Monday, February 12, 2018

ORLANDO BUSINESS JOURNALbizwomen

#MentoringMonday

7:30-8:00 AM Networking and continental breakfast8:00-8:20 AM Welcome8:20-9:30 AM Mentoring Monday coaching program

AGENDA

BIZWOMEN

1 Yvonne Baker Franklin Street

2 Denise Bennett Walls Vaco

3 Cynthia Blackwell BlackRain Partners

4 Sarah Blake Elipsis Engineering & Consulting

5 Brooke Bonnett City of Orlando

6 Sara Brady Sara Brady Public Relations

7 Shirley Decker Greypit Inc.

8 Lou Ann DeVoogd Ronald McDonald House of Charities of Central Florida

9 Melanie DiVirgilio BB&T

10 Ava Doppelt Allen, Dyer, Doppelt, & Gilchrist PA

11 Kathleen Downs Robert Half International

12 Carolyn Fennell Greater Orlando Aviation Authority

13 Michelle Forte Young Forte Young Inc.

14 Mara Frazier Westgate Resorts

15 Gabriele Gannaway Neiman Marcus

16 Elisha González Duke Energy

17 Karen Keene Dean Mead

18 Laura Kelley Central Florida Expressway Authority

19 Suneera Madhani Fattmerchant

20 Blaire Martin Angel Nexus

21 Maritza Martinez University of Central Florida

22 Gina Medlock PNC

23 Debrorah Moskowitz Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer

24 Yassi Myers TLP Engineering Consultants Inc.

25 Samantha Kearns O’Lenick Florida Hospital

26 Mary Paradiso Academic Partnerships

27 Nancy Port Schwalb Schwalb Public Relations

28 Jennifer Quigley WBQ Design & Engineering Inc.

29 Alyse Quinn Big Vision

30 Karla Radka Goodwill Industries of Central Florida

31 Kay Rawlins Orlando City Soccer Club

32 Pamela Rogan Rogan Marketing and Communications

33 Adrianna Sekula Walt Disney Parks & Resorts

34 Crystal Sircy Orlando Economic Partnership

35 Jennifer Spooner BDO

36 Barbara Stankowski AMTIS Inc.

37 Kim Strong McKinnon Strong LLC

MEET THE MENTORS

National Partners

Local Sponsors

ATHENA NextGenT H O U G H T L E A D E R S H I P S E R I E S

AGENDA

BIZWOMEN

YVONNE BAKER | REGIONAL MANAGING PARTNER, FRANKLIN STREET OF ORLANDO AND JACKSONVILLEYvonne has more than 25 years of leasing experience in the commercial real estate market, and current-ly leads both the Orlando and the Jacksonville offices and employees for Franklin Street. Ms. Baker has generated a lease volume of more than $350 million with over 4.5 million square feet of executed leases. She earned her bachelor’s degree in finance and master’s degree in real estate from the University of Central Florida.

CYNTHIA BLACKWELL | FOUNDER/MANAGING PARTNER, BLACKRAIN PARTNERSCynthia is Founder & CEO BlackRain Partners LLC. Attendee’s walk away from Cynthia’s energetic ses-sions wondering what type of coffee she drinks. Known as “The Rain Maker,”Cynthia motivates people to act now. She is often quoted saying, “Plan your work, work your plan,” a motto by which she leads her life personally and professionally, every day. Known for her enthusiastic leadership and strong business acumen, Cynthia has consistently demonstrated her ability to build long-term relationships by nurturing and influencing business growth – aka: Rain Making.

SARAH BLAKE | PRESIDENT, ELIPSIS ENGINEERING & CONSULTING After graduating from George Mason University, Sarah moved to Orlando and began working at a large engineering firm. Her talents and drive were quickly noticed, and she was promoted to project manager over contracts worth several million dollars. Sarah eventually found herself at a small engineering firm where she managed the daily operations. In 2009, Sarah founded Elipsis Engineering & Consulting. In 9 short years, she has been able to grow the company from two employees and $175,000 in revenue to just over 40 employees and close to $7 million in revenue.

BROOKE BONNETT | DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, CITY OF ORLANDO Brooke has served as the Director of the City of Orlando’s Economic Development Department since her appointment by Mayor Buddy Dyer in 2011. As Director, Brooke is responsible for coordinating an annual budget of more than $34 million and managing nearly 200 employees encompassing five City divisions: Planning, Permitting Services, Code Enforcement, Business Development and the Downtown Development Board/Community Redevelopment Agency (DDB/CRA).

