Mayor's Council for Women

Empowerment Committee

Business woman leader vector concept. Symbol of times up movement, woman in business, emancipation, success, leadership, vision.

Leading with Action, not just Intentions

The Empowerment Committee focuses on issues that relate to economic self-sufficiency and political engagement.

Meeting times are the 4th Thursday of each month at 11:30 - 1:00 pm at the Family Justice Center.

To become a member of this committee, please Click Here.

Committee Co-Chairs

Beverly McKeldin and Krissa Barclay

PLAN OF WORK 2024

Economic Independence

Financial Literacy
Pay Equity
Hiring Practices

Leadership

Boards and Commissions

Elected Office

OUR WORK

We are pleased to share our published white papers and their impact on the larger community.

THE IMPACT

The effects of our work are listed below. Some are works in progress.

Financial Independence: Predatory Lending - As a result of our study, City Council enacted zoning legislation that limited the number of "payday lender" businesses within the Chattanooga area. Several lending institutions established alternative lending programs to predatory lending.
Quality, Affordable Childcare - Our study contributed to the establishment of Chattanooga's Office of Early Learning, that includes Baby University and an expanded Headstart program.
Wage Equity - The Justice Committee is continuing the work on this topic, as a result of the foundational work of this committee.
Preventing Restraints for Women in Leadership - As a result of our work, Mayor Andy Berke instituted a Family Friendly Workplace Challenge for employers in Chattanooga. 13+ companies responded with workplace & family friendly plans for their employees.
History of Women in Chattanooga - As a result of our work, a collection of interviews with local women leaders from all backgrounds is now housed UTC Library.

EST 2015 - CHATTANOOGA MAYORS COUNCIL FOR WOMEN

carol berz

Carol Berz | Chairwoman, City Councilwoman

Dr. Berz is renowned for her extensive expertise in solution-oriented, collaborative problem-solving and program design across both public and private sectors. For over 25 years, she has served as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed General Civil and Family mediator and trainer, particularly recognized for her authority addressing complex issues of the special circumstance of domestic violence. As the owner and CEO of Private Dispute Resolution Services, LLC in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she leads its mediation services and training programs. Carol also holds a prominent role as a Councilwoman for the City of Chattanooga, where she currently chairs the Budget and Finance Committee.

Her professional pursuits span practice and teaching in mediation, law, ethics, and employment and labor/management conflicts, focusing on corporate conflict cost analysis. Previously, she served as Director of Forensic Services and Executive Director at Joseph W. Johnson Mental Health Center, and as a visiting professor at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, teaching social policy, law, and ethics.

Carol's contributions to mediation are extensive; she chaired the Curriculum and Continuing Education Committee of the Mediation Association of Tennessee and led the mediation component of the Hamilton County Courts' Pilot Project which led to the creation of Tennessee's Parenting Plan law. She also played a pivotal role as Commissioner with the Chattanooga Human Rights/Human Relations Commission, addressing employment and civil rights matters and becoming its first Chairwoman.

Beyond her professional achievements, Carol is a graduate of Leadership America in Washington, D.C., and has held leadership roles including President of the Board of Directors of the Moccasin Bend Girl Scout Council. She has served on the Tennessee Advisory Commission to the US Civil Rights Commission and chaired the Tennessee Economic Council on Women, focusing on the economic impact of the issues that hold women back from living their best lives.

Recognized for her community leadership, Carol chaired the Board of Managers of the Hamilton Family YMCA and served on the Board of the Chattanooga Metro YMCA. Her accolades include the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, Chief John Ross Chapter NSDAR, Outstanding Woman in American History, and recognition by the City of Chattanooga for advancing equality of opportunity. Currently, she chairs the Mayor's Council for Women and the Advisory Board to the Family Justice Center.

Dr. Berz holds a PhD in Social Policy from the University of Tennessee, a JD from the Nashville School of Law, an MA in Administration from the University of Tennessee, and a BA in Human Services Management from the University of Tennessee. She has pursued additional studies at Emory University, Bryn Mawr College, the Deming Institute, and Harvard University. Furthermore, she holds certifications as an IFTA certified Personal Trainer, an AEA advanced trainer, and a YMCA certified instructor and trainer in aquatic sports training. Her professional memberships include the Association for Conflict Resolution, the ADR Section of the American Bar Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the Academy for Professional Family Mediators, and the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators.

Rosite Delgado | Executive Director of Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at UTC

Rosite Delgado serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is originally from the Caribbean island of Dominica and has called Chattanooga home since 2011. She has worked in Higher Education for the past 2 decades, serving in various roles in EEO compliance, diversity and inclusion, human resources, business affairs, and student affairs and development. In her current role, she serves as the campus ADA Coordinator, overseeing EEO compliance. Rosite holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Spanish, a master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management, a master’s of science degree in Educational Psychology, and she is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Beyond her service to the UTC campus, Rosite is a board member of La Paz of Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, and the Enterprise South Council of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, and a long-standing member of the National Planning Committee for the Faculty Women of Color in the Academy Conference based at Virginia Tech. A recent graduate of the Leadership Chattanooga class of 2024, Rosite has a passion for community service and civic engagement. She is a wife and mother of two boys, and enjoys travelling and exploring different cultures with her family.

