TI employees and retirees who have graduated from the Leadership Texas program recently attended the Foundation for Women's Resources' 30th anniversary luncheon where the organization's new name, Leadership Women, was announced.

TI is committed to helping develop its women leaders and expand their knowledge of the diverse issues that impact their work, personal lives and community.

One of the ways the company supports these efforts is its partnership with Leadership Texas, the longest-running women's leadership development program in the U.S. The program aims to help women become better, more informed leaders in their communities, organizations and corporations.

Leadership Texas, now in its 30th consecutive year, is the flagship program of the Foundation for Women's Resources, which was recently renamed Leadership Women. Its purpose is to identify and develop women leaders of Texas by providing them with essential information, an awareness of ongoing changes, sharpened skills, and an enduring network of women from diverse backgrounds.

TI retiree Tegwin Pulley, a member of Leadership Texas' first class in 1983, said participating in Leadership Texas "provided leadership training as well as access to a support network of diverse professionals across the state of Texas who are always willing to take a call from another Leadership Texas graduate."

Women are selected for the program through a competitive application process that examines the leadership roles applicants have had in their profession or community. The curriculum includes leadership skills enhancement through interactions with state and national experts, presentations by various speakers and on-site visits to major business, education and cultural centers.

Throughout the yearlong program, members broaden their perspective on the state by exploring Texas cities and receiving information from renowned experts, government officials and other leaders to positively inform their work and community for years to come.

Inspiring leaders
TI has supported almost 100 TI women to participate in the program over the last 30 years.

"We recognize that it is necessary for today's successful women to learn leadership strategies, discover their own leadership abilities and interact with others effectively," said Trisha Cunningham, TI's Chief Citizenship Officer and a graduate of the 2010 Leadership Texas class. "The programming of Leadership Texas provides opportunities and access to help women impact the future of their community, state and the lives of others."

Besides advancing their own skills, most women who participate in the program are compelled to inspire future leaders, using the elite network of more than 3,000 other women to leave their mark for good in the community.

Pulley's experience with Leadership Texas, spurred her to pursue new opportunities for women. Today, Pulley continues to work to encourage women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), serving as the DFW Director of the STEM Equity Pipeline of the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity.

Following on the success of this statewide program, Leadership America was launched in 1988 to support leaders in national and international arenas. Also, Leadership International helps women leaders expand their global expertise.

"Leadership Women, was started by a group of passionate women who wanted to make sure that women had the training, connections and skills they needed to be successful leaders," said Cunningham, who joined the organization's board two years ago. "The founders never dreamed that the organization would grow to where it is today."

Developing future leaders
Cunningham said TI not only invests in its current women leaders through programs like Leadership Texas, but it is also helping develop future leaders through investments in STEM education.

Over the past 10 years, representation of women completing engineering degrees has remained at about 20 percent. Meanwhile, STEM-related jobs are growing three times faster than other jobs and a shortage of workers is projected by 2018. Plus STEM workers earn 26 percent more than their non-STEM counterparts.

"There is a huge opportunity to grow the engineering workforce by addressing factors that deter girls from pursuing these highly rewarding careers," Cunningham said. "TI leverages its philanthropic investments and community relationships as well as employees' commitment to make a difference to increase the pipeline of students interested in STEM and reach underrepresented girls."

A few recent examples of TI's focus on getting girls interested in STEM education include:

• Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas: In 2012, TI sponsored and helped launch its first ever engineering patch for girls. The curriculum focuses on exciting, engaging and encouraging girls at every grade level to explore STEM education and careers. Read more here.
• High Tech High Heels: To support girls interested in engineering, a number of women at TI started a donor-advised fund in 2002, supported by personal financial contributions and investments from TI and the TI Foundation. This program, which has helped thousands of educators and students, exists because TI women led, cared and got personally involved. Read more here.
• Girls Inc.: For more than a decade, TI has supported Girls Inc. programs designed to encourage girls to consider STEM careers through early positive educational experiences. Read more here.

Many TI women, including Leadership Texas graduates, actively volunteer through mentoring, curriculum development and leadership with these organizations.