WOCF 2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Program Book

Ohio Valley River Women’s Business Council would like to extend Congratulations to our own Sheila Mixon for being inducted into the Women of Color Foundation Hall of Fame!

Sheila A. Mixon Senior Vice President, Business Development & Entrepreneurship, Greater Cincinnati Urban League

Executive Director, Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council

Congratulations to the Women of Color Foundation for 15 years of continued service to women.

WOMEN OF COLOR FOUNDATION Tower City Center 50 Public Square, Suite 832 Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216.391.4300, ext. 307 phone 440.815.2389 facsimile 866.962.3411 toll free info@womenofcolorfoundation.com www.womenofcolorfoundation.com

July 20, 2017 Ladies and Gentlemen, This evening is a very special occasion for the Women of Color Foundation as we celebrate two significant milestones: our 15th Anniversary and our 2017 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony!

But tonight, is also very special because we are recognizing and celebrating the achievements, the accomplishments and the brilliance of some truly extraordinary women. Women who have not only moved up, but who have reached back, and pulled up, other women striving for excellence.

Your presence here signals your appreciation and value of the work these women have done and will certainly continue to do in their organizations, businesses and communities, across the Region.

Congratulations to tonight’s honorees, and we wish them continued success in the future.

In the Spirit of Sisterhood,

Roxia Bowen Boykin Roxia Bowen Boykin is a retired healthcare executive with over 40 years of comprehensive experience in varied hospital and health system environments, having served in many different capacities including Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Since February, 2016, she has facilitated Diversity on Board, a program collaboration of Leadership Akron and United Way of Summit County.

Boykin earned her Bachelor of Science, Nursing degree from Kent State University, Kent, Ohio and her Master of Public Administration degree with emphasis in Health Care Administration from Cleveland State University, Cleveland Ohio. Prior to her retirement, she was a Board Certified Nurse Executive; and holds a Certificate in Diversity Management (CDM) in Healthcare from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies, and is a Certified Diversity Executive (CDE); awarded by The Institute for Diversity Certification.

In December, 2014, Boykin retired from Summa Health System, where she served as the Vice President, Community Benefit and Diversity. In this position, she led the development and implementation of the system’s strategic objectives in the areas of Community Relations, Community Benefit, and Diversity.

Boykin is actively involved in professional, community and civic organizations, serving or having served, on the boards of OPEN M, The American Heart Association, Habitat for Humanity, and AxessPointe Community Health Center. She served on the Advisory Council of the Akron Office of Minority Health, Minority Health Roundtable, and the Greater Cleveland Partnership Commission on Economic Inclusion. Boykin serves on and is the current co-chair of the Kent State University Diversity Advisory Board; and previously served on the Kent State University Alumni Association, National Board of Directors. Boykin is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and is a member and has served in leadership roles for the Kent Area (OH) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated; as well as being an alumna of Leadership Akron, Class XXVI. She is the recipient of the Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award, the Ohio Diversity Council’s Leadership Excellence Award, the Ohio Diversity Council’s Most Powerful & Influential Women Award, YWCA of Cleveland Women of Professional Excellence Award, Women’s Network of Akron Women of Professional Excellence Award, the Kent State University School of Nursing Distinguished Alumnus Award, and the Mahoning Valley Hospital John Politis, M.D., Outstanding Service Award. She served as the President’s Ambassador for Kent State University, and received recognition as Kaleidoscope Magazine’s Women Who Give Back, the University of Akron’s Women Trailblazers, a 2013 Athena Award Finalist, and an Akron Urban League 2013 Women of Power Honoree.

Roxia and her husband Stan, have two children, Ian (wife, Lisa) and Justin, and three grandchildren, and reside in Kent, Ohio.

Sylvia Pérez Cash Sylvia Pérez Cash joined United Way on January 3, 2017 as Vice President of Strategic Programs and Knowledge.

She leads United Way’s public policy, CMSD wraparound and knowledge/data initiatives, and also oversees United Way 2-1-1, a 24/7 free and confidential health and human service helpline. Her role will leverage the knowledge emerging from the organization’s work to enhance external impact and internal performance, and identify opportunities for strategic grantmaking.

Prior to joining United Way, Sylvia was with the Cleveland Foundation as Vice President of Corporate Governance and Governmental and International Affairs. In this role, Ms. Pérez Cash was responsible for steering and ensuring delivery of foundation objectives pertaining to corporate governance, select local and national initiatives, and public policy and international priorities. She served as the Chief of Staff to the President and CEO, corporate secretary of the foundation, and the key liaison to the Board of Directors. As a member of the six-person executive committee, she helped set strategic priorities and policies pertaining to all other areas of the foundation.

