Executive Committee Members

Yvonne Wood, M.Ed., Chair, represents the Greater Nashville Development District on the Council and was elected in January 2012 to serve as Council Chair. She also serves as Chair of the Boards & Commissions Initiative and is the Director of the annual Economic Summit for Women. She owns Wood Conference & Event Planning.  She is a past Chair of the ATHENA Foundation, International, honoring and advancing women in leadership around the world. She represents Tennessee on the Southern Regional Educational Board, a compact of sixteen states. She also represents Tennessee as a delegate to Vision2020  a national initiative convening allies and women leaders from across the country with the purpose to advance gender equality by the year 2020. Her lifelong work as an advocate for women has been recognized by the Tennessee General Assembly and the Nashville Metro Council. ycwood@aol.com

Elliott Moore, M.S.S.W., Vice-Chair, of Bristol,is the Director of Community and Government Relations for Mountain States Health Alliance (MSHA), a hospital healthcare system based in Johnson City. She previously served as President/CEO of the Hospital Alliance of Tennessee and is past President of both the Nashville and the Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus. She represented the East Tennessee Grand Division for two years on the Council’s Executive Committee, and serves as the First Development District representative on the Council. mooreeg@msha.com

Dr. Dena Wise, PhD., is a Professor and Extension Specialist with the University of Tennessee focusing on Family Economics. She works with county extension agents and partners across the state to reach more than 3 million Tennesseans each year with information about money management, consumer education and fraud prevention. Dr. Wise is state coordinator of Tennessee Saves and gives statewide leadership to Extension's bankruptcy educator program and support to homebuyer education. She is principle author and project coordinator of On My Own, a financial education simulation conducted with 20,000 junior high and high school youth across Tennessee each year and coordinates a multi-state project funded by the FINRA Foundation to reach young adults with financial and investor education. Dr. Wise represents East Tennessee on the Executive Committee. dkwise@utk.edu

Dr. Janet F. Smith became the fifth president of Columbia State Community College on February 18, 2008. Prior to joining Columbia State, Dr. Smith served in various administrative roles at several institutions of higher education across the country, including her time as President of Rich Mountain Community College in Mena, Arkansas. She has been honored for her leadership in community colleges by the Governor of Arkansas and the Kentucky Legislature. Dr. Smith has a rich history of involvement in her community and profession.  She serves on the Workforce Investment Board, Maury Alliance Board of Directors (Executive Committee and Chamber Council Chair 2009-2011), and the Maury Advisory Board to First Farmers Bank, Nashville Symphony Advisory Council and the Family Support Center Board. She was also the founder of the Arkansas Association of Women in Community Colleges and has served as chair of the Community College Association. Dr. Smith is a graduate of Leadership Middle Tennessee and has served on the Williamson County-Franklin Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. She is Past President of the Tennessee College Association and a member of the national advisory board for the Higher Education Research and Development Institute; she has presented at area and state conferences, clubs, organizations and events.

Representative Karen Camper has been a member of the 105th through 107th General Assemblies representing the 87th Representative District in Shelby County. Camper is retired from the U.S. Army and owner of Key II Entertainment. In the General Assembly, Camper is a member of the House Judiciary Committee, House Children and Family Committee, and the House Government Operations Committee. She is also a member of the Shelby County Delegation, the Women's Legislative Caucus, and the Tennessee Legislative Black Caucus. In the community Camper serves on the International Business Council Advisory Board and as a substitute teacher in the Memphis City Schools. Camper is Executive Director of The Humble Hearts Foundation, Inc. She is Chairperson/CEO of Joint Services Black Heritage Committee and is a Charter Member of Women in Military Service for America. She serves as Treasurer of the Order of the Eastern Star and of the Harambee Social Club. Camper is a member of the NAACP, serves on the Maryland Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards Dinner Committee and is a Lifetime Member of Black in Government. She represents the Women's Legislative Caucus on the Economic Council.

