Monday, April 3, 2017

A speed coaching and networking event powered by bizwomen.

Meet the MentorsRhonda Bannard | Founder, Inspired Connections Rhonda is founder and chief connector of Inspired Connections, a boutique consulting agency serving nonprofits, associations and companies. She taps her various skill sets that include marketing, communications, brand and content creation, strategic planning, fund development, media relations, event/program development and management, speech and image coaching, board development and collaborative partnerships to shift the paradigm. For the past four years, Rhonda has created and led the effort to create a unique downtown community gathering place. Prior to starting her own business, she held management positions at the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Phoenix Partnership and the March of Dimes.

Deborah Bateman | EVP, Director of Wealth Strategies, National Bank of Arizona Deborah’s career has seen her rise from bank teller to executive while never losing the grounded perspective and touch that makes her a valued friend and mentor. Today, Deborah is president of Deborah Bateman LLC, a professional coaching and consulting organization, where she serves as a professional and certified coach. Her diverse career has spanned more than 40 years, and includes both entrepreneurial and corporate leadership roles. Currently, Deborah serves as the vice chairman of the board for National Bank of Arizona. Deborah is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. She has served on several corporate boards. In addition, she is an active member of her community, where she has served on more than thirty nonprofit boards.

Lynda Bishop | CEO, Relationship Insurance, Entrepreneur’s Academy Lynda is an international women’s leadership development facilitator, program director, master’s level therapist, author, speaker and business owner. She served four years as the program director for the Young Entrepreneur’s Academy in Arizona, championed by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which develops the next generation of successful entrepreneurial high school students from disadvantages areas of Phoenix. She co-authored the book, The Young Female Leader in 2015, and her newest book, Great Love, No Regrets; Building Relationships that Last, published in August, 2016. Lynda also serves as the president of the Advisory Council of the Halsten Enterprise, is an active member of NAWBO, and is Board president for the Girls Rule Foundation.

Susan Brooks | Co-Founder, Cookies From Home Susan is a high-performance coach for women business owners beyond the start-up phase, who are now ready to grow, in both revenue and profits. She works with her clients to create innovative, customized strategies and systems. Susan provides the tools and resources that generate more sales and profits in her client’s business. She works with confidentiality in addressing the short falls in operations and sales, implementing a solid plan that moves her clients forward to achieve that $1 million revenue goal. The differentiator for Susan’s success is: she’s been in the trenches, with her boots on the ground, as the co-founder of Cookies From Home, a multimillion-dollar business she built with her husband for over 30 years, until it was sold seven years ago.

Diane Brossart | President and CEO, Arizona Forward Diane enjoys a longtime connection with Arizona Forward, having first joined the nonprofit business-based environmental public interest organization as a member 30 years ago when it was named Valley Forward. She served on the board, and was appointed president in 1991. Leading its recent award-winning statewide expansion, Brossart was named president and CEO of Arizona Forward in 2013. In this role, she manages the organization’s robust and holistic sustainability agenda to move the Grand Canyon State forward environmentally, economically and socially. Brossart’s diverse community involvement includes: board member, Phoenix Zoo; Phoenix Sister Cities commissioner; and as an appointee to Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton’s Sustainability Advisory Task Force.

Meet the MentorsTyler Butler | Founder and Principal, 11Eleven Consulting Tyler is the founder of 11Eleven Consulting, a boutique corporate social responsibility consulting firm that aids small to large businesses in creating and launching meaningful programs to showcase their commitment to being good corporate citizens. Tyler formally served as director of Corporate Social Responsibility at GoDaddy. At GoDaddy, she led GoDaddy Cares, the company’s charitable division and led the company’s launch of their international philanthropic efforts. Tyler served as a market leader for Microsoft as a director of Community Outreach and Events. She serves on boards for the Arizona Science Center, the Greater Scottsdale Boys & Girls Clubs, the Arizona Governor’s Commission for Service and Volunteerism and the advisory council for Scottsdale Leadership.