Her background is in international and national community development and nonprofit management. She was a National Urban Fellow and Atlas Service Corps Fellow, in Cleveland, OH, and Bogotá, Colombia respectively. Previous positions include serving as the Development Manager for Give to Colombia and the Contracts Manager for Living Cities, Inc. Sylvia holds a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies and Sociology from Columbia University and a Masters in Public Administration from Baruch College, City University of New York. She is Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Cleveland School of Science and Medicine and the Board of Directors of Esperanza. She is also a member of Independent Sector’s board policy committee, Council on Foundation’s board policy committee, Philanthropy Ohio’s board policy committee, and the Advisory Board of the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Commission on Economic Inclusion. She is a proud member of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.

Dr. Margaret L. McKenzie Dr. Margaret L. McKenzie, President of Cleveland Clinic South Pointe Hospital, also practices gynecology in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology & Women’s Health Institute. She also serves as an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine. She is the immediate past president of the Cleveland Clinic’s Women’s Professional Staff Association, with a membership that exceeds 1100 female physicians at the Cleveland Clinic Health System. She was appointed to the Cleveland Clinic Board of Governors where she is currently serving a five-year term.

Dr. McKenzie has extensive clinical, educational, administrative and leadership experience and her work focuses on empowering others, teaching medical students and residents and raising awareness about health access in her peers, the community and her patients. Her work in the community has involved finding practical, easy-to-achieve solutions for lifelong health.

An in-demand speaker on medical education, leadership in healthcare, personal health, diet and lifestyle issues, Dr. McKenzie has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show and multiple local TV stations. She has presented many topics at the Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics, National Faculty Development Seminars, the Association of Medical Education in Europe, the National Medical Association, Speaking of Women’s Health, Universal Sisters, and Celebrate Sisterhood here in Cleveland, and on Crystal Cruises internationally.

She has presented nationally and internationally in medical education and is currently a member of the Undergraduate Medical Education Committee of the Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics where she is currently serving a five-year term.

Dr. McKenzie has co-authored two books and has written several book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals. She is a sought after speaker locally, nationally and internationally.

As a survivor of successful, long-term weight management, Dr. McKenzie is an ambassador for conversations that help women at midlife with nutrition, exercise, stress management and maintenance of long-term weight loss.

Margaret L. Mitchell Margaret L. Mitchell is President & CEO of YWCA Greater Cleveland. Since 2011, she has made an impact by building her leadership team, completing a strategic plan and setting the agency on a new performance management course that delivers measurable proven outcomes. Prior to joining t he YWCA, Margaret was President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cleveland for four years and Vice President of Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas for four years. Before her career in nonprofit management, Mitchell was Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Menttium Corporation, the global leader in talent development and corporate mentoring. Throughout her career, Margaret has held leadership positions focusing on diversity, nonprofit management, corporate mentoring, women’s initiatives, and change management. She is the author of 12 books, the former managing editor of Today’s Dallas Woman Magazine, and a graduate of Hampton University.

Mitchell was recently selected as a Diversity Journal “Women Worth Watching” and was profiled in The Women’s Book Northeast Ohio Directory. She is also a graduate of Leadership Cleveland, class of 2011. She and her husband, Les Green, reside in University Heights, Ohio, and are the proud parents of three college students.

Sheila A. Mixon Sheila A. Mixon is Senior Vice President of the Business Development & Entrepreneurship Department for the Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (ULGSO) where she provides vision, leadership, organizational governance and strategic direction for the department. The Department programs include the SBDC (Small Business Development Center), the Economic Empowerment Center (AABDP) and ORV~WBC (Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council), where she serves as its Executive Director. ORV~WBC is a certifying entity for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

Mixon has 35+ years in business development experience; the financial services industry and not-for-profit organizations. During her time with ULGSO she has garnered many awards and recognition for her work with small business owners. Through her leadership, the SBDC was selected by the SBA Columbus District as the Small Business Development Center of Excellence and Innovation Award recipient for 2012. In 2011, was selected as the SBA Minority Business Champion. Most recently was awarded the 2016 Women’s Business Champion by NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners, 2016 Women of Excellence and the establishment the Sheila A. Mixon Women’s Entrepreneurial Start-up Fund by the Women of Color Foundation.

