Monday, April 3, 2017

A speed coaching and networking event powered by bizwomen.

Mentors

Whitney Bartelli | Bank Midwest, NBH Bank Chief Marketing Officer and Bank Midwest Market PresidentAs market president and chief marketing officer, Whitney is responsible for tying together the various groups within the bank, driving the culture and increasing awareness of the brand in the marketplace.

Mary Birch | Lathrop & Gage LLP, Government Relations CoordinatorAs Lathrop & Gage’s government relations coordinator and chair of the firm’s government relations practice area, Mary tracks issues and developments that may affect businesses on the local, state and national levels, and consults with clients as to how they may participate in the decision-making process. Mary is not an attorney but as the head of the government relations department she works for strategic solutions and to help our clients get the best Lathrop & Gage attorney for their issue.

Erica Brune | Lever1, OwnerErica offers 16 years of human resources and strategic fiscal reporting that has led to 45% financial growth year over year for her companies. Her role as President is to drive new business relationships, product innovation and efficiencies that give Lever1 clients the freedom to focus on the core goals of their business.

Melissa Capen Rolston | Victorian Trading Co., Founder & Executive VPMelissa founded Victorian Trading Co. in 1986. For over a quarter-of-a-century, VTCo. has maintained a dominant presence in the gift/import/catalog industries.19th c. themed trading company’s offerings run the gamut from romantic home furnishings to heirloom-caliber jewelry, clothing and seasonal decoratives.

Kelly Carnago | Google Fiber, Head of Fiber Business Operations, MidwestKelly is Head of Google Fiber Business Operations for the Midwest region where she leads local teams focused on community impact, business outreach and customer acquisition and retention. Prior to joining Google, Kelly was the Chief Carrier Operations Officer for HYLA Mobile where she was responsible for driving the company results and managing relationships with carrier partners globally.

Diana Chaloux-LaCerte | Hitch Fit Gym & Hitch Fit Online Personal Training, Co-Founder and Co-OwnerDiana is an entrepreneur, co-founder and co-owner of Hitch Fit Gym and Hitch Fit Online Personal Training, based in Kansas City, MO. She is a health and fitness expert, with a passion for helping others transform through positive healthy lifestyle changes.

Joy Coleman | TREANORHL, PrincipalJoy is a licensed architect and leads the historic preservation studio of TreanorHL. She loves to make the old new again. Promoting community growth and economic development through building restoration and adaptive reuse is her passion. She can help you meet the challenge to transform the underappreciated and underutilized into economic drivers and catalysts for a strong community.

Anissa Elsey | Nazdar, VP of Human ResourcesAnissa is currently the Vice President, Human Resources for Thrall Enterprises, Inc. (TEI) where she is responsible for the oversight and leadership of the human resources functions of all TEI operating companies including Nazdar and Graphic Solutions International. Her HR oversight extends to approximately 600 employees across the United States, Mexico, Central America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

Mentors

Linda Endecott | WashU Olin Business School, Managing Director, Executive MBA ProgramLinda joined Olin Business School’s Executive MBA program as managing director for the program’s Kansas City campus in June 2014. In this role, she engages the greater Kansas City region and its vibrant business community to build collaborative partnerships that support talent development and executive education. In addition, she focuses on identifying and developing relationships with some of the best talent in the region with the goal of keeping leaders in Kansas City to earn a top-tier Executive MBA.

Marge Epperson | PT- Physical Therapy Partners, LLC, CEOMarge maintains responsibility for company performance including new business development, operations, driving profitability, cash flow, goals and objectives. She provides oversight of management services and operations for 50+ physical therapy outpatient facilities in 9 states. Marge has spent the past 30 years in healthcare and has 25 years of healthcare management experience.

Kiersten Firquain | Happy Food Company, Owner & ChefKiersten is a consultant, chef and caterer who focuses on local, fresh, and healthy creations. In 2006, she founded Bistro Kids, the first farm 2 school lunch program in the Midwest. In 2011, Bistro Kids was acquired by Treat America, a locally-owned food service management company. Kiersten continues to be passionate about healthy foods and in 2015 became co-owner of Happy Food Co., a new venture that delivers meal kits fresh daily to the workplace and retail partners.

Katie Fitzgerald | Mariner Wealth Advisors, Senior Wealth ConsultantAs the highest-ranking woman in the business development unit throughout the entire company, Katie’s primary role is to be a relationship manager, which puts her in charge of new business and servicing existing client relationships. She primarily works with executives and business owners to help them implement their financial plans.

