Elite Achievers’ Club 2023 by CIO Women Magazine

WOMEN IN BUSINESS

Elite ACHIEVERS’ CLUB 2023

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From Editor s Desk Celebrating the Elite! Dear Readers, It is our utmost pleasure to present before you the latest addition to the CIO Women Magazine family—the ‘Elite Achievers’ Club’. In this special edition, we are thrilled to present a distinguished selection of individuals who have graced the pages of our magazine throughout the year 2023. The CIO Women Magazine has been a steadfast advocate for showcasing the exceptional achievements, leadership, and innovation of women across different sectors. With the Elite Achievers’ Club, we take our commitment to a new level by recognizing and celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of a handpicked group of individuals who have left a mark on their respective industries. Within the pages of this exclusive magazine, you will find a captivating compilation of success stories, in-depth interviews, and insightful features that dive deeper into the strategies and inspirations driving the success of these exceptional women. Their journeys, challenges, and triumphs serve as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and dedication that define the modern leaders shaping our world. The creation of the Elite Achievers’ Club stems from our belief that these stories not only merit recognition but also deserve a platform that fosters a sense of community among our readership. By sharing these remarkable narratives, we aim to inspire and empower others to strive for excellence, break barriers, and redefine what is possible. As you peruse the pages of this magazine, join us in celebrating the achievements of these outstanding individuals and reflecting on the strides that women continue to make in the professional landscape. Their stories are not just a source of inspiration; they are a rallying cry for progress and a reminder that every challenge is an opportunity for growth. Our deepest gratitude goes to our dedicated readers, contributors, and, most importantly, the remarkable women who make up the Elite Achievers’ Club. Your support has been instrumental in the success of CIO Women Magazine, and we are honored to share this milestone with you. Thank you for being part of our journey, and we eagerly anticipate the continued empowerment and upliftment of the voices of women in business!

Utkarsh D.

Contents

Women In Brands

Consulting & Technology

Education

Finance

Health & Wellness

Leaders

Real Estate

Amy

Gershkoff Bolles 6

Amy Gershkoff Bolles Global Head of Digital & Emerging Technology Strategy

Levi Strauss & Co

nunciating the importance of innovation, Amy Gershkoff Bolles (Global Head of Digital & Emerging Technology Strategy at Levi Strauss & Co) says, “It's prudent for organizations to take a disciplined approach to innovation, irrespective of the economic climate, the pandemic, or macroeconomic factors. This is what we've done at Levi Strauss & Co.” Amy joined Levi Strauss & Co in April 2022 and she has been a vital cog in the company's unrivaled growth since then. 1. What inspired you to direct your journey in this particular field? My father inspired my career journey: he has been a leader in the technology field for several decades and encouraged me from a young age to study math and science to develop a solid foundation in problem-solving skills. At his urging, I became an economics major at Cornell University, with a focus on econometric modelling and statistics, and later went on to receive a Masters and Ph.D. from Princeton in Quantitative Methods (which would be called Data Science today) and Political Science. I also taught Statistics courses at Princeton University and Data Science at the University of California Berkeley's Haas School of Business. 2. Please walk us through your professional background. Over the course of my career, I've held a number of technical, operational, and board roles in venture and private-equitybacked start-ups, large public companies, and civic organizations. I was one of the earliest Chief Data Officers and helped shape the strategic importance of the role industry-wide. I've also been a General Manager, COO, and CEO, applying my expertise in data-driven decisioning across a broad spectrum of functional areas within businesses, including sales, marketing, operations, and strategy, as well as product and engineering. And as a Board Director and Advisor, I've been able to provide companies guidance on both technical and operational matters, enabling them to drive growth, scale, efficiency, improve customer experiences, and much more. 3. When was Levi Strauss & Co incepted? My current role is Global Head of Digital & Emerging Technology Strategy at Levi Strauss & Co., and I joined the Levi Strauss & Co last year.

As for Levi Strauss & Co: At 24 years old, Levi Strauss arrived in San Francisco and founded his namesake business in March of 1853. This year, Levi Strauss & Co. will be celebrating 170 years as a company! 4. What was the vision of Levi Strauss & Co when you started? Since starting at Levi Strauss & Co. back in April 2022, I've been focused on creating our emerging technology framework, focused on how to collaboratively evaluate innovation opportunities. The framework evaluates any potential opportunity against criteria including resonance with our brand and corporate values, resonance with our overall corporate strategy, financial analysis, and most importantly, positive impact on the customer experience. Thus far, we've primarily focused on applying this framework in both the Web3 and the Industrial 4.0 spaces. In Web 3.0. There's a vast amount of opportunity in that space; everything from decentralized web content to blockchain-enabled value creators and applications. In the industrial 4.0 space, from an emerging technology perspective, there is tons of opportunity, ranging from innovations in design and manufacturing to the supply chain. 5. Post-pandemic, how has the era of entrepreneurship changed? It's prudent for organizations to take a disciplined approach to innovation, irrespective of the economic climate, the pandemic, or macroeconomic factors. This is what we've done at Levi Strauss & Co: when I arrived, we created a framework and disciplined process for evaluating innovation opportunities. We evaluate any potential opportunity against criteria including resonance with our brand and corporate values, resonance with our overall corporate strategy, financial analysis, and most importantly, positive impact on the customer experience. Quotes: “At my core, I'm an innovator, and I'm particularly adept in unlocking growth inside established businesses, leveraging both product-led and marketing and sales-led growth strategies.” “If you embrace these areas in which you lack expertise and find experts you can bring onto your team or who can advise you, you'll be able to achieve great things.” “Teamwork is crucial for success—no one ever achieved anything interesting at work by themselves.”

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#Women in

Cybersecurity & Technology

ELLIE 10

Ellie She

Founder & President Ellie She

multifaceted expert, Ellie Sheﬁ is a uniquely qualiﬁed consultant and advisor to organizations, governments, NGOs, and individuals—a true unicorn in the industry.

1. You are an expert in numerous fields—law, advocacy, education, and business. What inspired your journey into these fields? Through my management training company, I helped to launch the careers of hundreds of individuals, which felt wonderful. But for me, it was a successful venture that served a personal purpose: funding my college and law school education. Becoming an attorney so that I could advocate for human rights, civil rights, and constitutional rights was (and still is!) my passion. After law school, I spent two decades as a staff attorney for a federal judge writing opinions on civil rights cases, constitutional rights cases, discrimination in employment cases, and prisoner conditions of confinement actions—causes that I have long been passionate about. 2. Amazing! In your early career, you went from living in your car to managing a small, but thriving personal business, to rights-based judicial work, to university deanships! And now, you're a best-selling author, speaker, advisor to NGOs and governments, publisher, and consultant to individual entrepreneurs and global organizations. How did you get from there to here? I guide corporate management, as well as governments and NGOs, to optimize their operations, mitigate their risk, modernize their organizational culture, and strengthen their bottom line by truly developing their people to build worldclass teams. I offer assessments, audits, and strategic plans, plus full implementation assistance that includes workshops and training for HR and executives, as well as ongoing quarterly assessments and refinements. For individuals, I develop, deliver, and lead international courses, training, workshops, retreats, and masterminds like Monetize Your Expertise, Best-Selling Book Bootcamp, Monetize Your Message, and Master the Media. Through these, I offer platforms where everyday people and six-, seven-, and eight-figure entrepreneurs have an opportunity to find their voice, tell their stories, and share their message with the world.

3. You speak of optimizing operations and modernizing organizational culture. Why is that necessary, and why would an organization look to you to help it reach those goals? Now, this rising workforce has a need to align with their organization's mission and values, and a need to feel that their role makes a real, impactful difference before they're fully invested. They need to feel seen, heard, and valued, and they are demanding that their organization exhibits some type of social responsibility. If it does, they become much more engaged and involved. Because of my expertise and experience in education, business, law, and advocacy, I am uniquely qualified to advise organizations from a legal, HR, employment, business, resilience, and social perspective so they can optimize their operations and their impact. I offer corporate HR departments and C-suite executives, as well as governments, universities, and NGOs, my expertise to holistically modernize company culture, mitigate risk, optimize operations, and strengthen their bottom line by truly developing their people. This not only facilitates innovation and economic opportunity, but fosters the development of human potential as well. 4. Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger self? Be patient…everything that's happening to you is going to become your superpower and you're going to use your superpowers to be a force for good in the world and impact millions of lives. 5. What advice has most profoundly impacted your leadership? Be the leader you would want to follow. Also, treat your business as a living, breathing entity and provide a safe space where all are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Don't micromanage; rather, acknowledge your team members as the professionals and experts they are. Give space for each member to operate in their zone of genius, and, thus, each member will shine! Overall, lead with authenticity, integrity, empathy, compassion, vision, and dedication. 6. If your life story was a book, what would it be called, and why? Limitless … because I am!

CIO Women Magazine | 11

Hui Wu-Curtis

COO SupportU SupportU was created by Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis along with her partner Ron Petrie. Both of them believe that it's important to create a safe work environment where we embrace each other's diﬀerences and that it's okay for everybody to be themselves. And if we create a culture that truly embraces these qualities, Dr. Hui WuCurtis and Ron believe that this underserved talent will deliver exceptional customer service to their clients. Why This Field: As Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis worked through various positions within the contact center, she always absorbed as much knowledge as she could. She believes that learning all aspects of your operations and business allows you to make better business decisions. Soon enough, Hui fell in love with the hectic nature of call centers and the hundreds and thousands of people she worked with in the various global contact centers. Hui enjoyed interacting, collaborating, and developing her teams. Each position was an opportunity to do something great and as time progressed, her scope of responsibility kept increasing so the magnitude to prove things and achieve amazing results was realized. Walk-Through of Professional Background: While Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis was in various leadership roles, she got involved with several large projects at diﬀerent companies which exposed her to other areas of operations and technology. Exposure to these things helped her learn how to run her operations better and how she and her teams contributed to the overall company success. Once Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis was able to achieve those successes at one call center, she would leave to do the same thing at another in a higher position to see if she can get the same results in a bigger capacity. Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis believes that you control your own career and wasn't afraid to leave the job for a promotional

opportunity. Keeping that belief. She left her supervisor job to be a manager. Several years later, she left her manager job to be a director and continued moving up in her career As Hui moved into a manager position, she decided to go back to school for her MBA to learn and understand more about business strategy. How Personal Experiences Influence The Entrepreneur Within: Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis grew up in a very conservative Chinese family where the focus is more on the boys in the family to succeed. Characteristics such as boldness and risk-taking are not often seen in women in her culture growing up. Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis says she had thought about being an entrepreneur early on. However, it was always ingrained in her to study, get good grades, and get a good-paying job. It took years of working to find her own level of self-confidence. As Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis moved into higher-level leadership positions, she was exposed to more politics and personally experienced several incidences of unethical business dealings. She couldn't believe people could do such awful and unethical things to others. Future Plans: Dr. Hui's future plans are to continue to grow SupportU. She wants to use the company as a platform to show others how focusing on your employees first will bring you far more success than only being focused on revenue. Dr. Hui says that her alternate focus is to bring more education and awareness to others on investing in people who have been marginalized in the workforce. She is very purposeful in her approach to narrowing the disparities in the workplace that she had experienced and seen in the past. She will continue her efforts in working with community partners and other organizations to promote diversity and inclusion in leadership roles and mentorship by showcasing SupportU's business model and approach. Some Wise Words For Budding Entrepreneurs: To those aiming to become entrepreneurs, Dr. Hui Wu-Curtis suggests focusing on what you are good at and love doing and the business idea will come to you. She advises that once you take the plunge to start your own business, go learn from others and ask for help from people who are experts in certain facets of the business. Don't feel like you have to figure it all out by yourself. Grow your network and call upon your network for help. You will be surprised by the number of people out there willing to help you.

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ANDREA 14

Andrea Mandelbaum

CEO Mc Luhan Consulting

eet the woman of the hour, Andrea Mandelbaum, an instrumental personality who founded her company Mc Luhan Consulting in 1996.

With a sheer passion for technology and AI, Andrea believes that technology is neither good nor bad and we as humans need to determine its use through our ethics. Today, after establishing her company from scratch, she continues to be on the lookout for the next amazing technology, and she believes AI will open incredible possibilities. About Mc Luhan Consulting To develop and deploy innovative AI technologies that empower companies to make better decisions and improve their customer relationship. To be a global leader in AI technology, providing a cutting-edge solution that enables companies to make informed decisions and unlock their potential. Mc Luhan Consulting is a specialist in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Immersive solutions (VR/AR). The company provides a range of services to help organizations leverage the power of AI and ML to improve their operations and increase their competitive advantage. Its services include AI/ML strategy development. The core offering of Mc Luhan Consulting is helping organizations develop an AI strategy that is tailored to their specific needs in customer services and sales. It provides its AI products with the best technologies and approaches to use and helps organizations develop a roadmap for implementation. Offerings Quality-Focused and a Myriad Range of Services Mc Luhan Consulting is an omnichannel conversational platform, based on artificial intelligence and machine learning that allows customers to be served in a personalized way through virtual assistants. It is developed in English, Spanish, and Portuguese tropicalized by country to get a better understanding of the user. It understands natural language and is developed by industry (banking, insurance, retail, telecommunications, utilities, government) and has more than 1000 functions or use cases by industry. This allows delivery to be very fast because one has to only adapt to each company according to their way of communicating with their customers. Sannare accompanies patients at all times, authorizations, chronic diseases, wellness recommendations, home doctor, control, and monitoring of medication. It has 1000 use cases to

help the user in their health and the entities in their service to improve the experience, increase the attention in the volume of patients, greater precision and speed in diagnoses, and operational efficiencies. Virtual Stores: Offers experiences where the user is immersed in a journey that goes beyond a transactional link. It is a sales and service channel, product testing, customer service, community, and sensory interaction in an omnichannel virtual space. The firm makes personalized developments tailored to companies. The versatility of the 360 spaces solutions allows for multiple use cases for each industry: Retail, the customer can test products in 3D. Virtual Office, where employees can make internal and transactional inquiries, get trained, and have meetings. In addition, public spaces can be implemented for prospects and clients. One can also do training, fairs and congresses, and experimental entertainment. Technology: The Focal Point At Mc Luhan Consulting, it uses digital technologies throughout the entire value chain that it provides to the customer. It takes care of the research, and evaluation of customer needs, through the design of the experience, selection, combination, and implementation of technologies. From immersive technologies to artificial intelligence. It combines a great multiplicity of technological tools that allows them to create new sensory experiences. Be it Artificial Intelligence, Augmented reality, Mixed reality, Virtual reality, Holograms, Avatars, Metaverse, or Synthetic reality, it offers a whole range of AI-based business solutions. Andrea Explains her CEO Duties Developing new products/services, marketing plans, and customer service initiatives to increase sales and profitability. Building relationships with key stakeholders, customers, and partners, to ensure their support of the business's objectives and strategies. Leading cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions for current challenges faced by the organization or industry as a whole. Cherishing an “All-Inclusive” Environment Andrea is a virtuous leader, who at all times adheres to her core values. As a veteran, she has built her company on the foundation of her values and vision. Andrea shares her insightful thoughts on Inclusion, “Inclusion in our company is a value and not a priority. The priorities in the companies can change but the values do not. For this reason, it has been engraved in our DNA since its foundation. And each person who works at Mc Luhan Consulting knows that they have a space for inclusion, integration, and appreciation because we embrace our differences.“ Pearls of Wisdom Andrea's advice to aspiring businesswomen would be to stay focused, take calculated risks, and never give up. Don't be afraid of failure, it is a part of the process.

CIO Women Magazine | 15

Dr. Racha

Abdrabbo Haﬀar

The Most Inuential Women Leaders To Watch In 2023

Embracing the Future

Director - Founder & MD Digital Excellence Bridge

r. Racha Abdrabbo Haffar, a visionary in the field of digital transformation, stands as an influential women leader at the forefront of the industry. As the esteemed founder and MD of Digital Excellence Bridge, she is revolutionizing the knowledge-building field by navigating through the complex landscape of technology and innovation and utilizing it to serve pivotal endeavors such as women empowerment, youth leadership, and climate change. She embarked on her professional journey in consultancy, specializing in economic research and feasibility studies, before transitioning into the realm of financial advising following the completion of her MBA in finance. Notably, her clientele primarily consisted of women spearheading small and mediumsized enterprises.

Dr. Haffar, in her pursuit of embracing the future, understands the significance of pausing to reflect on the past. Taking this introspective approach, she offers valuable advice to her younger self: 'Follow your passion and take your dreams seriously.' Recognizing the transformative power of pursuing one's true calling, she encourages individuals to wholeheartedly embrace their passions, emphasizing the importance of belief in oneself. Transformative Offerings Digital Excellence Bridge offers a wide range of training courses that are certified by KHDA. These are focused on empowering individuals and businesses for success. 1. Business Startup Training This comprehensive course equips aspiring entrepreneurs with essential skills in entrepreneurial finance, business planning, and operational management. Additionally, participants gain insights into sustainability and sustainable development goals, to ensure support for environmentally-friendly startups, learning how to effectively integrate these principles into new and existing ventures. 2. Digital Literacy Courses

As her career path led her towards academia, she made the bold decision to pursue a PhD while simultaneously immersing herself in the world of finance education. She dedicated her time as a professor, sharing her expertise in various areas such as corporate finance, Principles of Investments, Financial Institutions, and fiscal policies.

The company offers an insightful course on Introduction to Recent Digital Applications, designed to enhance business, management, financial reporting, and strategic planning capabilities. These courses not only cover essential technical skills but also emphasize the development of relevant soft skills necessary for promoting digital inclusion in the economy. Notably, digital financial mastery takes center stage in these comprehensive training programs.

The Transformative Power of Education

3. Leadership and Business Simulation

As a seasoned professor, she witnessed ﬁrst-hand how education shaped the trajectories of countless students. This instilled in her the necessary skills and mindset to navigate the complex world of business. With an appreciation for education's systematic structure, she approached every aspect, from designing the business model to formulating strategies, ﬁnancial planning, and operations management, with the same rigour and dedication.

It is a dynamic leadership training program that leverages digital tools to develop essential skills. Participants engage in activities that assess team interactivity and explore diﬀerent professional personalities. With a strong focus on women empowerment and youth leadership, this program highlights their signiﬁcance as key components. Through interactive simulations, aspiring entrepreneurs gain valuable experience and prepare themselves for the challenges commonly encountered by SMEs.

The Path of Digital Excellence Bridge Digital Excellence Bridge, headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is a leading training and coaching company. The company was officially licensed in 2022 with a clear mission to bridge the gap towards digital inclusion and provide support to entrepreneurs through the dissemination of knowledge using advanced-tech tools. Through leadership and business simulation courses, it enables businesses to achieve digital financial mastery and strategic planning, incorporating advanced modules into their operations to drive growth and achieve sustainable goals. Its inception marked a significant milestone in empowering individuals and businesses in navigating the digital landscape.

What Future Holds Digital Excellence Bridge is poised for an exciting future, with plans to expand and enhance its services. Alongside its current offerings, the company envisions providing workshops and training sessions that utilize cutting-edge EdTech tools, creating immersive learning experiences. In addition, the company aims to bolster its online presence by offering coaching sessions, granting individuals convenient access to expert guidance and subject-specific resources. It is committed to supporting startups throughout their journey. Word of the Wise Entrepreneurs are change-makers, and their businesses are considered the backbone of the economy! So “Go for it, just make sure you have the know-how you need in each step”

CIO Women Magazine | 17

The Most

INSPIRING WOMEN Leaders

Vonda Page CEO

audience/ customer base. So, as a new-age entrepreneur, one is constantly thinking in their mind, “who could use our product or service”. When they are new in the game and getting out there, it takes a combination of things to mark their presence. Standing Tall and Tough Against Male Contemporaries

Radical Change LLC

onda Page is the CEO of Radical Change. She is a Results Mentor for CEOs with complex and concerning challenges helping them confidently curate the certainties of change to secure the success they deserve. Vonda's long-standing journey is a true representation of how a phoenix rose from ashes and continues to fly with wings of fire and freedom. As the Chief Executive of Radical Change Vonda Page led the foundation of Radical Change. She mainly focuses on Mentoring and Working with leaders. She helps small-scale business owners, entrepreneurs, and early-career professionals with specific strategies to achieve their desired goals. Vonda proudly states that with the app she can do two things: 1. Help people get results and try to deal with complex and concerning challenges at work, school, community or home 2. Help people optimize their technology solutions to make their lives easier so the can get the impact and implementation they desire Before founding the excellent technology partner, Leaders Learn Radical Change app, Vonda was using Zoom, Calendly, Outlook, Slack, and more such tools and applications. Defining Leadership and Mentorship in True Identity As Vonda can demonstrate empathy and kindness in all respective situations, she as a mentor and a person, genuinely, honestly, and openly connects with people in the most significant way. Her ultimate goal as a mentor and a guiding force is to help people accomplish all their goals. She certainly helps individuals self-introspect and gives them the confidence to just go out there and follow their passion. Networking: The Key to Grow Vonda believes networking is crucial for business and entrepreneurship. the tricky part about networking is it depends on what your business is about and who is your target

Vonda states that 80% of the highly technical roles are filled by men in the tech field. And as a leader in tech, she purposefully only hires women for her technical roles. She refused to hire men or work with men. As previously she worked with male-owned companies on a couple of different development projects and she recognized there was a major difference in how women work with women and men work with women. As the CEO of your company, you have to be decisive. Not only in your vision, goals, or plans but in what you want your team to look like. Vonda wants to build a team of people who come to work and be fulfilled by what they do because they know what they're doing is changing the world and adding right that energy to the world. Vonda's Source of Inspiration Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever is one of Vonda's mentors and her inspiration. She mentors black women, coaches, and consultants that are trying to build up their businesses because there are not a lot of resources when it comes to having support. When you are trying to grow and build a business, people talk about, you can get, venture funding and this and that. However, in reality, only 0.5% of funding goes to black women. A Motivation Beyond Measure As a person, Vonda Page is highly motivated and driven toward her goals. Her greatest source of motivation fuels from helping others. She believes that deep down in her heart when things are unfair or wrong, they can be made better. She finds her motivations through the things that she knows she is good at, she is so good at inspiring people, good at helping people be introspective and helping people integrate learning into their lives, she She adds, “I wanna wake up and do that every day. I have to force myself to go to bed. I'm working on some new like habits and I'm doing some different stuff right, so I have to force myself to stop working because I want to work because it's nothing more important to me than helping people.”

