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Freeman Means Business' Wonder Women in Business Podcast

Freeman Means Business' Wonder Women in Business Podcast

By Susan Freeman

Amplifying Women's Voices Through Storytelling
Why is storytelling important? Stories have a transformative power to allow us to see the world in a different way than we do if we just encounter it on our own. Stories are an entry point to understanding a different experience of the world. Storytelling – presenting a different perspective of the world – is important when it comes to connecting with each other. It gives us an opportunity to learn from another person’s experience and it can shape, strengthen, or challenge our opinions and values.
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Wonder Woman in Business, Patricia K. Gillette, Esq.

Freeman Means Business' Wonder Women in Business PodcastApr 04, 2019

00:00
35:53
Wonder Woman in Business, Maryam Crogman

Wonder Woman in Business, Maryam Crogman

Mar 11, 202457:10
Wonder Woman in Business, Sara Burke

Wonder Woman in Business, Sara Burke

Sara Burke was the Founder of The City Studio Dance Center in St. Louis, Missouri which she founded in 1986. Sara is a choreographer, dancer, dance instructor, photographer,painter,  author and arts diversity consultant. Sara consults for local dance companies and works with young dancers helping them start Company's. Sara relishes her role as “mentor”.  One of her most important and impactful accomplishments was to learn Dunham Technique from the legendary Katherine Dunham. She studied with Miss Dunham in East St. Louis in the 1970's and danced with the Dunham Company. Sara's experiences studying and dancing the Dunham Technique changed her life and she has been committed to promoting diversity through the Arts even since.  Her experience was life changing. She danced with artists who could not eat or sleep where they performed.  Sara never forgets to use her voice at every turn.


Oct 25, 202336:20
Wonder Woman in Business, Serena Mastin

Wonder Woman in Business, Serena Mastin

Serena's journey is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, serving as a beacon of hope for those grappling with self-limiting beliefs. Her life began in the shadow of witness protection and unfolded in the tumultuous landscape of foster care, where she navigated the treacherous waters of nine different homes. The challenges she faced led her down a path of teenage addiction and homelessness, culminating in the heart-wrenching tragedy of her husband's suicide. Despite these harrowing trials, Serena's story is one of triumphant ascent.

What truly sets Serena apart is her unwavering strength, resilience, and authenticity. Her career spanning over two decades in the corporate world is a testament to her unyielding determination. She weathered setbacks, repeatedly climbing back to executive leadership roles within Fortune 500 companies. In 2013, she boldly carved her own path by founding Pulse Marketing Inc., a venture that has since flourished into an award-winning marketing and advertising agency. Serena's agency excels in creating content that forges meaningful connections between people and brands, utilizing purposeful graphics, thought-provoking web designs, and heart-touching advertising campaigns.

Beyond her entrepreneurial acumen, Serena has penned her compelling life story in a memoir titled "Exposed: You Can't Heal When You Hide." In this raw narrative, she delves into her experiences with assault, addiction, homelessness, infidelity, mental health challenges, and, ultimately, profound healing. Her memoir is a powerful testament to the human capacity for resilience and growth. 

Serena's story resonates deeply with audiences, offering a thought-provoking reminder that challenges can be confronted with passion and purpose. She has dedicated her life to personally and professionally empowering others, demonstrating that self-limiting beliefs can be shattered and replaced with unwavering self compassion. Serena's journey is a living testament to the power of the human spirit and inspires all who encounter it.

 

Oct 25, 202337:32
Wonder Woman in Business, Susan Frankel

Wonder Woman in Business, Susan Frankel

Susan E. Frankel, Esq. is an attorney whose career spans over 25 years in law and management, with surprising twists and turns that required her to pivot on more than one occasion.  A consummate planner in her younger years, Susan pushed out of her comfort zone to reinvent herself, learning that the old saying “Man (woman) plans, God laughs” are words to live by.  She is passionate about supporting and guiding other women both professionally and personally, especially those in midlife confronting the inevitable changes in their physical and mental well-being.  She is proud to be a speaker and author on the topic, including a chapter in an upcoming anthology for empowering women.

Susan is currently Associate General Counsel at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York.  She earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and has a Masters of Law in Health Law from Loyola University Chicago.  Susan is the proud mother of two beautiful young women, and she and her husband live in Warwick, New York with their beloved pitbull rescue and french bulldogs.

Oct 17, 202348:37
Wonder Woman in Business, Rachel Diamant

Wonder Woman in Business, Rachel Diamant

Rachel Diamant co-founded EmendoBio and serves as Chief Business Officer. Rachel is responsible for EmendoBio’s IP strategy, which she designed to generate an extensive patent portfolio to cover various novel aspects of the technology and products while also expertly navigating the IP space. In her role as CBO, Rachel also builds EmendoBio’s pipeline of clinical programs and the academic and industrial collaborations and partnerships for the pre/clinical development of EmendoBio’s selected indications and genomic targets. Rachel has extensive experience in constructing IP strategy that is designed to serve business objectives based on careful competitive landscaping to reduce risks and maximize value. In the private market, Rachel has been a consultant for numerous biotechnology and medical device companies and accumulated extensive expertise in IP mining, strategic portfolio design and hands-on portfolio management. Rachel holds an MSc in Neurobiology from the Weizmann Institute of Science and a Biotechnology Engineering degree from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology.

Oct 11, 202326:19
Wonder Women in Business, Meg Miller

Wonder Women in Business, Meg Miller

Megan Miller is an International Best-Selling Author, TedX Speaker, Intentional Living Expert, & host of Attention to Intention podcast. Megan is dedicated to offering high performing go-getting professionals simple, daily micro-steps for putting attention to intention so they can stop sleepwalking through life and start living with inspiration and fulfillment.

Oct 04, 202337:40
Wonder Women in Business, Alice Draper
Sep 20, 202339:31
Wonder Woman in Business, Caren McVicker

Wonder Woman in Business, Caren McVicker

Born in Oklahoma, Caren lives in Vermont with her hubby, a rescue pup, and a barn cat turned happy house kitty. Caren is also a mom to two incredible humans and is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation. Henderson House is her first novel. 

Caren’s career spans more than three decades as a communications professional with experience in public relations, technical writing, and social media consulting. Caren’s past clients include Goldman Sachs, Merrill Lynch, Frito-Lay, and Nabisco. Since moving to Vermont in 2014, she has consulted for The Artist Book Foundation, Southern Vermont Arts Center, and The Vermont Association of Realtors. Caren is an active member of her local community theater, The Dorset Players, with recent roles including Aunt Eller in Oklahoma and Ethel Banks in Barefoot in the Park . She is a member of The Dorset Church choir and serves as Vice Chair of Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s Foundation Board. When she is not writing, you can find her in the kitchen, in the garden, or out enjoying the beauty of Vermont with her rescue dog, June Bug. 


Sep 18, 202336:32
Wonder Woman in Business, Anne Gallagher

Wonder Woman in Business, Anne Gallagher

Anne Gallagher is a Chicago-based writer, actor and communications professional.

Anne is the executive director of the Luxury Law Alliance and a member of the editorial team for The Global Legal Post. She has spent her 30+ year career consulting, writing, training and creating strategy for business and legal organizations and professionals. As an actor, she has appeared in film and commercials and recently narrated the audio book Her Name Shall Remain Unforgotten, the story of a holocaust survivor whose mother was murdered at Auschwitz.


