Constance J. Peak
Constance J. Peak is a businesswoman and serial entrepreneur. She is the Co-Founder of Maverick Vision International and MVI Advisors, in the capacity of Chief Strategist, Career and Branding Coach, and Confidential Life Coach. She is the founder of MVI Sustainable Technologies, focusing on water conservation and usage worldwide. Constance is also the Director of Program Development and Support at the United Nations Headquarters, New York City of an international non-governmental organization (NGO), Foundation for the Support of the United Nations (FSUN-UNO).
Constance has extensive experience internationally in corporate communications training, English proficiency training, personality development training, and professional presentation. She is sought after for her expertise in coaching business owners and executives of multi-national companies on strategic positioning for positive growth, and personal branding. Constance co-founded Maverick Vision International with her business and life partner, Janet C. Salazar.
Constance is passionate about rights to education, women's economic and socio-political empowerment, philanthropy, diversity and inclusion and LGBT equality. She is a strong advocate of environmentally sustainable practices and encourages support for social entrepreneurship. Constance is the creator of FSUN-UNO women's initiative, the Special Women's Economic Empowerment Training for Success (SWEET Success), to increase the presence of female entrepreneurs. She speaks regularly on perceptual influences and transitional thinking as The Tune-Up Coach, inspiring her listeners to make life altering changes.
Constance has extensive experience internationally in corporate communications training, English proficiency training, personality development training, and professional presentation. She is sought after for her expertise in coaching business owners and executives of multi-national companies on strategic positioning for positive growth, and personal branding. Constance co-founded Maverick Vision International with her business and life partner, Janet C. Salazar.
Constance is passionate about rights to education, women's economic and socio-political empowerment, philanthropy, diversity and inclusion and LGBT equality. She is a strong advocate of environmentally sustainable practices and encourages support for social entrepreneurship. Constance is the creator of FSUN-UNO women's initiative, the Special Women's Economic Empowerment Training for Success (SWEET Success), to increase the presence of female entrepreneurs. She speaks regularly on perceptual influences and transitional thinking as The Tune-Up Coach, inspiring her listeners to make life altering changes.
Desiree Dancy
Desiree Dancy was named chief diversity officer and vice president, corporate human resources in June 2009. In this role, Ms. Dancy continues to lead The New York Times Company’s diversity and inclusion efforts; in addition, she is responsible for corporate human resources and The New York Times College Scholarship and Neediest Cases programs. Previously she had served as vice president, diversity and inclusion for the Times Company since October 2006.
Before joining the Times Company, Ms. Dancy spent 12 years in corporate diversity with major investment banks in New York, including Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs.
She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and sits on the Executive Committee of the American Advertising Federation’s Mosaic Council.
Ms. Dancy received a B.A. degree from Audrey Cohen College in 1994 and a M.S. degree from The New School University in 1998.
Before joining the Times Company, Ms. Dancy spent 12 years in corporate diversity with major investment banks in New York, including Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs.
She is a member of the Executive Leadership Council and sits on the Executive Committee of the American Advertising Federation’s Mosaic Council.
Ms. Dancy received a B.A. degree from Audrey Cohen College in 1994 and a M.S. degree from The New School University in 1998.
Analisa Leonor Balares
Analisa Leonor Balares is an emerging global leader dedicated to unleashing women’s potential, and advancing the evolution of women as leaders and innovators around the world. She is a community builder, social innovator, global entrepreneur, and mentor. For over two decades, she has been committed to women’s leadership development, sustainable development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and education, and has produced, directed, and co-produced over 100 summits, forums, and media on these themes.
In February 2008, Analisa created and launched Womensphere, a unique leadership community and global social enterprise that convenes, mobilizes, and creates platforms for action - uniting individuals, companies, networks, academic institutions, and NGOs, around the shared purpose of unleashing women's potential and enabling the evolution of women as leaders, innovators and creators in our global society. The Womensphere global leadership community inspires, connects, and empowers women leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, scientists, artists, financiers, and pioneering women across all fields. Since its founding, Womensphere has reached, convened and connected over 3,500 leaders through 22 conferences, forums, and media in the United States and Europe.
Analisa was recently recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. She was also recently honored as an Outstanding Woman Leader by the National Council for Research on Women, with the Madam C.J. Walker Leadership Award by the National Minority Business Council, and Fearless Woman of the Year by The Fearless Factor in New York City. She was also honored by the US Filipina Women’s Network as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in America, by UNO Magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful Filipinas in the World, and by The New Leaders Council as one of its 40 Under 40 New Leaders in America.
