Friday
March 31, 2017 11:30 a.m.
First Baptist Church Outreach Center 210 South Jackson Street Starkville, MS
2017 Women of Distinction Nominees
Michelle Amos...............................................................................................................page 2 Melanie Busby...............................................................................................................page 2 L a ur i e C h i l c utt.............................................................................................................page 3 Brenda Lathan...............................................................................................................page 3 J ord an R a m sey............................................................................................................page 4 Donna Reese..................................................................................................................page 4 Susan Tomlinson..........................................................................................................page 5
Luncheon Program
WELCOME.......................................................................................... Aundrea Self, WCBI PRAYER..................................................Reneé Sanders, 2016 Woman of Distinction G I R L S C O U T P L E D G E ........................................Golden Triangle Area Girl Scouts INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................... Aundrea Self K E Y N OT E S P E A K E R .............................................................................. Dr. Kate Borsig GIRL SCOUT HIGHLIGHTS.............................................................................................. 2017 NOMINEES......................................................................................... Aundrea Self C LO S I N G ........................................................................................................ Aundrea Self
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Nominees
michelle amos Michelle Amos is a woman who knows how to bring people together to affect change. Quick to get involved, Michelle has worked with numerous initiatives and committees in the Golden Triangle Region. Michelle is a Broker/Owner with Coldwell Banker and serves as the current chair of the Golden Triangle Development LINK executive committee. She is also the current chair of the Greater Starkville Development Partnership and a past-President of the Starkville Rotary Club. Michelle has actively participated in fundraising and helping to organize the Habitat Golf Classic for Habitat for Humanity where she served as President in 2006. Michelle also serves on the CREATE Foundation’s Commission on the Future, which fosters collaboration among regional leaders to build and strengthen communities throughout the region. Ever the community representative, Michelle hosted the Notre Dame Prep Habitat Team last year and will once again host the team this year when they make their trip to Mississippi.
melanie busby Over nearly a 20-year career with the West Point School District, Melanie Groner Busby was devoted to not only the district but her students, as well. Melanie served as a math teacher, tennis coach, guidance counselor, grants writer and public relations director, all while managing her own consulting firm that helped other teachers and school districts improve their operations. Melanie has helped to win the West Point community millions of dollars in federal, state, and private grant funds. These funds have been used to provide infrastructure, quality of life improvements, and jobs to the people of West Point and Clay County. Most recently, Melanie started her own business with Arbonne, International. In her 11 years with the company, Melanie has built an extremely successful organization and teaches and trains others (primarily women) to build their own businesses that help them provide for their families and encourages them to give back to their communities. Melanie and her husband Michael have one daughter, Macey. She can be found carpooling between school, PTA meetings where she presides as President, dance lessons, Girl Scouts where Macey was recently promoted to Brownie, soccer and tennis practices and First Baptist Church of West Point where she sings in the choir.
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Nominees
laurie chilcutt Laurie Chilcutt earned a degree in elementary education from the Mississippi University for Women which she used in many facets to improve the quality of life for those all around her. Her primary profession was raising her four very successful children: a teacher, a doctor, a business owner and a management forester. Laurie has been very involved in the community including volunteer substitute teaching, directing and organizing the children’s programs, including Vacation Bible School for Main Street Presbyterian Church, leading Cub Scouts and serving on the Heritage Academy school board, of which she is a Past President. Most recently, Laurie has become engaged with the Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO). She is currently the state vice present and president-elect. She has helped organize a new night chapter in Columbus, recruited scholarship and Cotty College applicants and helped other chapters to re-organize. Laurie has a strong history of accomplishments that are shown through her commitment to education. Laurie empowers people by delegating tasks but gives people tools to succeed. Her organizational skills ensure that people know what is expected and that things get done. She knows things run better with help and is committed to giving others confidence in making themselves and their community better.
