12th Annual Breakfast Inspired Women Lead Tuesday, February 2 8:30 - 10:15 AM
BRIT FITZPATRICK Executive Director, Blue North
MARY MILLER CEO, JANCOA
MOLLY NORTH President & CEO, Al. Neyer
CATRENA BOWMAN-THOMAS Executive Director, NKCAC MODERATOR
Here’s to making every day in Northern Kentucky the best it can be.
PNC is proud to sponsor the NKY Chamber Women’s Initiative - to inspire professional women in the Tri-State area to connect, grow and achieve. Every day, in countless ways, the NKY Chamber is making this a great place to live, work and play.
©2019 The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. All rights reserved. PNC Bank, National Association. Member FDIC CON PDF 0618-0106
WELCOME/COMMITTEE
Welcome from the 12th Annual Breakfast Committee Welcome to the Women’s Initiative 12th Annual Breakfast sponsored by PNC. We are grateful for your participation today to gather virtually and fulfill the Women’s Initiative mission of helping professional women to Connect, Grow and Achieve. While the past 10 months have been anything but ordinary, we are inspired by the resiliency and dedication of so many women in the business community throughout this challenging time. The strength, commitment and vibrancy of the Women’s Initiative has also been demonstrated by continuing to offer meaningful platforms that provide connection in this work from home environment, professional development in the absence of conferences and personal interaction in lieu of physical meetings. Please check out the many opportunities to Connect, Grow and Achieve at: NKYChamber.com/WomensInitiative. Thank you for joining us virtually and for continuing to support the Women’s Initiative and the NKY Chamber of Commerce. Stay Safe and Be Well! - Barbara Johnson, WI Annual Breakfast Chair
2020-21 Women’s Initiative Annual Breakfast Committee Barbara Johnson, Committee Chair Wells Fargo Advisors
Sarah Haung Clark Schaefer Hackett
Gina Bath NKY Chamber of Commerce
Brittany Lawrence Clark Schaefer Hackett
Catrena Bowman-Thomas, Vice Chair NKY Community Action Commission
Margot McDonald The Kable Group
Allyson Cook ERIGO Employer Solutions
Melissa Lutz Champlin Architecture
Elizabeth Day YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
Allison Owens Designs Direct, LLC
Megan Elfers Close the Loop
Melissa Hall Sommer Brighton Center, Inc
Beth Farrer NKY Chamber of Commerce
Tracy Stokes Gateway Community & Technical College
Blanche Gaynor Writing Enhancement Services, LLC
Shannon Wong Shannon Wong Photography
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE 12th ANNUAL BREAKFAST
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EMCEE Kathrine Nero is a freelance journalist and media personality with more than 20 years’ experience in the Tri-State. She is an award-winning news anchor and reporter who has worked in television, digital, sports, podcasting and most recently, social media. Watch her Facebook Lives for the Cincinnati Enquirer Monday-Friday at 10am. She is a frequent contributor to the NKY Chamber, and co-hosts the Chamber’s podcast, NKY Spotlight on Facebook Live, Monday’s at 4 PM. Kathrine Nero Media Personality
Kathrine lives in NKY with her husband and two daughters and-even as a transplant-is one of the area’s biggest fans.
Learn from the Best
CONNECTING + EMPOWERING BUSINESSWOMEN TO REALIZE THEIR FULL POTENTIAL SMALL GROUP COACHING SESSIONS
GAIN CAREER INSIGHTS
MAKE NEW CONNECTIONS
Save Your Spot 02.22.2021 10:00am-11:30am
Free Registration bizjournals.com/mentoringmonday
#mentoringmonday JOIN US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @BusinessCourier
PROGRAM Networking via Zoom Sponsored by: Wells Fargo Advisors Notre Dame Academy Honor Choir Kelsey Chandler, Director Welcome and Introduction Barbara Moran Johnson, Wells Fargo Advisors Chair, Women’s Initiative Annual Breakfast Event Overview Kathrine Nero, Media Personality Emcee Message from Women’s Initiative Steering Chair Geralyn Isler, Business Benefits Insurance Solutions Message from President Brent Cooper, NKY Chamber Sponsor Recognition Kathrine Nero, Emcee Title Sponsor Welcome Kay Geiger, PNC Bank Overview of Women’s Initiative Program Kathrine Nero, Emcee 2021 Debbie Simpson Spirit of Achievement Award Sponsored by: C-Forward Dana Dobbs, Citi Presented by: Dale Silver, C-Forward Nonprofit Recipient Sponsored by: CIVISTA Bank DCCH Center for Children & Families Presented by: Kevin Garrett, CIVISTA Bank Message from Community Leaders - What Inspires You to Lead? Sylvia Buxton, Perfetti van Melle, USA Mary Lynn Brunemann, St. Elzabeth Healthcare Foundation Debra Vance, Covington Independent Schools Natalie Ruppert, Kenton County Public Library Tarita Preston, The Curated Coach Keynote Presentation - Inspired Women Lead Sponsored by: Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP Brit Fitzpatrick, Blue North Mary Miller, JANCOA Molly North, Al. Neyer Catrena Bowman-Thomas, NKY Community Action Commisssion Women in History Tracy Stokes, Gateway Community & Technical College Conclusion Kathrine Nero, Emcee Notre Dame Academy Honor Choir Kelsey Chandler, Director
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE 12th ANNUAL BREAKFAST
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DEBBIE SIMPSON SPIRIT OF ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE The Women’s Initiative of the NKY Chamber of Commerce was created to inspire area businesswomen in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati to connect, grow and achieve. The Spirit of Achievement award honors women who have made a significant impact upon the progress of the Women’s Initiative, had career success and been active in the community. In 2018, the award name was changed to the Debbie Simpson Spirit of Achievement Award. The Women’s Initiative is proud to recognize Dana Dobbs as the recipient of the 2021 Debbie Simpson Spirit of Achievement Award, presented by C-Forward.
