The Ann Richards School welcomed over 80 members from across Texas with the Leadership Women group, an organization that Governor Ann Richards founded, as part of an engagement opportunity in Austin. Leadership Women was established to ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic, and public life.
Our Star students welcomed the 2022 cohort with a special Star Walk and participated in a panel discussion about their internship experiences as juniors at the Ann Richards School. The Leadership Women group also toured the campus to learn more about the educational environment at a leadership school.
Executive Director of the Ann Richards School Foundation, Peggy Hanley, a member and recent graduate of this cohort from 2022, along with the Ann Richards School’s Director of Programs and Leadership Women graduate from 2020, Jill DiCuffa, arranged with Leadership Women for a discussion about “Investing in the Pipeline” of women seeking success and careers in male-dominated fields through mentorship.
Joining the panel, Michelle Wallis, Executive Director of the Austin Ed Fund as moderator, Jayna Duke, Principal: Interior Design Practice Leader from O’Connell Robertson, Judi Nudelman, Board President of Women in Neuroscience, and Ann Richards School Foundation Board Member, Rina VonFrisch, Senior Business Consultant at Kendra Scott.
Each panelist presented alongside an Ann Richards School student or graduate who participated in an internship program at their respective organization. Panelists spoke about the need for women in STEM, entrepreneurship, healthcare, architecture, and construction, as well as the benefits of mentorship being a two-way street for everyone.
