Official Communications Sponsor
|
|
Be sure to visit again soon learn about the dynamic speakers for the next conference.
 Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole
Chair,
Johnnetta Betsch Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute
Prior to her current role, Dr. Johnnetta Cole’s career as a college and university professor and administrator spanned more than three decades. Dr. Cole made history in 1987 by becoming the first African-American woman to serve as president of Spelman College. From 2004-2006, she was the first African-American to serve as Chairperson of the Board of United Way of America. Dr. Cole earned an undergraduate degree at Oberlin College and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in anthropology from Northwestern University. Dr. Cole serves on the boards of a host of community organizations and also serves on the Board of Directors of Merck & Co., Inc. In addition to 51 honorary degrees, Dr. Cole has received numerous awards, including the TransAfrica Forum Global Public Service Award, the Dorothy I. Height Dreammaker Award, the Radcliffe Medal and the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal.
 Marta de Fox
President, Vamos México Foundation
Former First Lady of Mexico
Marta de Fox has used the visibility afforded to the wife of Mexico’s President to take strong stands on social issues. She has been effective in her support of a wide array of social causes, including involvement in one program that reduced the incidence of physical handicaps in Mexican newborns by 70 percent. She has helped provide access to computers to underprivileged youth, and has chaired numerous organizations that work on behalf of women, children, healthcare, and education. Marta de Fox is a mother of three. Prior to her marriage to Vicente Fox, she served as his communications director as he rose from governor to presidential candidate to president, and was the first woman to act as the federal government’s spokesperson. A brilliant innovator, Marta de Fox revolutionized the way the Mexican government communicated with the public, and ushered in a new era of transparency in the government’s dealings with the press.
- Back To Top -
 Jana
Grammy® Nominated Musical Artist
Native American by birth and heritage, contemporary artist through hard work, destiny and the spirits, Jana brings a fresh outlook and exotic style to today’s music. Jana refers to her cultural anomaly as “Urban Indian”. This is only a part of her mysterious allure. Her striking looks and powerful voice, coupled with the sensibilities of pop, R&B, world and gospel music create a compelling new mix that seduces your ear and overwhelms your senses. Drawing from diverse musical influences to create a fresh perspective on pop music today, Jana reveals her personal style through her extraordinary musical talents. She is not representative of any one world, just as her music is a collage of multi-cultural influences. Instead, Jana embodies a synthesis of the modern world and her own ethnic background. Jana is a voice you must hear. You won’t be disappointed. Another important part of Jana’s life is her own Jana’s Kids organization, founded by her to help Native American youth achieve the successes they dream of. Jana’s Kids has become one of the most successful programs of its kind in America.
- Back To Top -
 Soledad O’Brien
Anchor and Special Correspondent, CNN
Soledad O'Brien is an anchor and special correspondent for CNN: Special Investigations Unit, filing in-depth series on the most important ongoing and breaking news stories for all major CNN programs. O'Brien joined CNN in July 2003 as the co-anchor of the network's flagship morning program, American Morning. O'Brien was part of the coverage teams that earned CNN a George Foster Peabody award for its Katrina coverage and an Alfred I. duPont Award for its coverage of the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia. I n 2006, she was awarded the Women of Power award by the National Urban League. She also won a local Emmy for her work as a co-host on Discovery Channel's The Know Zone. She has been named to People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful" in 2001 and People en Espanol's 50 most beautiful in 2004. O'Brien was also included in Crain's Business Reports' "40 under 40," Essence magazine's "40 under 40" and Black Enterprise "40 Under 40." O'Brien has been named several times to Irish American Magazine's "Top 100 Irish Americans." O'Brien earned the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award from the National Association of Minorities in Cable in 2006 and has received honorary degrees from Siena College and Mercy College.
