Women's Network March Luncheon: Pioneering Women

Presented by Manor Roofing & Restoration Services
Today's female professionals stand on the shoulders of the women who came before us, daring to run for office, ask for the promotion, defy stereotypes and expectations. They paved the way for the thriving community of women business leaders we enjoy in mid-Missouri today. At our Pioneering Women panel, we'll hear from women across industries who broke glass ceilings and shattered expectations to make our community a better place for everyone. 

In-person registration for this event is now closed. Virtual tickets will continue to be available for purchase until the morning of the event. 

Panelists include: 
Mary Anne McCollum, Executive Director of the University of Missouri Flagship Council and first female mayor of Columbia (1989-1995)
Dr. Piyusha Singh, Provost and Senior Vice President, Columbia College
Shatenita Horton, VP, Bank Security and Fraud Investigative Officer, Providence Bank
Jill Schlude, Deputy Chief of Police, City of Columbia

Our moderator will lead a discussion about breaking barriers, defying stereotypes, and how we can all use our influence to support the next generation of leaders. We'll also have time for questions from the audience. 

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in-person seating capacity will be limited and pre-registration is required. All attendees must be on the guest list in order to be admitted.

As part of a new Chamber initiative to support our small businesses, all virtual attendees will receive a $10 gift card to a local restaurant with their registration.

About our panelists: 
Jill Schlude currently serves as the Assistant Chief of Police over Operations with the Columbia Police Department. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia Law Enforcement Training Institute in 1999 and began her career in a small town in Boone County, then worked undercover as a state drug task force officer. She started her career at CPD in 2005 and has worked various assignments including Public Information Officer, Public Relations Unit Sergeant, and Captain/Assistant Chief of Police over Operations Support (Criminal Investigations). In 2009, Jill received the Molly Thomas-Bowden Officer of the Year Award, and in 2010 she received the Outstanding Police Officer Award from the Columbia South Rotary Club. Jill holds a Bachelor's Criminal Justice Administration from Columbia College and a Master's in Strategic Leadership from Stephens College. She is a 2014 graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University. 

Mary Anne McCollum served as the first, and still only, female mayor of the City of Columbia from 1989-1995. Prior to being elected mayor, she served as the second ward representative on the city council. McCollum was part of the group that founded Regional Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) in 1988 and worked to establish the inaugural Columbia Values Diversity Breakfast celebration in 1993. After leaving office, she went on to serve as a commissioner for the Columbia Housing Authority for 20 years. She retired from MU in 2015 and currently works for the University of Missouri Flagship Council.

Shatenita Horton has just entered her 25^th year in banking and is currently Vice President, Bank Security and Fraud Investigative Officer at Providence Bank. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Columbia College and an MBA from Stephens College and has earned a Certificate as a Certified Community Bank Security Officer from the Independent Community Bankers of America. Shatenita currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and True North of Columbia. She is also a member of Women’s Network and the Chamber Ambassadors. In 2011, Shatenita was profiled as the high-heeled leader by Stephens College and received the esteemed ATHENA Young Professional Award in 2012.

Dr. Piyusha Singh serves as Provost and Senior Vice President at Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. A truly skilled leader and innovator in higher education, Singh oversees the college’s three academic schools and handles all matters pertaining to the college’s faculty and student affairs. Since joining the college in June 2015, Singh has worked tirelessly to enhance the online program for students and instructors alike. She and her team have partnered with faculty to update more than 300 online classes with the goal of creating an even better student experience in all courses and degree paths. Singh holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and geography from Mount Holyoke College and a Ph.D. in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. She has taught courses in informatics and criminal justice at both the University of Albany and Excelsior College. She also served as a program director for the master’s degree in criminal justice at Excelsior College.