Though chosen for their unique and positive impact on our community, when asked about their accomplishments, each woman highlighted in this issue took no credit for their own, but emphasized how their personal networks were the true reason for their success. By relying on community, these women have devoted their lives to putting others before themselves and the world around us is better off for it.
Sandra Sims
After deciding to retire from her career in training and management for large retailers, Sandra Sims found herself searching for her next endeavor. One day while volunteering at Christian Community Action, a non-profit that supports income-restricted households in various ways, her charismatic nature led her to a conversation with the Director of Operations who mentioned she should apply for an open management role at one of CCA’s thrift locations. Her answer at the time was “No.” Sandra, the fourth child of ten siblings, had grown up on hand-me-downs, so “working in a non-profit had never crossed [her] mind.” One visit to the location convinced her otherwise and has kept her busy in the twelve years since. Sandra leaned across the table, grinning as she explained, “When I got in there and found out what they do, I thought, ‘Wow, this is a store I can work in and be proud of.”
Her passion is apparent in more than just her smile, but in her dedication to serving the community in her role as Corporate Relations Manager as well. Her unique background, charming personality, and devotion for giving back has greatly contributed to the organization and all those it supports.
Kristen Howell
For many, college is a time to explore a newly-found independence: a period in life where free-time is spent doing absolutely anything you want. For Kristen Howell, that time was often spent indoors, voluntarily listening to stories of victims through a land-line at a crisis hotline - the extra-curricular activity that would lead her to become CEO of the Children’s Advocacy Center for North Texas over 25 years later.
Though she may not have directly known where she would end up in her career, her deep passion and determination for helping others led her to become the third leader of the 26-year-old Lewisville non-profit that aims to break the cycle of child abuse by being first responders to crimes against children, educating the community about child safety, offering therapy services so kids can heal and supporting victims each step of the way.
The combination of Howell’s lively personality and drive for success fits perfectly into her role of not just CEO but the backbone of the organization for her team, her coworkers, and the victims. Her passion is infectious and has impacted countless lives as the non-profit continues to expand under her management. “I wanted to spend my life serving victims,” she says, and she continues to do just that.
Nicole Woodard
One of the most notable service organizations, Rotary International has worked to improve the world by focusing on community for over a century. The global network wears many hats in its ambition for positive change, just as this year’s Cross Timbers Rotary Club President, Nicole Woodard, does in her own life.
Though women were allowed to join Rotary International only recently in 1989, Cross Timbers Rotary embraces women members and leaders. In fact, Woodard is the fifth female president selected out of the nine that have served since the Cross Timbers club’s inception in 2015. As President, she oversees and assists in the coordination of the club’s many events, fundraisers, and projects in between its weekly meetings all while running her own real estate business, serving on the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce, and running the Around Flower Mound Facebook group among other activities. Since we all share the same 24-hour day, Woodard chose to dial back her other endeavors to prioritize her voluntary, nonprofit role that has helped to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to local and international charities, provide grants to numerous Denton County organizations, and serve the local community in any way possible. Her generous and out-going personality has allowed her to seize every opportunity to positively impact others.
Sue Ridnour
Of all the memories made walking between the bookshelves of the Flower Mound Library in her 24 years of work there, Sue Ridnour reminisces on her time spent with the children of the community as one of the best parts. Ridnour had worked as a corporate librarian earlier in her career, so when she joined as the children’s librarian in Flower Mound, the interactions she had with them kept her in the role for the next 13 years. “Working with kids, there’s just never a dull moment,” she says.
In 2013, she took over as Director of Library Services, furthering her passion for serving all ages and people in the community. Her face lights up when recalling memories of getting feedback from the public at local events. Whether good or bad, Ridnour appreciated these exchanges and learned the importance of patience and listening first. “There’s a reason we have two ears and one mouth,” she says.
Though she has retired this year, her positive impact on the library will last generations as will the relationships she made while there. After rest and a long vacation, Ridnour plans to continue doing what she has long encouraged others to do for themselves - “never turn down an opportunity to get more learning.”
Shelley Connell
In the years working to become the fourth woman in her family to complete a Doctorate degree while employed, Dr. Shelley Connell always had one thought in mind - “The one thing I was never going to do was be an educator,” she admits with a laugh.
One teaching practicum later, she knew she was called to share her abundant knowledge with others. Growing up, her family support system inspired many of her decisions in life, including the choice to enroll her daughter in Primrose, a private, early education school that provides premier child care for kids between six weeks and pre-school. Connell had admired the school’s foundation so much so, that, fast forward years later, she jumped at the opportunity to buy two locations in the area. Connell served in just about every role at her schools, making sure her gentle, yet driven nature could touch each child, administrator, and parent that walks through the front doors. Now serving in an ambassador role, she recently added dual-credit biology teacher and Dean of Students at Coram-Deo to her resume. By living life with “integrity, competence, compassion, and excellence,” her actions inspire others to never cease to learn and serve the community.
