SeptemberTuesday, 13 Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts It’s Time Charge!TakeTo TABLE SPONSORS Appleton Creative | BeBalanced Hormone Weight Loss Centers Duke Energy | Fieldpoint Private | Florida Executive Women | Orlando Ballet Seaside National Bank & Trust | Tavistock | Sihle Insurance | Success Uncensored University of Central Florida | PureCycle www.orlandowomensconference.comTechnologies SPONSORS Arwani Law Firm HOST SPONSOR
Using your passion and purpose, Amy will navigate you down a path to solidify your core values. She will reveal the three steps you can use as your compass toward living your best life of passion and purpose.
DR. VONDA www.drvondawright.comWRIGHTGetreadytotakecharge
AMY MAGUIRE
MORNING KEYNOTE ADDRESS - 9am LIVING AGELESS: Taking charge of the best years of your life. After 3 years wondering what’s the future.... its time to take charge! The future is YOU! The future is US. It’s women entering the most vital part of our lives equipped with the knowledge that we are just getting started.
IT’S TIME TO TAKE CHARGE!
LUNCHEON KEYNOTE ADDRESS
AMY MAGUIRE has been serving companies across Florida for over 20 years. With a deep dedication to community and economic development, Amy specializes in advocacy on the local, state, and federal levels along with corporate philanthropy, strategic business development, and corporate communications. Amy’s diverse experience spans across for-profit and not-for-profit companies. Amy speaks to women’s groups nationally and published her first book earlier this
SPECIAL LUNCHEON SPEAKER
JILLYAN MCKINNEY
DR. VONDA WRIGHT harnesses her research, the new science of aging and 20 years as a surgeon to empower you to add high-quality years to your life, take immediate charge of your health, and embrace a vital, active and thriving future.
JILLYAN MCKINNEY is the President and CEO of AdventHealth Medical Group South Region, the largest medical group within AdventHealth’s nine-state operations. In her role, she is responsible for leading more than 3,500 employees, including 1,300 physicians and advanced practitioners at more than 200 medical office locations across 10 Florida counties. Jillyan has nearly two decades of experience in faith-based, healthcare leadership, nearly all of which have been with AdventHealth in both hospital and outpatient leadership roles across the country. She enjoys using her leadership and people skills to improve the health and lives of others. She holds an MBA from the University of Central Florida. In 2020, Jillyan was recognized among Denver’s 40 Under 40 professionals, highlighting her contributions in healthcare leadership, as well as community involvement with the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women Executive Leadership Team.
of your values as Amy walks us through an interactive session filled with challenges and thought. Living a valuesfocused life requires BEing the best you, afterall, everyone else is taken.
We are not done yet, not even close. We are Ageless. Authentic. Indefinable. We are exploding the myth that aging is all about decline.
Speaker bios orlandowomensconference.comavailable:
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE REGISTRATION & EXHIBITS OPEN CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC PROGRAM BEGINS - KEYNOTE BREAK - EXHIBITS OPEN FIRST BREAKOUT SESSIONS BREAK - EXHIBITS OPEN SECOND BREAKOUT SESSIONS BREAK - EXHIBITS OPEN KEYNOTEOPERALUNCHEON:ORLANDOADDRESSES & THE MALL AT MILLENIA FASHION PRESENTATION BREAK - EXHIBITS OPEN SHETALKS: 10 VITAL VOICES LEADING WITH PASSION ORLANDO EXHIBITSNETWORKINGBALLETRECEPTIONOPEN10:4510:258:008:459:009:259:4011:3011:501:452:203:203:30 2:20 - 3:20pm SHETalks: 11 Vital Voices Leading With Passion NEW FOR 2022... THIS SPECIAL END OF DAY PROGRAM will feature some of Central Florida’s leading women who will share their passionate messages meant to inspire, engage and inform. Rania Arwani LaVon Bracy Davis Ha’ani Hogan Tasi Hogan Dr. Keita Joy Martha McGill Tekoa Pouerie Ashley Vann Carol Wick Melissa Wiggins Kay Rawlins
RANIA ARWANI is a mother, wife, family law attorney, business owner, women’s rights advocate, philanthropist and author. Her personal and professional life is grounded in her passion to serve humanity by ensuring women are empowered in their rights. Following her passion a ords her the privilege to solve her client’s complex legal issues, help families find common ground and reduce conflict and tension as she helps parents co-exist. Her goal is to create a stress-free environment and o er families facing complex legal issues the tools to help them reach a resolution in peace. Her philosophy is to transform people’s attitude when met with the so-called failure of their marriage to an end of a triumph. As the manager of the family law division at the Arwani Law Firm Rania is dedicated to protecting the rights of parents and children. "Success is using my experiences and expertise to help women nd their own voice and independence. The more women I can empower, the more successful I feel I am.”