She recently completed the manuscript for her debut book, Two Weeks to $10 Million: A Memoir of Financial Infidelity, Fraud and Redemption (working title), which tells the story of how her marriage to a charismatic con man devolved into a true crime story rife with forged loans, mob hits and federal indictments and a criminal trial. “It’s important to tell our true stories,” she says. “No matter what has happened, we must move forward. Every life has meaningful pain and it can open us up to new understandings, opportunities and great new chapters in our lives.”

When she’s not working on her next book, Anne spends time with her two adult children and is an avid tennis player.

Aug 12, 202326:55
Wonder Woman in Business, Nori Jabba

Wonder Woman in Business, Nori Jabba

Nori Jabba’s career spans 30 years in corporate real estate, community development, and affordable housing. In 2012, she started consulting to have more flexibility and time with her family. After several successful years and when her kids were grown, she decided to look for employed work again. Unexpectedly, she realized she'd lost her seat at the table when no one would hire her, despite relevant experience, a master's degree, credentials, and several awards, including Businesswoman of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce.

After multiple disappointments, she abandoned her job search and began a quest to better understand why job hunting was so challenging for middle-aged women. What she learned was eye-opening -- and too valuable not to share. Through her journey, she gained her seat back at the table, landing the job she was looking for in her field, and launching a new chapter in her life as a writer, professional speaker, and mentor.

In KEEPING YOUR SEAT AT THE TABLE, Nori shares her eight-step journey of growth and transformation. Is ageism real? Yes. Was there something she needed to do differently? Yes. Did it work? Yes. 

Nori now works for a Bay Area city managing housing programs.She is the mother of three adult daughters and a rescued Doberman, “Nessa.” Her passions are writing, walking her dog while escaping into a great audiobook or podcast, and empowering women. 

Jul 12, 202341:34
Wonder Woman in Business, Michelle Johnston

Wonder Woman in Business, Michelle Johnston

Dr. Michelle K. Johnston is a management professor, executive coach, and leadership expert who is the Clifton A. Morvant Distinguished Professor in Business at Loyola University New Orleans. Her first book, The Seismic Shift in Leadership, The Seismic Shift in Leadership: How to Thrive in a New Era of Connection, is now an Amazon bestseller. She was recently named A Woman of the Year by CityBusiness and one of the most influential New Orleanians.

Michelle is a celebrated keynote speaker presenting at conferences and events nationwide. She received her Ph.D. in Communication from Louisiana State University and was named to the prestigious 100 Coaches Group, which consists of the top executive coaches worldwide.

Jul 12, 202340:07
Wonder Woman in Business, Barbara Kaplan

Wonder Woman in Business, Barbara Kaplan

Barbara Kaplan is CEO of BSK Strategies, a business development consulting practice working with individual lawyers and small and mid-sized law firms to build their brands, target and win new and higher-value work, establish thought-leadership, and develop innovative strategies and approaches to distinguish themselves in a competitive and uncertain marketplace.

She has worked with firms of every type and style, each with a unique culture and set of challenges.  She considers herself fortunate to have corporate, full-service, boutique, niche, personal injury and class action firms as well as small entrepreneurial business as clients.

She brings to her consulting and coaching work over 20 years of experience helping clients define, pursue and win the business they want.  She is devoted to helping them make that skill second nature.

 In recent years, Barbara’s work has focused on helping woman create an enduring and differentiating personal brand, guiding them to:     ·  Stand tall with a new level of confidence ·  Pick up the reins and create their own futures with a brand that distinguishes them, ensures they stand out, set themselves apart and keep the promise they make in the marketplace, every single time.

·  Banish the roadblocks, i.e., one’s inner critic, that stand in the way of being unstoppable

·  Realize the respect, reputation, recognition and fulfillment they have earned and deserve for their distinctions and accomplishments 


To quote Barbara: “You have the luxury of choosing how you want to stand out and prosper in the new world of work. You are the CEO and head marketer for the brand called YOU. You are the CEO of Me, Inc.”

Jul 07, 202337:06
Wonder Woman in Business, Kathleen Hilton

Wonder Woman in Business, Kathleen Hilton

Curious, resilient and humor-forward professional services marketing executive and proven revenue generator. I am a 30+ year Big Law marketing veteran (hence the humor-forward attribute) focused on outcomes driving increased customer loyalty and revenue. I guide and coach lawyers to build and sustain authentic relationships. Internal and external clients value my ability to scope the full customer experience, from the front-end sales process to ongoing service. My portfolio spans account management, industry sector marketing, sales coaching, DEIB, ESG, designing thinking and brand. A few favorite resources: You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters; Strategy and the Fat Smoker: Doing What’s Obvious But Not Easy; the Go Giver; Anand Sanwal at CB Insights; anything Axios and Smart Brevity. Certified by IDEO U Insights for Innovation and by Inspiring Comfort as a Trainer.


Jun 22, 202354:47
Wonder Woman in Business, Valerie Nelan

Wonder Woman in Business, Valerie Nelan

Valerie Nelan writes under the pseudonym Valerie Pepper. During the day, Valerie Nelan is Chief of Staff at Baker Donelson law firm, working with and on behalf of the Firm’s CEO and COO. In this role, she operates at a tactical, strategic, and operational level to execute on a variety of Firm priorities and initiatives. She regularly collaborates with multiple departments across the Firm, launching and overseeing special projects, monitoring them as needed, ensuring follow-through, and sustaining the necessary momentum for completion. Throughout her workday, she is a listener, advisor, proxy, doer, goalkeeper, implementer, integrator, and air traffic controller. Baker Donelson is a large, 600-lawyer firm located primarily in the southern United States.

By early morning and in the evenings, Valerie dons her “professional smut dealer” hat and writes steamy romantic comedies as Valerie Pepper. She independently published her debut novel in April 2023 and is working on the next two books in the series. The recipient of the Contemporary Romance Writers’ 2021 Stiletto Award, Valerie holds a Masters in Fiction and has been writing for nearly twenty-five years. She is an incurable optimist and a firm believer in happily ever afters, even if they take more than one try. Learn more at www.authorvaleriepepper.com or find her on social media – Instagram and TikTok are her favorites – @AuthorValeriePepper.

Jun 20, 202301:00:22
Wonder Woman in Business, Ana Brown

Wonder Woman in Business, Ana Brown

Wonder Woman in Business, Ana Brown

May 04, 202340:47
Wonder Woman in Business, Amanda Scott

Wonder Woman in Business, Amanda Scott

At Willis Towers Watson, Amanda Scott is the Global Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Leader based in London. She leads a global team that helps clients evaluate and address the critical people-related issues, assets, liabilities, risks and opportunities surrounding corporate transactions. She inspires people to think differently about the future as they implement large-scale organizational change to drive innovation, diversity, and positive growth.

She is also the CEO/Founder of Mike’s Mates, a mental health charity in the UK. Additionally, Amanda is a Board Member for Global Women 4 Wellbeing (GW4W) and the Viviana Durante Ballet Company; remuneration committee member for Pensions Management Institute (PMI), and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion council member at Bayes Business School.

She regularly publishes industry thought leadership, provides commentary to the UK press and social media, and is an active public speaker. She has also received awards for Excellence in Leadership from Consulting Magazine; Corporate Leader of the Year by National Business Women’s Awards; HERoes for Inclusion and Diversity by Yahoo Finance; and was awarded as one of the UK 50 Leading Lights for Leadership & Kindness from Women of the Future.

Amanda graduated with an MBA in Management & Organization, and Finance from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. There she was the 2007 President and 2006 Vice President of Finance of the Board of Directors for the Part-Time MBA Association. Additionally, she holds a BA in Natural Sciences from Johns Hopkins University.