CIO Women Magazine | 19

INSPIRING

WOMEN Leaders

ANNA N SCHLEGEL ANNA N SCHLEGEL ANNA N SCHLEGEL

The Most

Attributes of Success

Anna N Schlegel Vice-President Global (Procore Technologies) Embracing Cultures and Experiences Anna N Schlegel was born in Olot, Catalunya, a beautiful corner of the world known for trade, visitors, entrepreneurs, artists, and hikers for a long time. Anna grew up in two countries, speaking four languages and spending summers surrounded by people from all over Europe. She studied her ﬁrst two university degrees entirely in German and English—where she got to understand the world, the many points of view, diplomacy, how to work and speak, etc. At an early age, Anna was the spokesperson for her school to the parents. Moreover, she was the captain of the Volleyball team and occasionally the referee of the ﬁnal games. “Someone saw something that I didn't see. I just went with it. Maybe it started when I was young. I literally just connected all these dots recently when some journalist asked me,” she asserts. Anna N Schlegel further states that it is crucial to give young girls these opportunities. “Pick someone, try them out, show them how, mentor them closely, give them feedback,” she adds. Leading from the Front Anna N Schlegel started her own company in San Francisco to localize content and internationalize code. From there, she was hired by Cisco Systems and consulted with many companies in Silicon Valley like Yahoo, Google, and Levi Strauss. She moved to several other high-tech companies where she did a severe rotation. Anna has led digital marketing, international market strategy, and product life cycles for multi-billion dollar businesses. Moreover, she has led globalization, enterprise content strategy, and global engineering.

Moreover, she has worked with Brian Anderson (GM of Dell) and Bob Pearse (Chief Strategy Officer of Netapp). The ability to do so has come from changing jobs, studying philology to engineering and strategy to how to run boards, and offering her support to help the C Suite. Furthermore, Anna is a big believer in attitude and predisposition, how to run a business, empathy, and how to listen actively. Some of these things are not taught in a regular class setting, and she had to choose the type of leader she wanted to be. Anna N Schlegel learned and kept learning different models, for example, presenting, speaking, listening, making hard decisions, and having crucial conversations. Continuing to bring others up the Ladder In the near future, Anna plans to keep learning how to adjust, run global companies better around the world, and share those learnings. She loves bringing others along with her and is a huge advocate of giving back. Anna N Schlegel has also launched a book named Truly Global, which she plans to keep re-editing. She aims to keep speaking on behalf of Women in Technology. Words of Wisdom Anna advises budding entrepreneurs to learn the opposite of what they know now. “We all start with one main career or focus. Eventually, choose your superpower and get really great at that, but before that study different things. Eventually, study areas that surround your passion to expand how you see things,” she asserts. Anna is a big believer in superpower and mentions that it comes with a lot of studying, immersion, and different rotations at various companies or within a company. For example, at NetApp, Anna N Schlegel had worked with 10 different managers and each one showed her something different. She was able to help them be successful as well. “Help others be successful, often behind closed doors,” concludes Anna.

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The Most Inuential Women Leaders To Watch In 2023

SHIVAGAMI GUGAN

Dr. Shivagami Gugan Group Chief Technology Ofcer

IDC Technologies, Inc.

TRUST of the team, and who respects the team, and ﬁrmly believes that the collective wisdom of the team is far superior that the wisdom of one person The primary duty of a leader on the team front is to make sure that the team has clarity in the vision and is motivated. There is no need to micro-guide the team, be closely aligned to coach them, and remove impediments that the team has it beyond the circle of inﬂuence. The 5 Mantras of Success!

r. Shivagami Gugan specializes in delivering a broad range of complex, multi-disciplinary programs Digital Transformation Strategies, application development, security, and infrastructure initiatives across large, crossfunctional, and multi-cultural teams. In 2021, Dr. Shivagami Gugan was recognized by the Government of India as an “Outstanding professional Achievement in Technology Innovation and Contributions towards Nation Building” and was awarded in the 62nd National Summit of Atmanirbhar Bharat: Vision of New India summit. The Steps to Success- Dr. Shivagami Gugan Mathematics and Analytics were Dr. Shivagami Gugan areas of interest, and it was a no-brainer that she selected Dr. Shivagami Gugan undergraduate course in computer engineering. Disrupting the Traditional Ways- Women in Technology “As a Woman in Technology, I feel we can do more in terms of having women in leadership roles. Of late, I do see the number of women programmers increasing which is a positive trend, but there is no proportionate growth in the leadership rungs of technology. Women make up around half of the population, and it doesn't make sense that there is a negligible representation at the senior levels. The Big Diﬀerence“I think women are even today held to a diﬀerent standard. Women themselves want to be treated special. I have seen women who are either too loud or too soft. They are seen as being too emotional or not emotional enough. There are several badges that are given to women, it's disconcerting because you feel it. It's the environment we live in, whether we like it or not. And this ranges from every business event you go to, to every social event you go to, and there has to be a constant conscious pull for everyone to not let this bias steep in. What is Leadership All About? There are a few fundamental mantras that I have followed which have been successful for me. A leader need not be a superwoman who knows it all. Dr. Shivagami Gugan is someone who has the

The mantras for success are context-bound and should make sense to your context. For me my core mantras are: 1. Integrity The compass of a person is the core integrity, at work or outside work. Aristotle said leadership cannot occur in the absence of three things—logos, pathos, and ethos. Logos is logic—making a rational appeal. Pathos is emotion—making an argument that resonates with people on an emotional level. Ethos is super critically important, ethos is character. If the team doesn't trust the leader because they have shown a lack of character, they are less likely to follow them and embrace their ideas. Even if they do, it will be due to fear, with a shallow commitment. 2. Competence and Confidence A leader has to be competent in his field and build up the courage to speak up the ideas. This advice is along the lines of what Wharton professor Adam Grant wrote in his bestselling book, Originals. A leader originally is a person who “champions a set of novel ideas that go against the grain but ultimately make things better”. Their ideas may be priceless, but it is still meaningless unless they can advocate the ideas effectively. 3. Never Stop Learning To challenge the status quo and remain competitive you will need knowledge. With Technology changing at a trail-blazing speed, there is a need to constantly unlearn, relearn and reinvent yourself. 4. Building Networks and Empathizing people Building a good network and nurturing the same is important for achieving meaningful success. Being humble and helpful and generous helps in building long-term networks and this mantra is applicable as much to personal success as it is to professional success. 5. Closing Remarks Shivagami suggests that having clarity in the goals, believing in a few core values in life and constantly adapting and learning and being empathetic and diligent will lead to happiness and fullfillment in life. Success is a by-product that will come along.

CIO Women Magazine | 23

Susanna Kass The Most

INSPIRING WOMEN Leaders To Watch In 2023

Susanna Kass Co-founder InfraPrime

usanna Kass is a computer scientist, familiar with and excelling at a fast-paced realm as a CxO working in cloud, AI, data center infrastructure, and in her research roles for over 32 years. She led internet startups from the ground up to $Billions in revenue across 17 countries, and had held global executive management roles in Fortune 100 Enterprise organizations; Her experience is extensive to collaborate with the leading Cloud providers, Enterprise executives, AI scientists and the academia researchers on Net Zero designs. Susanna recently won an award, and is ranked 1st of the Top 10 Sustainability Leaders Award by Data Centre Magazine. She was recognized for her exemplary results in the past decades; of her collaboration with her clients to develop the Carbon Neutrality pledges, and on the environmental business impact of her data center and utility clients net zero projects. Susanna believes that CxO are climate change pioneers as well as business leaders who have the acumen to lead organizations to deliver triple bottom line results; simultaneously paving the way for future generations as they nurture the company's ability to innovate. Susanna Kass: Leading the Charge toward a Net Zero Carbon-Free World Visionary leaders like Susanna Kass, the Co-founder of InfraPrime, are at the forefront, driving the charge towards a net zero carbon free future. In a world often dominated by profit-driven motives, Kass's distinct approach embodies a new breed of authentic leadership that champions clean energy and acts as an influential energy ethics ambassador. Her determination to transform companies focusing on people, the planet, and profit sets a powerful example for those who will follow. Pioneers of Net Zero Design Thinking Established in 2019, InfraPrime aims to achieve zero carbon, zero emission, zero dirty fuel, zero water, and zero waste for Data Center clients. The co-inventors, Kass and Dr. Alberto independently supported global clients such as Microsoft dating back to 2007. With their innovative designs, InfraPrime has garnered recognition through Innovation and Clean Energy awards for their clients.

Inspiring the Next Generation In addition to her extensive work in the industry, Kass actively participates in academia to inspire and educate the next generation of data center sustainability leaders. As an Energy Fellow at Stanford University and a Charles Rudd Distinguished Lecturer, Kass collaborates with Masters Students in various engineering disciplines. She instills in them a comprehensive understanding of metastructures and fosters sustainability-driven projects that promote clean energy solutions and net-zero outcomes. Embracing Diversity and Inclusion Her commitment to diversity and inclusion sets her apart, which she considers a habitual best practice in every aspect of her work. With a profound understanding of the value of inclusivity, Kass relates to each individual she encounters without prejudice. This approach fosters meaningful connections that inspire and motivate others to embrace diversity in their thinking and practices. Looking Beyond Kass envisions a fundamental transformation for investors, where climate risk becomes a critical consideration for corporate sustainability professionals and SEC disclosure. To address this challenge, InfraPrime has partnered with IHI, a Climate Investment venture focusing on South East countries and Mainland China. The collaboration aims to provide direct access to Gigawatt scale renewable energy projects that oﬀer a guaranteed rate of return, enabling Data Centers asset owners and their suppliers to achieve carbon neutrality and 24/7 carbon free energy. Guided by Faith and Family Beyond her professional achievements, Kass believes in connecting with her inner calling and staying grounded in facing challenges and setbacks. Her strong faith and practice of equanimity fuel her resilience and determination to overcome obstacles. Dr. Alberto Ravagni is a devoted parent to his two children, Isabel and Alex Ravagni who are diligent students preparing for their higher education journey. Kass draws inspiration from her two daughters' character and dedication to becoming global citizens committed to positively impacting future generations. Kass quote “The Cleanest Data Center and Infrastructure is not powered by wind, solar, or hydro energy, it is one we do NOT need to build and use AI”, said Susanna Kass, The current era of Artiﬁcial Intelligence shall disrupt human-led Digital Transformation, we become the guards for future generations that come behind us so they too can make the same choice as we do today.”

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Schelp

Dr. Priscilla

Dr. Priscilla Schelp Founder & CEO

networkx.app

Getting to know Dr. Priscilla Schelp Dr. Priscilla Schelp, being a bibliophile, has many preferred books on her bookshelf. Become your Superself, however, stands out for her. The bestselling networking book – Become your Superself – which she co-authored with TEDx Speaker and Connection Coach Richard Lee-Thai, was released in 2022. It is a self-help book that is certain to alter people's life. The book became an Amazon bestseller, #6 in its category and #1 newcomer in the category. It took her until around a year ago to really figure many things out and to become the best version of herself. It took her until she was 33 years old for her to truly love and be satisfied with herself. Her advice to her younger self would be to quickly learn how to be happy and become her Superself, rather than searching for affection and praise elsewhere. “If something happens to someone again and again, it is a pattern, and the common denominator is the person.”

Her ability to connect with people on a personal level allows her to build trust and create a positive and inclusive environment. Dr. Schelp is a decisive and confident leader who is able to take charge of situations and make difficult decisions when necessary. Dr. Priscilla Schelp noticed a void in her work life even after 12 years of experience. She nevertheless persisted in her studies and worked as a volunteer, a moderator, and a speaker. She waited a long time to come up with the perfect idea—her idea—where she could put her passion and special talents to use to improve people's lives and the globe. She says, “I have thoroughly enjoyed building up my startup. I want to further build it up and expand it to offer many more features, services, books, and materials to help people connect and to help clubs to continue their legacy.” networkx- The Game Changer “I understand the importance of being in the best place to connect with the right people.” networkx is an AI-based platform that pre-screens and connects pioneers, change makers, and visionaries as potential members for exclusive clubs all over the world. Dr. Priscilla Schelp`s network encompassing national and European Parliaments, diplomacy, the United Nations, foundations, venture finance, start-ups, research, and education, was a great foundation for her business idea. networkx supports people in gaining access to the network they need to realize their ideas and goals by helping them get accepted into private clubs. The clubs' legacy is preserved by networkx by bringing them into the future by giving them younger, more diversified, suitable, and motivated members to reenergize them and permit healthy expansion while retaining exclusivity and remaining faithful to their purpose.

Dr. Priscilla Schelp is a natural leader, who is able to inspire and motivate others to work towards a common goal. CIO Women Magazine is proud to introduce her as one of The Most Inspiring Women Leaders To Watch Out For 2023.

Founder & CEO

Dr. Priscilla Schelp's story is grounded in service to others, a vision for a greater future with a tenacity to get the job done. Her strengths lie in breaking down walls, reframing the issue for fresh thinking, and bringing people together to create long-lasting solutions.

Learn to manage your emotions. When you have a good day, everything goes super smoothly, and you have one win after the other. If you have a bad day, and you are not able to manage your emotions, you can tear down in that one day what you have been building all this time.

Word of the wise Dr. Priscilla Schelp

CIO Women Magazine | 27

Ghaidaa

Hetou

The Most

INSPIRING WOMEN Leaders To Watch In 2023

Ghaidaa Hetou Founder and Principal Consultant

iStrategic LLC Let us know more about Ghaidaa Hetou's (CEO), iStrategic LLC, journey. 1. What inspired you to direct your journey in this particular field? I was always fascinated by the intersection of politics, economics and security in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). While MENA is rich with an exceptional history and culture, it also suffers from uneven political and economic instability. The geopolitics of MENA, it's geographic location linking three continents, makes it indispensable and crucial for the global energy market, maritime trade and international commerce. 2. Please walk us through your professional and academic background. At iStrategic we have over a decade experience in providing political risk analysis and corporate intelligence. Our services are offered to international corporations who are interested in the MENA market. I have a bachelor's degree in Economics, two masters, one in Economics and one in Global Affairs, and a PhD in Political Science specializing in MENA. I teach political risk analysis to master students at Rutgers University in the United States. I speak three languages fluently, English, Arabic and German. iStrategic associates speak in addition to Arabic: Farsi, Hebrew, Kurdish, Turkish, and French. iStrategic associates are located in MENA and specialize in data analysis, OSINT, and risk assessment. 3. What was the vision of iStrategic when you started? To support and advise international corporations as they approach the MENA market. Political risk analysis in the respective MENA country reduces uncertainty and increases corporate capability to anticipate, plan, manage, and deal with future developments. The long-term success

and sustainable operations and expansions within MENA depends on understanding the future trajectory of the political environment, that is why political risk analysis and context intelligence is a crucial part of seizing opportunities and sustaining operations in the MENA region. 4. What is the range of your services? Services we offer include private on-site consultations, risk assessment reports, executive outlook seminars, training, risk monitoring and risk management. Building sustained presence and growing in a new host country is not a minor task. iStrategic builds relations and help corporations build their long-term relations in the MENA region. 5. With the years of expertise, you bring to the table, what are your future plans? Future plans include expanding our services to South Asia and including affiliates proficient in the culture, socioeconomics, politics, and languages of that important region. The proximity to MENA, in addition to great power competition between China and the United States, makes South Asia an indispensable part of the geopolitical puzzle that will shape the world of international trade and FDI for years to come. 6. What has changed in the MENA region in the past 10 years? There was and is uneven political turmoil in some parts of MENA and there is on the other hand significant economic development in some MENA countries that is rivaling the economic environment and living standards of advanced nations. This region is very diverse, with ample potential and ripe opportunities. Far from being bound by the oildefense industry nexus, this region is expanding in the renewable energy market, digitizing governance, and developing its infrastructure. Not to mention that part of the China-US rivalry will play out in MENA with direct and indirect implications for international corporations. 7. Post-pandemic, how has the era of entrepreneurship changed? I have always embraced virtual communication and remote work, in addition to face-face meetings. I believe that the virtual space is an integral part of future corporate culture and is here to stay. That shift to virtual communication also opened the space for entrepreneurs all over the world and afforded them access to funding and market venues that were deemed exclusive or faraway before.

CIO Women Magazine | 29

Amper

MARIANNA

The Game Changer

Marianna Amper VP Strategic Finance

Incode Technologies

arianna Amper is a tenacious leader being a trailblazer in the field of technology. CIO Women Magazine is proud to introduce her as one of The Most Inspiring Women Leaders To Watch Out For In 2023. Marianna Amper's impressive career trajectory is a prime example of determination and resilience. Marianna Amper's designation as a key decision-maker in a prominent technology company is a testament to Marianna Amper's capabilities and unwavering commitment to excellence. It is also a reflection of the trust and confidence placed in her by her family, who have always been her strongest supporters and advocates. Incode, established in 2015, was founded with the purpose of revolutionizing the digital identity space. Since then, Marianna Amper and her team have been at the forefront of this effort, tirelessly working towards creating seamless and efficient practices for KYC and KYB onboarding processes. Marianna Amper's success can be attributed to a combination of her hard work, unwavering determination, and the support of her family. She serves as an inspiration to all, demonstrating the impact that can be made when one's personal and professional life is balanced and aligned towards a common goal. Getting to know Marianna Amper Recollecting on her journey to success, Marianna Amper would impart this quote to her younger self – Flying high with perfect balance. This phrase underscores the critical significance of maintaining balance within oneself, for once achieved, the skies are the limit. This idea of balance is something that has been instilled in her from an early age, particularly by her family who have always encouraged her to believe in her abilities, pursue and achieve her goals, and, most importantly, balance her career and personal life. This balance has been essential in enabling her to fully chase her dreams while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Marianna Amper holds her brother, Ricardo, in the highest regard and has unwavering trust in him. From the onset, Ricardo possessed a visionary outlook for Incode, recognizing the need to revolutionize the way enterprises interact with and earn the trust of their customers.

With its innovative solutions, Incode is unlocking the full potential of various industries including finance, government, retail, hospitality, and gaming. This transformation of human interaction with data, products, and services is done by reducing fraud and increasing the level of trust. Incode's identity solutions are based on its commitment to delivering advanced and precise technology. The key to Incode's continued success is its strategy of investing in partnerships. These global partnerships across every industry ensure that the technology remains ahead of the curve, constantly driving innovation and progress. Navigating Through The Pandemic The COVID-19 crisis has dramatically accelerated the move towards digitalization, putting pressure on businesses to adopt stronger security measures they may have previously overlooked. Finding a quick and reliable solution in the digital identity verification market, however, has proven to be a challenge. With its ability to quickly respond to the demands of the pandemic, Incode has proven to be a crucial player in the digital world, able to provide a trusted solution for the growing number of new use cases and pain points. Success Speaks In an effort to drive transformation and inclusion within the identity verification industry, Incode is a proud Silver Sponsor of Women in Identity, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the next generation of female leaders. The company aspires to be a leading employer for talented, diverse individuals in the industry. With this focus on inclusion and diversity, Incode is poised to continue its growth trajectory and remain at the forefront of innovation in the field. Team For The Win With a team she can fully trust, she is confident in their ability to overcome any challenge that comes their way as long as they work together. The unique perspectives and experiences of the team members bring new ideas and approaches to the table, which helps drive the company's growth and success. In other words, the combination of Marianna's drive and the diversity of the Incode team make it a powerful force in the world of digital identity solutions. Word of the wise Marianna Amper VP Strategic Finance As a young woman growing up in a family of entrepreneurs, I learned that my own perspective on business is invaluable. I was lucky to have the support of a family who taught me to follow my dreams despite any hindrance to my success due to being a woman. They instilled the idea that with enough determination, my success was limitless. I have carried this with me throughout my entire life, and it has allowed me to reach my full professional potential.

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Megha

Kurup

The Most

INSPIRING WOMEN Leaders To Watch In 2023

Megha Kurup Director - Human Resources

Mouser Electronics

egha Kurup, Vice President of APAC Human Resource at Mouser Electronics, is a dynamic and accomplished businesswoman who has made significant contributions to the world of entrepreneurship. Her impressive career spans several industries, including finance, healthcare, and technology. As a visionary leader, Megha has demonstrated her ability to navigate complex business challenges and deliver exceptional results. From Trust to Triumph Growing up during the IT Boom of the 1990s, Megha was expected to pursue a career in Information Technology, like many others in her family. While she initially pursued a degree in Information Technology from Mumbai University, Megha found her true passion in Human Resources (HR). With her father serving as an HR professional, Megha found herself drawn to the industry and spent countless hours reading HR magazines, manuals, articles, and books. Recognizing her talent for connecting with people and understanding their needs, Megha completed her Master's degree in HR from Mumbai University, which was a turning point in her career. With nine years of experience at Mouser, Megha's career has been transformed, and she has elevated herself to the international HR space. In 2022, she was promoted to AsiaPacific HR Vice President, a significant milestone in her career. Megha's passion for HR and her commitment to her work has allowed her to excel in the profession, making her a valuable asset to the organization. Driving Transformation through Technology Mouser Electronics is a global electronic components distributor, headquartered in Texas, USA. The company is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, which is owned by Warren Buffett. Mouser Electronics has a strong presence in 27 countries and has been a leading name in the industry for over 50 years.

a commitment to excellence and growth, Mouser has become a trusted name in the electronic components industry. Mouser India is led by a strong Leadership team consisting of Vijay Ingale (Vice President – India Operations Vice President & General Manager), Clinton Jose (Global Resource Centre Vice President) and Victor Coelho (Internet Business Delivery Vice President). The entire India operations are spearheaded by Mr. Raju Shah (Sr. Vice President & India Operations Head) located at the Corporate office at Texas, USA. Exceptional Leadership Megha Kurup's leadership style is characterized by her exceptional ability to inspire and motivate her team toward achieving their goals. Her approach is centered on creating a positive and collaborative work environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Megha understands the importance of empowering her team members, and she actively encourages them to take on new challenges and develop their skills. One of the key strengths of Megha's leadership style is her excellent communication skills. She is a skilled listener, and she takes the time to understand the perspectives and concerns of her team members. This enables her to provide clear and effective guidance and to ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives. Success Speaks In 2022, Mouser achieved a significant milestone of exceeding $4 billion in revenue, which is a testament to its strong brand reputation and the trust that its customers place. The company specializes in the rapid introduction of the latest products and technologies, delivering millions of different parts on-time, achieving a 5-Sigma rating. Alongside its headquarters in Texas, Mouser Electronics has a strong global presence with 27 support locations around the world providing best-in-class customer service and shipping to over 650,000 customers in more than 223 countries/territories. Apart from this, Mouser Electronics is an award-winning, authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor, focused on rapid New Product Introductions from its manufacturing partners for electronic design engineers and buyers. Word of the Wise If you doubt something, doubt your limits!

