Empowerment
    LinkedIn: Phyllis A. James
    Instagram: Women's Leadership and Empowerment

  • Meet Alyse Nelson, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree!

    For nearly 30 years, Alyse Nelson has worked to advance women’s leadership around the world. Co-founder, president and CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership, Alyse has helped create a global network of more than 49,0000 women across 188 countries that invests in women leaders by providing the skills, connections, partnerships, and support they need to advance their work. 

    Earlier in her career, Alyse served as deputy director of the State Department’s Vital Voices Global Democracy Initiative and worked with the President’s Interagency Council on Women under Honorary Chair and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. These experiences shaped her commitment to women’s leadership, global collaboration, and expanding opportunities for women worldwide.  

    Through Vital Voices, Alyse has helped elevate the stories and experiences of women changemakers around the world, including Malala Yousafzai, Amanda Gorman, and Nika Kovač. Her contributions have been recognized with honors, including the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award and the 2022 David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award. She has also been recognized by Fortune, Newsweek, and Apolitical for her work advancing women’s leadership and global gender policy.  

    Alyse is the author of Vital Voices: The Power of Women Leading Change Around the World and editor of Vital Voices: 100 Women Using Their Power to Empower, highlighting women who are building solutions and inspiring others through their impact.  

    Join us in celebrating Alyse Nelson as a Women on the Rise Purpose-Driven Leader whose work continues to strengthen the Vital Voices global network of women changemakers.

    LinkedIn: Alyse Nelson
    Instagram: @alyse_nelson

  • Meet Cynthia Richie Terrell, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree! 

    For more than three decades, Cynthia Richie Terrell has worked to expand women’s participation in public leadership and build more representative systems of government. 

    As founder and executive director of RepresentWomen and co-founder of FairVote, Cynthia has dedicated her career to addressing the barriers that limit representation. Through research, advocacy, and collaboration, she has advanced strategies that help create fairer electoral systems and increase opportunities for women to lead. 

    Through RepresentWomen, Cynthia has brought greater attention to gender parity in leadership, including contributing to the development of tools such as the Gender Parity Index and research-driven approaches to increasing women’s representation in government. She has worked with reform leaders in the United States and internationally, including efforts to help parliamentarians around the globe meet UN goals for women’s representation and leadership. 

    Beyond policy and research, Cynthia creates opportunities for learning and dialogue through Weekend Reading on Women’s Representation, now published through Ms. Magazine. Recognized by Washingtonian Magazine as one of its 500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy and honored with FairVote’s Generational Impact Award, Cynthia continues to build pathways for a more representative future. 

    Join us in celebrating Cynthia Richie Terrell, a Women on the Rise Purpose-Driven Leader whose work continues to expand opportunities for women, elevate their voices, and strengthen their democratic representation. 

    Website: https://www.representwomen.org/
    LinkedIn: Cynthia Terrell
    Instagram: @Represent_women 

  • Meet Katie Bunnell, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree!

    Katie Bunnell is the President and Co-Founder of the Live Your Dream Foundation, a Utah-based nonprofit that provides scholarships and support to single mothers pursuing education. Inspired by her own experience becoming a widowed single mother at age 23, Katie helped create the organization to support women working toward greater stability and opportunity for their families through education. 

    After the unexpected loss of her husband in 2005, Katie returned to school while raising her infant daughter and completed her bachelor’s degree at Utah Valley University in just 2.5 years. She has shared that experience publicly to encourage and support other women facing difficult circumstances. Reflecting on her journey, Katie shares: 

    “Education changed everything for me. Leaning into the uncomfortable and earning a degree I never thought I was capable of achieving gave me confidence and empowered me in ways I never expected. The scholarship that Live Your Dream provides gives the women we serve hope, opportunity, and the support to create better futures for themselves and their families.” 

    Since co-founding Live Your Dream in 2010, Katie has helped grow the organization from awarding just two scholarships in its first year to awarding 80 scholarships in 2025. The volunteer-driven foundation supports single mothers attending college, university, technical school, and vocational programs throughout Utah. 

    Through fundraising events, donor partnerships, and community support, Katie and the foundation continue to expand access to education for women women working to open new possibilities for their families. 

    Katie’s leadership reflects the spirit of a Purpose-Driven Leader—transforming personal adversity into meaningful impact for others while expanding educational opportunities and helping single mothers across Utah build brighter futures for themselves and their children. 

    Website: https://www.liveyourdreamfoundation.org/
    LinkedIn: Katie Bunnell
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourdreamfoundationutah/

  • Meet Jan McSorley, our Barrier Breaker honoree!