2021 Debbie Simpson Spirit of Achievement Honoree Dana Dobbs HR Communications/Change Management Manager, Citi Dana Dobbs, HR Communications & Change Management Manager at Citi, is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati. She routinely provides human resources process and systems support, leads change management strategy initiatives, and partners with businesses to drive strategic initiatives. In addition to performing her duties at Citi, Dobbs is a long-time advocate of the WI. She’s been serving on the Grow Mentoring Committee since 2012 and is the committee’s Immediate Past Chair. She is also an active member of the Campbell County High School Band Boosters organization which helps with fundraising for the Band. Finally, Dobbs sings in the choir and participates on the Women’s Mission group at her church. “I am humbled and honored to be presented with this award,” said Dobbs. “My involvement with the Women’s Initiative has been so rewarding. I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the most inspiring women of all career stages working toward business and professional success.”
We make IT all work together
C-Forward is honored to support the mission of the NKY Chamber Women’s Initiative.
Congratulations to
Dana Dobbs
for winning the 2021 Debbie Simpson Spirit of Achievement Award. We are proud of her commitment and contributions to the WI. CForward.com
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PERSONAL.
859.442.7877
PROACTIVE.
@CForwardIT
RELIABLE.
WOMEN IN HISTORY Eugenia B. Farmer 1835-1924
Photo: NKY Tribune
Eugenia organized the Kenton County Equal Rights Association (ERA) in early 1888 and then helped establish the Kentucky Equal Rights Association in November 1888, serving as the first Corresponding Secretary. Their work led to some success in the new state constitution of 1891, which included language to allow the General Assembly to pass laws for limited woman suffrage for municipal and other elections. In the Fall 1895 municipal elections, Covington, Newport and Lexington made state (and national) history, allowing black and white women the ability to vote in school board elections. In 1897, the Kentucky ERA held its first state convention in Covington, and again in 1901 and 1902. Living until 1924, Eugenia was able to see women gain the ability to vote in national elections before her death.
Hannah Hume Baird 1939-2004 Hannah’s life is a shining example of public service, activism, and dedication to improving the lives of women. She served on President Carter’s Advisory Council on Economic Opportunity for Women and as chair of the Kentucky’s Women’s Political Caucus and the Kentucky Commission on Women. She was also instrumental in restoring and establishing the historic Dinsmore Homestead in Boone County, Kentucky.
Photo: KY Commisson On Women
Della M. Lewis Jones 1903-2009
Photo: NKY Tribune
Della Jones was the oldest African American librarian in Kentucky, the oldest alumna of Kentucky State University, and the oldest resident in Grant County, Kentucky. Della was a teacher in a segregated school in Boone County until she was forced to resign after schools were integrated, at which point she became a librarian in Owen County High School for the next 37 years.
Aileen McCarthy 1886-1982 After graduating from LaSalette in 1905, Aileen went on to study at the Cincinnati Art Academy. There, her talents won her scholarships, and she studied under many great artists including renowned artist Frank Duveneck. After Duveneck’s death in 1919, McCarthy grew her career, gradually emerging as one of the pre-eminent teaching artists in Northern Kentucky. She taught at LaSalette, then turned to her own career of painting portraits and teaching in her upstairs studio. She never married, but remained active in the community for the rest of her life. Aileen taught generations of artists in Northern Kentucky, many of whom went on to have great careers in art themselves.
Photo: NKY Tribune
WOMEN IN HISTORY Una Merkel 1903-1986
Photo: Wikipedia
Una was an American stage, film, radio, and television actress. Merkel was born in Covington, Kentucky, and acted on stage in New York in the 1920s. She went to Hollywood in 1930 and became a popular film actress. Two of her best-known performances are in the films 42nd Street and Destry Rides Again. She won a Tony Award in 1956 and was nominated for an Oscar in 1961. For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Una Merkel has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (6230 Hollywood Boulevard). In 1991, a historical marker was dedicated to her in her hometown of Covington.