Analisa holds an MBA from Harvard Business School; a BA in Economics & Mathematics cum laude from Mount Holyoke College; and the International Baccalaureate Diploma from Lester Pearson United World College in Canada, as a Scholar of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Ayala Foundation. She studied Digital Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy, and is a silver medalist from the Manila Science High School.
Prior to Womensphere, Analisa was Global Marketing and Product Manager at Microsoft focused on MSN's blogging and social networking service. She has previously worked at the Goldman Sachs High Technology Investment Banking group, where she helped execute over $1.5 billion in IPOs, corporate financings, and mergers and acquisitions for technology and communications companies such as Red Hat and Nokia. Following Goldman Sachs, Analisa joined Milestone Capital as Director of Development & New Ventures where she worked with Milestone CEO Janet Hanson on developing the 85 Broads global network and platform. Analisa has also worked at Morgan Stanley's Energy Investment Banking group as part of the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Career Program, and in Economic Research and Analysis at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva as part of a Mount Holyoke College international fellowship.
Analisa’s journey to make a positive impact and help “create the future” started very early, and continues to span the globe:
While at the Manila Science High School, Analisa led innovative experiments, research and prototype development on biofuels, recycling, and pollution mitigation – a body of work that earned her and her team multiple national awards from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Shell Foundation over three years - Outstanding Junior Scientist, Outstanding Youth Science Researcher, and the DOST Appropriate Technology Award. She represented the Philippines in International Science Fairs in Asia, and was a recognized national youth spokesperson on issues of girls’ leadership, youth empowerment, innovation, and sustainability.
In addition, as a high school senior, Analisa was chosen to serve as Youth Mayor of the City of Manila, and elected Senate President of the inaugural Philippine Youth Environment Congress where she led drafting the Philippine youth’s public policy recommendations for the inaugural UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Today, in addition to building Womensphere globally, Analisa actively contributes to the community by supporting a select group of NGOs led by women or serving women (such as Advancement for Rural Kids, Global Fund for Women, Global Fund for Widows, Indego Africa, Philippine Development Foundation/Ayala Foundation, Shining Hope for Communities, Women’s Refugee Commission, and more). She serves as a Mentor for Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, and serves on the Advisory Councils of the Asian Women’s Leadership University Project, and the Polaris Project, a leading NGO combating all forms of human trafficking. She also serves on the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders' Task Force on Closing the Gender Gap. She is a co-creator of the Womensphere-Mary J. Blige Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN) Mentoring Program.
In February 2008, Analisa created and launched Womensphere, a unique leadership community and global social enterprise that convenes, mobilizes, and creates platforms for action - uniting individuals, companies, networks, academic institutions, and NGOs, around the shared purpose of unleashing women's potential and enabling the evolution of women as leaders, innovators and creators in our global society. The Womensphere global leadership community inspires, connects, and empowers women leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, scientists, artists, financiers, and pioneering women across all fields. Since its founding, Womensphere has reached, convened and connected over 3,500 leaders through 22 conferences, forums, and media in the United States and Europe.
Analisa was recently recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. She was also recently honored as an Outstanding Woman Leader by the National Council for Research on Women, with the Madam C.J. Walker Leadership Award by the National Minority Business Council, and Fearless Woman of the Year by The Fearless Factor in New York City. She was also honored by the US Filipina Women’s Network as one of the 100 Most Influential Filipinas in America, by UNO Magazine as one of the 50 Most Powerful Filipinas in the World, and by The New Leaders Council as one of its 40 Under 40 New Leaders in America.
Analisa holds an MBA from Harvard Business School; a BA in Economics & Mathematics cum laude from Mount Holyoke College; and the International Baccalaureate Diploma from Lester Pearson United World College in Canada, as a Scholar of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Ayala Foundation. She studied Digital Filmmaking at the New York Film Academy, and is a silver medalist from the Manila Science High School.