- Back To Top -
 The Honorable Beverly Perdue
Lieutenant Governor - North Carolina
A former public school teacher, health care professional, and co-chairperson of the N.C. Senate Appropriations Committee, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue has been a key figure in shaping North Carolina’s agenda for jobs and economic development, educational excellence, and affordable, accessible healthcare for North Carolina’s families. Lt. Gov. Perdue is a committed public servant, having served five terms in the Senate and two terms in the State House of Representatives. As a legislator, she was consistently ranked one of the most effective members of the North Carolina General Assembly and gained a reputation for being one of the state’s hardest-working legislators. Perdue is Chairperson of the Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission, which has crafted a prescription drug plan, a teen smoking prevention and cessation program, and an obesity prevention plan. At the request of N.C. Governor Mike Easley, she leads our state’s efforts to protect our military bases in the Department of Defense’s base realignment and closure process. She also serves on the Rural Economic Development Center Board, the North Carolina Economic Development Board, State Board of Education and the State Board of Community Colleges. Lt. Gov. Perdue holds a Ph.D. in administration from the University of Florida.
- Back To Top -
 Martha Gayle Barber
Alston & Bird
Martha Gayle Barber chairs Alston & Bird’s Intellectual Property-Trademark and Copyright Group. She concentrates her practice on sophisticated worldwide brand management and counseling to strategically position clients, brands and images in the global marketplace. Martha’s practice includes trademark, copyright, domain name and related intellectual property matters.Martha received her B.A. in Psychology, History and Education from Duke University and her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law. She is regularly featured in Euromoney’s Guide to The World’s Leading Trademark Law Practitioners. Martha has served on the Board of Directors the International Trademark Association and the Mecklenburg Bar Foundation.
- Back To Top -
 Brenda Palms Barber
CEO, North Lawndale Employment Network
North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) – www.nlen.org - serves 1,200 men and women annually, placing 75% in unsubsidized employment. Others NLEN places in its transitional jobs program, refers to entrepreneurial tracks, or helps to secure additional skills and education. Under Brenda’s entrepreneurial direction, NLEN began operating an innovative job creation program called Sweet Beginnings (www.beelinestore.com). Now a wholly-owned subsidiary of NLEN, Sweet Beginnings is a transitional jobs program that provides green collar jobs growing urban honey and making and selling honey based personal care products under the Beeline label.
- Back To Top -
 Wanda Maynor Carter
American Indian Community Volunteer
Wanda Maynor Carter (LUMBEE) has devoted many years of volunteer service to the American Indian community and to the larger community of Charlotte. Carter is a noted lecturer on American Indian History and Culture and in January 2007, was among a gathering of Indian women leaders honored at an American Indian Women’s Conference ceremony, ‘Celebrating American Indian Women of Proud Nations’. A member of American Indian Women, Inc. and Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange, Carter volunteers with several youth organizations. She is currently on the management team at the Charlotte Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank.
- Back To Top -
 Jean Chatzky
Author
An award-winning journalist, bestselling author and motivational speaker, Jean Chatzky is a regular contributor to “The Oprah Winfrey Show,” the Financial Editor for NBC's Today show and the host of the Jean Chatzky Show on Oprah & Friends exclusively on XM Radio. She is the author of four books, including the best-sellers Pay it Down! From Debt to Wealth on $10 a Day. and Make Money Not Excuses. She is editor-at-large for Money Magazine and writes for Travel & Leisure as well as her own syndicated newspaper column. Jean and her family live in Westchester County, NY.
- Back To Top -
 Astrid Chirinos
Founder and Principal of Diverso Global Strategies (DGS)
Astrid provides Multicultural Marketing and Workforce Development Strategy to Fortune 500 companies and other large organizations in the Charlotte Region. Her integrated approach includes Cross-Cultural Competency, the Organizational Readiness and the effective Community Outreach and Action Plans required to retaining and increasing fast growing multicultural markets. Astrid’s community leadership includes service on various boards and committees and she is a frequent recipient of numerous awards. Astrid is a native of Caracas, Venezuela and fluent in both Spanish and English language. She is an Honors graduate from St Mary’s College and NC State University with a degree in Environmental Visual Design.
