Conyers-Rockdale Chamber announces Jean Yontz as Woman of the Year at we3 Women’s Conference

Jean Yontz was announced as the Woman of the Year at the first annual we³ Women’s Conference, presented by the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce.

Yontz, executive director of Phoenix Pass, a nonprofit for transitional housing for women and children, was presented the award on Oct. 20. She was recognized as a woman who has distinguished herself, her profession, and her commitment to uplifting women in the Conyers-Rockdale community. Other finalists were Robin Chance, branch manager for Georgia United Credit Union, and Vickie Stevenson, executive director of Project Renewal Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Inc.

Over 250 women attended the conference, which was held at Discovery Point Church in Conyers. The goal was to engage, empower, and educate. The attendees had the opportunity to connect with businesses and women leaders in the community during the full-day event.

“The community response was amazing, and the room was packed as women from Rockdale county and the surrounding areas came together to celebrate each other,” said Cheryl Young, who oversees membership with the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees experienced the empowering messages of women leaders in the community.  Dr. Andrea Bowens-Jones was the keynote speaker. As President/CEO of IDG Vision, LLC and Certified John Maxwell Coach, Speaker and Trainer, Bowens-Jones leveraged her experiences together with Maxwell’s proven leadership teachings to inspire, develop, and grow her audience.

The conference also included a breakout session with a diverse panel of successful, local business women including Yontz; Dee Barnes; Jenae Duncan; and Katrina Young. Barnes is Chief Executive Officer and President at Evans Tool & Die, Inc., and the driving force behind their commitment to “Made in America” manufacturing and high caliber customer service. She is also the current Chair at the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce.  Yontz served on the original founding committee of Phoenix Pass and was previously the Executive Director of the Rockdale Medical Center Foundation. Duncan is an entrepreneur and owner of Jenae’s Dance Experience. Also on the panel was Katrina Young, who serves on the RCPS Board of Education.

“The line-up of women leaders in the community who presented at the we³ Women’s Conference were committed to helping others succeed,” said Cheryl Young. “We were excited to have these powerful women leaders together to engage, empower and educate.”

The Conyers-Rockdale Chamber  thanks its sponsors for making the conference possible.  Engaging sponsors were Alcovy Media, AT&T, Awake Coffee Community, Covington Family Chiropractic, Greystone OB/GYN, Nana’s Chicken & Waffles and Peachtree Academy Private School. Educating sponsors were Premier Medical Careers and IDG Vision Consulting and Training. Empowering sponsors were For Wineauxs Only, Georgia Connector Magazine, Legal Shield, Raymond Engineering-Georgia, Inc., Sheridan & Associates, and South River Gun Club. Friend Sponsors were Corner Market, Hedrick & Dodson Family Dentistry, MyLifeStyle Smoothie, People’s Bank and Thacker Chiropractic.  The Woman of the Year sponsor was Southern Distinction Magazine. In addition, the swag bag sponsors were THP Creative Group and TjStudio. Special thanks to exhibitors and Discover Point Church; Plain Nuts Catering; Awake Coffee Community; Susan Creek Balloons; Jill Barrett – Key Impact Sales and Systems; ABC Awards; Dairy Queen; Peek-A-Booth; 4D Printing, Inc.; Conyers Flower Shop; Seven Gables Restaurant; Darby Johns Designs; and others who contributed to the door prizes for the conference.

For more information about the Conyers-Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, and to learn about future Chamber events, visit www.conyers-rockdale.com or call 770.483.7049.