International
Women's Think Tank
Board of Directors
The IWTT Board of Directors is a diverse group of seasoned thought leaders whose broad expertise aligns with the International Women’s Think Tank’s core areas of focus and mission.
Chairperson - TBA
Founder
Dr. Brenda Morant - Acting Chairwoman, Honoree Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Brenda Morant brings deep expertise in strategic leadership, social entrepreneurship, research and analysis, policy and advocacy, and cross-sector partnership building. Drawing on these skills, she guides the International Women’s Think Tank in turning insight into action, convening diverse stakeholders, and advancing innovative, evidence-based solutions that improve the lives of women and girls worldwide.
The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dr. Brenda Morant, Founder/CEO of the International Women’s Think Tank, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving women and girls, at a ceremony honoring Veterans and Business Owners. The event was sponsored by Women of Wealth Magazine in Atlanta, Georgia on Veteran's Day Friday, November 11, 2022.
The Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest honor in the country issued by the President of the United States, recognizing people who have made remarkable volunteer contributions to their communities, our nation, and the world.
Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award
Georgia State Senate Resolution 5
Mr. K.V. Kumar – Vice Chairman, Strategic Planning; Business Turnaround;
Connectivity; Government Relations; Alliance Building and Crisis Management
Mr. KV Kumar is the President & CEO of the International Development Foundation, headquartered in Washington,
DC. An ardent supporter of small businesses and entrepreneurs, he is the founder of Indo-American Chamber of
Commerce of Greater Washington, DC as well as the Founding Chairman Emeritus of the Indian American
International Chamber of Commerce (IAICC) which has been in existence for more than 30 years.
Formerly Mr. Kumar was the President & CEO of American Systems International where he negotiated and signed
the Strategic Alliance Partnership Agreement with NELCO (Tata Group) and led the company’s business
development efforts.
He served for more than18 years at the World Bank Group in Washington, DC where he worked in various
capacities: Developed the “Bank Group-Guidelines for Project Completion Reports” used in post-project evaluation
of the World Bank Group financed and or implemented projects. Prepared over 200 multi-million-dollar project
reports on Project Completion/Evaluation; Sector Specific Studies; Special Studies; and Management Policy Review
Studies.
The Asian Development Bank, Manila, Philippine (ADB)s: From 1979-82, ADB borrowed KV on loan from the World
Bank to assist with setting up of the Monitoring and Evaluation Systems. Reviewed proposed recommendations on
ADB’s Policies and Procedures in the Budget, Personnel, Training, & Management Systems Departments.
KV Kumar is the epitome of volunteerism and community service. For more than 50 years KV is known and
respected for his 155,000+ hours (Over 17 years) of volunteer work; where he continues to mentor entrepreneurs,
serve small businesses, people with brain injuries, youth and community organizations and individuals in need of
help.
Dr. Girish Kumar Panicker – FMAS - Certified Professional Agronomists -
Certified Crop Advisor – Authority C-factor research
Dr. Girish Kumar Panicker, tenured Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences and Director of Conservation Research at
Alcorn State University, Mississippi. He is an authority on cover and management (C-factor) research and is an
internationally renowned agricultural scientist.
His research center has the world’s largest C - factor (cover and management) databank on horticultural crops with
work done on 45 crops with over 140,000 readings at an investment of $6.5 million. The information generated is
used around the globe for erosion prediction, nutrient management, conservation planning and to prevent soil
erosion and climate change. His groundbreaking research on C-factor technology, including his 42-page technology
transfer bulletin is available on the websites of prominent land grant universities and the Library of Congress in
Washington, D.C.
Dr. Panicker has been a Certified Professional Agronomists (CPAg) and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) for several
years. He has worked in the conservation field in Asia, Africa, and North America. He has succeeded in increasing
Vitamin C and anthocyanin levels in organic blueberries and melons and producing organic fertilizer with animal
waste in collaboration with the U.S. Army that traps ammonia and prevents groundwater pollution. His 25+ years of
research work with animal waste on soil health studies has been rated by the National Soil Health Lab, Cornell
University, as ‘Excellent’.
He holds B.S. (Ag. Science), M.S. (Agronomy), and Ph.D. (Horticulture). He the recipient of the Pride of India Award,
2020 Lifetime Organic Achievement Award, and 2023 International Conservation Research Award.
Manori de Silva, Esq.
Manori de Silva is an Attorney at Carreras & Lemoine, LLP, Atlanta, Georgia. She assists small to medium-sized businesses to do business in the U.S. and advises on various aspects of employment law. Manori regularly represents businesses in lawsuits in state and federal courts. Manori is familiar with many aspects of European culture having lived in Europe for many years. She speaks fluent Dutch and is proficient in French. Manori is also President of the Netherlands-American Chamber of Commerce for the Southeast U.S.
Dr. Mary Lou Bryant-Frank - Licensed Psychologist - Educational Consultant -
Mediator
Dr. Mary Lou Bryant Frank, Ph.D., M.S., M.Ed., is a psychologist, court approved mediator, mediation trainer, and
consultant. She has completed conflict resolution training programs from Harvard University, Georgia State
University, and the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. She is co-founder of the consulting group Transforming
Mediation, LLC and has served as president of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution as well as
serving as a university vice president, dean, professor, fellow, and adjunct professor. She currently teaches at
Brenau University, Mercer Law School, Middle Georgia State University, and Mykolas Romeris University. Her text,
“The mind of a peacemaker: The psychology of mediation” in its 3rd edition. Her publications also include national
and international journals and textbooks on peacemaking, psychology, negotiation, and mediation. She
continues to serve on the board of directors for the International Academy for Dispute Resolution, the International
Women’s Think Tank, as well as other international boards and research councils. Her work has resulted in
numerous awards as well as an international honorary doctorate from the University of Georgia in Tbilisi for her
work in conflict resolution. She has provided conflict resolution training in over twenty countries and continues
to speak at events ranging from conferences, international programs on peace and negotiation, and specialized
advanced degree programs.
Dr. Linda Gray - DCL Community Advocate - Federal Grant Specialist
Dr. Linda Gray is a nonprofit and small business consultant with more than 25 years of experience with expertise in
small business mentoring, nonprofit start-ups, nonprofit management, grant research and development for
community-based nonprofits and faith-based organizations. She brings a legacy of community outreach and
engagement experience in multiple jurisdictions. Dr. Gray has an extensive background in training and hands-on
experiences from a legacy of volunteerism and community service in both the faith based and nonprofit
community. She has been a Collin Community College Instructor for 7 years during which she developed the
syllabus and curriculum for the Nonprofit Management Certificate Series. She has assisted with the development of
more than 150 start-up nonprofit organizations, guiding them through their initial set-up and launch. Dr. Gray
brings extensive community mobilization skills, grant writing and administration experience. She has over 25 years
in nonprofit management and assisted hundreds of nonprofit organizations and Churches with technical assistance
to earn their IRS 501(c)(3) certification.