MEMPHIS CHAPTER LEADER OF THE YEAR - 2014

 by Diane Coons

At the SIM Strategy Series, Jana Markowitz was awarded SIM Memphis' Chapter Leader of the Year - our first honoree for the award.  Contributions and accomplishments in the current year are considered along with those in previous years based on criteria including SIM involvement, increasing awareness of SIM, and support for SIM.  Jana has been and continues to be an incredible leader, champion and selfless volunteer for SIM at both the chapter and international levels, making significant contributions in many areas, especially with regard to outreach activities and Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) in particular. She has served on the Memphis SIM board for several years, chaired and participated in numerous initiatives, and has represented SIM as an advocate to support existing programs and to initiate new programs, including spearheading SIM Memphis' STEM program. In 2012, Jana became SIM's Director, Outreach/STEM Initiatives, Management Council.

Jana has represented SIM as a speaker delivering messages about the philanthropy work performed by our chapters, talking about our core messages, and promoting membership.  She talks about issues that

matter as a representative of SIM - outreach issues, women's issue and the issue of students in the technology pipeline and how it can be improved.  She has worked tirelessly and very efficiently and effectively to increase the level of awareness of SIM among various outreach organizations from the National Center for Women in Technology to Women in Technology International, and at least a dozen more organizations she has reached out to.  She has made at least six major presentations outside of SIM over the last year or so alone. Jana has helped thousands of young people in understanding the possibilities IT can offer and she has led efforts to reach many more through her thought leadership, the support provided to SIM chapters about improving their outreach programs, and anyone seeking to learn more or discuss ideas on these topics.  SIM membership has grown as a direct result of the messages Jana has delivered, both locally and nationally.

A true leader has the ability to develop a vision that is beneficial for an organization and share the vision in such a way that engages the hearts and minds of others resulting in a call to action, and Jana has done just that with any SIM initiative in which she has participated.  She has consistently demonstrated a remarkable level of personal commitment and has mobilized others to support SIM causes. Jana is all about teamwork, collaboration and working for the greater good. She is gracious in recognizing others for their contributions and is constantly striving to help others.

The SIM Memphis Chapter is very proud to have Jana as a member and is delighted to recognize her many contributions and accomplishments.  In addition, Jana was also nominated as SIM International Leader of the Year with unanimous support from the SIM Memphis Board of Directors and Membership Committee, and was one of the top five finalists among the many nominations received this year.  Congratulations Jana and thank you for your leadership, dedication and service!

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