FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

HIGH POINT DISCOVERED PARTNERS WITH THRIVE HIGH POINT TO HONOR WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP 

HIGH POINT, N.C. (March 30, 2023) – High Point-based non-profit, High Point Discovered (HPD) recently partnered with the minority entrepreneur initiative, Thrive High Point, to celebrate National Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. To recognize the contributions of the powerful women who are leading in various non-profit and civic sectors across the city, High Point Discovered and Thrive High Point organized a photo shoot to capture the stories of 23 women and hosted a luncheon in their honor at 98 Asian Bistro in High Point. 

“As a woman-founded and led organization, we believe it is important to celebrate those who are paving the way for future generations to come,” says High Point Discovered Executive Director, Amber Williamson. “When women decide to launch a career in High Point, they can look to this phenomenal group of women who are transforming our community. We hosted this event without an underlying agenda, but rather to fortify connections of this sisterhood of leaders and provide a space for them to tell their stories.” 

During the event, the women shared their experiences and the lessons they have learned as women in leadership roles. They also discussed their plans for continuing to serve the city with their talents. The purpose of the event was to thank and honor these women while creating opportunities for them to meet and celebrate their peers. 

By collecting the stories of these women and sharing the leadership and expertise they bring to the city, High Point Discovered hopes to showcase the positive impact that female leaders can have in their communities. Through this partnership with Thrive High Point, the organization hopes to continue to promote diversity and inclusion in leadership roles throughout the city. 

  

Women in leadership who were in attendance:  

Allie Arpajian, executive director of the High Point Arts Council 

Pam Baldwin, director of Women in Motion of High Point 

Edith Brady, museum director at High Point Museum 

Melody Burnett, president of Visit High Point 

Rachel Collins, president and CEO of Business High Point 

Kimberly Drye-Dancy, executive director for the Center for Community Engagement at High Point University  

Tasha Ford, city manager of High Point  

Carlvena Foster, executive director of the Carl Chavis YMCA 

Julie Hill, executive director of The Interchange-Business High Point  

Karla Jones, executive director of Bienenstock Furniture Library  

Jane Liebscher, president of the United Way of Greater High Point 

Heidi Majors, executive director of the YWCA High Point 

Willa Mays, executive director of Growing High Point  

Rebekah McGee, president and CEO of Forward High Point 

Lynn Mitchell, executive director of Thrive High Point 

Tammy Nagem, president and CEO of High Point Market Authority 

Ayesha Oglesby, vice president of operations at Business High Point 

Megan Oglesby, executive director of The Earl and Kathryn Congdon Family Foundation  

Monica Peters, city councilwoman  

Christi Spangle, vice-chairwoman of High Point Discovered  

Megan Ward, executive director of the Nido & Mariana Qubein Children’s Museum  

Amber Williamson, executive director of High Point Discovered 

Mary Sizemore, library director of High Point Public Library  

To view and read the story of the women in leadership in High Point, visit https://highpointdiscovered.co/ladies-who-lead.  

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High Point Discovered is a 501(c)3 non-profit that exists to communicate the stories of High Point, N.C. to connect our community members and catalyze economic growth through dynamic visual and written storytelling across print and digital media. For more information on High Point Discovered, visit www.highpointdiscovered.org.  

Thrive High Point: Minority Entrepreneurship Initiative is a new program offering of Business High Point: Chamber of Commerce that was developed to support the broad needs of minority and women-owned businesses in the city. Through training, counseling, mentorship, and networking, Thrive High Point enhances and broadens High Point’s inclusive economic ecosystem. For more information on Thrive High Point, visit https://www.bhpchamber.org/thrive-minority-entrepreneurship-initiative. 

 

For further inquiry, please contact Hannah Ray at hannah@highpointdiscovered.org or 336.899.0955 ext. 1002.