BIRMINGHAM — Huntsville women professionals have the “momentum!”
With the first class of 16 cohorts graduating from the Huntsville Momentum Leaders program, the Alabama women’s leadership organization has selected Amy Gandy as program manager for Northern Alabama.
Gandy, the director of business operations at the Church Street Family restaurant group, brings a wealth of community involvement and leadership experience to the position.
“Excited doesn’t begin to describe how we feel about Amy joining our team,” said Momentum CEO April Benetollo. “Amy’s deep community connections, past leadership experience, and passion for our mission will bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a steadfast commitment to increasing the leadership capacity of women in North Alabama.”
Gandy was program director, flagship for Leadership Greater Huntsville; past board president of the Junior League of Huntsville; and a development associate for the National Children’s Advocacy Center.
“I am honored to join Momentum Leaders,” she said. “Having worked in a program capacity at Leadership Greater Huntsville and as past board president of the Junior League, I can already see the program differentiation and how valuable Momentum will be as a complement to other leadership development and networking opportunities in our community.”
Gandy will lead efforts with community leaders to identify candidates for a nine-month executive leadership program and mentor-matching program. The goal is to make these programs a fulfilling experience for program participants.
She will also play a crucial role in expanding Momentum Leaders’ programs and services in Northern Alabama over the next several years.
Founded in Birmingham in 2002 to advance women in leadership across the state, Benetollo said there are several well-established leadership programs in Huntsville such as Leadership Greater Huntsville and the Catalyst women’s support network.
“Momentum Leaders’ community leadership programs are more about personal and professional growth as a woman, even at the highest levels of corporate power,” Benetollo said. “Momentum cohort members learn a lot from each other and about their roles as citizens of their city.”
Momentum hosts three nine-month executive leadership programs in Birmingham and Huntsville. One is exclusively for UAB Medicine.
The organization also operates two cohorts of its Upward early-career program, a free mentor matching service and monthly webinars open to anyone in the Huntsville/Madison County communities to attend.
Momentum Leaders is specifically looking to grow their participation in Huntsville and the surrounding area.
On March 21, 2024, Momentum will host its biennial statewide leadership conference for 1,500 attendees in Birmingham with plans to offer workshops and events in Huntsville/Madison County.
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