    Jan McSorley is Director of Strategy and an accessibility consultant at Knowbility. Her career has focused on strengthening how digital systems in education and technology are designed, tested, and implemented so people with disabilities can use them from the outset. Her work centers on embedding accessibility standards into the development life cycle of digital learning and assessment tools, shifting accessibility from a final check to an integrated design requirement. 

    Jan has led and contributed to large-scale accessibility implementation in educational assessment systems, including her previous leadership role at Pearson in educational assessment accessibility, where she built and led a team of 23 accessibility specialists, 68 percent of whom were people with disabilities. This work strengthened internal capacity for accessibility-focused development in large-scale digital learning environments serving diverse student populations, including users with disabilities. 

    Across her career, she has contributed to international accessibility standards as an Invited Expert on the W3C Cognitive Accessibility Task Force (COGA) and Co-Chair of the W3C Global-Inclusion Community Group, providing input to the W3C Accessibility Guidelines Working Group on global accessibility guidance. She holds the IAAP Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC) credential, is a DHS-certified Trusted Tester, and was recognized by IAAP as a 2025 Impact Award recipient. 

    Jan has also designed and delivered accessibility instruction in national ADA and accessibility training environments, helping practitioners translate accessibility standards into applied design, development, and testing practices. In parallel, she has worked directly with cross-functional teams building education technology products, supporting the application of accessibility standards during early design and development stages. 

    Across her work, she consistently reinforces the importance of incorporating feedback from users with disabilities and other underrepresented groups into usability research and design processes, particularly in education technology environments where design decisions shape access to learning and assessment tools. 

    Her work reflects a consistent focus on strengthening the systems, practices, and professional capabilities that determine whether digital education and technology environments are accessible by design. 

    Her commitment to accessibility is also reflected in a message she has included in her email signature for more than a decade: 

    “"We put a man on the moon in the 1960s. Surely we can make information technology fully accessible to people with disabilities. It can be done. It must be done. It will be done!”

    For Jan, the statement serves as a reminder that when people commit to a shared goal, they can overcome even the most complex challenges. It reflects her belief that society can apply the same determination that made extraordinary technological milestones possible to eliminate barriers, end discrimination, and create a world where everyone is recognized for their inherent value and has equal access to opportunity. 

    Join us in celebrating Jan McSorley, a Women on the Rise Barrier Breaker, for her leadership in advancing accessibility practice, contributing to global accessibility standards, and strengthening the systems that enable more inclusive digital learning and technology experiences. 

    Website: Knowbility 
    LinkedIn: Jan McSorley

  • Meet Leah Meyer, our Rising Voice honoree! 

    Leah Meyer has transformed a lifelong dream into The Mermaid Cafe, a disabilities-first cafe that creates meaningful work, visibility, and belonging for people with disabilities. With the support of her family, Leah is showing her San Antonio community that freedom, independence, and opportunity grow when workplaces are designed so more people can contribute and thrive. Through her work at the cafe, Leah combines her love for people, creativity, and community, creating a welcoming environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and celebrated. As a young woman with Down syndrome, she is not only realizing her own dream of entrepreneurship; she is opening doors for others to be seen for their talents, leadership, and potential. 

    Leah’s impact begins with the cafe’s employment model. The Mermaid Cafe was built around hiring people with disabilities in roles across food prep, service, baking, and customer care, with adaptive tools, visual supports, simplified processes, and supportive training to help team members succeed independently. Local coverage reports that the cafe exceeded its original goal of a majority-disabled workforce, with roughly 80%–85% of staff members having disabilities. 

    Leah has also helped change public expectations about disability and work. Her cafe gives customers, families, and employers a real-life example of what inclusive opportunity can look like—not as charity, but as a successful community business where people with disabilities serve, create, lead, and connect with customers. Texas Public Radio reports that families of children with disabilities come to the cafe and leave with a renewed sense of hope about what may be possible for their own children. Leah’s dedication to inclusion and connection continues to inspire those around her. 

    Leah’s leadership is gaining momentum beyond the cafe itself. News stories have highlighted her hands-on role in shaping the cafe’s design, menu, hiring, and mission, and the business has already received recognition, including the Lex Frieden Small Employer Award for hiring people with disabilities in Texas. 

    Join us in celebrating Leah Meyer as a Women on the Rise Rising Voice honoree for her emergence as a changemaker whose voice, example, and business model are helping shape a more equitable future filled with opportunity. 