Prior to Womensphere, Analisa was Global Marketing and Product Manager at Microsoft focused on MSN's blogging and social networking service. She has previously worked at the Goldman Sachs High Technology Investment Banking group, where she helped execute over $1.5 billion in IPOs, corporate financings, and mergers and acquisitions for technology and communications companies such as Red Hat and Nokia. Following Goldman Sachs, Analisa joined Milestone Capital as Director of Development & New Ventures where she worked with Milestone CEO Janet Hanson on developing the 85 Broads global network and platform. Analisa has also worked at Morgan Stanley's Energy Investment Banking group as part of the Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Career Program, and in Economic Research and Analysis at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva as part of a Mount Holyoke College international fellowship.
Analisa’s journey to make a positive impact and help “create the future” started very early, and continues to span the globe:
While at the Manila Science High School, Analisa led innovative experiments, research and prototype development on biofuels, recycling, and pollution mitigation – a body of work that earned her and her team multiple national awards from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Shell Foundation over three years - Outstanding Junior Scientist, Outstanding Youth Science Researcher, and the DOST Appropriate Technology Award. She represented the Philippines in International Science Fairs in Asia, and was a recognized national youth spokesperson on issues of girls’ leadership, youth empowerment, innovation, and sustainability.
In addition, as a high school senior, Analisa was chosen to serve as Youth Mayor of the City of Manila, and elected Senate President of the inaugural Philippine Youth Environment Congress where she led drafting the Philippine youth’s public policy recommendations for the inaugural UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
Today, in addition to building Womensphere globally, Analisa actively contributes to the community by supporting a select group of NGOs led by women or serving women (such as Advancement for Rural Kids, Global Fund for Women, Global Fund for Widows, Indego Africa, Philippine Development Foundation/Ayala Foundation, Shining Hope for Communities, Women’s Refugee Commission, and more). She serves as a Mentor for Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, and serves on the Advisory Councils of the Asian Women’s Leadership University Project, and the Polaris Project, a leading NGO combating all forms of human trafficking. She also serves on the World Economic Forum Young Global Leaders' Task Force on Closing the Gender Gap. She is a co-creator of the Womensphere-Mary J. Blige Foundation for the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN) Mentoring Program.
Ambassador Anwarul Karim Chowdhury
Ambassador Anwarul K. Chowdhury, till recently the Senior Special Advisor to the UN General Assembly President, has devoted many years as an inspirational champion for sustainable peace and development and ardently advancing the cause of the global movement for the culture of peace that has energized civil society all over the world.
As a career diplomat, Permanent Representative to United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of UNICEF Board, UN Under- Secretary-General, and recipient of the U Thant Peace Award, UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace, Spirit of the UN Award and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor’s Medal for Global Leadership for Peace, Ambassador Chowdhury has a wealth of experience in the critical issues of our time - peace, sustainable development, and human rights.
Ambassador Chowdhury’s legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are boldly imprinted in his pioneering initiatives at the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 for adoption of the landmark
Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and in 1998 for the proclamation of the “International Decade for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)”.
Equally pioneering is his initiative in March 2000 as the President of the Security Council that achieved the political and conceptual breakthrough leading
to the adoption of the groundbreaking UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which for the first time recognized the role and contribution of women in the area
of peace and security.
He served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York from 1996 to 2001 and as the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, responsible for the most vulnerable countries of the world from 2002 to 2007.
He has been the Chair of the International Drafting Committee on the Human Right to Peace, an initiative based in Barcelona, Spain.
In March 2003, the Soka University of Tokyo, Japan conferred to Ambassador Chowdhury an Honorary Doctorate for his work on women's issues, child rights and culture of peace as well as for the strengthening of the United Nations. In May 2012, he received a Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa degree from the Saint Peters University of the United States.
He is the Honorary Chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee at the UN, New York and Chairman of the Global Forum on Human Settlements, both since 2008. He is a part of the 12-member Wisdom Council of the Summer of Peace 2012, a world-wide participatory initiative to advance the Culture of Peace.
He is among the five-member Board of Trustees of the New York City Peace Museum and a member of the Advisory Council of the National Peace Academy in the US. He is the founding Co-Chair of the International Ecological Safety Collaborative Organisation (IESCO).
He has been decorated by the Government of Burkina Faso in west Africa with the country’s highest honour “L’Ordre Nacionale” in 2007 in Ouagadougou for his championship of the cause of the most vulnerable countries.
Dr. Chowdhury has structured curricula and taught courses on “The Culture of Peace” at the Soka University of America and the City University of New York
in 2008 and 2009. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Diplomacy, Seton Hall University of the United States. He is an Honorary Patron
of the Committee on Teaching About the UN (CTAUN), New York.
