16 recognized with ATHENA Awards
The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce Business Development Connection and the Bossier Chamber of Commerce continue their partnership to honor 16 local women with the annual ATHENA Awards. This prestigious award is presented to two individuals who have attained and personify the highest level of excellence and creativity in their business or profession, while continuing to devote time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and have actively assisted women in achieving their full leadership potential through service and mentorship. This year’s ATHENA Awards Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 29 at DiamondJacks Casino. For more information contact, Jana Morgan at the Bossier Chamber of Commerce at 746-0252.
GREATER SHREVEPORT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOMINEES
Brenda M. Ashley Brenda M. Ashley, co-pastor of Christ Center Church and founder of S.I.S.T.E.R.S. International Ministries, is a woman of great passion for the things of God. The gift that has been placed into this dynamic woman of God has transformed her life into a destiny of purpose only she can fulfill by her walk with God. Ashley’s life experiences as a wife, mother and friend to many, allows her to relate to people from all walks of life, on a personable level, being a life coach that will help them to achieve the destiny God has prepared for them. It was from her own personal struggles of being a victim of domestic violence that S.I.S.T.E.R.S. International, Inc. was created. This became her personal mission to teach, train and tutor women, by the Word of God, how to live The Good Life. She is the CEO of SISTERS Restoration Crisis Center a transitional housing for women and children in any crisis situation. Ashley is an accomplished author, prophetic songwriter and entrepreneur. She is a life coach whose passion is to “bring out the best in you” through her, Best Life Training, as a personal development coach.
Melanie Jouett Bacon Melanie Jouett Bacon was born in Shreveport and attended C.E. Byrd High School. After graduating from LSU in Baton Rouge, where she was a Kappa Kappa Gamma, Bacon returned to Shreveport and began a career in the hotel business at the Hilton Inn- Bossier. This job took her to Dallas, Birmingham, Albuquerque and back to Dallas before she moved home to stay. She is a member of the local KKG alumni association, served as its president on three occasions and has held other positions on the executive committee. She also served on the LSU alumni committee, planning events and introducing ways to raise revenues. In December 2015, she will have the privilege of working at Downtown Shreveport Unlimited for 18 years. As the first employee of DSU, she coordinates the Mudbug Madness Festival, organizes the public/private effort to decorate downtown for the holidays, manages membership, produces a Christmas ornament which depicts a downtown building on the National Register of Historic Places, assists with fledgling events, and co-produces BREW with the Red River Revel staff. When Bacon was hired, DSU was under the umbrella of the Downtown Development Authority, but is now a stand-alone organization with a different mission, funded solely by revenues generated by events and membership. Associations through her professional life have made her an ardent advocate of the “buy local” school of thought. She thinks we should keep our money and our people in Shreveport by listening to and catering to Millennials while respecting the knowledge of more seasoned public and private leaders.
Della Copp Della Copp found early in her career her passion was marketing and communications. Copp completed a bachelor of arts (magna cum laude) in management and communications from Concordia University in Wisconsin. As a life-long learner, Copp seeks concepts to implement into strategies for successful business growth. This led her to become a masters of business administration candidate at LSU– Shreveport, focusing on leadership development, human resource management and philanthropic outreach.
Copp’s professional experience began at Allegiance Healthcare in Illinois where she developed communication materials for surgical and clinical business units. Copp then moved on to account manager at Knupp & Watson, a marketing and research agency in Madison, Wis., where she grew and retained a client base. Copp’s intrigue with the healthcare field returned and she became the marketing manager at Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin. For nearly eight years, Copp’s developed communication materials for clinic services and insurance products. A new career opportunity led Copp to take a position at Edgewood College as the director of marketing and admissions for the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. Copp learned she had a passion for working with adult students wanting to increase their knowledge base to make a difference in their career and personal life. Recently, Copp was the sales and marketing director at Southland Printing Company Inc. located in Shreveport. Currently, Copp is taking a sabbatical to complete her MBA, additional courses for a nonprofit certificate, and to volunteer her time in the community.
Copp continues her passion for community engagement, marketing and communication through her leadership on the United Way of Northwest Louisiana Board of Directors as vice chair and communication chair, and literacy volunteers at Centenary College as the communications chair. Copp’s belief is if you are going to participate on a board, you need to do more than be a body in a chair, you need to be vocal and an engaged advocate for the nonprofit you represent. Thus, the reason Copp was inspired to participate in the LSUS 2014 Creative and Critical Thinking Symposium, where she presented “Developing a College-Level Philanthropic/ Volunteer Program.”