RANIA ARWANI, ESQ. Arwani Law www.arwanilawfiFirmrm.com407-254-0060
Choose Your Topic! ENHANCE YOUR FINANCIAL WELLNESS You get annual exams to take care of your health, but do you take the time to assess your finances the same way? Experts will share important information and tips to ensure your plans are sound. MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS 9:40 - 10:25 REIGNITECAREERYOUR Is it time to make a change, move up the ladder or venture out on your own? Find out how you can make decisions about your future with purpose and a plan. DEFINE & REFINE YOUR BRAND What is it that makes you special and unique? How can you harness your expertise and skills to present a consistent image to the world? MODERATOR:PANELBERNADETTEGIRVIN GONZALEZELISHA MAGEESUZANNEFLEMINGPANELISTS: STANLEYNORMA MEILLER-COOKMODERATOR:PANELDIANE SHARONPANELISTS:ARROYO OLIVEGAYE SHANNONGRAVITTE ADRIANNASEKULA MODERATOR:PANELSECILYWILSONKELLYLAFFERMANMARTINEZ-GUERREROMARTIZAPANELISTS: VAUGHANJILL KENDRICKJESSICA Please see all speaker bios at the end of this program.
MIND YOUR MENTAL WELLNESS Learn how to take care of you, set boundaries, say no, listen to your body, unplug, calm your thoughts and more from experienced professionals AMP UP NEGOTIATINGYOURPOWER Are you getting all you can and all you are worth? How can you successfully ask for more? You probably have a lot more power than you think. Learn how to use it. PANELISTS: 10:45 - 11:30 MODERATOR:PANELALLISONWALSHJILL HAMILTONBUSS MCCULLOUGHCHERLETTE MODERATOR:PANELKARENKEENE SEARSDIANE SARAHGELTZ JENNIFERLASTIK PANELISTS: Choose Your Topic!MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS
HONE & OWN YOUR BRAND Be true to you while succeeding professionally and personally with solid advice and useful tools from an acclaimed life coach, author, corporate trainer, motivational speaker and consultant. Dr. Keita Joy is back this year by demand.popular MORNING BREAKOUT DR.SESSIONSSPEAKER:KEITAJOY
EXHIBITORS Located on Level 1 & 2, Steinmetz Hall LobbySPECIAL PRESENTATION THE MALL AT MILLENIA Fall Fashion Essentials Styled by Tammara Kohler and Hosted by Marianne Ilunga Fashions for corporate and casual work environments, work to evening, and evening options will be presented. Finding your outer self can sometimes be challenging, The Mall at Millenia’s Personal Stylists have solutions. Follow on Instagram @PSMillenia 100 Women Strong, An Initiative at Central Florida Foundation AdventHealth for Women Amy HeartChicBeBalancedWomen’sATHENAArwaniMaguireLawOrlandoLeadershipHormoneWeightLossCentersBoutiqueOrlandoCOCOIndigoDarlingClutchCo.Dr.VondaWrightDryBarShopsFAIRWINDSofFloridaUnitedWayHydrationSquadJustBreatheSaltTherapy Katherine Kelly Jewelry Kendra Scott Lauren Sigman Collection Merrill – Magee, Stanford& Associates Neiman Marcus Orlando Nemours Children’s Health Orlando Ballet Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra Orlando Skin Solutions Rollins Hamilton Holt School SouthwestShopModaOrlando Eye Care Success Uncensored The Bar Method Winter Park The Mall at Millenia Women’s Executive Council TAMMARAKOHLER MARIANNEILUNGA
SUZANNE MAGEE-FLEMING joined Merrill Lynch Wealth Management the summer of 1977 after working at another financial services firm in New York City and graduating from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. She and her team of six, including her son James, work with affluent families, individuals and women in transition. She believes long term relationships and trust are the key to her continued success. Suzanne is a collaboratively trained Allied Member of the Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida. She is on the Board of the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando and sustaining member of Central Florida Women’s League.