Kathleen Armour Walker, Secretary, is President of Tennessee Pewter Company, in Somerville, TN. The company manufactures pewter tableware, giftware and jewelry.  She represents the Southwest Tennessee Development District.  She has been featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, and on public television sharing the beauty of pewter and introducing a new generation to the joy of entertaining and celebrating the finer things in life.  She is a top authority on fine, hand-made pewter and her eye for beauty and detail has earned her rave reviews as she has helped to set some of the finest tables in the South and beyond. Kathleen received her Bachelor of Science degree from Delta State University and a Master of Science in Agriculture from Mississippi State University.  She is a graduate of the WestStar Leadership program at University of Tennessee at Martin. Kathleen Armour Walker lives in Brownsville, Tennessee, with her husband, Dan. They are the proud parents of two Golden Pyrenees and a Schnoodle, all of which were rescued.

Margaret Jane Powers, J.D., Treasurer, of Crossville, serves as Upper Cumberland Development District Representative to the Economic Council on Women and chairs its Legislation and Policy Committee. Founder of the successful Powers Law Firm focusing on litigation of gender employment fairness issues, bankruptcy, criminal defense and workers compensation, Ms. Powers also serves as the President of the Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women and as Speaker of the Tennessee Bar Association’s House of Delegates. She is also a Member of the Tennessee Bar Foundation. mjp@margaretjanepowers.com

Carol Danehower, PhD., Immediate Past Chair, of Memphis, is Associate Professor of Management in the Fogelman College of Business and Economics at The University of Memphis. She received her doctorate in Management from the University of Kentucky and MA in Economics from the University of Arkansas.   Dr. Danehower teaches both online and on campus and conducts research on women in business as well as on the impact of domestic violence in the workplace.  She is also an active member of SHRM-Memphis.  She represents the Tennessee Board of Regents on the Council. vdanehwr@memphis.edu

Council Members

Ann Ayers-Colvin has served as Administrator of Elections for the Campbell County Elections Commission since October 2011.  She has previously served as a Deputy Mayor in Campbell County and has extensive experience working in both state and county government. Ann has degrees from the Tennessee Technological Institute, Roane State Community College and the Tennessee Technology Center.  She is active in numerous community organizations and has served on the board of directors for the Greater Smokey Mountain Council of The Boy Scouts of America, the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, and Drug Free Tennessee.  She has also served as Chairman for Campbell County Toys for Tots and for the Campbell County Republican Party.

Senator Mae Beavers has represented the 17th Senate District in the Tennessee General Assembly since 2002. Before that she served 4 years on the Wilson County Commission and eight years in the State House of Representatives. Sen. Beavers serves as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Senate Commerce, Labor & Agriculture Committee and the Senate Transportation Committee. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award for Trevecca Nazarene University from the Coalition of Christian Colleges and Universities. Senator Beavers has also been the recipient of the Patrick Henry Award from the Rights Education Fund for her support of our Second Amendment Rights; she is a member of the NRA and a lifetime member of the Tennessee Firearms Association. She also received an award from the Eagle Forum for her leadership for God, family and country. Senator Beavers is a member of the Mt. Juliet and Lebanon Chambers of Commerce and is a Charter Member of Mt. Juliet Noon Rotary Club. She lives in Mt. Juliet with her husband of 49 years, Jerry Beavers, where she attends Trevecca Community Church of the Nazarene.  Senator Beavers was appointed to the Economic Council on Women in 2011 to represent the Tennessee Senate.

Carol Berz, L.C.S.W., J.D., Ph.D., Treasurer, of Chattanooga, owns Private Dispute Resolution Services, LLC, a mediation services and conflict management system design organization. Dr. Berz is a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed mediator and a national trainer in both general civil and family mediation. The Council's Southeast Development District representative, she organized the Council's statewide forums on the Economic Impact of Domestic Violence and co-authored subsequent Council publications on that topic. She leads the Council’s strategic planning component and chairs its Economic Impact Committee. cberz@4pdrs.com

Shawn Francisco was appointed in 2001 to serve as the Weakley County Director of Finance. She has twice received the nationally-recognized Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, making Weakley County one of only five Tennessee counties to receive this award. She also serves on the Everett-Stewart Regional Airport Board, is active in numerous political and professional organizations and is an alumnus of the Tennessee Local Government Leadership Program & Leadership Weakley County. On the Council she represents the Northwest Tennessee Development District. franciscos@k12tn.net.

