Dear Members,

Thank you to all members who participated in our recent CWC officer election. Member engagement is vital to our club, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to vote.

I am pleased to announce that the election process has been completed in accordance with our bylaws, and the results were carefully tabulated and verified.

Please join me in congratulating the following members, who were elected by a majority of votes cast:

• Catherine Lewis, President
• Betty Blackwell, Executive Vice President
• Arminda Resto, Secretary

Biographies for our newly elected officers are included below, for your reference. Their terms will officially begin on June 1, 2026.

CWC thrives because members are willing to serve and lead. I appreciate everyone who participated in this process and look forward to supporting our incoming officers as they begin their terms and move our club forward.

Warm regards,
Laurey Cosentino
President, CWC

As CWC President, I will lead with four core values: Integrity, Transparency, Inclusiveness, and Commitment. My goal is to bring fresh perspectives to the CWC while honoring our founders' vision to increase member engagement and support the communities we serve.

Since joining the Carolina Women's Club in 2023, I have been deeply impressed by our commitment to philanthropy. As your VP of Clubs for the 2024-2025 term, I developed and implemented strategic plans that expanded the Clubs Division from 13 to 18 activities. I worked closely with 26 chairs and co-chairs to implement training guidelines, launch new clubs, and rebrand existing ones. Additionally, I collaborated with the Technology Team to update the "Custom Pages" for all clubs, ensuring uniform guidelines across the organization.

I bring over 30 years of professional leadership experience to this role. As the Founder and CEO of LEWAC Associates, Inc., a health education non-profit in Buffalo, New York, I managed grants ranging from $4,000 to $450,000 and coordinated more than 15 community-based programs. My background also includes serving on the New York State Management Team during the COVID-19 pandemic, where I managed virtual teams of contact tracers.

Furthermore, from 2017 through 2022, I served as the Strategic Planning Chair for the Buffalo Chapter of The Links, earning a 2nd Place Eastern Area Strategic Planning Award. I also served as the Health and Human Services Chair, leading the chapter to an award-winning Best Practice Program designation.

I am eager to apply this expertise to benefit our club and look forward to serving as your President.

Betty Blackwell is a retired educator and accomplished community leader with extensive experience in governance, strategic communication, and mission driven service. Over the course of her career, she has held leadership roles on several boards, including Ohio Head Start, the Akron Urban League, the Summit County Family and Children First Council, and the Augustine Literacy Project Charlotte. In each of these positions, Betty has been recognized for her steady judgment, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to strengthening programs that support women, families, and children.

A long-standing member of the Carolina Women's Club, Betty contributes actively to Club initiatives, events, and community partnerships. She is known for her professionalism, inclusiveness, and ability to foster a welcoming environment for both new and longtime members. Her background in education and communications equips her with strong organizational insight, clear and thoughtful messaging skills, and a deep appreciation for the Club's mission and traditions.

Betty's leadership approach is grounded in empathy, transparency, and teamwork. She brings a disciplined understanding of board governance, a talent for building relationships, and a consistent focus on service. As Exec Vice President, she is committed to supporting the President, strengthening member engagement, and helping guide the continued growth and impact of the Carolina Women's Club.

Betty Blackwell's dedication to community, her broad leadership experience, and her unwavering commitment to service will make her a strong and capable Executive Vice President.

Arminda Resto is an accomplished communications and business professional with extensive experience across advertising, financial services, and strategic marketing. She began her career in education before becoming an award-winning advertising consultant, earning distinctions such as the Golden Fingers Club, the highest prestigious award in the industry, and Salesperson of the Year. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Sales & Marketing Executives Association of San Juan, chairing key committees and supporting membership growth initiatives.

After relocating to the United States, Arminda worked in the credit card division of Chase Manhattan Bank and was selected to serve internationally in Mumbai, India as a Subject Matter Expert. She is Co-Founder and Senior Publicist of Latin2Latin Marketing + Communications, bringing nearly two decades of expertise in media relations, brand strategy, and executive communications, along with strong governance awareness and organizational leadership.