Thirty-five women business leaders and influencers have been selected to participate in Arizona Women’s Education & Employment’s (AWEE) inaugural SheLEADS, a professional leadership development and skills training network for high impact women to define and achieve career goals.

Representing industries that include banking, education, construction, law, human resources, nonprofits, municipalities and sports, among others, participants will engage with one another in five training workshops covering a range of topics beginning Feb. 6.  Additional workshops are planned every month through June.

“The quality and quantity of applications reflected the Valley’s very diverse and extremely talented foundation of experienced and motivated professional women,” said Marie Sullivan, president and CEO at AWEE. “The level of expertise, drive and commitment to developing and pursuing career goals and aspirations is undeniable.”

Workshops, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each month, are driven by individual topics divided into exploration areas and include suggested reading materials.

Topics include:

  • What does it mean to be a leader and a woman in 2016?
  • Fundraising and Community Impact.
  • Marketing and Promotion.
  • Setting Career Goals and Meeting Them.
  • The Importance of Self Care.

SheLEADS Class of 2016:  

  • Catherine Arvizu, National Bank of Arizona, Business Banker & Vice President;
  • Vanessa Barrera de Leyvas, Arizona State University Foundation, Associate Director;
  • Dana Bergman, Caliente Construction, Inc., Organizational Strategic Development;
  • Kia Bess , Marketing Strategist, Kitchen Sink Studios & Founder, Shes Trending, LLC;
  • J.P. Harrington Bisceglia,Tyson & Mendes LLP, Senior Counsel;
  • Laurie A. Brednich, HR Company Store, CEO/Owner;
  • Cathy Brown, First Things First, Regional Director, Gila River Indian Community;
  • Deserie Byrum, Banner Staffing Services, Registered Respiratory Therapist;
  • Dr. Lily Matos DeBlieux, Pendergast School District, Superintendent;
  • Amanda Fry, Medically Retired Police Officer, Current Graduate Student;
  • Franchesca Gonzales, Alliance Bank of Arizona, Assistant Vice President, Treasury Management Officer;
  • Deanna Jordan, Comerica Bank, Platform Banker;
  • Kathy Jorgenson, Alliance Bank of Arizona, Senior Vice President;
  • Christy Kelman, Cox Communications, HR Consultant;
  • Saza Kent, The Be Kind People Project, Artistic Director and Spokesperson;
  • JakinDee Kosaka, Maricopa County Human Services Department, Smart Justice Services Coach;
  • Eva Masadiego, City of Phoenix, City Council Aide to Vice Mayor Daniel Valenzuela;
  • Nicole Moses, Valley Leadership, Business Manager;
  • Kathryn Nail, Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Public Affairs Coordinator;
  • Alejandra Pablos, Las Adelitas/YouthPolitico, Co-Founder & Board Member;
  • Sasha Perez, City of Phoenix, Administrative Assistant I Government Relations;
  • Carrie Peters, Tempe Housing Authority, Administrative Assistant;
  • Nicole Phillips, Nexstar Broadcasting, Account Executive;
  • Maria V. Piña, AZ Braille and Talking Book Library, Studio Manager;
  • Paulette Purnell, Arizona Diamondbacks, Coordinator, Special Events & Community;
  •  Kimberly Richards, Maricopa County Dept. of Public Health, First Teeth First Program Coordinator;
  • Dulce Rivas, Zavala Law Offices, LLC, Attorney;
  • Jessica Rubio, Center for Neighborhood Leadership, Program Coordinator;
  • Jacqueline Sandoval, Arizona House of Representatives, Executive Staff Assistant;
  •  Franny Sharpe, Arizona Center for Afterschool Excellence, Program & Outreach Manager;
  • Victoria Villalba, Ed.M, Arizona Coordinator for the National UnDACAmented Research Project from Harvard Graduate School of Education. College Bridge Pathways, Community Development, Instructor for Rio Salado College;
  •  Lauren Wade, Arizona State University, Program Manager, Office of Entrepreneurship and Innovation;
  • Whitney Walker, Department of Child Safety, Records Coordinator Specialist – Court Orders Division;
  • Amy Wilkins, The Wilkins Law Firm, PLLC, Managing Attorney;
  • Tamika Williams, Wealthy Concepts, CEO and Founder.