SARA BRADY | PRESIDENT/CEO, SARA BRADY PUBLIC RELATIONS INC. Sara established Sara Brady Public Relations Inc. in 2010 and specializes in leading communication strategies in high-profile issues ranging from national controversies to assisting ordinary citizens who are unexpectedly drafted into the media spotlight. Sara began her career as a reporter with the Orlando Sentinel, where she covered both the police and court beats. After 15 years in print journalism, she transitioned into public relations also working in both the defense and cable industries.

DENISE BENNETT WALLS | FOUNDER, VACODenise founded Vaco in Florida and in 2005 she opened Vaco Tampa and Vaco Orlando. Denise has since invested and launched Vaco South Florida and North Florida. In 2014, she brought on a Managing Director to launch Vaco South Florida, a business consulting, temporary and permanent placement staffing company and last year she launched an office in North Florida. Vaco is a firm that specializes in matching the strongest accounting, financial, IT and administrative professionals with the unique project and permanent needs of its clients. Denise has built Vaco Orlando from a de novo start with one employee to 29 client service managers and recruiters.

MEET THE MENTORS

AVA DOPPELT | SHAREHOLDER, ALLEN, DYER, DOPPELT, & GILCHRIST PAAva is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Intellectual Property Law. She manages trademark and copy-right portfolios, and has substantial litigation experience in federal and state courts and administrative agencies, advising clients on trademark, publishing, entertainment, and licensing, franchising and copyright matters. Ava speaks frequently on intellectual property, publishing and entertainment law. She has served as an expert witness.

KATHLEEN DOWNS | SVP RECRUITING, ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONALKathleen, a vice president with Robert Half Finance & Accounting, started with the company in 2000. Kathleen is a top performer and has reached a 10 million milestone which has only been achieved by 50 people in the 75-year history of Robert Half. She has been one of Robert Half’s top worldwide performers for 15 of her 17 years with the company. She is a corporate spokesperson and is routinely featured in national publications.

CAROLYN FENNELL | DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS, GREATER ORLANDO AVIATION AUTHORITYCarolyn is responsible at Orlando International Airport and the Orlando Executive Airport for external and inter-nal media and public relations. In her role as primary spokesperson she oversees all domestic and international media relations including crisis communications for both airports. At the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, she has had responsibilities for international marketing, customer service and community outreach.

MICHELLE FORTE YOUNG | FOUNDER AND OWNER, FORTE YOUNG INCMichelle is the founder and owner of Forte Young Inc. – a woman-owned general contracting and con-struction management company based in Orlando, FL. The company was founded in 2007 and recently celebrated its 10th year in business. The most notable project for the company to date is The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts located in downtown Orlando.

MELANIE DIVIRGILIO | VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMERCIAL BANKING, BB&TMelanie serves as vice president and commercial relationship manager for the Metro Orlando market consisting of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake counties for BB&T. Melanie consults with mid-dle-market businesses within the commercial and industrial sector, through assisting with raising capital, streamlining cash flow, drafting business succession plans, managing risk, and structuring and enhancing employee benefits.

LOU ANN DEVOOGD | PRESIDENT/CEO, RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL FLORIDALou Ann is President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida (RMHCCF). She oversees the management, governance, fiduciary, development and operation of the children’s charity, which includes three Ronald McDonald Houses in Orlando and two RMHCCF Family Gathering Rooms located within local pediatric hospitals. Lou Ann was a member of the RMHCCF Founding Board. She was named the first Executive Director of the organization. She has helped lead the charity in its growth over the past 20 years. RMHCCF is one of the largest chapters in the country.

SHIRLEY DECKER | CHIEF CONVENER, GREYPIT INC.Shirley Decker, founder and Chief Convener of Greypit Inc., draws on 40+ years of experience. From time in the hospitality industry, she has been able to impart that experience and understanding of top guest experience and operations into success within industries from healthcare to retail. She has met the diverse and demanding corporate communications needs of clients and has now built a team of brilliant talent to define and deliver strategic solutions.

