Presidents Letters 2023

President’s Message for 2023

 “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.”  C. S. Lewis

I love AFWA!  I love working the with the talented and generous ladies who have served on the board this year!  I love meeting our diverse and interesting AFWA chapter members and guests!  This has been quite a memorable AFWA year, with 21 events.  See the attached “Year in Review”.

We held 11 monthly CPE meetings of which 2 were free virtual meetings (thank you Kim Pace for a great mix of topics), 1 excellent Public Relations Luncheon with CPE (thank you Angie Hester & committee for great speaker & sponsors), 5 special Networking Events (thank you Victoria Senninger for interesting events and special table favors), a fabulous Christmas Party/ Brunch (thank you Mary Johnston & door prize queen Sandy Dittus), 1 community volunteer opportunity (thank you Angie), 2 successful 8 hour CPE Seminars (thank you Brittany Carman & committee).  We awarded $8000 in scholarships (thank you Susan LeVan & committee for this and the fantastic Silent Auction).  We updated our Standing Rules and Bylaws (thank you Carol Drinnon & committee).  Thank you, Karen Forgey for reviewing our financial statements.  I appreciate the difficult work done every month all year long by Treasurer Jennifer Lamb, Secretary Susan LeVan, Newsletter & Website Chair Morgen Rose, Chapter Development Chair Carolyn Richie, and all of the work other board and committee members do to keep the organization running smoothly.  The hard work of so many members have made this year a huge success for AFWA, and I look forward to even better things ahead.

Thank you to all of our wonderful AFWA friends for the privilege to serve as your President!

It has been a GREAT year!

Christie Jordan, 2022-2023 President

2022-23 AFWA YEAR IN REVIEW

Five Networking Events

7-14-22  Civil Axe Throwing 

9-15-22  Happy Hour at WXYZ Rooftop Bar & Dinner at Cheesecake Factory

10-9-22  The Sound of Music at The Chattanooga Theatre Centre

 4-5-23  French Bistro Night Cooking Class at The Sweet & Savory

 5-2-23  Breakfast Networking Event at The Edney Innovation Center   

Eleven Monthly Meetings with CPE

7-26-22  "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace" with Tamara Steward, City of Chattanooga Chief Equity Officer

8-23-22  "Managing Work Stress - Taking Care of Your Employees & Yourself" with Lou Paschall, Manchester City Schools Social Worker

9-27-22  "IT Impacts to Accounting & Finance Environment" with Matt Killebrew, Outdoor Nation CFO/CTO 

10-25-22  "Accounting & Assurance Update" with Brittany Carman, HHM Partner

11-22-22  "Challenges Facing Women in Leadership" with Heather Batson, Mauldin & Jenkins Partner, Linda England, JHM Partner, Lucy Gates, Elliott Davis

12-13-22(V) "Turning 'Impossible' to 'I'm Possible'- Getting What You Want from Career & Life" with Amy Salapski, Cambium Development Managing Partner

 1-24-23 (V) "Tax Update" with Cost Segregation Authority

 2-28-23  "The Demand for Skilled Talent" with Bethany Chaffin, Robert Half Practice Director

 3-28-23  "Overview of Employee Benefit Plans" with Janet Neighbors, LBMC Senior Manager

 5-23-23  "Resolving Conflict in the Workplace" with Laura Von Wahlde, Life & Career Coach

 6-27-23  "Mergers & Acquisitions - Path of Business Owner Through a Sale" with Drew Rutherford, TransWorld Business Advisors, Knoxville

 (V)  Free Virtual CPE Meetings

 Public Relations Luncheon with CPE

4-19-23  "Solving the Catch 22 Labor Shortage" with Fred Hencke, Senior VP of Segal (New York)

Awarded $8000 in scholarships to local accounting/finance students at this event.

 Christmas Party & Silent Auction for Scholarships

12-3-22  Brunch at The Mountain City Club with silent auction fundraiser (over $560 raised for scholarships)

Community Volunteer Event

11-30-22  H*Art Gallery prep for fundraiser serving disabled, abused, homeless & other underserved

 Two Full Day CPE Seminars

11-10-22  Seminar at The Chattanoogan Hotel featuring 8 hours CPE in TN Ethics, Fraud, Production and HR topics

 5-11-23  Seminar at The Marriott Hotel featuring 8 hours CPE in Presentation Skills, Management, Fraud, Marketing, Banking Crisis/ Overall Market

 National Chapter Achievement Award for Programming

10-27-22  At the AFWA National Conference in Chicago, Chattanooga Chapter was presented with the 2022 Chapter Achievement Award in Programming