The company is dedicated to providing excellent service to customers, making the procurement of cutting-edge technologies from over 1,200 leading manufacturer brands easy and eﬃcient. Mouser has expanded its reach across the globe with local oﬃces to better serve its customers and reach engineers and buyers. With

Embarking on the entrepreneurial career path to “being your own boss” is obviously exciting. But along with all your research, most importantly introspect and make sure to do your homework about yourself and your situation.

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LORI CORNMESSER LORI CORNMESSER

Deepwatch's array of solutions ensures the 24/7 security of your organization and its data. Additionally, Deepwatch works with expert individuals who are passionate about cybersecurity. One of Deepwatch's leadership pillars is Lori Cornmesser, SVP of WW Channel & Alliance Sales, who helps Deepwatch achieve the company's mission and growth goals through her leadership.

Lori Cornmesser SVP WW Channel & Alliance Sales

Deepwatch Factors leading to this ﬁeld In hindsight, Lori feels the IT industry chose her. She started her career with a focus on law and civil rights. Along the way, she met some talented IT sales workers who gave her an opportunity to work as an inside salesperson. Quickly making progress, Lori moved to outside sales and then to management.

5. Vulnerability Management Identify vulnerabilities and misconﬁgurations across the enterprise and protect critical assets with risk-based prioritization and remediation guidance. Deepwatch provides clear visibility of your threat landscape, helping you focus on the vulnerabilities most likely to be targeted and assisting with patching and remediation. 6. Firewall Management Solution Firewall management services can secure network infrastructure and enhance perimeter security by leveraging expert guidance across multiple ﬁrewall technologies. Expanding into a Better Future

From that point onwards, Lori has built and fostered a 28-year sales career in the IT industry. Her preference for sales comes from the quick and constant growth of the ﬁeld. With a global responsibility in the last 25 years, she underlines the countless opportunities in sales that build the base for ultimate success.

Currently, Deepwatch aims to increase its market share under Lori's leadership. In addition, it also wants to continuously leverage its partnerships and expand its reach and depth in the market. While winning in these spaces is not easy, Lori is conﬁdent they have the right partners in the right places, doing the right things, and the people to help Deepwatch reach the next level.

The Company

Leading with her Heart

Deepwatch provides early detection and response to cyber threats with tailored guidance from its experts to help you mitigate risk and improve your security posture. The company can support your security operations center (SOC) independently, or co-manage it. Additionally, it can stand up a new cloud-native SOC or help manage your EDR or VM solutions.

Two words greatly inﬂuenced Lori's life: The Hustle and Heart. According to her, both are vital to do well and win in this business. She learned that at a very young age, at her very ﬁrst job, a time when she used to sell red cherries at a cherry stand near the freeway because she wanted to purchase a Red Nissan Sentra.

Here are the cyber security solutions from Deepwatch: 1. Enterprise Grade MDR Service Full service managed detection and response with 24/7/365 threat monitoring, alerting, validation, and proactive threat hunting. 2. Deepwatch MDR Essentials Shield your organization with 24/7/365 SOC coverage that meets your needs and ﬁts your budget. 3. Active Response Active Response is an advanced service that brings detection sources together across your entire security tech stack. 4. Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) Integrate your endpoint security solution for your security operations from endpoints to SIEM. Gain the power of uniﬁed visibility, detection, and remediation of threats with best-in-class Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technologies seamlessly integrated into the Deepwatch Platform.

When she says hustle, she means it in the best way possible. She defines it as the hustle where you start your day only focusing on essentials, the things you impact, and the value you create. Building a Lasting Legacy Lori wants her legacy to be known as someone who always does the right things. She also wants to be remembered as someone who made space for people who previously did not have a seat at the table. As someone with biracial parents, there were many blockades along the way. However, Lori's parents always wanted her to “make it better than you found it” and this applied to everything that she did from work to family and making a difference to the world. To everyone entering the field trying to build their legacy, here is what Lori had to say, “If you want to leave a lasting impact, it is paramount to be clear about the work that matters most. Everything else is moderately interesting, but if you set three goals that align to the company objectives is a great foundational start. In addition, one also needs to have a strong work ethic that delivers results because results is the key driver in establishing and building trust with your partner relationship, internal stakeholders, and your team.”

CIO Women Magazine | 35

LORI CORNMESSER LORI CORNMESSER

Entrepreneurial Approach Rooted in Family Values

Erin ImHof CertiK Human Resources Director

n the dynamic realm of blockchain technology and cybersecurity, Erin ImHof stands tall as one of the most inspiring women leaders, steering the ship of human resources with unparalleled finesse at CertiK. With a career spanning over two decades, ImHof's journey has been marked by a profound commitment to cultivating a workplace environment where innovation thrives and inclusivity flourishes. Erin ImHof's Remarkable Path ImHof's involvement in prestigious professional circles like CSweet, Forbes Human Resources Council, Grapevine, HR Advisory, and HR Superstars underscores her dedication to pushing the boundaries of HR excellence. With a proven track record of board engagements and an ongoing role on the board for the UC Riverside Extension Design Thinking program, ImHof seamlessly blends academic pursuits with real-world impact. Over the course of a sixteen-year career spanning technology, education, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors, ImHof has progressively climbed the HR ladder, starting from an HR Administrator role and now thriving as the Human Resources Director at CertiK. Her role in this globally dispersed, fast-paced environment resonates as a testament to her resilience and adaptability. Adaptability in Action ImHof's journey in the realm of human resources has been shaped by a tapestry of inspirations. Amidst the backdrop of graduating during a recession, her path unfolded with a sense of uncertainty. Armed with a bachelor's degree in Industrial and Labor Relations, ImHof heeded her parents' suggestion to explore HR. Her initiation into the field came as she secured a role at Experian, an experience that swiftly ignited her passion for HR. The diversity inherent in the job, the collaboration with leadership on strategic endeavors, and the fulfillment derived from aiding others, all coalesced to solidify her commitment to this dynamic domain.

ImHof's upbringing was firmly rooted in the values of authenticity and creativity, instilled in her by her family. This foundation of support and encouragement, coupled with a willingness to take calculated risks, set the stage for her ventures. The environment cultivated by her parents also afforded ImHof a diverse array of experiences—volunteer work, travel, sports, and club participation—imbuing her with a well-rounded perspective and a keen sensitivity to the opinions and circumstances of others. Empowering Growth Through Learning ImHof herself sets a prime example, having pursued and secured two master's degrees with a third in progress, a feat made possible through the organization's commendable tuition reimbursement program—a benefit she encourages all to utilize. She adds, “There are a lot of free and low-cost options available now. So many hiring managers want to see higher education as a part of a job requirement that it is important to have further degrees or certificates to stand out in this job market.” At CertiK, knowledge exchange is facilitated through sharing sessions—an initiative that ImHof champions. These sessions, featuring subject matter experts, contribute to a culture of collaboration and teamwork. She views them as an avenue that not only enhances individual knowledge but also cultivates an environment where collective growth and mutual support thrive. CertiK's Product Portfolio CertiK boasts a diverse range of innovative products that epitomize its commitment to pioneering solutions in the blockchain security domain. From CertiKShield, which provides decentralized insurance coverage against smart contract vulnerabilities, to CertiK Chain, a blockchain platform fortified with provable security, the company's offerings are meticulously designed to meet the evolving needs of the Web3 landscape. CertiK Audit ensures the integrity of smart contracts by employing a rigorous verification process, while CertiK Virtual Machine safeguards decentralized applications against potential threats. Anchoring its product suite is the CertiK Security Oracle, delivering real-time security insights, and the CertiKShield Insurance Marketplace, bolstering risk management in the decentralized ecosystem. CertiK's holistic product range underscores its dedication to ensuring trust, transparency, and unyielding security for users within the dynamic blockchain realm. ImHof's Parting Message Trust yourself but do your research. If you have a great idea or product, spend the time to conduct research to see if it is feasible to take it to market. Ensure you obtain funding, assess your competition, focus on where you want to position the idea/product and create a standout in your pitch to sellers.

#Women in

Education

CLARA LAPIEDRA is the Founder & CEO of Aula Magna Business School

Clara 40

Clara Lapiedra Founder & CEO AULA MAGNA Business School

he Aula business school is the first online international business school for digital female leaders of today and tomorrow. At Aula Magna Business School, programs primarily focus on developing skills in women that companies can't pass on, with an ideal learning environment for women aiming to excel in the industry toward new heights. Clara Lapiedra is the Founder & CEO of Aula Magna Business School, and in its latest issue, “The Most Influential Women Leaders To Watch In 2023,” CIO Women has featured her. Below are some snippets from the fascinating conversation. 1. What inspired you to direct your journey in this particular field? My in-depth knowledge of the executive training sector led me to detect an unmet need: up-to-date and flexible executive training for women who did not want to give up on their progress. That is why I decided to found, in the middle of the pandemic, Aula Magna Business School, the first online business school for women because I knew that female talent could be a must in today's market thanks to training adapted to the needs of every executive, businesswoman or entrepreneur. 2. Please walk us through your professional background A serial entrepreneur, as I am defined by those who know me, I come from the strategic consultancy sector. I have an MBA from ESADE and a General Management Program from IESE, having completed my studies in Italy, England, Germany, and the USA. In addition to my role as CEO & Founder at Aula Magna Business School, I am also the founder of the Wompreneur community and Stanford's official ambassador for Barcelona and Madrid for the Women in Data Science (WiDS) program, which will celebrate its third edition this summer. In addition, I have recently been named Top 10 Women CEO 2023 by the American magazine iEra Women Leaders, for my international role in executive education for women.

3. What was the vision of your company when you started? The purpose of Aula Magna Business School has never changed. Fighting gender bias through training courses will always be the main objective of what will always be the first business school adapted to the needs of the emerging market. We were born as a space designed by and for women executives, entrepreneurs, courageous and eager to grow professionally. Leading the training of women in different fields and through its own e-learning model, Aula Magna has already managed to reach half the world thanks to its up-to-date classes, designed in terms of equality, equity, sustainability, and digitalization. All without forgetting that talent, irrespective of gender, is developed thanks to the recycling of content and constant training. 4. What is the reason behind your company's longstanding success? As our alumni always say, “We are the formula that works” because, from the beginning, we knew how to listen to the demands of female executives, businesswomen, and entrepreneurs, offering them products and services clearly adapted to their most immediate needs. The Aula Magna Business School team, from its founder Clara Lapiedra to its teaching staff, understands what its students expect from each executive program because we, in our day, also went through the same thing. It should be added that the courses are given by women who are experts in their fields of knowledge and who also know how to transmit all their learning in a fluid, understandable, and practical way, adapted to each specific moment. 5. Post-pandemic, how has the era of entrepreneurship changed? There has been an undeniable increase in the number of women entrepreneurs, especially in the case of Spain. In particular, this country has almost 24,000 start-ups. In other words, 4% of Spanish companies that remain active are startups. Women entrepreneurs are also carving out a niche for themselves in this emerging market. The percentage of female entrepreneurs has increased by 15% in the last three years, reaching around 30% of the total. However, this remarkable growth is still dependent on horizontal segregation in which it seems that female talent never reaches the STEM sectors. Only 28% of people doing research in science are women, according to the latest study published by UNESCO. Moreover, in the field of education, the Spanish Ministry of Education notes that the presence of women in engineering degrees is less than 25% of the enrolled students.

CIO Women Magazine | 41

Wendy Cukier Founder and Director Wendy Cukier emerges as a beacon of exceptional vision and dedication. As the Founder and Director of the Diversity Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), she has forged an unparalleled path in diversity and inclusion research, changes to policies and practices, leaving an indelible mark on various sectors.

ICT and Innovation

Wendy Cukier Founder and Director Diversity InstituteFeature Champion of Diversity and Inclusion The Institute's core mission revolves around exposing the discrimination, bias, hate, and even violence that equitydeserving groups face and finding concrete solutions to advance economic and social inclusion. Her work began with a focus on women and technology but expanded to address barriers faced by Indigenous peoples, racialized people, especially those who are Black, newcomers, persons with disabilities, those who identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and many others. Driven by the goal of promoting workplace inclusion, the Diversity Institute has 130 diverse research staff, 100 research associates from across the country and around the world, and over 200 industry partners, all focused on different dimensions of diversity and inclusion. Comprehensive Offerings The Diversity Institute offers a range of impactful services based on four key pillars: 1. Research and EDI Practice: Seminal projects like DiversityLeads and the 50-30 Challenge track representation on boards and leadership, supporting organizations like Rogers Communications and Starbucks in implementing tailored EDI strategies. 2. Diversity Assessment Tool (DAT) and app: T h e D AT p r o v i d e s c o mp r e h e n s i v e a u d i t s , o ff e r i n g recommendations and best practices to foster inclusive workplaces. 3. Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Large-scale research projects and the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub address barriers and enablers for entrepreneurial success and innovation. 4. Future Skills Development: Research on labor trends, equity-deserving groups, and innovative models helps SMEs embrace digitization and net-zero goals. The Institute's programs like Study Buddy, ADaPT, Entrepreneurship, and EDI training bridge research and realworld challenges, creating lasting positive change.

Drawing on her research and leadership roles, including the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub and the 50 – 30 Challenge catalyst, Wendy Cukier highlights pathways to ICT and digital roles for women while addressing systemic barriers to inclusion in the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. At the societal level, combating stereotypes and implementing inclusive policies and legislation are crucial. Canada's Bill C-25 exemplifies this, requiring federally regulated distributing companies to report on the representation of women, racialized people, Indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities, positioning Canada as a global leader in diversity initiatives. The 50 – 30 Challenge encourages organizations to achieve gender parity and increase diversity in senior leadership roles, fostering a more inclusive business landscape. Gender-Related Barriers and Intersectionality The intersectionality of women's experiences further complicates the barriers they face. Education systems and workplace social codes disproportionately hold back Indigenous, Black, women, and disabled individuals, contributing to worsened labor outcomes. Socio-economic factors, family context, experiences of trauma, and systemic discrimination compound the challenges Black and Indigenous youth face. Financing is another significant barrier for women entrepreneurs. Access to funding, especially for women over 30, remains limited. Women entrepreneurs often struggle to access small grants and loans, hindering their ability to start or grow businesses. Balancing Work and Life Beyond her professional endeavors, Cukier acknowledges the challenge of maintaining a perfect work-life balance. As she navigates the demands of her role, Cukier is candid about her own experiences and acknowledges the need to prioritize downtime and self-care. “Do what I say, not what I do. Your health should be a priority. Downtime is really essential. And your family and friends are irreplaceable. My problem, frankly, is if you love what you do and are passionate about the goals, it's not really “work.” I really struggle with the balance and feel guilty if I am not being “productive.” But as I am getting older, I am paying the price of neglecting my health. Advice To Aspiring Women Entrepreneurs This stereotype permeates systems and limits access to programs but also shapes aspirations. “If you can't see it, you can't be it” and the Institute has emphasized documenting success stories of more than 2000 successful, diverse women entrepreneurs. For individual entrepreneurs, we need to both address barriers and build capacity. There are so many stories we can use to help inspire women to advance and succeed in spite of the very real evidence we have of barriers, bias, and discrimination. There is no question, women are held to a higher standard whether as leaders or entrepreneurs. And if they are Indigenous, Black, or have a disability, the barriers are amplified. Still, there are great stories of success and perseverance. One story that sticks in my mind surrounds a pitch competition for young entrepreneurs.

CIO Women Magazine | 43

The Most

WOMEN Leaders

Pamela McCauley

McCauley

INSPIRING

Pamela 44

Pamela McCauley Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

North Carolina State University

amela McCauley is an Associate Dean for Academic Programs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University and the founder of T-STEM Research and Expert Witness Services. Her trailblazing journey inspires women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, demonstrating that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and resilience. The Engineer Who Improves Lives After completing her B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, McCauley joined the University of Central Florida Industrial Engineering faculty and launched her own engineering business within the next two years. She finds engineering to be a fulfilling profession because it involves problem-solving and making a direct impact on people's lives. Specifically, her work in occupational design and software product development has helped to improve access to information and ultimately enhance the quality of life for many individuals. Impressive Career In 2020, McCauley joined Wilson College of Textiles as the Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. She remains passionate about academia and its impact on the future through working with students, conducting impactful research, and disseminating findings globally. McCauley's entrepreneurial journey began in 1995 when she started consulting. She later launched Tech Solutions, Inc. in 1999, which focused on government contracting and grew to about $1 million a year in revenue with offices in New Mexico and Florida. McCauley found satisfaction in supporting agencies like NASA and the Department of Defense as a contractor but also committed to focusing on establishing intellectual property for future enterprises. T-STEM Research and Expert Witness Services In 2013, McCauley founded T-STEM Research and Expert Witness Services to provide high-quality, research-based

expert witness services to legal firms, businesses, and other organizations. The company specializes in biomechanics, ergonomics, product liability, occupational safety, and safe product design. Additionally, T-STEM is actively developing software products to provide solutions that support innovators and researchers. Founder McCauley has a passion for innovation, engineering, and sharing the power of these fields to impact society positively. Her expertise has led to regular invitations to offer keynote addresses on leadership, innovation, and TSTEM topics. Making a Positive Impact The vision of T-STEM is centered on providing top-tier research-based expert witness support that positively impacts its clients' lives. The company believes that expert witness support is of utmost importance, as it directly influences the outcome of a legal case with its technical expertise and highquality support. The experts at T-STEM are passionate about their work, as they are aware of the unique opportunity to apply science to real-world situations and explain complex details clearly and concisely. By doing so, they can positively impact the lives of individuals and their families and even future generations. Strategic Mindset & Professional Development When asked about advice she would give her younger self, McCauley reacts, “Avoid comparing yourself to others and dream your biggest dream everyday – no matter what challenges come your way” She also emphasizes the importance of having a strategic mindset for personal and business goals to stay on course and achieve one's vision. McCauley believes that as an entrepreneur, innovator, and leader, it is essential to focus on running one's race rather than getting sidetracked by the success of others. By maintaining a clear sense of purpose and direction, she believes that individuals can avoid comparing themselves or competing with others. Future Plans McCauley plans to continue her dual role as an academic leader and innovative entrepreneur. She finds both roles fulfilling and believes academic leaders with entrepreneurial skills can greatly benefit STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. McCauley is excited to be part of the community that educates future leaders who will create innovative solutions. As an entrepreneur, she enjoys translating her academic research into useful innovations and intends to continue building innovative solutions that positively impact the community.

CIO Women Magazine | 45

Susan L. Axelrod -

Axelrod

Guiding Women to Empowerment and Building a Legacy

Susan L. Axelrod

Susan L. Axelrod Business Class: Introd to Business Condence FOR WOMEN IN BUSINESS FOR THEMSELVES

Axelrod Condence Coaching LLC

usan L. Axelrod stands as a beacon of empowerment and inspiration, heralding a new era of leadership through her remarkable venture, Axelrod Confidence Coaching LLC. As an inspiring women leader of our time, Susan is dedicated to transforming the landscape for women in business, especially those forging their paths as entrepreneurs. A Journey of Passion and Purpose Susan L. Axelrod embarked on her professional journey with an early passion for professional fundraising, a path she embraced at the age of 22. Right from the start, she found herself fusing her innate skills, affable personality, and keen interests, particularly her people-oriented disposition. As 2015 dawned, she confidently embraced the title of a Coach, and her journey down this transformative path has persisted unabated since. Her diverse clientele encompasses mature women, young professionals, and nonprofit executives. Evidencing her steadfast commitment to professional growth and expertise, Susan achieved certification as a Certified Coach Practitioner (CCP) from the Certified Coaches Alliance in 2018. This was followed by certification as a Trauma Informed Professional Coach (TIPC) by Lodestar in 2021. A moment of unexpected recognition arrived in 2019 when she was bestowed with the prestigious 'Best of Rexford Award in the Life Coach Category,' a distinction that underscored the impact she had effortlessly made in the lives of those she touched, even without actively pursuing it. The Essence of Axelrod Confidence Coaching Susan's specialization lies in partnering with individuals with a profound aspiration to effect positive change on a global scale. It's for this reason that she is aptly known as a Legacy Coach. Grounded in a deep reverence for the wisdom and intuition inherent in each person's life journey, Susan's approach focuses on nurturing Soul Confidence as the catalyst for establishing a lasting legacy. Under her guidance, individuals are committed to personal growth and transformation. The Inspiration As the second half of life beckoned and Susan L. Axelrod contemplated the road ahead, she meticulously assessed the value and skills accrued over her career, leading her to recognize that the coaching methodology encapsulated both innate and acquired abilities.