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MARA FRAZIER | VICE PRESIDENT, COMMUNITY & PUBLIC AFFAIRS, WESTGATE RESORTSMara leads philanthropy, community strategy and public affairs for Westgate Resorts across the country, representing 10 states and 28 resort destinations, ensuring community investment is targeted, mean-ingful and adds value to all areas of the business. A passionate champion for our state’s growth across multiple sectors and for corporate citizenship, she believes the two go hand-in-hand to create a vibrant, profitable, sustainable and entrepreneurial environment.

ELISHA GONZÁLEZ | GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS, DUKE ENERGYElisha is an educator, connector and influencer in the Central Florida region. She has been recognized for her leadership, business acumen and commitment to community. She has been active in the community throughout her career, committed to making it a great place to live, work and play. Elishaleads government and community relations for Duke Energy and serves as Duke Energy’s leader for local governments and civic partnerships, and is responsible for government relations, philanthropy, commu-nity engagement strategy and social responsibility.

KAREN KEENE | DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, DEAN MEADKaren is the Director of Marketing & Business Development at Dean Mead, a corporate law firm headquar-tered in Orlando with five offices statewide. With more than 25 years of experience, Karen counsels the attorneys in client development, strategic planning, branding and media relations. Prior to joining Dean Mead, she led practice development for the East Coast offices of Foley & Lardner. Karen is the President of ATHENA Orlando Women’s Leadership, Inc. She has led community initiatives to support, inspire and honor business women, including the Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon, as well as establishing a $100,000 endowed scholarship at the University of Central Florida.

LAURA KELLEY | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CENTRAL FLORIDA EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITYLaura has more than 30 years of experience in executive transportation management, helping shape na-tional, state and local policy. In 2014, she was named the Central Florida Expressway Authority’s (CFX) first female executive director, managing the daily operations of the agency’s 118-mile expressway system and $1.6 billion five-year work plan. Laura also has overseen CFX’s installations of safety and technology improvements, including equipping expressways with wrong-way driver detection systems.

SUNEERA MADHANI | FOUNDER & CEO, FATTMERCHANTSuneera is the co-founder and CEO of Fattmerchant, a payment technology company specializing in saving businesses up to 40% on their credit card processing fees through a disruptive, subscrip-tion-based model. Fattmerchant brings businesses of all shapes and sizes the technology, data analytics, savings and support they need in order to stay competitive and accept all kinds of payments – from credit to contactless and more. Since the start of Fattmerchant three short years ago, Suneera has grown the company to a team of over 30 employees who have processed over $1 billion in payments for their members – an incredible increase from the almost $5 million processed in 2014.

MEET THE MENTORS

GABRIELE GANNAWAY | VICE PRESIDENT, GENERAL MANAGER , NEIMAN MARCUSGabriele is Vice President, General Manager for Neiman Marcus in the Orlando Florida Location. She is responsible for the execution of all business activities for the Neiman Marcus store located at the Mall at Millenia. Gabriele leads Operations, Merchandising, Public Relations, Visual Display and Human Resources in daily operations. She works with Corporate Merchants on business and merchandising strategy. Gabriele is a veteran of Neiman Marcus, with more than 28 years of experience.

GINA MEDLOCK | VICE PRESIDENT, BUSINESS BANKING SALES MANAGER, PNCGina started her career at PNC in 1998 and is a Relationship Manager with the Central Florida Commercial Banking Team. She joined PNC through their Management Trainee Program in Ohio. She was asked to relocate to West Palm Beach in 2008 to help PNC’s Commercial Treasury Team expand in the new market. Gina was asked again to relocate to Orlando in 2014 to head the Business Banking Team. There she led her team to grow its book of business to be one of the highest performing in the entire PNC footprint.

DEBORAH MOSKOWITZ | MANAGING PARTNER, QUINTAIROS, PRIETO, WOOD & BOYER Deborah is a Shareholder and Managing Partner of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer’s Orlando Office. Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer is the largest minority and woman-owned law firm in the United States with 21 offices spanning coast to coast. She is also the co-founder/co-owner of Fat Cat Gourmet Foods LLC, which produces gourmet condiments that are distributed throughout the United States, Canada, parts of Asia and Europe. Deborah focuses her law practice on the representation and defense of businesses in law suits regarding employment matters, personal injury and products liability.

