Board of Directors
Karen Bantel, Board member
Karen Bantel serves as consultant with Michigan State University’s Office of the Vice President of Research, providing expertise and guidance in the development and implementation of an integrated vision and system of entrepreneurship and innovation, including technology commercialization through start-ups and related curriculum. Her current and past work also involves multi-institutional, collaborative programs in these areas, including the development of supportive grant funding. Previously, she was a faculty member in the Business Schools at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, working closely with graduate students. She currently serves on board of Eastern Michigan University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and has served on the board of the Community Action Network (CAN). She was elected to the Board in March, 2011.
Lori L. Bestervelt, Board member
Lori, MS., Ph.D., holds positions of senior vice president, technical operations, and chief technical officer at NSF International and p of DBA Analytical, LLC. Lori has 20 years experience in toxicology with emphasis in endocrine, reproductive, and molecular toxicology, metabolism, and nutritional biochemistry. She has applied this knowledge to the assessment of human risk and regulatory issues and has addressed the safety of hundreds of materials for use in drinking water, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, food equipment, drinking water treatment units and pool equipment. Lori is a full member of the Society of Risk Analysis, and the Michigan Society of Toxicology. She has taught courses on regulatory toxicology at Eastern Michigan University, and is also a member of the advisory board for molecular biology/biology at Eastern Michigan University, and an adjunct professor in the department of microbiology at Michigan Technological University.
Jennifer Cornell, Board Chair
Jenn is a PR consultant that helps companies and organizations increase brand awareness and media exposure through consistent, compelling communications. Her clients include leading high tech companies, although she has a real passion for working with entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Additionally, Jenn is co-owner of Joust Strength + Fitness in Ann Arbor, a CrossFit and kettlebell training facility that offers a multi-dimensional, personalized approach to fitness. Jenn joined the board of The Women's Center in 2009 and also serves as chair of the organization's marketing committee. In addition to The Women's Center, Jenn is on the board of Michigan Innovators.
Claire Hogikyan, Board member
Claire Hogikyan is the Managing Director of the Part-time MBA programs at the University of Michigan, Stephen M. Ross School of Business. She oversees all aspects of the program including assisting with marketing, recruitment, and strategic planning. Previously, Claire worked at Pfizer, Inc. for more than 20 years, working in intellectual property and with global scientific information. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit Mercy and her M.B.A. from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business. Claire joined the Women's Center board in October 2010 and is actively helping to support the organization's goal of helping women to achieve their full potential.
Cate McClure, Board member
Cate serves as Deputy Legal Counsel and Policy Analyst for the Michigan State Senate, covering legal and policy issues affecting women, children and families, including issues of domestic violence, equal pay, homelessness, civil rights and criminal justice. She is passionate about, and regularly advocates for, rights and protections for women and families, including drafting and promoting legislation relating to these issues. Cate is also Founding President of the Women’s Dinner Initiative, which raises funds for and awareness about local nonprofits benefiting women and families, and she serves on the board of the Women Lawyers Association of Michigan, and the Women Lawyers of Michigan Foundation. For many years she has provided volunteer legal counsel to various area nonprofits and was a Faculty Affiliate to the Nonprofit & Public Management Center at the University of Michigan during her tenure there as adjunct professor.
Jo Ann Preissner, Board member, Treasurer
Jo Ann Preissner is the Director of Budget and Financial Administration at the University of Michigan’s School of Information. She oversees all aspects of financial resource planning and communications, and assists on a variety of cross-university projects. Prior to that, Jo Ann worked at Pfizer, Inc. for more than 17 years responsible for providing financial planning, analysis, and strategic support, and worked on global teams implementing cross-divisional models to support strategic portfolio management of Pfizer’s IT applications. She was elected to the Board in March 2011, where she will support the organization’s goal of helping women reach their full potential.
Sharon Ragland-Keys, Board member
Sharon is the principal of SRK Human Resources Solutions, a company that provides human resources consulting services to small and midsize companies and nonprofit organizations. She has more than 18 years of progressive HR generalist responsibilities servicing multiple-site locations with both union and non-union employees and extensive industry expertise in automotive, healthcare and service sectors. In addition, Sharon is a College Nannies & Tutors franchise owner for the Ann Arbor and surrounding communities. College Nannies & Tutors is the nation's largest resource for nanny and tutoring services. Sharon joined the board in 2009 and serves on the marketing committee because of her support of The Women’s Center’s work to make professional services available to women needing help in our community at costs they can afford. In addition to her work with The Women’s Center, Sharon is a member of Society for Human Resource Management, the Greater Ann Arbor Society for Human Resource Management and World at Work.
Cynthia Straub, Board member
Cindy serves as the volunteer and event coordinator for the University Musical Society (UMS) development office. In that role, she oversees all development events at UMS and is the staff liaison to the UMS volunteer corps, a group of 80 dedicated volunteers who help UMS through community engagement, financial support and other services. Cindy, who serves on The Women’s Center’s finance committee, joined the board of directors in January 2009 to support the organization’s mission to transform the lives of women in our community. In addition to her work with The Women’s Center, Cindy serves on the board of directors of the Ann Arbor Civic Theater.
Sarah J. Williams, Board member, Secretary
Sarah is an associate attorney with Bodman LLP, where she advises clients in a variety of matters, including commercial contractual matters, mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity financing, corporate organization and commercial and residential real estate transactions. She was elected to the board in January of 2009, and currently serves as the secretary and treasurer of the center. Because she understands first hand the disadvantages and inequities that face women and girls, Sarah supports any efforts to level the playing field.