    Website: https://themermaid.cafe/
    Youtube: The Story of Leah Meyer and The Mermaid Cafe

  • Meet Jean Sagendorph, our Innovative Thinker honoree! 

    Jean Sagendorph, founder of LidCentury Modern, is being recognized for her innovative approach to preserving both sustainability and tradition through thoughtfully designed solutions for vintage cookware. 

    After identifying a common but often overlooked challenge, finding functional, affordable lids for heirloom pots and pans, Jean created a practical solution that helps people continue using the cookware they already love. Her work extends the life of cherished kitchen items while reducing waste and encouraging more sustainable everyday practices. 

    Through her women-led business, Jean blends functionality, nostalgia, and environmental consciousness. Each product is designed with intention, allowing customers to preserve both memory and utility while embracing more mindful consumption habits. Backed by more than twenty years of experience in publishing, brand licensing, and product development, Jean brings a creative and consumer-focused perspective to her work. Her career has included leadership roles managing publishing, interactive, film, and music interests for major brands such as Peanuts, Food Network, Paddington, and Beatrix Potter, as well as founding Mansion Street Literary Management to support both emerging writers and established brands. 

    Her work reflects a broader shift toward reuse and sustainability, turning everyday household challenges into opportunities for environmental impact and meaningful connection to personal history. 

    Jean’s innovative approach has been featured in CRL Magazine for its perspective on reimagining the use of vintage kitchenware and highlighting sustainable design thinking. 

    Join us in celebrating Jean Sagendorph as an Innovative Thinker whose creativity is helping preserve the past while inspiring more sustainable choices for the future. 

    Website: https://www.lidcenturymodern.com/
    LinkedIn: Jean Sagendorph
    Instagram: @lidcenturymodern  

  • Meet Dr. Malika Grayson-Duncan, our Rising Voice honoree! 

    Dr. Malika Grayson-Duncan is a STEM advocate, bestselling author, mechanical engineer, and global speaker dedicated to expanding access and representation for women of color in STEM. Through her work, she supports women pursuing graduate degrees and STEM careers, with a focus on mentorship, confidence-building, and academic persistence. 

    She is the founder of STEMinist Empowered LLC, an organization that supports women of color pursuing graduate education through mentorship and guidance. Through her mentorship program, she has led four cohorts and mentored 36 graduate women, helping to create stronger pathways into advanced STEM education and professional spaces. Dr. Grayson-Duncan is also the co-founder of Career Factory 360™, a career consulting company that equips professionals with the tools to transform ambition into action through coaching, visioning, and a six-pillar methodology that helps clients define and execute their career goals. 

    A Fortune 100 speaker and internationally recognized voice in STEM, Dr. Grayson-Duncan has delivered workshops and keynotes at universities, conferences, and organizations around the world. Her talks draw from her experiences in both academia and industry and focus on themes such as resilience, navigating barriers in STEM, mentorship, impostor syndrome, and representation in technical fields. 

    She is the author of the bestselling book Hooded: A Black Girl’s Guide to the PhD, which reflects on her doctoral journey and offers insight and encouragement for others pursuing advanced degrees. 

    Dr. Grayson-Duncan has been recognized for her contributions to STEM and education with honors including the Society of Women Engineers’ Advocating Women in Engineering Award, the Zellman Warhaft Commitment to Diversity Award, the National Society of Black Engineers’ Mike Shinn Award for Distinguished Member of the Year, Adelphi University’s Top 10 Alumni Under 10, and BEYA STEM’s Modern-Day Technology Leader recognition. She has also been named among Trinidad and Tobago’s 40 Under 40 Youth Influencers by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs. 

    Her work continues to focus on expanding opportunity, strengthening mentorship networks, and ensuring women of color in STEM have the support and representation needed to thrive. 

    Join us in celebrating Dr. Malika Grayson-Duncan, a Rising Voice advancing mentorship, representation, and opportunity for women of color in STEM. 

    Website: www.malikagrayson.com
    LinkedIn: Malika Grayson
    Instagram: @drmalikagrayson 

  • Meet Dr. CharMaine Hines, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree! 

    A nationally recognized scholar and leader in higher education, Dr. CharMaine Hines, Vice Chancellor of Academic Accountability and Policy at Wayne County Community College, is a seasoned practitioner, accomplished author, and highly regarded speaker on topics ranging from equity and leadership to academic innovation and communication.  

    Passionate about access to education, she is a servant leader guided by Sankofian principles and deeply committed to educational access and lifelong learning.

