February 25, 2019
Karen Pinkos, City Manager in El Cerrito, California and ICMA President, was joined by a slate of Alabama local government executives as the newly formed state chapter of Women Leading Government (WLG) held its Inaugural Conference on Monday, February 25, 2019, at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. Over 140 women, representing more than 20 municipalities and counties from across the state, gathered to network and take advantage of educational opportunities offered at the conference.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Karen Pinkos, City Manager, El Cerrito, CA; President, ICMA
BREAKOUT SPEAKERS:
LEADING IN CHALLENGING TIMES ~ Honorable Sybil Cleveland, Municipal Judge, Huntsville, AL
WOMEN AGAINST EACH OTHER IN THE WORKFORCE: FACT OR FICTION? ~ Gretchen L. DiFante, City Manager, City of Pelham, AL
BALANCE ~ Cheryl A. Kidd, Council Administrator, Birmingham City Council
CHARTING THE COURSE OF YOUR CAREER~ Michelle C. Rodrigues, Ph.D., Director of Human Resources, Jefferson County Commission
Chapter organizer, Gretchen DiFante, Pelham City Manager, visited with Governor Kay Ivey last week in Montgomery and shared the mission and plans for the state chapter. In a letter Governor Ivey asked to be read at the conference, she commented, “Many of you did not plan for a career in local government. In fact, like me, your path was not predetermined or even perhaps likely.” The Governor goes on to describe growing up in Camden, Alabama at a time and place where little girls didn’t dream of becoming governor one day. “Governor Ivey was an inspiration to me as I made the decision to leave New York State after 28 years and come back home to Alabama to serve as its only female city manager,” said DiFante.
Alabama Women Leading Government 