Jennifer Dean Hemmings Jennifer Dean Hemmings has been in banking for more than 18 years. As a business development banker with Community Trust Bank, she coordinates all of their local marketing as well as community involvement. She serves as a Shreveport Chamber Diplomat, serves on the Diplomat Advisory
Board for the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, and serves as the chair of the Kids in the Kitchen program for the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier. In addition, she is a board member for Geaux Bags, member of the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, PTO for Legacy Elementary, Krewe of Centaur, Christ Fit Gym, Simple Church and an avid volunteer for many other nonprofit organizations.
In her spare time, she enjoys cookouts with family and friends, going to the beach, trail riding, watching her children in sporting events and just enjoys watching them grow up.
Johnette Magner, Ph.D. Johnette Magner is the founding executive director of the Shreveport-Bossier Business Alliance for Higher Education, which is comprised of representatives of the region’s premier business organizations. During her tenure, the SBBA has been instrumental in establishing doctoral degrees and helping to secure stable funding for the region’s universities.
Prior to SBBA, she served LSUS as interim vice chancellor of development, subsequent to her role as publisher for SB Magazine.
Before returning to Shreveport in 2010, Magner was a vice president of public affairs with Ketchum and managed global communications for Joint Commission International.
She is currently on the graduate faculty for the Frost School of Business at Centenary College, and has taught communications courses at Marymount University in Arlington, Va., LSUS and BPCC.
Magner began her career as a television anchor and award-winning consumer reporter in Texarkana, Texas and Shreveport.
Magner is an active civic leader, currently serving as the first female board president in the 90-year history of the Norwela Council of the Boy Scouts of America. She has also served as the board president of Sci-Port: Louisiana’s Science Center and as a vice president/chairman of the board for the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Providence House, Junior League and the Women’s Philanthropy Network. She also serves state-wide on the Board of Council for a Better Louisiana.
Peggy Ramey Peggy Ramey serves as community specialist for BHP Billiton. BHP Billiton is a one of the leading global resources company with a purpose to create long-term shareholder value through the discovery, acquisition, development and marketing of natural resources.
BHP Billiton is among the world’s largest producers of major commodities, including coal, copper, iron ore, nickel and uranium, and have substantial interests in oil and gas. Their unrivaled portfolio of high quality growth opportunities ensures a continuation of meeting the changing needs of customers and the resources demand of emerging economies at every stage of their growth.
Ramey received her undergraduate degree from Arkansas Tech University, and her master’s degree from Harding University. She has worked in academia and corporate recruitment sectors, and has spent the last eight years in the oil and gas industry focusing on community relations.
She serves on several community boards including the Shreveport Regional Arts Council, Independence Bowl Foundation, United Way of Northwest Louisiana and United Way ALICE Project Research Advisory Louisiana Committee and the Louisiana American Heart Association executive leadership team.
Suzanne Smith, NFA Suzanne Estachy Smith, NFA spent the first 23 years of her professional career in North Carolina as an administrative assistant at a local church bringing to fruition the vision to provide for children and youth in their community through a child development center, academy and by sponsoring recreational programs.
Smith has been the administrator of Magnolia Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for 18 years and has achieved a Medicare 5 Star rating. Smith is the current Louisiana Nursing Home Administrator of the Year and was named Administrator of the Year twice by Central Management Company, a corporation of skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers in Louisiana. Smith said her position is more than just a job. She is at her facility passed normal hours to ensure our elders receive quality care. Smith encourages her staff to take an active role in the support of community through the Alzheimer’s Association, Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, American Stroke Association and other local events.
Hilary Aldama Wooley Hilary Aldama Wooley is an attorney, consultant and a writer. A Texas girl at heart, she has made Shreveport, her home for the last eight years, where she is determined to uncover the secrets of how women “do it all” – balancing the demands of work, home and ultimately finding the purpose for their lives.
Wooley is corporate counsel for the Biomedical Research Foundation of Northwest Louisiana. Prior, she served as vice president and general counsel for a digital media and strategy-consulting agency in Shreveport. She has seven years of legal experience representing clients from entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies in both corporate and litigation matters. Additionally, she has seven years of experience as a management consultant.
