Women's Initiative Network

WIN'ing Conversations - Candid Conversation with President Malmquist: Unveiling Strength and Influence

The IAAO Women’s Initiative Task Force is setting up a series of interactive virtual presentations and the next "Women's Initiative Network (WIN): WIN'ing Conversations," is set for Tuesday, June 18 at Noon Central and will cover a Candid Conversation with President Malmquist: Unveiling Strength and Influence.

Chesney Leafblad, Chief Deputy Assessor for Warren Township will conduct a candid and lively interview with the current IAAO President Rebecca Malmquist, CAE. How does President Malmquist embrace authenticity as a leader and navigate the challenges of gender bias and inequality in the workplace? Is work-life balance attainable and what role has mentorship and networking played in her career development? All these questions and more will be answered in this one-hour interview with President Malmquist.

Register for June 18 Call       Sign Up for Future WIN Events

2024 Conference WIN Events

WIN Luncheon - Wednesday, Aug. 28 - 12:15 pm - $45

This year’s WIN speaker is Melody Taylor, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development  official and executive director of the Interagency Taskforce on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE). She serves FHEO in implementing programs and policies in all matters relating to fair housing, economic opportunity, civil rights, and nondiscrimination in the implementation of HUD programs. Tickets for the luncheon are $45 and can sign up as part of conference registration.

WIN Wine Mixer - Tuesday, Aug. 27 - 5:30-7:30 pm - $30

The Women's Initiative Network is sponsoring a meet and greet event at the Wright Room (535 16th St Mall #240). Tickets are $30 and includes light food and two drink tickets. The venue is less than than a five minute walk from the Colorado Convention Center. Sign up during conference registration.

Nine in 90

As part of celebrating IAAO’s 90th anniversary, the association is also recognizing the nine women who have served as president and IAAO is noting their service in a series of articles in F+E. IAAO has a long record of service and leadership by its IAAO female members, including the nine IAAO female presidents. At its founding in 1934, Matylda Zurowska Hudak was one of 12 founding members and served as secretary-treasurer.

In a 2018 article in F+E, it noted Matylda attended the 50th  anniversary meeting of IAAO at its 1984 conference in Hollywood,  Florida, as the last living signer of the original charter establishing IAAO. Coincidentally, that was the same year that Barbara G.  Brunner was serving as IAAO’s first female president.

“As the last living founder, I am especially pleased to see the number of successful women in the profession — and just think — this year the new president will be Barbara G. Brunner,” Hudak said in 1984.

IAAO’s nine in 90

1985 Barbara G. Brunner
1997 Carol N. Kuehn, FIAAO
2002 Deborah Z. King, CAE
2009 Josephine Lim, Ph.D., FIAAO
2012 Debra Asbury
2014 Kim Lauffer, RES, FIAAO
2018 Dorothy Jacks, AAS
2020 Amy Rasmussen, RES, AAS, FIAAO
2024 Rebecca Malmquist, CAE

Black History Month

In connection with IAAO celebrating it's 90th anniversary, the Women's Initiative Network is noting the accomplishments of African-American women in assessment history. 

In Texas, Nelda Wells Spears was appointed Travis County tax assessor‐collector Aug. 1, 1991, making her the first African‐American tax assessor-collector among the state's 254 counties. She was reelected five times before retiring in 2011.

In Tennessee, Vivian M. Wilhoite in 2016 became the first African American to hold the Office of Assessor of Property in the history of Davidson County, which includes Nashville.

In 2023, Joyce Morgan was the first African American Elected Duval County, Florida Property Appraiser and JoHelen Walker became the first African American Tax Assessor and Collector in the Oktibbeha (MS) County.

In Virginia, in 2023 Deidra Kelly, AAS, MBA of Arlington County became the first African American female president of the Virginia Association of Assessing Officers.

According to Wikipedia, in 2008, George Mason University in Virginia declared Wentworth Cheswell of New Hampshire, who during his career from 1768 to 1817, served in many public offices, including as an assessor, to be the first African American elected to public office in the history of the United States.

If you know of an assessor who was first in the field in your state, contact Tammy Brown at brown@iaao.org.