Gail | Gail’s Harley-Davidson, OwnerEverybody in Kansas City knows Gail Worth. So, like Madonna, Cher, Beyoncé, and Jewel, let’s drop the formalities and just call her Gail. Gail is president and owner of Gail’s Harley-Davidson in Grandview, Missouri. She purchased the dealership in 2000 becoming one of a limited number of female Harley-Davidson dealership owners in the country. The business is privately owned and is recognized as a top dealership in the country and the largest Harley-Davidson dealership in the Midwest.

Sonia Garapaty | FSC Inc., CEOSonia Garapaty, LEED AP, is CEO of FSC, Inc. and is responsible for operations, recruitment, marketing, business development, and project management for all divisions and offices. Sonia is also president of FSC MEP Engineers, LLC, a subsidiary of FSC, Inc., and manages FSC’s international operations.

Janie Gaunce | Grapevine Designs, PresidentJanie started Grapevine Designs, a promotional marketing agency, in 2000. In her prior life, Janie enjoyed a 13-year successful career as VP/Sales for two KC radio broadcasting stations. After radio, Janie discovered the creative and fun world of promotional marketing in 1996, forming her own company Grapevine Designs four years later.

Mentors

Mentors

Jenny Haile | Tri-Ten Consulting, CEO/FounderJenny has focused her career on serving clients through a holistic approach to business, technology and individual strategies. She brings that approach to her company, Tri-Ten Consulting, as Founder & CEO. Her management consulting services are based on the belief that a company’s success is secured through dedication to a business strategy, execution of the systems and workflow supporting the core business, as well as the individual’s and team’s motivations/abilities to adapt.

Davy Hartman Campbell | Fulfillment Plus Inc., President and OwnerDavy started Fulfillment Plus, a marketing services company, in 1999 after realizing that the fulfillment needs of businesses and nonprofit organizations are often not met. This all-in-one approach for marketing services has proven to be a successful model for the growth of her company.

Shannon Hoffmann | GreenAcres Markets, Co-owner/President/CFOGreenAcres Markets is a family-owned chain of 8 natural food stores in Missouri, Kansas & Oklahoma. Over the past few years, Shannon & her parents have grown their company from their original 2 stores (Wichita & Kansas City) into a chain of GreenAcres branded stores ranging in size from 4500 to 22,000 sq ft. after they purchased a 5 store chain and one additional store in 2014.

Talena Hooper | Wells Fargo, Senior and Regional Vice PresidentTalena Hooper is a senior vice president and regional vice president for Wells Fargo Commercial Banking in Kansas. Based in Kansas City, Hooper was named to lead commercial banking operations in the state in June 2015 years after joining the company as an administrative assistant.

Joyce Hrinya | A&R Strategy Partners LLC, Managing PartnerJoyce has 27 years of experience leading companies in building profitable brands. She has held key executive positions in marketing, strategic planning, business development and customer satisfaction. She focuses on strategy, efficient tactics and driving organic revenue growth. Joyce has extensive expertise in retail and consumer markets, particularly in fine jewelry, apparel, accessories, gifting and specialty food companies.

Katherine Hunter | Bank Midwest, a division of NBH Bank NA, Senior VPKathy is a 30-year banking executive who is well versed in Commercial and Small Business products and services with expertise in delivering creative solutions that match customer wants and needs. She is team oriented with a talent for surrounding the customer with subject matter experts so that they can focus on their business versus their banking needs. She is an avid learner with a proactive attitude and a management style that focuses on team success.

Angela Hurt | Veracity Consulting, Founder and CEOAngela realized early in her career that she wanted to find a greater solution to bridge the gap that over complicated business and IT relationships. Motivated by an intrinsic desire to give back to her employees, to be involved in a greater effort, and reciprocate the investment her early mentors provided her, Angela founded Veracity in 2006.

Chris Jackson | NCES Inc., CEOAfter 22 years of experience in operations and management, Chris Jackson entered the entrepreneurial world when she acquired NCES in 2000. NCES is an on-line resource of nutrition education products that includes patient education resources, teaching aids, food models, curriculum, health kits and other learning tools. Through NCES, Chris helps educate dietitians, health-care professionals and teachers about nutrition and good health, all subjects consistent with her own lifestyle.

Mentors

Jeanette Jayne | Cohen-Esrey LLC, Managing Director, EVPPromoted to CIO in 1999 and then to chief administrative officer in 2001, Jeanette assumed her current role as managing director in 2007. As managing director, Jeanette oversees the administrative integration of all business units and profit centers. Jeanette also manages budgeting, corporate insurance and legal matters, providing the leadership for the overall corporate infrastructure.

