Carolene Mays

Women’s Fund of Central Indiana, a special interest fund of Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), has launched the Executive Women of Color Leadership Program, a new partnership with Black Leadership + Legacies, Inc., founded by Carolene Mays. The program’s mission is to develop, coach and empower women of color to move into higher-level leadership roles, including the C-suite.

The 2022 Women in the Workplace report, conducted by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.org, revealed that “despite modest gains in representation over the last eight years, women—and especially women of color—are still dramatically underrepresented in corporate America. And this is especially true in senior leadership: only one in four C-suite leaders is a woman, and only one in 20 is a woman of color.”

“Our partner Carolene Mays has crafted a thoughtful curriculum that gives women of color critical support in leveling up their skills and shattering barriers to leadership,” says Tamara Winfrey-Harris, president of Women’s Fund, citing the program as an example of how the organization champions women across their many intersecting identities, experiences and stages of life.​

Over nine sessions, during a year-long commitment, Black Leadership + Legacies provides participants with development in areas of leadership, board governance, legacy wealth building and purpose. The program also addresses critical issues that specifically affect women of color in the workplace.

“I am delighted to work with the Women’s Fund of Central Indiana as they champion equitable opportunities for women of color,“ says Carolene Mays. “This program endeavors to enrich the talents of women of color leaders, so they may successfully further their leadership career goals, governance prospects and build multi-generational legacies.”

The 13 members of the Executive Women of Color Leadership Program class of 2023 include:

Cecily Johnson Cruz, MSW  

Taylor Advising, Consultant for Stakeholder Engagement

Crystal Givens, MBA   

Starfish Initiative, President & CEO

Meredith Graham, MBA     

Crossover Health, Engagement and Experience Manager

Damita Jefferson, MSW  

VOICES Corp., Director of Reentry/Family Liberation Coordinator

Camike Jones, MA 

Asante Art Institute, Program Director

Dr. Jillian Harrison-Jones     

Witherspoon Presbyterian Church, Director of Choral Music

Jennifer M. McCloud, MBA

Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, Director of Chancellor’s Operations

Latrece Murdock             

Simply Elegant Pastries, Owner

Ashanti Ordone. JD 

Gifted & Talented Academy, Owner & CEO

Danielle Neal Price, JD

Heritage Construction & Materials, Corporate Counsel

Lori Satterfield, MBA 

Roche, Social Impact Manager

Stephanie Simmons, MS

Ivy Tech Community College, Executive Director of Human Resources

Amber M. Williams, MA

Ivy Tech Community College, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, & Belonging

Tavonna Harris Askew, Women’s Fund Advisory Board chair, says “It is important that women have the support, training and opportunity to lead. Halls of leadership must be as diverse and vibrant as our communities. We extend our congratulations to the inaugural cohort of the Executive Women of Color Leadership Program.”

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