The Rotary Club of Beaumont welcomed Sade Chick, Director of Corporate Affairs, Port of Beaumont, and Kati Celli, Chief Communications and Development Officer, Industrial Safety and Training Council, as meeting speakers on January 29. Sade and Kati shared experiences, insights, and expertise on navigating the challenges, and celebrating the successes of women in the professional world. Their presentation shed light on the contributions women make in industries across the board.

 

Mrs. Chick shared her oversight of public relations, government affairs, workforce development, and grant writing. Her efforts have resulted in over $100 million in state and federal grants to support critical infrastructure and maritime initiatives. Sadé works closely with the Southeast Texas Waterway Advisory Council to develop a robust workforce pipeline tailored to the maritime industry. This initiative includes a full spectrum of educational resources, from pre-K programs to post-graduate opportunities, scholarships for maritime training at the Paul Hall Center, and the Portchartered Sea Scout Ship 1916. Sade' holds an MBA with a focus on global business leadership and marketing, and designation as a Maritime Port Executive with a passion for developing the future workforce, and was named Southeast Texas Young Professional of the Year (2020), a Pioneering Woman (2021), and a Phenomenal Woman (2024) by the Professional Women’s Network.

 

Mrs. Celli shared her oversight of business development, marketing, and public relations for the ISTC non-profit organization and its dedication to delivering company on-boarding, safety training, and compliance services for petrochemical and construction industries throughout the surrounding areas. Kati currently serves as the first female executive director of the Golden Triangle Business Round Table (GTBR). She eloquently shared her oversight of the strategic direction and operations for the Texas Nonprofit Trade Association whose mission is to connect the industrial community of Southeast Texas for the betterment of our region, done by uniting industrial owners from the petrochemical, energy and refining facilities with the contractors throughout Southeast Texas that make up a large portion of their workforce. Kati is also co-founder and executive director of Southeast Texas Women in Industry, a 501(c)3 organization that’s mission is to introduce the vast career opportunities available in industry to young ladies in high schools throughout the Golden Triangle. She and her husband recently acquired the longstanding Celli family business, Flagship Mail Room & Emporium, a local shipping, bulk mail and packaging location with an adjoining gifts, home décor and lifestyle boutique. Kati is a graduate of Lamar University and an active member of the Southeast Texas community. 

 

The meeting Invocation was presented by Chris Ayers, Associate, Ayers-Patton & Associates. Pledges to the USA & Texas Flags were led by Sheree Pierce, Director of Neighborhood Ministries, Wesley Methodist Church. Introduction of Guests were made by Lynn Hill, Co-Owner, NuVation Tek. Kristie Young, Founder & Chief Consultant, KMY introduced the two meeting speakers. Members attending in person, and the twenty members attending by Zoom appreciated Rotary's informational presentation about women in industry.