Board of Directors
Lori L. Bestervelt, Board member
Lori, MS., Ph.D., holds positions of senior vice president, technical operations, and chief technical officer at NSF International and p of DBA Analytical, LLC. Lori has 20 years experience in toxicology with emphasis in endocrine, reproductive, and molecular toxicology, metabolism, and nutritional biochemistry. She has applied this knowledge to the assessment of human risk and regulatory issues and has addressed the safety of hundreds of materials for use in drinking water, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, food equipment, drinking water treatment units and pool equipment. Lori is a full member of the Society of Risk Analysis, and the Michigan Society of Toxicology. She has taught courses on regulatory toxicology at Eastern Michigan University, and is also a member of the advisory board for molecular biology/biology at Eastern Michigan University, and an adjunct professor in the department of microbiology at Michigan Technological University.
Jennifer Cornell, Board member
Jenn is a PR consultant that helps companies and organizations increase brand awareness and media exposure through consistent, compelling communications. Her clients include leading high tech companies, although she has a real passion for working with entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Additionally, Jenn is co-owner of Joust Strength + Fitness in Ann Arbor, a CrossFit and kettlebell training facility that offers a multi-dimensional, personalized approach to fitness. Jenn joined the board of The Women's Center in 2009 and also serves as chair of the organization's marketing committee. In addition to The Women's Center, Jenn is on the board of Michigan Innovators.
Karen Cross, Board member
Karen Cross works part-time as a project director for Washtenaw Community College's Business and Industry Services and as a senior associate for Ray.Taylor and Associates. At Washtenaw Community College, she works with local companies to provide job-related training to employees. At Ray.Taylor and Associates, she provided consulting services to school districts and non-profit organizations. Karen has served on the Ann Arbor Board of Education for 10 years, as president of the Board for the last five years. Karen earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and her masters degree in public administration from Eastern Michigan University. She joined the Women’s Center board in 2010. Karen is also on the board of directors of the SOS Crisis Center and the Neutral Zone Teen Center.
Shelia M. Harden, Board member
Shelia is the President / CEO of GS Harden & Associates, LLC, an independent management consulting firm focused on helping companies Go Lean. Since 1982, Shelia worked in the automotive community deploying lean, Six Sigma principles and training within many companies including Alcoa, Ford Motor Co, General Motors, Tenneco Automotive, and various other automotive suppliers. In 2008, she turned her attention to the healthcare industry where she developed a patient-centered business model to improve the safety, quality, delivery time, and cost performance. Shelia joined the board of The Women’s Center in 2009 and is active on the silent auction committee of Swing Into Spring, its annual fundraising event. In addition to The Women’s Center, she is involved with the University Musical Society, Eastern Michigan Foundation, and the Ann Arbor Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Angela Costley Harris, Board member, Chair
Angela is president of ACH Consulting, LLC, which provides association management, consulting, fundraising and grant-making support to not-for-profit private foundations, member/trade associations, public charities and for-profit small businesses. Angela believes profoundly in The Women’s Center’s mission and the three fundamental principles that guide all of its programs: increased confidence, increased competence, and increased connections. Currently board chair, she joined the board in 2006, and has served as chair of the finance committee and as a member of the fund development and auction committees. In addition to her work with The Women’s Center, Angela serves on the Board of Directors for Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity in Indianapolis and on the Board of Trustees of grant-making private foundations. She also serves on the finance committee and/or investment committee of several membership organizations and on a number other committees for other causes.
Jane Hassinger, Board member
Jane Hassinger is a Senior Lecturer in Women's Studies and Psychology and Research Scientist with the Institute for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan. Her work focuses on gender and mental health as well as interdisciplinary/transnational feminist practice. She is engaged in several participatory action research projects with women and girls in Ghana, South Africa, and Rwanda. Also a Clinical Social Worker and Psychoanalyst, Jane works with individuals and families in private practice and consults to organizations and academic associations on gender inequality and diversity. In addition to her work with The Women’s Center, Jane serves on the advisory board of the Girls Group in Ann Arbor.