Sheree Johnson | SJ Insights LLC, CEOPrior to founding SJ Insights in 2013, Sheree has held senior level, management positions with top Chicago and Kansas City area advertising agencies including Nicholson Kovac, Cunningham & Walsh and McCann-Erickson. SJ Insights is a marketing services firm providing market intelligence and analysis, custom market research, media planning and buying services, social media marketing, as well as advertising related consulting services.

Laura Lee Jones | LionShare, Founder and CEOLaura founded LionShare in 1995. She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has dedicated her 29-year career to healthcare analytics and marketing. Together with her “Best Places to Work” award-winning team, LionShare has achieved national recognition as a leading healthcare firm. LionShare has guided hundreds of hospitals in their quest to link data analytics to decision insights, better outcomes and marketing execution with the use of DIATA - their Business Intelligence and CRM platform.

Elise Kirchhofer | CBRE, Director - Project ManagementElise manages a team of six professionals who serve as third-party owner’s representatives, overseeing design and construction for building owners. She also is responsible for attracting new clients for the team, which last year oversaw about $83 million worth of construction.

Jeri Kling | Bartunek Group Executive Recruiting, Managing PartnerBartunek Group Executive Recruiting provides outstanding support to customers and candidates to understand their requirements, identify talent that meets if not surpasses their goals, and who are retained at their new employment an average of 6 years. The company specializes in IT, Telecom and Engineering and works with recruiters nationwide who are experts in Biomedical, Electronics, Sales, Pharma, Gas & Petroleum and Health Care.

Courtney Kounkel | Verity Construction Solutions, founder and CEOCourtney is a 20 year veteran of the construction industry and was a founding partner of a successful construction company where she oversaw the day-to-day operations and finances of the $60M organization. She recently sold her interest in her general contracting firm and is currently providing Owner’s Representation services through her firm, Verity Construction Solutions.

Denise Kruse | AdamsGabbert, CEO/OwnerDenise is CEO and owner of AdamsGabbert. AG improves business results and operations for their clients in the areas of people, process and systems. They meet their clients where their need is by recruiting talent for them or providing consulting in strategy and successful execution through business process improvement, project management and ensuring the organizational change can be sustained.

Cindy Laffey | Inlanta Mortgage, Branch Partner and Mortgage Loan OriginatorAs an experienced home financing professional, Cindy is committed to exceptional service and comprehensive home financing solutions from application to closing and beyond. She strives to bring her clients and referral sources the most innovative products and programs available to fit their unique and ever-changing financial needs.

Mentors

Mentors

Laura Laiben | The Culinary Center of Kansas City, “The Main Dish”Laura practiced corporate, securities and public finance law for 18 years before jumping career tracks to design and open The Culinary Center of Kansas City in 1998 which has enjoyed continued success for 20 years. She believes strongly in the magic that happens around the table and in the kitchen as well as pursuing social entrepreneurship, commitment to community and the philosophy that “if you do good, then you’ll do good.”

Stephanie Landis | America’s Small Business Development Center – Kansas, ConsultantStephanie Landis is a seasoned corporate sales and marketing executive and previous business owner. She is currently a consultant at America’s Small Business Development Center – Kansas located at Johnson County Community College. In this role, she works with business owners integrating her extensive leadership background and personal ownership experience to provide valuable insight into running and scaling a business.

Mary Leonida | Polaris Cos., President & CEOAs CEO/President of the Polaris Companies and Track Consulting, Mary manages closely-held corporations with direct ownership in a regional management consulting firm, commercial real estate, start-up ventures and multi-unit national franchise restaurants. For over twenty years, she has generated business plans, evaluated asset allocation and developed marketing and expansion strategies for core businesses.

Christina Long | Redemption Plus, Chief Culture & People OfficerAs the Culture Crusader (aka Chief People & Culture Officer) Christina is responsible for developing and executing on human resource strategy in support of Redemption Plus’ overall culture and core values. She works diligently to ensure every action, every decision and every message fulfills our purpose. As part of the strategic leadership team, she also works on impact, performance and execution, maintaining consistency and transparency throughout all touch points.

Maria Maffry | BNIM, Principal, Chief Business Development OfficerAs a principal and member of BNIM’s leadership team, Maria is responsible for strategic planning as well as firm management and business oversight. With Maria’s guidance, BNIM, an innovative leader in designing high performance environments, has forged a public and industry-wide reputation for design excellence, sustainable practices and thought leadership.

