Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, a special interest fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), has launched the Executive Women of Color Leadership Program, a new partnership with Black Leadership + Legacies, Inc., founded by Carolene Mays. The program’s mission is to develop, coach and empower women of color to move into higher-level leadership roles, including the C-suite.
The 2022 Women in the Workplace report, conducted by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org, revealed that “despite modest gains in representation over the last eight years, women—and especially women of color—are still dramatically underrepresented in corporate America. And this is especially true in senior leadership: only one in four C-suite leaders is a woman, and only one in 20 is a woman of color.”
“Our partner Carolene Mays has crafted a thoughtful curriculum that gives women of color critical support in leveling up their skills and shattering barriers to leadership,” says Tamara Winfrey-Harris, president of Women’s Fund, citing the program as an example of how the organization champions women across their many intersecting identities, experiences and stages of life.
Over nine sessions, during a year-long commitment, Black Leadership + Legacies provides participants with development in areas of leadership, board governance, legacy wealth building and purpose. The program also addresses critical issues that specifically affect women of color in the workplace.
“I am delighted to work with the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana as they champion equitable opportunities for women of color,“ says Carolene Mays. “This program endeavors to enrich the talents of women of color leaders, so they may successfully further their leadership career goals, governance prospects and build multi-generational legacies.”
The 13 members of the Executive Women of Color Leadership Program class of 2023 include:
Cecily Johnson Cruz, MSW
Taylor Advising, Consultant for Stakeholder Engagement
Crystal Givens, MBA
Starfish Initiative, President & CEO
Meredith Graham, MBA
Crossover Health, Engagement and Experience Manager
Damita Jefferson, MSW
VOICES Corp., Director of Reentry/Family Liberation Coordinator
Camike Jones, MA
Asante Art Institute, Program Director
Dr. Jillian Harrison-Jones
Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, Director of Choral Music
Jennifer M. McCloud, MBA
Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, Director of Chancellor’s Operations
Latrece Murdock
Simply Elegant Pastries, Owner
Ashanti Ordone. JD
Gifted & Talented Academy, Owner & CEO
Danielle Neal Price, JD
Heritage Construction & Materials, Corporate Counsel
Lori Satterfield, MBA
Roche, Social Impact Manager
Stephanie Simmons, MS
Ivy Tech Community College, Executive Director of Human Resources
Amber M. Williams, MA
Ivy Tech Community College, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, & Belonging
Tavonna Harris Askew, Women’s Fund Advisory Board chair, says “It is important that women have the support, training and opportunity to lead. Halls of leadership must be as diverse and vibrant as our communities. We extend our congratulations to the inaugural cohort of the Executive Women of Color Leadership Program.”