    Dr. Hines is a collaborative leader who builds bridges between education and careers—creating clear, scalable pathways for community college students while championing practitioner-scholars committed to access, outcomes, and honest dialogue around effective, student-centered leadership. 

    She advances this work through intentional partnerships, including a criminal justice externship that combines high-volume field experience with professional mentoring and a formalized pathway to four-year institutions. 

    By integrating cross-disciplinary, faculty-led innovation with postdoctoral research and student learning, Dr. Hines ensures faculty and students have the tools and resources needed for success, earning the respect of her peers and recognition from her local American Federation of Teachers (AFT) chapter for excellence in leadership. 

    Her purpose-driven, equity-centered leadership is reflected in both her practice and scholarship, including Voices of Women of Color Community College CEOs, which amplifies underrepresented leaders in higher education. 

    Join us in celebrating Dr. Hines as a Women on the Rise Purpose-Driven Leader—a community college leader who strengthens both people and systems, develops others, supports faculty and staff, and keeps students at the center of every initiative. 

    LinkedIn: Dr. CharMaine Hines

  • Meet Dr. Carlotta A. Berry, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree! 

    Dr. Carlotta A. Berry is a nationally recognized engineering educator, author, and advocate whose work is driven by a clear mission: making robotics and engineering education accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for all learners. As a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and the visionary behind the NoireSTEMinist® platform, she is reshaping how students engage with STEM. 

    Guided by purpose, Dr. Berry builds tools and experiences that expand opportunity and representation. She created the Flower∞Bot educational robotics platform, an open-source system bringing hands-on robotics into classrooms and communities. Through initiatives like her culturally relevant Black History Month Bots and her children’s book series, There’s A Robot!, she connects engineering to identity, storytelling, and real-world relevance—helping learners see themselves in STEM from an early age. 

    Her leadership extends beyond curriculum into community, advocacy, and systems change. As founder of NoireSTEMinist® Educational Consulting and co-founder of Black In Engineering and Black In Robotics, Dr. Berry actively builds networks that support and elevate underrepresented students and professionals. Her work not only opens doors but creates environments where individuals can thrive, contribute, and lead. 

    With a growing national presence, Dr. Berry’s impact is both visible and expanding. Her honors—including the Grace Hopper ABIE Award for Educational Innovation (2023), the IEEE Undergraduate Teaching Award (2022), and recognition on the Forbes 50 Over 50 list (2024)—reflect the scale and significance of her contributions. 

    Dr. Carlotta A. Berry exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose. She is building systems, tools, and communities that make STEM more inclusive and empowering for the next generation. 

    Join us in celebrating Dr. Berry as a Women on the Rise Purpose-Driven Leader, whose work continues to expand access, representation, and opportunity in engineering. 

    Website: NoireSTEMinist
    LinkedIn: Dr. Carlotta Berry

  • Meet Dr. Lori Hunt, our Community Uplifter honoree. 

    For more than 14 years, Dr. Hunt has been at the heart of Spokane Colleges’ work to create equity, access, and opportunity for all students. As chief of staff and strategy, she oversees strategic planning, institutional research, grants, and Tribal relations, guiding initiatives that support underserved populations while partnering with community, Tribal, and regional stakeholders to strengthen the college’s mission and districtwide performance. 

    Dr. Hunt began her career in higher education admissions and student programs at Gonzaga University, Whitman College, and Washington State University Tri-Cities, focusing on multicultural recruitment and helping first-generation and low-income students find their path to higher education. 

    She helped launch the Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP), opening new pathways for Spokane Colleges’ students in partnership with Whitworth University. She has also inspired local high school students as a speaker at the Spokane Public Schools' Empowering Young Women Summit, sharing her experience and insights. 

    Her dedication and achievements have earned her wide recognition. She was honored with the 2026 Women of Achievement Education Award from the YWCA Spokane. She is a Jackson Scholar, earned her doctorate in educational leadership in 2019, and received the Deccio Excellence Award for advancing equity and diversity—all honors that reflect her lasting impact on students and the broader community. 

    From sharing her personal journey in a TEDx talk on mentoring to leading programs that expand opportunities and build partnerships, Dr. Hunt lifts up her community every day. Her work inspires colleagues, students, and community members alike. 

    “As a Community Uplifter, I look for opportunities to connect people with education and resources on their paths to economic mobility. Our responsibility as good humans is to lift others up and offer support when we can. It doesn’t just take a village to raise a child; it takes a village working together to uplift a community.”  

