Siskin Children’s Institute has announced Leslie Goff and MaryStewart Lewis as the co-chairs for this year’s StyleWorks fashion show and luncheon that supports the 1,500 children and families served annually by the Institute.  This year’s StyleWorks event will take place on May 7 and 8 at the Chattanooga Convention Center.

StyleWorks draws more than 1,000 guests to the runway fashion show. The event begins with the Preview Party, an evening out with friends complete with Marketplace shopping, cocktails and more. StyleWorks continues the next day with a luncheon and fashion show, featuring professional models as well as graduates of the Siskin Early Learning Centers who will preview clothing and accessories of the season from Belk, the event’s fashion sponsor.

“As a parent of a child with special needs, I know what it’s like to need the services of Siskin Children’s Institute,” said Ms. Goff whose oldest son Sam, who has Down syndrome, graduated from the Institute and has participated in the StyleWorks fashion show for two years. “I couldn’t be more grateful to the Institute for what it has meant to my family, and I’m overjoyed to share that with the community through such a dynamic event as StyleWorks.”

For the past three years, Ms. Goff has worked as the national account executive for Zogenix. Along with juggling a full-time job that requires traveling 1,000 miles a week, she is mother to three children, Sam, 10, Riley, 8, and Declan, 6 – all graduates of the Siskin Early Learning Center. She served on the 2012 StyleWorks planning committee and was an active member in the Siskin Family Association while her children attended the Early Learning Center. Ms. Goff also served as co-president of the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Guild and currently as an ambassador for the Institute’s 365 Club Annual Fund.

“I am so proud to support the Institute through this year’s StyleWorks event,” said Ms. Lewis, who has been a part of the Institute family through various roles for the past 10 years. “As a mom to two typically-developing children, who graduated from the Siskin Early Learning Center, I have seen firsthand the difference an inclusive learning environment makes on both the children and the families involved.”

Ms. Lewis currently works as the southeastern Tennessee regional director in external and legislative affairs for AT&T. Previously, Ms. Lewis spent six years at Girls Preparatory School as public relations director and associate director of admissions. She has been an involved Chattanoogan for many years as director with the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, board member on the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, ambassador for the Institute’s 365 Club and past co-chair of the Siskin Family Association.

“The Institute is very fortunate to have such a dynamic duo chairing this year’s StyleWorks event.,” said John Farrimond, Institute president and CEO. “Both Leslie and MaryStewart are leaders in the community, care deeply for children and work hard to made sure kids have opportunities for future success.” 

Proceeds from the event benefit children with special needs and their families through the Institute’s four areas of focus: education, outreach, developmental pediatric health care and research.

For more information about StyleWorks, visit www.siskin.org/styleworks or call 648-1706.