Apr 12, 202328:17
Wonder Woman in Business, Kirtana Kalavapudi

Wonder Woman in Business, Kirtana Kalavapudi

Kirtana (Keer-tha-na) Kalavapudi (she/her) wears many hats: Lawyer, Yoga Practitioner, Parent, Partner, Public Policy Advocate, Runner, and Earl Grey Aficionado (the more Bergamot, the better).  Kirtana's professional experience includes serving the public at Social Security Administration and internships at the George Washington University, Hirsh Health Law and Policy Program, Equip for Equality, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and Walgreen Co.  Kirtana's academic experience includes a J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, a Master of Public Health in Health Policy from the George Washington University, and Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Notre Dame of Maryland University.  Kirtana currently lives in Maryland with her partner, spouse, and Husky pup.  She enjoys training for and running in local races, facilitating yoga classes to foster a greater sense of connection in her community, and traveling around the world.  Kirtana also serves as the Co-Executive Editor for the National Association of Women Lawyers' Women Lawyers Journal.

Apr 11, 202341:58
Wonder Woman in Business, Eleni Janis

Wonder Woman in Business, Eleni Janis

Eleni Delimpaltadaki Janis

CEO | CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

Expertise: ESG Investing | Inclusive & Online Lending | Economic Development | Inclusive Tech Ecosystems

Eleni is an entrepreneur and investment manager who has dedicated her career to building businesses and developing people. Particularly businesses that deliver a meaningful social impact while also generating attractive commercial returns. She brings to any situation resilience and persistence, which has defined her own life as an immigrant to the U.S. and innovator in business.

When Eleni co-founded Equivico at the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, she sought to build a company that, like her career, is situated at the nexus of smart, scalable investments and social justice. As an investment professional, she draws on her experience in government, economic development and market research, to invest profitably in businesses, assets and projects that benefit households, societies and investors alike.

Prior to Equivico, Eleni served as vice president at the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). During her tenure, she established the first ESG investing team, administered a portfolio of 18 tech startup incubators, and advised on investment strategies targeting minority- and woman-owned businesses, life sciences and small businesses. Eleni also co-founded New York City’s corporate attraction team, which coordinated the City’s, initially winning, bid for Amazon’s second headquarters. The project was expected to be the largest economic development project in the U.S. in several decades.

Prior to NYCEDC, Eleni built The Opportunity Agenda’s market research practice where she serviced major social justice organizations and philanthropic institutions nationally. She published extensively on economic, immigration and human rights issues. Previously, she co-founded the Business and Labor Coalition of New York, an advocacy group of over 60 labor unions and large enterprises designing and advancing shared economic policy objectives.

Eleni serves on the Board of Advisors of iQ4, a technology-based cybersecurity skills transfer platform, and the Board of Directors of the Hellenic American Leadership Council. She previously served on the Boards of the American Association of Public Opinion Research, New York University Alumni Association Board of Directors, and the Business and Labor Coalition of New York. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from New York University and a Bachelor’s in Media Studies and Communications from the National University of Athens, in her native Greece. She studied Executive Management and Finance at the Wharton Business School and is an American Express Leadership Fellow.

Apr 04, 202337:20
Wonder Woman in Business, Drew Kramer

Wonder Woman in Business, Drew Kramer

Lawyer turned ad woman turned boy mom turned performance artist and writer, Drew Kramer is a cat with nine lives. With a Masters in Transformation, she's writing her own script. Her current work, The Lady & the Floofs is a cross-platform story that speaks to the challenges facing Millennial Parents and their Floofs.

A Floof is a creature with many needs. The Lady is a sassy and mischievous caretaker that helps grown ups and Floofs unpack this big, sometimes scary, wonderful world of ours. In person, in print and online, the Lady uses stories (original and others!), songs and sensory food play to encourage Floofs of all ages to try things.

Mar 15, 202301:16:30
Wonder Woman in Business, Jessica Yarborough

Wonder Woman in Business, Jessica Yarborough

Jessica Yarbrough has quickly developed a reputation of being one of the best business strategists for coaches and consultants who want to sell and scale ultra-high-end services. Her background is in international business and she has built multiple companies.


Jessica is a genius at showing entrepreneurs how to build an expert platform, rapidly raise their value, build credibility and attract high-paying clients. She loves teaching entrepreneurs how to grow their influence and make the income and impact they desire.

Mar 02, 202331:09
Wonder Woman in Business, Kym Robinson, Esq.
Jan 19, 202336:55
Wonder Woman in Business, Michelle Banks, Esq.

Wonder Woman in Business, Michelle Banks, Esq.

MICHELLE BANKS is a Senior Advisor at BarkerGilmore specializing in providing executive coaching to corporate general counsel. She also leads law department strategic retreats and professional development workshops. Michelle is co-founder of UCLA Law Women LEAD, a network of more than 3,000 women law students and alumnae at her alma mater, where she also guest teaches annually in the professional development program. Before joining Gap Inc. in 1999, Michelle worked as legal counsel for the Golden State Warriors NBA team and in Tokyo as American counsel for Itochu Corporation. Her prior law firm practice with Sheppard Mullin and Morrison & Foerster in California and New York focused on corporate finance and international commercial transactions.

Nov 28, 202222:18
Wonder Woman in Business, Lauren Tetenbaum

Wonder Woman in Business, Lauren Tetenbaum

Lauren A. Tetenbaum, LMSW, JD, PMH-C is an advocate and therapist certified in perinatal mental health. With an approach grounded in empathy and emotional intelligence, Lauren counsels millennial and young women on romantic relationships, career choices, pregnancy and parenting, anxiety, and family dynamics. A mother of two with a decade of experience in the legal industry, Lauren is passionate about supporting working parents and advancing gender equity. She facilitates support groups for postpartum women and frequently speaks on maternal wellness issues in media and via corporate workshops. Lauren strives to build connections and give back to her community.

Nov 15, 202232:17
Wonder Woman in Business, Marcie Dickson

Wonder Woman in Business, Marcie Dickson

A respected and experienced business executive, Marcie Dickson is pursuing her vision to make alternative dispute resolution more transparent, inclusive, and diverse – by opening it up beyond the small club of insiders who dominate the industry. Leveraging nearly 20 years of business development experience – including as the only Black female Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer in ADR nationally and one of only a handful in the legal industry – Marcie now leads an experienced team and a prominent and diverse panel of neutrals at Alterity ADR.

Bloomberg Law, Forbes, The American Lawyer, Law360, and the American Bar Association have recognized Dickson’s work. She is a guest host of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section podcast, “Resolutions” and serves as a steering committee member of the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge (ERA) and the Black In-House Counsel Black Diamond Series. Additionally, Dickson is a member of several organizations, including the Atlanta International Arbitration Society, the National Association of Women Lawyers, the National Bar Association, the American Marketing Association, and the Legal Marketing Association (LMA). Marcie is an executive member of the Atlanta Business Chronicle Leadership Trust and Forbes Business Council and serves as an editorial advisory council member of Southern Lawyer and Harvard Business Review.

She is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia and resides with her family in Atlanta.

