BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Introducing our Board of Directors – a group of passionate individuals who generously give their time and expertise to empower women to thrive. Their enthusiasm for the Women’s Opportunity Center aligns perfectly with our mission of helping women overcome obstacles and shedding light on the complex barriers they face due to factors like gender, race, class, and sexuality. Let's break down these barriers and strive for true equality together!

Sarah Johnson, Chair

Over the course of a long and varied work life, Sarah was a book buyer for an independent bookstore, a traveling sales representative for several publishers, and assistant director of an information systems department at a New York City nonprofit.

While living in NYC, she completed her undergraduate work in English Literature and in 1990 moved to Ithaca to pursue graduate studies in human development.  Post graduate school, Sarah managed an infant research lab, provided technical support to users of a national database on child abuse and neglect and was active in employee affairs.  At a community college, she worked with nontraditional students enrolled in programs typically dominated by the opposite gender.

She retired after serving for more than eight years as Operations Director at the Women’s Community Building in downtown Ithaca.  In retirement, she has been an active community volunteer and continues to be interested in women’s welfare and education.  Her current philanthropic interests center around narrowing the growing gap between the rich and the poor.

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susan barnett, Treasurer

Susan Barnett is immediate past Chair of the Board of the Women's Opportunity Center, and current Treasurer.  She has been a board member since 2012. Born in England, she moved to the U.S. in 1985 and has lived in Ithaca since 1993.

She worked as a Management Consultant for McKinsey & Company and recently held a position as a Visiting Fellow at Cornell University. She has degrees from Cambridge (B.A., Psychology), Harvard (MBA), and Cornell (M.A. & Ph.D., Developmental Psychology). Susan also serves as the Treasurer for the Golden Opportunity Tutoring organization and is a member of the Village of Cayuga Heights Zoning Board of Appeals. She enjoys running, biking, playing soccer, and skiing in her free time.

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nancy oltz, Secretary

Nancy Oltz has been a WOC board member since 2013. She is a lifelong Ithacan and retired from Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit in 2017 as Manager of Operations, following a 40-year career in local transit.

She is active in the community beyond her work with the WOC, serving on the Gadabout board of directors for 35 years. Nancy is married with one daughter and two grandchildren. She enjoys the many community events that Ithaca has to offer, as well as spending time with her family and friends

Carla Baudrons

Carla Baudrons

This is Carla’s first time on a Board of Directors, and she couldn’t be more thrilled to participate. Her somewhat “unique” (for Ithaca) perspective as an “uneducated” woman, raised in poverty and cultural isolation in East Tennessee, has given her the opportunity to see the world and engage life experiences with curiosity and hopefulness.

She’s worked in the service industry, screen printing, graphic design, retail, fashion, construction, marketing, event coordinating, and more - currently holding the title of “Donor Relations & Marketing Coordinator” at the Cancer Resource Center of the Finger Lakes. When she’s not at work, Carla delights in spending time with friends, creating art, and playing “Dress-up.”

Tamer Elshourbagy

Tamer Elshourbagy is the Managing Director of Investments & Strategy for Market Street Trust Company. Tamer is responsible for managing, developing, and implementing investment strategies for families, individuals, and institutional investors with $2B in assets under management.

He has 25 years of investment experience in portfolio management and fundamental investment research. Prior to joining Market Street Trust Company, Tamer spent 5 years with Tompkins Financial Advisors as a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager. At TFA, he managed $4B in assets under management across a number of multi-asset investment strategies for high-net-worth clients and institutional investors. Before Tompkins Financial, he served as portfolio manager and head of research for John Ullman & Associates, overseeing $1 billion in assets under management. Additionally, he spent over 10 years with Brandywine Global Investment Management as an equity analyst for the firm’s large-cap value strategies and assets under management of $7 billion.

Janis Graham

Janis Graham graduated from Vassar College in 1978 with a B.A. in English. She has led a career as a women’s health journalist.

Starting out, she lived and worked in Manhattan as a writer for Self Magazine and freelance writing for notable publications such as the New York Times. After moving to Ithaca with her husband 30 years ago she began writing freelance—but continued her work debunking myths on women’s health. In her writing career, Janis has authored three books—Your Pregnancy Companion: Month-by-Month Guide to All You Need to Know Before, During, and After, Breastfeeding Secrets and Solutions, and The Athletic Woman's Sourcebook: How to Stay Healthy and Competitive in Any Sport. Since retiring as a journalist, she has continued her passion—writing about and advocating for women’s issues. Janis also enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren and hiking and running. Janis has been with WOC since 2023 as a part of the Strategic Planning team. She also serves on the Ithaca Health Alliance Board and is a member of the Dryden Zoning Board of Appeals.

Serena K. Jackson

Serena K. Jackson is a lifelong resident of Syracuse, NY. Serena received her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science/Kinesiology from Norfolk State University, and later received her Master of Science in Exercise Science/ Health Promotion from California University of Pennsylvania. Subsequently, she earned her certification as a Kinesiotherapist.

 Serena has spent the majority of her professional life working for those who cannot advocate for themselves by working over 15 years. in the Human Service field, specifically with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, holding various roles. Serena later entered the Human Service field working with the Aging population and helping to combat isolation and loneliness.

Outside of her professional duties, Serena is a mom of one daughter, and active in the community, especially within her church community.

Jirah Johnson

Jirah is a first time board member, looking to learn, share knowledge, and be a part of a mission that advances the quality of life of women across the lifespan through a holistic, trauma informed, and equitable lens. Born and raised in Syracuse, Jirah received her undergraduate degree and is currently pursuing a Masters in Social Work from Syracuse University.

Professionally, Jirah has over 10 years of experience in human services, providing case management, counseling, and trauma-informed support for individuals and families experiencing poverty, homelessness, mental health issues, substance use disorders, and justice system involvement. She is currently the Associate Director of Program Operations for a local community-based justice organization. Jirah is a self-confessed “foodie” who loves trying new restaurants and recipes. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, creative writing, and watching documentaries of all kinds.

Naya Sou

Naya is a financial advisor. She desires to spread knowledge of how to use money as a tool to empower your life and serve others. This passion brought Naya to WOC in 2023. She is interested in helping women develop financial literacy and become confident in money management.

Beyond helping women get by, she wants to help her community members thrive. Her knowledge and experience are in both advising and education. Born and raised in Vietnam, she moved to New York City with her family in 1997. She received her B.S. in Geology from Rutgers University and a M.S. in Teaching from Pace University. After graduating, she taught in the Bronx at the high school level. There, she learned a great deal about serving disadvantaged communities.