YWCA Northeast Kansas Welcomes Two New Board Members for 2022
YWCA Northeast Kansas is pleased to announce their 2022-2023 Board of Directors who are charged with overseeing and furthering YWCA’s overall strategic vision. This year, YWCA welcomes two new board members, and thanks Marcy Weekley, retired from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, for her dedicated service and leadership on the board over the last six years. Weekley remains involved with YWCAs work, currently serving as chair of the 2022 Women of Excellence committee.
“The YWCA Northeast Kansas board of directors is comprised of a dedicated team of community leaders who are innovative movers and fearless shakers,” said YWCA CEO Kathleen Marker. “I am excited to strategically further YWCA’s work and mission with these leaders as they channel their talent, expertise, and energy into tackling some of our community’s most crucial issues such as: domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking; quality, affordable childcare; reproductive justice for all; and racial equity.”
The 2022-23 YWCA Northeast Kansas Board of Directors Executive Committee is: President, Kaitlyn Sester (Evergy); Vice President, Gina Millsap (Library Consultant and Executive Coach); Secretary, Megan Schwerdt Williams (Schwerdt Contract Interiors); Treasurer, Liz Steffen (Envista Credit Union); Governance Chair, Paige Blevins (Security Benefit).
2022-23 Board Members are: Graciela Berumen (Kansas State University); Ariane Davis (Ariane Davis Services, LLC); Angela Lewis (Shawnee County); Mallory Lutz (Little Government Affairs); Jaclyn Mullins (MCP Group); Alisha Saucedo (RISE With Alisha, LLC); Tara James-Wallace, LSCSW (Lighthouse Therapeutic Community Outreach); Cassie Weatherwax (Hill’s Pet Nutrition); Lakeisha Williams (Bartlett & West).
Joining the board for the first time are: Ariane Davis, with Ariane Davis Services, LLC and Mallory Lutz, with Little Government Affairs.
Davis’ business focuses on business advising and consulting with focus on business management and business coaching for new entrepreneurs. In addition to her business, Davis it the CEO and owner of Midwest Venom, a semi-professional football team. Davis is a social and racial justice activist and advocate, mother of seven children, and 2021 Women of Excellence honoree. She currently serves on YWCA’s Women of Excellence committee.
Lutz joins the board after several years of service on YWCA’s advocacy committee. A Topeka native and graduate of Washburn University, Lutz serves as a lobbyist at Little Government Relations, advocating on behalf of clients in the fields of public education, access to care, local governments, and local food systems. In addition to her board service with YWCA, Lutz sits on the boards of Forge Young Professionals, the Shawnee County Historical Society, Friends of the Free State Capitol, and the Kanza Rail-Trails Conservancy. She is a graduate of the Kansas Chamber’s 2021 Class of Kansas Emerging Leaders. She also serves on a Topeka and Shawnee County Population Task Force with other community leaders who are dedicated to finding ways to make our community an even better place to live, work, and play.
YWCA Northeast Kansas is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all through various programs including the Early Learning Center, the YWCA Center for Safety and Empowerment, the YWCA Leadership Academy, and racial justice and advocacy programming which served over 13,999 women, children, and individuals in Shawnee, Jackson, and Wabaunsee counties in 2020.
For more information on how to donate or get involved visit http://www.ywcaneks.org. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the 24-hour crisis line: 1-888-822-2983.