Oct 26, 202238:38
Wonder Woman in Business, LB Adams

Wonder Woman in Business, LB Adams

LB Adams is an award winning TEDx Speaker and Emcee, and the CEO of Practical Dramatics. It’s her quest & vocation to awaken women to the strategic power of what their voice can accomplish. Through deliberate language, positive word choices and all-around killer communication skills, LB works to help women step into their confidence and achieve the life and relationships they desire. During her multi-pathed career, LB has been an actor, corporate executive, director/producer, and, yes, even a shark-diving scuba instructor. She recently released her debut book, The Irreverent Guide to Spectacular Communication (available in paperback, ebook & audiobook) to rave reviews. You can see LB’s popular Zoom-based interview show, Snack-Sized Business - 1 show, 2 people, 3 questions, 4 minutes, each week by subscribing to Practical Dramatics’ YouTube channel. She is a transplanted New Yorker soaking up the sun outside of Charleston, SC and lives with her husband, daughter and Golden Retriever.

Sep 20, 202239:06
The Doctor Is In. You ask and Dr. Vivek Gupta Answered.

The Doctor Is In. You ask and Dr. Vivek Gupta Answered.

DR. VIVEK GUPTA

Board Certified in Obesity Medicine
Board Certified in Internal Medicine

Welcome to Mindful Weight Loss! My name is Vivek Gupta and I am a physician who is board certified in obesity medicine and internal medicine and a daily practitioner of mindfulness meditation. I am passionate to help those who struggle with excess weight. I have wrestled with weight issues myself and discovered that there are medical and non-medical tools that actually work. From my personal experience of losing 40-50 pounds two separate times in my life, I know that it is not easy to lose weight. Our minds, bodies, environments, and maybe even the people in our lives can be obstacles to our success. However, with education, it is possible to overcome the formidable challenge of losing weight.

At its core, the goal is not merely number on the scale but living our lives closer to our aspirations and values. To really grow we must first accept where we in order to go where we want to be. At Mindful Weight Loss I will take the time to listen and get to know you, walk with you on the path of change, and help you to achieve a truer version of yourself.

Sep 08, 202240:12
Wonder Woman in Business, Joyce Kyles

Wonder Woman in Business, Joyce Kyles

Joyce Kyles is an award winning, international speaker, 2x Amazon best selling author, life and thriving skills coach, and consultant. She is the CEO of Joyce Kyles Consulting & the Executive Director & Founder of Walking Into A New Life. A graduate of Arkansas State University, she has received certifications from Cornell University in Women’s Entrepreneurship, the University of South Florida in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing in Mental Health First Aid USA. She as also received certifications in domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sex abuse. Her humbling accolades and published work include features in Huffington Post, The Memphis Flyer, Tri-State Defender, Black Press USA, the New Orleans Tribune, the Welcome Greenbook for Black Tourists and being named the Crime Victim Advocate of the Year. Joyce also wrote PSAs and performed voiceovers used for domestic violence campaigns for 103.5FM, a local Cumulus affiliate station. Joyce currently serves as the Vice President of the Memphis & Shelby Co Domestic and Sexual Violence Council and is a member of the International Coaching Federation-Tennessee Chapter and Philanthroforce.

Aug 27, 202246:47
Wonder Woman in Business, Maddy Carroll

Wonder Woman in Business, Maddy Carroll

Madison Carroll is a multidimensional singer and storyteller. Her intelligence shows through her musicianship, acting, writing, and political research and activism. Madison’s abilities, coupled with her dedication to practice and performance has led her to fruitful opportunities both professional and personal.

The innate urge to move and heal others (and herself) through fields such as music, theatre, and writing, is what inspires Madison to create and share. She cares deeply about those around her and uses her identity and privilege to advocate for others whose voices are systemically and traditionally silenced.

Originally from the small town of Hanover, Massachusetts, Madison always knew she stood out. She began singing as early as she can remember. Her mother says it’s because she almost died of suffocation during childbirth, but Madison likes to think it’s all the music her parents played and sang to her in her early years. Throughout school she became increasingly interested in writing, theatre, and politics. Singing was always her home, but she craved more knowledge and more people.

This need to grow led Madison to Ithaca College where she blossomed into a competent musician, writer, actor, and activist. At Ithaca, and within the community, she studied all of these subjects with some of the best experts in the field. Here she worked with musicians such as Wynton Marsalis and Kim Nazarian. She workshopped her writing with authors such as Therese Marie Mailhot, Bryan Washington, Rajpreet Heir, and Jericho Brown. She studied with published political and sociological theorists such as Naeem Inayutullah, Rebecca Plante, and Sumru Atuk. Madison even worked as an assistant for the college’s Piano Technician- sparking another passion she wishes to pursue.

She has performed in front of audiences ranging anywhere from two to one-thousand people. Some of her favorite venues include the nursing home she worked at in high school (this held some of her most enthusiastic audience members), her living room, and Boston’s TD Garden.

Her music, both solo (Madison Carroll) and collaborative (Quail), can be found on numerous streaming platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music. The tunes can also be purchased on Bandcamp where, unlike streaming platforms, the majority of the proceeds go to the artist.

Jul 25, 202236:50
Wonder Woman in Business, Geneviève Pépin

Wonder Woman in Business, Geneviève Pépin

Stop boring your team with bland wellbeing tricks. 🛑 It doesn't work.

And the problem is: a stressed workforce is costing you BIG dollar$.

Since the pandemic started, we are facing unprecedented levels of depression (up 53%), and anxiety (up 55%) in the workforce (Oracle).

In fact, $300 Billion is lost by US businesses each year as a result of workplace stress.

Plus, 86% of employees and executives cite a lack of collaboration or ineffective communication for workplace failures (Salesforce).

And YET, the market is flooded with training on “stress management” and “work performance”, the vast majority of which are bland, boring and cite basic tips and strategies that can be found on Google in 10 seconds or less.

The problem with these types of solutions is that they are just like infomercials – they make sense in the moment, but most people forget and never take action once the show is over.

That is why I created Joy Not Stress.

👉Let’s take wellness, mental health and healthy performance from theory to practice.👈

And have a laugh in the process. 😂

Jul 14, 202233:04
Wonder Woman in Business, Jan Anne Dubin

Wonder Woman in Business, Jan Anne Dubin

A legal industry pioneer, Jan Anne Dubin is CEO and Founder of Jan Anne Dubin Consulting.  Jan is an award-winning consultant with over 35 years of experience leading, innovating, and serving as a change agent and connector.

Celebrating more than 10 years of delivering value and results to more, JADC assists organizations and individuals to better serve client needs by focusing on developing long-term relationships, strategic communications, revenue generation and by building brand, profile, and visibility.  Jan serves as an executive coach, providing strategic guidance and counsel to organizations and individuals by assisting them to achieve breakthroughs.  Jan has coached hundreds of lawyers, law students, and marketing professionals, including corporate law department and law firm leadership as well as high-potential individuals.  Jan is a career-long champion of diversity and inclusion and is passionate about her work in this area.

She serves as a strategic business partner to the Association of Corporate Counsel and has worked with ACC to create an executive coaching program and career development workshops.  She is a partner to Seyfarth Shaw’s The Belonging Project having created a three-part series for them on Empowered Resilience: Tools for Thriving in 2021.  She is also an advisor and business partner to the Thomson Reuters Legal Executive Institute and provided instrumental assistance to create and deliver its forum on Women’s Transformative Leadership: Empowerment by Improving Participation and Representation.

Jan served as the Chief Growth Officer of LifeXT, LLC (lifecrosstraining.com), where she was responsible for new client engagements by educating organizations on LifeXT’s wellbeing tools and resources.   Prior to starting JADC, she served as the first North American Business Development Director for Baker & McKenzie LLP and as the Director of Client Relations for DLA Piper US LLP and its legacy firms, where she held various senior management and leadership roles for more than 17 years.