- Back To Top -
 Anne Crotty
Ginter Immigration Law Clinic
International House
Anne is the immigration attorney at the Ginter Immigration Law Clinic, a key program of International House in Charlotte, NC. The Ginter Immigration Law Clinic provides immigration consultation and representation to low-income clients in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg region. Her practice focuses on helping clients avoid victimization and assisting them in obtaining legal residency and naturalization. She also supervises the English Tutoring Program, an alternative ESL program of International House. Anne was a staff attorney for the Laurel Legal Services in Kittanning, Pennsylvania for six years, focusing her practice on domestic violence issues.
- Back To Top -
 Stephanie R. Counts
CEO and Co-Founder, Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange
Stephanie Counts is the CEO and Co-Founder of Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange. A graduate of the State University of New York and UNC-Charlotte, Stephanie is a National and Local Educational Leader. Former White House Education Consultant, CEO-YWCA-Central Carolinas and very active in the community serving on YWCA World Service Council, UNC-Charlotte Board of Trustees and Board of Advisors to the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Mint Museum of Art and WFAE. She was recently appointed to the Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education Board. Stephanie’s honors and awards are numerous and include the UNC-Charlotte Distinguished Alumnus, Spirit Award, Order of the Long Leaf Pine and the Diversity in Business Award.
- Back To Top -
 Patricia M. Crull
Vice President and Chief Learning Officer, Time Warner Cable
Patricia M Crull is Vice President and Chief Learning Officer for Time Warner Cable in which she has accountability for the corporate learning and OD functions. Pat is a licensed clinical psychologist with a PH.D from Northwest University in which she has spent her entire professional career helping businesses and industries improve their performance. Prior to joining Time Warner Cable, Pat was the Vice President and Chief Learning Officer for McDonald’s Corporation, Toys R Us, Baxter Healthcare, and TIAA-CREF. Pat is the former Chair of the ASTD Board. She currently serves on the Advisory Council of the Board for ACT.
- Back To Top -
 Dee Dixon
President, Pride Communications
Dee Dixon has built Pride Magazine into an important voice for all of the Queen City and has set Pride Communications, her umbrella company, on a solid path of doing a variety of public relations and marketing ventures. Dee was named as 2006 Charlotte Business Woman of the year. She is co-founder of What Women of Color Want (series of events on career, business and market-driven issues relevant to minority women) and Women’s Inter-Cultural Exchange (WIE) - a non-profit organization designed to build social capital and trust among women of all races.
- Back To Top -
 Diane Dunn
Diane Dunn is a healer, a UCC ministerand master in the Andean spiritual tradition, as well as a published author. After a career in theatre, she attended Union Theological Seminary in New York City graduating with a Masters of Divinity degree. In the 1990s she worked in South Africa just after the liberation of Nelson Mandela developing a church-based community outreach program for homeless and unemployed people in downtown Johannesburg. In 2000 she moved to Peru where she wrote her book Cusco: The Gateway to Inner Wisdom,the story of her magical adventure into the land of the Inkas, where she met two powerful Andean Masters who taught her to know and live in a new way. Diane lives in Cusco’s Sacred Valley where she runs Paz y Luz (Peace and Light) Healing Center and B&B.
- Back To Top -
 Robin Ganzert, PH.D.
Senior Vice President
National Director of Philanthropic Support
Wachovia Nonprofit and Philanthropic Services
Robin Ganzert, Ph.D. joined Wachovia in 2002 where she currently serves as Senior Vice President and National Director of Philanthropic Support. Her responsibilities include managing the philanthropic advisors and sales strategists for business development strategy and execution. She formally served as National Director of the Wachovia Center for Planned Giving, which serves nonprofit institutions in a holistic approach to planned giving by providing investment management, administration and consulting services. Robin has over fifteen years of experience in non-profit financial management, including the position of Assistant Dean of Finance and Administration at Wake Forest University Babcock Graduate School of Management.
