IWProgram2020

2020 Inspiring Women





Virtual Luncheon









































































“Leading Through Change”

Title Sponsor





Event Sponsors

























































Dr. Barbara Eason-

Moderator: Angie Nelson Deuitch



Panelists




Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, MCAS




Brenda Temple, Blue Chip Casino




Jill Nygren, Franciscan Health Michigan City


Kris Pate, United Way La Porte County

Angie Nelson Deuitch





Angie works for NiSource and is the Manager of Operator Qualifications across six states.
Angie also launched her own consulting firm, I & D Squared Consulting, LLC. in 2017
focused on improving diversity and inclusion in the region. Her goal is to work with local

non-profits and businesses on improving relationships and services to diverse customers,
attracting and retaining top talent, and building an inclusive leadership culture. She is a
certified facilitator with the Cultural Intelligence Center and is currently working on gaining
her Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) designation.



She is also very active with several non-for-profit organizations. Her passion is geared
towards youth leadership and education. She is on the board of directors of the Unity
Foundation of LaPorte County, LaPorte County Career and Tech Center Advisory Board
and United Way of LaPorte County where she serves as Chair of the Board of Directors.


Angie has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the FAMU / FSU College
of Engineering. She also has a Masters of Public Affairs (Public Administration) from

Indiana University.

Angie is a member of several women’s civic organizations that include: The Drifters,
Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. She

currently serves as President of the Greater Michigan City Chapter of the Drifters,
Incorporated and is Parliamentarian for the National Board of Directors for Drifters,

Incorporated. All of these organizations focus on scholarship and mentoring programs.

Angie has received several accolades and was selected as the Humanitarian of the Year
in 2018 from the Michigan City Human Rights Commission. She was named the United

Way Volunteer of the year for 2017. In 2014 she was named Influential Women of
Northwest Indiana’s “Up and Coming” Business Women of the year. In the same year, she
won South Shore Leadership’s “Leaders as Heroes” award. Angie also received the

Lester Radtke Community Service Award in 2013. She also received the Community
Service award from Leadership LaPorte County in 2016.

Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins


Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins became Superintendent of the Michigan City Area Schools on
July 1, 2010.

Her top priorities as MCAS Superintendent have centered on strengthening the instructional
core, expanding college and career preparation opportunities, and making Michigan City a
system of choice through increased options for families and students. She led efforts to
establish elementary magnet schools in the Arts (at Pine Elementary) and in Science,

Technology, Engineering and Math (at Lake Hills Elementary). She has also focused on
creating programs for gifted and talented students, expanding dual credit and

Advanced Placement opportunities for high school students, and establishing themes at
middle schools in STEM and Environmental Science. Two of the district’s schools (Lake Hills
Elementary and Barker Middle School) are Indiana-certified STEM schools.

Dr. Eason-Watkins is committed to working collaboratively with partners in higher education,
business, and industry to realign programs and curricula to support students and to meet
workforce needs. Among the initiatives she has launched for Michigan City Area Schools are
an Early College Program, the Compressed Air Academy, and a comprehensive K-12 “one-

to-one” technology program that provides Chromebooks for all students. Under her
leadership, the district has received several awards, including Advanced Placement (AP-TIP
IN) School of the Year and an Indiana Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence

honoring the district’s innovative solar installations.

Previously, Dr. Eason-Watkins was Chief Education Officer of the Chicago Public Schools.

She was appointed to this post in 2001 by then Chief Executive Officer Arne Duncan, who
later served as U.S. Secretary of Education. As the lead curriculum and instruction strategist
for the nation’s third-largest school district, Dr. Eason-Watkins led efforts to reform policies
and institute key instructional initiatives.


Prior to her appointment as CPS Chief Education Officer, Dr. Eason-Watkins was a nationally
recognized school principal from the Chicago Woodlawn community. Her vast experience in
education includes teaching in Highland Park, Michigan, near her hometown of Detroit. She

has spent her entire professional career working with schools, students, teachers, parents,
and community members to improve the quality of public education.


Dr. Eason-Watkins received a Bachelor’s Degree with honors in Elementary Education from
the University of Michigan, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision
from Chicago State University, and a Doctorate in Education, with a specialty in Curriculum

and Instruction, from Loyola University Chicago. She has received numerous awards for her
continued commitment to education.

Brenda Temple is Vice-President and General Manager of

Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa a Boyd Gaming property
in Michigan City, Indiana. Brenda is a 27-year veteran of
the casino industry and has the distinction of being the

only female Casino General Manager in the State of
Indiana. Her career with Boyd Gaming spans nearly 15
years and began in Mississippi where she was Director of

Finance at Sam’s Town Tunica. She also served as Director
of Finance at Blue Chip for 5 years followed by roles of
increasing responsibility in casino operations at the Gold

Coast and Cannery in Las Vegas.



Brenda Temple





Jill Nygren is the Vice President of Clinical Support Services
at Franciscan Health Michigan City. Jill started her career

with Franciscan in 1990 as a registered nurse on the
cardiac step down unit. A year later she became the case
manager for the ICU and then on to the role of Director of

Case Management until her current position which began
in 2012. Jill’s main goal is to ensure a patient centered
environment with excellent patient outcomes focusing on
quality and safety. Jill played a key role in facilitating the

Implementation of Franciscan Health Michigan City’s
Disaster Plan in a multi-disciplinary approach in response







Jill Nygren






Born and raised in LaPorte, Indiana, Kris Pate is currently
the Executive Director of the United Way of LaPorte

County. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in
Sociology from Purdue University and her MBA from
Chatham University in Pittsburgh. Before coming to United

Way, Kris worked in a variety of fields including: mental
health, social and employment skill building for persons
with disabilities, adult and juvenile criminal justice,

educational supports, family supports, child forensic
interviewing, mentoring, and in-home Medicaid waiver
programs for the disabled and elderly.



Kris Pate

























307 Lighthouse Place, Michigan City































A networking event with members of the

Michigan City Chamber of Commerce!



1st Tuesday of Every Month


8:00 – 9:00 AM



























200 E. Michigan Blvd. • Michigan City, IN 46360
Phone 219-874-6221 • Fax 219-873-1204 • [email protected]
MichiganCityChamber.com