Cassidy Campana | Principal, AZ Strategies Cassidy, a native of Scottsdale, has worked in the Arizona market for more than 20 years as a public relations, marketing and political consultant. She has worked in numerous aspects of communications and message management and currently works with a variety of companies and nonprofits including DMB, the Arizona State University Lodestar Center, the Arizona Multihousing Association and others in a variety of capacities. For ASU, Cassidy is the program manager of the ASU Lodestar Center’s American Express Leadership Academy, a leadership development program for nonprofit executives. She currently serves on the boards of the Mesa Arts Center Foundation and Charter 100.

Laura Capello | President & CEO, Big Brother Big Sisters of Central Arizona Laura is president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona, whose mission it is to provide Arizona youth facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better. Laura has been with the organization since 1998, however, she took some time away from the agency between 2005 and 2011 to do her own consulting work to assist other nonprofits with their strategic planning, marketing and special events. She also worked with the Arizona State University Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation and developed and ran their Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy. She returned to Big Brothers Big Sisters in 2011 and was named president and CEO in January 2012.

Renie Cavallari | Author, Strategist and Founder, Aspire marketing Renie is founder, CEO and chief Instigator of a boutique firm, Aspire, located in Phoenix and doing business all over the world. She is an award-winning strategist, known for innovation, creativity, and cutting-edge change navigation which she employs to ensure client relevance now and into the future. As a powerhouse business leader, Cavallari helps both small and large brands achieve breakthrough results by thinking boldly and disrupting the status quo. An internationally recognized leadership expert, this CEO coach is a captivating speaker and the author of six books, with her most recent, “Aspire to . . . shine,” that published in February.

Katherine Cecala | President, Junior Achievement of Arizona Katherine serves as the president of Junior Achievement of Arizona, a nonprofit dedicated to educating and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Katherine has a diverse background in nonprofit leadership, health care administration, law, industrial engineering, utilities and business. She also has extensive knowledge of our community and nonprofit landscape as she has served on numerous nonprofit boards. A master’s level instructor of nonprofit leadership at Arizona State University, Katherine has a degree in industrial engineering from LSU, a Master’s of Business Administration from Louisiana Tech and a law degree from the University of Arkansas.

Meet the Mentors

Abbie S. Fink | Vice President/General Manager, HMA Public Relations Abbie is vice president/general manager of HMA Public Relations and has been with the firm since 1993. Her marketing communications background includes skills in media relations, digital communications/social media strategies, special event management, community relations, issues management and marketing promotions. Abbie is an award-winning communications professional, past president of the Phoenix Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, a member of the Public Relations Society of America’s Counselors Academy and a former executive board member. She has both a master’s degree in mass communications and a bachelor’s degree in journalism/public relations from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.

Kathy Foster | Senior Vice President, Colliers International Kathy is a former corporate real estate executive with 13 years of experience at a major health care company. For the past 10 years, she has advised occupiers of corporate real estate as a senior vice president at Colliers. Kathy recently received her master’s degree in Commercial Real Estate with CoreNet and was recognized by the Phoenix Business Journal as a 2015 Top Woman in Business and Brokerage Partner of the Year. Kathy offers a unique perspective as a top producer in a male-dominated market. She is passionate about her work with nonprofits, serving as vice chair for AASK, as a board member for Seedspot, ColliersAZCares and on the steering committee for the MCCCD Veteran’s Success Project.

Pam Gaber | CEO, Gabriel’s Angels Pam founded Gabriel’s Angels, a nonprofit organization that provides healing pet therapy to at-risk youth, in 2001. The organization was named after Pam’s Weimaraner, Gabriel, who began his career by visiting the children residing at the Crisis Nursery in Phoenix. Presently there are 175 pet therapy teams serving over 122 agencies and reaching 14,500 Arizona children annually. Her achievements include being named a 2010 Women in Business by the Phoenix Business Journal. In 2011 she was chosen the YWCA Woman of Excellence in the nonprofit sector. In 2015, Pam was among the Amazing Awards, Amazing Women winners honored by National Bank of Arizona and the Phoenix Suns.

