Patty DeDominic and Helene Schneider to Receive
10th Annual Women of Achievement Awards

For the past 10 years AWC-SB has championed the advancement of women by recognizing excellence in leadership. The 2017 Women of Achievement Award winners embody this year’s theme, “Inspirational Women Leaders: Communication, Empowerment, Outcomes,” with their strong guidance skills.

Patty DeDominic, International Women's Festivals Founder and Helene Schneider, Mayor of Santa Barbara will receive their awards at a luncheon on Friday, June 9 at El Paseo Restaurant. Following the tradition of recent years, Poet Laureate Emeritus, Perie Longo will present poems especially composed for the inspiring pair.

Helene Schneider, Santa Barbara Mayor

Schneider has served at Santa Barbara City Hall since 2004, first on the City Council, and now she will finish her second term as Mayor at the end of this year. She strives to connect local government with the business community and nonprofits. Prior to her elected office, she volunteered in leadership roles as Commissioner for the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara, President of the SB Women’s Political Committee and President of the SB Human Resources Association.

“Leadership is not dominance; it’s a willing collaboration,” Schneider said. “I look to leaders who balance a strong public stand to move something forward with creating opportunities for others to use their expertise and shine in the spotlight.”

Mayor Schneider honed her communication skills as a human resources management consultant. She earned her BA from Skidmore College and her Professional Designation in Human Resources Management from UCSB Extension.

Fellow honoree DeDominic praised Schneider for her advocacy and tireless leadership of our beautiful city. “She is diplomatic and dignified, yet playful, which is pretty hard to find in one leader,” DeDominic said.

Patty DeDominic, Founder, Santa Barbara International Women’s Festival

DeDominic also developed skills as a communicator through her work in Human Resources. In 1979 she founded PDQ Personnel Services, Inc., and later acquired CT Engineering, that grew into a powerhouse staffing agency. She sold those businesses in 2006. Capitalizing on over two decades of success, she currently operates DeDominic & Associates, a specialized business consulting firm that offers professional services to enterprise builders and philanthropists.

“I invest in every one of my clients,” DeDominic said. “It may not be money but it's an emotional and psychic investment. If I can't illuminate things for a client, and I observe them on a difficult trajectory, it's actually painful for me.”

That kind of passion extends to DeDominic’s 20 plus years volunteering in the nonprofit world. She’s contributed her services to the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Chamber of Commerce, and SCORE, as well as global organizations like the Jane Goodall Institute and Direct Relief International. In 2007 she launched the International Women's Festivals to celebrate women around the world in conjunction with International Women's Day.

Tickets for the Women of Achievement Awards luncheon are $55 for AWC-SB members and $75 for nonmembers. Those who purchase a table of 8 for $750 will also receive a half-page, black-and-white ad in the event program. For information on sponsoring the event, contact Dr. Minette Riordan, minette@minetteriordan.com, (469) 585-3615.

Women leaders who’ve received the Women of Achievement Award in the past include former Congresswoman Lois Capps, Dr. Nancy Leffert, Marianne Partridge, Marsha Bailey, Paula Lopez, Perie Longo, Lynda Weinman, Starshine Roshell, Catherine Remak, and Sara Miller McCune.

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Photo by Rachel Sarah Thurston Photography

By: Lilly Erickson, AWC-SB Intern

Do you ever find yourself speaking in front of an audience but the words don’t come out right? You’re trying to share your message, make them believe in what you’re passionate about, but you can’t figure out what to say or how to say it.

On Wednesday, February 1, Lisa Braithwaite, founder of Speak to Engage, presented at our monthly AWC-SB meeting on how to move beyond these apprehensions to create a memorable experience for the listeners.

Lisa first emphasized the importance of engaging your audience, instead of focusing on yourself, to craft a message they won’t forget. Do this and your audience will leave the room with a drive to take action.

Crafting a emotionally engaging speech involves preparation. You must first know your two objectives: yourself and your audience. Ask yourself, what you want to achieve? Do you want media attention, or are you simply trying to build confidence in your own abilities? In terms of your audience, what do they need, want, and care about? Are they interested in money and fame, or security and recognition? What is your call to action? What do you want listeners to do as a result of your talk?

After understanding your objectives you can develop a compelling message that caters to your audience. Consider the structure of your message. Lisa pointed out, “If you don’t have a structure, you’re not taking your audience on a journey and they may not know how to get to your call to action.” Lisa described different types of structures:

• The “sandwich” technique -- cushioning bad news in the middle of your speech
• Listing chronological events
• Going global to local (e.g., the U.S. to Santa Barbara)

Keep in mind which structure would work best for your audience.

Lisa emphasized the importance of not talking about yourself when opening your speech. Rather, tell your audience why you want to speak to them. Some examples of effective openings are starting with a quote or story, leaving a cliffhanger (until your closing), or discussing a current event that pertains to your topic.

You must also have an intentional closing to your speech. Lisa warned against ending with Q&A because it kills the momentum you created. Alternatively, she suggests offering Q&A before your closing, then give your call to action to inspire your audience to take initiative.

The key to overcoming your uncertainty to effectively share your message involves connecting with your audience. Instead of focusing on the features of your message, take into account what benefits listeners will gain from your speech. Speak their language, bring them into your world, and you will, “Create a meaningful and memorable experience, and watch the results!”

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Our country has become a more polarized political environment. Regardless of how you voted, you need a safe space to think about when, where and how you want to engage with contentious political topics. AWC-SB wants to help by offering a panel, "Communicating Effectively in a Polarized Political Environment".

Wednesday, March 1, 5:30-7:30 pm
workzones
Paseo Nuevo
351 Paseo Nuevo 2nd floor
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
AWC-SB Members Free; Nonmembers $20
Appetizers by C’est Cheese and wine provided

Topics for discussion include:

• develop non-adversarial strategies for communication with customers, clients and colleagues
• determine boundaries between what's personal and what's professional
• decide when to avoid political conversation and when to speak up
• defuse political anxiety, hostility, aggression

Panelists:

Judy Guillermo Newton, Senior Vice‐President and Director of Organizational Development and Human Resources at Montecito Bank & Trust for ten years. She served as a member of the Executive Leadership Team, helped cultivate a strong organizational culture, led the Bank’s leadership development efforts including coaching members of the Senior Management Team, and directed the Human Resources and Organizational Learning Departments. Prior to Montecito Bank & Trust, Judy worked with leaders from a wide variety of organizations to create inclusive environments in which each member of the community is valued, respected, and able to fully contribute their talents.

Kelly Scott, Chief Deputy DA at Santa Barbara District Attorney. Kelly supervises the most serious felony cases in Santa Barbara. In this capacity she oversees the gang prosecution team, vulnerable victim unit including sex crimes and crimes involving domestic violence; homicides and other serious and violent crimes; real estate fraud; consumer protection; and environmental prosecutions. Kelly grew up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and came to California to attend Pepperdine University where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and later a law degree from Pepperdine. Kelly lives in Solvang with her husband Craig, an environmental geologist, and eleven-year-old son.

Anna Everett, Professor of Film, Television and New Media Studies at UCSB. Her former administrative positions include: Acting Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Academic Policy; Chair of the UCSB Department of Film and Media Studies, Director of the UCSB Center for Black Studies. Dr. Everett is a two-time Fulbright Senior Scholar Award recipient. Her many publications include the books Returning the Gaze: A Genealogy of Black Film Criticism, 1909-1949; Learning Race and Ethnicity: Youth and Digital Media; AfroGeeks: Beyond the Digital Divide, and Pretty People: Movie Stars of the 1990s. She is finishing a new book on President Obama, social media culture and Millennials.

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