LaRora Hestle has worked in the mortgage banking industry for 20 years, assisting customers with questions about 30-day late payment recovery or the long-term impacts of negative credit. She also provides credit repair services, including the removal from credit files of late payments, inaccurate personal information, charge offs, as well as medical debt and car repossessions. LaRora is the Founder of The 1st Step Inc., a newly-established non-profit organization whose goal is to transform the total woman by offering a new beginning. The 1st Step offers transitional housing to homeless women and children, providing credit counseling and money management courses, as well as job placement and short-term follow-up care once the clients are back on track for total life independency.
Darlene Ellison is a Sr. Vice President at Veritex Bank and an experienced Development Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. She is a strong community and social services professional skilled in Management, For-profit and Nonprofit Organizations, Negotiation, Strategic Planning, Coaching, Sales, and Event Management. Darlene is the Founder of Women in Business Program, which creates opportunities for female entrepreneurs to network and build business relationships and includes a WIB Summer Internship Program that provides mentors for young women in college and paid internships during their summer break. Darlene is also an author of Evolution of SHE as well as a motivational speaker on overcoming obstacles and using those obstacles as catalysts to creating meaningful alliances and professional growth!
As a Workshop Facilitator of Her Career Catalyst, Christine helps women find career fulfillment and success in balance with their life goals. Each month the group focuses on individual career plans and explores the core professional competencies that are the key to success in any profession increasing clarity, confidence and communication skills. Christine is the owner of a consulting firm focused on personal development and professional support. She is a Certified Professional Coach, a Certified Career Coach and an Accredited DISC Trainer.
Nikki Nanos is a professional speaker, author, coach and a member of the National Speakers Association. She holds a M.F.A. in Acting from California Institute of the Arts and will soon begin her journey as a certified Meditation/Mindfulness Teacher. Her eclectic career in theatre, film and television have taken her down a path filled with fascinating people and experiences. From working in locations on the CBS television series Walker, Texas Ranger to holding the hand of the great Ella Fitzgerald, Nikki understands how connection is key in any situation for communication and collaboration to take place. www.nikkinanos.com
Nida Jawed is a Certified Professional Life Coach in the areas of life, relationships, and parenting. She is an optimistic coach who believes in one’s ability to master the art of positive mindset. As the Workshop Facilitator for Her Mindful Bliss, Nida is helping women to celebrate achievements while attaining gentle, nurturing new focus and learning mindfulness. Nida’s vision is for every woman to live a balanced, aligned, and fulfilling life. Applying her educational background, degrees in business, psychology, and anthropology as well as certifications in life coaching and leadership, Nida is connecting with women from diverse backgrounds around the globe.
DARE ROSEBERY Dare has enjoyed developing people and companies in the US and Europe for more than 20 years. As the Workshop Facilitator for Her Leader Journey, Dare coaches women in Developing the Person of a Leader™. She will help you discover the leader in you who can achieve predictable, repeatable, consistent, and sustainable success in all areas of life. Dare invests in community through being an inspirational speaker and through leading pro bono Planning Intensives and/or being an advisor for non-profit organizations.
Irum is one of the leaders of Dallas Professional Women (DPW), with a driving passion for improving communities through corporate responsibility. She leads the Global Programming team for DPW. Irum is the Chief Operating Officer for Electrician On Call and a seasoned professional in the automotive, IT, healthcare, media, construction, home services and telecommunication industries. She is also a writer and public speaker and is recognized for her kindness, perseverance and dedication. Irum attributes the ability to achieve her goals and live an organized life to the Japanese mindfulness practice of Ikigai.