SPEAKER BIOS SHARON ARROYO is Duke Energy’s Vice President of Govern ment & Community Relations in Florida, serving approximately 1.8 million electric retail customers throughout the company’s 35-county service area. including Greater Orlando and metropoli tan St. Petersburg - Clearwater area. She is responsible for directing efforts to strengthen relationships with local municipal, community, and civic organizations, as well as business leaders to help communities achieve their energy, growth, and sustainability goals. In her 35 years with the company, she has held varying roles of increasing responsibility including the regional director of large account management prior to assuming her current position in March 2021.
ELISHA GONZÁLEZ is an educator and public affairs executive and serves as the Vice President of Community Relations and Government Affairs and Executive Director of the FAIRWINDS Foundation. Under her leadership, FAIRWINDS intensified its focus on serving communities while leading the way in financial literacy education. In her role, she leads the company’s commu nity affairs initiatives, programmatic activities, strategic philan thropy, team member engagement and market reputation risk. Most recently she was the lead consultant for the Central Florida collective impact initiative, Project Opioid in association with Change Everything Inc. González led the government and community relations efforts for Duke Energy Florida.
SARAH MAROTTA GELTZ, Esq. is a senior partner in the Kendrick Law Group in Maitland and co-owner of Champion Title & Closing and Park Title. Sarah focuses her practice on transac tional business law, estate planning, asset protection and strategic consulting. Much of her practice is dedicated to acting as ongoing counsel to businesses in a number of sectors including retail healthcare, real estate and professional services. She is active in the local business community and driven to give back to Central Florida through serving on nonprofit boards and as one the founders of Hope for More Foundation.
SHANNON GRAVITTE serves as Vice President of Government Advocacy for AdventHealth, one of the largest faith-based health care systems in the United States, with more than 80,000 team members operating more than 50 hospitals and hundreds of care centers. As part of the senior leadership team, Shannon sets the overall direction and strategy for AdventHealth’s advocacy efforts at the federal, state and local level in more than a dozen states. She has more than 25 years of experience in public affairs and serves on the Board of Directors of Give Kids the World and the Orlando Economic Partnership and is Vice Chair of the Central Florida Commission on Homelessness.
BERNADETTE GIRVIN, a former LPGA Tour player and 10-year veteran in the financial services industry, is passionate about her role as Chief Executive Officer with Gambin Financial Group. In 2019, after 9 years as a solo-entrepreneur and Financial Advisor managing her own practice, she formally partnered with Claudio Gambin of Gambin Financial Group to open their own office in downtown Orlando. Bernadette is leading the strategic growth vision of the firm, overseeing financial performance and helping ensure a first-class, exceptional client experience. She worked in several different capacities in the financial field but ultimately fell in love with building out successful teams and helping organiza tions execute on their strategic vision.
OLIVE GAYE has provided focused, decisive, and innovative leadership as founder and president of GenCare Resources for more than 10 years. GenCare Resources provides compassionate clinical care to individuals of all ages within the state of Florida. Services are provided both in client homes and her newest commitment to care, within a medical day center (PPEC) for children. During her tenure as a Human Resource Executive at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority – the managing body for Orlando International Airport, she developed a passion for people and relationships. As an engaged and involved member of the community Olive passionately pursues opportunities to give back.
