Award-winning journalist and ABC 20/20 co-anchor Deborah Roberts will headline the "Leading the Lone Star State: Texas Women in Public Service Summit" on Friday, Sept. 19 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Denton Convention Center (3100 Town Center Trail). In an engaging and impactful conversation titled “Lessons in Leadership,” Roberts will share her experiences as a journalist, advocate, and leader in public service, offering insights into the challenges and rewards of leadership, as well as the importance of women’s voices in public affairs.

Hosted by the Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University (JNIWL), the Summit is a one-day conference uniting women in the fields of public administration, elected office, and government—as well as women who aspire to public roles—through informative sessions, inspirational speakers, and networking opportunities. The keynote conversation with Roberts will be moderated by Sara Madsen Miller, a JNIWL advisory board member and COO and co-owner of 1820 Productions, an award-winning Dallas-based video production company.

“While we’ve made significant progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles, particularly in public office,” said Shannon Mantaro, executive director and chief officer of the JNIWL. “This event is an opportunity for women to hear from other women who have taken a seat at the table, shaped policy, and broken access barriers to decision-making roles.” 

About Deborah Roberts: Deborah Roberts is an award-winning journalist and co-anchor of ABC’s 20/20, as well as a senior national affairs correspondent for Nightline, Good Morning America, and World News Tonight with David Muir. 

A media veteran, Roberts has traveled the world for her reporting. She has served as a substitute anchor for Good Morning America and World News Weekend, as well as a guest co-host on The View. Known for her compelling storytelling and dedication to social justice issues, Roberts has earned multiple Emmy® Awards and a Peabody Award for her impactful reporting. She is also the author of the New York Times bestseller Lessons Learned and Cherished, a collection highlighting the profound influence of educators on lives and leadership. 

About the event: In addition to Roberts’ keynote conversation, the Summit will feature an agenda packed with high-energy sessions, including: 

• “Confidence is Not Rocket Science! Breaking the Grip of Imposter Syndrome”
  – Maureen Zappala, speaker and author (opening session)
  

• “Demystifying Successful Strategic Partnerships” – a panel moderated by Caryn Riggs, assistant city Manager/CFO, City of Bedford
  

• “How to Achieve Excellence in Advocacy” – a panel moderated by Cristal Retana Lule, vice-president of community relations at Children’s Health
  

• “The New Rules of Executive Presence” – LaShon Ross, deputy city manager, City of Plano
  

• “All Politics are Local” – a panel moderated by retired Texas legislator Myra Crownover
  

• Closing session address by Jen Hatmaker, best selling author and podcaster

The day will also include structured facilitated networking sessions led by experts, with topics covering political office, boards and commissions, advocacy, and legacy building. (A full schedule will be available prior to the event on the summit website.) 

The summit will also feature a presentation of the JNIWL Distinguished Public Service Award to The Honorable Myra Crownover, a retired Texas House of Representatives member (2000-2016) who formerly represented District 64, which includes Denton County. 

Tickets for the summit are available for $75 per person and can be purchased at https://twu.edu/leading-the-lone-star-state/. Event organizers note that the summit typically sells out, and early purchase is recommended. For attendees needing accommodations, a block of rooms has been reserved at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Denton Convention Center. (To secure the block rate, reservations must be made by August 29.) 

ABOUT THE JANE NELSON INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP

The Jane Nelson Institute for Women’s Leadership at Texas Woman’s University is dedicated to preparing women for successful careers in business and public service. Its three specialized centers—Center for Leadership Research and Workforce Development, Center for Women Entrepreneurs and Center for Women in Government—ensure women have the education to establish careers as successful executives, the skills for building entrepreneurial businesses and the framework needed to excel in public service. Find out more at twu.edu/lead, or connect with JNIWL on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

ABOUT TWU

Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest woman-focused university system with campuses in Denton, Dallas, and Houston. Founded in 1901, TWU has built a reputation on contributions in nursing, healthcare, education, the arts and sciences, and business. TWU’s inclusive culture prioritizes experiential learning, leadership, service, discovery, and health and well-being, and national media have recognized the university as a top college for student-parents, veterans, and social mobility. In 2023, TWU publicly launched Dream Big, a fundraising effort that has raised more than $160 million to date to support programming, equipment, scholarships, and faculty. In 2026, the university will celebrate the 125th anniversary of its founding. To learn more about the campaign or the university, visitdreambig.twu.eduor twu.edu, or connect with TWU on Facebook@TexasWomansUniversity, Instagram@txwomans,Twitter@txwomans, and LinkedIn@texaswomansuniversity.