Inside Business Honors Three ODU Leaders
December 13, 2019
By Keith Pierce
Inside Business recently published its annual Women in Business in Hampton Roads list, and two Old Dominion University leaders are among the honorees.
Narketta Sparkman-Key, associate professor and academic affairs director of faculty diversity and retention, calls herself a multitasker balancing being a tenured professor and an administrator tackling faculty diversity and inclusion through recruitment and retention efforts. The married mother of two also takes pride in mentoring students and new faculty.
"My research is focused on developing culturally competent human services practitioners with a current focus on suicide," she said. " In addition to becoming a full professor and advancing into another administrative role, over time I hope to create a more targeted approach to building awareness of suicide in urban communities through the launch of a nonprofit."
Elizabeth Locke, director of clinical education in the College of Health Sciences, is dedicated to promoting a culturally competent and diverse physical therapy workforce. In 1994, she became the first African American physical therapist appointed to a full-time core physical therapy faculty position at ODU. She has twice been elected vice president of the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy and is a Virginia delegate to the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.
The married mother of four adult children believes that diversity is our region's greatest asset. She feels women must develop a strategic mindset and remain informed.
"To embrace this great advantage (diversity), we should establish a regional, inclusive identity," she said. "I believe women must be focused, forward-thinkers who form alliances that facilitate business development and growth."
Yvonne T. Allmond, a member of the ODU Board of Visitors, serves as executive vice president, community financial engagement officer, with TowneBank. She is also a recipient of the 2014 YWCA Women of Distinction award and the 2014 NAACP Presidential Award and is involved in numerous civic activities.
Her advice for women in business? "Always act like you belong in every room, every meeting and every office," she said. "Don't be dissuaded by the attitudes of those around you. It will pay off."
What really gets under her skin?
"The mistreatment of those who are unable to speak for themselves or fight back such as children and the elderly," she said. "I witnessed that firsthand while caring for my mother for seven years."
Now in its 17th year, the event honors the outstanding accomplishments and career successes of women in the Hampton Roads business community. A panel of judges reviews nominations and selects winners based on professional and entrepreneurial accomplishments; power and influence; and community involvement.