- Back To Top -
 Debra Gawrych
CEO and Founder, Common Boundaries
Debra Gawrych is a nationally known consultant with corporate clients such as: Wachovia, Starwood Hotels and Procter & Gamble. She uses innovative techniques from quantum physics, and psychology to develop cutting-edge and deeply authentic programs. Debra offers three publications: the most recent, Sacred Spaces, best-seller- The Seven Aspects of Sisterhood: Empowering Women Through Self-Discovery and audio-book, Lead From the Inside Out. Debra also spends countless hours volunteering to bring effective leadership skills to university students and to under-developed countries. Common Boundaries’ purpose is to support quantum innovation and effective leadership skills an the individual and organizational levels. - Back To Top -
 Gail Griffin, MD
The Women’s Group of Charlotte – Presbyterian Medical Group
Dr. Gail Griffin is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. She earned her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College in 1988, graduated from Howard University College of Medicine in 1996 and completed her residency training from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2000. As an OB/GYN in Northwest Indiana for the National Health Service Corps from 2000-2004, Dr. Griffin, who is fluent in Spanish, was able to provide more access for women and significantly improve perinatal morbidity outcomes in an area previously underserved. Currently, Dr. Griffin is with the Presbyterian-affiliated practice, The Women’s Group of Charlotte.
- Back To Top -
 Mary N. Hall, MD
Chair of the Department of Family Medicine,
Carolinas Medical Center
In Dr. Hall’s 20 years on the faculty at CMC, she has served as director of student education, medical director of the FPC and for 10 years as the residency director of the family medicine program. Currently, in her role as Chair, she oversees all educational activities in the department, including programs for residents, medical students and sports medicine fellows. Dr. Hall currently sits on the strategic planning committee of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and is Vice Chair of the legislative committee of the Association of Departments of Family Medicine.
- Back To Top -
 Dr. Felicia C. Harris
Founder and President, Educational Enhancement, Inc.
Dr. Harris understands the value in building multicultural relationships and how to effectively develop and sustain diverse interactions individually and in organizations. She founded Educational Enhancement, Inc., a company that specializes in strategic consulting and training in the areas of Cultural Intelligence, Cultural Maturity and Core Competencies in Professional, Leadership & Team Development for corporate, educational, non-profit and governmental organizations. Dr. Harris is an Adjunct faculty member in the Women’s Studies Program at UNC-Charlotte and a Diversity Coach for the Executive MBA Program at the McColl School of Business, Queens University.
- Back To Top -
 Carol Hevey
Executive Vice-President, Time Warner Cable
Carol brings more than 20 years’ experience in the cable industry and has operating responsibility for nearly two million cable television, high-speed data and digital phone customers in TWC divisions in North and South Carolina. Carol is a member of Women in Cable and Telecommunications, Cable Telecommunications Association for Marketing and the Tower Club, an Honorary Society for Cable Television in the Southeast United States. She formerly served on the Executive Committee of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.
- Back To Top -
 Melisa Holmes, M.D. and Trish Hutchison, M.D.
Co-Founder, Girlology®
As sought after speakers on topics of teen culture, sex education, and promoting healthy sexuality among today’s youth, Dr. Melisa Holmes and Dr. Trish Hutchison travel the country helping girls and the adults who care about them start conversations that matter about sex and all the stuff that goes along with it. They are co-founders of Girlologyand co-authors of Girlology: A Girl’s Guide to Stuff that Matters and now Hang Ups, Hook Ups and Holding Out. Dr. Holmes is a magna cum laude graduate of The University of Georgia, and a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia. Dr. Hutchison, graduated cum laude from the College of Charleston and earned her MD at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). After successful practices, they currently devote full time to Girlology.
- Back To Top -
 Arthur Jeon
Author
Arthur Jeon received his BA in Humanities from Harvard University in 1985 and later received an MFA at USC film school. Twelve years ago he began to attend weeklong silent retreats twice a year with the internationally known teacher Catherine Ingram. Eventually Arthur was asked by Catherine to start holding dharma talks himself, the Socratic method used to pass on the teachings. Out ofthese talks camethe idea for the book City Dharma, Keeping your Cool in the Chaos, as most of the questions and inquiry centered on the challenges of urban living. A year later he wrote the book Sex, Love and Dharma, applying these teachings, which he calls "The Freedom Teachings," to relationships. Arthur is the co-founder of the nonprofit "Walk for the Underdog" which raises money for homeless dogs.
