OVER 200 ATTENDED SUMMIT IN JULY

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# E n v i s i o n C o l u m b i a # W o m e n s S u m m i t # O u r V i s i o n O u r F u t u r e

#ENVISIONCOLUMBIA

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ENVISION COLUMBIA WOMEN′S SUMMIT 2

More than 200 women were in attendance for the Envision Columbia Women’s Summit hosted by Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center on Tuesday, July 25, 2017.

Councilwoman Devine was thrilled with the turnout for the Summit, “It shows me that this was needed and that people are excited about the vision of Columbia and how they can be a part of it.”

When asked about the reason for the Women’s Summit, Councilwoman Devine said, “We look at particularly South Carolina but also nationally, women are not always in the leadership roles that are in the decision making process. The City of Columbia wants that voice to be really prevalent in how we plan for the future and how we implement the projects and services that we have at the City.”

Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin was in attendance to provide a welcome and opening remarks during the Summit.

Councilwoman Devine assembled a panel of women who are leaders in their industries and who are making a difference in the Midlands. The panelists were: COMET

Interim Executive Director and CEO Ann Dawson August; United Way of the Midlands Senior Vice President for Community Impact Anita Floyd; Richland County School District One Board Chair Cheryl Hinton Harris; Richland Library Executive Director Melanie Huggins; IT-ology President Tammy Mainwaring; Central Carolina Community Foundation President and CEO JoAnn Turnquist and Columbia City Manager Teresa Wilson. The panel addressed how their roles in the community are aligned with Envision Columbia and answered questions from attendees. The panelists also offered suggestions to attendees on ways to not only improve opportunities for women but also impact the quality of life for everyone. Councilwoman Devine also thanked the subject matter experts who talked with participants about how they can get

ENVISION COLUMBIA WOMEN'S SUMMIT

A HUGE SUCCESS!

ENVISION COLUMBIA WOMEN′S SUMMIT

involved through the seven focus areas of the Envision Columbia Vision Statement. Subject matter experts included: The Talented Tenth Chair Kara Simmons, The Boudreaux Group Director of Planning Irene Tyson, Palmetto Conservation Foundation Executive Director Natalie Britt, City of Columbia Director of Community Development Gloria Saeed, City of Columbia Executive Director of Office of Business Opportunities Tina Herbert, North Columbia Business Association Executive Director Sabrina Odom, Eau Claire Community Council President Christie Savage, City of Columbia Clerk Erika Moore and City of Columbia Director of Budget and Program Management Office Missy Caughman. Responses to the Summit have been overwhelming and positive with many attendees asking for a similar event to be held again and specifically requesting an all-day Summit in the future. If you have questions or would like more information about Envision Columbia, contact the Public and Media Relations at 803-545-3020 and pio@columbiasc.net. The City Council’s vision statement is on our website and can be found at http://columbiasc.net/city-council/envision-columbia. You can also follow us on all our social media platforms to stay connected about the vision and future Envision Columbia events.

PHOTO CAPTION: (Bottom Right) Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine moderates the panel discussion during the Envision Columbia Women’s Summit on Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Panelists pictured (l-r): Richland Library Executive Director Melanie Huggins, Central Carolina Community Foundation President and CEO JoAnn Turnquist, COMET Interim Executive Director and CEO Ann Dawson August, United Way of the Midlands Senior Vice President for Community Impact Anita Floyd, Richland County School District One Board Chair Cheryl Hinton Harris, IT-ology President Tammy Mainwaring and Columbia City Manager Teresa Wilson.