Veronica Marable Johnson serves as the Director of Programs and Operations for the Center for Women's Health Research at Meharry Medical College.  The Center is the nation’s first research facility devoted exclusively to understanding why women of color are at greater risk of certain diseases and how biology, race, and economics contribute to health disparities. Veronica began her professional career with First American National Bank (now Regions), utilizing her BBA in Accounting from Austin Peay State University. Both in and out of the workplace, Ms. Johnson has long been a passionate advocate on behalf of women of color. Ms. Johnson is currently active on various community boards and organizations, including the Cumberland Valley Girl Scouts, CABLE, American Diabetes Association, The Hendersonville Links, president of the Urban League of Middle TN Guild and Lake Providence Missionary Baptist Church, where she is the Associate Youth Director, Sr. Girl Scout Leader, Sunday School teacher and a member of the Usher Board.

Rep. Sherry Jones, of Nashville, has been a House member of the 99th through 107th General Assemblies. She is the Vice-Chair of the House Children and Family Affairs Committee. Rep. Jones is a member of the Nashville Women’s Political Caucus and Davidson County Democratic Women. She also volunteers for Court Appointed Special Advocates. Prior to her work in the General Assembly, Rep. Jones was a member of the Metro Nashville Council for the 30th District from 1987 to 1995. She has received leadership awards from the Mid-Cumberland Council on Children and Youth, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, Tennessee AFL-CIO, Tennessee Citizen Action, Tennessee March of Dimes, and Vanderbilt Law School, among others. She was appointed by the Speaker of the House to serve on the Economic Council. rep.sherry.jones@capitol.tn.gov

Linda Manning is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Vanderbilt University. As a Clinical Psychologist at the Vanderbilt Center for Integrative Health, she provides mind-body therapy and integrative health consultations for adults who are struggling with chronic illness, trauma, and emotional and physical pain. In addition, she is involved in integrative health research and medical education, as well as facilitating groups and seminars. Dr. Manning received her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin and has completed advanced training in body-centered psychotherapy, mindfulness based practices, and the treatment of trauma. Her practice and teaching have focused on the psychology of women and gender, transpersonal psychology, and culturally-sensitive therapy. In addition to her clinical work, she is a tireless servant of the disadvantaged and has long been an advocate for women's and minority rights. linda.g.manning@vanderbilt.edu

Ruby Miller is a native of Spartanburg, South Carolina. She received her bachelor's degree in business education from Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC. Following graduation, she was recruited by Union Carbide Corporation to work at the nuclear facilities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Miller held positions of increasing responsibility with Union Carbide and Martin Marietta Energy Systems, including associate director of Public Relations and manager of Small Business and Socioeconomic Programs. In 1990, she resigned from the company to start her own State Farm Insurance Agency which provides insurance products and financial services to individuals and small businesses. She also founded RAM/VITEC, Inc., a specialized business and management support services company, and continues to serve as corporate secretary and majority shareholder. A Board Member Emeritus of the Roane State Community College Foundation, Miller is a founding member of the Committee of 100 Women for Girls Inc. In 2007, Miller was appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen to a five-year term on the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. She was selected by NAIFA-TN as "Agent of the Year" in 2009, and has received numerous other awards and honors.

Rep. Janis Sontany is in her fifth term in the Tennessee General Assembly and was previously a member of Metro Council for 8 years. She recently retired from DuPont with 21 years of service in government affairs and customer service. She is a past president of the Nashville Women's Political Caucus and was their 2002 Athena Nominee. She served as a board member of Outlook Nashville and was awarded the CMRA Public Leader of the Year in 1998. Rep. Sontany is a Representative of the Tennessee House on the Council. rep.janis.sontany@capitol.tn.gov

Kristi Stanley represents West Tennessee Development District.