LAVON BRACY DAVIS has a passion for serving and for the arts merged in her current role as Sr. Director of Community Pro gramming at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. In this role, she has led the diversification of community program ming and produced free concerts, events, and educational experiences. She annually contracts over 175 performances featuring local arts groups, nonprofits of all sizes, and serves as a liaison for all Central Florida community arts organizations. She is an advocate and community leader from West Orange County who holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Howard University and a Juris Doctor from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, College of Law.
RANIA ARWANI is a mother, wife, family law attorney, business owner, women’s rights advocate, philanthropist and author. Her personal and professional life is grounded in her passion to serve humanity by ensuring women are empowered in their rights. She trained with the Florida Center for Child Welfare to handle a variety of family law matters, including domestic violence, substance abuse and sexual abuse of children. Prior to co-found ing Arwani Law Firm Rania was a Certified Legal Intern with the State Attorney’s Office in the Ninth Judicial Circuit in Orange County. She serves as the manager of the family law division at the Arwani Law Firm.
KELLY LAFFERMAN has been a marketing and brand profes sional in Central Florida for more than 25 years. For more than 10 years she has served as the CMO and Principal for Findsome & Winmore, a full-service agency, where she is responsible for growing and managing client services, marketing, branding, and communications efforts. She obtained her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2020 and has a simultane ous career as a part-time therapist for individuals and couples at Agape Therapy Institute, a nonprofit outpatient mental health care organization. Kelly is also a community advocate as a founding member of the Board of Trustees for onePULSE Foundation.
KAREN KEENE’s career experience spans more than 30 years as an exemplary leader for professional services firms. She has led teams in marketing, client development, strategic planning, brand ing, community outreach, and media relations for international and regional law firms, as well as engineering and architectural firms. She is the Founder and Chief Strategic Advisor of ATHENA
SPEAKER BIOS
JESSICA KENDRICK is the founder and managing partner of the Kendrick Law Group in Maitland, and co-owner of Champion Title & Closing and Park Title. Jess received her undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Central Florida and went on to earn her Juris Doctor Degree from Barry University School of Law. Jess’s dedication to giving back to her community led her to co-launch her own 501(c)(3) organization, Hope for More Foundation, with her partners. Hope for More focuses on identifying and supporting outstanding nonprofit organizations in Central Florida to further their efforts in outreach, advocacy, and fundraising.
HA’ANI HOGAN is an arts administrator, community advocate, technology scholar, and artist. A strong believer in the impor tance of creative placemaking, she applies this concept to her professional and academic work. She has worked in the nonprofit arts and culture sector for 10 years and currently works as the Development and Marketing Manager at the Downtown Arts District. Throughout her time in Central Florida, she has volun teered with FusionFest, Orange County Public Schools, Orlando City Foundation and United Arts of Central Florida. A lifelong learner, she is also a part-time student in the University of Central Florida’s Texts & Technology Ph.D. program.
TASI HOGAN is a lobbyist and public affairs consultant with The Southern Group. Prior to joining The Southern Group, Tasi worked on nearly 20 successful political campaigns at the federal, state and local levels, including those of President Joe Biden and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. An active member of her community, Tasi serves on the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Florida Advisory Committee and Harbor House Young Profes sionals Board. She has been recognized as an Orlando Business Journal “40 Under 40”, University of Central Florida “30 Under 30” and INFLUENCE Magazine “Rising Star”. Tasi has a Public Leadership Credential from the Harvard Kennedy School, an M.A. from the University of Central Florida and a B.A. from California State University, San Bernardino.
JENNIFER LASTIK joined the Greater Orlando Sports Commis sion in 2007 as Orange County Sports Marketing Manager and currently serves as the Executive Vice President. She has a B.S. in Sport Management from Slippery Rock University, and an M.S. in Sport Management from West Virginia University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Orlando Partnership and the Greater Orlando chapter of WISE (Women in Sports & Events), was a member of the ATHENA NextGen Class of 2016, Leadership Orlando Class ’96 and named to Orlando Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 in 2014 and 2018 and was a 2021 Orlando Business Journal Women Who Mean Business Honoree.
