Generation W announces two significant leadership appointments to help further its mission of empowering women and girls through inspiring action, connection, and community. Dr. Olenda Johnson will succeed Lisa Shalett as the organization’s new board chair. In addition, business executive Shantel Davis joins Generation W in the newly created role of Vice President of Generation WOW, Generation W’s girls’ initiative.
As the new board chair, Dr. Johnson will lead the board through an exciting time of growth and expansion. Dr. Johnson is a Professor of Strategic Leadership and Leader Development at the U. S. Naval War College, a graduate-level institution for highly selected military officers and federal civilians. She also works with other military units such as U.S. Army Special Forces Command to support and develop their leader development programs. A passionate teacher and educator, she shares her experiences and knowledge to instill in others the courage and confidence to lead. Her awards and decorations include receiving the Army Commander’s Medal for Public Service, as well as being honored as a Daughter of Greatness at the Muhammad Ali Center.
“Six years ago, I was invited to stand on the stage and give a 20-minute speech in support of an organization that I knew very little about,” said Dr. Johnson. “It was my very first Generation W experience and all I can say is WOW! I did not know then just how much I would come to personally and professionally value the uniqueness that is Gen W. To now be invited to serve as Board Chair and help further this important organization’s impact is beyond the imagination. Ironically, the title of that first speech, Allow for the Impossible. This is it!”
As Vice President of Generation WOW, Shantel Davis will play a key leadership role in the nonprofit’s program for teen girls. Founded 10 years ago by listening to the voices of girls and providing curriculum and activities based in the ethos of the positive and the possible, Generation WOW is a leadership and mentorship program that helps the leaders of tomorrow meet the leaders of today with the goal of building confidence, connect, curiosity, courage, and community. Growing exponentially, Generation WOW provides safe spaces and impactful opportunities for the girls of today allowing them to realize their full potential.
Davis, a Jacksonville native, served as the general manager and vice president of sales for the Southeastern Region at The Greenbrier Companies. Previously she worked at CSX Transportation for over 20 years in various executive leadership roles. She is very active in the community, participating on several boards including the Sulzbacher Center for the Homeless, Metro YMCA, Goodwill of Northeast Florida, Jacksonville Classical Academy, and the Jacksonville University Public Policy Institute. She is a lifetime member of Leadership Florida, Delta Sigma Theta, Bold City Chapter of The Links, Inc. and Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
“I am so excited to join Generation WOW in its milestone tenth anniversary year,” said Shantel Davis. “It is an honor to work on expanding Generation WOW to provide more middle and high school girls access to reach their full potential through mentorship and the power of the positive and the possible, especially at a time when programs like these are needed more than ever by our girls.”
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