In the pages of her life story, a fitting title would be 'In Soul Alignment,' which notably serves as the forthcoming title of her fifth book. Susan has harvested the wisdom of residing in soul alignment—a profound shift that has irrevocably transformed her existence. Driven by a fervent desire to share this transformational experience with others, she has dedicated herself to aiding individuals in altering the course of their own lives through the wisdom encapsulated in her upcoming book. Navigating Shifts Susan adds, “The pandemic-era entrepreneurial landscape became characterized by stark contrasts between male and female entrepreneurs.” Her observation discerned a growing cohort of women entrepreneurs taking on additional roles, providing economic support for husbands who had lost their jobs or were grappling with mental health challenges and addiction. The pursuit of entrepreneurship, fueled by a quest for flexibility in balancing familial responsibilities, often led these women onto a relentless hamster wheel of trying to meet the demands of various spheres—family, business, and caregiving—without respite. Despite aspirations of finding a holistic solution, entrepreneurship inadvertently became a cycle, reflecting the intricate challenges and expectations faced by women navigating multifaceted roles in a complex world. Decades of Growth and Lasting Impact In her current stage, Susan boasts a fully booked roster of clients, encompassing a diverse spectrum. This includes fresh faces seeking her guidance, steadfast long-term clients who continue to benefit from her coaching, and referralbased clients who swiftly commit after initial Discovery sessions. Susan's proprietary Intuitive Business System works. Her annual revenue stands as a testament to the success of her endeavors of sustaining her own life. It also enables her to channel funds into her philanthropic pursuits, reflecting her deep commitment to giving back. A Peek into the Future Susan's future plans encompass self-help and self-care, a dual commitment rooted in achieving a well-balanced state of mind and being. This foundation will allow her to continue sharing insights drawn from her life experiences and client engagements through various modalities. In the realm of literature, Susan L. Axelrod wants to continue writing and publishing. With four self-help books already published and a fifth in progress, her dedication to sharing wisdom through words remains unwavering. Podcasting is another significant aspect of her journey, as she plans to continue hosting numerous podcasts to facilitate meaningful discussions and growth.

CIO Women Magazine | 47

The Most

WOMEN Leaders

Sonia Zarbatany

Zarbatany

INSPIRING

Sonia 48

Sonia Zarbatany

Coach Coach Sonia

onia Zarbatany, the powerhouse behind the brand “Coach Sonia”. A world-renowned International speaker, life coach, business coach, personal branding expert, and corporate consultant, based out of Montreal, Canada. She is a true leader in the industry, inspiring thousands of individuals and businesses worldwide to lead their best life both personally and professionally. The Company: Spreading Global Impact with Love Sonia's vision is to be the voice that leads by example, demonstrating that it is possible to be a dedicated mom, a loving wife, and a thriving businesswoman and impact her TRIBE worldwide. She believes in guiding people, proving that there are no limits when it comes to pursuing their dreams and aspirations. In addition, Coach Sonia Media agency is renowned for its exceptional launch strategies and personal branding expertise. It had the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in the coaching and online e-learning industry, enabling them to scale their businesses from six to over seven ﬁgures. The tailored approach and unrivaled strategies of organization have positioned clients as industry leaders, harnessing the power of their brands to make a lasting impact. The Recipe for Success: Consistency and Mastery Consistency and mastery are the secret ingredients that have propelled Coach Sonia to long-standing success. They are the bedrock upon which Sonia has built her habits, routines, and mindset. These invaluable assets have allowed her to keep pushing forward, creating, and inspiring others to shatter their limiting beliefs. She ﬁrmly believes that success is not solely measured by grand leaps but by the courageous steps her team takes toward the goals. Each small stride, each act of consistency and mastery, brings closer to dreams and lights the way for others to follow. As a woman leader, Sonia aims to inspire individuals to embrace the power of these qualities, unlocking their true potential and inviting them to take action.

6. THE WOMEN'S SUMMIT BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN (FRENCH AND ENGLISH) 7. 90-DAY ELITE COACHING 8. TRIBE48 9. COACH SONIA ONE DAY EXPERIENCE – ONE DAY – ONE PROBLEM – ONE SOLUTION 10. LIVE EVENTS AT THE TRIBE Technology for a Seamless Experience Sonia Zarbatany firmly believes in the power of technology to enhance the journey. She incorporates cutting-edge tools and techniques to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of work. For instance, in the REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR INFLUENCE program, she leveraged AI-driven strategies to harness the power of technology in personal branding efforts. Continuously Expanding Sonia is passionated about helping clients to reach new heights and go beyond their current success. With her dedication to growth and mastery, she is committed to building customized strategies and action plans that will take them on an exciting journey of expansion. By staying in tune with the latest market trends, actively listening to valuable feedback from clients, and conducting thorough research, she strives to stay ahead of the curve. This allows her to provide fresh insights and innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of clients. Responsibilities and Accomplishments: The Journey of a Visionary At the helm of Coach Sonia, Sonia is not just a leader; she is the visionary, the creative force, and the strategist. Throughout her professional journey, Sonia has experienced tremendous growth. She now stands on global stages, igniting the hearts and minds of thousands with her voice and energy. Cultivating a Unique Team: Growing Together One of her top priorities is nurturing and caring for the team. Sonia seeks out individuals who are not only strong, smart, and talented but also share a deep commitment to consistency and mastery. She creates an environment where work is not just a duty but a joyful pursuit. Her team fosters cooperation and collaboration, recognizing that its diverse backgrounds and perspectives bring richness to conversations. Inclusion and Empowerment: A Welcoming Tribe

Exclusive Products and Services 1. KEYNOTE 2. CORPORATE CONFERENCES 3. COACH SONIA MEDIA – ONLINE PROGRAM LAUNCH STRATEGIES 4. REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR INFLUENCE: THE AI-DRIVEN PERSONAL BRAND 5. DIY PERSONAL BRAND 101

At Coach Sonia Zarbatany, women's inclusion and empowerment are not mere buzzwords; they are woven into the fabric of organization. It embraces diversity and inclusivity, welcoming anyone who aligns with its core values of respect, communication, authenticity, transparency, growth, and development. Equality of opportunity is at the heart of what we do. Sonia believes in giving everyone a chance to showcase their heart, their values, and their skills. Dedication, consistency, and commitment to the task are the factors that determine success within organization.

CIO Women Magazine | 49

Gina Diez Barroso Gina Diez Barroso

Gina Diez Barroso

Founder Diarq Diseño y Arquitectura S.A. de C.V.

ina Diez Barroso is a true leader and a trailblazer creating waves in the fields of arts and education. CIO Women Magazine is proud to introduce her as one of The Most Inspiring Women Leaders to Watch out for In 2023. Gina's story is a testament to her unwavering vision for a better future and her relentless drive to make it happen. She possesses a unique set of skills that enable her to break down barriers, view problems from new perspectives, and bring people together to create lasting solutions. Her journey in the professional world started at Televisa, the leading Latin American mass media company and the largest producer of Spanish-language content. At Televisa, she honed her skills and learned the ins and outs of the media industry. However, she was not content to rest on her laurels and, after working with her grandfather, she realized that it was time to pursue her own aspirations. In 1990, she founded Diarq Group. Diarq Group was ahead of its time, offering a one-stop solution for design, architecture, and construction services, which was a novel concept in Mexico at the time. The company was also the first in the country to display model homes and apartments, which gave potential customers a unique opportunity to see the company's work in person. CENTRO University has become a leader in its field, with over 3,000 students and a wide range of programs, including 8 bachelor's degrees, 20 master's degrees, and over 150 continuing education courses. Additionally, the university is deeply committed to environmental sustainability and is proud to be the first LEED Platinum-certified campus in the world.

Getting to know Gina Gina credits education with playing a crucial role in helping her discover her purpose, unleash her inner entrepreneur and gain a better understanding of the world. However, her true success can be attributed to her resilience, life experiences, and mastery of life skills. These soft skills have had a profound impact on her personal and professional success and have been a major factor in her leadership abilities. The Game Changers The establishment of Dalia Empower, Grupo Diarq, CENTRO University, and Diez marks significant milestones in the history of the companies. Dalia Empower was founded on March 31st, 2017, representing a new chapter in the company's journey. Grupo Diarq, on the other hand, was established much earlier, on January 17th, 1990, and has since become one of the leading real estate development and design firms in Latin America. CENTRO University was founded on January 22nd, 2003, and has since grown to become the most important university in Mexico in its field. Diez, established on June 9th, 2004, is another key player in the company's portfolio. Finally, in 2022, Diez Holding was formed, further solidifying the company's presence in the industry. Navigating The Uncertainty Of The Pandemic “A life without conflicts is a life without opportunities.” The outbreak of the pandemic presented both difficulties and opportunities for Dalia. In order to respond to the new reality brought by the pandemic, Dalia had to embrace digitalization, enhance its technological abilities, and introduce online programs that were both innovative and effective. The process was not without its challenges, as it was expensive and required significant investment. However, this transformation allowed the company to reach out to a wider audience, including women from countries that had not been considered previously. As a company in the midst of consolidation, the pandemic and post-pandemic era presented a host of challenges. Finding the right human capital with the right combination of knowledge, hard and soft skills, adaptability, and most importantly, full commitment and reliability, proved to be difficult.

Gina says, “Establishing a university with a concentration in creative education and business was only part of the equation. I wanted to make sure that students with outstanding qualiﬁcations had the opportunity to study at CENTRO University regardless of their economic possibilities. Therefore, I founded the ProEducation CENTRO Foundation which provides scholarships to 50% of the 3,000 + students at the University.”

Founder

Gina is a part of signiﬁcant female groups including WPO (Women President Organization). She is of the opinion that women need to realize that no one gives them power. They must develop soft skills, alter their perspective, and acknowledge and appreciate the power they already possess.

“Be resilient, follow your dreams, and don´t be put oﬀ by what other people think. Entrepreneurship is not an easy path but an extremely rewarding one. Make sure not only to focus your attention on being successful, but more importantly, enjoy the journey.”

Word of the Wise Gina Diez Barroso

CIO Women Magazine | 51

#Women in

Finance

# Eq

Anna-Carin Hausler 54

Anna-Carina Hausler Managing Director | Co-Founder

apinity

nna-Carina Hausler (Managing Director/ CoFounder of apinity) is leaving an indelible leadership mark in the male-dominated insurance industry. Her passion, resilience, and unparalleled dedication have led to remarkable achievements at apinity. Right Time and the Right Approach Anna-Carina started her career at the beginning of 2013 with a company that decided to invent the mobile payment market in Germany, even though 80% of sales transactions at that time were in cash. However, she felt it was exactly the right time and the right approach, so she decided to be a part of that journey. Three years later, cards accounted for 80% of total retail transactions in Germany. Thereafter, she went into consulting and worked on big digital initiatives like connected cars for BMW. She felt excited when she got a call to help Allianz build a marketplace for APIs in an environment where 90% of all IT services are still onpremises. “It was the right time and the right industry for me to work on the next big transformation,” she adds. A Marketplace Tailored for the Insurance Industry The original vision of the company was to establish a public API marketplace tailored to the insurance industry. Envision it as an advanced app store, a centralized platform where insurers could seamlessly tap into services via API integrations. While apinity's marketplace provides the platform for oﬀering and accessing services, its capabilities led many businesses to approach customizing their own white-label API marketplaces. It was like a cherry on top. In more technical terms, while many companies have their own API management systems, apinity serves as an

enhancement to these systems. Drawing an analogy from e-commerce, if the API management is the warehouse, its marketplace encompasses the complete overhead – from billing and analytics to delivery and beyond. Ecosystem of Solutions for Customers apinity is looking forward to offering its customers an ecosystem of solutions. These solutions are present in the marketplace of digital services and on the other hand, white-label SaaS solutions exist. The company wants to connect providers and consumers of digital services via its marketplace solutions. In this way, it supports customers in developing new, customeroriented products quickly and efficiently. In the future, it will be even closer to customers to develop solutions jointly with them based on its API marketplace. The goal is to establish apinity as a strategic partner in the financial industry. Maintaining a Competitive Edge In the fast-paced insurance and banking industry of today, APIs play a crucial role in promoting innovation and maintaining a competitive edge. APIs are vital for the advancement of modern finance, whether it involves adopting open insurance or open banking, exploring embedded insurance or banking, or leading an AI initiative. apinity has built the central place for all APIs so insurance and banks are able to turn their APIs into business products. A Strong Team and Personal Health Being open to new opportunities in the future, AnnaCarina does not have any big plans in her mind right now. She is enjoying what she has in the present. She is looking forward to growing apinity and bringing value to the insurance industry one step at a time and seeing what comes next. According to Anna-Carina, if a book is written about her life story, the title should be 'Embrace the surrounding chaos'. The title should encourage the readers to embrace disorder, uncertainty, and unpredictability in their lives. Instead of always seeking order and control, one can find beauty and excitement in chaotic situations. Anna-Carina learned how to manage the chaos, make her degree, work, build up her sports career, and make music at the same time.

CIO Women Magazine | 55

Patricia Baronowski-Schneider

Years of Expertise & Experience

Director of Investor Relations/ Public Relations/Media Relations and Marketing

Patricia Baronowski-Schneider thinks her drive to succeed has beneﬁted her. She constantly strives to excel at all she does. She believes her constant desire to assist everyone was to blame. She believes that the company could provide customers with so much more while charging less. “I'd rather charge less and have clients for a long time so they can see the value, than charge more and have them only remain on for a short while because they can no longer aﬀord it”, this woman says.

Pristine Advisors

She came up with the following plan:

ronically, Patricia Baronowski-Schneider, Director of Investor and Public Relations at Pristine Advisers, did not set out on this route after graduating from high school to become one of the best IR and PR leaders in the industry. She began working at this IR/PR/Marketing Agency since she needed a job with medical insurance and a paycheck as a new mother. Patricia Baronowski-Schneider was a secretary there while also pursuing her college education. Journey to Pristine Advisers Patricia Baronowski-Schneider enjoyed her jobs and spent 16 years at the first IR/PR firm, giving the organization her all. She quit the company as it was closing and was now obliged to look for new work. She was performing investor relations, public relations, media relations, and marketing duties for the agency side of the company. After six years of service to the company, Patricia BaronowskiSchneider decided to strike out on her own. Once more, every client she had, followed her. As a result, on January 3rd, 2010, Pristine Advisers was launched. She expanded, hired personnel, created an annual investment conference, held several industry-specific webinars, and produced monthly and quarterly newsletters promoting various companies in the sector. Patricia has been in the business for more than ten years and is still developing, growing, and doing well. About Pristine Advisers Pristine Advisers is an international Investor Relations/Public Relations/Marketing/Social Media and Financial Communications boutique firm. It has more than three decades of experience offering a comprehensive range of services to investment managers, both publicly traded and privately held businesses.

The company provides top-tier knowledge and advice in the area of IR/PR/Marketing/Media Relations. To give its clients visibility, support, and recognition, this company is driven by the street and closely collaborates with all signiﬁcant investors, analysts, and the ﬁnancial press. Patricia Baronowski-Schneider wants Pristine Advisers to be a worldwide organization that helps clients everywhere. She said that although the business works with clients all over the world; it is still small enough to provide each one with individualized service.

Ÿ Executive Summary Ÿ Company Summary Ÿ Products and Services Ÿ Market Analysis (industrial Analysis, Market Needs) Ÿ Strategy and Implementation Ÿ Personnel Plan Ÿ Marketing Plan (4 Ps) Ÿ Financial Plan (3-5 Years) Ÿ SWOT Analysis (with a detailed or investor-ready plan only) Ÿ Graphs and Charts Ÿ And the financial section includes ○ Revenue Forecast ○ Projected Profit and Loss Statement ○ Graphs and Charts Revenue, Clientele Base & Further Services Patricia Baronowski-Schneider is continually looking for new services that the company may provide to its customers. She wants to improve how the business markets clients at this time in the realm of digital marketing. Investor relations, public relations, media relations, marketing, social media management, and communications assistance are a few of the services offered. Entrepreneurship Post-pandemic Lockdowns during the COVID-19 crisis decreased sales for already-existing businesses, and those unable to cut operating costs experienced negative cash flow. Entrepreneurs recognize unmet requirements as soon as feasible and develop valuable goods to fill those needs. This kind of response from society is necessary to face a pandemic like COVID-19. Patricia Baronowski-Schneider thus frequently receives a barrage of letters and posts from alleged coaches. Most of these people don't even have valid credentials. Patricia considers, “With everyone having to stay home and away from everyone, and many losing their jobs, they looked deeper and became entrepreneurs. Some are great and others, not so much. But I give them credit for going after what they believe in.”

Life is what you make it–so make it grand. As a former skydiving instructor, Patricia used the phrase, “Go Big or Go Home”. So the same applies. Don't settle for less. Go Big!!”

Patricia

Baronowski-Schneider CIO Women Magazine | 57

P rema

Varadhan

ﬁll in my entire calendar with meetings. This does make me more eﬃcient as I switch between meetings and calming time to think and respond.

Prema Varadhan

5. What would be your advice to aspiring female leaders?

President

The ﬁrst thing I would say is you have to aim high, because everyone has got potential. Secondly, you must fail fast – try new things that you have not necessarily tried before. The third thing is to work smart, not hard. For women I think it's even more important to break the bias.

Temenos

6. Please tell us a bit about your company. Prema Varadhan, a leader disrupting the banking software industry. 1. What are your responsibilities at the helm of the company? I am responsible for leading the product and technology organisations at Temenos to bring the innovation of the Temenos open banking platform to our global customer base, working directly with customers to identify their challenges and matching our product roadmap to market demands. Alongside this, I lead the company's global services and SaaS Engineering organisations, leading delivery across product development, SaaS engineering and implementation, which is a pre-requisite for customer success in the SaaS world. 2. How do you think your industry can benefit from having prominent female leaders? I think one of the most interesting developments in a post-pandemic world where we had to go fully digital is a re-centering on humanness. Consumers want to buy from small businesses that they know and support. Financial institutions want vendors who will be true strategic partners that they can trust rather than solely technology providers – partners who they can trust for their business ethics and their technology in terms of security, governance and compliance practices. Employees want leaders who are empathetic, understanding, and with strong communication skills. 3. How do you ensure female inclusion and empowerment in your organization? At Temenos we are committed to diversity, equality, and inclusion, and that's reflected in our culture and in programs we've set up to support people from all backgrounds and raise awareness. For instance, we have an ongoing CSR program to invest in Adopt-IT, which focuses on inclusive education for high school girls and support for young women pursuing studies in STEM. We also have internal programs for mentoring, monthly fireside chats, awareness programs, and inclusive hiring procedures. 4. How do you ensure a good work-life balance? Without the need to be in an office from 9 to 5, we now can choose working hours that fit our needs. If I choose to spend an hour or so away from my desk during the week, I can make up that time when it's more convenient to me. Also, it may be unconventional for people who manage big teams to say this out loud, but I don't like to

By delivering value we have become Everyone's Banking Platform. We have the broadest and deepest banking capabilities servicing 3000 customers, traditional and nonincumbents in over 150 countries, from the largest to the smallest including challengers and community banks. We have a dynamic ecosystem of over 200 partners and together, we help our top-performing clients achieve return on equity three times the industry average and cost-to-income ratios half the industry average. 7. What are you doing to adapt to changing customer demands? Temenos Banking Cloud, our SaaS offering, delivers the benefits of the cloud while enabling banks to focus on customer-centric innovation and take advantage of new opportunities like Banking- as- a -Service, on a continuously updated, secure, and trusted service. At the same time, it allows banks to benefit from more than 95% lower carbon emissions over traditional on-premise applications, and helps them to measure, improve and report on their carbon footprint of their operations. Building on our strong SaaS credentials, we do not only offer the software but also the service, and this will increasingly drive Temenos' growth in the future. We now have over 700 clients live on Temenos Banking Cloud across five continents, covering over 30 regulatory jurisdictions, and a new bank is going live on our SaaS platform on average every 10 days.We recently earned the Trusted Cloud Provider trustmark from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), the global leading cloud security organization, becoming one of only 30 technology providers globally to date with such an attestation. 8. How is Temenos technology supporting banks to modernise? We have clients across retail, corporate and wealth and we boast the most impressive references in the industry. With our banking platform we help clients innovate, gain business agility, and sustainably grow their business. As an example, a global payments provider used us to launch its BNPL service and has now reached 30 million BNPL consumers, which equates to 200 million loans; this was the fastest start to any product launch in the company's history.

CIO Women Magazine | 59

Jayanthi Ganapathy

3. Tax Preparation and Planning

Jayanthi Ganapathy Founder FinAccurate LLC

ayanthi Ganapathy (Founder) is spearheading the company with her astute vision and futuristic approach. With her passion for numbers, Jayanthi aims to revolutionize the way accounting works, helping businesses run profitably. Bouquet of Innovative Services Jayanthi Ganapathy is proficient at working with all accounting systems. This includes enterprise software like Oracle and SAP, to online software such as QuickBooks and Sage. In the past, she has worked with various businesses across many industries. However, she specializes in working with small businesses, including both profit and non-profit. The Inspiration behind the Numbers Game Growing up in a small town, Jayanthi Ganapathy was unsure about what career path to take. One thing was certain though, she wanted to be somebody who makes a difference. However, the steps leading up to that goal were not so clear. While exploring her interests, Jayanthi realized that she loved numbers. In school, more often than not, she would score 100% in mathematics. Even for someone as passionate about numbers as Jayanthi Ganapathy, the transition from accounting to the business world wasn't an easy task. The business world is highly competitive, and becoming a successful entrepreneur in such a cut-throat space was a challenging task. However, Jayanthi gives all the credit for her successful journey to her parents, for their unending support. Here are some of the services offered by FinAccurate: 1. Cash Flow Forecast Services: Not knowing your company's future cash balance can cause you to miss financial goals, and in some cases, cause catastrophic problems if shortfalls are not caught early enough. FinAccurate helps businesses gain clarity on their cash positions so that they know exactly where the business stands. 2. Accounting Services Working with an accountant dramatically increases the odds of success for your business. Every business is different when it comes to the type and level of accounting services needed. The company works with business owners to create a customized package based on their unique accounting needs.

