Dr. Elaine Swafford, V.P. Chattanooga State Technical Community College (Masters in Educational Administration, Austin Peay University, and Doctorate of Educational Leadership, University of Sarasota) Dr. Swafford began her career in 1983 with the Hamilton County School System, serving as teacher, coach, area superintendent and executive principal for Howard Academy. Nearly twenty years of her career has been at Chattanooga State where she served as Director of College and Community Relations, Dean of Continuing Education/Business and Community Development, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Enrollment Management and as Vice President of Economic & Community Development. Her community involvement includes service to the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, Chattanooga Goodwill Industries, Urban League, March of Dimes, Peoples Community Development Corporation, AIM Center, Girls Incorporated, Domestic Industry Coalition, Construction Industry Corporation, and Junior Achievement Education Projects. Motivating and inspiring young people are her passions.
Contact Info:  423-697-4431 or email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Handout 1:  My Board of Directors
Handout 2:  Who Am I?

Monique Berke, Vice President for External Affairs, The Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies (A.8. Stanford University, M.B.A. and Public Management Certificate, Stanford University): Monique joined the Ochs Center in 2009 as the Vice President for External Affairs responsible for business development and community outreach in the Chattanooga region. She oversees the plan to increase the use of Ochs Center data by partners in their effort to become high impact organizations. Monique comes to The Ochs Center with a strong business background, a deep commitment to civic affairs and years of experience working with non-profit organizations and their leaders. Since 2000 Monique has had her own consulting firm providing assistance to both for-profit and not-for-profit clients with a focus on strategic planning and executive coaching. Prior to starting her own company, Monique spent more than a decade in the private sector serving in management positions with Wells Fargo Bank, ITT Sheraton and Unum.
Contact lnfo:  423-425-5661 or email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Handout:  What Am I Tolerating?

Shawn Kurrelmeier-Lee, Chief Reading Officer -Read 20, Hamilton Coun[r's Reading Initiative established in 2006 by Mayor Claude Ramsey. (B.S., Elementary and Special Education, George Peabody College, Masters of Science in Elementary and Special Education, George Peabody College for Teachers, Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, MBA, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga). Shawn served as Vice President of the Public Education Foundation from 2003-2006, the Executive Director of the Center for Nonprofits from 2000-2003, and the Vice President of Educational Programs/Director of the Siskin School for the Siskin Foundation ftom 199l-2000. From 1979 to 1991, Shawn taught for Hamilton County and Whitfield County School Systems. She is a CWLI board member and member of the Network and Mentoring committees.
Contact lnfo:  423-209-6192 or email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Handout 1:  Elements of an Elevator Story
Handout 2:  Tips for Networking