She is a member of Christian Center Shreveport, where she ministers regularly on issues that affect and empower women. She is a member of the Shreveport- Bossier Mothers of Multiples (she has twins), the Junior League where she currently serves as a nominating adviser, and the chairman of the board of directors for the Northwest Louisiana Chapter of the March of Dimes.
Wooley holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Brown University and received her juris doctor from the University of Texas School of Law.
BOSSIER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOMINEES 
Angela Horton Costakis Angela Horton Costakis “Angie” graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 1995 with a bachelor of arts in political science and completed her master’s of science in computer systems technology at LSUS in 1998 – where she was the only female in her class. Costakis was recruited out of graduate school to work for an information technology consulting company based in Shreveport. The I.T. career field took Costakis around the world as she worked on various nationwide and international projects.
In 2009, after 10 years in the computer world, Costakis pursued her passions and worked in the local sports and public service arenas. With more than 20 years of history in the Shreveport sporting community, Costakis helped to establish the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. She then transitioned to the DDA to work with her friend and mentor, Liz Swaine. As the technical arm of the DDA, Costakis worked to establish an online presence and awareness within the community of downtown events and businesses.
Only after working in both the I.T. and the public sector, has Costakis found a way to merge her talents and her passion to be able to fill a much needed void in the nonprofit world. Technology is expensive and Costakis works tirelessly to help provide pro bono technical assistance to those organizations that make Shreveport-Bossier City the place she is proud to call home.
Sandra Haynes Sandra Haynes began her career with Dimension Development Company as a DOS in 2001 and later was promoted to regional director of sales and marketing. In 2005, she left Dimension to assume duties as the general sales manager of one of the Bossier casino properties. In 2007, Haynes accepted the position of executive director of the Shreveport Bar Association. Based on her prior experience with Dimension, her proven track record of success, and her outstanding reputation in the community in 2012, Haynes was chosen as a key part for the management staff of the new dualbranded Hilton properties. Haynes projects a friendly and professional image of herself and the hotel at all times. Her prior hotel and sales and marketing experience and business acumen has been invaluable in establishing Hilton Garden Inn and Homewood Suites new hotels in the market.
In her spare time, Haynes shares her heart by serving as the secretary on the board of directors for the Gingerbread House, a nonprofit organization that serves abused children. She is also actively involved with the Renesting Project, Inc. which provides gently used furniture and household goods at no cost to those transitioning from homelessness within her community.
Beth Ann Holmes Beth Ann Holmes does everything with excellence, dedication and compassion. Throughout her tenure with Evergreen Life Services, she has overseen tremendous advances in the operations of the organization. Evergreen is a nonprofit organization that provides services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in seven states. Holmes is a senior executive vice president and oversees the human resources and administration functions of the entire organization with over 2,400 employees. To name a few of the advances she has brought to the table for Evergreen is the implementation of an electronic payroll system, which creates efficiencies in time keeping, employee payroll and saves the organization money. The system also holds our health records for the individuals served. The implementation of this system was seamless and efficient, due to Holmes’s leadership and oversight. Holmes is a very reserved person and does not speak about her accomplishments or service to others. She does her work in her profession and in the community without drawing attention to herself. Her compassion and drive to provide resources and leadership to women is evident throughout her life, but one specific circumstance is the creation of a resource for women called, Gwen’s Book. The list of accomplishments Holmes has obtained over her career and in the community is great and exceptional.
Capt. Fiona M. Pham Capt. Fiona M. Pham has been stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base since December 2013. During her time there, she has been recognized as the 2d Bomb Wing and Team Barksdale’s company grade officer of the second quarter in 2014, the 2d Bomb Wing logistics company grade officer of the year in 2014 and the 2d Bomb Wing Tuskegee company grade officer of the year for 2015. Each award received was in recognition of her service and dedication to her fellow airmen, Barskdale’s unique mission of deterrence and assurance, and of her contagious pride in her role as an ambassador of the Air Force in the community.
Following the dissolution of the Air Force Global Strike Command Female Officer Network in the summer of 2014, Pham re-established the organization in the spring of 2015 to create an inclusive open environment to discuss concerns women face as leaders, as well as a space to share career growth opportunities and mentorship opportunities for the 147 female officers assigned to Barksdale AFB. The organization has aggressively sought to attract guest speakers such as Maj. Gen. Richard Clark, 8th Air Force Commander and Col. Kristin Goodwin, 2d Bomb Wing Commander, both of whom have vocally advocated for continued growth of female officer leadership in our Air Force.