Selected by StreetWise, Inc., as one of 20 recipients of its 2019 Inspiring Chicagoan award, Jan was also selected by Chicago Business Journal as one of its 2018 Women of Influence.  Jan was inducted in 2017 as a Fellow into the College of Law Practice Management (COLPM) and in 2016 into the Legal Marketing Association Midwest Chapter’s Hall of Fame.  She has been recognized by Today’s Chicago Woman magazine as one of 100 Women Making a Difference and has received the Anti-Defamation League’s Distinguished Community Leadership Award.

In 1994 Jan was recruited by former First Lady Michelle Obama (then executive director of Public Allies Chicago) to join its board of directors; Jan later became its board chair and today serves on the emeritus board.  In 2020, Jan was recruited to serve on the i.c. Stars Chicago board and has been active in the Anti-Defamation League’s Women of Achievement annual dinner committee, having previously chaired the fundraising event for 27 years.

A 1994 M.B.A. graduate of The University of Chicago, Booth School of Business, she holds a B.S. degree from the University of Kansas, William Allen White School of Journalism.  Jan lives in Chicago with her fiancé David Abrams and Shetland sheep dog Quinn.

Jul 05, 202228:42
Wonder Woman in Business, Sonja Elise Freeman

Wonder Woman in Business, Sonja Elise Freeman

Resplendent, Compassionate, Inspiring and Beautiful are some of the words often used to describe Sonja Elise Freeman, Inaugural Ms. WIBOP 2020 and Miss WIBOP Photogenic 2020, Women in Business Pageant system , who is driven by her faith in God, love for serving the community with her platform with the Diva’s Diamonds: Words to Inspire, Empower and Encourage Online Empowerment Movement by sharing her gift of encouragement  on Anchor.fm and Instagram Live weekly. She is the Sole Proprietor of Divine Voices Media, a multimedia production, brand marketing strategy and entrepreneurial consulting firm. She is also a critically acclaimed Off-Broadway & Broadway Producer/Star of Strength of a Woman: A Phyllis Hyman Tribute of the only Phyllis Hyman tribute approved and supported by the Hyman Family, Friends and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and former Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray of the City of New York.

She is a proud HBCU 2x time PVAMU Alumna and a PVAMU Alumni Affairs 5 Year Class Reunion Ambassador at Prairie View A&M University College of Arts & Sciences, a part of the Texas A&M University system, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance with a minor in Fashion Merchandising & Design in 1991. She is a recent MBA-Executive Magna Cum Laude with a 3.75 GPA/4.0 GPA scale graduate from Prairie View A&M University College of Business Class of 2021 where she was a member of Graduate Student Organization, Toastmasters International, and National Association of Black Journalists. She also earned a Doctorate in Divinity (Honoris Causa) in 2021 from the Omega Bible Institute and Seminary in  Monroe, Louisiana for 30 years of service as a Psalmist and Christian Multimedia Educator as a recording artist, radio personality, podcaster, publisher, and inspirational influencer. She completed a Women’s Entrepreneurship Certification from Cornell University/Bank of America Institute, WE NYC Kauffman FastTrac Powered by Grow with Google Entrepreneurship Program in New York City, Rice University Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies in Music Business & Law, Leadership Certificate Charter Class Inspire Women Leadership Institute at the Dallas Theological Seminary in Houston, Texas, Certificate of Achievement from Fashion Institute of Technology State University of New York Beauty Essentials and Bloomberg Market Concepts Certificate from Bloomberg LP.

She is competing in the Ultimate Queen WBLEP Pageant 2022 on June 16-19,2022 for the “Queen of Queens” Business Pageant within the Women Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs Pageant system and presently working with the Rhythm and Blues Preservation Society in Atlantic City, New Jersey as an Artist-in-Residence, VP and COO to get funding for recording a tribute album and documentary of her Phyllis Hyman tribute. She has a beautiful and talented 24-year-old daughter named Gabbie Gabs, an award-winning Toastmaster, Filmmaker, and Music Video Director. She is an alumna of University of Rochester with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Media Studies.

Jun 26, 202243:12
Wonder Woman in Business, Cynthia McCollough

Wonder Woman in Business, Cynthia McCollough

Cyndy McCollough is the founder of McCollough Consulting, a digital marketing agency specifically focused on professional services organizations. On a project basis, Cyndy manages rebrands, leads website redesigns, produces corporate video, and offers soup-to-nuts martech strategy and implementation.

Cyndy's understanding of the importance of customer journeys and user experience was forged early in her career in enterprise software sales, and she spent the next 20 years applying these best practices in-house for law firms. Now she is a leading voice in the legal marketing industry, a prolific marketing technology blogger, and a member of University of Richmond’s Customer Experience (CX) Advisory Board.

Cyndy lives with her husband, pup, and cats in Great Falls, VA.

Jun 24, 202256:10
Wonder Woman in Business, Lisa Shawver

Wonder Woman in Business, Lisa Shawver

Lisa Shawver is an Entrepreneur, Author, and Empowerment Coach who loves to motivate and inspire women to transform their lives and achieve the health, wealth, relationships, love, and success that they deserve.

Lisa is a former Olympic athlete who now helps others achieve Olympic-level success through mentoring, mind skills coaching and motivational speaking. As a business owner, author, and dog mom of social media influencer and celebrity, One Up Max, Lisa lights the spark and fans the flame you've been holding within you.

Jun 10, 202248:59
Wonder Woman in Business, Carrie Fabris

Wonder Woman in Business, Carrie Fabris

After 22+ years of a career spanning companies like Travelocity, Google and more + as a business owner helping businesses like Axios, KidKraft, American Airlines, and many others, I’ve noticed one thing….

Many leaders are unknowingly limiting their team’s performance and full potential (and therefore the revenues of their business) by not fully understanding if their teams are functioning at a strong, healthy level in order to drive cost-saving productivity.

There could be a lot of square pegs in round holes preventing efficiencies and costing the business.

So I decided to launch Reframe 2.0: a 3-6 month experience which helps owners, senior leaders and their teams with the following:
1) discover the actual 'state' of the team
2) identify what strengths exist in order to maximize team output
3) adopt leadership techniques that unearth and solve issues quickly and effectively
4) own accountability towards sustaining a new high performance normal


✅ MY EXPERTISE: Certified Gallup StrengthsFinder coach with over a decade of servant leadership experience building high performing, loyal teams within global companies like Google, Sabre, and various start-ups. 4+ years of coaching mid-level managers and above on how to understand and lead with strengths.

✅ WHO ARE MY CLIENTS: Owners and senior leaders who believe that the people are what drive the business towards profitability and success and who value a development and growth-driven culture from a place of strengths and trust.

✔️ They care about team health and yet don’t have the time to invest as much as they would like
✔️ They see trust issues impacting team dynamics and output and want them resolved
✔️ They believe that when people understand natural strengths for themselves and others,
employees are happier and more engaged
✔️ They want their managers to be effective, impactful mentors leading the business
✔️ They understand that behaviors in work and life are intertwined and may take time to change
✔️ They want to give their team an objective outside party to guide and coach them towards the
ideal - however defined by aligning with company mission and core values

✅ HOW DOES THIS WORK: We start with a free 15 min. discovery call to find out if we are a good fit for partnership and if we are, we pull together a plan for you THEN and THERE.