YASSI MYERS | PRESIDENT, TLP ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS, INC.Yassi is the president of the TLP Engineering Consultants, a Transportation and Water Resources consult-ing firm in Central Florida. She is highly regarded as a professional engineer and has built an impressive resume of large and unique projects that provide vital links for the transportation system in Florida. Yassi has left her mark not only on the technical arena but on the engineering profession as a whole, earning numerous professional accolades and awards .

SAMANTHA KEARNS O’LENICK | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, FLORIDA HOSPITALSamantha is the Executive Director of Corporate Communications for Florida Hospital, one of the largest healthcare systems in Florida, comprised of nine campuses and dozens of walk-in clinics. She provides leadership and direction to the media team – made up of seasoned award-winning professionals. In addition,Samantha provides leadership and implements a proactive media strategy for the other 10 Florida Hospital hospitals throughout the state of Florida. She is also in charge of developing strategic initiatives to promote hospital services, physicians, events and philosophies to the news media, and developing and implementing strategic community relations, as well as serves as the hospital spokesperson.

MARITZA MARTINEZ | ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS, UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDAMaritza is associate vice president for the Division of University Relations and director for the Office of Community Relations at UCF, with more than 10 years of experience in community and public relations in higher education. She is involved with several local organizations, serving on the boards of the American Heart Association, the Downtown Orlando Partnership, Valencia College’s Take Stock in Children, and the African American Chamber, among others.

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BLAIR MARTIN | DIRECTOR, FLORIDA ANGEL NEXUSBlaire is mobilizing the movement of accredited investors engaging Florida’s high-growth ventures with capital, expertise, and resources, while streamlining the funding process for our state’s entrepreneurs. As the Executive Director of the Florida Angel Nexus, Blaire and her team are growing Florida’s statewide community of accredited investors, funds, and family offices. Since 2013, members have invested in 63 companies a total of $17.2 million; over $25M with co-investment partners. Blair assisted early stage technology companies with the many aspects required to launch and grow a successful company, includ-ing: market research, competitive analysis, lead generation, investor pitch preparation and strategies for commercialization, revenue models and sales.

NANCY PORT SCHWALB | PRESIDENT, SCHWALB PUBLIC RELATIONSNancy founded Schwalb Public Relations 25 years ago on the principles of excellence and commit-ment to personal management of each client’s media strategy and community relations objectives. Specializing in Business Development, Strategic Planning, Media Relations, and Community Involvement, Nancy provides her clients with a sound base for corporate growth. Schwalb Public Relations has provided local, regional, and national marketing services to a wide variety of clients including such notable accounting firms. Nancy also provides crisis management services to private and public companies headquartered in Central Florida. Her dedication to excellence and personal attention is conveyed in all aspects of her business and community commitments. These principles are evident in the ability of Schwalb Public Relations to build a high-profile image and support a successful bottom-line for her clients.

JENNIFER QUIGLEY | FOUNDING PRINCIPAL, WBQ DESIGN & ENGINEERING, INC. Jennifer is a founding principal of WBQ Design & Engineering, Inc. a civil engineering firm that has been in business for over 21 years in Downtown Orlando. Significant projects include the Orlando City Soccer Stadium, Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center, The Amway Center and the Citrus Bowl. Her firm won the honor of Orlando Sentinel’s Top Company of the Year in 2016 and was 2nd place in 2017 in the under 99-employee category. Jennifer is the Orlando Business Journal’s 2015 Business Owner of the Year and the Downtown Partnership’s 2013 Downtowner of the Year.

ALYSE QUINN | CO-OWNER, BIG VISIONAlyse is the go-to account manager and co-owner of Big Vision - a modern creative agency in downtown Orlando. She’s got a big vision for her clients and her agency. It all comes down to Alyse’s passion for helping others. She sees the potential in a brand and loves connecting them with Big Vision’s talented team. That’s been key to the business’s continued growth and success. Alyse serves brands from both a creative and business point of view and manages large, multi-channel efforts: corporate rebranding, website redesign, video production, digital marketing campaigns and other high-impact projects.

KARLA RADKA | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL FLORIDAKarla is Goodwill Industries of Central Florida’s chief operating officer. In her role, she oversees adminis-tration, business development and marketing, financial management, performance, retail and operation services, training, and mission services. Karla spearheads Goodwill’s social enterprise model, revenue generation and organizational growth, as well as overseeing statewide partnerships with organizations such as the American Red Cross. Among her accomplishments are launching Good-will’s first fundraising program to diversify revenue streams and further enhance its visibility in the community. She also launched Goodwill University, a professional development program, to cultivate talent within the organizationand led an operational reorganization to increase efficiency and mission effectiveness.

