On April 30, 2026, the President’s Advisory Committee met to discuss the 2026 theme and goals, three questions, and involvement with upcoming events.

Attendees included:

• EWTG Representatives:
  • Coleen Hall, EWTG President, Retired from Texas Health & Human Services Commission
  • Terri Peirce, EWTG President-Elect, Texas Department of Information Resources
  • Alida Bennett, EWTG Conference Director, Texas Health & Human Services Commission
  • Tricia Schulze, EWTG Operations Director, Texas Department of Insurance
  • Monica Dirba, EWTG Engagement Director, Texas Department of Information Resources
• President’s Advisory Committee Members:
  • Pamela Foster Brady, Director, Executive Education, UT Austin, LBJ School of Public Affairs, Governor’s Center for Management Development
  • Susan Biles, Principal Deputy Inspector General, Texas Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General
  • Lisa Craven, Deputy Comptroller and Chief of Staff, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
  • Brian Francis, Retired from Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation
  • Genesis Gavino, Chief of Staff, Austin City Manager’s Office
  • Debra Knight, Texas State Fire Marshal, Department of Insurance
  • Theresa McShan, Mayor, City of Elgin
  • Heidi Murray, Chief Operating Officer, Leadership Women
  • Stephanie Muth, Executive Commissioner, Texas Health & Human Services Commission
  • Paloma Villareyes Perez, Director of Public Relations, America’s Credit Unions

Coleen welcomed everyone and expressed gratitude to the committee members for their participation and commitment to EWTG. She explained that the purpose of this committee is to act as a sounding board, share professional development topics of interest important to their organizations, and provide input on past organizational activities that may have a bearing on current or future actions. The EWTG representatives and committee members provided short introductions.

Coleen discussed the 2026 theme: Embrace Your Power! This theme builds on the momentum of last year’s theme, Unite, Empower, Elevate, and was inspired by the closing panel she moderated at last year’s Annual Conference, titled “Powerhouse Leadership: Unite, Empower, and Elevate to New Heights.” The panel included Lisa Craven, Heidi Murray, Steve Pier, Dr. Jennifer Shuford, and Jennifer Sims. After listening to these five phenomenal leaders share their experiences, one thing became clear: real leadership starts with recognizing your own power and choosing to own it. Read more here: https://ewtg.org/2026/03/27/ewtg-star-march-2026/#presidents_corner.

Coleen also discussed how the theme aligns with the priorities and goals she set for her two-year term as President. Her primary focus is to modernize our organization, strengthen partnerships, increase membership, expand outreach to affiliate chapters, and enhance member engagement. Coleen discussed the progress made during her first year term, including the launch of the new EWTG website and redesigned logo; adding more city/county employees and private partnerships to membership; adding a new student membership category for those interested in public service; establishing new regional affiliates in East, South, and North; and creating an Engagement Committee led by an EWTG Director dedicated to enhancing member engagement. One of her top priorities is to foster stronger connections among our members, partners, and communities. This committee’s input and participation are vital to our success. Together, we can identify opportunities, address challenges, and celebrate achievements to make our vision a reality. Read more here: https://ewtg.org/2026/01/29/ewtg-star-january-2026/#section1.

Terri then led the committee in a discussion focused on three questions to help determine the best ways to collaborate with the organizations to build a stronger, more vibrant EWTG, and how EWTG can help their organizations grow and succeed. The committee reviewed the 2025 notes as a starting point to determine whether anything needed to be added, removed, or changed. Coleen noted that these topics will help inform future EWTG programs and presentations. Below is a summary of the questions and responses.

What topics/issues are important to develop women leaders?

• Communication – public speaking, strategic communications, Toastmasters
• Delegating and managing
• Networking
• Finding your voice and style
• Managing up and across
• Mentoring next generation of leaders
• Change management
• Resiliency, confidence-building
• Encouraging/supporting other women leaders
• Building executive presence
• Teach-back techniques*

*Brian suggested adding a focus on how participants can take information back to their teams.

What skills are needed for today’s leaders?

• Emotional intelligence
• Communication: written and verbal
• Distilling information (info overload)
• Explaining complex information in simple terms
• Negotiation skills
• Influence abilities
• Crisis management
• How to have difficult conversations
• How to build teams with intention
• Artificial intelligence
• Balance (work-life integration, rather than balance)
• Self-care
• Executive coaching
• Technical/hard skills*
  • Process improvement & methodologies
  • Project management
  • Leadership learning journals

*Terri and the committee discussed the balance between soft skills and hard skills. Lisa emphasized the importance of soft skills for leadership development. Alida suggested adding process improvement and methodologies. Pamela suggested adding project management and leadership learning journals.

What events or conferences are you sending your leaders to?

• EWTG Annual Conference
• Leadership Women
• Texas Conference for Women
• Governor’s Center for Management Development
• Texas Women’s Leadership Conference*
• Leadership Academies
  • Internal: agency-specific; incorporate leadership values into agency culture
  • External: working with universities or professional organizations/trainers
• National Conference of State Legislators

*Pamela suggested adding the Texas Women’s Leadership Conference.

Coleen closed the meeting with a discussion about the committee’s involvement with the EWTG-Leadership Women joint event on May 16, the EWTG Annual Conference on November 8-9, and the EWTG Holiday Luncheon (date to be determined). Volunteers are needed to facilitate tables during the Sunday luncheon at the EWTG conference and the Holiday Luncheon in December. EWTG also plans to hold another panel discussion with leaders to close out the conference and requests volunteers to serve on the panel.

Next Steps: 

• EWTG Conference Committee to continue brainstorming ideas for the conference luncheon and plan the closing panel.
• EWTG Engagement Committee to continue brainstorming ideas for holiday luncheon and determine date/location.
• EWTG representatives and the President’s Advisory Committee will finalize details for the Conference and Holiday Luncheons during the next meeting in September.
• The President’s Advisory Committee is to send volunteer names (including delegates) to Coleen for table facilitation, panels, or any other EWTG activities.