Shield Bearer Associate Director Melissa Rotholz was recently selected as the 2018 Woman of Excellence by the Women Empowering Women Express Network

Shield Bearer Associate Director Melissa Rotholz was recently selected as the 2018 Woman of Excellence by the Women Empowering Women Express Network (WEWEN) of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA) and honored at the Federation of Professional Women (FHPW) Awards Gala.

The mission of ABWA is to bring together businesswomen of diverse occupations and to provide opportunities for them to help themselves and others grow personally and professionally through leadership, education, networking support, and national recognition. Melissa is a founding member of ABWA – WEWEN, has served as VP of Communications, President-elect, and is currently President of the organization.

The Woman of Excellence Award highlights women that have demonstrated outstanding leadership and mentorship within their member organization, their professions, and the community.  The mission of FHPW is to unite member organizations to enrich personal and professional relationships and expand leadership, partnership, and educational opportunities. The FHPW Educational Foundation awards scholarships to aid and advance the education and knowledge of women in the community.

As Associate Director of Shield Bearer, a local non-profit organization dedicated to hope and healing for survivors of human trafficking, crime, and abuse, veterans and active military families, struggling marriages, and many other hurting hearts, Melissa oversees community engagement including marketing, public relations, volunteering, and events.  She has over seventeen years of experience leading teams dedicated to elevating individual and organizational performance in the public, private, and charitable sectors. Melissa feels specifically called to empower families with education and resources and is passionate about speaking out for those that have experienced traumatic events and are unable to afford services and programs. She has pioneered a Mother Daughter Strong program that focuses on building strength physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, created a Mentor Program for homeless women and community volunteers, and implemented fundraising initiatives resulting in increased donor participation year over year.

Melissa also currently serves as a mentor for sister ABWA league Cy-Fair Express Network, an Ambassador for the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce, on the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce Gala Fundraising Committee, on the Cypress Gems Chapter of the National Charity League Senior Recognition Committee, and volunteers regularly with multiple local nonprofits.  She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Texas State University and a Master of Science in Organizational and Human Resource Development from Abilene Christian University. Her most treasured roles are wife of twenty-four years and mom to two teenagers.

Shield Bearer Executive Director Roy Wooten stated, “We are very proud of this great talent God has brought to Shield Bearer, and that such a prestigious women’s leadership group has recognized Melissa in this incredible way.”

For more information about WEWEN or ABWA, visit wewen.org. For more information about FHPW, visit fhpw.org