Committees
YWA is an organization run entirely by its members. There are no paid positions associated with YWA, the YWA Foundation, or its Board of Directors. YWA and the YWA Foundation depend on committees to plan and execute events and handle all administrative duties.
Click on any of the following committees to learn more about them:
The Alumnae Committee represents the Board’s commitment to reconnect with and serve the needs of the many outstanding women who have made YWA strong for more than a decade.
Responsibilities include:
- Developing a strategic plan for the Alumnae organization over the next five years
- Determining creative ways to find and cultivate relationships with former members of YWA
- Developing and maintaining Alumnae database
- Developing and distributing Alumnae quarterly newsletter
- Helping to increase fundraising efforts through Alumnae participation in YWA Foundation events
Alumnae Committee Chairs
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Head, Vice President of Alumnae - Bethany Thomason
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Alumnae Events Chair - Amelia Whitman
This committee is responsible for the coordination of the organization’s participation in the annual Austin Under 40 (Au40) event co-hosted with the Young Men’s Business League (YMBL).
Responsibilities include:
- Acting as YWA liaison for event and managing YWA participation
- Maintaining all financial and operational tasks to accomplish goals
- Monitoring and recommending to the Board of Directors when areas of Au40 are not in accord with the best interest of the group
- Cultivating relationships with current and prospective sponsors, members, trustees, and other industry professionals; stimulating their interest and involvement in the Au40 Gala
- Maintaining relationship with YMBL counterpart as it relates to the event
- Acting as adviser for each sub-committee within the Austin Under 40 event
- Recruiting committee members throughout the year
Austin Under 40 Committee Chairs
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Head, Vice President of Au40 - Crystal Pharr
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After Party Chair - Laura Littlepage
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Event Management Chair - Kayleigh Rust
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Marketing & PR Chair - Heather Black
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Mayor's Coffee Chair - Christina Fenley Shepard
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Graphic Design Chair - Robin Laine
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Nominations Chair - Amelia Whitman
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Presentations Chair - Lauren Pacek
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Registration & Seating Chair - Hilary Rabuse
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Silent Auction Chair - Sarah Williamson
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Silent Auction Chair - Jen Hatch
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Sponsorship Chair- Audrey VandeWalle
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Sponsorship Chair - Melody Birdsong
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Sponsorship Chair- Stacie Bennett
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VIP Reception Chair - Maren Curtis
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Volunteers Chair - Erin Geoffrey
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Winners' Brunch Chair - Laura Littlepage
The Community Service Committee is responsible for the execution of community service opportunities.
Responsibilities include:
· Coordinating service efforts
· Developing a strategy that allows members to track their community service hours
· Helping to promote and encourage member participation in community events
· Liaison to Austin organizations aligned with YWA
· Following up after events
Community Service Committee Chairs
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Head, Vice President of Community Service - Bonnie O'Neill
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Administrative Chair - Sarah Williamson
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Mentor Chair - Cristina Reyna
The Marketing Committee is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the organization’s brand and promoting awareness of both YWA and the YWA Foundation.
Responsibilities include:
- Collateral material development
- Public relations
- Event promotion
- Monthly newsletter creation
- Maintenance of the organization’s social networking platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Picasa
- YWA Blog design and content generation
Marketing Committee Chairs
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Co-Vice Presidents of Marketing - Courtney Bunte & Sarah Zomper
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Design Chair - Sarah Leslie
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Newsletter Chair - Heather Black
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Public Relations Chair - Michelle Cox
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Social Networking Chair - Hanna Arbogast
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Blog Chair - Brittany Philmon
The Membership Committee is responsible for the cultivation of the organization’s membership.
Responsibilities include:
- Reaching out to new members
- Responding to membership inquiries
- Coordinating recruiting efforts
- Maintaining the Member Handbook
- Coordinating with Operations Committee to select Member of the Month
- Ambassador Program
- Buddy Program
- Membership Rewards Program
- Informational Sessions
- New Member Breakfasts
- Annual Membership Appreciation Party
Membership Committee Chairs
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Head, Vice President of Membership - Sally Pretorius
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Prospective Member Co-Chair - Nicole Bertram
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Prospective Member Co-Chair - Katie Filmore
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New Membership Chair- Lindsey Carter
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Member Retention Chair - Amelia Whitman
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The Operations Committee is responsible for managing the administrative duties within the organization.
Responsibilities include:
- Collecting board reports and distributing information at each board meeting
- Keeping attendance at board meetings
- Acting as a parliamentarian at meetings, enforcing “Roberts Rules of Order”
- Recording and publishing all meeting minutes and meeting notices in a timely fashion
- Distributing phone list to Board of Directors
- Updating YWA bylaws document when necessary
- Assisting Historian in maintaining YWA’s historical information
- Updating Web site as needed on a regular basis
- Reporting new members on a regular basis to Membership Committee and Buzz Chair
- Acting as Moderator for the YWA Buzz
- Maintaining YWA Scrapbook
- Maintaining YWA Job Board
- Providing Board and committee members with nametags on an annual basis
Operations Committee Chair
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Head, Co-Vice President of Operations - Vanessa Fuentes and Andra Seely
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Buzz Chair - Sarah Williamson
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Dashboard Chair - Sarah Delaune
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Historian - Alex Elizondo
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Job Board Chair - Nicole Bertram
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Web Site Chair - Sarah Leslie
The Programs and Events Committee is responsible for the planning and logistics of monthly General Meetings and other programs and social events.
Responsibilities include:
- Creating personal and professional development and networking opportunities through monthly General Meetings
- Hosting strategic networking events to strengthen the connection between the organization’s members and those of other organizations in the Austin community
- Coordinating annual YWA Holiday Party
Programs and Events Committee Chairs
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Head, Vice President of Programs and Events - Ellie France
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Professional Networking Chair - Kayleigh Rust
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Meetings Logistics Chair - Michelle Cox
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Sponsorship Chair - Hilary Rabuse
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Holiday Party Chair- Charlotte Blanchard
The Development Committee works to raise donations for the YWA Foundation through fundraising events, sponsorships, and member campaigns.
Responsibilities Include:
- Coordinate all fundraising events and committee meetings
- Develop a plan for increased donations at the individual and corporate level
- Solicit individual and corporate donations to meet development goals
- Maintain a database of donors
- Provide letters of appreciation and necessary tax documentation to donors
- Provide donors with updates on how their donations have been used (i.e. scholarship and grant recipients information)
Development Committee Chairs
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Head, Vice President of Development - Kristen Reynolds
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Donor Relations Chair - Stacie Bennett
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Individual Fundraising Chair - Kayleigh Rust
The Giving Committee works to award YWA Foundation funds through scholarships and grants.
Responsibilities include:
- Coordinate all scholarship and grant programs and committee meetings
- Develop a plan for increased marketing of scholarship and grants
- Engage YWA members and community leaders in the selection of scholarship recipients
- Communicate with the YWA/YWAF Boards, especially the VPs of Marketing and Community Service
- Help increase awareness of the YWA Foundation within the organization and our community
Giving Committee Chairs
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Head, Vice President of Giving -Paige Fillip Deegan
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Accountability Chair- Lindsey Carter
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Higher Education Scholarship Chair - Amelia Whitman
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High school Scholarship Chair - Denise Basore
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Grants Chair - Melissa MacLaurin
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Young Women's Alliance
P.O. Box 684612
Austin, TX 78701