- Back To Top -
 Roynan Jones
Senior Director of Global External Manufacturing
EMC Corporation
Roynan Jones leads an organization responsible for the management of a global supply chain that produces and ships EMC products directly to customers. Roynan’s experience stems from 22 years within EMC and the high tech industry, starting as a Test Engineer, progressing to managing the Supplier Quality Engineers and then to Director of Procurement for the Apex, NC facility in 1999. In 2003, she transitioned to lead the Apex Supply Base Engineering. In July of 2006, Roynan was promoted to lead the Global External Manufacturing organization. Her team is expanding EMC’s manufacturing capabilities globally with new sites in Asia and Brazil.
- Back To Top -
 Michelle Y. Lee
Executive Vice President, and Northeast Group Retail Banking Executive, Wachovia Corporation
Michelle Lee joined Wachovia in 1984 as a Teller. She now provides executive leadership to all retail sales and service activities for the company’s Northeast Banking Region, which includes NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE, VA, MD, NC, SC and the District of Columbia. She serves on the Board of Newark Emergency Services for Families and has served on the boards of the March of Dimes, NJ, the National Black Arts Festival, and Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Atlanta, Ga. Michelle is also a singer and composer and holds a Bachelor's degree in Music and Applied Voice from the Boston Conservatory of Music.
- Back To Top -
 Sheri Lynch
Nationally Syndicated Radio Host, 107.9 the Link
Sheri Lynch is the personality heard on “Bob & Sheri” of 107.9 the LINK. In 2002 and 2005, Lynch received the American Women in Radio & Television’s (AWRT) highest honor, the Gracie Allen Award, in recognition of her outstanding achievement in the realistic portrayal of women in media. In 2004, she won the Charlotte Business Journal’s “Women in Business Achievement Award.” She has been named Best Local Radio Personality by Creative Loafing magazine for more than 10 consecutive years. Ms. Lynch is also the best-selling author of Hello, My Name is Mommy, which is in its fourth printing, as well as Be Happy or I’ll Scream.
- Back To Top -
 Kathy Mattea
Grammy® Award Winning Musical Artist
Kathy Mattea can look at her 20-year career and make a profound statement: “I am exactly where I want to be.” The West Virginia native signed to her first recording contract in 1983 giving a score of now-famous songwriters their first hit Mattea was the first country music star to make a public statement about AIDS when she addressed the issue on the 1992 network telecast of the CMA Awards. She later organized Red Hot & Country, an album that raised funds for AIDS research and education. By the mid 90s, Mattea’s brand of thoughtful, compassionate, folk-based songs fell from favor. “I kept having just enough hits to keep me going,” she says. “I’d have at least one hit off each album. It was almost like I was being weaned from country music stardom.” Mattea let shine her Celtic and folk leanings on 2002’s ROSES and JOY FOR CHRISTMAS DAY, her first holiday album since 1993’s Grammy®-winner, GOOD NEWS. “After 20 years, I still look forward to going to work every day, whether it’s in the studio or on the road. I still feel inspired about music. I am incredibly blessed.”
- Back To Top -
 Karol V. Mason
Partner, Alston & Bird
Karol Mason, a partner in the Atlanta and Raleigh offices, is a member of
the firm’s management committee and chair of the Public Finance Group.
She concentrates her practice in the area of public and project finance.
She has a nationally recognized practice specialty in financings of student
housing and academic facilities at public and private colleges and
universities. Ms. Mason received her J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School and her A.B. from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a member of the board of trustees at UNC-Chapel Hill.
- Back To Top -
 Karen R. McColl, CFA
Senior Vice President, Managing Director
Investment Product Management
Evergreen Investments
Karen’s responsibilities include oversight of open-end mutual funds, closed end funds and separate accounts. She leads a team of investment professionals who conduct product management and development as well as product positioning within the retail and institutional marketplace. Karen is the primary contact for broker/dealer analysts and closed end analysts in order to provide information on Evergreen’s various investment disciplines. Before joining Evergreen in June 2005, Karen was at Columbia Management, where she led a team of fund analysts. She has 14 years of industry experience and is a member of the CFA Institute and the Boston Security Analysts Society.
