Members of the Women's Council
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Janet Nava Bandera, O’Fallon Janet Nava Bandera is the President of the Bandera Law Firm, PC. She specializes in estate planning and charitable giving, as well as assisting small and medium-size business owners with formation and succession planning. Janet is currently on the board of the Journal of Practical Estate Planning, published by CCH. She writes a bi-monthly column on charitable giving techniques. She also lectures on estate planning and charitable giving for local non-profit groups as well as financial services firms. Born in St. Louis County, Janet graduated, magna cum laude from the University of Missouri- St. Louis with a degree in Business Administration and earned her Juris Doctor from St. Louis University School of Law in 1995, graduating cum laude. Janet founded the 4W Club, an on-line community for women. The website connects women to information about financial and physical well-being as well as to women-owned businesses. She volunteers for Connections to Success, an organization working “to empower determined individuals with a plan and resources to achieve economic self-reliance". In addition, she is a trustee of the Moneta Group Charitable Foundation and the Chair of the Angel’s Arms Planned Giving Advisory Board. She is a past Board Member of Gilda’s Club, AMC Cancer Research Center and the American Cancer Society Planned Giving Board. Janet has made her home in St. Charles County for twelve years and lives in O’Fallon with her husband, Larry. Term: 5/7/2008 to 12/6/2010 Party Affiliation: Republican |
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The Honorable Maida Coleman Maida Coleman, Senate Minority Leader graduated from Lincoln University in Jefferson City with a Bachelor of Arts degree is Journalism. Elected to the Missouri House of Representatives from the 63rd District in 2000 and elected to the Missouri Senate to represent the 5th Senatorial District in February 2002, and elected as Minority Floor Leader in November 2004. Maida sits on a variety of boards, may non-profit, including the Women’s Safe House, Children’s Trust Fund Board, Camp Coca-Cola, STL Wyman Center, Missouri Tourism Commission MERS Goodwill Industries, Women in Leadership, CORO Foundation and is a member of Central Baptist Church in St. Louis. Maida is the proud mother of three very fine children, John, Alaina and James. |
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Michelle Esswein, St. Louis Michelle Esswein is Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Winning Women. Members of Winning Women are prominent women in business and leaders in their communities. Winning Women has established public/private sector partnerships to promote an economic environment conducive to business growth and development for women in business. Michelle Esswein holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance from Webster University and Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Michelle was appointed by the President of the United States to the National Women’s Business Council. On this Council, she provided an independent source of advice to both the President of the United States and the U.S. Congress on economic issues of importance to women entrepreneurs. Term: 2/17/2005 to 12/06/2010 Party Affiliation: Independent |
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Terri Gray, Columbia Terri Gray has been an active member of the Missouri Women’s Council since 2000. She is employed with the University of Missouri as Director of Development, University Projects. In that capacity she works closely with students, parents, faculty and staff on a variety of special projects and fund raising initiatives. She is also active in several organizations within the community. Gray resides in Columbia with her husband, Rodney, and three children. Term: 11/20/2003 to 12/06/2005 Party Affiliation: Democrat |
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Sandra Jones, Bolivar Raised in St. Louis; graduated from Southwest Baptist University with a B.A. in Speech and Theatre; married for 37 years, with one daughter and two grandchildren; owned and operated 60-year family business for 30 years; currently Executive Assistant to the President and Board of Trustees of Ozarks Technical Community College; active Republican and assisted in campaigns of national and state candidates, Roy Blunt, Matt Blunt and Jim Talent, as well as a number of local candidates; a volunteer fund raiser in a number of local organizations; supporter and participant in performing arts. Term: 4/27/2006 to 12/06/2008 Party Affiliation: Republican |
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Nanci M. King, Jefferson City Nanci M. King founded and is President and CEO of an information technology-based company specializing in software development and Electronic Bill Payment and Presentment systems for commercial and electric utility companies. Co-founder of a financial services company which markets and offers various health and supplemental insurance lines and manages large case management software development services for insurance brokers and agents. She serves as President of an organized alliance of professional businesses and law enforcement personnel to protect businesses from economic loss as a result of high tech crime. Graduate of MS University for Women, Columbus, MS with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and performed graduate work in Adult Basic Education at Lincoln University. Nanci is a member of Zonta International, Technology Alliance for Business and Law Enforcement (TABLE), NAWBO, BPW and the National Association of Health Underwriters. Nanci has two grown sons and one grandchild. Term: 6/15/2006 to 12/06/2006 Party Affiliation: Republican /td> |