DR. KEITA JOY is a Success Maximizer, Motivational Teacher, and CEO of Success Uncensored® Coaching, offering a safe space for leaders, athletes, and influencers to maximize their greatest potential, perform at their optimal level, and unlock success now. She is the CEO of Success Uncensored Coaching as well as a transformational speaker, wife and mother, who chan nels her infectious energy and drive for life into inspiring others to be intentional about cultivating strategic goals and increasing your emotional intelligence, cultural competency skills, and mental health awareness. A TED TALK speaker, she is known for her dynamic energy with highly engaging diversity and inclusion, leadership, and team building workshops.
Orlando Women’s Leadership, Inc. She created multiple initia tives to support, inspire and honor businesswomen including ATHENA NextGen, the Women’s Leadership Luncheon, and a $100,000 endowed scholarship at the UCF Foundation that benefits female graduate students. She has received numerous leadership awards and held many leadership positions in the community.
JILL HAMILTON BUSS is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with clients in a holistic way to create optimal wellbeing for mind and body. She offers traditional in-office psychotherapy, life coaching and “Walk and Talk Therapy.” Jill has worked in the for-profit and non-profit sectors, most recently serving as Executive Director of Healthy Central Florida, an initiative to make our communities the healthiest in the nation. She holds master’s degrees from Rollins College and the Univer sity of Florida in mental health counseling and communications, respectively, and was named one of Winter Park’s Most Influential People in 2016.
MARTHA MCGILL serves as Senior Vice President, Chief Operat ing Officer for all Florida operations and Chief Administrative Officer of Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida. Martha is a member of Nemours’ Florida Executive Cabinet reporting to the chief executive of Florida operations. She is based in Orlando and joined Nemours in 2015. In addition to hospital operations, Martha is responsible for building and integrating Nemours’ network of practice sites and partnerships across Florida. Prior to joining Nemours, Martha served as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Miami Children’s Hospital (MCH) and was senior vice president and chief operating officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.
SPEAKER BIOS
ADRIANNA SEKULA is the Director of Public Affairs and Communications at PureCycle Technologies, a company revolu tionizing the plastics industry through technology. Adrianna collaborates across PureCycle’s sustainability, manufacturing, and commercial teams on business strategies and initiatives and leads communications, public relations, government affairs, and community impact for the company. A public policy professional with experience in transportation, development, tourism, campaigning, juvenile justice and the plastics industry, Adrianna previously managed local government relations at Walt Disney Park & Resorts, served as the Government Affairs Director at the Greater Orlando Builders Association, and led public policy as the Associate Director of Government Affairs at Pace Center for Girls, Inc.
AMY MAGUIRE has been serving companies across Florida for over 20 years. With a deep dedication to community and economic development, Amy specializes in advocacy on the local, state, and federal levels along with corporate philanthropy, strategic business development, and corporate communications. Amy’s diverse experience spans across for-profit and not-forprofit companies. She speaks to women’s groups nationally and published her first book earlier this year. She recently obtained the Duke University Executive Leadership Certification for Corporate Social Responsibility and serves clients in Environmen tal, Social, and Governance (ESG) and Corporate Sustainability, helping build strategies for “doing well by doing good.” Amy holds an MBA with a focus on strategic planning/CSR.
KAY RAWLINS is a founder of Orlando City Soccer Club and serves as the Senior VP of Community Relations and President of the Orlando City Foundation. She is a board member for Cannonball Kids cancer, Central Florida Foundation, 4 Rivers Foundation, Florida Sports Foundation, WISE Greater Orlando, All Women Empowered and is on the Advisory Committee of the US Global Leadership Coalition. A TEDx Orlando speaker, she was awarded 2016 Businesswoman of the Year by the Orlando Business Journal, Corporate Ally of the Year 2019 by the Pride Chamber, Women In Leadership 2021 by the Greater Orlando Sports Commission and included in Florida Trend 500 Most Influential Business Leaders in 2020 and 2021.
