Leader Luncheon 2006 Outstanding Women of Achievement

The YWCA Leader Luncheon Outstanding Women of Achievement represent the top women leaders, entrepreneurs, mentors and role models in the metropolitan area. The YWCA Racial Justice Award, established in 1991, recognizes a woman’s demonstrated commitment to work toward the elimination of racism.

Racial Justice
Audrey Peeples has dedicated her career to promoting racial equality. She retired in 2001 after 14 years with the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago and was elected chair of the national coordinating board for the YWCA of USA.  At the YWCA, Peeples spearheaded efforts to enhance dialogue about racist practices within the organization, as well as expand the YWCA's child care initiative. Peeples was the recipient of the Thomas and Eleanor Wright Award from the City of Chicago Commission on Human Relations for her work on the YWCA's Racial Justice Program. Peeples has also served on the board of the Executive Service Corps and the Dean's Advisory Board of the School for New Learning at DePaul University. She is also a member and past chair of the Chicago Network. Peeples is currently working as a consultant to non-profit organizations in board development and management. She is an accomplished speaker and is frequently sought out to share her insights on leadership, volunteerism, management, racism and work and family issues.

Click here for an excerpt from Peeple's speech at Leader Luncheon 2006.

Business
Renetta McCann is the head of Starcom MediaVest Group where she oversees one of the most powerful brand communication networks in the world. McCann created a legacy of firsts that established her place in history within the advertising industry. She was the first African American promoted to media supervisor, the first managing director, vice president, senior vice president, media director, executive vice president and CEO of color in her company. McCann is currently the only high-ranking, African American practicing in the media agency field today. In 2005, the Wall Street Journal named McCann one of the "Top 50 Women to Watch in Corporate America." In 2004, Fortune identified her as one of the "5 Women to Watch" in its Most Powerful Women Issue, and in 2003, Essence Magazine named her one of the "50 Women Who Are Changing the World."

Click here for an excerpt from McCann's speech at Leader Luncheon 2006.

Community Leadership
Deborah L. DeHaas is the vice chairman and regional managing partner for Deloitte & Touche USA LLP Midwest Region. In this role, DeHaas leads the quality, client satisfaction, growth and human resource initiatives for the region. DeHaas' community involvement and philanthropic efforts have led to her recognition by numerous local and national organizations. She received the Boardroom Bound Business-to-Business Ambassador Award and the Anti-Defamation League Women of Achievement Award. She was also named one of the "Ten Most Powerful Women in Business" by the Chicago Sun-Times and the "2001 Person of the Year" by the Corporate Responsibility Group of Chicago. She is also the recipient of the 2001 Executive Leader Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Click here for an excerpt from DeHaas' speech at Leader Luncheon 2006.

Entrepreneurship
Cheryl Mayberry McKissack is the founder, president and chief executive officer of Nia Enterprises, LLC, a Chicago-based research, systems integration and marketing services firm founded in January 2000.  Nia Enterprises, LLC provides opt-in, permission-based marketing data solutions for the growing and specialized market of African American women and their families. In 2005, Mayberry McKissack was named as an associate adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at the Kellogg School of Business, Northwestern University. She was also honored as one of the "Business Leaders of Color" by the Chicago United Organization. In 2006, the Network Journal Magazine recognized Mayberry McKissack as one of the "25 Influential Black Women in Business."

Click here for an excerpt from Mayberry-McKissack's speech at Leader Luncheon 2006. 

Promise
Rachel Durchslag has been working in the social justice community for the past eight years. She has held positions at the Personal Political Action Committee and the Day Care Action Council of Illinois (DCACI).  At DCACI, Durchslag was responsible for the development and coordination of the agency's special projects. Durchslag served as president of the Chicago chapter of the National Organization for Women's Education Fund and as an associate of the Nathan Cummings Foundation. Durchslag has donated her time to many causes, including serving as city coordinator for the Resource Generation, working with child victims of trafficking in Thailand, volunteering with the Salvation Army's soup kitchen, and fundraising for an emerging non-profit that will help women leave prostitution. Recently, Durchslag was hired by Prostitution Research and Education to run a Chicago office and help with international research on issues affecting women in prostitution.

Click here for an excerpt from Durchslag's speech at Leader Luncheon 2006.