Ali Mahaffy | Sullivan Higdon & Sink, Co-Chief Executive OfficerAli has worked at some great agencies. But her career has also taken her to the client side, which gives her a great perspective on the pressures and challenges our clients face and how the agency should be positioned to help. Ali plays a key role in fostering the unique professional and personal relationships Sullican Higdon & Sink builds with clients. She also ensures that the agency has all the resources it needs to be a lean, mean and highly effective machine.

Melanie Mann | Mann Development Co. LLCMelanie Mann has developed retail, office, residential and mixed-use projects throughout the greater Kansas City area for over 25 years. Most recently, as co-Developer of Park Place in Leawood, Kansas, Melanie Mann has shared the responsibility for every aspect of conceiving, master-planning, designing, entitling, developing, leasing and managing Johnson County’s premier urban style mixed-use community.

Laura Maver Ward | Kingsbridge Capital Partners, Founder and CEOLaura is Founder and CEO of Kingsbridge Capital Partners, a middle-market investment banking firm, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Kingsbridge helps business owners transition ownership to strategic and financial buyers throughout the United States and Canada. Kingsbridge also works closely with private equity and strategic buyers to implement successful targeted acquisition programs.

Mentors

Valerie McCaw | VSM Engineering LLC, PresidentValerie’s business has left the “start-up” phase and is now in the “growth” phase. VSM Engineering performs municipal capital project design, management and construction management. Valerie’s core responsibilities are three fold: business development; business management and some of the design engineering.

Nancy Mellard | CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services Division, Executive Vice President and General CounselAs General Counsel for the CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services Division, Nancy has responsibility for all legal matters including transactional legal matters; negotiating contracts with merger and acquisition candidates, key customers, insurance carriers and employment related agreements; and managing litigation and E&O issues for this Division. Nancy provides strategic-level business counseling to the Benefits & Insurance Services Division and serves as the liaison to the parent company’s General Counsel.

Marquita Miller | Five Star Tax & Business Solutions, Accountant/Business StrategistMarquita owns and operates Five Star Tax and Business Solutions which provides a diverse menu of business solutions, including tax planning and preparation, accounting and payroll, business startup planning, and revenue generation. From the business’ inception as a part-time hobby in 2009 to its current position as a local marketplace leader, Marquita has sought to focus her services on small- and medium-sized businesses. Marquita fosters entrepreneurship in others, and her business places special emphasis on services for startups.

Brooke Morehead | Prairiebrooke Arts, Owner and PresidentBrooke has been selling artwork for over thirty years. She started Prairiebrooke Arts, Inc. in 1990 doing corporate art design. In 1997, Morehead opened Prairiebrooke Gallery in Downtown Overland Park for residential fine art and framing. Since that time, Prairiebrooke Arts has established itself as a regional leader in original art and framing services with clients like Cerner, JP Morgan, St. Luke’s Health System, the U.S. Army, Burns and McDonnell, and Waddell & Reed.

Alana Muller | Coffee Lunch Coffee, Networking Speaker, CoachAlana is a Networking speaker, workshop facilitator, coach and author of the book, Coffee Lunch Coffee: A Practical Field Guide for Master Networking and a companion blog, CoffeeLunchCoffee.com. Her accessible, relevant, immediately actionable approach to professional networking has helped thousands of people formulate a strategic mindset around networking while creating a game plan to get out there and connect. Alana is the former President of Kauffman FastTrac and spent a number of years as an executive with Sprint Corporation.

Valerie Nichols | Midland Loan Services, a PNC Real Estate business, VP-Servic-ing Operations DirectorValerie currently directs a team of professionals in the commercial loan servicing division responsible for the tax, insurance, reserves, complex loan, and collateral services departments. Principal activities include strategic initiatives, project management, corporate governance activities, resourcing and administration for a third-party servicing portfolio of approximately $ 450 billion.

Pamela Popp | Lockton Retirement Services, PresidentPam is responsible for strategic vision and long-term growth of the practice. She joined Lockton in 2014 to accelerate growth of a business that addresses both the organization and very personal employee needs for financial security throughout their careers and beyond. In a rapidly changing retirement landscape, employers in all industries must focus on the retirement readiness of individuals and risk management for their organizations and management teams.