Public speaking and advocacy for sustainable peace keep him engaged at the present time.
As a career diplomat, Permanent Representative to United Nations, President of the UN Security Council, President of UNICEF Board, UN Under- Secretary-General, and recipient of the U Thant Peace Award, UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal for Culture of Peace, Spirit of the UN Award and University of Massachusetts Boston Chancellor’s Medal for Global Leadership for Peace, Ambassador Chowdhury has a wealth of experience in the critical issues of our time - peace, sustainable development, and human rights.
Ambassador Chowdhury’s legacy and leadership in advancing the best interest of the global community are boldly imprinted in his pioneering initiatives at the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 for adoption of the landmark
Declaration and Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace and in 1998 for the proclamation of the “International Decade for Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World (2001-2010)”.
Equally pioneering is his initiative in March 2000 as the President of the Security Council that achieved the political and conceptual breakthrough leading
to the adoption of the groundbreaking UN Security Council Resolution 1325 which for the first time recognized the role and contribution of women in the area
of peace and security.
He served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York from 1996 to 2001 and as the Under-Secretary-General and High Representative of the United Nations, responsible for the most vulnerable countries of the world from 2002 to 2007.
He has been the Chair of the International Drafting Committee on the Human Right to Peace, an initiative based in Barcelona, Spain.
In March 2003, the Soka University of Tokyo, Japan conferred to Ambassador Chowdhury an Honorary Doctorate for his work on women's issues, child rights and culture of peace as well as for the strengthening of the United Nations. In May 2012, he received a Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa degree from the Saint Peters University of the United States.
He is the Honorary Chair of the International Day of Peace NGO Committee at the UN, New York and Chairman of the Global Forum on Human Settlements, both since 2008. He is a part of the 12-member Wisdom Council of the Summer of Peace 2012, a world-wide participatory initiative to advance the Culture of Peace.
He is among the five-member Board of Trustees of the New York City Peace Museum and a member of the Advisory Council of the National Peace Academy in the US. He is the founding Co-Chair of the International Ecological Safety Collaborative Organisation (IESCO).
He has been decorated by the Government of Burkina Faso in west Africa with the country’s highest honour “L’Ordre Nacionale” in 2007 in Ouagadougou for his championship of the cause of the most vulnerable countries.
Dr. Chowdhury has structured curricula and taught courses on “The Culture of Peace” at the Soka University of America and the City University of New York
in 2008 and 2009. He also served as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Diplomacy, Seton Hall University of the United States. He is an Honorary Patron
of the Committee on Teaching About the UN (CTAUN), New York.
Public speaking and advocacy for sustainable peace keep him engaged at the present time.
Michaela Walsh
Michaela Walsh is activist, scholar, mentor, educator, and author. She was a pioneer woman manager with Merrill Lynch in Beirut, Lebanon, in the ’60s, first woman Partner of Boettcher in the ’70s, and in 1980, Founding President of Women’s World Banking.
Throughout her career, Michaela has maintained a vibrant commitment to education and service. She was an Adjunct Professor at Manhattanville College and Director of Global Student Leadership programs there. Board appointments have included Synergos Institute, and Union Theological Seminary, with advisory roles in a wide range of governmental and social-justice organizations over the decades.
She was Chairperson of the 59th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference in 2006. She received the Woman of Vision Award of the National Organization for Women, the UN Development Program’s Paul G. Hoffman Award for outstanding work in development, and in 2012 was honored by Women’s Funding Network for changing the face of philanthropy
Throughout her career, Michaela has maintained a vibrant commitment to education and service. She was an Adjunct Professor at Manhattanville College and Director of Global Student Leadership programs there. Board appointments have included Synergos Institute, and Union Theological Seminary, with advisory roles in a wide range of governmental and social-justice organizations over the decades.
She was Chairperson of the 59th United Nations DPI/NGO Conference in 2006. She received the Woman of Vision Award of the National Organization for Women, the UN Development Program’s Paul G. Hoffman Award for outstanding work in development, and in 2012 was honored by Women’s Funding Network for changing the face of philanthropy
Gloria Feldt
Gloria Feldt is a nationally recognized speaker, bestselling author, world changer, and expert on women’s lives, rights, and leadership. Her newest book, No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power reveals why women are stuck at 18% of top leadership roles and, through inspiring stories and practical leadership “Power Tools,” shows how women can redefine power to reach parity from the boardroom to the bedroom for good—their own and society’s. She teaches “Women, Power, and Leadership” at Arizona State University.” Her passionate interest in women’s complex relationship with power and leadership has inspired her to cofound Take The Lead, a women’s leadership initiative designed to bring women to leadership parity by 2025. Stay tuned for a 2013 launch.