    Join us in celebrating Dr. Lori Hunt, a true Community Uplifter and a Woman on the Rise.

    LinkedIn: Dr. Lori Hunt

  • Meet Taylor Ryan, our Purpose-Driven Leader nominee.

    Taylor Ryan is a visionary leader whose commitment to justice and equity has transformed Louisville’s West End. She is the founder and executive director of Change Today, Change Tomorrow (CTCT), a grassroots nonprofit that empowers residents to address systemic inequities in food access, public health, and community opportunity.

    Under her leadership, CTCT serves tens of thousands of individuals annually through programs such as Feed the West, community advisory councils, youth engagement initiatives, and farmers' markets. Taylor’s work focuses on shifting power back to the community, creating programs that meet people where they are, and enabling residents to shape solutions that work for them.

    Taylor’s impact is grounded in both experience and expertise. She holds master’s degrees in Adult Education and Leadership Studies, and she has built CTCT into a trusted force for equity and opportunity in Louisville.

    Taylor Ryan is a true Purpose-Driven Leader, strengthening Louisville’s West End through programs that expand food access, elevate community voices, and create opportunities for residents to lead change.

    Website: Change Today, Change Tomorrow
    LinkedIn: Taylor Ryan and Change Today, Change Tomorrow
    Instagram: @changetodaychangetomorrow

    Photo credit: Matt Johnson, Voice Tribune

  • Meet Kim Weaver, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree! 

    Kim Weaver is a community organizer and health equity advocate in Wyandotte County, Kansas, working to address systemic inequities and improve public health outcomes for underserved communities. She advances programs and initiatives that empower residents and foster equitable access to resources.  

    As the Director of People Power and Community Impact at the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County, Kim leads initiatives like the HEAT Report, which examines the effects of historical redlining and highlights ongoing health disparities in the county. She co-founded WyCo Mutual Aid, providing essential support and resources to community members in need. Her leadership focuses on collaboration, data-informed advocacy, and community co-creation, ensuring that local voices help shape solutions.  

    Kim also serves as the community co-lead in Rooted In Wyandotte, an initiative that addresses health disparities in community spaces. She represents her community in the REPAIR Project, a partnership with the University of Kansas focused on restorative practices and equitable health outcomes. In these roles, she connects programs, research, and residents, working across sectors to advance systemic change.  

    Her professional highlights include serving as Director of People Power and Community impact at the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County, co-founding WyCo Mutual Aid, serving in advisory roles for multiple local equity-focused initiatives, and collaborating with academic institutions on community health projects.  

    Join us in celebrating Kim Weaver, a Woman on the Rise, Purpose-Driven Leader, for her collaborative leadership and commitment to addressing disparities, and supporting lasting, community-driven change in Wyandotte County. 

    LinkedIn: Kim Weaver
    Instagram: @kay.dotte and @chcofwyco

  • Meet Shanise Pearce, our Community Uplifter honoree!

    Shanise Pearce is a Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor living with BRCA2 and PMS2 (Lynch Syndrome) who turned her lived experience into a movement for equitable care, early detection, and community healing. She is the founder of The Advocate’s Table, a health equity consultancy supporting individuals and families navigating hereditary cancer, survivorship, and system-based barriers to care.

    Through her work with healthcare institutions, researchers, and policymakers, Shanise expands access to genetic testing, improves patient support, and builds culturally responsive frameworks. She also mentors survivors, caregivers, and families, ensuring they are believed, supported, and empowered throughout their care journey.

    Her advocacy and community leadership span board, council, and advisory roles with Susan G. Komen Columbus, the American Cancer Society, ACS Cancer Action Network, the Voices of Black Women Research Study, Elephants and Tea, Franklin University, and her local community.

    Shanise truly embodies the spirit of the Community Uplifter category, actively connecting communities, supporting others, and creating pathways for care and empowerment.

    Website: The Advocate’s Table
    LinkedIn: Shanise Pearce

  • Meet Colleen Bordeaux, our Community Uplifter honoree!

    Colleen Bordeaux is a leader and mentor dedicated to helping others develop influence, confidence, and professional independence. After more than a decade leading at Deloitte and building a 60,000+ professional community, she founded Growth, Inc. to teach leaders practical, research-backed communication strategies that drive connection and performance.

    Through her flagship workshop, How to Talk So People Will Listen, as well as customized coaching and events, Colleen empowers individuals to advocate for themselves, navigate career-defining moments, and step into leadership roles with confidence. She has created a platform where professionals gain skills, mentorship, and supportive networks to advance in their careers and achieve independence.

