About Us
Our Mission & Vision
Increase the leadership capabilities and influence of women. Contribute to the growth and stability of the Greater Chattanooga business and civic community through the broad range of women’s talents and perspectives.
Our Guiding Values
We believe women leaders are a critical voice in the community.
We believe women’s perspectives and discernment make a difference and improve all aspects of work and life.
We believe it is important to help women develop their full potential.
We promote that women will be compensated equitably.
We honor diverse perspectives.
We value the company of women and encourage deeper, authentic connections among women.
Together we empower, celebrate, elevate, and advocate for one another.
Our Team
We are a tenacious and passionate team – focused on the growth of female leadership in our local Chattanooga area and nationally.
Kim Shumpert
Chief Executive Officer
kim@cwli.org
Sharayah Caouette
Director of Programs & Operations
sharayah@cwli.org
Caroline Jewell
Membership & Marketing Coordinator
caroline@cwli.org
2021 Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Tangela Johnson | Chair
North Georgia Corporate Consulting
Autumn Witt Boyd | Vice Chair
Law Office of Autumn Witt Boyd
Julie Baumgardner | Immediate Past Chair
First Things First
Stefanie Mansueto | Treasurer
JP Morgan Chase
Amanda Jelks | Secretary
Jelks Law, PLLC
Emily Ramsey | Capacity Liaison
J. Smith Lanier & Company
Karen Estes | Programs Liaison
Tennessee Aquarium
Board of Directors
Frances Bayly
TVA
Erika Burnett
Women’s Fund of Greater Chattanooga
Julie Davis | Impact Co-Chair
Roundtable Advisors of Raymond James
Gina Dhanani
The Double Cola Company
Mary Edwards
Chambliss Children’s Center
Emily Elrod
Workzbe
Marj Flemming | Director Emeritus
Launchpoint Leadership
Beth Harrell
Beth Harrell Homes, Crye-Leike Realtors
Stacy Johnson
La Paz
Daisy Maurya-Ballard
Parkridge Health Systems
Jennifer Nicely
CHI Memorial Healthcare System
Jessica Oliva-Calderin
Calderin & Oliva, P.A.
Danna Vaughn
Chattanooga Police Department
Joyce Ann Williams
LBMC
Our History
The Women’s Leadership Institute was initiated in 1996 with informal gatherings regarding the small number of women in leadership positions in the Chattanooga community, especially the relatively few women holding executive level positions in companies or elective and appointive offices in local government. Additionally, a movement began to form an organization where women leaders could interact with each other more productively and could bring forward a new “generation” of women leaders. In 1998, WLI became a nonprofit organization.
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