✅ WHAT MAKES ME DIFFERENT: I activate, I tell it like I see it, I maximize. I push for change through reframing for improved, lasting results. And I guarantee that we will have a lot of fun along the way!

Jun 08, 202239:20
Wonder Woman in Business, Bianca Cotton

Wonder Woman in Business, Bianca Cotton

Bianca N. Cotton is a thoughtful, strategic, entrepreneurial leader with extensive nonprofit program management, curriculum development, and training facilitation experience.

Bianca is driven to develop leaders who are managerially and emotionally competent in their professional practices. Passionate about intentionally creating positive social change in underrepresented populations and communities of need, while demonstrating sensitivity and compassion for all stakeholders.

Bianca is the founder and podcast host of “Behind the Confident Smile” about a lifestyle and personal development company inspiring women and girls to walk in love, live in hope and be healed from past hurts utilizing the vehicles of workshops, seminars, and educational materials to propel women and girls into purpose.

Bianca has served as a nonprofit professional for over 10 years. Earning both her Master’s Degree in Consulting in the Nonprofit and Corporate Sectors and Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, her passion is for helping women who suffer silently and smile brightly. It is demonstrated through her passionate writings and speaking. She is the founder of Behind the Confident Smile a movement created to inspire women to live in hope, walk in love, and be healed from past hurts. She is a wife and mom, and she resides in Chicago, IL.

May 26, 202234:54
Wonder Woman in Business, Kaaren Whitney-Vernon

Wonder Woman in Business, Kaaren Whitney-Vernon

Kaaren Whitney-Vernon is a serial entrepreneur who is interested in solving communication problems. Whether its communication between brands and consumers or employers and job seekers, she believes there is a better way to connect. She has just launched a new venture to help women in tech find inclusive companies to support their growth.

Before joining Shaftesbury as the head of the XR Department, Kaaren founded two successful companies. The first, Youth Culture Inc., a media agency specializing in helping brands to target millennials’ and working with brands like P&G, L’Oreal and Coca Cola. The second, shift2, created original short-form content for brands such as Walmart, U by Kotex®, Nokia and RBC. Today, at Shaftesbury, Kaaren charges her team to produce original content for television, film, and digital brands designed to drive revenue. 


Kaaren has been quoted in BNN, Adweek, The Wall Street Journal, Globe and Mail and on CBC. She founded the North American chapter of the globally organized Branded Content Marketing Association where she was part of the conversation to bring a universally accepted measurement for branded content.


Kaaren also sits on several North American marketing advisory boards and judging panels such as Adweek’s Arc Awards and at Brand Storytelling held each year at the Sundance Film Festival. As an Executive Producer of the scripted digital series Carmilla, 100+ million views, Kaaren has been invited to speak at leading television and content markets.


Kaaren is an Official Member of the Forbes Agency Council.

Specialties: Women in Tech, Equality and Inclusion, VR, AR, Keynote Speaker, Scripted Branded Storytelling, Scripted Digital Series, Short-form content, Millennials, GenZ, Genzennials, Content Production, YouTube, Youth, Digital Series, Leadership, Publishing, Marketing, Sales, Biz Dev

May 18, 202238:20
Wonder Woman in Business, Jennifer Marino Thibodaux

Wonder Woman in Business, Jennifer Marino Thibodaux

Jennifer Marino Thibodaux is the founder of JMT Speaks, LLC. She is a seasoned, professional speaker and writer who draws on 15+ years of experience as an attorney and storyteller. She is obsessed with helping other professionals find and embrace their authentic selves to lead their best personal and professional lives. Jennifer speaks about authenticity, overcoming the imposter syndrome, and the art of effective communication.

Jennifer is also a full-time senior editor at a global legal publisher and was previously a partner at the law firm of Gibbons P.C. in Newark, NJ. During her 11 years in private practice, she focused on class action defense, e-discovery management and counseling, and also conducted internal investigations.

Jennifer graduated Seton Hall University School of Law, magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, and Bucknell University, cum laude. She has served as an Adjunct Professor of Appellate Advocacy at Seton Hall Law.

She is an executive committee member of the Women’s Leadership Committee at Seton Hall Law and a longtime trustee of Partners For Women and Justice, a non-profit dedicated to providing pro bono legal services to domestic violence survivors.

Apr 08, 202236:08
Wonder Woman in Business, Leigh Dance

Wonder Woman in Business, Leigh Dance

E. Leigh Dance

Corporate legal and compliance leaders turn to Leigh to help them improve performance, develop strategy, promote the value of legal/compliance, advocate for their business, lead remote global teams, organize their retreats and assist with particular needs.

Leigh is known for her in-depth international experience, and her unique understanding of both buyers and sellers of legal services globally.  Her entire career experience is multinational, including  more than 20 years living and working in both the US and Europe. Leigh speaks English, French and Italian.

Law firms retain Leigh and ELD International to:  improve strategies and actions in select groups and geographic markets; organize client-facing programs to raise profile and build relationships with legal services buyers; and conduct research with buyers worldwide, to improve marketing and BD initiatives.

Founder and Executive Director of the exclusive roundtable group, Global Counsel Leaders Circle, Leigh develops and moderates many of the Global Counsel Leaders programs, including those of the prestigious Leaders Circle. From 1999-2009, LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell (LNMH) retained Leigh to organize and facilitate Counsel to Counsel: A Forum on Best Practices in Delivering Corporate Legal Services, an initiative she co-founded.  She has participated in hundreds of corporate counsel roundtables in 23 countries on all continents.

Building on a financial services and public policy background, Leigh was a VP at JP Morgan Chase for 7 years, where she had management and director assignment in product management, marketing, business development and new business launches, across 20 countries.

A recognized thought leader, her articles on the role of the General Counsel, legal risk, regulatory challenges, governance and compliance have been published in The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, American Lawyer, Legal Week and other publications. Since 2015, she has been the Global In-House columnist for ALM’s Corporate Counsel.  Leigh’s book BRIGHT IDEAS: INSIGHTS FROM LEGAL LUMINARIES WORLDWIDE, a collection of essays, is available on Amazon.

Leigh has an MBA (high honors) in International Management and a BA, International Relations (honors).  In 2012, she was inducted as a Fellow in the College of Law Practice Management and in 2016, she was a judge in the British Legal Awards.

Mar 07, 202201:04:36
Wonder Woman in Business, Sumathi Pundit

Wonder Woman in Business, Sumathi Pundit

Sumathi Pundit is a trusted leader in the business intelligence domain for professional services firms. In 2004, Sumathi founded Evalueserve Canada, the Canadian agency for global market intelligence and analytics firm Evalueserve, where she led the initiative to set up offshore market intelligence teams for the Canadian arms of two of the Big 4 accounting firms, among other clients.

Following the sale of her franchise back to Evalueserve, Sumathi continued to act as an advisor to business development and knowledge management teams across the legal services spectrum.
It was while consulting to a top law firm in Canada that she had a lightbulb moment that the current siloed technology landscape of Content Marketing and Business Intelligence vendors meant that client-facing fee earners didn’t have ready access to high-quality sector and company-specific insights that they could use to support proactive outreach to clients and prospects.

Sumathi founded Kaitongo in 2018 to develop an AI-powered sector, client, and market intelligence platform to help sellers turn business insights into meaningful conversations, building deeper relationships and, ultimately, generating higher revenues.

