Best-selling author and award-winning international keynote speaker Debrena Jackson Gandy, of Des Moines, has been appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire to serve on the Highline Community College Board of Trustees.

Gandy replaces Dr. Elizabeth Chen who left Highline in March for an appointment with the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.

Gandy joins current board chair Dan Altmayer and trustees Dr. Edward Davila, Michael Regeimbal and Barbara Reid.

The Board of Trustees governs Highline and guides the direction of the college. They set college policies, hire the president and approve budgets. Trustees must reside in the college district's boundaries.

Gandy is a two-time national best-selling author of "Sacred Pampering Principles" and "All the Joy You Can Stand," business consultant, trainer, national seminar leader, performance coach, strategic marketing consultant and personal development expert.

She is also owner of Masterminds, a speaking, training, consulting and performance coaching firm, and has been named as an Outstanding Young Woman of America, to the Who's Who Among Business and Professional Women and to Who's Who Among Minority Executives.

She has been featured in national publications, including Oprah Winfrey's O magazine, Woman's Day, Ebony, Essence and Black Enterprise, and has appeared on various national and regional TV shows, including CNN, CNN Live and Good Day New York. She also has been a guest on more than 40 radio shows and Winfrey's website, Oprah.com.

She is a graduate of Pepperdine University with a major in business and a minor in marketing.