Cheron K. Griffin is an entrepreneur, author, producer, motivational speaker, and advocate for various social issues. She is a Certified Personal Development Life Coach in life strategy, stress management, and fitness and lifestyle management. Cheron is the founder of Grow A Girl Network, Inc., an organization that mentors at-risk girls and women. She aims to save lives, especially of our children, and addresses this in her book, I SEE YOU: Igniting Hope & Preventing Suicide. www.cheronsworld.com
Dr. Catherine Jackson (Dr. J) is a licensed clinical psychologist and board-certified neurotherapist. She is the Owner of Optimal Neuroholistic Services and founder of Dr. J’s Holistic Health & Wellness, non-profit. She provides health and wellness courses and speaks at churches and organizations emphasizing the importance of mental wellness. Dr. J has been featured as an expert in many publications including O, The Oprah Magazine, The Huffington Post and Prevention. All about holistic health, she believes in treating the whole person, not simply behaviors or symptoms. Dr. Jackson will soon publish her first book, The Couch Experience: A Guide to Good Therapy, available in the summer of 2020.
Kia Wells, who serves as the Workshop Facilitator of Her Sensible Budget, generously shares her knowledge in the areas of personal budgeting (including debt elimination) and credit enhancement to assist others in changing their lives. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. Kia’s background in Accounting and Finance fuels her love of helping women make financial adjustments that impact their futures. She is also very resourceful, providing women with tips and hacks that she’s learned along the way to smooth out their financial journey.
Lisa Ascolese is the CEO and Founder of Inventing A-to-Z and is known throughout the industry as “The Inventress.” Her company assists those who have the desire to create and develop their own product(s), helping clients from conception to execution. Lisa is an inventor herself, and she holds many patents and trademarks. She develops products from a napkin idea, to prototyping, patenting and all the way to the marketplace, from QVC, HSN and retail stores. For over 25 years, Lisa has successfully invented, strategically marketed and creatively launched products. Her passion is to see people succeed, and she provides an understanding of what it takes to become successful in the world of inventing. Additionally, Lisa is the founder of AOWIE, The Association Of Women Inventors & Entrepreneurs, where she mentors, uplifts and inspires women to live their entrepreneurship and inventing dreams. www.inventingatoz.com www.aowie.com
JAN BARLOW brings over two decades of global business development and job-placement experience. She is recognized as being on the leading-edge with an impressive track record in domestic and international sales, marketing, public speaking and training. Her passion to help women entrepreneurs makes her the perfect coach for Her Own Business, helping bring their visions to life. Jan brings her expertise in artificial intelligence and facilitates opportunities to collaborate, support and strategize.
Shawn currently serves as Vice President, Operations & Strategy for the Women’s Business Council – Southwest. She is responsible for driving the overall strategy for the organization, as well as representing the Council on a local, regional and national basis, which includes overseeing all marketing and communications, programs, events, as well as major fundraising and outreach initiatives. Previously, Shawn served as Senior VP – Development at Texas Women’s Foundation (formerly Dallas Women’s Foundation), which is the largest regional women’s fund in the nation. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE); board president for the Association of Fundraising Professionals – Dallas Chapter; an adjunct professor at Paul Quinn College; and a member of the Greater Frisco Chapter of Jack and Jill and the Village Giving Circle. https://wbcsouthwest.org/
Cheryl began her career in banking being employed with banking institutions such as Wachovia, Chase and Compass Bank. As a VP of Business Banking, Cheryl was dedicated to operational management and providing appropriate solutions for businesses and business owners. Currently, as the Small Business Specialist in the City of Fort Worth’s Economic Development Department, Cheryl identifies business resources for small businesses and assists with training, programming, outreach and special events. As the liaison for everything small business which includes partner collaborations, client & community engagement, event coordination and small business ecosystem navigation, Cheryl has also managed the Fort Worth Business Plan Competition for 9 years, focusing on business planning, pitches and profitable operations. https://fortworthtexas.gov/smallbusiness/
Vaska is passionate about illuminating your brilliance through creating a brand that is magnetic and authentic. She is a branding and styling strategist, a speaker, a designer, an ideas generator, a mother of 3, and an admirer of beauty of any kind. Vaska will take you on a journey to (re)discovering your real power and help you position yourself on the market space. An authentic personal and/or company brand is the key to having your product/service/idea noticed by your most desired audience. Your God-given talents, knowledge, experience, and natural interests together with your life’s vision form the foundation for that brand. http://www.brandingbrilliance.com/
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