Weekly Lunch Panel: Women Leading the Way

In honor of International Women’s Month, we look forward to an engaging panel featuring dynamic women leaders who are driving transformation in their professions and communities. Through powerful stories and insights, they will explore how leading by example creates the lasting change that’s part of Rotary’s mission of service above self.

Cris Daskevich

CEO, Christus Children’s and Senior Vice President of Maternal Services for Christus Health

Cris Daskevich serves as Chief Executive Officer of CHRISTUS CHILDREN’S and Senior Vice President of maternal services for CHRISTUS Health. Prior, she served at Texas Children’s Hospital for over 21 years, departing as a Senior Vice President with executive responsibility for multiple operational entities including Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, Texas Children’s Women’s Specialists, Government Relations, and Texas Children’s Global Health.

Recently named President of Texas Hospital Association, Cris is among the preeminent leaders in healthcare services in the state and is a champion of healthcare access. She has received numerous honors, including the American Hospital Association’s Grassroots Champion Award, the Women’s Leadership Award from San Antonio Business Journal, and the Greater Houston Chamber’s Courage in Leadership Award. A graduate of TCU and MBA/MHA graduate from the University of Houston-Clear Lake, Cris serves on the board of directors for Haven for Hope and the Christus Santa Rosa Board.

Jamie Kowalski

Vice President-Corporate Relations, RK Group

Jamie Kowalski serves as The RK Group’s Vice President of Corporate Relations, where she spearheads its corporate philanthropy initiatives through RK Cares. Additionally, she works to support public affairs and corporate communications while driving business development through brand awareness and media relations. Kowalski holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Before joining The RK Group, she had a career in education. She brings both experiences to all the endeavors she supports.

Currently, she is the tri-chair appointee for the City of San Antonio’s upcoming 2022 Bond Program. She serves on the following boards: Mays Cancer Center, San Antonio Public Library Foundation, Social Venture Partner, Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy, and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. She’s also on the advisory committee for UTSA Libraries, JBSA Alliance, DoSeum, Greater:SATX and the San Antonio Regional Education Forum.

Jennifer Shemwell

CEO, Phyllis Browning Company

Jennifer Browning Shemwell, CEO of Phyllis Browning Company is one of the most respected names in Texas real estate. Following closely in the footsteps of her mother, Phyllis Browning, Shemwell is a luxury real estate agent and community leader who is known for selling some of the city's most elite addresses and coaching and mentoring the top agents in the state. The innovative thinking, solution-driven negotiating, and strategic marketing tactics that Shemwell employs ensure clients receive the very best deal in the shortest amount of time. Phyllis Browning Company clients call her to find that dream home that is not yet on the market. Shemwell is a graduate of Yale University, and the President's Program in Leadership at Harvard Business School. She has been honored with the 2018 Realtor Broker of the Year award from the San Antonio Board of Realtors, the 2018 C-Suite Award and the 2019 Women's Leadership Award from the San Antonio Business Journal. Phyllis Browning Company was also named Business of the Year Finalist in 2021 by the San Antonio.

Grace Uwizeye-Allen

Founder and CEO, Graceful Etiquette

Grace Uwizeye-Allen is a dual-Certified Corporate and Children’s Etiquette Consultant and is the Founder/CEO of Graceful Etiquette®. She is a graduate of the American School of Protocol and holds a management degree from Purdue University. Grace served in the U.S. Air Force for 12 years and now uses her experiences in the military and academia to provide training to individuals and organizations seeking to optimize their best presence.

Grace prioritizes giving back to the community through her involvement in United Way of San Antonio, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the World Affairs Council, and the Military Civilian Charitable Foundation. She is a member of Leadership San Antonio Class 50 and has been recognized for her role as a Servant Leader by Junior League of San Antonio, the Mirror Image Award from the United States Air Force.