Act Now!

Patricia Donohue, President
Raquel Arreola Ruiz, President-elect
Cheri Fleming, Secretary/Treasurer
Elizabeth Lucas, CAE, MBA, Executive Director

Patricia Donohue, President
Patricia Donohue of Salinas, California began her one-year term as president on September 1, 2011. As president, Donohue oversees strategic planning and program development for the organization. She will also help Soroptimist meet the goals of its Renaissance Campaign 2011: Strategies for Progress—a plan to strengthen the organization's brand.

Donohue is a member of Soroptimist International of Watsonville, California. A Soroptimist since 1974, Donohue has held several leadership positions at all levels of the organization, including club president; region governor and leadership development chair; and federation board director and Program Council member. She is a self-employed entrepreneur and works as a consultant for local government and non-profit organizations.

Back to top

Raquel Arreola Ruiz, President-elect
Raquel Arreola Ruiz of Tijuna, Baja California, Mexico, began her one-year term as president-elect on September 1, 2011. As president-elect, Ruiz will assist President Patricia Donohue in overseeing strategic planning and program development for the organization. Ruiz will begin her term as president on September 1, 2012.

Ruiz is a member of the La Mesa, Mexico, Soroptimist club. A Soroptimist since 1984, she has held several leadership positions, club president, vice president and treasurer; region governor; growth and development chair; and as a member of the Program Council and Latin American Extension Taskforce. Ruiz is the accountant and co-owner of a gas station.

Back to top

Cheri Fleming, Secretary/Treasurer
Cheri Fleming of Valencia, California, began her one-year term as secretary/treasurer on September 1, 2011. As the secretary/treasurer, Fleming will prepare minutes for board meetings and conventions, as well as oversee Soroptimist's funds and financial accounts. In addition, Fleming will participate in strategic planning and program development for the organization.

Fleming has been a member of Soroptimist International of Santa Clarita Valley, California, since 1999. She has held several leadership positions, including club president and auction chair; region governor and district director. Fleming is a dealer principal for Valencia Acura.

Back to top

Elizabeth Lucas, CEO and Executive Director
Elizabeth Lucas, CAE, MBA, is Soroptimist International of the Americas' new CEO and executive director. She is responsible for the overall operation and services provided by Soroptimist headquarters.

Lucas comes to Soroptimist with a diverse professional background. Her experience includes 15 years with the American Massage Therapy Association and the Massage Therapy Foundation, where she began her tenure as director of marketing and communications, but served the last nine years as executive director. In this position, she guided the strategic development of both organizations, which include 56,000 practitioners, 450 educational institutions, and 51 chapters. Her work there included the creation of a global expansion strategy and initiation of a worldwide partnership to recognize massage therapy as a healthcare discipline.

As Soroptimist’s CEO and executive director, Lucas oversees the overall operation and services provided to members and women around the world. She works with Soroptimist’s Board of Directors to craft the organization’s strategic direction. In addition, she guides the organization’s brand strengthening campaign and efforts to engage more women in the Soroptimist mission.

Lucas is active in professional and civic organizations, including the American Society of Association Executives, the Association Forum of Chicagoland, Landmark College, and the Guild of St. Mary. She holds a master’s degree in business administration in global business and organizational behavior from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Lake Forest, Illinois; a bachelor’s of science degree in marketing from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa; and a Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives.

Back to top