Princess Katherine of Serbia

Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Katherine was born in Athens, Greece 13 November 1943.  She is the daughter of Robert and Anna Batis. Princess Katherine was educated in Athens and Lausanne Switzerland. Crown Princess Katherine studied business at the University of Denver, Colorado, and the University of Dallas, Texas. Princess Katherine was in business for a few years in the United States. In 2007 Princess Katherine received an honorary degree in Doctor of Letters from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom. Princess Katherine’s charitable activities have been numerous, especially since the conflict in the former Yugoslavia. Her Royal Highness has brought much needed relief especially to children, the elderly and all those in need regardless of religion or ethnic origin. Princess Katherine is the Patron of several humanitarian organizations including Lifeline Humanitarian Organization. At the beginning of August 2001 The Foundation of Her Royal Highnesses Crown Princess Katherine was established in Belgrade with the aim to continue and increase humanitarian activities.

PANEL DISCUSSION:  Women Creating Change

Lorene Burkhart

At the age of 75, Lorene McCormick Burkhart continues to challenge the status quo. Ignoring “old age-isms,” she forges ahead with her career of being an author, which originated at age 70 when she decided she probably had 20 good years remaining (so what was she to do?). She founded The Burkhart network. As an entrepreneur and philanthropist Lorene combines past business experience as a journalist and public relations representative with her personal life experiences to create books and products that have positive moral stories, as well as educational and inspirational themes. A portion of profits from each company’s books or products benefits a community non-profit or related cause.

Winnie Ballard, First Lady of Indianapolis, IN

Winnie Ballard has been working hard to improve financial literacy in our city by making sure   families have access to the tools and resources they need to be more financially fit. With 8 years of banking experience and operating a bookkeeping business she understands the importance of financial literacy.In October 2008, the city along with the members of Indianapolis Asset Building Coalition launched Indy’s Campaign For Financial Fitness.Mrs. Ballard keeps herself busy with her financial fitness initiative and actively supports other causes including arthritis awareness, minority and women-owned business and diversity initiatives within our city.

Diane Thomas, CEO, Indianapolis International Center

Diane's leadership experience is complimented by a broad international background. Fluent in French and Spanish, she was born to French and American parents and lived in Libya, Germany, France and the United States in her youth. As an adult, Thomas worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with petroleum industry leaders to strategize and craft public affairs issues.From 1996 to 2003, Thomas served as Vice-President, External Affairs for Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPI), the largest Planned Parenthood affiliate in the United States. As a member of the PPI management team, Thomas’s accomplishments included doubling private funding in a three-year period, partnering with the Latina Task Force to promote outreach initiatives and securing capital for the International Family Planning Assistance project in El Peten, Guatemala.

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