Rep. Johnnie Turner represents District 85 (part of Shelby County) in the Tennessee House of Representatives. She is a member of the House Consumer & Employee Affairs Committee and of the House Children & Family Affairs Committee. Rep. Turner sits on the Board of Directors of the NAACP Tennessee State Conference and of the New Memphis Arena Building Authority. She is also active with Leadership Memphis, LeMoyne Owen National Alumni Association, and Memphis Retired Teachers Association. Rep. Turner is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Living Legends Award from the Northeast Region of the NAACP, the Living Legends Award from the Memphis Grizzlies and the National Civil Rights Museum, and the Addie G. Owen Racial Justice Award presented by the YWCA of Greater Memphis. On the Council, Rep. Turner represents the Tennessee Black Caucus of State Legislators.

Commissioner Susan Whitaker, a veteran tourism marketing executive, was appointed in January of 2011 by Governor Bill Haslam's cabinet as Commissioner of Tourist Development. Comm. Whitaker was initially appointed to the position in 2003 by Governor Phil Bredesen, and reappointed under his administration in 2007. In this role, Comm. Whitaker is responsible for marketing Tennessee's tourism industry domestically and internationally. Tourism is one of Tennessee's largest industries, providing a $13.3 billion direct economic impact and generating over $1 billion annually in state and local sales tax revenue for the past four years. Comm. Whitaker serves on the Policy Council and Board of Directors of the U.S. Travel Association, the Travel South USA Board of Directors, the National Council of State Travel Directors, and the University of Tennessee's Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management Advisory Board. Comm. Whitaker is a Chicago native and a direct descendent of Tennessee's first Governor, John Sevier. She holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. Prior to her state cabinet post, she served as Vice President of Marketing for Dollywood, Tennessee's most visited tourist attraction. Throughout her career, Comm. Whitaker has received many awards and honors. She has earned the Telly and Addy Awards for her broadcast and advertising work and was presented the Pacesetter Award from the Stennis Center for Public Service. Susan.Whitaker@tn.gov

Senator Ken Yager has committed his life to public service as an educator, government official and community leader. In 2006, Yager completed 24 years of service to Roane County as its County Executive. Elected to six terms, he stepped down, choosing not to seek re-election.  Two years later, he was elected to the State Senate representing District 12 consisting of Roane, Rhea, Campbell, Morgan, Fentress and Scott Counties. Yager serves as Chair of the Senate State and Local Government Committee and was elected to the Joint Fiscal Review.  He also serves on the Senate Transportation Committee and the Senate Judiciary Committee.  He began his lifetime of service as a teacher in the Roane County public school system. He then served as County Attorney from 1978 to 1982, before being elected County Executive in 1982.   He has since returned to the field of education as an administrator and assistant professor at Roane State Community College. Yager is active in the life of his community. He has served as PTO President, Boy Scout Committee member, school volunteer, and serves on many non profit boards including the Mid East Community Action Agency for 25 years. Yager’s ability was recognized on the state level by his appointment to the State Workforce Board and the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. He is also a member of the National Rifle Association. sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov

Staff

Phyllis Qualls-Brooks was named Executive Director of The Tennessee Economic Council on Women to start the New Year of 2012 with a spark! Phyllis has extensive experience in both state and federal government, education and communications. She holds a doctorate in higher education from the Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University and a master's degree in English from Tennessee State University. She recently served as a Congressional Affairs Specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Special Projects Coordinator with the Office of the Treasurer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She formerly served as Assistant Commissioner in the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Director of Public Relations at Tennessee State University. Phyllis.Qualls-Brooks@tn.gov

Tracey Roberts joined the Tennessee Economic Council on Women in February 2008 as the Administrative Assistant. Today, Tracey stands at the helm in a dual role of Office Manager and Administrative Assistant. Tracey has recently earned her Associate's degree in Business and is planning to return to college in spring 2012 to continue her Bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management. Prior to joining the Council, Tracey worked in electronics warehousing as Quality Control Lead. Tracey enjoys the outdoors and scrapbooking in her spare time along with spending time with her Family and Grandson. tracey.roberts@tn.gov