brenda lathan Brenda Hardaway Lathan has been instrumental in locating new industrial and retail projects with investments totaling more than $5 billion and adding 5,000 new jobs to the Golden Triangle workforce. A Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Brenda is Vice President of Economic Development for the Golden Triangle Development LINK in Columbus, MS. She also serves as Administrative Assistant for the Lowndes County Industrial Development Authority, where she is responsible for the day to day operations of the Golden Triangle Industrial Park and the GTR Global Industrial Aerospace Park. Ms. Lathan holds a Master of Science degree from Mississippi University for Women, is a graduate of Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers University of Shopping Centers Course at Penn State’s School of Economic Development. Brenda was the first African American business professor at the Mississippi University for Women early in her career, and has broken many racial and gender stereotypes working in a mainly male dominated industry of economic development. In addition to these professional accomplishments, Lathan is a devoted friend, coworker, neighbor, sister, mother, grandmother, and wife to the late Charles Lathan. People throughout her church congregation and the community know if they need help, Brenda Lathan will be there to help in any way she can.
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Nominees
jordan ramsey Jordan Ramsey is a graduate of Mississippi State University, and completed the International Business Dual Degree Program, with a bachelor of business administration in marketing and a bachelor of arts in Spanish. She is the associate director of internal audit at Mississippi State University. In the fall of 2016, she completed MSU’s LEAP program. After graduation, Jordan went to work as the senior auditor on the international team for FedEx Services in Memphis where she excelled as a young professional. During her time at FedEx, she was awarded many honors, such as FedEx Services Bravo Zulu Award and the Outstanding Performance In-charging and the FedEx Services Internal Audit Quality Driven Management Award. She also used her skill set to assist in the development of less experienced staff, perform staff evaluations and mentor new hires. In her current volunteer role as president of Junior Auxiliary of Starkville, Jordan is responsible for managing the group of nearly 70 ladies and their volunteer efforts in Oktibbeha County. Despite her busy work schedule and volunteer efforts, Jordan is a supportive wife to her husband, Saunders, and dedicated mother to their three-year-old son, Ryan. A native of Starkville, Jordan makes newcomers feel welcome, embraces diversity, and makes those around her feel important and accepted.
dr. donna reese While still serving as Associate Dean and more recently in her role as Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Dr. Donna Reese has served as the faculty advisor for the Society of Women Engineers to promote having more women in engineering. Not only does she contribute greatly to the mission of Mississippi State University, but she is also someone who gives back to her community in a variety of ways. Donna has served as the Treasurer of the Oktibbeha County Humane Society (OCHS) since 2005, and as a board member since 2006. During the time that Donna served as the Associate Dean for Academics and Administration (2004-2011), she organized several living/learning communities for incoming freshmen who were interested in some area of engineering. The students in these communities were housed in the same residence hall and provided upperclassmen as mentors. The purpose was to increase retention rate by providing them with a support network during their first year at MSU and help them form bonds with their classmates. Donna met her husband Bob while in school at Louisiana Tech University. After earning master’s and doctoral degrees at Texas A&M, the couple made their way to Starkville and fell in love with teaching at Mississippi State University.
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Nominees
susan tomlinson Susan Tomlinson is a retired Associate Professor from the Mississippi State University Retail Management Program. She helped to bring the Backpack Meals Program, which is part of Feed America, to Oktibbeha county. The program serves children who may be nutritionally deficient on the weekends. Susan has been very resourceful by partnering with multiple organizations to help provide 2 breakfast meals, and 2 lunch or dinner meals for the children who are in kindergarten through 12th grade. Partnering organizations include: Starkville Church of Christ, Cornerstone Baptist Church, Knights of Columbus-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Meadowview Baptist Church, SOAR, Junior Auxiliary, Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, MSU Interfraternity Council and MSU Future Educators Association. Susan’s leadership and organization shine through this program of support for children, inspiring others to give back in their own way. Her passion for not only the health of the children, but for their well-being and life goals gives others the desire to continue to support this important program. Susan and her husband John have three children, Elizabeth, Tillery, and John Robert who is married to Christine Dulaney Tomlinson.