    Colleen Bordeaux exemplifies the spirit of a Community Uplifter, actively building networks, supporting others, and creating pathways for professional growth and opportunity.

    Website: Growth, Inc.
    LinkedIn: Colleen Bordeaux
    Instagram: @colleenbordeaux

  • Meet Colette Phillips, our Barrier Breaker honoree! 

    Colette Phillips has spent decades transforming Boston’s professional and business communities as a PR strategist and advocate for inclusion. She brings leaders together through events that celebrate the city’s rich diversity and inspire collaboration and innovation. Beyond these gatherings, Colette elevates public dialogue through her commentary, op-eds, and her book The Includers, which explores the traits of inclusive leaders and highlights real-life allies whose actions are shaping a more equitable and inclusive future. 

    Colette Phillips is the President and CEO of Colette Phillips Communications. She is also the founder of Get Konnected!, Boston’s premier award-winning social impact, cross-cultural business networking organization dedicated to fostering inclusion, diversity, and allyship, as well as The GK Fund, an inclusive business ecosystem awarding $10,000 grants to entrepreneurs and small businesses regardless of background. 

    Colette has spent 30 years making workplaces more inclusive, opening doors to new markets, talent, and opportunities. An immigrant Black woman from Antigua, she has been recognized by Boston Magazine as “Boston’s Great Connector” and by the Boston Globe for “changing the conversation about diversity in Boston.”  

    Get Konnected! has been recognized by Boston Magazine as Boston’s Best Networking Group for 5 years (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020,); Get Konnected! also curates influential lists showcasing the contributions of people of color to Boston and Massachusetts. These include the historic GK100, Boston’s first comprehensive list of the 100 Most Influential People of Color; the 2024  Boston’s 25 Best Ethnic Restaurants and the 10 Top Chefs of Color;  the historic first time 2023 lists of Boston’s Most Influential Men of Color and  Boston’s Most Influential Asian American Pacific Islanders;  2021 Get Konnected! Boston’s Most Impactful Black Women;  50 Most Influential People of Color in Higher Education; The GK 50, Boston’s Most Influential People of Color in Healthcare and Life Sciences; 

    A Harvard Business School case study memorialized the impact of her work in creating a diversity and inclusive ecosystem in Boston. 

    Join us in celebrating Colette Phillips as a Women on the Rise Barrier Breaker for her commitment to building bridges, elevating diverse voices, and transforming Boston’s business and civic landscape. 

  • Meet Lucretia Murphy, our Barrier Breaker honoree!

    Lucretia Murphy is a nationally recognized leader in advancing education, workforce, and economic opportunities for people with a record of arrest, conviction, or incarceration. As vice president and founder of Jobs for the Future’s Center for Justice & Economic Advancement, she develops integrated strategies to expand pathways from incarceration to quality jobs, remove barriers, and boost economic mobility for people with records. 

    Under Lucretia’s leadership, the Center secured a $14.5 million grant from the Justice and Mobility Fund to expand education, training, and employment opportunities for individuals with conviction and arrest records. JFF will partner with The Just Trust to create apprenticeships in the sports, arts, and entertainment industries and train employers in best practices for fair-chance hiring and apprenticeship sponsorship. 

    She is also leading the development of a new policy framework to promote investment in and scale apprenticeships for people with records, and she launched JFF’s Postsecondary Education in Prison CTE Accelerator Network to help institutions expand access to credit-bearing CTE courses for incarcerated learners. 

    Join us in honoring Lucretia Murphy as a Barrier Breaker advancing education, employment, and economic mobility for those with records.

    LinkedIn: Dr. Lucretia Murphy
    LinkedIn: Jobs for the Future
    Instagram: Jobs for the Futurez

  • We are honored to recognize Erricka Bridgeford as a Community Uplifter.

    As one of Baltimore’s leading anti-violence advocates, Erricka works tirelessly for the change she wants for her community. She speaks candidly about her own experiences, including the 2007 murder of her brother, David. Out of that pain, she adopted the motto: “Live out loud…. regardless, despite, and because…,” which guides her work, fostering honest dialogue in the community and connecting people on an emotional and spiritual level. 