Mentors

Mentors

Karen Prange | Lockton Retirement, Chief Compliance Officer, Senior VPAs the Chief Compliance Officer for Lockton Retirement Services, Karen oversees compliance and operations for the firm’s broker dealer (Lockton Financial Advisors, LLC) and its registered investment advisor (Lockton Investment Advisors, LLC). Karen has more than 20 years’ experience in legal, compliance, and risk management services.

Mary Redmond | The FearLess Negotiator LLC, Speaker, Author, ConsultantAs an international professional speaker, Mary’s audiences retain her for conference keynotes and workshops because she shares practical negotiation tools and techniques that can be implemented immediately. Her stories engage audiences with humor and real-life challenges from the negotiation trenches.

Cindy Reynolds | Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery, OwnerCindy and her husband Dennis planted Somerset Ridge Vineyard & Winery in 1998 while Cindy was managing sales organizations for several national technology and media companies and consulting for companies preparing to sell. She left the corporate world to focus her energy on her family winery. Somerset Ridge is an award-winning producer of premium wines made from grapes grown in their 20-acre vineyard and surrounding area. Prior to devoting full time to her family business Cindy was President of Guy’s Snacks Corporation.

Margaret Reynolds | Reynolds Consulting LLC, Master Growth CatalystMargaret is a speaker, author and consultant passionate about helping leaders and organizations achieve and sustain transformative growth. She helps clients master the reality of the market, the critical elements of business success, development of an effective plan and the keys to successful implementation. Her sessions include practical advice about overcoming obstacles, helpful techniques for implementing best practice and examples of applications. Margaret got her start with speaking at Hallmark Cards, Inc. where, as the strategic officer, she presented key strategies to top executives and at company-wide gatherings.

Michelle Robin | Your Wellness Connection, FounderDr. Michelle Robin is an international speaker, best-selling author, radio host, and practicing chiropractor. She is the founder of Your Wellness Connection, P.A., one of the nation’s most successful integrative healing centers. Dr. Robin also consults with businesses and non-profit organizations developing wellness programs. She has spoken on improving individual well-being as well as creating a culture of wellness to a wide variety of companies, organizations, and conferences across the US and Canada.

Sandy Sampson | Hays Cos. of Kansas City, Executive Vice PresidentSandy has direct responsibility over the Property and Casualty practice. Her responsibilities include sales development, personnel management, client program development and design, marketing and placement of appropriate insurance coverage and consultation. Sandy joined Hays Companies in August 2001.

Theresa Schekirke | Samson Dental Partners, LLC, CEOSamson Dental is the parent and management company of 24 dental practices operating under the name “ImmediaDent”. ImmediaDent is the nation’s premier urgent dental care provider. Under Theresa’s leadership, the company has become profitable, has grown from 19 practices to 24 (with three more opening within six months) and has developed industry leading training and management technology.

MentorsMentors

Sheila Seck | Seck and Associates LLC, OwnerSheila is the Managing Partner of Seck & Associates, a boutique law firm that assists entrepreneurs as they launch their business and encounter change as they grow. Sheila works closely with growing companies, established businesses and investors to develop solutions to a broad range of challenges with a specialty in assisting business owners and companies as they prepare to sell their business or acquire new ones.

Rachel Sexton | VPR Cos., COORachel Sexton spent the first part of her career developing marketing campaigns for pharmaceutical clients as the Creative Director of VPR Creative Group. After more than a decade designing product launches for blockbuster drugs like Allegra and Lantus, when the economic climate changed and having Sheryl Crow strum her guitar for a room of sales professionals went from “entertainment” to “extravagance”, Rachel reinvented VPR’s business to focus on what was really important to pharmaceutical clients – the patient.

Linda Sinnett | Design Resources Inc., CFOLinda joined the DRI family of business in March, 2010. Since coming on board, she has successfully led the finance team and served as a strategic partner to the CEO through a four-year growth of over 72% in combined revenues.

Robin Peppe Sterneck | Sterneck Capital Management, PresidentRobin P. Sterneck is a seasoned executive and board director who brings 30 years of business and leadership experience to her keynotes, workshops, roundtables, best practice coaching sessions, corporate training and real life story telling. Robin’s work as a Senior Investment Banker at Lehman Brothers and then as a $1B P&L Leader, Global Marketing Director and Head of Talent Development at GE Capital’s Insurance business and then Swiss Re, arm her with a broad breadth of first-hand experience and strategies.

René Street | American Business Women’s Association, Executive DirectorRené has been challenging women to grow personally and professionally in achieving their goals as Women in Business. In ABWA, she collaborates with the Association’s leaders and members to develop women as leaders and business owners. René’s vision is for women to find their voice, honor each other’s dignity and support each other in becoming their best selves.