The Girl Scout Mission Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
Special thanks to our dedicated 2017 Women of Distinction Committee Members: Cate Robinson, Adrienne Morris, Reneé Sanders, Melinda Lowe, and Diane Godwin. Without you, this extraordinary event would not be possible. Thank you for investing your time and talents to help recognize and honor Women of Distinction in the Golden Triangle Region and to promoting the mission of Girl Scouts. 5
Master of Ceremonies
aundrea self We are pleased to again have Aundrea Self serving as our Master of Ceremonies for today’s luncheon. Aundrea Self is home grown. She graduated from Starkville High School and earned degrees in English and Mass Communications from Stillman College where she also served as “Miss Stillman College.” Aftergraduation, Aundrea began her broadcasting career at WACR radio. After joining the WCBI-TV family as a news producer, Aundrea eventually began reporting. That ultimately led to her 7-year run as co-anchor of “WCBI News Sunrise” and “Midday.” Aundrea currently anchors the five and six o’clock newscasts at WCBI and hosts the daily talk show, “MidMorning with Aundrea.” Outside of work, Aundrea spends time speaking to area churches, schools, and civic organizations. She is an active member of the Starkville chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and enjoys reading, spending time with family, and sampling her husband’s tasty dishes! Aundrea and her husband, David, have three children: Kimberly, Alan, and Emilee.
Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. One girl can make a difference. Together they can change the world. You can help by making your gift to Girl Scouts today! To invest in our local girls, visit www.girlscoutshs.org/donate and help us change their world tomorrow.
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Keynote Speaker
dr. kate borsig Dr. Kate Borsig is the director of Global Connections, a Columbusbased non-profit. She serves as a graduate faculty member in Women’s Studies at Mississippi University for Women. Since 2005, Kate has offered leadership development, project development, and professional training to school districts, corporations, government agencies, and non-profits through her consulting company. Kate began her career in education with the Columbus City Schools as a middle school teacher and later served as an administrator at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science. She spent twelve years in administrative roles at Mississippi University for Women including director of the Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning, director of the Mississippi Governor’s School, and director of Outreach and Innovation and has taught numerous graduate and undergraduate courses in leadership, education, and women’s studies. Committed to developing strong communities at the local, national, and international levels, Kate has served on the boards of the Golden Triangle Regional Homeless Coalition, Columbus-Lowndes Boys and Girls Club, Columbus Main Street, Columbus Rotary Club, Parents for Public Schools, Mississippi Association for Gifted Children, Mississippi Future Problem Solvers, and National Council of Governor’s Schools. In 2007, she made her first trip to Kenya and for the past ten years has been actively engaged in community development work in rural Kenya. Kate also served as an assistant Girl Scout troop leader from 2002-2008. In 2001, Kate submitted her first grant seeking funding for a community action project for her middle school students. Since that time, she has developed over one hundred proposals to fund various programs to help solve community problems such as health disparities, lack of educational opportunities, poor academic achievement, lack of access to clean water, high crime recidivism rates, high risk behaviors in youth, and more. As a result, in excess of $15 million in project funding has been awarded. A two-time graduate of The W, Kate also holds a Ph. D. in Educational Administration from Mississippi State University. She has authored two college textbook chapters, published in educational journals, and served as an editor or reviewer for several national publications. A frequent speaker at state and national professional meetings, she conducted four presentations for the U.S. Department of Education. In 2008, she was awarded the Karnes Award for significant contributions to the field of Gifted Education. A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Kate has lived in the Columbus area for 22 years. She is married to Dr. Jim Borsig and has one daughter, Lauren, and one grandson, Rivers. 7
Event Sponsors
cadette level sponsors
junior level sponsors CaRite/U-Save of Louisville Kappa Delta Sorority Delta Omega Chapter
Dr. Donna Reese Renew Face and Laser
brownie level sponsors Deko-Crete, LLC
daisy level sponsors Adrienne Morris Columbus Chamber of Commerce Sharp Bed and Breakfast
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Event Sponsors
luncheon sponsors Many thanks to the following restaurants for providing such a delicious lunch. As you patronize these eateries, please thank them for their generous contributions to our community.
Aramark Firehouse Subs, Starkville Harding Catering McAlister’s Deli Starkville Newk’s, Starkville Starkville Café Vowell’s
gifts provided by Kendra Scott May Designs Mak B & Co.
floral arrangements by Events on 5th Fleur de LIs Petal Pushers University Florist
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The Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try: to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.
The Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Girl Scouts Heart of the South www.girlscoutshs.org I 800.624.4185