- Back To Top -
 Shannon McFayden
Head of Human Resources and Corporate Relations
Wachovia Corporation
Shannon serves as Senior Executive Vice-President, Head of Human Resources and Corporate Relations for the Wachovia Corporation. In this capacity, she leads Human Resources, Community Relations and Corporate Communications. Additionally, she is co-leading the company's multi-year Efficiency Improvement Program. An active community leader as well, Shannon currently chairs the United Way Capital Campaign Planning Committee board. She is the Immediate Past-Chair of the boards of Kindermourn and Child Care Resources, Inc. She serves as a Board Member of the United Negro College Fund, Charlotte Country Day School, the Community School of the Arts and the Johnnetta B. Cole Institute for Inclusion and Diversity. Shannon is also the co-founder of the North Carolina Conference for Women.
- Back To Top -
 Susan P. Mucciarone
Managing Executive, Calibre, Wachovia Wealth Management
Susan joined Calibre in 1995 and has been in her current position since April 2007. Previously, Susan has held positions including Regional Managing Director – Mid-Atlantic Region and Manager of Investment Consulting Services. Susan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University and a Masters in Business Administration from Case Western Reserve University. She is involved in numerous internal committees and sits on the Board of Trustees of the Franklin Institute; Finance Committee and the Girl Scout Council of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
- Back To Top
 Miriam Muléy
Founder & CEO, The 85% Niche
Miriam Muléy works with Fortune 500 companies to increase market share among women--Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Middle Eastern, Eastern European, Native American, Bi-Racial/Bi-Cultural, young, affluent or mature. Women account for 85% or more of all purchase decisions. The 85% Niche helps dispel the perception that women are a niche, but are a powerful consumer group, capable of generating exponential growth and profits. Miriam has 25 years of experience in Marketing, including positions at General Motors and Avon. She holds an MBA from Columbia University and sits on several boards across the country. She is Puerto Rican by ancestry.
- Back To Top -
 Nancy Murphy
Senior Vice President
The Case Foundation
Nancy Murphy, senior vice president, oversees the Case Foundation’s international investments. Prior to joining The Case Foundation in 2007, Ms. Murphy led the corporate responsibility practice for APCO Worldwide’s Washington, D.C., office. Ms. Murphy worked with corporate clients in strategy development, management, and communication of corporate responsibility policies and practices. Ms. Murphy’s previous experience includes serving as a program officer with federal agency Corporation for National Service, as director of policy for the Minnesota-based National Youth Leadership Council, and manager of Youth Volunteerism Development for a local volunteer center in Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Murphy currently serves as a board member for the National Youth Leadership Council and Taproot Foundation.
- Back To Top -
 Helene Nathanson
Executive Director and founder of
Nathanson Adoption Services of North Carolina
A deeply committed advocate for children and families, Helene has devoted her professional and volunteer life to working on their behalf. She has taught seminars on adoptive parent education throughout North Carolina and has appeared many times on television and radio programs discussing current topics in adoption. She has authored a number of articles published in parenting magazines in various US cities and created and taught "The ABC's of Adoption" for Central Piedmont Community College. Helene was appointed by the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners to serve on its Youth Services Advisory Board. She has also worked with families in crisis as a District Court Custody and Visitation Mediator. Helene has an undergraduate degree in Philosophy and a Master's Degree in Human Development and Learning.
- Back To Top -
Angie Ostendarp, CFP®
Senior Vice President-Investments at Wachovia
Angie Ostendarp, Securities has been with Wachovia for over 18 years and working as a Financial Advisor with Wachovia Securities’ Investment Services Group for over 13 years in Charlotte, NC. She manages over $200 million for her clients’.
Angie is designated as a “Premier Advisor” for Wachovia Securities based on her high level of production and commitment to professional client service. She is an avid sports fan and enjoys coaching girls’ basketball, volleyball and softball. She attended UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated with a BS in Business Administration. She resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband Jay and their three children.
- Back To Top -
 Candace Rey
Managing Director/Investment Officer, Wachovia Securities
Candace has worked in the financial field for more than thirty two years, and has spent the last ten years teamed up with her daughter, Kim Faucette, in a mother daughter practice in Burlington, North Carolina. They manage approximately $142,000,000 in assets in nine states. In 2000, Alamance Community College named Candace as their Distinguished Alumni. In 2001, she was presented The Women in Business Award by The Triad Business Journal. Candace was also featured, along with her daughter Kim Faucette, in the Registered Representative Magazine, a magazine for investment professionals.
