For the first time since last summer, the Chamber’s Woman to Woman, Leader to Leader group gathered with a renewed mission that retains the same vision of mentoring women and connecting executives with diverse backgrounds and experiences with each other to share resources and create personal and professional relationships. Led by Committee Co-Chairs, Johnette Lee (San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind) and Jimmie Keenan (WellMed), the reception was hosted at the Lighthouse for the Blind and welcomed more than 60 ladies, along with Chamber Chair and CPS President and CEO Paula Gold-Williams, as well as one of the original founders of the Committee Rosemary Kowalski (RK Group).
After welcome remarks by Lee and Keenan, the guests watched a short video presentation on the important work happening at the Lighthouse. The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind & Vision Impaired is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that has been serving people who are blind or vision impaired since 1933. The San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind & Vision Impaired provides rehabilitation services as well as employment for the blind and vision impaired in its light manufacturing assembly plant. Lee, also a founder of the Committee, discussed the origins of the Woman to Woman, Leader to Leader Committee close to 10 years ago, connecting Senior Level Female Officers serving in a variety of Military Branches with Senior Executive Women Business Leaders to make vital relationships for assisting the military service members in transitioning into civilian positions in San Antonio.
Woman to Woman, Leader to Leader’s renewed mission is to connect top Military and C-Suite women leaders to authentically deepen relationships through engagement, while creating opportunities to help emerging leaders of the future. Gold-Williams discussed the importance of “sharing your story” and warmly welcomed the group to establish authentic relationships with each other, lifting up not only their peers, but future women leaders in their organizations. Kowalski reiterated the need to bridge the gap in our workforce today by engaging millennials and empowering women to create opportunities for career growth for women from all walks of life.
The receptions will be held quarterly (June, September, and December) and hosted at different locations by our Chamber members. If you are interested in joining this Committee, or if you have an emerging leader you would like to nominate to join, please email Lori Stinson, Chamber Vice President of Military Affairs and Leadership Development, at lstinson@sachamber.org.