This service helps you keep more of what you make. FinAccurate helps businesses with tax return preparation, fast and easy filing, and tax planning to reduce their tax bill. As a result, saving time and money. 4. Filing Prior Years' Returns The process of filing returns can be overwhelming, or there might be other problems. Whatever the situation, FinAccurate helps you move forward without the added stress. 5. Bookkeeping Services For small business owners, it is better to let professionals manage their bookkeeping. FinAccurate knows how to precisely fulfill your bookkeeping needs, helping you focus on other important things. 6. Cloud Accounting Cloud accounting includes a variety of accounting solutions. Each solution is accessible via a remote server connected to the internet. This server is secure, private, and can be accessed only by authorized members. Jayanthi Ganapathy plans to multiply the services further by expanding CFO & Tax Advisory Services and introducing efficiency through Automation and Technology. Overcoming the Initial Blues When Jayanthi Ganapathy decided to be an entrepreneur, she did not really have an idea of what she was getting into. She had no business owner friends or family members to guide her. Besides, she did not know many people outside her corporate colleagues. As a result, her networking in the accounting industry was very limited. To improve her networking, she joined BNI, ProVisors, and other Networking groups, and even got clients through them. Her first client though was through a referral made by her friend from the nonprofit community. At the start of her entrepreneurial journey, she entered and quickly got out of a failed partnership. In hindsight, crossing this hurdle was a blessing in disguise, says Jayanthi Ganapathy. Later, she set up her back office and hired highly qualified accounting professionals. Ignoring the marketing and sales challenges, she created a business plan. While she was setting up the office, she overspent on its space and furniture. Making the Big Picture Bigger To revolutionize the Small Business landscape, there are multiple ways in which Technology and Artificial Intelligence can work in sync to improve accounting. Today, this is possible because of the industry's primary struggles with traditional accounting models. Explaining her vision further, Jayanthi says, this is what keeps her up at night to find better and more efficient ways to make a long-lasting impact in the accounting world.

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Dawson 62

Elisabeth

Dawson

Elisabeth Dawson

“Overall, my approach is that of an educator, empowering my clients with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions. As the author of two books, including Wealth by Design and Retirement by Design, I strive to promote financial literacy and provide actionable advice to individuals seeking to secure their financial futures,” says Elisabeth.

Founder | CEO

When Should People Start Preparing for Retirement?

Copia Wealth Management & Insurance Services

The power of compounding interest can accelerate the potential growth of investments over time. While consistency and discipline are essential to achieving long-term ﬁnancial goals, it's also necessary to consider ﬁnancial protections such as life insurance and disability insurance to mitigate potential risks.

Leading the Way As a successful financial advisor in a male-dominated industry, Elisabeth has had the privilege of working with many male mentors throughout her career. Although there are few women in the league, Elisabeth is proud to be in the top one to two percent of financial advisors in the country and to have been awarded as the Top Female Financial Advisor for two consecutive years. Financially Speaking… Elisabeth stands apart from other advisors with a more detailed and comprehensive approach to financial planning, taking into account every aspect of a person's financial situation. For example, she often works closely with attorneys, CPAs, and estate planning professionals to maximize tax benefits and ensure that a person's assets will be distributed according to their wishes and not stuck in probate. As an experienced fiduciary, Elisabeth educates her clients on the various tools and strategies available to help them achieve their financial goals. She communicates clearly and transparently with clients, so that they can make informed decisions about their financial future. This includes exploring different investment options, such as annuities, bonds, and real estate, as well as life insurance and long-term care insurance. Copia's Strong Team Elisabeth has 24 years of experience in the financial services industry, holding the positions of CEO and President at Copia Wealth Management and Insurance Services, as well as Copia Wealth Management Advisors, Inc. She provides guidance to families, couples, individuals, and business owners across various demographics.

Elisabeth Dawson encourages people to think about retirement, not as some milestone far off in the future, but rather as a series of thoughtful, disciplined decisions made all along the way. This, she says, is the key to creating an abundant financial future and being able to live the retirement you've always wanted. How Can People Live Their Best Retirement? It is important to note that retirement age has been increasing over time, with “full” Social Security currently starting at a retirement age of 67. Increasing longevity and rising inflation only further the importance of having a clear understanding of future income needs in retirement. One unique and valuable tool Elisabeth Dawson provides is called an Retirement Income for Life Blueprint. It effectively maps out an individual's income for the rest of their lives, helping to identify potential areas of concern. This insightful analysis can help to bring important planning decisions to the forefront in advance, while there is still time to take action. The blueprint also acts as a visual model, emphasizing how today's financial investments and decisions will impact financial security years into the future. Elisabeth Dawson's Message: Take Control of Your Finances “Taking control of your financial future requires action, and it's essential to begin as soon as possible. Starting a financial plan can have a profound impact on your life, regardless of your age, so I strongly advise everyone to start taking steps towards securing their financial future. You are capable of improving your relationship with money and time is of the essence, so the earlier you start, the better your future can be. Even if you have put it off in the past, it's never too late to start planning. I have worked with clients who were considered “late stage retirement planners” and had nothing prepared for their future. Even with limited time, by setting up a plan they were able to alleviate the stress and anxiety of not knowing if they could ever retire.

CIO Women Magazine | 63

Ethel J. Davis

Ethel J. Davis CEO & Portfolio Manager VZD Capital Management LLC

thel J. Davis is a visionary and a purpose-driven leader in the financial/investment arena. CIO Women Magazine is proud to introduce her as one of the Inspiring Businesswomen in Capital Management. Ethel J. Davis is part of an elite group of businesswomen who have allowed her authenticity and heritage to shape her dynamic, non-traditional leadership personality. Ethel J. Davis is the CEO and Portfolio Manager of VZD Capital Management, LLC. She is the first African-American female to own 100 percent of a registered investment advisory firm in the Midwest and one of few within the United States. She believes that being an African-American woman has significantly impacted her leadership. Ethel J. Davis obtained her Series 6, 63, and Series 7 licenses and went on to work for reputable and prestigious investment companies, including Fidelity Investments, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., and Paragon Capital Management, LLC. Leaving Corporate America in 2004. She birthed VZD Capital Management, LLC in 2012 after an unexpected termination that left her broken and disheartened about the financial arena and how they marginalized African Americans, women, and any underserved population. Ethel worked long hours, deeply involved in the community, but yet that wasn't enough for her compensation, treatment, and employment conditions made it a hostile environment for her. Getting to Know Ethel J Davis Ethel J. Davis was adopted at five days old from the University of Kansas hospital. Looking back on her life, she gathers that her parents fueled her entrepreneurial spirit and believed in her unconditionally. However, her parents, Vergie and Zether Davis, never made her feel different.

decide to stay within a broken business relationship for fear of the unknown of becoming their boss. Ethel started at the bottom, so the only direction was up. VZD Capital Management, LLC was incorporated in December 2012 with a strong belief that everyone deserves sustainable wealth for generations to come. The company's track record for providing a high level of attention from start to ﬁnish kelp to facilitate this goal. Everyone matters, regardless of the zeros in their bank or investment account, as each relationship is part of the business's familial culture. Since the company's income is fee-based rather than commission-based, the company achieves more jointly by prioritizing the client's interests. Vision For a Better Tomorrow The number one systematic problem that continues to plague women and minorities is discrimination in gender pay and advancement inequity. Despite the rising wage growth, especially after the ” Great Resignation” after the pandemic, women still earn, on average, 17 percent less than men. The wealth disparity between the diﬀerent ethnicities is mindboggling, especially in 2022. Ethel is creating various social media platforms and learning outlets to help people learn about money, from the basics to the most sophisticated practices to develop, preserve and transfer wealth from one generation to the next. A Step Ahead VZD Capital Management currently serves 46 families and is licensed in Kansas, Missouri, and Florida. The company manages over $35 million in assets and looking to add junior advisors within the year. The goal is to grow the company's assets to over 100 million dollars within three years.

VZD Capital Management, LLC – The Game-Changer

To achieve this, the company has a lot of prospects in its pipeline. While talking about this, Ethel J. Davis says, “We want to write books and curriculums to help non-profits and start-up businesses to get their money right. We are looking into starting podcasts, and media shows to teach the masses basic financial literacy and investing principles. The desire is to have an open dialogue regarding the mindsets of wealthy people versus people who have an unhealthy relationship with money. I enjoy coaching and consulting to help people remove the barriers holding them back from reaching their financial goals and freedoms.

“The legacy is the driving force behind the services we oﬀer today.”

Words of the Wise

With the benefits, the compensation, efforts for fundraising, and significant time constraints, most people opt out of starting their business. Often, people become comfortable with a paycheck and

I would rather be the best version of myself than attempt to be somebody I am not. If you fail, brush yourself oﬀ, forgive yourself, understand that was a lesson, not a life sentence, and become a serial entrepreneur – if that is your dream.

Her father encouraged her to seek higher education to be ﬁnancially independent and prepared her to work harder to overcome all the gender and ethnicity biases. She has always seen both of them working hard despite dealing with unfair circumstances, yet they continue to strive for excellence.

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# Pers

severance #Women in

Leaders

Beerkens Beerkens

Cathleen Top 10 Self-Made Women Entrepreneurs in Europe 68

Cathleen Beerkens Founder A Wellness Revolution

Wellness Revolution has a mission to train and certify Health & Wellness coaches and to provide important education on new sciences that are pointing to the importance of cellular well-being focusing on the connections of body mind and spirit. Featuring for CIO Women's this issue is Cathleen Beerkens- Top 10 Self-Made Women Entrepreneurs in Europe. Inspiration For Choosing This Field: Even though Cathleen always believed in a world of goodness and love as a child, she was generally struck with the overwhelming sense of a world that was highly disconnected and left her with more questions than answers. Questions that guided her entire life focus and research. Initial Obstacles: As we as human beings grow in consciousness, we see more, hear more, feel more and understand more about who we are. We learn to connect to all that we are through our most powerful electromagnetic ﬁeld which is our heart. Learning to live in our hearts, we become more in tune with our true power. As Cathleen was studying these new sciences, she was surprised by the lack of information in the mainstream. At one point she made a decision to bring this vital information into the world. Cathleen sensed that this might disrupt the status quo, however, she had an inner calling and had to rise up over this and follow her gut that the world should have the opportunity to be exposed to this important education and science. Cathleen's good friend once said: If not me – who? This was the inspiration for her to take action and move forward.

Cathleen realized that as a nurse she had a responsibility to now make the changes that were needed in the mainstream medical system. The system had never been about wellness, it had focused on illness. Experiences That Influenced The Entrepreneur Within: Throughout her life, Cathleen and her family were faced with many health challenges on all levels of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. These experiences helped her to develop a six-month program training Health and Wellness Coaches, and a YouTube channel, and she will be publishing a new book in 2023 with these revelations. She loves her work training coaches around the world and certifying them with the top organizations as she knows that with the significant change in the medical care system these coaches are desperately needed. Cathleen is very grateful for the past 30 years. She has found many of her answers by learning about Integrative Medicine. The Inception of A Wellness Revolution & More: A Wellness Revolution began in 2018. The company offers a six month course where it certifies and trains Health and Wellness Coaches, twice a year. One begins in March and ends in early September, and one begins in September and ends in February. A Wellness Revolution has been granted two very important international certifications and another one in the Netherlands: The National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches (NBHWC) and the International Coaching Federation (ICF). The Dutch accreditation by the organization BLCN. Cathleen believes, like all evolving professional organizations, Health and Wellness Coaching will become more regulated and there will be a need for certification to develop standards for entering mainstream medicine. Expanding The Services: A Wellness Revolution recently added a business course as well as developed a Continued Education Program for their graduates. In 2020, Cathleen started her YouTube Channel and releases interviews monthly with people who are change agents in the field of Health and Wellness.

Overview Of Professional Background: Cathleen after being oﬀered a teaching assistant position at Georgetown also taught University nursing students how to physically assess the body and gave prenatal classes. She spent many years researching and studying the new sciences and consciousness. After the birth of her third child, she began teaching classes on topics of Health, Wellness, and Nutrition in the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, and the US.

Cathleen will also continue to develop leaders, teachers, mentors as well as coaches with A Wellness Revolution. A Word For Budding Entrepreneurs: “The biggest advice I can give anyone starting a business is: It is not enough anymore to have just passion, you must also ﬁnd your mission.

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Tanya Fasnacht Jolli e Tanya Fasnacht Jolli e

Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffe RDN, LD, CIMHP LIT Wellness Solutions

Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffe developed this specialty while working as a clinical dietitian nutritionist in a teaching hospital with a focus on end-stage organ disease patients in critical care and solid organ transplantation. She was able to observe the difficulties in changing behavior to adopt a healthy lifestyle after switching to health management as a health coach. The scope and influence of diet culture on health outcomes for people with chronic illnesses and healthy individuals were made clear by these work experiences. Milestones Along The Way

anya Fasnacht Jolliffe, the staunch leader, is making waves in the healthcare industry. She is passionate about guiding people to improve their health and way of life. Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffe is an Integrative Mental Health Professional who is also a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Licensed Dietitian. She is an ardent advocate for helping people live full, healthy lives that are purposeful without the usage of diets. As a trained and licensed dietitian, she started her career as a research dietitian in an NIH multi-center cooperative project with a focus on alcoholic hepatitis. She then went on to specialize in nutrition for transplants and end-stage organ disease. Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffe offered medical nutrition therapy and lifestyle behavior-focused instruction to patients with kidney and liver failure or who had solid organ transplants for their kidneys, liver, or pancreas. She then took part in daily inpatient treatment as a member of the multidisciplinary transplant care team. The initiation of L I T Wellness Solutions took place in October 2019. Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffe self-published The Mindful Me Journey: A 40-Day Guided Journal Toward a Healthier Relationship with Food and Exercise during the same month. With the #1 Unprecedented Release on Amazon, which is now available internationally on multiple continents, it rose to new heights. Shaping L I T “Our mission is to IGNITE the change within.” Tanya's love of fitness and health has always been a constant in her life. Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffe believed that her career choice in athletic nutrition made sense because she was a collegiate athlete. She connected with improving people's lives through nutrition therapy that was centered on managing medical conditions, nevertheless, during her dietetic internship.

Every business strives to maintain the quality of its customer relationships, the vibrancy of its brands, and the satisfaction of its workforce. A company that is successful overcomes obstacles to set itself apart from its competitors. Similarly, initial challenges were faced by L I T Wellness Solutions. It needed time and effort to identify the appropriate target audience and messaging to promote a countercultural idea. Another difficulty was not being able to advertise the company or book through live events. Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffe released her book and started holding events to promote it in 2019, but everything came to an abrupt halt a few months later as a result of a global pandemic. She rushed to decide how to change course because her company was just getting started. Luckily, many other entrepreneurs were also pivoting their businesses, and collaborating with them helped the company, and mainly Tanya, to establish the path forward. A Step Ahead Building a business during a pandemic proved this philosophy of Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffe to be true. Her pivot during the pandemic was acquiring a mental health professional certification and focusing on continuing education to maintain registration and licensure as a dietitian. These educational endeavors have been essential as she grows a counter-cultural business relevant to people's needs, so they uncover the strategies necessary for lasting health transformation success. Post-pandemic, the era of entrepreneurship has changed. People are now comfortable with the virtual meeting experience and have increased trust in the quality of coaching and consulting opportunities of this nature. This comfort helps the company and Tanya Fasnacht Jolliffe save travel dollars while reaching a wider potential service audience. L I T Wellness Solutions will grow and develop to support client needs as it creates trusting, collaborative, and significant relationships of change.

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STEPHANIE STEPHANIE STEPHANIE

Atwood

Stephanie Atwood Founder ElevateHER

tephanie Atwood's journey to becoming a respected figure in her field defies traditional expectations. Her professional background is far from cookie-cutter, devoid of the conventional trajectory of earning degrees or accumulating co-op experiences. Instead, Atwood's foundation rests on her lived experiences, which have played a significant role in shaping her formidable career. Although she embarked on her educational pursuits later in life, she initially explored human services and correctional services, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the field. It was during this time that Atwood recognized the importance of continuing her education and ventured into a series of courses. She skillfully navigated a blend of online programs from prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Michigan. This unconventional approach allowed her to delve into intensive, yet concise certificate programs, ultimately amplifying her knowledge more effectively than a traditional degree path. Alongside her business and management courses, Stephanie Atwood pursued her passion for counselling, undertaking a range of studies in emotional well-being, psychotherapy approaches, and more. Forging a Unique Path to Success Even with her cherished Barbie dolls, Atwood's empathetic nature led her to consider how the dolls might feel in various scenarios, attuned to the impact of external influences on individuals. Her empathetic nature fueled a deep desire to help others and instilled a resolute belief in her own ability to create meaningful change. This profound sense of empathy and her early experiences shaped her conviction in her own capabilities as a helper and nurturer. However, Atwood's path was not without obstacles. She encountered significant childhood trauma that disrupted her ability to embrace a carefree childhood and undermined her confidence in her skills and abilities. Her survival instinct kicked in, compelling her to adapt and navigate her environment, knowing exactly what she needed to do to endure.

“True beauty is not defined by external appearance but by inner qualities.” Atwood acknowledges that she is not an ugly person and encourages her younger self to embrace a broader definition of beauty. Through her reflections, she offers insights into resilience, self-belief, and self-perception, aiming to inspire others on their own journeys of growth and self-acceptance. Pioneering Change in the Non-Profit Industry Stephanie Atwood's relentless drive and passion for creating an impact have propelled her forward. Through diverse roles like women's support worker, and assistant executive director, Atwood gathered the experiences that culminated in the establishment of ElevateHer in 2018. Her early years were marked by an invigorating hustle, pushing her to forge ahead. Each role she embraced shaped her journey and prepared her for entrepreneurship. She adds, “Entering the non-profit sector at a young age presented unique challenges, with older individuals dominating leadership positions.” Raising awareness and garnering support proved to be an ongoing struggle. Overcoming the obstacles, Atwood tirelessly conveyed the organization's mission and impact to the community. Despite age-related hurdles, she remained resolute, prioritizing the growth of ElevateHer. Ambitions Unveiled Stephanie Atwood is renowned for her meticulous planning and organized approach to life. She crafts daily, monthly, and yearly plans, fully aware that unforeseen circumstances often disrupt even the most well-laid plans. She acknowledges that external factors will inevitably influence her plans, requiring adjustments along the way. Her commitment to the expansion of partnerships remains indisputable. Her envisions extending ElevateHer's services throughout Canada, particularly addressing the pressing need for housing in the industry. Word of the wise

Advice to Her Younger Self

Be authentic with boundaries. If you are authentic in the work that you're doing, then you're creating something that is a reﬂection of yourself, your values, your beliefs, and your growth.

Stephanie Atwood recalls moments of self-doubt and considers giving up, but she knew that dedicating herself to schoolwork was her coping mechanism and motivation to prove everyone wrong. She would remind herself to keep going, assuring that her eﬀorts would pay oﬀ.

I find as an entrepreneur, it's so easy to be influenced by others. I'm not saying to not be influenced or not to accept advice from others, but knowing what your boundaries and limits are, and knowing that whatever approach you take, it's still an authentic part of you.

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#Women in

Leaders

Influential Denise Schuster Women Leader The mission of Park Your Truck is to identify sealed areas daily and transform them into functional truck parking locations.” 76

Denise Schuster CEO Park Your Truck GmbH

enise Schuster, a visionary entrepreneur and the esteemed CEO of Park Your Truck GmbH. As the founder, Denise's entrepreneurial spirit continues to drive her forward, igniting growth and innovation in the transportation industry. Her unwavering passion, dedication, and remarkable achievements make Denise Schuster a true icon among the Most Influential Women Leaders, inspiring others to dream big and achieve greatness. The Vision and Mission The idea behind Park Your Truck was initially centered around utilizing private parking spots from those who didn't require them and making them available to needy individuals. While this concept was initially intended for private parking spaces, it eventually evolved into truck parking. Park Your Truck's vision is to transform landowners into pioneers for climate-neutral parking. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, the company aims to revolutionize the truck parking industry by creating eco-friendly solutions. The mission of Park Your Truck is to identify sealed areas and transform them into functional truck parking locations. By installing charging stations and alternative refueling options, the company ensures the availability of essential amenities for truck drivers. Through their advanced reservation system, these areas are operated as waiting/loading and parking facilities for various types of transport. Influence of Education Denise attributes her educational background, particularly her MBA in Entrepreneurship, as instrumental in shaping Park Your Truck. Her education provided her with the knowledge and skills necessary for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and creating a successful business. Moreover, Denise's time at an advertising agency was crucial in honing her business acumen. This experience allowed her to understand the intricacies of building and positioning a company within a niche market. Armed with this expertise, Denise approached the establishment of Park Your Truck with a deep understanding of the importance of strategic positioning and differentiation. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, Denise encountered various new experiences that can be particularly risky for start-ups. One such

challenge was employee turnover, threatening the company's knowledge and network base. To mitigate this risk, Denise adopted a unique approach by deliberately selecting employees over the age of 50 who possessed deep roots in their local communities. Reflections and Lessons As Denise Schuster reflects on her journey, she realizes the significance of taking breaks and allowing herself time to be inspired by the world around her. Encouraging one to explore other countries, engage with diverse individuals, and learn from different stories and business models, Denise believes that these experiences foster creativity and offer fresh perspectives. Current Standing and Growth Trajectory Park Your Truck has established itself as a leading player in the truck parking industry. With a team of 14 employees and subsidiaries in the UK, France, Italy, and Spain, the company operates in multiple European markets. The company has introduced 20,000 new parking spots to meet the growing demand and have emerged as the European market leader in truck parking. Its revenue has seen remarkable growth, surpassing 12 million last year, highlighting their strong financial performance and market recognition. Over the years, Park Your Truck has experienced an impressive growth trajectory. While initially taking time to establish a presence, the company has recently gained significant momentum. Its revenue more than doubled from 2021 to 2022, demonstrating their accelerated expansion and success in meeting the needs of truck drivers and transport operators. Post-pandemic Shifts From the perspective of Park Your Truck, the pandemic presented unexpected opportunities. With stadiums, trade fair grounds, and airport grounds left empty during lockdowns, the company was able to secure coveted sites for truck parking. This solved the shortage of truck parking spaces and allowed the owners of these idle sites to generate income. The pandemic-driven shift in utilizing vacant spaces for parking has proven to be a successful business model for Park Your Truck. Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Denise Schuster has a valuable message for budding entrepreneurs. She believes that failure is not an indication of being a failed entrepreneur but rather an opportunity to learn and grow. Denise emphasizes that failures provide valuable lessons that propel individuals further along their entrepreneurial journey. Rather than fearing failure, she encourages entrepreneurs to embrace it as a positive experience. According to her, the key lies in failing faster, as it leads to accelerated learning.