- Back To Top -
 Dr. Barbara E. Riley
The Chambers Group, LLC
7chambers.com
Dr. Riley brings extensive expertise to executive coaching and leadership development, large systems culture change diversity interventions and dynamic public speaking. Contributing over twenty-five years of consulting experience with Fortune 100 companies and numerous not-for-profit and educational organizations, Dr Rileybrings a wisdom that grounds her coaching and consulting in both personal development and the real world of business success. Dr. Riley's contributions to The Chambers Group include The Leadership Matrix™, and co-creator with Dr. Frost of the 7Chambers™coaching model and Leading from the Inside Out©.
- Back To Top -
 Rosie Saez
Senior Vice President and Director, Wachovia Leadership Practices
Prior to her current role, Ms. Saez served as the director of the office of diversity integration practices and as regional manager of Wachovia’s Community development group. Before joining Wachovia Corporation, Ms Saez was deputy director of Aspira, Inc. Saez is actively involved with numerous community-based organizations on a local and national level. She has been recognized as one of the 50 Best Women in Business in the state of Pennsylvania. Ms. Saez holds a B.S. degree in Social Administration from Temple University and is a graduate of the Community Leadership Seminars Program (now known as Leadership, Inc.).
- Back To Top -
 Dr. Linda B. Salane,
Executive director of the Leadership Institute and The Alliance for Women at Columbia College
Dr. Salane is recognized for innovative community leadership programs including The Alliance for Women, a public-private partnership between the Governor’s Office and Columbia College, to improve the status of women in South Carolina. Active in the community, Salane is a founding member of Women in Philanthropy and on the board of The Cooperative Ministry.
- Back To Top -
 Neli Vazquez Rowland
CEO, Be! Products, Inc.
With her business background and passion for supporting women to use their potential, Neli Vazquez Rowland has a track record in identifying business opportunities and providing the venture capital and expertise to grow companies from the conceptual stage to multi-million dollar businesses. Prior to becoming CEO of Be! Products, an award winning, professional nail care line, she was former Vice President of Oppenheimer & Co.; and President of DNB Financial Services, Inc. Additionally, she and her husband started A Safe Haven, the most heralded recovery home operator in the country, specializing in the treatment for the diseases of drug addiction and alcoholism. Ms. Vazquez Rowland was also named the “2007 Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.
- Back To Top -
 Danny Seo
Environmental Lifestyle Expert
Danny has championed on behalf of the natural biodiversity of our planet from a very young age. On his 12th birthday, he founded the organization Earth 2000 and by 18, he had transformed the organization into the country's largest teenage activist charity. Today, Danny encourages America to live a greener lifestyle. Danny is the author of six bestselling books, including the recently published Simply Green Parties and Simply Green Giving. Danny also co-starred in the HGTV prime-time special Red Hot & Green and hosted the bestselling DVD Simple Steps to a Greener Home. www.dannyseo.com
- Back To Top -
 Irina Simmons
Senior Vice President and Treasurer
EMC Corporation
Irina Simmons is responsible for EMC's overall risk and liquidity management. Simmons oversees interest rate, equity, foreign exchange, and property/casualty risk as well as the management and investment of the company's more than $5 billion in cash. Additionally, she manages EMC's global and investment banking relationships and EMC’s pension and 401K plans. Simmons joined EMC in 1995, after accumulating more than 15 years of experience in treasury and finance at several Massachusetts technology companies. Simmons holds a bachelor's degree in Economics and French from Tufts University and an MBA from Boston University.