TEKOA POUERIE is just a girl who was courageous enough to overcome obstacles, now she is helping others to do the same. Being a youth who lost both her parents by the age of 16 and growing up in poverty, she knows first-hand the stereotypes associated with marginalized communities. Tekoa has dedicated her professional career to raising awareness of the negative effects of bias. For nearly two decades, she has been passionate about helping others create positive changes within workplace and communities. As a Certified Trainer, Tekoa has trained over 10,000 individuals including judges, trial lawyers, and HR profes sionals on how to recognize and reduce disproportionately.
DIANE SEARS serves as the Central Florida regional director for the Women’s Business Enterprise Council of Florida, which certifies companies as women-owned for the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). She is the co-founder and global programs chair for the Go for the Greens Foundation Inc., a Florida-based nonprofit that helps women business owners grow their companies, incorporate sustainable practices and use golf as a business tool. Diane is the founder and president of DiVerse Media LLC, established in 2000, which assists clients with content marketing projects. She was inducted into the Women’s Business Enterprise Hall of Fame in December 2015 by the American Institute of Diversity & Commerce.
CHERLETTE MCCULLOUGH is a mental health advocate, keynote speaker, author and co-founder of the Coffee and Counseling Podcast. Cherlette holds a Provisional Mental Health Therapist License in the State of Florida (License #PMT 228), owner of Center Peace Couples & Family Therapy, a private practice located in Winter Park, FL. She specializes in helping individuals heal from trauma connected to family conflict, marital and premarital issues, infertility, depression, anxiety, family of origin dysfunction, grief, and loss. Cherlette is a partner of the Pace-Orange Center for Girls, serves on the Board of Governors at the Citrus Club of Orlando, is an active member of the Women’s Executive Exchange, and was most recently appointed to serve on the Board of the Mental Health Association of Central Florida
DIANE MEILLER-COOK is a dynamic leader with specific expertise in enterprise strategic planning, change management and corporate organizational realignment who possesses the expertise to collaborate effectively with senior leaders to assess and leverage an organization’s ability to optimize its resources, industry position, partnerships and other strengths to achieve growth and performance excellence objectives. Diane is a regular presenter on the topics of change management, strategic planning, organizational alignment and leadership organization. She has more than 25 years of experience in multiple industries, specializing in the areas of business strategy and leadership, marketing and sales, human resources and operations manage ment.
NORMA STANLEY is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts & Estates and is a partner with the Lowndes Law firm where she specializes in estate planning, private wealth preserva tion, business succession planning, charitable planning, federal
MARITZA MARTINEZ-GUERRERO is associate vice president for Government and Community Relations, and director for the Office of Community Relations and Economic Development at UCF. A strategic and trusted public affairs executive, with more than 15 years of experience strengthening internal and external stakeholder relations in higher education. Over the years, she has represented the University on numerous boards and communitywide efforts, and currently serves on the boards of the National Entrepreneurship Center, Heart of Florida United Way, National Center for Simulation, Team Volusia, the Winter Park Health Foundation, and the Seminole County Chamber. Maritza received her bachelor’s, master’s and MBA from UCF.
ALLISON WALSH is a seasoned executive, philanthropist, speaker, professional consultant and Miss Florida 2006. A two-time CEO for national coaching firms, Allison has over 15 years of organizational leadership, mentorship and coaching experience. She serves as Vice President of Business Develop ment and Branding for Advanced Recovery Systems, a national provider and industry leader in behavioral health care and is instrumental in developing worldwide brand recognition for the company. She identifies opportunities for Advanced Recovery Systems to share their vision for a better behavioral healthcare landscape through partnerships, speaking engagements, and innovative campaigns that promote the organization’s treatment programs and their new technology solution, Nobu.
