WEEKEND EXPERTS | WOMEN WHO LEAD

Join Ann Thomas and Luanne Thomas Ewald for a spotlight show on women who are leading the way in business, civics, and humanity. Monthly shows offer insight on guest accomplishments, with background that is sure to inspire the rise of our next generation. Find their empowering stories here …

MEET THE 2023 “WOMEN WHO LEAD” HONOREES:

“Women Who Lead” honors female leaders from throughout the Great Lakes region who are influencing our communities in positive ways. Each year, we honor 12 of these amazing ladies at our Women Who Lead Honoree Ceremony. These women come from all backgrounds and fields … business leaders, small business owners, community organizers, civil servants, volunteers, and more. Each of these ladies offer an inspiring story of a women who is leaning in and pushing the world to new heights.

HONOREES PRESENTED BY GENERAL MOTORS:

Aug. 26, 2023 ~ General Motors Vice President of Global Hardware Systems and Integration Michelle Gardner has worked largely in engineering roles with the company for about 35 years. Having an interest early on in building and tinkering, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan, and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University.

Aug. 26, 2023 ~ Michigan-based, award-winning photojournalist Linda Solomon has spent years telling stories of iconic individuals through photos, including Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, and Richard Gere. In 2019, she released “The Queen Next Door: Aretha Franklin, An Intimate Portrait,” which looked at the life and career of one of Detroit‘s most iconic and beloved singers. In 2011, she was inducted into the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.

MEET MORE “WOMEN WHO LEAD” HONOREES>>>

WOMEN WHO LEAD FULL SHOW PODCASTS:

MEET THE HOSTS:

ANN THOMAS

Ann Thomas is the executive producer of “The Paul W. Smith Show,” heard weekdays from 5:30 to 9 a.m. on 760 WJR. She is also the executive producer for the radio station, overseeing the work of all 760 WJR producers. After graduating from Michigan State University in 1982, Ann began her career at 760 WJR as an intern, and has remained a part of the team ever since.

During her tenure at 760 WJR, Ann has received numerous awards. Honors from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters, United Press International, the Associated Press, and the Detroit Press Club all celebrate her work both on and off the air. She was recently inducted into the Michigan Business Women Hall of Fame, and is the 2014 recipient of the Michigan Business and Professional Association’s Women & Leadership in the Workplace Award. She has also been given the prestigious “Diamond” award from the Association for Women in Communications.

ANN THOMAS

Ann Thomas is the executive producer of “The Paul W. Smith Show,” heard weekdays from 5:30 to 9 a.m. on 760 WJR. She is also the executive producer for the radio station, overseeing the work of all 760 WJR producers. After graduating from Michigan State University in 1982, Ann began her career at 760 WJR as an intern, and has remained a part of the team ever since.

LUANNE THOMAS EWALD

Luanne Thomas Ewald, FACHE, serves as Chief Operating Officer of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Marquette University and a Masters in Hospital and Health Administration from Xavier University.

Previously, Ms. Thomas Ewald served as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Children’s Hospital of Michigan (CHM). Prior to her role as CEO, she was Regional Vice President of Business Development at the Detroit Medical Center (DMC) while simultaneously serving as Vice President of Business Development at CHM. She also held positions as DMC Corporate Vice President, Business Development and Marketing, Chief of Staff to the DMC President and CEO, Administrative Director at Hutzel Hospital for the Women’s Health Initiative, DMC Senior Planning and Marketing Analyst.

Ms. Thomas Ewald has won many awards over the past fifteen years. Most recently, in 2018, she was named as one of the Notable Women in Healthcare by Crain’s Detroit Business and one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s Women to Watch, and in 2019, she was awarded the Leadership Detroit Inspirational Leadership Award by the Detroit Regional Chamber.

LUANNE THOMAS EWALD

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