Georgette Price As the military student coordinator for Bossier Parish Schools Georgette Price’s role is to serve as an expert “navigator” for military-connected students and their families as they transition in and out of the school district. Last year, she has had direct contact with over 900 students by addressing their needs related to military life, school transition and special education support. Her role as an educator on the concerns of military connected students allowed her to work with and support over 900 school personnel either in individual meetings, classroom settings or professional development. In order to expand her work in the socialemotional welfare of our military connected students she has secured a $1 million Department of Defense Education Activity grant and will serve as program director over the next five years. As the liaison with Barksdale Air Force Base she has had the privilege of speaking at two Global Strike Commander’s Conferences, addressing leadership from the five installations across the country and two Commander’s Spouse Leadership Conferences over the past year. As the secretary of the Northwest Louisiana Military Support Foundation, a member of the Military Relations Committee of the Bossier Chamber and executive board of Bossier Innovates Foundation, she is intimately connected to the community and can advocate for the needs of military students and their families. Price also serves the role as a military wife and does it proudly.
Shirley Marie Roberson As the director of multicultural affairs for the LSU Health Science Center, Shirley Marie Roberson’s career path has taken what would be considered a most untraditional route. As a former researcher and now administrator, she has found herself in the “people business.” She helps students from different socio-economic groups, some are privileged and others are from underprivileged and underrepresented background of all ethnicity. As the director Roberson has had the privilege of counseling thousands of young women for many different ethnic groups on a daily bases as it relates to medical school and other career decisions. She takes special delight in mentoring young women high school age that has seen very few minority women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic) careers. Assisting women in reaching their full leadership potential is a specialty that Roberson brings to the table. From mentoring at Head Start, to serving as an HIV/AIDS educator at Volunteers of America, she fills the role as a mentor to others. Recently, in her spare time she has completed the Master Gardener course and has been involved in several fund raising activities and other community activities. By years end Roberson will have acquired at least 40 hours of community service projects.
Kelli Smith Kelli Smith opened her State Farm agency two years ago. She has experienced extreme success in very little time. She is an individual who strives to provide the best service while always having a smile on her face when helping others. In just two years of agency Smith has consistently earned numerous awards: SVP Club in 2013 and 2014; President’s Club in 2014; Chairman Circle in 2013 and 2014; Ambassador Travel in 2013 and 2014; Million Dollar Round Table in 2014. She is early qualifier for Chairman Circle and Million Dollar Round Table for 2015.
Most current, Smith mentors individuals who are preparing to become an agent. She mentors both men and women. She helps the agent aspirants to understand the emotion, passion and energy it takes to be successful in and out of the workplace. Smith enjoys volunteering her time in the community and benefit events. Cinderella Project is an event that helps junior and senior girls be able to have the experience of prom they deserve in Caddo, Bossier and surrounding parishes. Smith helps the organization in a number of ways. She helps to plan the event, collect dresses throughout the year, provide necessary funding, etc. In 2014, Smith was able to work a deal with Azarue’s Dress Shop to benefit the event; every time a dress was purchased the store would donate a dress to the Cinderella Project. Smith looks forward all year long to event day. She loves helping the girls find their dress that makes them feel perfect. Smith is a sponsor of Run with the Nuns, an organization that helps raise funding for children’s health programs.
Janice F. Watt An outstanding woman who has excelled in her business career, but along the way, has given generously of her time, energy, heart and money, as described by her peers. Janice Watt’s volunteer resume is extensive. Over the years, she has served in countless leadership positions at Eastwood Baptist Church where she currently is the finance committee chair. She served for two years as the Booster Club president for the Shreveport- Bossier Captains professional baseball team and housed a player in her home for three consecutive summers. She has also hosted three different foreignexchange high school students in her home, for 10 months at a time, for three consecutive years. She currently volunteers for Girls on the Run, a nonprofit that mentors pre-teen girls regarding, health, nutrition and exercise, self-esteem, etc. Watt is the co-owner of Generational Financial Advisors located in Shreveport. From being the first female internal audit manager for Arkla, Inc to re-activating the booster club for the Shreveport Captains baseball, Watt is running the roads by having completed four halfmarathons in an 18-month period.