Ms. Mixon was recently appointed to the Academic Advisory Council for Business Degree Programs at Union Institute & University and is a member of the City of Cincinnati’s small business commission, the Small Business Advisory Council, the Advisory Board for the City’s Department of Economic Inclusion and the Cleveland Clinic Supplier Diversity Advisory Council. She also serves on the Board of Directors for HCDC and HCDC Entrepreneur Assistance Committee and appointed to the Kauffman Advisory Group for the Kauffman Foundation.

Sheila has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (concentration Finance) from The Ohio State University.

Rita N. Singh Visionary executive leader offering 25+ years of progressive management achievements across multiple industries ranging from closely held family businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Rita has been recognized locally and internationally for her business innovation and leadership. As an INTRAPRENEUER & Leadership Career Development Coach, her focus is in helping people develop skills in Entrepreneurial Leadership in various levels of their career, which are offered as part of an ongoing curriculum, individual coaching sessions, workshops, seminars, lecture series, forums and conferences. She has excelled as an expert entrepreneur, brilliant executive coach, change maker, leadership strategist, dynamic speaker, author and moderator, mentor, philanthropist and thought leader, consultant and CPA. As a senior organizational leader, her work includes organization strategy, strategic marketing, change management, client services, team leadership, corporate communication, and other significant areas for high level productivity. Rita has proven her expertise as a high-energy, creative, innovative professional with an outstanding level of achievements; among her acclaim are rebranding and rebuilding an operation void of leadership into a fully functioning and efficient organization.

In 1989, she co-founded with her husband of S&A Consulting Group – A Global Resource Management Consulting company. In 1998, She also launched a very successful, event management company; Miraj International to serve the upscale market in creating and developing social events and corporate programs.

With her passion to serve women, in 2005, she took the courage to open the doors of Elite Women Around The World® - currently doing business as INTRAPRENEURSHIP Leadership and Career Development Center, whose mission is to empower women with Entrepreneurial Leadership Skills. While teaching in the MBA program in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, Rita was instrumental in the development of the “Center of Excellence in Ethical and Entrepreneurial Leadership” at Ursuline College.

Over the years as CFO/CPA, she has managed a diverse portfolio of clients in Manufacturing, Healthcare, Automotive, Construction and the Restaurant Industry, helping clients to be successful in the global market. Rita scales her impact by leading an organization that advises and coaches, CEOs, executives and emerging leaders in major corporations, political arenas, non-profits, and entrepreneurial ventures.

A native of India, Singh is of South Asian decent and as a US citizen she has lived and traveled abroad – truly embodying America’s multicultural heritage. She is the recipient of numerous national and international awards, recognitions and accolades. Rita is currently writing two books titled “Business Warrior” and “The Shakti”.

Vanessa L. Whiting Vanessa L. Whiting is a civically-engaged attorney and business owner whose interests include: social justice issues, minority business development, community development, arts, politics, education and healthcare.

She has practiced community development, economic development and real estate development law for over twenty-five years, and has led projects in the City of Cleveland and across the country focusing on real estate development in the urban core. She currently owns and operates A.E.S. Management Corp., DBA, Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, as its president.

Founded in 1989, by her late husband Anthony E. Smith, A.E.S. Management Corp. employs over 400 Cuyahoga County and Summit County residents at fifteen locations and continues to give second chances to those who have been marginalized in our community.

Ms. Whiting is secretary and a member of the Metro Health System Board of Trustees where she helped establish and continues to chair the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Playhouse Square and the Tri-C Foundation.

Vanessa serves on various other civic and social boards. She is active in the Cleveland Chapter of Links Incorporated, a member of the Jack and Jill Associates, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, a member of PIFA and a member of Fairmount Presbyterian Church where she has served as an elder and Clerk of Session.

She is the mother of three adult children, Taylor Alexandria Dyese Smith, Lorin Amara Smith and Anthony E. Smith, II. Ms. Whiting is a former co-chair of the Economic Development Committee of the Cleveland Branch of the NAACP, a life member of the NAACP and a former Executive Board member.