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Plummer Plummer Plummer Plummer 78

Heidi Plummer

Heidi Plummer Co-Founder Bock & Plummer, Attorneys at Law

eidi Plummer is the Co-founder of Bock & Plummer, Attorneys at Law. Ms. Plummer was born and raised in Orange County, graduated cum laude as a member of the Dean's honor roll from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Heidi graduated with honors and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Western State College of Law.

Have you been cheated by your employer? Some of the common tactics of robbing hourly employees of pay include: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

With extensive experience in probate, bankruptcy, and business law, Heidi has also assisted and litigated in nearly every aspect of law. With an extensive two decades of legal practice, Ms. Plummer is a seasoned attorney who embodies passion and dedication in delivering exceptional service to her clients. Her commitment to excellence remains unwavering. Beyond her legal expertise, she actively contributes to her community through participation in various organizations. In addition to handling law, Heidi also handles the administrative duties, ensuring that the oﬃce runs smoothly and that the cases are running as planned.

Put A Strong, Determined Litigator To Work For You The ﬁrm oﬀers its clients: Ÿ Ÿ

Business & Corporate Law Contracts, particularly contracts involving distributor arrangements or joint ventures, tend to be long, complicated, and full of “boilerplate.” Asking an attorney who does not specialize in litigation or liability analysis to review warranty or indemnity provisions is a recipe for disaster. Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

What if you agree to indemnify wrongful or negligent conduct by a third party? What if you accidentally void your own insurance by mishandling subrogation, venue, jurisdiction, or choice-of-counsel provisions? How can you ensure that a non-disclosure agreement or conﬁdentiality provision is appropriately drafted to take advantage of recent changes in California law? Are you ensuring that employees cannot take inventions, client/customer lists, and proprietary information with them?

The ﬁrm can also assist you with: Ÿ Corporate/Partnership Formation and Management (including Limited Liability Entities) Ÿ Corporate Governance and Regulatory Matters Ÿ Labor Law

Not paying overtime or double-time. Requiring you to pay for uniforms. Requiring you to pay for items you break while on the job. Deducting non-paying customers' bills from your tips. Requiring you to be “on-call,” or in the work area, during your meal or rest breaks even though you are “oﬀ the clock.” Requiring you to be in a waiting area or perform tasks prior to actually being “on the clock.” Requiring you to travel to and from company job sites without compensation. Requiring that you have a vehicle for your job duties, but failing to pay you for the time traveling to and from work. Not allowing you a break for meals. Penalties for wrongfully withholding wages can be severe, including interest, exemplary damages, attorneys' fees, and costs.

Individual attention — When you retain Bock and Plummer, you receive the care, time and attention you deserve. A more cost-efficient model — The team, constantly seek ways to cut your costs while maintaining the high level of legal services you expect and deserve. Integrity — The firm's trial attorneys provide you with straightforward, honest answers to all of your questions and ensure you fully understand the litigation process and what to expect as your case moves forward. The clients rely on the team to help them set realistic expectations. A focus on success — Bock & Plummer, Attorneys at Law, always has your best interest in mind. If protracted litigation is the only solution to achieve the proper outcome, the firm is ready. If settling your case early on will achieve the best result, the team will take the time to explain why it believes it is in your best interest to settle instead of engaging in lengthy litigation.

Heidi's Advice to the Young EntrepreneursDespite strides in fairness at work, obstacles persist. Recognizing gaps is key for lasting change. A positive mindset in challenges paves the path for triumph. The journey is demanding, yet it's within these hurdles that growth opportunities arise. View challenges as catalysts for progress, not roadblocks. Overcoming hurdles breaks norms. Success demands endurance. With mentors, support, and resilience, you're equipped to thrive amid adversity.

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Mindy Jen Founder

BOBA CHiC Leading Empire Eagle Food CO. Ltd- The Right Way! Mindy Jen as we know today, the name behind one of the most successful brands- BOBA CHiC started as an Army Oﬃcer. She retired as a captain and entered this industry with her husband, where they both began running the company together. Considering her background, Mindy is more like a strategic planner of the company. She has always made it a point to use her previous management experience in the army as well as the experience she has gained working in various industries to help Empire Eagle Food CO. Ltd formulate diﬀerent market layout strategies, organizational management mechanisms, and internal organizational optimization. International Awards: Ÿ

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

Won a 3-stars Superior Award with the highest score and two 2-stars Awards in iTQi (International Taste Institute) Award in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Won a Crystal Superior (3 years continue to win 3-star award) Award in iTQi (International Taste Institute) Award in 2023. Won a Gold Stevie Award in Company of the Year in 2023 Won 2022 Taiwanese TOP 10 of the Best B2B CrossBorder E-commerce Award in Alibaba.com Taiwan Won a Gold Stevie Award in Best New Product or Service of the Year – Business-to-Business Products in the 2022 International Business Award. Won a Silver Stevie® Award in the Female Executive of the Year – Business Products – 11 to 2,500 Employees category at the 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 Stevie® Awards for Women in Business Won 3 Golds in 2021 TITAN Business Award

The company has been committed to promoting virtual bubble tea training course to help more than 75 teams (the training takes 3 days, it means the team has spent 2 and third of the pandemic period to train the clients from the whole world), 385 clients, who are from over 35 countries in the world. Empire Eagle Food owns two brands: BOBA EMPIRE, which specializes in bubble tea materials, includes tea, vegan creamer, drinking powder, jelly powder, aurora powder, gluten free waﬄe premix, additives free instant tea powder, bubble tea shop using equipment, etc. It supplies one stop station bubble tea materials and services to global distributors; BOBA CHiC specializes in retail products, such as instant vegan bubble tea kit, vegan milk tea, natural juice added iced boba fruit tea, bubble tea can drinks, instant cheese foam bubble tea, and instant dirty marble bubble tea. It supplies the CHICest bubble tea drinks products and culture to global consumers. The Changing Customer Demands & Mindy's Unique Solution to itThe bubble tea industry is changing rapidly. In the past 25 years, Taiwanese bubble tea brands have conquered the world, and more and more people are accepting and enjoying this Taiwanese drink culture that is both chewing and drinking at the same time. As a bubble tea total solution expert, BOBA EMPIRE and BOBA CHiC always stay ahead of the curve in terms of industry and market awareness. Therefore, the team often comes up with ideas that the customers have not thought of yet, and then provides solutions at the same time. A Future of Possibilities and Opportunities“We are delighted to be the “chameleon” of the bubble tea industry, constantly evolving and innovating, and even taking the lead in promoting Taiwanese bubble tea culture, so that the world can know Taiwan because of bubble tea!”, says Mindy. At EMPIRE EAGLE FOOD, the team is constantly challenging its creativity, its R&D ability, the market development strategies, and the quality limits. The company's purpose is to use its comprehensive total solution capabilities and the global market access capabilities to bring Taiwanese bubble tea to every corner of the world, so that more people in the world can know Taiwan because of this cute beverage culture.

Sales Growth During 2021-2022, the pandemic period, Empire Eagle food's customers and orders were still growing. Empire Eagle Food exported to more than 60 countries, 5 continents. BOBA EMPIRE has produced more than 250 million cups of bubble tea beverages every year in the whole world. The turnover has increased over 148 percent.

I believe that women entrepreneurs can make a signicant impact on the world. I encourage you to follow your dreams and become a successful entrepreneur.”

CIO Women Magazine | 81

Nailah Nailah Nailah Nailah Nailah Amaru 82

Nailah Amaru

by training women to run for public oﬃce – and win. She is also a frequent media commentator, panelist, and keynote speaker on politics, racial and gender justice, and civic engagement. Education is the way to Excellence

Advocacy and Policy Strategist

eet the woman of the hour, Na'ilah Amaru. An Advocacy and Policy Strategist who has seamlessly navigated the broad political landscape from local neighborhoods to City Hall and Capitol Hill. With a wealth of experience of 20 years, she has largely served within Democratic politics in both liberal and conservative states. Over the last two decades, Na'ilah's career has spanned nearly every aspect of the advocacy spectrum but always focused on empowering underserved communities through civic engagement and public policy. Her unconventional journey is a true example of setting goals and accomplishing them with confidence, competence, and constant hard work. Distinguished Military Service Na'ilah Amaru joined the U.S. Army three days after high school graduation and when she returned to civilian life, she embarked on a career that centered on public policy as a tool for creating social change. She is an Army veteran and ammunition specialist with distinguished service in Iraq. She was the lowest-ranking soldier and only woman to receive her battalion's Soldier of the Month recognition, and also was awarded an Army Commendation medal for exemplary service. The Turning Point Na'ilah's advocacy journey began when she learned the consequences of not having any power. Being invisible was a driving force to take her first steps into advocacy. When she left active duty military service, her new mission was to create and expand opportunities for grassroots governance by using public policy as a primary tool to effect positive social change for underserved communities. Acing all her Roles and Responsibilities Na'ilah Amaru is a contributor to the award-winning Brown Girls Guide to Politics podcast and blog, serves on the Democratic National Committee's Young Professional Leadership Council, board member of Citizen Action New York, and is Lead National Trainer for Vote Run Lead, changing the face of political leadership

Each of Na'ilah's graduate degrees has helped inform her work and deepen her understanding of her field. Her Master's in Public Administration helped her understand how to effectively manage government and non-profit organizations. Her Master's of Public Policy helped her understand through political philosophy and quantitative analysis, how policies are developed, implemented, and evaluated. Her Master's in Urban Planning helped her understand the impact of land use decisions in creating the political, social, and economic geography of cities. An Advice to the Younger Self “Believe in yourself.” Na'ilah Amaru recently explained to a mentee that she spent a great deal of her career hiding behind her credentials and experiences. As a woman of color navigating male-dominated spaces from the military to the political sphere, unless people knew her resume, there was always a question of her qualifications. Every time she stepped into a room, she had to validate why she was there. Na'ilah Amaru fondly states she wished back then someone told her she was enough, she didn't need multiple advanced degrees to prove that she was competent or that she didn't need experience ranging from the grassroots to Capitol Hill to prove that she deserved to occupy political spaces. She made those decisions because she knew her accomplishments and credentials had to be on point to be taken seriously. Adaptation of the Post-Pandemic Advocacy Change During the pandemic, traditional tried and true tactics of advocacy such as face-to-face interactions, ad hoc hallway conversations, and informal coffees were no longer options. Effective advocacy tactics have changed in that they will most likely be hybrid moving forward as digital technology is incorporated into long-term strategies. However, it is important to note that virtual tools can exclude and marginalize community voices due to limitations in access to technology. Advocates are still trying to find the balance between in-person mobilization and Zoom rooms to engage government decision-makers and everyday people. However, there are many tools in the advocacy toolbox, and advocates will discover the most effective combination of digital and traditional advocacy.

CIO Women Magazine | 83

Founder | Zarine Manchanda Foundation

Zarine Manchanda Zarine Manchanda

Zarine Manchanda

The Entrepreneur and Philanthropist Changing the Game

Creating Own Legacy

Zarine Manchanda Founder Zarine Manchanda Foundation

Zarine Manchanda has big plans for the future. With years of experience running successful businesses, she is determined to continue her father's legacy in her way. While she started with a foundation to help those in need in Mumbai, she has since expanded to open a luxurious seven-star cafe, a cloud kitchen food delivery service, and a premium security company – all bearing her name.

Zarine Manchanda plans to expand her businesses globally, with inquiries for franchises pouring in from India and beyond. However, even with her ambitious plans, Zarine always remembers her life's mission and purpose – to do good karma, show good intentions, and be compassionate to the poor.

arine Manchanda, the Founder of the Zarine Manchanda Foundation, is one of The Most Influential Women Leaders To Watch In 2023. Despite facing numerous challenges, Zarine's determination and resilience helped her overcome setbacks in her business and philanthropic endeavors. Through her foundation, she has significantly impacted society, and her success story is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of adversity. Zarine's unwavering commitment to creating a luxurious and socially responsible world has earned her a well-deserved spot on this list of influential women leaders. Adding Versatility to the Origin Zarine Manchanda was born in Himachal Pradesh into a prominent family, where her father was a successful businessman and minister in the state. As a young girl, she dreamed of becoming a Bollywood actress and moved to Mumbai to pursue her dream. However, despite attending many auditions and acting classes, success in the industry remained elusive. Undeterred, Zarine pursued a political career and was advised to open a charity foundation, which led to the birth of the Zarine Manchanda Foundation in 2019. Since then, the foundation has administered almost 300 donation programs to the poorest residents of Mumbai, earning her the moniker “Princess of the Poor” and significant media coverage in India's most renowned magazines and newspapers. Luxury with a Spiritual Touch Zarine Manchanda envisioned providing her customers with a luxurious experience while incorporating spiritual elements into her ventures when she started her business. She founded various companies, from a charity foundation to a café and cloud kitchen, and premium security services, each with unique charm and essence. Zarine's USP for all her companies is luxury and spiritual charm, which means that her customers can expect a premium experience with a touch of spirituality. Whether it is a 7-star café or premium security service, each of Zarine's businesses is designed to provide a sense of calm and peace amidst the chaos and busyness of everyday life in Mumbai.

Phenomenal Growth Trajectory Zarine Manchanda believes that her USP of luxury and spiritual charm has significantly influenced her long-standing success. These traits come naturally to her, given her parents' DNA, and they have resonated with her customers, clients, and even the poor that she serves. Indians want to enjoy luxuries in life, but they also want to feel good about who they are doing business with. Zarine's focus on luxury with a spiritual touch has created a positive reaction in the business community, and everyone seems inspired by the company's pillars. Her vision for her enterprises is clear, and she believes that her focus on luxury and spiritual charm is on the right track. Guiding Words Zarine has a powerful message for aspiring entrepreneurs. Through her experiences and successes, she emphasizes the importance of being bold and taking risks. Manchanda believes budding entrepreneurs should refrain from following the crowd but instead find their unique selling proposition (USP) and act boldly on it. Her message is clear: to achieve success, one must be willing to step outside of their comfort zone and think outside the box. This approach, Manchanda believes, will ultimately lead to a stronger and more secure path toward achieving one's goals.

CIO Women Magazine | 85

Through her leadership and knowledge, Nathalie has become a recognized gure in the eld of IP law, paving the way for the next generation of lawyers.”

Nathalie Nathalie Nathalie Nathalie 86

Nathalie Dreyfus

Nathalie Dreyfus Founding Partner DREYFUS & ASSOCIES A Leader in IP Law Nathalie Dreyfus is a prominent intellectual property lawyer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. She began her legal career in 1989, quickly established herself as an expert in the field, and worked on cases for some of the world's largest companies. In 2004, Nathalie founded Dreyfus. She is recognized as a leader in IP law and has worked on some of the industry's most complex and high-profile cases. She is a regular speaker at industry events and has authored several books and articles on the subject, including “Protecting Your Intellectual Property Rights” and “Intellectual Property Litigation in Europe.” Nathalie Dreyfus is also a recognized expert in industrial property in courts such as the French Supreme Court (Court de Cassation) and the Paris Court of Appeal, as well as in specific areas such as domain names, IT law, Web 2.0, and Web 3.0, including NFTs. Through her leadership and knowledge, Nathalie has become a recognized figure in the field of IP law.

IP Services

The ﬁrm is highly respected in intellectual property law and oﬀers specialized services such as IP and IT law, trademarks, designs, IP litigation, industrial property consulting, and intellectual property consulting. Ÿ

Competency in Various Sectors

Dreyfus & Associes has a competent team specializing in various sectors such as ﬁling and renewal, strategy development, oﬃce procedures, prelitigation, entries, prior art searches, valuation, and audit. Ÿ

Protecting and Enhancing Intellectual Property Rights:

The ﬁrm oﬀers a personalized service that allows clients to remain calm while protecting and enhancing their intellectual property rights. The team collaborates with its global network of intellectual property lawyers to anticipate, secure, and optimize intellectual asset portfolios. This, in turn, adds value to the client's businesses. Ÿ

Accompanying Clients at Every Stage of Development:

Dreyfus & Associes accompanies its clients through every stage of their projects, from creation to crystallization into powerful assets. The firm offers a solution adapted to each client's needs, ensuring they can benefit from the total value of their intangible assets. Heart for the Community In addition to her legal expertise, Nathalie Dreyfus is also committed to giving back to the community. She volunteers for various non-profit organizations, including the IP Pro Bono program, which provides legal assistance to individuals and small businesses who cannot afford traditional legal services.

Following the Passion Shaping an Enterprise Nathalie Dreyfus developed an interest in intellectual property law during her studies at the University of Strasbourg, where she completed her law degree. Helping businesses and individuals protect their innovative ideas and creations fascinated her and led her to pursue a Master's in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Paris Panthéon-Assas. After gaining extensive experience working on some of the industry's most complex and high-proﬁle cases, Nathalie founded Dreyfus. Her passion for intellectual property law and dedication to helping clients protect their innovations have made her a highly respected and sought-after IP lawyer in Europe and beyond. Protecting and Enhancing Intellectual Property Rights Dreyfus & Associes values its clients and their needs. The ﬁrm strives to establish a privileged relationship with its customers to understand their needs better and anticipate any disputes that may hinder their projects.

Nathalie Dreyfus attributes her education as the foundation of her successful enterprise. Her legal education and master's degree gave her a comprehensive understanding of the field, which was crucial in building and growing her law firm. Her education also instilled a strong sense of ethics and professionalism, integral to her firm's mission and values. Upholding these principles has earned her client's trust and respect, and her law firm has established a prominent reputation in the intellectual property law field. Future Plans Nathalie plans to continue offering high-quality, specialized services to clients while expanding her firm's expertise in emerging areas of IP law, such as blockchain, NFTs, and artificial intelligence. Additionally, she aims to contribute to the industry by teaching and writing about intellectual property law to help individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of IP law. She believes that her vast experience and expertise can significantly impact the industry and the lives of her clients.

CIO Women Magazine | 87

Sharna Sandbrook

Sharna Sandbrook Sharna Sandbrook

Influential Women Leader

Comprehensive Parking Solutions

Shareena Sandbrook CEO Frogparking Ltd

hareena Sandbrook, the CEO of Frogparking With a remarkable journey that spans different sectors and roles, Shareena has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, entrepreneurial acumen, and a passion for making a difference. Her ability to navigate challenges, foster a supportive team culture, and drive the success of Frogparking has positioned her as a notable figure in the business world. A Path of Entrepreneurial Success Shareena embarked on an entrepreneurial journey driven by a passion for commercialization and global business. Drawing upon her sales and marketing background, Shareena recognized the potential to create a thriving business from a unique idea. She had a thirst for knowledge and a distinctive set of skills that set her apart. Identifying a niche where their expertise could be applied, Shareena fearlessly dove into growing Frogparking. Revolutionizing Parking Technology When Frogparking took its first steps, its vision was clear: to revolutionize the parking industry and conquer the world, one parking space at a time. Shareena dreamed of expanding its reach and becoming a trusted partner to prominent brands across the United States. She aspired to create a global impact and provide support and security to the dedicated staff and their families. With a global presence spanning Southern California, Australia, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Frogparking has established itself as a leader in the field. The company's extensive portfolio includes groundbreaking innovations such as solar-powered parking sensors, indoor laser sensors, and wireless parking guidance systems. With an in-house team of experts in hardware and software design, Frogparking also develops custom mobile apps, dynamic signage, and cloud-based reporting and data software. Frogparking proudly serves as a technology partner to renowned global brands across various industries. Trusted by organizations like Nike, USC, UCLA, Amazon, The Irvine Company, Vicinity Centers, Lend Lease, UBC, The City of Laguna Beach, City of Hope Medical Center, Hoag Hospital, Auckland international Airport and more. Frogparking continues to deliver cutting-edge solutions to its esteemed clientele.

Under the product lineup, Frogparking provides Indoor and Outdoor Guidance systems, enabling drivers to locate parking spaces quickly and efficiently. Its Mobile App allows seamless interaction with the parking ecosystem, while the Dashboard & Reporting Suite provides comprehensive insights into parking asset performance and revenue reporting. Frogparking's solutions extend to Access & Revenue Control, offering a streamlined platform that eliminates the need for multiple suppliers and integrations. FrogOne, the tailor-made parking platform, serves as the one-stop solution for managing parking operations. From contactless payments to live and historical reports, FrogOne simplifies the management process. With Frogparking's advanced technology, clients can access accurate data, up-to-date trends, and low-impact installation options. The company's services are designed to save time, optimize space utilization, and provide unparalleled accuracy. By offering a cloud-based data aggregation, Frogparking ensures clients have a single, easy-to-access source for all their parkingrelated information. Trusting the Team By surrounding herself with a dedicated and capable team, Shareena discovered that she could shift from a managerial role to a guiding one. Trusting the team's abilities and knowing that they shared her passion and vision, she could confidently delegate and direct, ensuring that Frogparking's brand would be driven toward success. Shareena's experience as a mother has honed her ability to balance family and business, seamlessly integrating both aspects of her life. She leads a team that treats each other like family, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment that encourages success. How to win customers and influence the government? Shareena believes if her life story were a book, it would be titled “How to win customers and influence government.” This title aptly represents her unique ability to forge meaningful relationships with customers and governments. Through her story, Shareena unveils her remarkable talent for connecting with people personally and professionally. Lessons for the Younger Self & Others Looking back on her journey, Shareena would advise her younger self to take the time to discern the true intentions of others before investing her trust in them. This simple yet powerful advice could have saved her from heartbreak and disappointment. She realized that trust should not be freely given but earned through consistent actions and behaviors. Quote “Frogparking has become a leader in the parking solutions industry, delivering exceptional results for its clients worldwide.”