Judge Judy Moberly West 1941-1991 Judge West was the first woman appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals. She served as District Judge in the Kenton District Court for three terms until her Appeals Court appointment. In addition to her judicial accomplishments, Judge West served as President and Founder of the Hope Cottage Guild and on the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. Photo: KY Forward
Patricia “Pat” Scott 1929-2016
Photo: Wikipedia
Pat was a pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League for parts of four seasons spanning 1948–1953. Scott was raised on a family farm in Burlington, Kentucky. In 1954, Pat attained a zoology degree at the University of Kentucky, where she also played for the Kentucky Wildcats women’s basketball team. After earning another degree in medicine, she worked as a medical technologist for the next 32 years in the Cincinnati area.
Annie Leona Thomas Hargraves 1929-2016 Mrs. Hargraves was a Covington Public Schools educator during segration. She inspired her students to participate in civil rights marches and other activities. Annie was also the superintendent of the St. James AME Church Sunday School and director of the park at West Robbins and Chesapeake for 35 years. During the 1960s and 1970s, Mrs. Hargraves was a voice of calm in Covington during the racial strive in those turbulent times.
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE 12th ANNUAL BREAKFAST
Photo: KY Commisson On Human Rights
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Congratulations to DCCH Center for Children and Families Nonprofit Recipient Award Thank you for making futures brighter.
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KEYNOTE PANEL - INSPIRED WOMEN LEAD Brit Fitzpatrick Executive Director – Blue North
In 2013, Brit founded MentorMe, one of the first SaaS mentoring startups, which provided mentoring program management software for more than 100 K-12 mentoring programs throughout the United States. She currently serves as Executive Director of Blue North, which connects, equips, grows, and invests in entrepreneurs throughout the 8-county Northern Kentucky region (part of Greater Cincinnati). Brit’s been invited to speak on entrepreneurship, mentoring, and social innovation at more than 30 events and conferences across the U.S.. She’s also been profiled as an entrepreneur and startup ecosystem builder in national media outlets including GOOD Magazine, Essence, Inc., Business Insider, and FastCompany.
Mary Miller CEO – JANCOA
Mary Miller is an Inspirational Speaker, Coach and CEO of JANCOA, a family owned and operated commercial cleaning company. Mary’s passion is to encourage people to identify and capture their fascinating future. In her book Changing Direction: Ten Choices that Impact Your Dreams, she outlines steps anyone can take to achieve a quality life that is bigger than they had imagined. For almost 20 years, Mary has spent time in Chicago with Strategic Coach as an Associate Coach working with Entrepreneur’s to grow their business and work less. Mary’s life changing work has earned her numerous accolades including the regional 2017 EY Entrepreneur of the Year – Lifetime Achievement Award and the College of Mount Saint Joseph honored her with a Doctorate of Humane Letters degree.
KEYNOTE PANEL - INSPIRED WOMEN LEAD Molly North President & CEO – Al. Neyer
Molly North is a driven executive who some might say is obsessed with getting things done. Since 2015, North has served as president and CEO of Al. Neyer. She is heavily invested in the company culture, which fuels the company’s growth trajectory. North has extensive experience in sophisticated capital instruments and is especially passionate about urban redevelopment and projects that foster diversity and inclusion at every level. North is also heavily engaged in the community and is currently serving as the board chair of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. She also serves on the boards or is an active member of ArtWorks, Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corporation, REDI Cincinnati, Cincinnati Regional Business Committee, Young Presidents’ Organization, and the Cincinnati Women’s Executive Forum. North has received recognitions including Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Midwest Real Estate News Magazine Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame and Cincinnati Business Courier Women Who Mean Business.
Catrena Bowman-Thomas - Moderator Executive Director – Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission
Catrena Bowman-Thomas is the Executive Director of Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission and is the lead trainer for CBT & Associates. She has over 20 years of experience in the non-profit field and has a proven track record in nonprofit leadership. She is a charismatic, dynamic leader and is committed to ending the cycle of poverty, leading social justice reform and empowering all families and communities to thrive.
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE 12th ANNUAL BREAKFAST
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TIMELINE
History of the Women’s Initiative 2008
Formation of Women’s Initiative Program
2010
Introduced the following: Annual Breakfast CONNECT Hours GROW Mentoring Program Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Program
2011
Established Professional Series Program
2014
Instituted Spirit of Achievement Award at Annual Breakfast
2015
Held first Annual Regional Summit
2016
Assumed stewardship of Outstanding Women of NKY Awards from Toyota
2018
Formed Engagement Committee Spirit of Achievement Award renamed: Debbie Simpson Spirit of Achievement Award
Leadership & Professional Development...