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Kerri McBee-Black, Harrisburg Kerri has over 8 years experience advocating for women’s issues. Her experience includes advocacy, policy, community collaboration, and lobbying. Kerri earned a B.A. from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri and a M.A. from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Kerri currently serves as Executive Director of a statewide non-profit, Alliance for the Status of Missouri Women, which is a multi-issue advocacy organization focused on developing pro-active policy impacting women and their families in Missouri. Kerri is married to Greg Black and they have a son Tucker Black. They reside in Harrisburg, MO. Term: 4/20/2004 to 12/06/2005 Party Affiliation: Democrat |
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Lorene James, Kansas City |
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Sarah R. Murray, Kansas City Sarah R. Murray, a resident of Kansas City. Graduated from Westminster College (Fulton, MO) in 1993 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. She received her Master's Degree in Business Administration from Rockhurst University (Kansas City, MO) in 2000. Sarah works at Hallmark Cards, Inc. in marketing. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Children's Center for the Visually Impaired, the Board of Directors for Kansas City Consensus and the Kansas City Advisory Board for the Sue Schear Institute of Women in Public Life. Sarah and her husband Sean are active members of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Kansas City. Term: 2/28/2006 to 12/6/2010 Party Affiliation: Democrat |
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The Honorable Luann Ridgeway Luann is a native Missourian and was born and raised in Moberly. She attended undergraduate school at William Woods and Westminster Colleges in Fulton. Luann graduated from the University of Missouri, Kansas City Law School in 1981. She has been married to her husband, Richard, since 1984. She served as a State Representative from 1993-2002. In 2004 she was elected to the 17th Senatorial District. |
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The Honorable Marilyn Ruestman Representative Marilyn Ruestman is the Majority Caucus Secretary of the Missouri House of Representatives. She serves on the Senior Citizen Advocacy (vice-chair); Judiciary; and Professional Registration and Licensing committees. Representative Ruestman is a native of Newton and McDonald counties. She earned her B.S. degree at Missouri Southern State University and her M.S. degree with honors from Pittsburg State University. |
| Karen Thornton, Sunrise Beach Karen Thornton was raised in Shawnee, Kansas and moved to California. She’s been married for 33 years to a native Californian. She quickly got involved in the community which included the Missouri Women’s Council. Karen has over 35 years of experience in administrative services, both in the corporate world and her own business, Karen’s Secretarial Service, in which she partners with her husband Steve. The service offers the expertise of a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor providing accounting services with QuickBooks Pro for the small and growing business. Currently the business provides support for a number of Lake Businesses, while still maintaining an active client base in California. Karen and Steve have 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. Term: 4/30/2008 to 12/6/2009 Party Affiliation: Republican |
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Valerie White Valerie White is the Director of Marketing for White Auto Body. She is very active in her local business community and currently serves on the St. Charles County Family and Children Services Authority Board. Valerie is a native St. Louisan. She holds degrees from UM-St. Louis and Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri. Term: 3/31/2005 to 12/06/2010 Party affiliation: Republican |
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Donayle Whitmore-Smith, St. Louis Donayle is a native Missourian that was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. She earned her B.A. degree in Mass Communications (Broadcast Emphasis) at Southern University A& M College, Baton Rouge Louisiana. Donayle is a Management Consultant who is managing the campaign for School Choice in Missouri. She is proud member of the Black Alliance for Educational Options and St. Louis Health & Environmental Justice (Board Member). A dedicated wife (Lindley Smith) and mother of two daughters Saquera (8) and Mekesa (5). Term: 12/06/2006 to 12/06/2009 Party Affiliation: Democrat |
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Mary Cottom, Executive Director, Jefferson City |
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Missouri Women's Council
PO Box 1684
301 W. High Street, Suite 680
Harry S. Truman Office Building
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Toll free in Missouri:
(877) 426-9284
Phone:(573) 751-0810
Fax: (573) 522-5005
E-mail the Council: wcouncil@ded.mo.gov
PO Box 1684
301 W. High Street, Suite 680
Harry S. Truman Office Building
Jefferson City, MO 65101
Toll free in Missouri:
(877) 426-9284
Phone:(573) 751-0810
Fax: (573) 522-5005
E-mail the Council: wcouncil@ded.mo.gov
