CANYON — A trio of West Texas A&M University faculty members will discuss their research into female business leaders in the Panhandle at two upcoming events.

Dr. Leslie Ramos Salazar, Dr. Jillian Williamson Yarbrough and Dr. Elaina Cantrell Robinson, all faculty members in WT’s Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business, will present “Her Business Story: Narratives of Women Business Leaders of the Texas Panhandle” at noon Oct. 2 and 8:30 a.m. Oct. 23 at the WT Enterprise Center, 2300 N. Western St. in Amarillo.

The events are free and open to the public. The Oct. 2 event is full, but reservations can be made for the Oct. 23 event here: eventbrite.com/e/herbusiness-story-narratives-of-women-business-leaders-of-the-tx-panhandle-tickets-1028949554817. 

“Currently, there has been an increase of women leaders seeking to lead or own a business,” said Ramos Salazar, WT’s Abdullat Professor of Business Communication. “However, a gender gap still exists, where some women struggle to become economically successful. Those few that have broken the glass ceiling have been able to overcome many challenges.”

The trio won an Engler Societal Impact Research Grant from their College. Such grants fund projects that fulfill a significant need in the Texas Panhandle Region. The research also was made possible through a partnership with America’s Small Business Development Center at WT and the WT Enterprise Center.

The research team interviewed women leaders to learn their unique stories about their identities and challenges of leading or owning a company or organization. Women also shared the various resources and skills that they need to be successful in rural communities such as the Texas Panhandle. 

“The opportunity to learn from the experiences of women and, in particular, women entrepreneurs in the Panhandle of Texas was powerful,” said Yarbrough, WT’s Virginia Engler Professor of Business. “The Panhandle is unique, with uniquely strong women who are driving entrepreneurial experiences that not only support business success but truly support community success.”

Findings of this study will be used to mentor and inspire upcoming women in the Texas Panhandle region to lead or own their own business of their choice. 

“Our participants came from different backgrounds and succeeded through hard work, often overcoming difficult circumstances,” said Cantrell Robinson, clinical assistant professor of marketing and business. “Their accomplishments and desire to give back to the community is inspirational.”

Faculty members pursue a number of internal and external grants in pursuit of impactful research as part of WT’s efforts as a Regional Research University. That reflects the goal of the University’s long-range plan, WT 125: From the Panhandle to the World.

Photo: Dr. Elaina Cantrell Robinson, from left, Dr. Leslie Ramos Salazar and Dr. Jillian Williamson Yarbrough will present “Her Business Story: Narratives of Women Business Leaders of the Texas Panhandle,” based on their research into female business leaders in the Panhandle, at two upcoming events at the WT Enterprise Center.