ENVISION COLUMBIA WOMEN′S SUMMIT 4

ANITA FLOYD

C E N T R A L M I D L A N D S R TA /CO M E T E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R

CHERYL HARRIS

R I C H L A N D CO U N T Y S C H O O L D I S T R I C T O N E B O A R D

CO M M I S S I O N E R

ANN DAWSON AUGUST

S E N I O R V P F O R CO M M U N I T Y I M PAC T A N D S T R AT E G I C

I M P L E M E N TAT I O N

MELANIE HUGGINS

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C TO R O F R I C H L A N D L I B R A R Y

( CO LU M B I A , S C )

TAMMY MAINWARING

I T - O LO G Y P R E S I D E N T

JOANN TURNQUIST

C E O O F C E N T R A L C A R O L I N A CO M M U N I T Y F O U N DAT I O NTERESA WILSON

C I T Y M A N AG E R

OUR PANELISTS

ENVISION COLUMBIA WOMEN′S SUMMIT

OUR EXPERTS FOR THE 7 FOCUS AREAS

Kara Simmons, Chair of The Talented Tenth

Representing Focus Area #1: Attracting and Retaining Talent

Irene Tyson, AICP, Associate AIA, Director of Planning

Representing Focus Area #2: Planning Together

Natalie Britt, Executive Director of Palmetto Conservation Foundation

Representing Focus Area #3: Connecting Our Community

Gloria Saeed, Director of Community Development / City of Columbia

Representing Focus Area #4: Empowering Our Residents

Tina Herbert, Executive Director of Office of Business Opportunities/ City of Columbia

Representing Focus Area #5: Economic Prosperity - Endless Possibilities

Sabrina Odom, Executive Director of North Columbia Business Association

Representing Focus Area #5: Economic Prosperity - Endless Possibilities

Christie Savage, President of Eau Claire Community Council

Representing Focus Area #6: Enhancing Columbia’s Neighborhoods

Erika Moore, City Clerk/ City of Columbia

Representing Focus Area #7: Leading the Way in Innovative and High Quality Municipal Services

Missy Caughman, Director of Budget and Program Management Office / City of Columbia

Representing Focus Area #7: Leading the Way in Innovative and High Quality Municipal Services:

Empowering Residents to Succeed

ENVISION COLUMBIA WOMEN′S SUMMIT 6

COMMENTS FROM OUR ATTENDEES

I am in my late sixties and look forward to thriving in

Columbia. Like many, I left Columbia to attend college out of

state. I returned to SC to attend graduate school, worked in

state for 4 years after graduate school , and left SC for several

years before returning to marry. I have seen the city blossom

in many positive ways. Still there is much to do. I feel sure that

the summit is moving the city in the right direction. Thank

you for the information and renewed desire to become more

″engaged.″ Well done, Councilwoman Devine!

Thank you for offering this opportunity to learn more

about Columbia, including facts I didnt know and for the

opportunity to network. Also, I appreciate that so many

leaders within city government that participated today

were women!

“

“”

Amazing event! Kudos to everyone who made it happen.

The Public Relations Team was very professional and did an

awesome job making the event fun and tech savvy! Great

Job again I cant wait for the next one!!!“

”I like the idea of a longterm vision such as 2036. I think the

public should be aware of graduated objectives as well

(for example, schools, communities, families, and public

officials working together to eradicate homelessness).

I enjoyed the opportunity to network with others and

speak directly with those involved in making this a reality.

I thoroughly enjoyed the conference and give kudos to

Councilwoman Issac Devine and others for its success. I

think Columbia is on the right track. Thanks.

“

”I would like the City to meet its goals. The vision sounds

great. I hope the rail comes to fruition and that more

women are at the table of city government.“”

I love where we are going. Multicultural and aware.“ ”I thoroughly enjoyed being able to connect with other

women and learn more about the City of Columbia's vision

and how I can get involved for the years to come.“ ”

A city of action, excitement and oneness. I believe Columbia

has the potential to become a major city such as Atlanta and

even New York with INCREDIBLE opportunities for everyone

to enjoy!“

””

ENVISION COLUMBIA WOMEN′S SUMMIT

PHOTO GALLERY

ENVISION COLUMBIA WOMEN′S SUMMIT 8

STAY CONNECTEDPUBLIC AND MEDIA RELATIONS DEPARTMENT

To view the wome’s summit photo gallary, click here | To view the Women’s Summit Video, Click here

(P) 803-545-3020 | (F) 803-343-8719 | pio@columbiasc.net w w w . c o l u m b i a s c . n e t

“We will create our desired future. We will continue our success.” - Envision Columbia Preamble