Augustana’s record of providing strong young women a place to explore their passions and find their purpose is chronicled in the stories of Brenda Barnes, Nelly Cheboi, Emily Landon, Haley DeGreve, Jenn Hintzsche and so many others.
That's why Augustana College president Andrea Talentino launched the Brenda Barnes Leadership Academy, a series of learning experiences and networking opportunities to engage and uplift future female leaders from Illinois.
The program is aimed at incoming college students who identify as women. Students are invited into the program based on their application for admission, and those who want to participate must complete an application and submit an essay.
Sessions help young women gather information, stories and context for leadership in a diverse and changing world.
President Talentino has a leading role in this effort, and she is instrumental in hosting sessions and supporting recruitment for the program. Content and speakers for each session are curated by an advisory panel of faculty, alumni and others.
She was born Brenda Czajka, the third of seven girls, and grew up in River Grove, Ill. She went to East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, Ill.
Barnes received a B.A. in economics in 1975 from Augustana College, and an MBA in 1978 from Loyola University, Chicago.
She generously shared her time, talents and gifts with the college to ensure that Augustana students have the same transforming experience she had. She served 16 years as a college trustee, including five years as the board chair.
“I credit Augie for so much of what I have,” she said in a 2012 interview with Augustana Magazine. “I give back what I can to a place that gave so much to me.”
Barnes’ unrivaled work ethic took her from business manager at Wilson Sporting Goods in 1976 to president and CEO of Pepsi-Cola North America 20 years later. She was the first woman to hold the position.
In 1997, she made headlines when she resigned as president and CEO to be at home with her children, who were 10, 8 and 7 at the time. The Wall Street Journal broke the news, and the overwhelming media attention shocked Barnes. "I'm the only person who became famous for quitting my job," she said.
In 2004, Sara Lee offered her the position of chief operating officer. In less than a year, she was promoted to president and CEO of Sara Lee, and then chairman a few months later.
Despite such success, Barnes made herself available to students at Augustana, whom she described as being just like her when she was a student.
In 2010, Barnes was ranked 10th on Fortune's Most Powerful Women list when she suffered a stroke. She resigned from Sara Lee a few weeks later, and began a long recovery with the help of her loving family and friends. When she was ready, she again returned to campus to advise Augustana students interested in the business world.
She passed away on Jan. 17, 2017, at the age of 63, though her influence lives on at Augustana.
"A perfect example of an Augie education"
Doug Hultquist '77 got to know Brenda Barnes when they served together on the Augustana Board of Trustees. He succeeded her as chair.
"Brenda was just an amazing person. She probably had the least amount of ego of anyone I know who achieved such a high position (president of Pepsi)," he said."She was super smart and super humble.
"She is a perfect example of what is possible with an Augie education. She acquired so much in the way of leadership and professional skills at Augie. One of the many things that she taught me was that people and relationships matter."
Some people make a career of improving lives. Dr. Jenn Hintzsche ’06 also helps create them. The FDA has granted clearance to an at-home insemination kit that allows would-be parents to take control of their experience. Dr. Hintzsche created the device.
Nelly Cheboi '16 was named CNN Hero of the Year Sunday for her work with TechLit Africa, a nonprofit that redistributes recycled computers in schools in rural Kenya.
Three years after she co-founded Augustana's The Gray Matters Collective —a mental health support and suicide awareness organization — Haley DeGreve continues to spread the message of hope and healing.
