Women in Leadership Lunch: 2021

The 2021 Women in Leadership Event is sold out. If you add your name to the waitlist, you will receive a recording of the event. If you have any questions, please email Kami Adams.









The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the selection of the following outstanding women who will share their stories at the 2021 Women in Leadership event.
 

• BETH MORRIS. Beth Morris retired as the Director of Community Health Partnerships at Columbus Regional Hospital in 2020. For 23 years, she provided staff support to our local Healthy Communities Initiative, a broad-based community collaboration focused on improving health and quality of life in Bartholomew County, Indiana. She managed a staff of seven and more than 600 volunteers across eight initiatives, promoting healthy lifestyles, promoting healthy relationships, and providing access to healthcare for all residents of our county. Although she retired from her profession, she continues to share her expertise with the community as President of the Columbus Parks Foundation board of directors, Treasurer of the Family Service board, and a member of the United Way Community Impact Committee.

• HANNA OMAR. Omar works with the government banking group at JP Morgan Chase Bank.  She ran for Bartholomew County Council in 2018. She is an outspoken advocate for the Muslim community who received the Benjamin “Mickey” King award for her efforts to make Columbus and Bartholomew County a more welcoming community from the Columbus Area Multi-Ethnic Organization (CAMEO). She is currently on the governance committee for the United Way as well as a commissioner on the Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals.

• LORI THOMPSON. Thompson joined Cummins in 1979 and spent most of her career as a trailblazer in the engine business, where she has held marketing, operations and plant management roles. In 2009, she was named vice president with responsibility for the Truck and Bus business, corporate marketing and eventually the U.S. diversity initiative. Lori and her spouse, Ben Downing, were among the six couples that founded the African American Fund, managed by the Heritage Fund. Upon retirement, she joined the boards of the Heritage Fund and this year, the Community Education Coalition. She has also spearheaded the Targeted Investment in Minority Entrepreneurs (TIME) program and the Paths to Success Initiative for Black and Biracial youth. Like Omar, Thompson also received the Benjamin “Mickey” King award for her efforts to make Columbus and Bartholomew County a more welcoming community from CAMEO.
   

This year’s lunch will be held in person on Wednesday, September 15 at 11:00 a.m. at The Commons. During the program, each honoree will be given an opportunity to reflect on her professional journey, and to pinpoint decisions that required brave action.
 
In light of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, guests will be asked to follow social distancing and mask-wearing guidelines during the one-hour program.  At the end of the event, a box lunch, prepared by Purely Paula Catering, woman-owned company, will be distributed for take-out.

Tickets are $35/person or $160/table of 5

The 2021 event is sponsored by Century 21 Breeden Realtors & Breeden Commercial.