2nd Annual 25 Most Influential Women in Atlanta t to w

cecelia houston-torrence – a mighty heart

Community Involvement Officer, Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBA)

During
the 1996 Olympic Games, Cecelia Houston-Torrence of the Federal Home
Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBA), served as a protocol officer at Georgia
Tech’s boxing venue. She qualified for the position by performing more
than 300 hours of community service.

“When [FHLBA was] looking for someone to head up the volunteer
program, I was the person with the contacts and who had been doing it,”
she says.

Houston-Torrence is in her 10th year as community involvement
officer for FHLBA and finds opportunities for employees to volunteer,
giving them 24 hours of paid leave to do so.

“If you can find something you’re passionate about and get paid doing
it, you’ll be very happy and successful doing it,” opines
Houston-Torrence.

–adam jones

michele vallean – dressed to impress

Senior Buyer & Executive Staff, K&G Superstore

Shoppers across Atlanta depend on K&G Superstore for fine clothing
at a reasonable price. Michelle Vallean, senior buyer and member of
executive staff for the apparel retailer, helped steer the company’s
ladies division to unprecedented sales levels.

Vallean developed marketing and financial strategies for ladies shoes
and accessories, and has grown the women’s division to a total of 20
percent of the company’s overall revenue.

“K&G focuses on career consumers. They do huge business in the
men’s shoe arena as well as in the ladies ‘shoe arena, and the fact
that they do it at a very compelling price point helps them stand out
from the rest of the retail community,” explains Vallean. The company
plans to open additional stores in the spring of 2008.

–jason thompson

keshia walker – destined for success

President, Insights Marketing & Promotions Company

Keshia Walker has been primed for success since high school, when it
wasn’t unusual for her to work three jobs simultaneously. The young
go-getter has also worked with top-notch companies like Coca-Cola and
Procter & Gamble. So, when she decided to start her own company,
putting in the hard work to make it a success was second nature. Now
Walker is the president of Insights, a marketing company that
specializes in promoting sports and corporate events.

“I hope I am a role model for young women of color,” says
Walker. “Because this business is hard-core, some people perceive that
negatively. Whenever young women e-mail or call me, I definitely try to
offer advice, support and recommendations for what direction they
should go in as far as achieving their goals.” –adrienne gadling

Bernie Lawrence-Watkins – success in independence

Founder & Attorney, B. Lawrence Watkins & Associates

“Entrepreneurship
is something I’ve always had an interest in,” says proud wife and
mother of two, Bernie Lawrence-Watkins. “I never had the desire to work
for a large law firm and become a partner because I knew that I could
make things work for myself on my own.”

Lawrence-Watkins, a Howard University graduate, established the firm B.
Lawrence Watkins & Associates four years ago. Specializing in
entertainment law, her client list includes two of the industry’s
biggest hit makers, Ra Amen-Ra and Mr. Bangladesh.

The 2006 MAAD Atlanta Community Champion award winner advocates
snubbing failure, focusing on overcoming obstacles, and helping other
women do the same.
–gavin p. godfrey

jaquitta williams –
a source of information … and inspiration

Anchor, WSB-TV

JaQuitta Williams brings metropolitan Atlanta’s residents the news that
affects them, with passion, sincerity and credibility. The Augusta
native served as an anchor in several major news markets before coming
to WSB-TV/Channel 2 in 2004.

“The most gratifying [aspect] is being able to tell stories that I feel
are effecting change — informing viewers [and] educating viewers,” says
Williams.

Williams took the opportunity to expand that commitment when she
decided to share her breast cancer ordeal publicly. “Women [need] to
realize the importance of breast self-examination … just because you
don’t have a family history doesn’t mean it [can’t happen] to you. I
feel like this is helping the most people, which is why I got into
journalism in the first place.”

–todd williams