YWCA USA Announces Six New Appointments to its Board of Directors

Public Release
Written By

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Deborah BaldwinManager, National Campaigns and Cause MarketingYWCA USAdbaldwin@ywca.org

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 12, 2023 – YWCA USA is pleased to announce the appointment of six new members to its national Board of Directors: Mallory Donaldson with the Center for Healthy Families; Cristina A. Gomez with CA Consulting, Strategies, Management; Kara Perkins with California State University at Long Beach; Ramy Rauf with Northwest Area Foundation; Deon Riley with Bath & Body Works; and Joanne Tabellija-Murphy with Walmart.The YWCA USA Board of Directors consists of 19 members who provide visionary, mission-based leadership and financial oversight for YWCA USA, in addition to serving as constant advocates for the YWCA movement. Their strategic governance promotes and supports the critical programs which serve approximately two million women and families through our network of almost 200 local YWCA associations in 46 states and the District of Columbia.“I am so excited to welcome these inspiring women who bring a level of lived experience and diversity to the YWCA community as our newest members of the Board of Directors,” said Margaret Mitchell, YWCA USA CEO. “I look forward to working in solidarity with them as we advance our mission to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.”“I am beyond delighted to welcome six new leaders who are bringing fresh perspectives and passion to the YWCA USA Board of Directors. Their diverse experience and expertise will be invaluable in helping us create a world where all women can thrive,” said Pia Wilson-Body, Chair of the YWCA USA Board of Directors. “Moreover, I am inspired by the leadership and commitment of this new cohort of YWCA USA leaders. To see women rising into national-level roles is what the YWCA stands for and makes me even more committed to advancing our mission of eliminating racism and empowering women.”The full list of our YWCA USA Board of Directors is below.

YWCA USA Board Officers:

  • Pia Wilson-Body, Chair (President, Intel Foundation)
  • Ann Branan Horak, Vice-Chair (Associate Professor of Practice, College of Liberal Arts, University of Texas at El Paso)
  • Nan E. Joesten, Treasurer (President and Founder, Rapid Evolution LLC)
  • Ashlee Davis, JD, Secretary (Global Head of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Ancestry)

YWCA USA Board Members:

  • Juliet K. Choi (President & CEO, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum)
  • Mallory Donaldson (Chief Program Officer, The Center for Healthy Families)
  • Debbie Esparza (CEO, YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix)
  • Gayle Fuguitt (Former VP, Global Analytics & Insights, General Mills)
  • Cristina A. Gomez (Principal & Managing Director, CA Consulting, Strategies, Management)
  • Tina Herrera, Immediate Past Chair (Senior Partner, Sharper Granite, LLC)
  • Shannon Isom (CEO, Community Shelter Board)
  • Shawna O. Menifee (Principal, Integrative Partners LLC)
  • Rita P. Mitchell (President & CEO, Rita Mitchell LLC)
  • Nichola Noriega (Senior Client Portfolio Manager, Invesco)
  • Kara Perkins (Associate VP, Budget & Administration, California State University at Long Beach)
  • Ramya Rauf (CFO/VP, Finance & Administration, Northwest Area Foundation)
  • Deon Riley (Chief Human Resources Officer, Bath & Body Works)
  • Joanne Tabellija-Murphy (National Director, Constituent Relations-Corporate Affairs, Walmart)
  • Maria Chavez Wilcox (CEO, YWCA Seatle, King, Snohomish County)

For more information about YWCA USA’s newest Board members, click here.

About YWCA USA

YWCA USA is on a mission to eliminate racism, empower women, stand up for social justice, help families, and strengthen communities. We are one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the nation, serving approximately 2 million women, girls, and their families.YWCA has been at the forefront of the most pressing social movements for more than 160 years — from voting rights to civil rights, from affordable housing to pay equity, from violence prevention to health care reform. Today, we combine programming and advocacy in order to generate institutional change in three key areas: racial justice and civil rights, empowerment and economic advancement of women and girls, and health and safety of women and girlsFor more information, visit ywca.org.### 

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