Mar 03, 202243:47
Wonder Woman in Business, Doina Dumitru

Wonder Woman in Business, Doina Dumitru

Doina Dumitru, PharmD, MBA, FASHP is currently a Director of Professional Services at Becton Dickinson (BD), with responsibility over the national implementation teams for the Pharmogistics and BD Cato automation solutions. She completed her PharmD at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy and an executive MBA at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Prior to joining BD, Dr. Dumitru spent many years in acute and ambulatory practice settings, including pharmacy informatics and hospital pharmacy leadership roles in Illinois and Texas. She is the author of The Pharmacy Informatics Primer, as well as multiple other informatics and hospital practice management publications and speaking engagements. Dr. Dumitru has served as a preceptor and lecturer for the University of Houston Health System Pharmacy Administrative residency program. In addition, Dr. Dumitru has served on many ASHP committees and councils on leadership and informatics, including her current appointment as a member of ASHP's SOPIT Education Steering Committee.

Feb 23, 202258:29
Wonder Woman in Business, Vanessa Kuroda

Wonder Woman in Business, Vanessa Kuroda

Vanessa Kuroda is an electrical systems engineer for a well known commercial space company, working on a heavy lift orbital rocket. She was previously the Staff Telemetry and (RF) Communications Engineer for Stratolaunch Systems, which builds hypersonic aircraft from the ground up. Vanessa is an experienced aerospace communication systems engineer, with wide experience across the aerospace industry, including NASA Ames Research Center, Airbus’s Silicon Valley center A^3, JPL, and more.

She earned her B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California with an emphasis on Communications Systems. After internships at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems, and Northrop Grumman Mission Systems, she became the primary Spacecraft Communications Engineer in NASA’s Ames Research Center Engineering Systems Division, where she performed integration, test, and operations for LADEE, the Lunar Atmosphere Dust Environment Explorer, which orbited the moon, performed science experiments, and demonstrated the fastest laser communications link in space at the time. She was also selected as one of 40 across all of NASA to participate in their FIRST leadership development program and during her tenure at NASA, was chosen by Silicon Valley’s Business Journal as one of their 40 Under 40 Rising Stars. At Airbus, she was their Wireless and Comms Architect on UAS Traffic Management (UTM), and helped to create the wireless communications ecosystem needed to safely integrate unmanned aerial systems (UAS) into airspace systems globally.

In addition to her engineering work, she stays active in engineering organizations, the CLUB Incubator, and participates in STEM activities as much as she can. She is also a hip-hop dancer with a talent agency in San Francisco where she got to perform with Bebe Rexha and previously at USC, where she performed as a backup dancer for the Black Eyed Peas at the Kids’ Choice Awards. She also loves to spend time with her husband Theo and their new puppy Apollo.

Feb 12, 202233:56
Wonder Woman in Business, Sheila Murphy v.2

Wonder Woman in Business, Sheila Murphy v.2

For over 20 years, as both a senior legal executive and a coach, Sheila Murphy has been working with intelligent, accomplished lawyers to gain greater control over their careers, compensation, and courage. Her passion is helping women in the profession to go from uncertain and uninspired to unstoppable.

After 20 years of successfully litigating and developing and coaching talent in corporate America and law firms, Sheila is pursuing her passion for helping others reach their full potential. Leading with passion and purpose, Sheila is CEO and President of Focus Forward Consulting LLC and Chief Learning & Talent Officer of WOMN LLC, which are focused on having lawyers and leaders achieve their career and business goals.

Feb 01, 202242:16
Wonder Woman in Business, D. Nastrah Carr

Wonder Woman in Business, D. Nastrah Carr

Nastrah Carr is an Entertainment creative strategist, published creator, singer, and holistic healer. Overall, Nastrah is D'Empress of many trades with a mission to assist creatives in manifesting their dreams and goals through networking, researching, and protecting their mentality. As a native of Paterson NJ, with Jamaican roots, she strives to do more for her community through uplifting and motivating content with her passion for music in mind. On May 17, 2019, Nastrah launched her business Melaninated Minds Coalition, MMC Tribe, which curates experiences for her community to BE human BEINGS vs the Human DOING through music, events, & healing workshops. Their goal to provide insights on processes, networking opportunities, and motivation for growth within her passion industry.

Music has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember, for it is in her blood. Her style of music is what she likes to call Neo-Caribbean Soul which blends neo-soul, RnB, and reggae vocals to create a new experience for listeners. Nastrah is a musician and motivator not only for herself but for those who lacked the confidence to be who they are destined to be. She is one who utilizes her talents to inspire others to push past the doubts and discover who they want to be. Not everyone will see or want to understand your passion but keep going. Take the chance to listen and hear her story to experience her Neo-Caribbean-Soul.

Jan 27, 202234:52
Wonder Woman in Business, Melissa Dinwiddie

Wonder Woman in Business, Melissa Dinwiddie

Melissa Dinwiddie is the founder, CEO and lead facilitator of Creative Sandbox Solutions, a Silicon Valley-based consultancy that specializes in working with innovative, people-first companies grappling with boring (or nonexistent!) virtual trainings and events. She designs creative, interactive, playful experiences that attendees rave about because they acquire new skills and behaviors and build connections while having fun. One of her flagship offerings, Communicating for Influence is an active-learning program she initially developed for high-performance research teams at Facebook.

An acclaimed creativity instigator, Melissa is the author of The Creative Sandbox Way: Your Path to a Full-Color Life, an interactive playbook that countless readers have sworn freed them from creative block virtually overnight.

Melissa’s front-of-room experience ranges from traveling the country teaching calligraphy, to speaking on stages from Connecticut to California, to performing as a singer for audiences as big as 6,500, and presenting at professional conferences internationally. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, she’s become sought after for her expertise in play-based techniques for leading engaging, interactive virtual meetings. When there isn’t a global pandemic going on, she performs improv with a number of different groups in the San Francisco Bay Area.

A graduate of UC Berkeley with a Bachelors in Social Science, and the University of Birmingham, England, with a Masters in Cultural Studies, Melissa lives with her husband in Silicon Valley and spends her free time making art, playing ukulele, or chasing after her rescue kittens, Vinnie and Jack Jack.

Jan 24, 202248:34
Wonder Woman in Business, Michelle Calcote King

Wonder Woman in Business, Michelle Calcote King

Michelle Calcote King is the Principal & President of Reputation Ink, a public relations and content marketing agency focused on professional services firms, including law, architecture, engineering and construction firms. With more than two decades of marketing and PR experience, Michelle has worked around the world, including stints in London and Australia. Her firm celebrated its 10th anniversary this year.

Jan 06, 202232:20
Wonder Woman in Business, Claudia Miller

Wonder Woman in Business, Claudia Miller

Claudia Miller has dedicated the last 15 years of her career to supporting SF Bay Area nonprofit organizations focused on social justice and racial equity build stronger communities and advance their missions through effective fundraising.  As Senior Director of Advancement with Venture Leadership Consulting, she creates results-based development plans, leads high-performing teams as an interim fundraising executive, and guides nonprofits in telling their stories. Since joining Venture Leadership in February 2020 (hello COVID!), she has worked with organizations focused on ending the prison pipeline for Bay Area youth, helping foster youth overcome challenges as they transition to adulthood, community organizing and safety net services, and finding permanent solutions to homelessness in SF.

Prior to joining Venture Leadership, Claudia was the Vice President of Advancement at First Place for Youth, a nationally-recognized leader in providing foster youth the education and employment skills they need to become independent, successful adults. During her tenure, the organization grew rapidly and she was responsible for increasing private revenue from $1 million to more than $7 million annually. Her strategic vision for growing private fundraising led to increased engagement with donors, stronger relationships with funders and corporate partners, and targeted communications and branding. First Place grew from a Bay Area-based nonprofit to a statewide organization, and now a national organization in four states. She successfully completed the organization’s first-ever Growth Campaign which raised more than $16 million from individual donors.

