Beverly McMilan

Beverly McMillan  is a site leader for Alliance Data in Rio Rancho, capping a 27-year career in care center leadership. But in the community she is known for her work on domestic violence, and she was a key ally during the six years that Sage magazine presented public forums on the topic, from 1999 to 2005.

McMillan is still active on the boards of United Way of Central New Mexico and Albuquerque Community Foundation. She continues to be an advocate for victims of domestic violence as the go-to person at her church if someone is looking for services. “So that is still near and dear to my heart,” McMillan says. She also is president of the local branch of a national service organization called The Links Inc., a volunteer service organization that advocates for African-Americans.

What inspires her: “I’m old-school so I still believe in the human spirit, humankind. If we all put our heads together … we can come together and solve the problems of the world.”She says that if everyone “picked up one person, there wouldn’t be a single homeless person.”

Finding that passion: Young women should figure out what their passion is as soon as possible and follow it. She acknowledges that following that passion is going to get uncomfortable. But, she says, stick with it and you’ll not only see the rewards, you’ll get there faster.“Watch the self talk,” McMillan says. “Don’t get in your own way. It took me all these years to figure that all out.”

On who she is: “I’ve had a very interesting life. I don’t think I’d be Beverly McMillan if I changed it. I wouldn’t change a thing. I have no regrets.”

Dr. Arelia Powers-Harris, PhD.

Dr. Harris is the Acting Civil Rights Director for the Southwestern Region of the USDA Forest Service.  She received her Bachelors in Accounting from Southern University, her Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Florida an her PhD in Natural Resource Economics from Michigan State University. 

She began her professional career teaching at several Universities while completing her degrees.   She began her career in the Forest Service, as what was then known as the Student Career Experience Program.  While participating in the SCEP Aurelia worked in research at Michigan State University, at the Forest Service Northern Research Station in St. Paul, MN and at the Southern Research Station in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.  After receiving her Doctorate degree she moved on to the WO Timber and Planning Staffs in Fort Collins, Colorado where she served as an Natural Resource Economist.

After two and one half years Aurelia moved to The Southwestern Regional Office to serve as the Assistant Regional Economist on the Program Development and Budget staff in 1994.   In 1998 she was promoted and served as the Regional Economist in State and Private Staff.   In 2005 she accepted a position on the Regional Office’s Civil Rights Staff serving at the Regional Student Coordinator and EEO Specialist.   Aurelia is currently the Acting Regional Civil Rights Director serving the Region and working on the National Civil Rights Implementation Team.

Aurelia is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority INC, an international service sorority, where she has served as Chapter president, Chapter vice president, Regional Nominating Committee Chairperson and Advisor to the Sorority’s undergraduate Chapter on the campus of the University of New Mexico.    She serves on the Board of Directors for New Mexico Jazz Workshop and the Sickle Cell Council of New Mexico.  Aurelia is a member of John XXII Catholic Community where she is a lector, CCD Instructor, Eucharistic Minister, and choir member. She continues to volunteer at several other non-profit agencies in the Greater Albuquerque area.

She is the proud mother of one daughter and grandmother of one granddaughter and mother-in-law of one son.

Dr. Harris is the Acting Civil Rights Director for the Southwestern Region of the USDA Forest Service.  She received her Bachelors in Accounting from Southern University, her Master of Science in Agricultural Economics from the University of Florida an her PhD in Natural Resource Economics from Michigan State University.  She is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority INC,  serves on the Board of Directors for New Mexico Jazz Workshop and the Sickle Cell Council of New Mexico.  She is active in her church, John XXII Catholic Community where she is a lector, CCD Instructor, Eucharistic Minister, and choir member. She continues to volunteer at several other non-profit agencies in the Greater Albuquerque area.

Dr. Harris is the Acting Civil Rights Director for the Southwestern Region of the USDA Forest Service. She began her professional career teaching at the University level while completing her degrees, and her career with the Forest Service, as what was then known as the Student Career Experience Program.  In addition to her work, Dr. Harris serves on the Board of Directors for New Mexico Jazz Workshop, the Sickle Cell Council of New Mexico and volunteers at several other non-profit agencies in the Greater Albuquerque area.

Pamelya P. Herndon

Pamelya Herndon is a former Deputy Cabinet Secretary and General Counsel in New Mexico State government. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Howard University in Washington, DC and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
Ms. Herndon has an impressive professional career that includes serving as a senior litigation attorney with the Internal Revenue Service and as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico. She is licensed to practice law in the states of Colorado and New Mexico, and before the United States Tax Court and United States Supreme Court. She is also a Certified Public Accountant licensed in the State of Texas.

Ms. Herndon has taught courses at the University of New Mexico Law School and most recently served as counsel with the Ahr Law Offices in Albuquerque. She has helped train paralegals and legal secretaries at Brookline College.

Ms. Herndon has worked to help an array of women of all races and ethnic backgrounds achieve their full economic and personal potential. She is a long time member of the National Council of Negro Women and sits as a member of the Board of Directors of Emerge New Mexico. Pamelya Herndon serves as the 1st Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of US New Mexico Federal Credit Union and President of the Board of the Con Alma Health Foundation. She is a strong advocate of the New Mexico Youth Entrepreneurship program where she helped a young woman of mixed heritage achieve her goal of writing a winning business plan for a future business. Ms. Herndon has been a leader in Emerging Young Leaders, a program spearheaded by the international Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The program focuses on improving the social and educational stature of girls. On some Sunday mornings, Ms. Herndon can be heard as the Southwest Gospel Diva hosting the Train to Glory radio program on KUNM.