Debbie Gaby | President & Founder, Debbie Gaby Charities Debbie Gaby, became known as “America’s Sleep Queen” during her 20-year run as the spokesperson for Sleep America, earning an induction into the House of Broadcasting’s Hall of Fame. As president, co-founder and visionary who created Sleep America Charities, Debbie led countless campaigns which positively impacted the community. With her husband and co-founder, Len Gaby, Debbie oversaw the rise of Sleep America as it became the largest mattress retailer in Arizona, with 48 stores across the state. For the past 20 years, and in partnership with Dillard’s, Debbie created the Debbie Gaby Celebrity Catwalk which is a bi-annual fashion show and luncheon to benefit Arizona charities.

Annie Groth | Certified Family Business Specialist, MassMutualAnnie brings over 25 years of experience to every client meeting. Annie is the founder of the MAXIMIZATION Team, Inc. leading individuals to their financial truth. Some highlights of Annie’s accomplishments include: author and lobbyist of Arizona House Bill # 2324, which protects cash values inside of life insurance and annuities from creditors; member of the National Association of Professional Women, first woman to be nominated by NAIFA for Financial Advisor of the Year for Arizona 2004; and awarded “2015 Outstanding Woman in Business” by the Phoenix Business Journal.

Meet the Mentors

Mary Ann Guerra | CEO, BioAccel MaryAnn serves in multiple capacities across the community. In 2016, using her extensive experience in medical device startups, MaryAnn co-founded Aesthetics Biomedical, and a new aesthetics device company. She also is co-founder and board chairman of BioAccel, a nonprofit organization in Phoenix, and managing director of the only bioscience venture fund, the Bio Accelerator Fund 1, in the state. MaryAnn spent much of her career operating successful health, science, tech and start-up businesses. Since the launch of BioAccel in April 2009, 23 companies have been successfully launched with products already commercially available in the US, Europe and Mexico. Prior to founding BioAccel, she served as president of TGen Accelerators, LLC and COO of TGen.

Kristi Hall | Founder, Conscious Connections Kristi is an author, speaker and the creator of Conscious Connections, a local network for more than 3,000 business women. Using 20 years of executive experience in community and public relations and organizational psychology and 10 years of intense study and practice in consciousness, she shares her passion for waking people up to their power and potential to become significant forces for good, starting with their own, and building profitable businesses and careers. Kristi imagines a world where people are fully engaged, sharing their gifts and talents to solve our most pressing problems, enjoying life every day, and reaping the rewards of their contributions.

Anita Helt | Vice President & General Manager, KNXV-TV Channel 15 Anita was named vice president and GM of ABC15, KNXV-TV, the ABC affiliate in Phoenix, in 2011. Previously, she was president and GM of KXTV-TV in Sacramento, and before that spent more than a decade as vice president of marketing/programming for KPNX-TV in Phoenix. Prior to Phoenix, Anita accepted a political appointment where she was responsible for media and public relations for the state of Kansas. She also has more than seven years of experience in Kansas and Washington as an anchor/reporter. She currently serves as president of the Carole Kneeland Project for Responsible Journalism board of directors, and on the executive committees of the Arizona Broadcasters Association and the endowment board of ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Loretta Love Huff | President & Principal Consultant, Emerald Harvest Consulting LLC Loretta is known and appreciated by executives and entrepreneurs as “The Dream Leader for Business.” Loretta guides her clients to unleash their inner leader, influence with integrity and shine brightly in a crowded marketplace. She is the author of two books, past president of the Phoenix chapter of the NAWBO and the Arizona Chapter of the National Speakers Association, a frequent guest on Fox10 Phoenix and 12 News and a 2010 Phoenix Business Journal Top Women in Business honoree. Loretta stands ready to shine a light on your path to higher productivity, purpose and profits. She holds a BS in Psychology from Howard University and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Chevy Humphrey | President & CEO, Arizona Science Center Arizona Science Center Chevy Humphrey oversees a $12 million operation with more than 330 employees and volunteers as The Hazel A. Hare President and CEO of the Arizona Science Center. Along with her work at the center, Chevy serves on numerous local, state, national and international boards and committees. She is the immediate past board chair of the executive committee for the Association of Science-Technology Centers, an international organization representing science centers and museums with more than 600 members in over 40 countries worldwide. Chevy uses her extensive involvement in science and education as a featured speaker at science center and museum conferences across the globe. She has won numerous awards, and chooses to spend her time mentoring young women to achieve their professional and personal potential.

