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Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange Named One of Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2011 Women of Influence

Dr. Sheila Edwards Lange, University of Washington Vice President for Minority Affairs and Vice Provost for Diversity, was named one of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Women of Influence for 2011, the publication announced Oct. 5.

Dr. Edwards Lange is one of 15 local leaders who will be honored at a special event to be held Wed., Nov. 16, at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue from 5:30-9 p.m. The award recognizes women within the business community who are influential in their respective fields, respected in their communities, and sought out as advisors and mentors to other women. A panel of judges selected the 15 honorees from nearly 170 nominations.

As the UW’s chief diversity officer, Dr. Edwards Lange works to improve recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty, and staff on campus. She has helped develop creative faculty recruitment initiatives and has been active in mentoring students, especially in science, engineering, and mathematics.

Dr. Edwards Lange is a charter member of the National Association of Chief Diversity Officers and past-president of the Women in Engineering and Program Advocates Network. Her civic and community engagement includes serving on the boards of One World Now! and the Seattle Art Museum, and membership in many other local organizations. She was the recipient of the UW’s 2005 Diversity Award for Community Building in recognition of her work as a community activist and advocate for diversity in higher education.

Dr. Edwards Lange holds a doctor of philosophy in educational leadership and policy studies, and a master’s of public administration from the University of Washington. She received a bachelor’s degree in social ecology from the University of California at Irvine.

The Puget Sound Business Journal Women of Influence program began in 2004. Previous honorees include Sally Jewell (COO, Recreational Equipment Inc.; 2005), Assunta Ng (Publisher, Northwest Asian Weekly Newspaper; 2005), Constance Rice (Managing Director, Knowledge Management, Casey Family Programs; 2005), and Phyllis Wise (former UW Provost; 2008).

A full list of the Puget Sound Business Journal’s 2011 Women of Influence is available here.