- Back To Top -
 Gwynn T. Swinson
Vice President of Government and Community Affairs and External Relations at Duke University Medical Center and Health System
A native of Belhaven in Beaufort County, Gwynn Swinson earned a bachelor's degree from Antioch College in 1973, a juris doctor degree from Antioch School of Law in 1976, and a master's degree in law from Duke University School of Law in 1986. In 1993, Swinson went to work in the Department of Justice, where she most recently served as special deputy attorney general for administration. In that role, she oversaw many of the personnel and budgeting functions of the department. Prior to that, she served first in the Health and Public Assistance Section and then as section head for the Citizens' Rights Section. Before joining state government, she was the associate dean for admissions at Duke University School of Law. Swinson also worked for the U.S. Department of Justice for five years where she received numerous awards and served as an assistant branch director for the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Civil Division.
- Back To Top -
 Mary Tribble. CSEP
President, Tribble Creative Group
Mary began her business in 1985 and now oversees a staff of 17 that maintain a reputation on providing creative solutions for event marketing and management needs. The company produces events and meetings throughout the country and has received dozens of national and regional awards. Tribble has been honored as Entrepreneur of the Year and Businesswoman of the Year, and in August of 2007, she was inducted in the national Event Professionals Hall of Fame. She volunteers on a number of nonprofit boards and co-chairs the Charlotte Green Team, a committee she founded that is charged with greening Charlotte’s events, meetings and facilities.
- Back To Top -
 Kathy Wade
Co-founder and President
Learning Through Art, Inc.
Kathy Wade has spent the past fifteen years working to build community through art via the many programs the non-profit performing arts educational organization offers annually to more than 850,000 Cincinnati area residents. Wade’s volunteer leadership to improve multi-cultural and artistic awareness throughout the greater Cincinnati community resulted in her selection as a Cincinnati Enquirer Woman of the Year, YWCA Career Woman of Achievement, a prestigious Post-Corbett Award and City Beat’s 2002 sixth most influential person in the arts.
- Back To Top -
 Mailee Walker, Wachovia Vice President and Wachovia Regional Foundation Communication/Program Officer
Mailee joined the Wachovia Regional Foundation in 2003, bringing with her extensive nonprofit and community development experience. Mailee is co-chair of the Delaware Valley Grantmakers’ Community Development Funders Affinity Group, president of the Women's MBA Network, co-chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy - Philadelphia Chapter, and vice chair of the Parent Infant Center. She is the founding board member of Villarreal Scholar-Athlete Program and is a former Jane Addams Fellow and Coro Fellow. Mailee earned a BA in urban studies from Stanford University and an MBA in change management from the Wharton Graduate School of Business.
- Back To Top -
 Rebecca Walker
Author
Rebecca Walker is a best-selling author, an acclaimed speaker and teacher, and an award-winning visionary and activist. When she was just twenty-five, Time Magazine named her one of the fifty most influential future leaders of America. In 2002, Rebecca's memoir, Black, White, and Jewish: Autobiography of a Shifting Self, became an international bestseller and won the Alex Award from the American Library Association. In December of 2004 Rebecca gave birth to a son, Tenzin, whose arrival is the subject of a new memoir, Baby Love: Choosing Motherhood after a Lifetime of Ambivalence, forthcoming from Riverhead Books in 2007.
- Back To Top -
 Francine Ward
Francine Ward’s life reads like a great American novel: The kind where the heroine overcomes incredible odds. Born and raised in poverty; addicted to drugs and alcohol; high school dropout; Vegas call girl, and a plumber! Today, she’s an attorney, author and speaker. Her message is a rare blend of real-life experiences, practical strategies and fresh ideas for realizing the greatness within. Drawing from her experience as a litigator, she reaches into the souls of audiences with a powerful message: that when it comes to achieving success, the jury’s still out.
- Back To Top
Patricia J. Zekan, MD
Winston Salem Health Care – Novant Medical Group Forsyth
After earning a B.S. in mathematics summa cum laude and M.A. in computer science, Dr. Zekan was a computer programmer and secondary-school mathematics teacher before becoming a physician. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine and fellowships in Hematology and Oncology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where she was an assistant professor before joining Winston-Salem Health Care in Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine. Dr. Zekan’s special areas of interest include General Medical Oncology, Breast Cancer and Cancer Patient Support. Active in national and state oncology and medical societies, she also serves on local Komen and Cancer Services boards.
- Back To Top -
|