Debbie Herbert, Board member
Debbie is an active community volunteer who believes that women and girls in our society continue to face gender inequalities, domestic and sexual violence, and the silencing of their voices. She strongly supports The Women’s Center’s work to provide services in the context of these issues, to distinguish individual problems from systemic problems and to choose among individual and social change efforts. Debbie joined the board of The Women’s Center in 2004, and served as its chair from 2004-2007. Currently, she serves on the fund development committee and chairs the governance committee. In addition to The Women’s Center, Debbie is involved with Neutral Zone, University Musical Society, and Friends of U-M Musical Theater.
Claire Hogikyan, Board member
Claire Hogikyan currently works at the MBA program Office at the University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business. She oversees the program office while assisting with marketing, recruitment, and staffing. Clair worked at Pfizer, Inc. for more than 20 years, working with data management and scientific and global information. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and her M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. Claire joined the Women’s Center board in 2010 and is also a member of the Pfizer non-profit grant review team.
Judy Malcolm, Board member
Judy is the senior director, executive communications, for the University of Michigan’s Office of University Development. In that role, she oversees all communications for the Office of University Development including ongoing publications, both print and electronic, proposals, case statements, internal communications, communications for events, and informal and formal communications with donors. Judy joined the board in 2004, inspired by the breadth of services and the quality of the services that The Women’s Center provides to those who often have no place else to turn. She currently serves as chair of the board’s fund development committee. In addition to her work with The Women’s Center, Judy is a volunteer advisor at the U-M Career Center.
Sharon Ragland-Keys, Board member
Sharon is the principal of SRK Human Resources Solutions, a company that provides human resources consulting services to small and midsize companies and nonprofit organizations. She has more than 18 years of progressive HR generalist responsibilities servicing multiple-site locations with both union and non-union employees and extensive industry expertise in automotive, healthcare and service sectors. In addition, Sharon is a College Nannies & Tutors franchise owner for the Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. College Nannies & Tutors is the nation's largest resource for nanny and tutoring services. Sharon joined the board in 2009 and serves on the marketing committee because of her support of The Women’s Center’s work to make professional services available to women needing help in our community at costs they can afford. In addition to her work with The Women’s Center, Sharon is a member of Society for Human Resource Management, the Greater Ann Arbor Society for Human Resource Management and World at Work.
Cynthia Straub, Board member
Cindy serves as the volunteer and event coordinator for the University Musical Society (UMS) development office. In that role, she oversees all development events at UMS and is the staff liaison to the UMS volunteer corps, a group of 80 dedicated volunteers who help UMS through community engagement, financial support and other services. Cindy, who serves on The Women’s Center’s finance committee, joined the board of directors in January 2009 to support the organization’s mission to transform the lives of women in our community. In addition to her work with The Women’s Center, Cindy serves on the board of directors of the Ann Arbor Civic Theater.
Alicia M. Torres, Board member
Alicia Torres has had a successful 25 year career in the healthcare industry. She currently holds the position of vice president, solution line for McKesson Provider Technologies. Prior to McKesson, Alicia was the president and founder of Rosebud Solutions, a healthcare software firm. She joined the board of The Women’s Center in February 2010 and serves on its fund development committee. In addition to her work with The Women’s Center, Alicia is in the President's Circle at the University of Texas, Pan American. She has also served on the board of the University of Michigan Urology Center, the board of San Antonio Hospice and the board of the San Antonio Red Cross.
Sarah J. Williams, Board member, Secretary/Treasurer
Sarah is an associate attorney with Bodman LLP, where she advises clients in a variety of matters, including commercial contractual matters, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, corporate organization and commercial and residential real estate transactions. She was elected to the board in January of 2009, and currently serves as the secretary and treasurer of the center. Because she understands first hand the disadvantages and inequities that face women and girls, Sarah supports any efforts to level the playing field.
