Deborah Sawyer is the newly elected Board President of YWLCS. Ms. Sawyer is an environmental scientist, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), as well as Founder, President and CEO of Environmental Design International, Inc. Ms. Sawyer earned a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Emory University and went on to complete a Master's degree in Petroleum Microbiology from the University of New Mexico. Ms. Sawyer's background had prepared her well to start her own company. Nevertheless, as an African American woman in a male dominated field, she faced formidable obstacles in realizing her entrepreneurial dream. Ms. Sawyer has demonstrated that risk-taking, perseverance, philanthropy and business acumen combine to create a powerful leader. She received the U.S. SBA's Minority Small Business Person of the Year award at the district, regional and national levels in 1994. Well-known in the Chicago business community, Ms. Sawyer is regarded as a role model/mentor, especially by current and aspiring women business owners. She contributes substantial personal time and resources to serve on professional, entrepreneurial and charitable boards and organizations. Most recently, she was co-chair of the Women's Business Development Council's 20th Anniversary Entrepreneurial Conference. Her board service includes the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Bradley University College of Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology - Rice Campus Advisory Board and she was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley to the City of Chicago Lake Michigan Commission.

Other donors and volunteers to be profiled at a later date. Standard Donor/Volunteer Profile - to be created - will include information such as: Education, Career Path, Donor Since, Volunteer Since, Favorite Volunteer Assignment at YWLCS, Why She Gives Time and Money to YWLCS, etc.