Rosite Delgado is the Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at the University. Originally from the island of Dominica, she has called Chattanooga home since 2011. With over two decades of experience in Higher Education, Rosite has held various roles in EEO compliance, diversity and inclusion, human resources, business affairs, and student affairs. In her current position, she serves as the campus ADA Coordinator and provides broad oversight for various EEO compliance functions.

Rosite holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Spanish, an MBA, an MS in Educational Psychology, and she is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

In addition to her campus duties, Rosite serves on the boards of La Paz Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, the Enterprise South Council of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, and is a long-standing member of the National Planning Committee of the Faculty Women of Color Conference based at Virginia Tech. A recent graduate of the Leadership Chattanooga Class of 2024, she is deeply committed to community service and civic engagement. Rosite and her husband co-own a local Smoothie King franchise, and together with their two sons, they enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures.

Carol Berz | Chairwoman, City Councilwoman

Dr. Berz is renowned for her extensive expertise in solution-oriented, collaborative problem-solving and program design across both public and private sectors. For over 25 years, she has served as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Listed General Civil and Family mediator and trainer, particularly recognized for her authority addressing complex issues of the special circumstance of domestic violence. As the owner and CEO of Private Dispute Resolution Services, LLC in Chattanooga, Tennessee, she leads its mediation services and training programs. Carol also holds a prominent role as a Councilwoman for the City of Chattanooga, where she currently chairs the Budget and Finance Committee.

Her professional pursuits span practice and teaching in mediation, law, ethics, and employment and labor/management conflicts, focusing on corporate conflict cost analysis. Previously, she served as Director of Forensic Services and Executive Director at Joseph W. Johnson Mental Health Center, and as a visiting professor at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, teaching social policy, law, and ethics.

Carol's contributions to mediation are extensive; she chaired the Curriculum and Continuing Education Committee of the Mediation Association of Tennessee and led the mediation component of the Hamilton County Courts' Pilot Project which led to the creation of Tennessee's Parenting Plan law. She also played a pivotal role as Commissioner with the Chattanooga Human Rights/Human Relations Commission, addressing employment and civil rights matters and becoming its first Chairwoman.

Beyond her professional achievements, Carol is a graduate of Leadership America in Washington, D.C., and has held leadership roles including President of the Board of Directors of the Moccasin Bend Girl Scout Council. She has served on the Tennessee Advisory Commission to the US Civil Rights Commission and chaired the Tennessee Economic Council on Women, focusing on the economic impact of the issues that hold women back from living their best lives.

Recognized for her community leadership, Carol chaired the Board of Managers of the Hamilton Family YMCA and served on the Board of the Chattanooga Metro YMCA. Her accolades include the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Athena Award, Chief John Ross Chapter NSDAR, Outstanding Woman in American History, and recognition by the City of Chattanooga for advancing equality of opportunity. Currently, she chairs the Mayor's Council for Women and the Advisory Board to the Family Justice Center.

Dr. Berz holds a PhD in Social Policy from the University of Tennessee, a JD from the Nashville School of Law, an MA in Administration from the University of Tennessee, and a BA in Human Services Management from the University of Tennessee. She has pursued additional studies at Emory University, Bryn Mawr College, the Deming Institute, and Harvard University. Furthermore, she holds certifications as an IFTA certified Personal Trainer, an AEA advanced trainer, and a YMCA certified instructor and trainer in aquatic sports training. Her professional memberships include the Association for Conflict Resolution, the ADR Section of the American Bar Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the Academy for Professional Family Mediators, and the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators.

Rosite Delgado | Executive Director of Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at UTC

Rosite Delgado serves as the Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is originally from the Caribbean island of Dominica and has called Chattanooga home since 2011. She has worked in Higher Education for the past 2 decades, serving in various roles in EEO compliance, diversity and inclusion, human resources, business affairs, and student affairs and development. In her current role, she serves as the campus ADA Coordinator, overseeing EEO compliance. Rosite holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Spanish, a master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management, a master’s of science degree in Educational Psychology, and she is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Beyond her service to the UTC campus, Rosite is a board member of La Paz of Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, and the Enterprise South Council of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, and a long-standing member of the National Planning Committee for the Faculty Women of Color in the Academy Conference based at Virginia Tech. A recent graduate of the Leadership Chattanooga class of 2024, Rosite has a passion for community service and civic engagement. She is a wife and mother of two boys, and enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures with her family.

Rosite Delgado is the Executive Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at the University. Originally from the island of Dominica, she has called Chattanooga home since 2011. With over two decades of experience in Higher Education, Rosite has held various roles in EEO compliance, diversity and inclusion, human resources, business affairs, and student affairs. In her current position, she serves as the campus ADA Coordinator and provides broad oversight for various EEO compliance functions.

Rosite holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business and Spanish, an MBA, an MS in Educational Psychology, and she is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

In addition to her campus duties, Rosite serves on the boards of La Paz Chattanooga, the Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, the Enterprise South Council of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, and is a long-standing member of the National Planning Committee of the Faculty Women of Color Conference based at Virginia Tech. A recent graduate of the Leadership Chattanooga Class of 2024, she is deeply committed to community service and civic engagement. Rosite and her husband co-own a local Smoothie King franchise, and together with their two sons, they enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures.

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