Former president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, her journey to leadership in social activism began as a teen mom and high school dropout in rural West Texas. Feldt was thus dubbed “the voice of experience” by People Magazine. She initiated the Responsible Choices Action Agenda, which resulted in state and federal laws requiring insurance coverage of contraception and increased access to emergency contraception, while growing the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and PAC to be the largest nonpartisan pro-choice political action entity in the nation. She traveled the globe to visit international family planning programs and served on the official US government delegation to the UN Conference on Population and Development 5-year review. She attended the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing as both NGO delegate and press.
Vanity Fair named Feldt to its “Top 200 Women Leaders, Legends, and Trailblazers and Glamour honored her as Woman of the Year. Previous books include New York Times best seller Send YOURSELF Roses co-written with actress Kathleen Turner, The War on Choice: the Right-Wing Attack on Women’s Rights and How to Fight Back, and Behind Every Choice Is a Story. She’s been a newsmaker and commentator in national publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, the Daily Beast, ForbesWoman, and Salon, is a regular contributor to Politico’s “Arena” column, and has appeared on most major network public affairs shows. Find her Heartfeldt Blog and 9 Ways Blog at www.GloriaFeldt.com. She serves on the boards of the Women’s Media Center and the Jewish Women’s Archive, and is co-chair of US Women Connect, the nationwide coalition of state coalitions working to connect US women to the global women’s agenda.
Feldt and her husband Alex Barbanell share a combined family of six children and 14 grandchildren. Connect with her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter @GloriaFeldt where she hangs out far too much. Contact: gloria@gloriafeldt.com
Former president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, her journey to leadership in social activism began as a teen mom and high school dropout in rural West Texas. Feldt was thus dubbed “the voice of experience” by People Magazine. She initiated the Responsible Choices Action Agenda, which resulted in state and federal laws requiring insurance coverage of contraception and increased access to emergency contraception, while growing the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and PAC to be the largest nonpartisan pro-choice political action entity in the nation. She traveled the globe to visit international family planning programs and served on the official US government delegation to the UN Conference on Population and Development 5-year review. She attended the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing as both NGO delegate and press.
Vanity Fair named Feldt to its “Top 200 Women Leaders, Legends, and Trailblazers and Glamour honored her as Woman of the Year. Previous books include New York Times best seller Send YOURSELF Roses co-written with actress Kathleen Turner, The War on Choice: the Right-Wing Attack on Women’s Rights and How to Fight Back, and Behind Every Choice Is a Story. She’s been a newsmaker and commentator in national publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, the Daily Beast, ForbesWoman, and Salon, is a regular contributor to Politico’s “Arena” column, and has appeared on most major network public affairs shows. Find her Heartfeldt Blog and 9 Ways Blog at www.GloriaFeldt.com. She serves on the boards of the Women’s Media Center and the Jewish Women’s Archive, and is co-chair of US Women Connect, the nationwide coalition of state coalitions working to connect US women to the global women’s agenda.
Feldt and her husband Alex Barbanell share a combined family of six children and 14 grandchildren. Connect with her on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter @GloriaFeldt where she hangs out far too much. Contact: gloria@gloriafeldt.com
Mark Szollar
Mark has been at The New York Times for 28 years and has worked in a variety of positions and departments in his career. He is currently the Advertising Director of Diversity and Recruitment for the company.
Mark is also an active member of the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s, as well as “VOCES”, the New York Times Hispanic-American Affinity Group. He is also on the Advisory Board for the National Association of Black Sports Professionals, the Board of Directors for the National Association of Asian MBA’s, as well as the Advisory Board for Veterans Across America. Mark was also a judge of the 2006 Out and Equal, “OUTIE” awards. In addition, in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Mark was invited to the World Diversity Conference held in Prague, the United Nations, Washington, DC and most recently Harvard University, to moderate a panel on how Sports brings people from Diverse Cultures together. Most recently in 2011, Mark received the “Advocate of the Year” award from the Student Corporate Internship Program”, which identifies the most promising minority high school students in the tri-state area.
