The List: 11 Women in Economic Development and Civic Engagement

Link to the original article on Walker’s Legacy

September 13, 2017

In partnership with the African American Mayors Association, Walker’s Legacy presents the honorees of the 2017 Women in Economic Development and Civic Leadership Program. Eleven women will be honored as recipients of the Women in Economic Development and Civic Leadership Awards. These women are recognized as champions of policy and programs to advance economic development, entrepreneurship ecosystems and job opportunities within their community.

Aisha Glover

Aisha Glover leads NCEDC as the City of Newark's economic catalyst by strengthening small businesses, supporting a thriving entrepreneurial base and attracting businesses in engaging markets. Glover's other work included initiatives in environmental justice and education, economic empowerment, and social justice.

Barbara George Johnson

Barbara George Johnson currently serves as the Executive Director of the John S. Watson Institute for Public Policy at Thomas Edison State University. She has been a leading voice in shaping urban and social policy for 20 years in the New Jersey Urban Mayors Association. Johnson also oversees si policy centers at the Institute, centered on early childhood education, urban environmental issues, public health, civic engagement and leadership development, and capacity building. She was recognized in 2016 by the New Jersey League of Municipalities with the Outstanding Woman in Government Award and was praised by congressman Donald Payne Jr. for her spirit of leadership, community championship and volunteerism.

Carlecia D. Wright

Carlecia D. Wright is the Director for the City of Houston's Office of Business Opportunity. In this role, she leads the City's Supplier Diversity, Entrepreneurial, and Workforce Development Programs. She is also the owner of 99 Possibilities, LLC., a leadership development and training company. In 2016, Wright was named as one of Houston Chronicle's 2016 Women to Watch in Business and a 40 Under 40 Professional by the Houston Business Journal.

Courtney Johnson Rose

Courtney Johnson Rose is the Principal Broker of George E. Johnson Properties LLC, a full-service real estate firm specializing in residential and commercial brokerage services and co-owned by Rose and her father, George E. Johnson. Rose has been featured in the Houston Business Journal Inaugural Class of their Top 40 Under 40 Business Leaders and by the Houston Association of Realtors as one of their Top 20 Under 40 Real Estate Professionals. She was also chosen by Women's Magazine as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women in Houston for 2016.

Courtney R. Snowden

Courtney R. Snowden currently serves as the Deputy Mayor for Greater Economic Opportunity in Washington, D.C., and has worked to rebuild underrepresented communities through a focus on rebuilding the working class and small business ecosystem. Prior to being appointed to this position, Snowden worked as a political strategist and Principal at the Raben Group, Senior Lobbyist for the National PTA, and the Federal and National Policy Manager for the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

Dr. Eloisa Klementich

Eloisa Klementich is the president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. She has spent the last two decades solving complex problems at the city, state, and national levels. Klementich previously served as managing director of business development at Invest Atlanta and worked to attract new businesses and create initiatives that promoted job growth in Atlanta. She was named by the Atlanta Business Chronicle on its list "People to Watch in 2017."

Lisa Cooper

Lisa Cooper serves as the Director of the Mayor's Office of Economic Development, overseeing the team that is responsible for facilitating growth and diversification of Birmingham's economic platform through business recruitment, retention and expansion. For over 37 years, Cooper has served many positions as a highly respected leader in the field of economic development, civic leadership, and business. These roles include banking executive and Deputy Director of the Birmingham Business Resource Center.

McClain E. Bryant

McClain E Bryant is the Director of Policy for Mayor Sly James of Kansas City, Missouri. Previously, Bryant practiced law for seven years at one of the nation's largest law firms, specializing in Campaigned Finance and Ethics, White Collar Litigation and Government Affairs, Government Affairs and Public Policy. Bryant's experience in politics extends to her position as an elected Trustee of the Metropolitan Community Colleges, and her previous positions as a national co-chair of the Ready for Hillary PAC, a regional lead for Generation44, and a mayoral appointee to the Kansas City Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners.

Tiffanie Stanard

Tiffanie Stanard is the President and CEO of Prestige Concepts (PC), an award-winning brand enhancement firm that specializes in branding and marketing strategies to fuse the organization’s for-profit and social impact messaging for customer alignment. Stanard is the founder and CEO of Stimulus, a technology and media company providing a platform to connect communities to resources and supply resource-providers with the tools to deepen the community impact. Stanard has also brought her trademark personality and passion for national news and entertainment to radio as one of the hosts and producers for Philly Speaks with Radio One, Inc. and speaking engagements with Microsoft, SXSW, IBM Techweek, AT&T, and more.

Tina Herbert

Tina Herbert is the Director of the Office of Business Opportunities for the City of Columbia overseeing the City of Columbia’s assistance to small, minority and women-owned businesses. She is a Certified Supplier Diversity Professional, Certified Economic Development Finance Professional, and Project Management Professional (PMP). In her role with the City, she is responsible for administering a $5 Million portfolio through the City’s commercial lending and façade programs. She also oversees capacity-building initiatives to assist small businesses in obtaining government contracts.

Valerie Jackson

Valerie Jackson has helped drive economic development by helping businesses in the public and private sectors remain competitive and innovative. Most currently, she serves as the Director of Policy, Planning and Development for the City of East Orange. She previously served as the Deputy City Manager and Director of Planning and Economic Development in the City of Orange Township. Jackson's other creative projects include Novus Equities' Hue Lofts, new artist/live workspaces and other modern residential buildings in Essex County.