It’s what we do. #MemberBenefits
LETTER FROM A GIRL TO THE WORLD
Performed by: Notre Dame Academy Honor Choir Director – Kelsey Chandler
In my heart, there are hopes and dreams, and all different beautiful things. In my heart, there’s a sunrise glowing and a warmth that holds me there. And I think of God’s beauty in the world all around, in the clouds that roll across the sky, in the clean smell of the rain and the colors of the fall, and it makes me happy and I wish that others saw it too. If you love your children, are you sure they know? Have you said the words out loud? We want to hear them! Are you listening with your heart when they’re sharing theirs? Have you given us a chance to make you proud? Do you know who I am? Do you really know? ‘Cause you can’t tell by looking at me that underneath all this happiness inside there’s a part of me nobody sees. I wonder who I am. Who am I? I wonder who I’ll be. Who will I be? What will my life become? There are just so many questions inside me. Am I good enough? Am I pretty enough? Can I learn not to care what others think? Can I make a difference in someone else’s life, and can others see God’s love in me?
Congratulations Dana Dobbs Spirit of Achievement Honoree Barbara Johnson, CFP® First Vice President – Investment Officer 255 E. 5th St., Ste. 1400 Cincinnati, OH 45202 Direct: 513-412-5258 barbara.moran@wellsfargoadvisors.com https://home.wellsfargoadvisors.com/barbara.moran
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WOMEN’S INITIATIVE PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT Grow Mentoring Program The purpose of the GROW Mentoring program is to promote, advocate, and advance the program as a resource for women of all ages interested in professional development. This program enables the mentor/mentee pair to meet for a one-onone relationship for career growth over the period of one year. Open to all female NKY members. www.nkychamber.com/WIMentee www.nkychamber.com/WIMentor
Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Program In business, no one makes it on her own. A network is what helps you grow and move forward in your career. The Peer-to-Peer Roundtable program can help you build your network and invest in yourself. It promotes the professional development of women by providing a non-competing group of supporters who can serve as your personal board of advisors. Participating in the Roundtable program will offer a way for you to tap into a wealth of business knowledge and experience so you can achieve your professional goals. Open to all female NKY Chamber members. Find application at www.nkychamber.com/WIRoundtable
More About CONNECT GROW ACHIEVE The Northern Kentucky Chamber started the Women’s Initiative in 2008, and it continues to be the fastest growing area of the NKY Chamber. The NKY Chamber Women’s Initiative is committed to helping area employers meet the rising professional development goals for their employees. The Women’s Initiative, sponsored by PNC, is the leading organization for women of all career stages working toward business and professional success. It was created to inspire area businesswomen in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati to connect, grow and achieve.
Monthly CONNECT Hour This networking event is open to women and is held the last Monday of every month.
Annual Breakfast Our largest event features a keynote speaker, who will share her story of professional achievement.
Engagement Committee Assist with the recruitment and engagement of women in the Women’s Initiative program.
GROW Mentoring Program Enables a pair to meet for a one-on-one relationship for career growth over the period of one year. Now accepting applications (open to NKY Chamber members). NKYChamber.com/WIMentor NKYChamber.com/WIMentee
Outstanding Women of NKY Sponsored by This award program recognizes women who show outstanding service to their professions and their community. Nomination deadline: February 5, 2021. NKYChamber.com/OWNK
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE 12th ANNUAL BREAKFAST
Regional Summit The premier day-long conference for professional women to be held in the fall of each year.
Professional Series Two events featuring various business related topics, held in the spring and fall.
Peer-to-Peer Roundtable Program Groups of 8–10 women from different industries and career status meet once a month to support each other in a productive, confidential setting. Now accepting applications (open to NKY Chamber members). NKYChamber.com/WIRoundtable
For more information: NKYChamber.com/WomensInitiative To get involved with Women’s Initiative, complete the interest form at: NKYChamber.com/WIConnectGrowAchieve For a list of upcoming events: NKYChamber.com/events
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CORPORATE SPONSORS Business Benefits Insurance Solutions Centric Consulting Clark Schaefer Hackett CPAs ERIGO Employer Solutions NKY Community Action Commission Northkey Community Care Perfetti van Melle USA Republic Bank Thomas More University Toyota Boshoku America Toyota Motor North America
SPONSORS Title Sponsor
Speaker Sponsor
Debbie Simpson Spirit of Achievement Award Sponsor
Community Partner
Nonprofit Recipient Award Sponsor
Networking Sponsor
Nonprofit Recipient
Event Sponsors
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE 12th ANNUAL BREAKFAST
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Nominations are now being accepted for the 2021 Outstanding Women of NKY Awards.
NKYChamber.com/OWNK Nomination Deadline: February 5, 2021
Questions? Email gbath@NKYChamber.com
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