Agencies
Services
Women's History Month 2021
Throughout the month of March, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) will celebrate Women’s History Month through a series of events highlighting the contributions of women in government, public service and business. We invite you to join us for these exciting conversations and check back for more content, programming and event recordings each week.
CMS Celebrates Women’s History Month: WomenIn Event Series
WomenIn Wealth Generation Part I – March 11, 2021, 11 a.m.
Adrienne Penta
Executive Director
Brown Brothers Harriman
Center for Women & Wealth
In this session, Adrienne Penta, Executive Director for the Brown Brother Harriman (BBH) Center for Women & Wealth (CW&W), will share her experiences as a woman in leadership and insights into wealth generation for women.
WomenIn Legal – March 11, 2021, 1 p.m.
This event will highlight women attorneys in the public sector and the broad, diverse type of work they do. Learn how inspiring women utilize their legal degree in both traditional and non-traditional legal settings, and their career pathways to reaching those settings. Featured speakers will share their experiences taking risks in their career, tackling seemingly insurmountable challenges, and becoming stronger attorneys and leaders along the way.
Maryam Ahmad
Bureau Chief
Cook County
State’s Attorney’s Office
Sadzi Oliva
Commissioner
Illinois Commerce Commission
Honorable
Mary Marubio
Associate Judge
Cook County
Circuit Court
Jenn Rosato Perea
Dean and
Professor of Law
DePaul University
College of Law
Katy Straub
Deputy Director
CMS
Discussion Moderator
WomenIn Public Safety Session I – March 15, 2021, 12 p.m.
Kajanda Love
Assistant Warden
Illinois Department
of Corrections
This presentation will highlight women who are in leadership positions in public safety organizations throughout the State and discuss the unique challenges women face in these roles.
WomenIn Public Safety Session II – March 15, 2021, 1 p.m.
Alicia Tate-Nadeau
Director
Illinois Emergency Management Agency
This presentation will highlight women who are in leadership positions in public safety organizations throughout the State and discuss the unique challenges women face in these roles.
WomenIn Public Safety Session III – March 15, 2021, 2 p.m.
Annette
Nance-Holt
1st Deputy Commissioner
Chicago Fire Department
This presentation will highlight women who are in leadership positions in public safety organizations throughout the State and discuss the unique challenges women face in these roles.
When Women Lead – March 16, 2021, 12 p.m.
Andrea Zopp
Managing Partner
Cleveland Ave
In this session, Andrea Zopp, Managing Partner for Cleveland Avenue will share her experiences as a woman in leadership and discuss the impact women leaders can have within their organizations, communities, and beyond.
WomenIn Personnel and Labor Relations – March 16, 2021, 1 p.m.
Co-sponsored by the National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) and National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE)
During this event, we will discuss the impact of women in personnel and labor relations and we invite you to join us to learn from the distinguished panelist as they share their professional experience, journey, and expertise. We’ll hear why these successful leaders remain strong advocates of public service careers for those just beginning their professional journey or those seeking to make a change. There are many career paths in government that provide meaning and purpose. This panel will speak to those public service career opportunities and share their strong words of encouragement with anyone pursuing this journey.
Erin O’Boyle
Deputy Director
Labor Relations
CMS
Sara Redding Wilson
President & CEO
Drive to Work
Leslie Scott
Executive Director
National Association
of State Personnel Executives
Rebecca Hunter
Former Commissioner
Tennessee Department of Human Services
Sarah Kerley
Senior Policy Advisor
CMS
WomenIn Technology – March 17, 2021 - 12 p.m.
Women leaders in the civic technology sector are inspiring people from all backgrounds to consider a career in technology. This event will highlight the achievements and project accomplishments of women in civic technology.
Danielle DuMerer
Vice President of Technology
John G. Shedd Aquarium
Lecturer
Harris School of Public Policy
University of Chicago
Jennifer Ricker
Acting Secretary and CIO
Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology
Dr. Tamara Roust
Chief Data Officer
Commodity Futures
Trading Commission
WomenIn Health and Human Services - March 18, 2021, 12 p.m.
In this presentation, CMS will highlight women leaders/experts in Health to discuss their experiences in agency leadership, ensuring safety, access and equity. In addition, we will discuss challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and their view on the path forward. Panelists will present their views on health, personal development and advocacy.
Theresa Eagleson
Director
Illinois Department
of Healthcare
and Family Services
Lizzy Whitehorn
First Assistant
Deputy Governor
Health and Human Services
Dr. Ngozi Ezike
Director
Illinois Department
of Public Health
Grace B. Hou
Secretary
Illinois Department
of Human Services
Shiloah Tubbs
Deputy Director
Bureau of Benefits
CMS
Discussion Moderator
WomenIn Communications – March 22, 2021, 12 p.m.
This panel will provide an overview of how women have played an integral role in leading communications for the State and other government entities’ both behind the scenes and on the front lines.
Avis LaVelle
Founder
A. LaVelle Consulting Services
Anel Ruiz
Senior Vice President
Culloton Bauer Luce
Marjani Williams
Deputy Director
Illinois Office of Communication
and Information
CMS
When Women Lead – March 23, 2021
Paula Basta
Director
Illinois Department
on Aging
In this session, Paula Basta, Director of the Illinois Department on Aging, answers 21 questions about her unique experiences as a woman in leadership.
WomenIn Wealth Generation Part II – March 25, 2021, 12 p.m.
Tina Byles Williams
CEO, Chief Investment
Officer (CIO) and Founder
Xponance
In this session, Tina Byles Williams, CEO, Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Founder of Xponance, will share insights into financial planning, investments and building wealth for women.
When Women Lead - March 26, 2021, 12 p.m.
Carole L. Brown
Head of Asset Management
The PNC Financial Services Group
In this session, Carole L. Brown, Head of Asset Management for The PNC Financial Services Group will share her experiences as a woman in leadership and discuss the impact women leaders can have within their organizations, communities, and beyond.
When Women Lead – March 26, 2021
Margaret Weichert
Managing Director – North American Payments Lead
Accenture
In this session, Margaret Weichert, Managing Director – North American Payments Lead, Accenture, shares her insights about her career in finance and experience in both the private and public sectors and as an entrepreneur.
When Women Lead – March 29, 2021
Karen Freeman-Wilson
President and CEO
Chicago Urban League
In this session, Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League will share her experiences as a woman in leadership.
Click here to access the event recording (use password: Z8#EB*UB)
When Women Lead – March 30, 2021
Jamie Rodgers, MPA
Deputy Director
National Association
of State Chief Administrators (NASCA)
In this session, Jamie Rodgers, current Deputy Director for National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA), and former Legislative Aide and Fulbright Scholar, will share her experiences as a woman in leadership and discuss the impact women leaders can have within their organizations, communities, and beyond.
CMS Celebrates Women’s History Month Social Media Campaign
Follow CMS on social media as we highlight the exemplary work of women working for the State of Illinois and in various industries.