In addition to his professional career, in 2003, Mark was inducted into the Youth Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, (not as a player but as an umpire). He loves youth baseball and volunteers his time umpiring Little League and Babe Ruth baseball.
Mark graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Resource Recreation Management from Oregon State University and he received his MBA in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1989.
Mark is also an active member of the National Society of Hispanic MBA’s, as well as “VOCES”, the New York Times Hispanic-American Affinity Group. He is also on the Advisory Board for the National Association of Black Sports Professionals, the Board of Directors for the National Association of Asian MBA’s, as well as the Advisory Board for Veterans Across America. Mark was also a judge of the 2006 Out and Equal, “OUTIE” awards. In addition, in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 Mark was invited to the World Diversity Conference held in Prague, the United Nations, Washington, DC and most recently Harvard University, to moderate a panel on how Sports brings people from Diverse Cultures together. Most recently in 2011, Mark received the “Advocate of the Year” award from the Student Corporate Internship Program”, which identifies the most promising minority high school students in the tri-state area.
In addition to his professional career, in 2003, Mark was inducted into the Youth Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, (not as a player but as an umpire). He loves youth baseball and volunteers his time umpiring Little League and Babe Ruth baseball.
Mark graduated in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Resource Recreation Management from Oregon State University and he received his MBA in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1989.
Leslie Grossman
Leslie Grossman is a leadership and business/career development expert, and advocate for women leaders. Grossman created and co-founded Women’s Leadership Exchange, a national organization that produced more than 100 conferences and events, with a mission of creating more women leaders in the world by building leadership, relationship building and business skills. Previously, she lead an integrated marketing agency, Communications/Marketing Action, whose clients included many national brands in the fashion, entertainment and business worlds.
She is author of Link Out: How to Turn Your Network into a Chain of Lasting Connectors (Wiley) to be released Jan., 2013, and a previous book Sellsation: How Companies Can Capture Today’s Hottest Market: Women Business Owners and Executives. Recently Grossman toured Japan on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, speaking to women about the opportunities of entrepreneurship, and was rated as “one of the best speakers of the year.” Her workshops and keynotes on entrepreneurship and leadership integrate her philosophy of achieving success by creating life-long connections, building one’s personal brand and developing leadership skills.
She is Chief Connections Officer for Cojourneo, a start-up Internet company offering collaborative workshops to help people progress on their personal and business journeys. Grossman is past president and founding international chair of the National Association of Women Business Owners, has served on many boards, including her present role on the board of Unleashed, a nonprofit that transforms middle school girls into leaders and social change agents. She been a professional speaker for over 12 years, speaking and leading workshops at associations, universities like Cornell, NYU and University of Maryland, and corporations, like JP MorganChase, MetLife, IBM, Aetna, Northwestern Mutual and Jones NY. For more information visit www.lesliegrossmanleadership.com.
She is author of Link Out: How to Turn Your Network into a Chain of Lasting Connectors (Wiley) to be released Jan., 2013, and a previous book Sellsation: How Companies Can Capture Today’s Hottest Market: Women Business Owners and Executives. Recently Grossman toured Japan on behalf of the U.S. Embassy, speaking to women about the opportunities of entrepreneurship, and was rated as “one of the best speakers of the year.” Her workshops and keynotes on entrepreneurship and leadership integrate her philosophy of achieving success by creating life-long connections, building one’s personal brand and developing leadership skills.
She is Chief Connections Officer for Cojourneo, a start-up Internet company offering collaborative workshops to help people progress on their personal and business journeys. Grossman is past president and founding international chair of the National Association of Women Business Owners, has served on many boards, including her present role on the board of Unleashed, a nonprofit that transforms middle school girls into leaders and social change agents. She been a professional speaker for over 12 years, speaking and leading workshops at associations, universities like Cornell, NYU and University of Maryland, and corporations, like JP MorganChase, MetLife, IBM, Aetna, Northwestern Mutual and Jones NY. For more information visit www.lesliegrossmanleadership.com.
Marsha Haygood
Marsha Haygood is a highly respected motivational speaker and a
dynamic career and personal coach with a solid career development track
record in corporate America. She founded and is President of StepWise Associates, LLC,
which offers professional and personal guidance to individuals,
corporations and small business owners through coaching and motivational
speaking.