    Erricka began her career as a community mediator, eventually providing training and support to mediation centers, state agencies, organizations, and correctional facilities. She currently serves as Executive Director of the Baltimore Community Mediation Center, where she first completed her training. Following her brother’s murder, Erricka took on a more vocal role as an activist—working to repeal the death penalty in Maryland, advocating for programs to support the families of murder victims, and speaking about the power of forgiveness over revenge. In 2017, she co-organized the Baltimore Ceasefire movement, a citywide call for 72 hours of no murder that took place four times each year. The movement continued through 2022, when it evolved and rebranded as the Baltimore Peace Movement. 

    Celebrating Erricka Bridgeford—a true Community Uplifter whose unwavering dedication inspires others to choose compassion over conflict and embrace the power of collective healing. 

    Learn More and Support:
    Website: Erricka Bridgeford
    Website: Baltimore Peace Movement
    Website: Baltimore Community Mediation Center
    LinkedIn: Erricka Bridgeford
    Instagram: @Errickawondervoice 

  • Meet Amy Summers, our Community Uplifter honoree! 

    We are honored to recognize Amy Summers as a Community Uplifter. As Executive Director of Mentoring MUSE, Amy has dedicated herself to supporting underserved women in Ulster County through one-to-one mentorship, free virtual workshops, mentoring think tanks, events, and resources. 

    Mentoring MUSE empowers women to discover and pursue their purpose with passion. Amy leads a program that helps mentees craft unique roadmaps to success, build confidence, and achieve their educational, personal, and entrepreneurial goals —including both hard and soft skills development. 

    "I believe every individual has the potential to live a fulfilling and purposeful life. Mentoring MUSE provides a safe, non-judgmental space for women to explore their inner selves and work toward their desired outcomes." — Amy Summers 

    Amy brings over 26 years of program leadership, including roles as Mentoring Director at Raising HOPE Women Mentoring Women to Success and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western MA, as well as experience in higher education and global community programs. She holds a B.A. in Women’s Studies and is trained in trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity, and leadership development. 

    Join us in celebrating Amy Summers, a Women on the Rise Community Uplifter, for her leadership and dedication to empowering underserved women.  

    Learn More and Support:
    Mentoring MUSE: mentoringmuse.com
    LinkedIn: Amy Summers
    Instagram: @mentoring.muse

  • Meet Simone Marean, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree! 

    When Simone Marean co-founded Girls Leadership, she set out to help every girl find the confidence and freedom to use her voice. Girls Leadership is a national non-profit partnering with the adults in girls' lives to create liberatory classrooms, communities, and sports teams where all young people are seen and supported as their most powerful selves. 

    As Co-CEO, Simone has expanded partnerships with schools and community groups to reach more than 150,000 girls each year. Together with Co-CEO Takai Tyler, she leads through a shared model that places equity and inclusion at the heart of the organization—ensuring that the leadership guiding girls reflects the diversity of those it serves. 

    Simone came to this work through her background in theatre and education, with a steadfast commitment to the power of play, mistakes, and community. She lives with her family in Berkeley, CA. 

    Join us in celebrating Simone Marean as a Purpose-Driven Leader whose unwavering commitment to nurturing girls’ voices and opportunities continues to make an impact nationwide. 

    Learn More and Support:
    GirlsLeadership.org
    LinkedIn: Simone Marean and Girls Leadership
    Instagram: @SMarean and @GirlsLeadership

  • Meet Roxanne Hack, our Barrier Breaker honoree!

    We proudly recognize Roxanne Hack, retired Captain of the Louisville Fire Department, as a Woman on the Rise in the Barrier Breaker category.

    In 1987, Roxanne became only the fifth woman to join the department’s ranks—a trailblazing step that opened doors for future generations of women in firefighting. Over her 20-year career, she not only broke barriers in her own department but also worked to create change across North America.

    For twelve years, she served in an elected position on the Human Relations Committee of the International Association of Firefighters, where she worked to foster a more peaceful and productive environment for her brothers and sisters across the U.S. and Canadian fire service.

    Join us in celebrating Roxanne as a true Barrier Breaker whose leadership pushed boundaries and built workplaces where everyone belongs.  

  • Meet Rebecca Stephens, our Community Uplifter honoree!

    Rebecca Stephens, Executive Director of PAGE Programs (Partnership for Appalachian Girls’ Education), is a true Community Uplifter who uses education, storytelling, and empowerment to inspire change. With nearly two decades of experience, she leads with the belief that every young person—especially girls in Appalachia—deserves a learning environment that honors their identity and encourages them to become changemakers. 

    Through her leadership, PAGE has expanded opportunities across Appalachia with STE(A)M labs, summer programs, and fellowships. Her work amplifies underrepresented voices, weaving together cultural heritage with academic growth, and empowering youth through human rights education. 