Ms. Herndon says she is humbled by her selection and is excited about the new challenges that await her. In addition to her focus on developing economic and educational programs for girls and women, Ms. Herndon will continue to carry out the core mission of the Law Center that includes eliminating gender bias, discrimination and harassment; lifting women and their families out of poverty; and ensuring that all women have full control over their reproductive lives through access to comprehensive reproductive health services and information.
Article retrieved from: Southwest Women’s Law Center
http://www.swwomenslaw.org/boardandstaff.htm 

Outstanding Business and Professional Women

Each year during April, the chapters of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated honor outstanding  business and professional women.  This year the sorors of the Far Western Region celebrate seven Albuquerque women who have truly excelled, not only in their professional lives, but as leaders and role models. These women come from different industries and walks of life but they share several personal traits — a strong sense of self, a success-driven work ethic and the extraordinary accomplishments to show for it.

Their commitment, vision and talents make them true leaders in their chosen fields.

Eloise Gift, Dr, Aurelia Harris-Powers, PhD, Pamelya Herndon, Beverly McMillan, Lanthia Miles Turner, Gloria Waddles-Perry and Cecilia Webb, seven powerful and dynamic women will be honored, at the Business and Professional Women's Luncheon, Saturday, April 25th, 2015, at the Marriott, Downtown Albuquerque.

Welcome to the Land of Enchantment

Sheryl Williams Stapleton
Democratic Whip
State of New Mexico
House of Representatives

The business and professional women of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority have arrived in "The Duke City" dressed in their green and white for a weekend of networking, professional development and personal growth opportunities.  The Far Western Region Director, Myrtle Smith,  has taken a bold step forward and organized the 68th FWR Conference in a city that does not currently have an active Iota chapter,  but where there is great potential for growth.

Hello Albuquerque, we are glad to be here.

The Network Journal

The Network Journal magazine has recognized forty outstanding professionals every year for the past seventeen years.  This year's recipients include twenty-seven bright young women who may live in a city near you.  They have much to offer our community and may be willing to share their ideas, ideals, and inspiration with the Iota Community and the young women we mentor.

Nia Evans, General Manager General Electric Co./Ge Capital earned her bachelor's degree in public relations and journalism at the University of Florida, and a Master of Business Administration at Georgia State University.  As a mentor for organizations such as Junior Achievement, Diamonds in the Ruff and Delta Sigma Theta, she strives to instill confidence in the next generation of professionals.  She confesses, "Encouraging young people, particularly girls, to dream big is my passion."

Read more about Nia Evans here.  You will find the names of the other recipients on the same page.  Take time to read about these outstanding business people.


Each recipient is asked to share their thoughts on three specific questions:

      What has been the most notable defining moment in your career?
       What role has networking played in the development of your career?
       Where will you be in the next five years?

Listen as Nia Evans answers the three questions.   Now it is time to think about yourself and your answer to the three questions.   Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Women of Power Summit

The Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit (BEWPS) launched 10 years ago as a professional leadership conference designed especially for executive women of color. This year, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, March 2-5, the summit reached its highest attendance record to date with over 1,000 women participating from around the world. Thanks to Black Enterprise, and their corporate sponsors ,we all have a chance to hear some of the speakers and learn their empowerment tips and tools.  There are several videos that can be played on demand.  These are full sessions so wait until you have time to really listen.   

Lisa Nichol Inspirational Speaker

LISA NICHOLS is CEO of Motivating the Masses, one of the top training and development companies in the world, a best-selling author of 6 books and one of the most sought-after transformational speakers whose global platform has reached and served millions.

Ms. Nichols' extraordinary story of transforming her own life from a struggling single mom on public assistance from South Central Los Angeles to now Millionaire Entrepreneur is the inspiration behind her bold mission to teach others that it is possible to do the same. Using her signature No Matter What! system (and based on her New York Times Bestseller by the same name), Lisa teaches people how to master accomplishing unfathomable goals and to tap their limitless potential.  

You can connect with Lisa on Facebook and Twitter, and, I know you will really enjoy Lisa's workshop at the Women of Power Summit  

In the text above:
Click on played on demand at the end of the first paragraph to see the list of available videos.

In the last paragraph:
Click on Facebook or Twitter to engage with Lisa Nichol
Click on workshop at the Women of Power Summit to see Lisa's workshop.

Six Pointers to be a Champion at Interviewing

Going through my emails I noticed a new follower to my Twitter Account - Shonette Charles. I don't "tweet" often and when I do, it is most often some quote that catches my eye. Nothing steamy or even very entertaining, just something that makes me think.  Shonette did not say why she decided to follow my tweets so I thought I should take a peek at her page and see if I could determine what attracted her attention.  No such luck.  But, she had an excellent post I thought our readers would enjoy:

Here goes  “Six Pointers to be a Champion at Interviewing” 

•          Do your research.
•          Anticipate questions.
•          Practice!
•          Attitude and mannerisms matter.
•          Ask questions...thoughtful ones.
•          Make your final impression a great one!

Thanks for sharing Shonette.

Read the details on Shonette’s Pearls, Poise & Protocol Page.