Name: Nicole Brown

Occupation:   The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Coordinator, Office of Equity & Diversity

Adjunct Faculty, Communication Department

College/University attended:

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Masters in Public Administration

Middle Tennessee State University, Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications- Radio/TV

Family: Never Married/No Kids

Approximately how many years have you been involved with CWLI? June 2009

On which committees have you participated?

CWLI Annual Event Committee 2011-present

Luncheon Series

Women Impacting Policy (initial stages)

What is your most memorable/outstanding experience with CWLI?

The 2009 Mentoring Program and being selected to speak at the Choo Choo on behalf of the participants.

With what other community organizations/activities are you involved? 

CWLI Board of Directors

2012 Leadership Chattanooga graduate (Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce)

The Future is Ours Committee (formerly City of Chatt. Gang Task Force)

Partnership for Families, Children and Adults Board of Directors

The Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African-American Song Board of Directors

UTC Chancellor’s Multicultural Advisory Council

UTC Office of Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee

UTC Black Alumni Council

UTC Safe Zone Committee

UTC Culture Improvement Team

UTC Strategic Plan Subcommittee/Resource Development

What do you like to do in your spare time? Spend time with family and friends!

Who is a woman that inspires you? Why? There are several women who inspire me each day from all social economic backgrounds! My local mentor is Eva Dillard. She has been a phenomenal inspiration to me. We meet monthly and she holds me accountable, helps me set career and personal goals.

Oprah Winfrey tops the list on a national level. Despite Oprah’s humble beginnings, she became a trailblazer for all women around the world. She gives back in so many ways. For example, she created a school for girls in Africa, provided jobs with her TV show and the OWN network. Plus, I love her sense of style!

 

 

Name:  Stefanie Crowe

Occupation: Director of Marketing, Communications & Investor Relations

Executive Vice-President

CapitalMark Bank & Trust

College/University attended:

BA from University of Notre Dame – 1991, MBA from University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – 2002

Family: Married to Chip Crowe 15 years with 2 daughters; living in North Chattanooga

Approximately how many years have you been involved with CWLI?  3 years

On which committees have you participated? Participated as a panelist with Lillie Wills (2011) talking about the role of money related to soft skills (communication), negotiation and risk-taking. I loved this session, because it was penetrating the taboo of talking about money. Women generally aren’t
comfortable discussing money with each other, and it can hold them back if they don’t get up to speed on “best practices” and learn from each other! Participated in the Women Know finance series for several years as a presenter and amember of the steering committee. Co-chaired the Women in the Boardroom session in 2012 and I’m currently working on the 2013 program.  

What is your most memorable/outstanding experience with CWLI?

Working with Carol Newton with Women in the Boardroom.  Carol’s superior knowledge of the intersection of strategic planning and corporate (or personal) financial managementis simply “catnip” for me – fortunately, she generously shares her expertise!

With what other community organizations/activities are you involved? 

I am embarrassed to detail this!  Getting involved in the community is a weakness for me – I love to engage where there are smart, passionate people motivated to improve the community. What I’ve learned over the years by working on boards and committees is too numerous to count.  I like to say that it’s amazing what people will let you do when they don’t have to pay you!   The lessons and connections I’ve built over the past two decades serve as a reservoir on which I draw frequently to better serve CapitalMark and grow this company.

What are some of your hobbies? I am a mother to a 9 and 6 year old… what are hobbies?

Who is a woman that inspires you? Why? It’s hard to select just one!   Sheila Boyington has been an inspiration, with her smarts, ambition, and willingness to help others.  She’s demonstrated that one can maintain a successful marriage, raise a family, launch and grow a business, mentor women and girls on the same path, and make the community a better place!

I’ve learned that it’s imperative to spend more time with people you want to be more like; over time, your behavior and outlook are influenced by people that surround you.  You can “stack the cards” for long-term life success by proactively choosing to spend time with positive, motivated, successful people – cultivate and nurture those relationships at work, in the community and at home.   Start by selecting a positive, supportive life partner and expand from there!

 

 

 

Name: Jennifer Nicely

Occupation: Foundation President, Memorial Health Care System

College/University attended: Vanderbilt

Family: Husband, Maury Nicely, attorney. Children Charles (11) and William (8)

Approximately how many years have you been involved with CWLI? 5

On which committees have you participated? Membership, Leadership Luncheons

What is your most memorable/outstanding experience with CWLI? I have most enjoyed the relationships I have built through WLI

With what other community organizations/activities are you involved?  Bright School, Hunter Museum, Children’s Home Chambliss Shelter, Lung Association, Junior League, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Downtown Rotary

What do you like to do in your spare time? Read and anything with my boys which usually means watching a sport

Who is a woman that inspires you? Why?  My grandmother because she showed me that you can work hard, have fun and still be “a lady.”  She is still doing all those things at 91!

 

 

Name:  Rickie Pierce 

Occupation:  Retired Associate Head of Girls Preparatory School; currently Professor in Residence of UTC supervising some teachers in Hamilton County System

College/University attended:  B.A.–University of Chattanooga; M.A. — Emory University

Family: Husband Charles–partner in All Aboard Travel; daughter Lynne–Program Director at Creative Discovery Museum; granddaughter Lea-eighth grader at GPS

Approximately how many years have you been involved with CWLI?  10

On which committees have you participated? Chair of Leadership Luncheon Committee; chair of Annual Leadership Address Committee

What is your most memorable/outstanding experience with CWLI? I have loved seeing the expanding programs and the growing membership of CWLI; the fellowship of the group is very special to me.

With what other community organizations/activities are you involved?  Board member of Girls Leadership Academy, Red Cross, Stadium Corporation (vice chair), VORP (Victim Offender Reconciliation Project), Young Women’s Leadership Academy Foundation.  Heading Young Women of Distinction through American Lung Association.  Kiwanis (Past president, Lieutenant-Governor).  First Centenary Methodist Church–various activities including teaching  adult Sunday School class for 35 years. 

What do you like to do in your spare time? Travel! When at home, I delight in curling up with a good book and interspersing a New York Times Sunday crossword puzzle with the reading.

 Who is a woman that inspires you? Why? Nell Mohney.  She initiated my involvement in speaking for civic and church groups by asking me to sub for her when I was in my twenties and has been a mentor for me since that time.  At age 91 she is as great a speaker, author, and friend as ever!

 

 

Name: Edna Varner

Occupation:  Retired Educator/New Teacher Coach, PEF. Transforming Public Education

College/University attended:  University of TN at Chattanooga

Family:  Single; seven siblings and two parents

Involvement in CWLI

Approximately how many years have you been involved with CWLI?    Two

On which committees have you participated?   Women Mentoring Women, Literacy

What is your most memorable/outstanding experience with CWLI?

Working with the women in the mentoring program gives me great hope for women in

Chattanooga’s future.

With what other community organizations/activities are you involved?  Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, Delta Sigma Theta, Incorporated, The Ochs Center, Girls Inc, Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, Siskin Children’s Institute, Chattanooga State Foundation, The Women’s Fund, The Aim Center, The Links Incorporated, Read 20, Chattanooga Housing Authority, Chattanooga Promise Zone, Ballet TN, Thrive 2055.

What do you like to do in your spare time?   Volunteer work.

Who is a woman that inspires you? Why?    Harriet Tubman who in the following quotation underscores the importance of education:   “I freed thousands of slaves, and I could have freed thousands more if they had known they were slaves.”  I believe thousands of people don’t know how smart and talented they are.  We must change that.