Meet the Mentors

Sheila Kloefkorn | Owner, KEO Marketing Sheila is CEO and president of KEO Marketing, a full-service B2B marketing agency. The company specializes in marketing strategy, messaging, digital infrastructure, execution and analytics. KEO Marketing grows Fortune 1000 companies and mid-market businesses. She recently was named one of the “Top 10 Business Leaders of the Year” and “Top 25 Dynamic Women in Business” by the Phoenix Business Journal and one of 15 Arizonans to Watch by the Arizona Republic. Sheila is president of the Phoenix Chapter of the Business Marketing Association. She is a frequent national and local speaker on a wide range of marketing and business topics.

Jodi Low | CEO and founder, U & Improved Jodi is an accomplished corporate trainer, inspirational speaker and the founder and CEO of U & Improved. Jodi has trained thousands of entrepreneurs and executives on how to build a booming business, master a mindset for success and achieve the lifestyle they desire through heart-fueled leadership. Through U & Improved —a personal and professional leadership development company based in Scottsdale — Jodi has redefined traditional training by creating a sustainable and actionable model that is personal, challenging and meaningful to each individual. In 2014, Jodi launched a teen leadership program and in 2016, she created a nonprofit arm of the company, the U & Improved Leadership Foundation, that makes the program more accessible to deserving teens.

Ilana Lowery | Editor-in-Chief, Phoenix Business Journal Ilana is editor-in-chief of the Phoenix Business Journal. She has been at the Phoenix Business Journal since 1995 in various capacities including reporter. Previously, she was an editor for Independent Newspapers Inc., a community newspaper chain based in Scottsdale. Before moving to the Valley in 1989, Ilana served as a reporter and editor for Pulitzer Newspapers in Chicago and worked as an associate producer for the NBC-TV affiliate in Chicago. A University of Illinois graduate, she also serves as an associate professor at the ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She is on the executive board of Gabriel’s Angels and is a member of the prestigious women’s professional associations Central Phoenix Women and Charter 100.

Michelle McGinty | President, DRA Strategic Communications, First Place Arizona Michelle serves as DRA Collective’s president. Michelle leads the development and implementation of strategic marketing and communication strategies and oversees the creation of comprehensive campaigns for clients across a variety of sectors. Over her tenure with DRA, Michelle has created innovative programs to increase public awareness for clients such as the Arizona Department of Commerce, multiple DMB communities, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, DAVIS Architects and others. Michelle designs ways to celebrate and promote the many assets that already exist within our region and uses these amenities to support quality future growth. Michelle serves as the 2016-17 board secretary for Valley Leadership and leads their marketing and communications committee.

Tammy McLeod | Vice President, Energy Resource Management, Arizona Public Service Co. Tammy is vice president of energy resource management for Arizona Public Service Co. Tammy is responsible for APS’s system marketing and trading, as well as the company’s energy resource planning and procurement, including utility-scale solar operations and maintenance. She joined APS in 1995, and previously served vice president and chief customer officer, and as general manager of Southern Arizona Operations. She also worked in a variety of marketing and management roles within the software industry including Educational Management Group and Jostens Learning Corp. Tammy volunteers her time with numerous nonprofit organizations, and sits on the boards of the Desert Botanical Garden, Greater Phoenix Economic Council and Expect More Arizona, among others.

Meet the Mentors

Susan Moody | Success coach, Best-Selling Author, Inspirational Speaker, eWomenNetwork Susan is the managing director of eWomenNetwork Phoenix and co-Founder of Starshine AZ, has successfully started more than 10 small businesses. She is the author of Cz the Day! and co-author of Beat the Curve with Brian Tracy. Susan served on the board for the Small Business Administration and is a Certified Success Coach and inspirational speaker whose core business focuses on helping female entrepreneurs build a business that matters, makes a difference and makes money. Her company, Starshine AZ, offers systems, training, advice and resources to align your heart with your mind so you can achieve your own definition of success and happiness.