Robin Stubenhofer | Honeywell Federal Manufacturing & Technologies, Vice President, EngineeringRobin is responsible for a variety of advanced technologies, including manufacturing and engineering support for mechanical and electrical products, laboratory support, telemetry, and test equipment. She also helps direct research and development efforts along with developing new products and processes and a variety of work for other government agencies.

Gina Stuelke | Kenton Brothers Inc., CEOGina is the CEO of Kenton Brothers Systems for Security, the Kansas City areas industry leader in customized security solutions for businesses. She is responsible for re-engineering a century old business and embracing technologies that are resulting in double digit growth. Day to day responsibilities include strategic planning and execution, sales, development of new products and services, as well as oversight of internal and external customer communications.

Chrys Sullivan | Useagility, CEOChrys is founder and CEO of Useagility, a full-service user experience firm skilled at transforming complex business processes into usable and effective digital products.

Mentors

Lori Tinkler | National Board for Respiratory Care, Inc., Chief Operating OfficerLori has been with the NBRC for 25+ years and works with the NBRC Board of Trustees to carry out its mission by managing the day-to-day operations of the NBRC Executive Office and serving as a liaison to the Board of Trustees. Recently, Lori served on a task force to revise the accreditation standards for the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

Celina Tio | JULIAN and The Belfry, OwnerJULIAN is a neighborhood restaurant featuring global “Feel Good Food.” The Belfry is an all-day tavern that has a full food menu and a beverage program that focuses on craft beer, cocktails and bourbon. Collection is an event space for celebrations and corporate dinners.

Kristin Tyson | CrossFirst Bank, Managing Director Private BankingTyson is CrossFirst Bank’s head of private banking. Tyson has more than 25 years of experience in the banking industry, most recently serving as senior vice president and market executive at Bank of Kansas City, a subsidiary of BOK Financial Corp., where she led the bank’s personal wealth management business.

Carolyn Watley | CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services Inc., PresidentCarolyn is president of CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services of Kansas City. Business Insurance Magazine named CBIZ the No. 1 Employee Benefits Specialists in the nation in 2014.

Joy Wheeler | Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri, CEOJoy has been CEO of Girl Scouts of NE KS & NW MO since October 1, 2013. Joy is an accomplished executive with more than 35 years in executive healthcare and community leadership. She launched and led growth of a community-based Medicaid managed-care company serving Kansas and Missouri. The company sold with a $100 million return from its initial investment of $5 million.

Colleen White | Strategic Workplace Solutions Inc., PresidentColleen is President and founder of Strategic Workplace Solutions, Inc. She brings 30 years of labor compliance, affirmative action and workplace relations experience to her SWS clients to help them learn about and manage their labor law compliance risks. By providing training, consulting and project monitoring services, her clients reduce or eliminate penalties from violations.

Nancy Whitworth | McCownGordon Construction, VP of Human ResourcesNancy has blazed new trails for McCownGordon as the company’s Vice President of Human Resources. Nancy has more than 20 years of human resources experience, focusing on talent management, leadership development, total rewards, associate relations, and organizational development.

Kelly Wilson | Weave Gotcha Covered, CEO Co-FounderKelly, a lifelong autodidact, has always had a passion for living “outside the box.” In 2005, Kelly found herself in the job market. Without a professional career to resume, she found a minimum wage, $5-an-hour job, at a local fabric store. Noticing the numerous requests for sewing referrals she identified the need to start a sewing business. Weave Gotcha Covered! was born in the basement with a sewing machine, a friend, and the commission of a “While You Were Out” make-over.

MentorsMentors

Lori Wittman | Cox Automotive Inc., Senior Vice PresidentLori is responsible for Sales and F&I Solutions in the Retail Solutions part of the business. In her role Wittman has responsibility for the strategic direction and overall financial success of 3 software businesses that serve the automotive industry: a CRM business, VinSolutions, based here in Kansas City; an F&I solution suite, Dealertrack F&I, that is based in Lake Success, NY; and a registration and titling business, Dealertrack RTS, that is based in Groton, CT.

Ronda Shea Zillner | Zillner, CEO/FounderRonda founded Zillner in 1992. With clients stretching across the country and numbering in the hundreds, Zillner is recognized as a leading senior marketing firm. The company’s 50 associates are dedicated to constantly developing and evolving market-based strategies, solutions and innovations that meet the aspirations, concerns and desires of seniors that result in measurable and profitable outcomes for client companies.

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