SECILY WILSON is a Telly Award winning broadcast journalist, media communications professional, Mrs. Florida International 1999, and founder of her own nonprofit WOW Legacy Group, Inc., which supports women in transition. For more than 20 years, Secily delivered hard-hitting, inspiring and entertaining reports in news, lifestyle, art and entertainment. Over the years Secily has interviewed notables like Oprah, Civil Rights icon Andrew Young, former NFL coach Tony Dungy, former CNN anchor Soledad O’Brien and many others. She is passionate about issues like stroke awareness and domestic violence. Secily is often found giving back to her community, spreading awareness and volun teering, and is the mother of two daughters.
MELISSA WIGGINS, Coach Mummabear, is a fiery Scottish lassie and lawyer turned Master Certified Professional Coach. She has a thriving podcast, has spoken on stages across the globe and has already penned her first book. When her firstborn was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer as she was about to give birth to her twin boys, her full-time calling became saving her son’s life. Shortly after, Melissa along with her husband created a foundation for pediatric cancer research. Their foundation has since raised millions of dollars. Melissa ended up burning out during her reign as CEO and has taken those teachings and turned them into learnings for others.
ASHLEY VANN, founder of the Victory Cup Initiative, is dedi cated to promoting the work of nonprofit organizations in the Central Florida community. With experience in wealth planning, as an entrepreneur, and with an MBA from Emory University, she is a grounded, yet powerful philanthropist challenging the status-quo around charitable giving while igniting and empower ing a leader’s desire to impact a mission they truly care about. A community steward, she is also incredibly passionate about her work with the National Christian Foundation where she helps individuals and families create Giving Strategies so they can be wise stewards of all they have and experience the joy of greater generosity.
taxation, probate, guardianships, trust administration and elder law. With more than 20 years of legal experience, Norma represents a myriad of clients, including high net worth individu als and their families, beneficiaries of trusts and estates, fiducia ries of trusts and estates and small business owners. She is chair of the Meritas Trusts & Estates Practice Group, which has over 250 members representing approximately 80 member firms.
CAROL WICK, president and CEO, Sharity, has worked in the nonprofit field her entire career. First as a therapist for abused children and later as a CEO of one of the top domestic violence centers in the US. She became an expert in turning around struggling organizations, using her business acumen to achieve financial stability and her advocacy to engage the community as partners in the mission. She has a proven track record of hard work, integrity, ethics, and success. Utilizing this wealth of experience, Carol has spent the last decade developing a model to assist nonprofit organizations to assess their ability to take their organization to the next level. Her services focus on creating dynamic, fundable plans, developing outcomes the community cares about and will fund.
SPEAKER BIOS
JILL VAUGHAN is the Executive Director of the Downtown Orlando Partnership (DOP). Prior to joining the organization in December 2020, she served in a number of senior development and leadership roles with AdventHealth Foundation. Her extensive background in marketing, sales, and fundraising expands and strengthens DOP’s diverse membership, which includes more than 200 of Orlando’s leading corporate, nonprofit, and civic organizations. With goals of shaping the vibrant, dynamic future of the Downtown Orlando business community, Jill is committed to mobilizing DOP’s vision for powering partner ships, uniting common interests, and extending influence. She believes in the future of Downtown Orlando as a premier destina tion for business, community, and culture.
DR. VONDA WRIGHT is a double-boarded orthopedic surgeon, author of five books, keynote speaker, intra-preneur, and author ity on active aging and sports medicine. She cares for athletes and active people of all ages and skill levels from youth to professional and provides her patients and their families with integrative patient-centered orthopedics sports surgery and wellness programming. For 20 years, she has dedicated her work and research as an orthopedic surgeon, elite sports doc, public speaker, published author, biotech consultant, non-profit founder, and health innovator to optimize aging and compel us to live more, do more, excel more, and live vitally as we age. Dr. Wright is an accomplished researcher and author who speaks worldwide and develops innovative programs for optimizing performance and minimizing injury from the ball field to the boardroom.