2017 VIP Reception and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Thursday, July 20, 2017 ■ 5:30pm – 8:00pm Cuyahoga Community College - Corporate College 4400 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128

Mistress of Ceremonies

Danita Harris

Award-winning News Anchor, WEWS, News 5 Welcome & Acknowledgement of Sponsors

Alexandria Johnson Boone

Chairwoman & Founder, Women of Color Foundation

Inspirational Message

Dora M. Burnett

Women for Jesus Foundation

Musical Selection

Charlea R. Watkins Presentation of Awards

Alexandria Johnson Boone Women of Color Foundation

Honorees

Roxia Bowen Boykin, MPA, RN, CDE, CDM Retired Senior Healthcare Executive KENT

Sylvia Pérez Cash, MPA, BA Vice President of Strategic Programs and Knowledge United Way of Greater Cleveland CLEVELAND Margaret L. McKenzie, MD President, South Pointe Hospital, Cleveland Clinic CLEVELAND Margaret L. Mitchell, BA

President and Chief Executive Officer YWCA Greater Cleveland CLEVELAND

Sheila A. Mixon, BS Senior Vice President, Business Development & Entrepreneurship Greater Cincinnati Urban League Executive Director, Ohio River Valley Women’s Business Council CINCINNATI Rita N. Singh, EMBA, MA, CPA

INTRAPRENUER & Leadership Career Development Consultant S&A Consulting, LLP CEO & Founder, Elite Women Around the World CLEVELAND

Vanessa L. Whiting, Esquire President A.E.S. Management Corp.

CLEVELAND

15th Anniversary Year | 2017 Calendar of Events MARYSVILLE, OHIO (BY INVITATION ONLY) 2nd Annual Special Women’s History Month Program Thursday, March 9, 2017 n 12:30pm – 2:30pm Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) 1479 Collins Avenue, Marysville, Ohio 43040 CLEVELAND, OHIO 5th Annual “Speaking of Women! A Dialogue Series for Women in Leadership” Thursday, March 30, 2017 n 12:00 noon – 1:30pm Special Women’s History Month Leadership Symposium Cleveland Clinic – Main Campus – Bunts Auditorium 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 AURORA, OHIO (BY INVITATION ONLY) 15th Anniversary “C-Suite” Executive Summit (NEW Exclusive Event!)

Sunday – Tuesday, April 9-11, 2017 Walden Inn & Spa 1119 Aurora-Hudson Road, Aurora, Ohio 44202 CLEVELAND, OHIO 15th Annual Personal and Professional Development Retreat for Women of Color “Connections, Community and Career 2017” Thursday, May 11, 2017 n 8:00am – 5:00pm Case Western Reserve University Tinkham Veale University Center 11038 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44106 CLEVELAND, OHIO 6th Annual “Speaking of Women! A Dialogue Series for Women in Leadership” Thursday, June 8, 2017 n 11:30am – 1:30pm Women’s Leadership Symposium Dominion Energy Oho 1201 East 55th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44103

CLEVELAND, OHIO 15th Anniversary VIP Reception and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Thursday, July 20, 2017 n 5:30pm – 8:00pm Cuyahoga Community College - Corporate College 4400 Richmond Road, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128 CLEVELAND, OHIO 2nd Annual Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) Women’s Leadership Symposium Wednesday, August 16, 2017 n 11:30am – 1:30pm NEORSD Cuyahoga Heights Facility 4747 East 49th Street Cuyahoga Heights, Ohio 44125 MARYSVILLE, OHIO (BY INVITATION ONLY) 3rd Annual Special Prison Outreach Program Thursday, September 7, 2017 n 12:30pm – 2:30pm Ohio Reformatory for Women (ORW) 1479 Collins Avenue, Marysville, Ohio 43040 CLEVELAND, OHIO (FOR STUDENTS ONLY) PowHERful™ Foundation in partnership with the Women of Color Foundation 2nd Annual PowHERful™ Enrichment Conference with Soledad O’Brien Saturday, September 23, 2017 n 8:00am – 5:00pm Cleveland State University Wolstein Center – 4th Floor Ballroom 2000 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115 CLEVELAND, OHIO 11th Annual Women of Color Leadership Development and Training Institute & Awards Luncheon Thursday, November 2, 2017 n 8:00am – 2:00pm Cleveland State University Student Center – 3rd Floor Ballroom 2121 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115

congratulations sylvia pérez cash!

United Way of Greater Cleveland is proud to recognize Sylvia Pérez Cash and her fellow honorees in the Women of Color Foundation Hall of Fame Class of 2017.

Sylvia is devoted to improving people’s lives, creating positive change and empowering women of all colors.

We thank her for her leadership, vision and commitment to our community. We are honored to call her our colleague and friend.

WOMEN OF COLOR FOUNDATION Tower City Center | 50 Public Square, Suite 832 | Cleveland, Ohio 44113 216.391.4300, ext. 307 phone | 440.815.2389 facsimile | 866.962.3411 toll free info@womenofcolorfoundation.com www.womenofcolorfoundation.com