Christy Moor | Executive Director, Valley Leadership Christy has served at the helm of Valley Leadership, a leadership development organization in Arizona advancing the passions and accelerating the pursuits of leaders in the community, since 2012. Under Christy’s direction, Valley Leadership set course on a modern direction, making strategic investments to enhance and expand programming. New initiatives include LeaderLink, a program that connects passionate leaders with nonprofits, and the CEO Advisory Circle, which engages well-respected leaders who give guidance to Valley Leadership. Prior to joining VL, Christy held various executive leadership positions for statewide and national community benefit organizations, providing programs and services for women that deliver care and protect their health, safety and rights.

Christine Nowaczyk | SVP, Corporate Banking Executive, Bank of Arizona Christine serves on the Bank of Arizona executive leadership team and oversees the corporate banking line of business. She joined BOK Financial in 2006, after nearly two decades with JPMorgan Chase, to help build its Bank of Arizona subsidiary. Christine is president emeritus of the Association for Corporate Growth – Arizona Chapter and is a member of Arizona Business Leadership. Her philanthropic roles have centered-around improving the lives of Arizona’s most vulnerable children and their families. She is board chairman for Educare Arizona, part of a national network of high-quality early learning programs, and held an appointment by former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano to serve on the state’s P-20 Education Council.

Tisha Marie Pelletier | Entrepreneur/Inspirational Speaker, Entrepreneur/ Inspirational Speaker Tisha is a “serial” entrepreneur. She first became one in 2004 after launching Simply Put Marketing, opened her second business Details Event Management in 2009, and then a third, The Mom-e Club in 2010. In 2016, she took a leap of faith to solely focus on her passion and created Tisha Marie Enterprises, a business that allows her to inspire others through various mentor programs and workshops, events and her membership organization, the Gals’ Inspiration Hub. She is also an author, speaker, business mentor, and facilitator having led over 100 meetings, and has designed, planned and funded her own successful annual, national events. She never stops challenging herself to new heights.

Jenny Poon | Founder, CO+HOOTS Jenny is a serial entrepreneur and founder of CO+HOOTS, a Phoenix co-working space and small-business incubator that currently houses more than 250 entrepreneurs. She also is the founder of eeko studio, a boutique design and advertising agency. Other businesses she has helped launch are: CO+HOOTS Foundation and Fresh Words Market. Her background in design and marketing led her to build a place where she could connect with like-minded folks who believe business growth comes from collaboration between different industries. She has worked more than 14 years in team environments and has used her experience to organize one of the largest community of entrepreneurs who believe collaboration between industries is where innovation flourishes.

Meet the Mentors

Sissie Roberts Shank | President and CEO, Chas Roberts Sissie is the CEO and president of Chas Roberts. She took the CEO position after her father passed away in 1999. The company grew from just under $100 million to about $250 million in six years, and successfully managed an 84 percent decrease to revenue (and employee count) when the recession hit and the housing market crashed, and back over $115 million by renewed focus on retail sales and service as well as diversifying, and reinventing their future. Sissie has won several awards, but strongly believes in giving back and has been actively involved on several boards, including the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Phoenix, and she and her dog Sam were therapy partners for Gabriel’s Angels.

Lori Singleton | Manager, Sustainability Initiatives and Technologies, Salt River Project Lori is director of Customer Programs and Operations Support for Solar, Customer Interactions & Training and Credit Services, for Salt River Project. She is a 38-year employee of SRP and has held various positions during her career. Lori is responsible for the development and implementation of a wide array of internal and external sustainability initiatives, which include rooftop solar, community solar, green energy and many new programs and products for customers. Lori is an active volunteer and effective advocate in the community, having served on the Governor’s Solar Energy Advisory Task Force, the city of Phoenix Commission on the Environment and board chair for Audubon of Arizona. Currently, she serves on the board for Arizona Forward and Liberty Wildlife.