CIO Women Magazine | 89

MICHELLE MICHELLE MICHELLE MICHELLE MICHELLE Bohreer

Giving it Back to the Community

Michelle Bohreer Managing Member Bohreer Law Firm PLLC

ichelle Bohreer, the Managing Member at Bohreer Law Firm PLLC, is a force to be reckoned with in the legal industry. Her passion for law and accounting has made her a formidable figure in the business world, especially in employment and business matters. With years of experience navigating complex legal matters, Michelle has established herself as a go-to legal expert for businesses seeking legal representation. Her dedication to helping others and her outstanding legal skills make her one of the most prominent women lawyers to watch out for in the legal industry. Passion for Helping Michelle says, “I work with some of the tremendous people and companies in the world. I enjoy helping businesses grow and prosper by assisting them in ways to avoid so many of the possible pitfalls involved in commercial and employment matters.” She is committed to providing effective and zealous representation for her clients if issues arise. Her dedication to her work and clients has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and advocate. Her expertise in law and accounting and her passion for helping others make her a valuable asset to any business looking to navigate the complexities of employment and business matters. Expertise & Future Plans With more than 30 years of experience in business, employment negotiations, and litigation, Michelle is a highly regarded attorney who brings a unique perspective to her legal practice. Michelle actively assists her clients with developing and implementing appropriate employment policies and procedures, and frequently advises entities that are restructuring their businesses. She is also well-versed in federal and state employment laws and offers training programs to assist her clients in meeting ongoing compliance challenges. Michelle takes pride in providing personal service to each of her clients and aims to grow her firm over the next five years to serve a broader range of clients better. She also continues to mentor and assist female lawyers in their professional growth, recognizing the importance of lifting each other in the industry. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Michelle is poised to continue significantly impacting the legal field for years.

Michelle is a person who strongly believes in giving back to her community. She is guided by the philosophy “To whom much is given, much is expected” and is dedicated to her work and community. As well as managing her law firm, Michelle serves as the chair of the KNOWAutism Foundation, an organization focused on educating the public about autism and providing resources for families affected by it. Perspective on the Legal Sector and Legal Tech Michelle has a unique perspective on the legal sector's challenges and opportunities today. One major challenge she sees is the ever-mounting legal fees companies face as the number of lawsuits does not decrease. Employers must work with their clients to prevent lawsuits rather than simply defending them. Regarding the emerging trend of Legal Tech, Michelle believes that a balance must exist. Legal Tech can help lawyers be more efficient and effective, giving more time to focus on providing quality service to their clients. However, She also emphasizes the importance of personal relationships between lawyers and their clients. Advice for Aspiring Lawyers Michelle Bohreer has been practicing law for over 30 years. When asked about the advice that has impacted her leadership, she recalls a partner telling her that personal service is key to retaining clients. This advice has shaped her leadership style and has led her to prioritize understanding and meeting her client's needs and goals. For those who aspire to become lawyers, Michelle Bohreer suggests following their passion and not being discouraged by anyone. She advises to focus on gaining experience and studying hard in the first year to achieve a high-class rank. Rather than overly concerned with making money or getting a job at a big firm, she encourages aspiring lawyers to think long-term and focus on their ultimate goals.

Michelle's dedication to her work and clients has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and advocate.” CIO Women Magazine | 91

#Women in

Real Estate

Anne Gain 94

Anne Gain Real Estate Broker @properties A Sneak Peek into Education and Background With a strong educational background in marketing and public relations, Anne Gain recognized that the real estate industry would be an ideal match for her skill set. Additionally, her mother served as a motivating factor in her decision to pursue real estate, having been an agent for over 35 years. Anne Gain then attended Western Michigan University, graduating with a degree in public relations and marketing/journalism. Subsequently, Anne joined Stryker Corp. in their marketing department, where she stayed involved for many years. The Role and Responsibilities at @properties @properties/Christies International was founded in 2000. Anne Gain is a highly accomplished Real Estate Broker Associate, a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (GRI) and an Accredited Buyer's Agent (ABR) at @properties. The ABR certification is held by only 2% of Realtors nationwide and this speaks volumes to her expertise in the field. She is an exemplary professional with superior business acumen and impressive interpersonal capabilities. Her articulate communication style makes her a pleasure to work with. With over 28 years of experience, Anne joined @properties in 2013 when they expanded to Michigan. @properties/Christies International Real Estate has always been a vanguard in terms of technology, marketing, and advertising, one of the many reasons Anne is thoroughly dedicated to her role. Anne Gain is highly motivated and determined to expand her expertise as well as grow her business, with the same ambition as @properties/Christie's. Making the leap to @properties has proven to be the most impactful decision for her professional career, and she has no regrets. @properties is an authority in the field, and the integration of Christie's International now allows them to reach a global scale.

The owners of @properties/Christie's are extremely innovative, positive, and growth-centered individuals. The company's “Love” logo was custom designed for @properties/Christie's and serves as a wonderful motto to live by. The Master of the Trade Anne's expertise is found in understanding the nuances that go into finding the perfect home. She can walk clients through the intricacies of contract negotiations easily and thoroughly. Her knowledge of individual neighborhoods, markets, and value trends ensures that buyers make smart investments. Her network of contacts helps keep the transaction moving smoothly. The Achievement Corner Working for 28+ years in the real estate industry, Anne Gain has won many recognitions and awards for her performance, perseverance, and passion. When asked, if there is a book to be written on her life, and what will it be named, she stated, “A book would not be long enough for my life story. It would be better served as a Netflix Mini-Series.” Key Pieces of Advice Always remain constant with your level of integrity and discipline. Don't be afraid to ask others for guidance and always stay involved with your local Board and community. “I feel most of us can look back and say we could have done something different, etc. but that most certainly doesn't change where we are today. If I had one piece of advice I'd say, seize the moment and live for TODAY.” The Crucial Times of the Pandemic The pandemic brought so many changes and challenges for everyone. It was an extremely busy time for home sales as most have reported. Many buyers and sellers realized they can be productive working from home and this brought many clients from Chicagoland to the Michigan area. The increase in sales, coupled with lower interest rates made for a tremendous couple of years. The market is currently simmering but still highly active. She is fully committed to the community's lifestyle. Over the years, she has made the best use of her resources and provided for various social and civic organizations as a member.

CIO Women Magazine | 95

Ronda Conger

pursue information through various avenues. In the dynamic world of construction, adaptability and resourcefulness are prized qualities. Navigating Uncharted Waters

Ronda Conger Vice President CBH Homes Ronda Conger, Vice President at CBH Homes, radiating her brand of impactful leadership. Beyond her professional journey and community impact, Ronda Conger shares invaluable life lessons that have shaped her path. Her experiences, insights, and wisdom offer a roadmap for aspiring leaders and individuals seeking to make a difference. A Journey of Excellence CBH Homes embarked on a journey 31 years ago, crafting dreams into homes one by one. This commitment led the company to the pinnacle of the industry–the #1 home builder in Idaho and #48 nationwide. Its success is a testament to the power of word-of-mouth endorsement, a reflection of the satisfaction of homeowners who spread the word. With a thriving community of 25,000 homeowners, CBH Homes stands strong, propelled by collective efforts. Gratitude, humility, and amazement characterize its approach. It recognizes and appreciates every contribution—from those who wielded hammers to those who facilitated closings. Lesson 1: Seizing Opportunities A Lesson in Initiative Ronda's mantra is clear: Don't wait to be told what to do. Do it. Waiting for instructions is counterproductive. Instead, seize opportunities, initiate action, and make things happen. Ronda's experience teaches that true progress emerges when individuals actively engage, unafraid to take the lead. Another facet of the lesson: Don't wait to be trained or given all the information. Read, watch, find, and seek it out. Acquiring knowledge is not confined to formal training. Ronda advises relentless learning, urging individuals to

Guided by a mentor's wisdom, Ronda found herself in a new management role entrusted with establishing an entire division. The challenge was monumental: assemble a team, set up an office, and operationalize it in days. Armed with determination, Ronda embarked on the task. With a directive to hire specific roles and furnish the office, she embraced the challenge with open arms. The timeline was tight, and Ronda's solutionoriented approach propelled her forward. In the heart of Las Vegas, urgency filled the air. Ronda's commitment was firm. Over six intense days, she worked relentlessly, determined to meet the daunting deadline. The result? An office that was up and running with clockwork precision. Lesson 2: Saying Yes to the Unfamiliar “Say yes,” Ronda's second lesson encapsulates the courage to accept unfamiliar challenges. Ronda's narrative took an unforeseen turn when her stepmother steered her toward obtaining a real estate license. Despite initial reservations, Ronda embarked on the journey, unearthing unanticipated opportunities. An NFL Quarterback turned instructor suggested Ronda explore new home construction, but an initial reluctance led her to say “no.” However, life's twists often lead us back to the paths we initially resisted. Lesson 3: Be Ready for Anything As Ronda's journey unfolds, the lesson “Be ready for anything” resounds as a guiding principle that propelled her into a dynamic career, encapsulating resilience and adaptability. The Waiting Game As Ronda eagerly awaited the outcome of her interview with Hard Rock Cafe, a surprise call shook her path. Liesel Williams from KB Homes, a prominent national builder, contacted her based on a recommendation. The unforeseen opportunity illuminated the essence of being open to unexpected twists.

CIO Women Magazine | 97

A Serendipitous Meeting Liesel, aware of Teddy's endorsement, scheduled a coffee meetup. In those three hours, Liesel meticulously laid out the allure of New Home Construction – growth, impact, financial rewards, and boundless potential. However, Ronda remained steadfast, her initial plans divergent from this path. Embracing the Unexpected Again Despite her initial reservations, Ronda Conger was captivated by Liesel's insights and experiences. A connection blossomed despite Ronda's reservations about New Home Construction. Their coffee conversation was punctuated by an invitation to the KB Homes sales meeting – a gesture that would soon lead to a pivotal moment. Lesson 4: Stop Waiting For The Right Time Ronda's vital principle – “Stop waiting for the right conditions, the perfect opportunities.” This lesson underscores the power of initiative, reminding us that luck often finds us when we are diligently at work. The Quest for Excellence Ronda's journey continued to unfold as she delved into her role, immersing herself in every facet of the industry. Over the course of six years, she seized the opportunity to learn from the company's Owner and his son. Consumed by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, she voraciously read books on construction and attended conferences, all aimed at becoming an unparalleled expert in her field. Investing in Growth A pivotal point illuminated Ronda's path – her commitment to self-improvement. She firmly believed that pursuing knowledge didn't cease after formal education or landing a job. As others settled into complacency, Ronda Conger stood out by embracing a relentless pursuit of growth. The disparity between those who stop learning and those who continue to grow became evident, propelling her forward.

The Epitome of Success Two decades as Vice President of CBH Homes have been a testament to Ronda's unrelenting drive. The company's achievements under her guidance bear testament to her dedication: Ÿ Ranked as the #1 Builder in Idaho. Ÿ A formidable presence as the 45th largest builder in the nation. Ÿ A team composition of 70% women in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Ÿ Overseeing 300 remarkable CBH teammates. Ÿ Consistently voted as the Best Place to Work in Idaho for 13 consecutive years. Ÿ Earning the title of CBH Homes RoShamBo Tournament Champion. Ÿ Over 25,000 homes were built in 30 years.

Tracy Uttley 100

Tracy Uttley Real Estate Agent Realty Group

s the leader of a prominent real estate ﬁrm, Uttley has achieved unprecedented success and demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, earning this recognition.. Her accomplishments and innovative approach have not only impacted the local real estate market but also inspired countless aspiring professionals to follow in her footsteps.

However, during the challenging times of the pandemic, Uttley engaged in deep self-reflection, ultimately deciding to overcome her fear and pursue her dream job with unwavering determination. Despite facing multiple cancellations of her real estate exam due to Covid-19, Uttley's indomitable spirit led her to embark on a journey, emerging triumphant as she passed with flying colors. From Vision to Milestones Uttley had a clear vision in mind: to create creative marketing that stands out from the crowd. Her son, a talented filmmaker, returned home during the pandemic, lending his expertise to produce captivating videos that made waves on social media. She says, “Grateful for his assistance, I launched my business, forever indebted to his contribution.”

Uttley's journey in real estate has been marked by a series of remarkable achievements. Besides quickly becoming one of the top residential realtors in her area, under her leadership, her company, Uttley Real Estate brokered by Realty Group, has successfully undertaken several higher-proﬁle projects, including the sale of her ﬁrst large-scale commercial building. With an innate understanding of market trends and a keen eye for buying and selling opportunities, Uttley has consistently delivered exceptional results for her clients.

However, her approach didn't stop at captivating videos. Despite initial skepticism from her Business Coach, she had the courage to infuse her monthly E-Newsletter with personal touches. Sharing her passion for yoga and the inner strength it cultivated, Uttley touched the hearts of her readers. In a serendipitous turn of events, one recipient forwarded the Newsletter to a fellow yogi who ultimately entrusted Uttley with the sale of a remarkable $1.2 million property.

Exceptional Real Estate Experiences

Defying Stereotypes, Building Community

Led by Uttley, Uttley Real Estate brokered by Realty Group is a trusted real estate agency known for delivering exceptional service and satisfaction. With a focus on integrity and professionalism, the company guides clients through every step of their real estate journey.

Tracy Uttley's real estate ambitions transcend traditional transactions. She says, “I aspire to sell hotels and prove my worth in a male-dominated industry.” Determined to defy stereotypes, she harnesses the ﬁre within her to overcome challenges and showcase her capabilities.

Its personalized approach, market expertise, and commitment to client relationships set it apart. Uttley Real Estate's track record of success and positive reviews solidify its position as a premier agency dedicated to providing exceptional real estate experiences.

Her commitment to her community shines through her acts of kindness. When she discovered bare shelves at her local Food Shelf, she took immediate action. Organizing a neighborhood food drive, she rallied her generous neighbors, resulting in an outpouring of support.

In 2020, Tracy Uttley obtained her real estate license, marking a pivotal moment in her career. While she had successfully generated substantial proﬁts for others as a Sales and Marketing Director, she realized that she had not placed enough value on herself.

Word of the wise

Leading the Way in Real Estate

Do not wait for the right opportunity. Create them. After college, Uttley worked at the Hotel del Coronado, waiting on several celebrities, including Bruce Willis, who invited her to a party he hosted at the hotel. She has regretted not going, but she lacked self-conﬁdence.

Driven by an inspiring revelation, Uttley embarked on a transformative journey a few years ago when she realized the need for a career change. Although her longstanding aspiration was to work in real estate, an intense fear of rejection had held her back.

Tracy Uttley said she missed many other opportunities because of self-doubt.. For years she believed that there were a ﬁnite number of opportunities. However, she has since learned that the world changes every minute, and new opportunities show up daily. If you missed the last one, another is just around the corner.

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Maria Gaviria Maria Gaviria Maria Gaviria Maria Gaviria Maria Gaviria

Maria Gaviria Maria Gaviria

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Maria Gaviria Real Estate Agent Mega Realty International A Journey to the Dream The story of Maria Gaviria, the owner of Mega Realty International is one of resilience, hard work, and determination. Born in Colombia, she immigrated to the United States in 1991 with her two children. She settled in New York City and began working as an assistant for a lending broker. It was here that she got her ﬁrst taste of the real estate industry. In 2005, with her children grown up, she moved to Florida to start a new chapter in her life. Her daughter joined the New York Police Department, while her son decided to serve in the Army. As a single mother, Maria Gaviria had to ﬁnd a way to support herself. She decided to pursue her passion for real estate and started working as a real estate agent in Cape Coral, Florida. In 2008, Maria Gaviria decided to take her career to the next level. She founded Mega Realty International, a real estate brokerage focused on delivering exceptional service to clients. The brokerage quickly gained a reputation for its commitment to excellence and became one of the most successful in the area. Today, Mega Realty International continues to thrive under the leadership of Maria Gaviria. She has built a team of talented agents who share her passion for real estate and her commitment to providing clients with the best possible service.

A Journey of Accomplishments Through her dedication to continuous learning and improvement, the real estate broker has become a trusted and knowledgeable resource for her clients. She is able to provide them with expert guidance and support throughout the buying or selling process, ensuring that they achieve their real estate goals with conﬁdence and ease. Overall, her commitment to education and professional development is a testament to her passion for the real estate industry and her dedication to providing the best possible service to her clients. As a result, she has earned a reputation as a leader in the industry and a go-to source for all things related to real estate. Mega Realty International Mega Realty International specializes in residential real estate, representing both buyers and sellers in a wide range of real estate transactions. The company is primarily focused on the sale of properties within Lee County, where they have established a strong presence and reputation as a trusted and reliable real estate brokerage. To better serve their clients, Mega Realty International is connected with three MLS systems: Royal Palm MLS, Miami RE MLS, and Charlotte County MLS. This allows them to access a broader range of properties and provide their clients with the most up-to-date information on the local real estate market. With a growing number of clients, Mega Realty International has expanded their reach to include international buyers and sellers, with a particular focus on the Hispany market. In 2021, the company successfully closed 319 deals, and in 2022, they closed 258 deals, a testament to their expertise and commitment to providing top-notch service. Word of the Wise

What is Your Inspiration You Ask?

Maria Gaviria's Advice to the Budding Entrepreneurs

Maria Gaviria says,

“Maria Gaviria's advice to new entrepreneurs in this ﬁeld is to always strive to learn and improve. This is not a job where you can simply coast along and expect to succeed. It requires constant eﬀort and dedication to staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the industry.

As a leader, I try to set an example by always maintaining a positive attitude and looking for opportunities to grow and improve. I believe that by promoting a culture of positivity, productivity and creativity can be maximized, and everyone can achieve their full potential. “I think at the end of the day inspiration to me means creating an environment that fosters positivity and motivates everyone to achieve their goals. It is a powerful tool that can unlock the potential of individuals and teams, leading to success and growth in any industry.”

For Maria Gaviria, the foundation of success in this career is preparation and constant improvement. It is important to work hard every single day and strive to provide the best possible service to clients. Putting the needs of clients ﬁrst is paramount, and this means ensuring they are happy with their investments and that their ﬁnancial and personal interests are protected.

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Natalie VanOyen

104

Natalie VanOyen Associate Broker RE/MAX Classic

atalie VanOyen, an Associate Broker at RE/MAX Classic. Natalie has risen through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional skills and a genuine commitment to helping individuals navigate the complexities of real estate. She is highly regarded for her outstanding results and ability to guide and support clients through every step of their real estate journey. Her exceptional leadership and dedication make her an inspiring ﬁgure and a true role model for aspiring women leaders in the real estate industry. Journey into Real Estate Natalie embarked on her journey in real estate, driven by her passion for working with people and positively impacting their lives. While attending college, Natalie initially found employment at a bank, and her dedication and skills led to a promotion in the mortgage department. During her time in the mortgage department, she had the opportunity to interact with individuals seeking assistance with their mortgage needs. These encounters profoundly impacted her, fueling her desire to provide meaningful help to those navigating the complexities of real estate. Elevating Real Estate Experiences Specializing in various aspects of the real estate market, including residential and condominium sales, new construction, luxury homes, and more, the company has the knowledge, experience, and commitment to deliver the desired results. Natalie's team of professionals boasts a range of valued credentials, ensuring their clients receive top-notch service. They bring expertise to every transaction from ABR and CRS to SFR and SRES. With a strong presence in Livingston, Oakland & Northern Washtenaw Counties continues serving the community excellently in real estate services. Success through Happy Clients When Natalie VanOyen founded the company, her vision was simply to make enough money and savings to retire by 40. Her

focus was not on becoming the top agent or achieving impressive sales numbers. Instead, she aimed for the satisfaction of having happy, successful clients and financial stability to meet her personal needs. Natalie believed prioritizing her client's needs and working diligently could achieve her financial security and early retirement goals. However, her philosophy centers on putting clients first, considering their satisfaction as the ultimate measure of success. While awards and accolades may be an excellent addition, she finds fulfillment in providing exceptional service and helping more clients achieve their real estate goals. Impressive Achievements Natalie's real estate business has thrived over the years, solidifying its position with substantial revenue and a loyal clientele base. With a remarkable track record and a wealth of experience spanning over 24 years, Natalie has garnered numerous accolades and recognitions. She is a recipient of prestigious awards such as the Top 500 of Oakland County Award, RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award, and HOUR Magazine's “Best of the Best” Award, and consistently ranks among the top 5% of Realtors in Metro Detroit. Natalie's commitment to excellence has also earned her the esteemed RE/MAX Platinum Award. Education, Expertise, and Entrepreneurial Outlook Natalie believes being open to learning is the cornerstone of her success in shaping her enterprise. She recognizes the importance of continuous education and growth to keep up with the industry's changes. Her educational background has equipped her with the knowledge and adaptability to navigate the dynamic real estate landscape effectively. She started her journey right out of high school and still has many years to contribute to her profession. To budding entrepreneurs, Natalie VanOyen offers a few words of advice. She emphasizes that success in any career, including real estate, requires time, hard work, and perseverance. Long hours and financial challenges are inevitable, but the rewards are worth it for those who stay committed. Natalie encourages celebrating small and significant milestones along the journey, acknowledging that growth and achievements often start modestly. Quote “Throughout the years, Natalie's business has experienced a consistent upward trajectory, marked by continuous growth and an expanding client base.”

