The Women’s Leadership Collaborative selects Remarkable Women award winners

The Women’s Leadership Collaborative (WLC), established earlier this year, is an expansion of the efforts being done by the Women’s Leadership Center on the campus of Arkansas State University.

The WLC will host its first Recognizing Remarkable Women awards on Nov. 2 at the Cooper Alumni Center.

Nominations for the awards have been received for the last several months. The winners are women from the Delta region of Arkansas. Recipients of the awards were chosen by the Women’s Business Leadership Center Steering Committee.

The Women’s Leadership Collaborative (WLC), established earlier this year, is an expansion of the efforts of the Women’s Business Leadership Center on the campus of Arkansas State University.

The overarching goal of the WLC is a campus-wide initiative by Chancellor Todd Shields to highlight leadership opportunities and provide a network for students and mentors committed to student success.

This year seven women will be recognized at the luncheon for their contributions, including:

Elizabeth Kimble, education program specialist with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, is the winner of the Champion of Women award. An NEA native, Kimble uses her platforms to educate the public on conservation and outdoor recreation, focusing those efforts primarily on women and girls.

Sandy Alstadt is the winner of the Mentor of the Year award. Having spent more than 30 years in corporate and non-profit positions, she has been an example for other women. She retired from Entergy Services, Inc., in 2018 after serving in a variety of positions including director of customer communications and public information officer.

Gina Gomez, executive director of El Centro Hispano, is the first winner of the Leader in Service award. She has led the center for more than 20 years, helping countless families by providing educational, health and social programs. She has met with leaders in rural communities to address issues facing minorities.

Dr. Brenda Randle, director of the Neighborhood Red Wolves Community Engagement Program, is also a winner of the Leader in Service award. She is a certified leadership consultant who works to help businesses resolve challenges. She is the owner and COO of The Writing Doctor, LLC, which offers services for editing, writing and publishing.

Madelyn Carson, assistant director and program coordinator of the Women’s Leadership Center, is the Unsung Hero award winner. She works with women and girls of all ages as part of the “Step up, Reach Back” program. In addition to other efforts, she leads girls and women in service projects and events each year.

Dr. Evette L. Allen Moore, assistant dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, is one of two winners of the Women to Watch award. She is a highly requested equity consultant. She has more than 12 years of experience in equity work in higher education.

Sari Harlow, owner of Verb Bookstore, is the second winner of the Women to Watch award. When her mobile bookstore opened in 2020, Harlow achieved a childhood dream. Last year the brick-and-mortar store opened on Gee Street. To start her business, she sought help through the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center.