Prior to her work at First Place, Claudia was a reporter and freelance writer covering topics as wide-ranging as education, early childcare, sports features, home + garden, and real estate for the San Francisco Chronicle, the Hayward Daily Review, and various magazines. Like all good newspaper reporters, she got her start writing obituaries and the weather.

She has a BA in Latin American Studies and Political Science from Duke University. Outside of work, an ideal day is an early morning hike with friends and pups in the Oakland hills, an afternoon bike ride along the Bay, and a good meal shared outside with family. She loves nothing more than a day spent at the beach, be it Northern California or her Jersey Shore roots.

Dec 13, 202133:17
Wonder Woman in Business, Rebecca Baumgartner

Wonder Woman in Business, Rebecca Baumgartner

Rebecca Baumgartner is the Vice President of Human Resources for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. As a champion for personal and professional wellbeing, Rebecca brings her extensive background in human resources, organizational development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion to help others strengthen their personal awareness and build new skills to more powerfully navigate their journey. She draws from skill sets such as emotional intelligence, positive psychology, resilience, and courageous leadership to support others in their goals to become more inclusive and more impactful leaders to themselves and others.

Rebecca is skilled in professional and leadership development, coaching, and the strategic planning and implementation of diversity and inclusion programs, initiatives, and efforts. She has been a featured speaker for organizations such as National Association for Legal Professionals, Association of Law Firm Diversity Professionals, Tulane School of Law, Central Exchange, Anheuser-Busch, Hallmark, and the Professional Development Consortium. Additionally, she has contributed to and written for publications such as Forbes, The American Lawyer, Working Mother Media, and The Good Men Project. Rebecca was featured by InsightsSuccess as one of the “10 Most Inspiring Business Women in 2021.”

Rebecca sits on the board of the Northland Symphony and Orchestra, dedicated to providing music and arts education to youth in the community, as well as the Racial Equity and Inclusion Kansas City organization.  She serves on the Patron Committee for UnitedWe, is an Advisory Board Member for the Conscious Inclusion Company – a national diversity, equity and inclusion consulting organization – and is a faculty member for the Executive Leadership Institute.  Rebecca has also dedicated her time to national committees including the Law Firm Anti-Racism Alliance Voting Rights Committee and the National Diversity Council.

Dec 11, 202131:55
Wonder Woman in Business, Amber Lee Forrester

Wonder Woman in Business, Amber Lee Forrester

Amber Lee Forrester is a coach, facilitator, positive psychology practitioner, motivational speaker, content creator, event producer and serial entrepreneur. She is the founder of Quartz Wellness Collective, a personal growth and development organization that provides life-enhancing resources and tools for women who seek to live healthier, happier, and more purposeful lifestyles. The Quartz Wellness Collective hosts and produces uplifting events, transformational workshops, retreats, and online content designed to promote mental, physical, emotional, financial and social well-being.

Amber’s robust background has contributed a highly transferrable skill set that gives her the confidence and know-how to continue her purpose-driven career path. Her high school and college modeling, hosting and on-camera interviewing experience formed her comfort and self-assured presence on stage and in front of the camera, and built up her ability to engage people in meaningful conversation.  Her fifteen years of event experience supports her ability to create, coordinate, design and execute entertaining and impactful events. With ten years of apparel design, manufacturing, sales and marketing for her designer dog apparel company, Kane & Couture, she is masterful at product development, branding and online retail.

Amber is a visionary. Her top strengths are her creativity, love of learning, resourcefulness, resilience, and her ability to execute down to the minor details of her vision to bring her ideas to life. Her personal motto is “always do your best.” Her list of accomplishments reflect the hard work and dedication she applies when she decides to commit to a goal.  A few notable accomplishments include: graduating from each level of schooling with honors; being chosen from a national multi-city search as the Seagrams Gin Live Veejay in 2003; acceptance into the highly competitive inaugural Macy’s Workshop vendor development initiative that resulted in Amber selling Kane & Couture into Macy’s and becoming one of the faces of the program; being selected from tens of thousands of entrepreneurs to appear on ABC’s hit show, Shark Tank, where she struck a deal with Daymond John and Lori Greiner; creating, producing and executing a wellness retreat to Grenada where 50 women of color joined together for four days of transformational mind and body activities. Amber has spoken at schools, churches, entrepreneur conferences, and her own wellness events and retreats motivating people to find purpose, let go of limiting beliefs and have the confidence to show up and accomplish what one’s heart desires.

Amber is happily married and the mother of two young children. Her husband, Garvin Forrester is aerospace engineer by trade, but also a serial entrepreneur with ownership in multiple companies. The Forresters are currently working together to bring positive entertainment and wellness to metropolitan areas through a series of concerts and festivals.

Dec 07, 202140:52
Wonder Woman in Business, Kimberly Marcus

Wonder Woman in Business, Kimberly Marcus

Mrs. Kimberly Marcus is the Director of Supplier Diversity for AARP. Mrs. Marcus is responsible for redefining diversity, equity and inclusion within the supply chain at AARP. The AARP supplier diversity program resides at the intersection of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. AARP’s supplier diversity program is directly linked to our mission and why we exist. AARP not only seeks to work with diverse suppliers, we also serve them by helping them grow their businesses and promoting them in the marketplace.

Mrs. Marcus comes to AARP with over 20 years of combined experience in both the corporate and non-profit worlds. Prior to AARP, Mrs. Marcus was a presidential appointee for the Department of Commerce. Mrs. Kimberly Marcus was appointed in July 2012 to serve as Associate Director for the Office of Legislative, Education & Intergovernmental Affairs (OLEIA) at the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). In this capacity, she led all Agency efforts in the areas of communications, public affairs, external relationships, outreach, research, and policy development. She also oversaw the Agency’s relationships with elected officials, as well as its advocacy and outreach strategies. Mrs. Marcus focused primarily on stakeholder outreach, with an emphasis on global business development. Fortune 500 stakeholders, both domestic and international, were key to her outreach methodology.

Dec 02, 202135:25
Wonder Woman in Business, Toni Cortese

Wonder Woman in Business, Toni Cortese

Toni Cortese is passionate about developing leaders and teams to achieve their professional goals and guide organizations to greater success by increasing employee engagement, improving processes and culture, and impacting the bottom line. Prior to coaching, Toni led global technology teams during her 25-year tenure in investment banking.

While at Barclays, Toni co-founded and led a highly successful employee engagement program delivered a novel approach to driving tangible firm-wide cultural change. She also ran a training company whose clients included a number of Fortune 500 companies. She leverages a degree in International Relations and 20 years of self-taught forays into behavioral and social sciences to help her coaching clients see things from different angles and create new opportunities with new tools.

Toni is an avid supporter of diversity, which propelled her to be a founding member of three separate diversity networks at a major investment bank. She received a number of awards including Woman of the Year Award and the honor of ringing the opening and closing bells at the NYSE and NASDAQ. Toni has also partnered with the YWCA for over 17 years and was inducted into the YWCA’s Academy of Women Leaders for coaching, training, and mentoring battered women of all ages.

The combination of her life experiences, approachable nature, and ability to see the broader context is what has led many colleagues to seek Toni’s counsel over the years.

Nov 23, 202129:24