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Alissa Lightman Alissa Lightman

106

Alissa Lightman Real Estate Broker The Lightman Group

dependable and trustworthy experience, guiding them through the intricate landscape of real estate with conﬁdence. Acknowledging the inherent complexities within the industry, the team at The Lightman Group is deeply committed to relieving its clients of the burdensome intricacies. Impact on Leadership

n the bustling realm of real estate, where innovation and expertise intertwine, Alissa Lightman is one name that stands out as a beacon of inspiration and leadership. As the dynamic Real Estate Broker and visionary CEO of The Lightman Group, Alissa has propelled the company to unparalleled heights through her unwavering dedication and innovative strategies.

In her formative years, Alissa's grandmother bestowed upon her a piece of wisdom that would leave an indelible mark not only on her leadership journey but on her very essence. One particular day, Alissa found herself grappling with a challenging math problem, on the brink of surrendering to frustration. Sensing her inner turmoil, her grandmother oﬀered words that would resonate deeply within her: “You get what you work for. Focus on the process, not the result.”

A Trailblazer's Tale Exceeding Expectations Alissa Lightman's remarkable journey toward becoming the inﬂuential business leader she is today traces its roots back to her parents, both esteemed academics. With her father's background in sports medicine and her mother's expertise as a family doctor and OB/GYN, education held a paramount place in Alissa's family. Driven by a desire to make her parents proud, she dedicated herself to rigorous study and hard work. Born in Moscow, Alissa's life took an early turn when she moved to Jordan at the tender age of three. Returning to Russia later, she pursued her education in international communications, specializing in teaching languages at her alma mater, Voronezh State University. While in college, Alissa worked with various embassies to help represent the countries to the public through theatrics and art, but it was the United States that held a special place in her heart – a lifelong dream she couldn't resist. The Foundation of Aspirations Her mission revolves around the commitment to equip individuals with the essential tools, resources, and transparency they need to turn their real estate dreams into reality, and in doing so, reaching their goals. For Alissa, the profound impact she envisions goes beyond just successful ventures—it's about empowering others to achieve their aspirations and build a future of their own making. A Dependable and Trustworthy Experience In 2019, The Lightman Group came into existence, setting its sights on a vision that has remained steadfast ever since. From the very beginning, its mission has been to oﬀer clients a

The Lightman Group caters to a significant clientele seeking not merely properties but a complete lifestyle. Understanding the importance of visualizing and realizing its clients' visions, the company prides itself on providing personalized and comprehensive assistance. Among the clientele, a substantial portion comprises returning investors, second homebuyers, and referrals, a testament to the trust and satisfaction they inspire. With an impressive revenue last year, The Lightman Group stands tall, reflecting its dedication to excellence and proficiency in meeting its clients' diverse needs. Charting a Bright Future With a focus on progress and innovation, The Lightman Group consistently seeks to expand and enhance its range of services. A notable initiative in this pursuit is the development of a comprehensive schooling and coaching program aimed at accelerating the onboarding process for real estate agents, equipping them with industry expertise at a rapid pace. As the real estate market continues to grow and evolve, this program offers a valuable opportunity to educate more agents, ultimately enabling them to serve clients with increased speed and efficiency. Parting Words “Failure is as important to your dreams as success is. Don't be afraid to make mistakes so long as you learn from them.”

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108

Kathy Colville

Kathy Colville Owner Kathy Colville and Associates Where did the journey begin? Kathy Colville is a successful realtor with over 37 years of experience in the industry. Her journey as a real estate agent began in 1986, shortly after deciding to sell her condo and move into a single-family home with her first husband and two small children. Kathy decided to become a licensed real estate agent to stay current with the housing market. After completing the required courses and passing the exam, Kathy Colville joined Town and Country Real Estate firm, where she quickly learned that holding open houses was the best way to attract buyers. She held open houses for any home in the first-time buyer's price range and soon had her first client, which led to her becoming a full-time professional realtor. Her hard work and dedication earned her the Rookie of the Year award and a spot in the DAAR Million Dollar Club. In 2018, Kathy Colville joined Century 21 Redwood Realty, which provided her with the cutting-edge real estate technology needed to adapt to the ever-changing industry. Her dedication and hard work earned her five Double Centurian awards with C21 Realty and a spot in the Top 500 Realtors in the Northern Virginia area. She is also one of the top 1% of realtors in the country, holding a position in the Top 5 Real Estate Companies in the United States and number 1 in Virginia. Even during the pandemic, Kathy Colville's team continued to thrive by adapting to virtual appointments, video showings, and maintaining excellent communication throughout the process with families. In 2020 and 2021, her team had two of their best years yet. Defining Work-Life Balance In her 37 years of experience in the real estate industry, Kathy has learned to maintain a healthy work-life balance. She understands the importance of spending time with her family and makes a conscious effort to take time off work for that purpose.

However, Kathy Colville's passion for her work ensures that even while at work, it never feels like work. Kathy's dedication to her clients has helped her build long-lasting relationships with them, and they have become more than just business associates but also friends. Spending time with them is not only a pleasure but also a part of her job that she thoroughly enjoys. The Game Changer Kathy Colville and Associates LLC (KCA) is a renowned real estate team , consisting of of seven experienced realtors and two full-time assistants. With a mission to keep clients for life, the firm has earned a reputation for its high level of professionalism and communication. The KCA team understands that buying or selling a property can be an overwhelming experience, and thus, they strive to provide their clients with the best possible experience. They work closely with clients to understand their needs and provide customized solutions that meet their unique requirements. The team's's commitment to keeping clients for life is evident in the exceptional service they provide. The team goes above and beyond to ensure that their clients are satisfied with their services, and they make sure to maintain communication throughout the buying or selling process. KCA has a proven track record of success, with numerous satisfied clients who have referred the team to their friends and family. The team's's success can be attributed to its core values, which include honesty, integrity, and a commitment to excellence. Long-standing success Kathy Colville and Associates LLC, with a reputation for excellence, has enjoyed long-standing success thanks to its unwavering commitment to treating clients like family. With a philosophy centered on respect, the team of realtors treats each client's money and decisions as if they were their own, and stays in touch long after the transaction is complete to offer continued value. Setting it apart To stay abreast of the evolving trends and technologies, Kathy Colville and Associates incorporates technology into its offerings. The firm leverages various tools and platforms to provide its clients with innovative solutions and better services. By adopting new technologies, Kathy Colville and Associates remains competitive and able to deliver the best results to its clients. Kathy adds, “We have a growing social media presence in all areas. All forms are now online, and sent for signatures electronically, which allows for more growth.”

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Tamra Wade 110

Tamra Wade Realtor Tamra Wade Team

E/MAX TRU cultivates a team-like environment while giving its agents the individual attention needed to jumpstart and elevate their businesses. The Tamra Wade Team's Brokerage sets the gold standard for sales, marketing, operations, and training. Its primary focus is positioning its customers in a way that connects with homebuyers on an emotional level. The team operates on a strong moral code and loves what it does. They are a bunch of talented and dedicated professionals working for the overall growth of the company. This is the diﬀerence that brings them continued success. Meet the Award-Winning Leader A passionate and highly motivated personality, Tamra Wade is the Founder and Broker for the #1 RE/MAX team in Georgia and the #4 RE/MAX U.S. team in 2022. As a member of NAMAR, WOAMTEC, and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (including the Sales and Marketing Council Atlanta and Professional Women in Building – Atlanta Chapter), Tamra works hard to stay involved in the industry and community to remain relevant and connected with builders and other real estate teams. Tamra is a dynamic Team Leader with a business strategy that has consistently landed her team in the highest of rankings. Tamra and her team have received multiple awards and recognition recently for being one of the top sales teams in both the metro Atlanta area and the state of Georgia. Some of the achievements include: Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ

#4 Owner-Owned RE/MAX Brokerage in the U.S. 2022 2023 RealTrends' “The Thousand” Rankings – #53 & #64 2022 Mega Team Top Producer with Northeast Atlanta Metro Association of Realtors 2019 Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association OBIE Award – Sales Manager of the Year 2022/2023 Co-Host of American Dream TV- EMMY Nominated TV Show that highlights 400 of the most powerful agents in the country Featured in Atlanta Agent Magazine- Who's Who 2022.

Success is a Measure of Holistic Development The long-standing success of Tamra Wade's Team real estate brokerage can be attributed to a combination of factors. Firstly, it prioritizes customer satisfaction by providing exceptional service

and tailoring its approach to meet the unique needs of each client. Its team of experienced and dedicated agents consistently goes the extra mile to ensure a smooth and positive real estate experience. Secondly, the company has built strong relationships within the industry, collaborating with reliable partners, and establishing a vast network of contacts. This allows it to access a wide range of properties and potential buyers, enabling it to find the best matches for the clients. Tamra Wade Team's commitment to staying up-todate with market trends, technological advancements, and industry best practices has given it a competitive edge. This ensures that it can offer innovative solutions and valuable insights to its clients, making informed decisions in the dynamic real estate landscape. About RE/MAX TRU RE/MAX TRU's brokerage specializes in new construction opportunities and maintains strong relationships with Atlanta builders. In addition to specializing in new construction, its resale agents are proficient with their clients in their home buying and selling transactions from starter homes to luxury homes as well. The company aims to grow continuously by adding more value to its existing offerings. It implements key developments to stand out from the competition and offers individual agents exclusive lead generation services, giving them a competitive edge in the market. The company's leadership is helmed by a respected industry figure with extensive market experience and trusted relationships. Agents benefit from mentoring, coaching, and administrative support, allowing them to grow and succeed in their careers. Integrating Technology for Best Experience and Performance RE/MAX TRU strives to leverage the latest technologies and innovative tools to enhance its offerings and provide an exceptional experience to its clients. Here's how it incorporates technology into its services: Ÿ Advanced Property Search Ÿ Virtual Tours and 3D Imaging Ÿ Digital Transaction Management Ÿ Digital Transaction Management Ÿ Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software Ÿ Online Marketing and Advertising Ÿ In-House Marketing and Social Media Ÿ Home Valuation Tools Ÿ Virtual Meetings and Consultation Tamra: A Team Player As a founder and leader, Tamra has a close-knit team that she is extremely fond of. She guides her employees through the many crests and troughs they face and provides them with the autonomy to make decisions. She makes it a point to tell them that she trusts them and has their back always. When personal situations come up that are outside of the company's agent and employee handbooks, she works to find a solution that is a win-win for all that are involved. She loves to see people grow and she always wants everyone to know there are growth opportunities. And, if they scratch her back, she will scratch theirs. The skies are the limit.

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Irene Allegro 112

Irene's Professional Journey

Irene Allegro ALLEGRO AGENCY REALTORS

Tamra Wade Team

rene Allegro has been the Broker/Owner of Allegro Agency Realtors since it opened in 1984. In addition to being the Broker, her designations include Realtor Emeritus & SRES, Senior Real Estate Specialist. Irene Allegro is the recipient of the NJAR Silver Circle of Excellence in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Recently Irene was elected to a full term as a Director for the Oceanview Condominiums in Avon. As the author of “Let's Talk Real Estate” for a local newspaper, Irene shares her insights and advice on the Real Estate Marketplace. Long-Standing Success of Allegro Agency Realtors Irene's total commitment to helping her clients seamlessly through the exciting journey of buying or selling Real Estate has developed into trusting relationships spanning over three generations. A dedicated proponent of excellence in the Real Estate industry, her Brokerage is constantly evolving to the needs and challenges of today's business world. The internet, social media, and new technology have changed the face of Real Estate forever. Irene Allegro believes that you must not only be aware of the changing world but must embrace and master it. Anything less would be a disservice to those who rely upon own you for the highest level of service. Gaining the respect of her clients, staﬀ, and other professionals through trust, honesty, experience, and above all, hard work has always been her modus operandi for the past 50 years.

A lifelong resident of Monmouth County, Irene Allegro got her start in Real Estate back in 1972, when she was hired as a part-time secretary for Fred Fitzgerald, Broker of Fitzgerald Realtors, at the age of 23. That event changed her life forever. As Irene Allegro began learning the business from the ground up. Fred predicted that one day she would not only be successful but be a leading agent at the top of her game. When she went on to pursue her real estate license, he told her, “Listen, learn and go out there. You have what it takes. Sure enough, Irene Allegro would find fast success in real estate, completing 9 transactions within her first week as an agent. When Fred asked her how she did that, she responded, “Well, you told me to”. Within her first few years, she climbed to the Million Dollar Club, back when the average price home was $25000. The rest is history. Irene's take on the competition in the market and how she handles it. Rather than focusing on the so-called “competition”, Irene Allegro remains focused on the proven standards that have set her apart, “I hate the word mediocre. Instead, I want everything to be absolutely perfect for anyone trusting me with one of the most important decisions of their lives. I am filled with pride and joy to see my clients cross the finish line.” “Competing? I always want to win. I go into every circumstance respecting my competitors but aggressively focused on winning. If I walk into a room, I intend to walk out of it, the winner” What Irene Allegro advises Senior and Established Men & Women? My advice to seniors all over is that age is just a number. Don't let anyone tell you that you should retire or that you should stop. I actually considered that 5 years ago, and my first boss and incredible mentor, Fred said “Absolutely not, the best is yet to come”. And he was so right, these last 5 years have been the best of my 50. Not only am I fortunate to be in great health, but my visionary and mentor, Fred, is still the wind beneath my wings”. “I still feel 23 and ready to list another 9 homes.” Just go out there and do it”

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Jeya Jeyakanthan 114

Adored by All Presently, Jeya is working as an independent agent for Royal Lepage Ignite Realty. She is loved by all her clients, thanks to her honesty, upfront approach, and personal touch on projects. With her direct approach and integrity, she provides her best services to each of her clients, enhancing their lives in the process. This continuous dedication toward her work is the secret recipe to her client retention and plenty of referrals.

Jeya Jeyakanthan Founder & CEO

Lucky Exclusive Estate

Vision tied up with Growth Expanding on her vision for the future, Jeya Jeyakanthan says that she is laser-focused on growing her business to the next level. She aims to achieve this by emphasizing more on the development side of the real estate industry. Humanitarian Endeavors

The Journey leading up to Success Point Jeya Jeyakanthan is a very well-informed and hardworking woman based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. After gaining a vast experience of over a decade in the corporate world, she decided it was time to explore her other interests. Thus, in 2016, Jeya started studying real estate part-time, while simultaneously fulﬁlling her motherly duties of taking care of both of her kids. Eventually, in 2018, she got hold of her general real estate license and built a giant network across the real estate industry in a blink of an eye. Striking the right balance with Devotion In 2020, Jeya Jeyakanthan obtained her license and started taking steps toward becoming a real estate broker. Interestingly enough, her oﬃcial journey commenced in 2021 as she started being a full-time broker. After gathering more experience in the industry, Jeya Jeyakanthan understood the importance of a great work-life balance. As a result, she precisely split her time to manage her professional and personal interests.

Making strides in the real estate industry, Jeya also does a lot of philanthropic work. Alongside her professional prowess, helping people in need is one of her visions. Through charity, she supports causes like animal welfare, arts and culture, disaster and humanitarian relief, education, environment, politics, and social services. Enunciating her views on philanthropy and charity, Jeya says, “We send all of our proﬁts made abroad to charities. Speciﬁcally, we support orphanages, people with disabilities, and women and children in need.” Striving to become the Industry Benchmark Jeya Jeyakanthan starts her day with the thought of conquering the corporate world. All of her spare time is dedicated to achieving that goal diligently. She loves challenging herself to be the best version of herself. A big believer in dreaming big, she wants to be 'the benchmark' of the real estate brokers in the city. To motivate the budding with her humble words, Jeya says that if she can do it, anybody can.

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Kathy May-Martin Kathy May-Martin Kathy May-Martin Kathy May-Martin Kathy May-Martin

Kathy May-Martin Kathy May-Martin

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The Suite of Products and Services of Coldwell Banker Jim Henry & Associates

Kathy May-Martin Broker Kathy May-Martin

The company specializes in Commercial, Residential, Property Management, Relocation, Vacation Rentals, Luxury properties, Family Estates, Farms, Equestrian, and Lakefront Properties in the East Tennessee Area. Having the Experience of over 50 years in the business the ﬁrm knows that the market and its customers' needs are ever evolving and that they must embrace change, constantly look for newer and better ways to do business and be on the constant search for new opportunities that the competition may have overlooked.

Meet Kathy May-Martin Kathy May-Martin is an award-winning real estate powerhouse who has been featured on the cover of Top100 People in Real Estate Magazine in 2021, Two Time Cover of Top Agent Tennessee Magazine, 2022 Best in Real Estate Magazine, 2023 featured in both Cover of Top Executive Magazine and the cover story Top agent Magazine and appeared numerous times in Knoxville VIP Realtor Issue. She Lives by her Motto… I Guarantee My Personal Best! Being at the helm of the organization, Kathy tries her very best to incorporate all of these qualities to ensure a seamless experience to her customers. As someone in a leadership role at the company, Kathy is always looking out for the future and well-being of her staff and associates. Along with it, she also makes sure that she is creating a long-term working relationship with everyone. Kathy's Journey at Coldwell Banker Jim Henry & Associates When Kathy first joined the company, the initial challenge was growth. When she joined, the company had 6 agents in a small building with just 2 small offices with 3 desks. “In order to grow we had to have space to grow, we purchased a property in town with great visibility and are now up to close to 50 Agents and have purchased 2 adjoining properties to continue our future growth and expansion of services.”, she says. Kathy May-Martin and her team developed a culture and environment for the office where the staff, and agents would experience a high level of mentorship. They provided their team with all the right tools they would need to succeed. Kathy also made sure that she developed a creative work space.

Taking a step forward, Kathy says, “We look for tools and products that will simplify any process and save time and money for our consumers and agents. We then research the products and research reviews, look for trial subscriptions, then test the product. If the product is user friendly, meets our standards of simplifying the process and is feasible, then and only then will we introduce the product to our agents and our consumers.” Women's Corner 1. Whom do you look up to as a source of inspiration and why? Dolly Parton, a great businesswoman and a voice for so many women. She has overcome adversities and no doubt overcame many obstacles in her life and career but stayed true to her roots and aspired and achieved to make a diﬀerence in the life of others all while being an amazing businesswoman and enjoying a successful career. 2. Beyond the cabin, how do you ensure a perfect work-life balance? As women we must have a balance in life to be successful, giving 110% at work when we are at work, but leaving work at the doorstep of the cabin and keeping work conversations separate from family as much as possible. Most importantly making valuable time for myself to recalibrate on an as-needed basis. 3. What would be your advice to the aspiring women entrepreneurs? Don't look back, only look ahead. The future is yours!!! Ceilings are only there if you look for them!

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BRI PEACOCK 118

4. How have your personal life experiences inﬂuenced the entrepreneur in you?

Bri Peacock Owner Ora Designs

“There has never been a plan B.” Bri believes it gave her the unwavering determination to persevere and keep ﬁghting to succeed even though there were a million reasons she should have given up. Having no safety net or security to fall back on in life can be terrifying, but it also means that doing whatever it takes to make it was her only option. So, no matter what, Bri kept going. 5. If your life story was a book, what would it be called, and why? “If I can make it, so can you”

1. What was the vision of your company when you started? Bri wanted to make everything around her beautiful, from the inside and out. Her objective was to rewrite the current industry narrative by developing a more approachable, inclusive, and innovative approach to design and renovation. Initially, she wanted to be able to scale Ora Designs to the point where it generated 6 figures in revenue and could service three to five clients at once. 2. Growth trajectory over the years: Bri says, she is endlessly grateful that her business has consistently surpassed its growth trajectory as well as business averages. 3. What is the reason behind your company's long-standing success? Jesus, Starbucks, and Good vibes, Bri said jokingly. On a more serious note, she thinks a company is only as good as its team, and feels hers is absolutely phenomenal. They treat their clients and their homes as they would their own and truly value every person the work with. The team at Ora Designs counts it both an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity to work on people's homes. The staff that Ora employs put their heart and soul into the company, just like Bri does. And Bri full heartedly believes that she and Ora wouldn't be where or what they are without each one of her team members.

In a humble yet encouraging response, Bri says “I have lived a life riddled with an exceptional amount of traumatic events that have been exceptionally severe. If it can break your heart, chances are it's broken mine. I myself am a very ordinary person with no special gifts or talents so if I can make it past what I've come from I believe with my entire being that everyone else can too.” 6. Future Plans: Ora Designs hopes to expand its cabinet and countertop division, remodeling services, and furniture department in the near future. There will also be an investing arm dedicated to real estate. Bri says it would be great if we had AirBnBs, flipped a few motels into themed unique stays, and had a handful of venues to really get our event styling division off the ground. Bri's most ambitious vision for the Ora Designs' future is a large destination complex with an incredible amount of some of the most exciting features we've heard lately. She's keeping it a secret for now but we can tell you her plans include a vineyard, greenhouse library complete with cats, and a whole lot more. Bri's early years were fraught with difficulties. She needed to get creative and find a way to make enough extra money to make her dream of starting Ora Designs a reality. And that's exactly what she did. How? To fund the launch of Ora Designs, Bri utilized her baking skills, selling custom birthday cakes on Facebook temporarily. As a solo entrepreneur without a partner or investors, she learned to manage every aspect, building her own website while promoting her work on social media. Despite starting with the goal of earning extra income, Bri reinvested Ora Designs' growth capital for expansion. Juggling a full-time marketing job for four years, she gradually expanded the business, opening a physical location and acquiring a company van. In five years, Ora Designs evolved from a one-person operation to a thriving team, navigating the challenges with determination and learning along the way. Despite unexpected growth, Bri values the lessons and the supportive team she now leads.

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Comen o Magazine

w w w . c i o w o m e n m a g a z i n e . c o m