The Young Women’s Alliance was established in 1993, when 20 young professional women gathered in the home of Carol Thompson, a leading Austin businesswoman, to network and trade business tactics and information.
The group called itself Win2 for “Win/Win” situation and began meeting regularly to discuss business, politics, city relations and future plans. By 1995, membership grew to 50 women, and the group wrote its first bylaws, incorporated with the state of Texas as a non-profit corporation, formed a board of directors, and gained support from a community advisory group. The group continued to grow and gain support, and by 1996 the members and the first board of directors decided to change the name from Win2 to the Young Women’s Alliance.
Founding Board of Directors
President – Patty Sanchez
President-Elect – Nina Seely
Secretary – Kristin Richard
Treasurer – Laura Avery
Community Services Chair – Penny Greene
Marketing Chair – Marny Lochhead Lifshen
Membership Chair – Merrell Anne Shearer
Meetings Chair – Karen Brown
Publications Chair – Kerri Wynn Qunell
First Appointed Advisory Board
Carol Thompson, The Thompson Group
Joan Gillett, Life Savings Bank
Sharon Lastrapes, Dell Computer
Jon Levy, Frost National Bank
Steve Moore, Small Craig & Werkenthin
Kerry Tate, Tate Austin
Bill McLellan, 3M Corporation
The founders of YWA envisioned an organization that would facilitate networking opportunities and support for Austin’s next generation of women leaders. Their vision has been realized, and we are proud to count many of Austin’s most prominent business and community leaders among our alumnae.
In particular, we would like to recognize our past presidents, each of whom has made a lasting impact on our organization and on the thousands of women who have benefited from the professional connections, confidence, skills and friendships they gained through YWA.
Past Presidents
2025 – 2026 – Peyton Blanchard
2024 – 2025 – Eunice Park
2023 – 2024 – Brittany Sharkey
2022 – 2023 – Leah Christensen
2021 – 2022 – Lauren Kaufman
2020 – 2021 – Anastasia Teague
2019 – 2020 – Virginia Moore
2018 – 2019 – Frances Jordan
2017 – 2018 – Sarah Williamson
2016 – 2017 – Vanessa Fuentes
2015 – 2016 – Jessica Sager
2014 – 2015 – Alex Patterson
2013 – 2014 – Sandra Rivera
2012 – 2013 – Lynley Prather
2011 – 2012 – Kate Stoker
2010 – 2011 – Bronwyn Blake
2009 – 2010 – Lori Hodge
2008 – 2009 – Candace Ortega Bridges
2007 – 2008 – Deanna Rankin
2006 – 2007 – Heather Summers Parsons
2005 – 2006 – Susan Armstrong
2004 – 2005 – Linda Ginac
2004 – 2004 – J. R. Ruiz
2003 – 2004 – Tiffany Schoening Stillwell
2002 – 2003 – Shannon Phillips Meroney
2001 – 2002 – Kerri Wynn Qunell
1999 – 2001 – Tanya Downing
1997 – 1999 – Merrell Anne Shearer
1995 – 1997 – Nina Seely
1993 – 1995 – Patty Sanchez