Partner Barbara Werther, head of the government contracts and construction group in Sedgwick’s Washington, D.C. office, is recognized as one of the leading construction and government contracts attorneys in the United States with more than 35 years of experience in construction and government contracts law. This is her first year participating on the American Heart Association’s Golf Tournament committee.
WashingtonExec: Tell us a bit about your personal commitment to health – why choose to support the AHA?
Barbara Werther: My story starts with my dad, who in 1991, had to undergo heart surgery. It was so shocking to me because he was very healthy, always active, fit and didn’t smoke or drink. My father was swimming a mile a day, and when he was complaining of shortness of breath, I almost laughed, because in our family if you were not bleeding out, you were considered fine! I was out of town in November of 1991 when a phone call came that my father failed his stress test and was about to undergo a quadruple bypass surgery. The amazing thing is that he not only recovered from this surgery, but he was able to continue with his normal activities, including swimming. He was with us until almost 96-years-old when he passed from old age!
It was that moment in 1991 where there was a paradigm shift of my view of the world. That is one of the reasons why I am constantly doing athletics. I just ran a half marathon, as well as completing a few triathlons, and I am still competing with my horse. To me, athletics are just a part of a healthy life. Through my father’s experience and more involvement in the American Heart Association, I began to understand how pervasive heart disease is – and particularly for women.
One in three people will develop some form of heart disease – both men and women. Many women don’t understand that their risk for a heart attack is actually higher than men – so I have become very passionate about the mission of the AHA. I am always active, and I particularly love golf. So the opportunity to work with the American Heart Association, on a golf event that includes the Go Red For Women cause is a good convergence of the issues that I am pleased to be involved in.
Through my father’s experience and more involvement in the American Heart Association, I began to understand how pervasive heart disease is – and particularly for women.
WashingtonExec: What makes this golf tournament different than other charity tournaments?
Barbara Werther: I have played in a number of charity events, but have never been on the organizing side of it. When I was asked to be a part of this event, I was really drawn to the fact that it was tied to the Go Red For Women movement. You do not see too many tournaments committed to informing women of their health as well as having them participate. Plus, the AHA staff does a fantastic job of putting the event together and making everyone feel special. It’s truly impressive.
WashingtonExec: As a first time member on the golf committee, you had great success and raised a significant amount of money. What was your secret?
Barbara Werther: I did two things. First, I reached out to the women who I knew were golfers. I host a non-profit conference, “Women in Construction,” which I have done now for 11 years, and among the constituents, I knew there were golfers. So I started by reaching out to them. Sara Collins from HITT Construction was one of the first individuals I reached out to. She not only got herself a seat in the cart, but also a seat for the other three women she plays golf with on a weekly basis! Next, I reached out to clients, and friends who in the end all bought foursomes as well. I reached out to Kelly Shooshan at Shooshan Company because I knew she was very athletic and enjoyed playing golf. I also reached out to Suzy Goldstein from Warner Construction Consultants and Larry Baker from Watt Tieder, my former law firm partner.
As in the HITT Construction example, what I found with these additional companies is that they all wanted foursomes. Things happily turned from individual promotions to whole companies stepping up and participating and why not – we are ultimately all involved to support the American Heart Association and enjoy a fabulous day out on the course.
WashingtonExec: What about the 32nd Annual AHA Golf Tournament are you most excited to experience?
Barbara Werther: Any time you have a golf setting, you get people out of the normal business environment and can really make personal connections with them. There is also the opportunity to play at Woodmont Country Club, which is newly-renovated and beautiful. Both courses are open for our group, so the pace of play will be excellent! I am excited about the ability to bid on the incredible auction items as well, because it all raises funds for heart and stroke research. This tournament makes connections, raises funds and brings women and men together for a great cause.
Related: SAVE THE DATE: American Heart Association to Host 32nd Annual Golf Tournament, April 25, 2016