MARY PARADISO | MANAGING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPSMary is the National Director of Market Development-Healthcare at Academic Partnerships (AP). In this role, Mary is responsible for initiating and cultivating relationships with healthcare executives in territo-ries where AP launches new university partners. Mary also is responsible for screening and interviewing candidates for the Field Executive Director position(s) nationwide and mentoring and coaching these new hires as part of their onboarding process. Mary is grateful to have been promoted multiple times in less than two years at Academic Partnerships. When asked about what has been the key to her success, one thing stands out more than the others to her: “Don’t be afraid to feel uncomfortable, as this is where the most growth occurs.”

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ADRIANNA SEKULA | MANAGER, GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, WALT DISNEY PARKS & RESORTSAdrianna is a government affairs and community relations professional at Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, assisting the company with public policy initiatives relating to tourism, development and community outreach. Adrianna’s previous experience includes legislative efforts to ensure funding and smart policy in the juvenile justice areana and locally in residential construction with the Homebuilder’s Association.

JENNIFER SPOONER | MANAGING PARTNER, TAX SERVICES, BDOJennifer is the Managing Partner for the Central Florida Tax Practice. In her role, she manages all aspects of the Central Florida offices’ tax practice and oversees compliance and quality control within the tax department. She provides corporate and international tax services, specializing in pass-through entities, closely held businesses, and personal income tax for high net worth individuals. She primarily serves mid-sized corporation, S corporations and partnerships, and has experience in manufacturing, technology, hospitality and real estate industries.

BARBARA STANKOWSKI | PRESIDENT & CEO, AMTIS INC. Barbara completed a distinguished 28-year career in the U.S. Navy retiring in 1998. After her retirement from the Navy, she worked for several women-owned small businesses as a training and education consul-tant and facilitator supporting government and industry clients. Since 2007, she is the owner and President/Chief Executive Officer of AMTIS Inc. an SDVOSB, 8(a) and woman-owned small business providing services to commercial, federal and state agencies.

KIM STRONG | PARTNER, MCKINNON STRONG LLCKim’s passion lies within the nonprofit community and she uses her business acumen to garner funding for programs and services, many times for those living in underserved and economically challenged neighborhoods. Not only is Kim a dynamite fundraiser, she is an excellent communicator and relationship builder. Her assets directly contribute to the success of her clients and its impact in the Central Florida community. She plays an invaluable role in building community by sharing information to existing and potential donors, volunteers and community leaders.

PAMELA ROGAN | CEO, ROGAN MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONSPamela is the President and CEO of Rogan Marketing and Communications, a full-service outsourced firm that plays the role of marketing department for their clients. Rogan is known by colleagues and clients for her natural leadership ability, team-building skills and a commitment to “Blue Sky” thinking, where ideas can be shared collaboratively without fear of being judged. Throughout her career, Rogan has been committed to volunteerism.

MEET THE MENTORS

CRYSTAL SIRCY | CHIEF OPERATION OFFICER, ORLANDO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIPCrystal oversees the entire operations of the Orlando Economic Partnership as the organization works to aggressively attract, retain and grow jobs in the region. She joined the Partnership in 2016 with more than twenty-five years of economic development experience. Prior to the OEP, Crystal served as the Executive Vice President / Chief Operating Officer of Enterprise Florida, the statewide economic development organization. In her role, she oversaw operations for five divisions, managing a $25 million annual budget and leading over 90 employees across three offices located in Miami, Orlando and Tallahassee.

KAY RAWLINS | FOUNDER & VP OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS, ORLANDO CITY SOCCER CLUBKay is the VP of Community Relations for Orlando City, President of the Foundation and is a Founder and Owner of the Club. Originally from the UK, Kay has lived in the US for over 13 years. She owned and ran children’s pre-schools in the UK, served as an educational assessor, lectured on signs and symptoms of child abuse to pre-school educators and also taught parenting classes. The last six years has seen the rise of Orlando City, playing their first season in Major League Soccer in 2015, adding a women’s team, Orlando Pride, in 2016 and a new downtown stadium which opened in 2017.