Kristin Slice | Founder/Entrepreneur, Maricopa Small Business Kristin started her career in mission-based organizations and community organizing while still in college helping found the first resource center for violence prevention and healthy relationships at ASU. Soon after graduating with her master’s degree, she and her business partner Nancy Sanders launched Three Dog Marketing. Shortly afterward, they were recruited by the Maricopa Small Business Development Center to help business owners with marketing and sales strategies. Working at both Three Dog Marketing and the Maricopa SBDC, Kristin began to carve a unique niche working with women business owners. In 2014, Three Dog Marketing was acquired by Despins Printing and Graphics. Kristin helped develop Splash Printing and Marketing into an award-winning firm.

Linda Walton | President and CEO, Achieving My Purpose Inc. Linda is founder and CEO of Achieving My Purpose, a nonprofit organization established to empower young women ages 18-30 to embrace their purpose. She is an author, coach and a diversity practitioner with extensive experience in strategic consulting and organizational development. Linda has demonstrated her leadership skills in the public and private sectors during her tenure at Hallmark Cards, the city of Scottsdale and LGC Enterprises. Under her leadership, LGC established itself as an international management consulting firm specializing in diversity and organizational development. Linda holds an MBA in finance from Indiana University and a BS degree from Florida State University.

Sandra Watson | President and CEO, Arizona Commerce Authority Sandra brings more than 20 years of economic development leadership experience to Arizona. She and her teams have attracted to Arizona more than 750 companies that have committed to invest nearly $10 billion in capital and create more than 125,000 high-wage jobs. During her tenure with the Arizona Department of Commerce, and now the Arizona Commerce Authority, Sandra served in positions with increasing responsibilities and results. She has worked tirelessly to implement a new vision for the ACA and has provided invaluable leadership during the organization’s transition from the Department of Commerce into one of the nation’s first state-based, public-private partnerships focused on economic development.

Meet the Mentors

Candace Wiest | CEO, West Valley National Bank Candace is president and CEO of West Valley Bancorp Inc. and West Valley National Bank. After spending time in the hospitality and insurance industries, she joined her firstb in 1986 as a loan clerk. She has spent 31 years in banking and 24 of those years as a CEO of two banks. In 2003 Candace was elected a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and served two terms. She is the first woman to be elected as a Class A director in the bank’s 100-plus-year history. Currently she serves the community as a director in the following organizations: Greater Phoenix Leadership, Arizona Bankers Association, Rowpar, the 100 Club and secretary of Cancer Treatment Centers of America.

Lea Woodford | CEO, SmartFem Lea is CEO and founder of SmartFem Media Group, a full-service digital marketing and advertising company. SmartFem was created as a result of her many years as a publicist, columnist as well as a radio and TV personality. Lea has extensive experience as a business consultant and entrepreneur but decided the only way she could make a difference for women was to create her own magazine. Her passion is for serving women has propelled her to also create SmartFem TV. SmartFem TV was recently picked up from the C-Suite Network in New York and begins airing February 2017. Lea is just about to launch a multicity tour with her new book, “Lead . . . Share . . . Empower,” which chronicles her struggle to create SmartFem. Lea also is a professional speaker.

Kari Yatkowski | CEO, Corporate Citizen and Haven Charitable Foundation Kari has 20+ years as a strategic leader with a unique dual perspective of the corporate arena that is combined with extensive collaboration in the non-profit sector. In 2003, Kari founded and has managed Haven Charitable Foundation, a private family foundation that provides vital resources, time and leadership aimed at helping non-profit agencies make lasting changes. In January of 2012 Kari launched Corporate Citizen, LLC which provides companies with strategies that guide businesses through every facet of corporate responsibility initiatives; from planning and implementation to stakeholder engagement and sustainability reporting.

Dr. Lois Zachary | Author/Speaker Lois is an internationally recognized expert on mentoring and has been cited as “one of the top 100 minds in leadership” today. With more than 100 published articles and five mentoring toolkits, Lois has created a comprehensive set of resources for promoting mentoring excellence for individuals and organizations. She is president of Leadership Development Services LLC, a Phoenix consulting firm that specializes in leadership and mentoring, and director of its Center for Mentoring Excellence. Her innovative mentoring approaches and expertise in coaching leaders and their organizations in designing, implementing and evaluating learner-centered mentoring programs are being used globally.

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