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08.05.2009 Charlotte entrepreneur selected to lead American Red Cross network of women donors
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Elaine Lyerly of Charlotte and Julia Bianchi of Coral Gables, Fla., have been selected as the new national co-chairs of the American Red Cross Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders—a network of women who donate $10,000 annually to support local Red Cross chapters in their communities around the country.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to announce the appointment of two dynamic and inspiring volunteers, Elaine Lyerly and Julia Bianchi, as National Co-Chairs of the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders,” declared Melanie Sabelhaus, founding chair of the Tiffany Circle and an American Red Cross National Board of Governor Member. “These women have continually invested their talents, time and charity to the Tiffany Circle and have demonstrated an unbreakable commitment to their community and local Red Cross chapter. Our sisterhood warmly welcomes Elaine and Julia as National Council Co-Chairs and we know their leadership skills and generosity will ensure that local chapters can continue to provide critical services in times of need.”
Deeply committed to civic involvement, Lyerly has actively served and participated in various leadership roles and has been recognized by numerous organizations.
She currently serves as co-chair of the local Red Cross Tiffany Circle in Charlotte and serves on the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the American Red Cross Board of Directors.
“Elaine has always been deeply committed to the work the Red Cross does here in Charlotte, and we are extremely fortunate to have her as a volunteer,” said Pamela Jefsen, CEO of the Greater Carolinas Chapter.
As President and CEO of Lyerly Agency, an advertising and corporate communications agency, Lyerly has advised numerous companies and executives in all aspects of communications, marketing and advertising. Her firm has been recognized by industry peers and honored as a winner in the “Best Places to Work” competition by the Charlotte Business Journal. She has received:
• Charlotte Business Journal’s Women in Achievement Award
• The Schley Lyons Circle of Excellence
• Leadership Charlotte Award
• NAWBO’s Woman Business Owner of the Year Award; and
• the Carolina Gives Award.
Lyerly is also a former National Red Cross Board of Governor and currently a First Trust Bank Founding Member Board of Director and Women’s Impact Fund Founding Member and incoming chair of their Board of Directors. This fall, Lyerly will be honored as “Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser” at the National Philanthropy Day Luncheon sponsored by the Charlotte Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
As co-chairs of the National Council, the governing body of the Tiffany Circle, Lyerly and Bianchi will lead a group of 16 volunteers and four chapter representatives from across the country that have overall responsibility for the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders program. The co-chairs serve two-year terms and will focus on recruiting new members, training chapters and staff for the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders program. The women will also help plan Tiffany Circle’s annual summit in our nation’s capital, coordinate an annual Tiffany Circle Day of Service, and represent Tiffany Circle at speaking engagements throughout the country.