    Her commitment shines in times of community need. After Hurricane Helene, she and PAGE quickly mobilized to support the educational and emotional needs of girls in Western North Carolina, showing how education can be both a stabilizing force and a source of hope. 

    Rebecca’s philosophy of education reflects compassion and responsibility, inspired by the words of Jane Goodall in Reason for Hope: 

    "Each one of us matters, has a role to play, and makes a difference… It is these undeniable qualities of human love and compassion and self-sacrifice that give me hope for the future.”

    Join us in celebrating Rebecca’s leadership and impact as a Women on the Rise Community Uplifter. 

    Learn More and Support:
    Website: PAGE Programs
    LinkedIn: Rebecca Stephens
    Instagram: @Page_Programs

  • Meet Nesrine Mbarek, our Rising Voice honoree!

    Originally from Gafsa, Tunisia, Nesrine is emerging as a Rising Voice in education, gender equality, and activism. In her work with IIEP-UNESCO, Nesrine supports Ministries of Education in countries including South Africa, Colombia, Jordan, Chad, Mauritania, Ghana, and Madagascar to advance financial reforms that create more equitable, gender-responsive education systems. For example, she developed a procedural manual to mainstream gender equality within Chad’s education system, demonstrating her commitment to shaping a more just and inclusive future. 

    A Stanford and Harvard graduate, Nesrine applies her expertise to expanding education and equity across the globe. 

    Join us in celebrating Nesrine as a rising voice for advancing educational equity around the world

    Learn More:
    UNESCO IIEP: iiep.unesco.org
    LinkedIn: Nesrine Mberek

  • Meet Dr. Asya Johnson, our Barrier Breaker honoree!

    Dr. Johnson founded HBCU Early College Prep, the first school of its kind in a major metropolitan area. Through her vision and leadership, she has created a program that blends rigorous early-college coursework with the cultural pride and legacy of HBCUs. Guided by her values of Ubuntu (I Am Because We Are), legacy, and ingenuity, Dr. Johnson prepares scholars to earn a tuition-free associate’s degree while cultivating leadership, academic confidence, and community impact.  

    Join us in celebrating Dr. Johnson, a true Barrier Breaker, for her groundbreaking work and dedication to empowering the next generation! 

    Learn More and Support:
    HBCU Early College Prep
    LinkedIn: Asya Johnson
    Instagram: @dr.j_hbcu_principal

  • Meet Trisha (T.M.) Blanchet, our Community Uplifterhonoree! 

    Trisha is the founder of Operation Delta Dog, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to rescue shelter dogs and train them as service dogs for veterans with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury, and related conditions. Since 2013, Operation Delta Dog has placed more than 100 rescued dogs with veterans in New England—giving dogs the loving homes they need and veterans the help they deserve.  

    But that’s not all Trisha does to uplift her community. She is also the author of The Neath Trilogy: Herrick's End, Herrick's Lie, and Herrick's Key. She produces and hosts A Mighty Blaze Podcast, bringing weekly interviews with authors to listeners everywhere. Before all this, Trisha was a reporter, editor, and award-winning humor columnist, and she’s a proud graduate of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. 

    Learn More and Support:
    Operation Delta Dog: operationdeltadog.org

    Learn more about Trisha: TMBlanchet.com
    Instagram: @trishablanchet
    Threads: @t.m.blanchet
    TikTok: @tmblanchet
    Facebook: trisha.blanchet

  • Meet Shawn Reilly Simmons, our Purpose-Driven Leader honoree!

    Shawn is the owner, publisher, and managing editor of Level Best Books, an independent crime fiction press based in Maryland with a roster of over 230 authors. Level Best Books publishes quality crime fiction, true crime, select nonfiction, fantasy & speculative fiction, YA, middle-grade, and short story anthologies and collections. 

    As a purpose-driven leader, Shawn is dedicated to advancing freedom and independence for marginalized voices in the publishing world. Through Level Best Books, she creates opportunities for women and underrepresented writers—including older women who are often overlooked by larger publishers—to share their stories, build their platforms, and find community in the crime fiction and broader literary world. 

    Shawn is helping to reshape the publishing landscape so that diverse stories are told, valued, and celebrated. 

    Join us in celebrating Shawn’s commitment to purpose-driven leadership in publishing. 

    Learn More and Support:
    Website: Level Best Books
    LinkedIn: ShawnReillySimmons
    Instagram: @levelbestbooks

Know a woman making an impact? Nominate someone for our Women on the Rise campaign.