If you are feeling stuck or unfulfilled and want to jumpstart your life, Marsha is the person you want to meet. She speaks on topics which offer personal and professional success strategies and offers practical tips that inspire clients and audiences to identify their passion, assess their skills and potential and craft a roadmap to reach their goals.
Marsha cultivated her coaching expertise during 25+ years as a Human Resources Executive where she advised Senior Management and coached employees at all levels.
In her last corporate position, she was Executive Vice President – Human Resources and Administration at New Line Cinema, a division of Time Warner. Prior to New Line, Marsha held executive positions in Human Resources at Orion Pictures, among other companies. She has been featured in a number of publications for her contributions to corporate America including USA Today, the New York Daily News, Essence, Ebony, and Heart & Soul magazine and was featured in the book, Speaking of Success along with acclaimed best selling authors Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard and Jack Canfield. Marsha is also the coauthor of The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women published by Random House/One World Press. Dubbed as “A mentor in your pocket,” The Little Black Book of Success was nominated for the esteemed NAACP Literary Award.
Marsha holds a BA degree from Lehman College in New York and Human Resource Training and Development Certification from New York University. She has won numerous awards for her accomplishments including the prestigious YMCA Black Achievement Award and The Trailblazer Award from The National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. The Network Journal also named Marsha one of 25 Influential Black Women in Business. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for YouthBridge-NY, a non-profit high school leadership development organization and formerly served as the senior advisory board member of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources of Greater New York. She is one of the co founders of Leadership Excellence and Development Strategies, LLC (LEADS) and is also one of the founding board members of Black Women of Influence whose mission is to offer support and guidance to executive level women and develop a pipeline to support and empower young girls in the community.
Marsha devotes her time developing and facilitating coaching programs, workshops, speaking engagements and book signing throughout the country. She and her husband reside in New York and Florida.
If you are feeling stuck or unfulfilled and want to jumpstart your life, Marsha is the person you want to meet. She speaks on topics which offer personal and professional success strategies and offers practical tips that inspire clients and audiences to identify their passion, assess their skills and potential and craft a roadmap to reach their goals.
Marsha cultivated her coaching expertise during 25+ years as a Human Resources Executive where she advised Senior Management and coached employees at all levels.
In her last corporate position, she was Executive Vice President – Human Resources and Administration at New Line Cinema, a division of Time Warner. Prior to New Line, Marsha held executive positions in Human Resources at Orion Pictures, among other companies. She has been featured in a number of publications for her contributions to corporate America including USA Today, the New York Daily News, Essence, Ebony, and Heart & Soul magazine and was featured in the book, Speaking of Success along with acclaimed best selling authors Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard and Jack Canfield. Marsha is also the coauthor of The Little Black Book of Success: Laws of Leadership for Black Women published by Random House/One World Press. Dubbed as “A mentor in your pocket,” The Little Black Book of Success was nominated for the esteemed NAACP Literary Award.
Marsha holds a BA degree from Lehman College in New York and Human Resource Training and Development Certification from New York University. She has won numerous awards for her accomplishments including the prestigious YMCA Black Achievement Award and The Trailblazer Award from The National Association of African Americans in Human Resources. The Network Journal also named Marsha one of 25 Influential Black Women in Business. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for YouthBridge-NY, a non-profit high school leadership development organization and formerly served as the senior advisory board member of the National Association of African Americans in Human Resources of Greater New York. She is one of the co founders of Leadership Excellence and Development Strategies, LLC (LEADS) and is also one of the founding board members of Black Women of Influence whose mission is to offer support and guidance to executive level women and develop a pipeline to support and empower young girls in the community.
Marsha devotes her time developing and facilitating coaching programs, workshops, speaking engagements and book signing throughout the country. She and her husband reside in New York and Florida.
Wendi L. Wasik
Wendi L. Wasik is the Founder & CEO of Wasik Consulting, a New York and Philadelphia based Leadership Development consulting firm, providing services to senior-level executives, entrepreneurs and organizations ranging from entrepreneurial firms to multinational companies across a broad spectrum of industries.
Wendi’s passion for Leadership Development grew exponentially when she was Vice President of Organizational Development for a leading national company. Today as an entrepreneur, Wendi offers a powerful perspective on how to achieve and sustain peak individual and organizational performance to produce significant business results.
During her fifteen years of experience as a business consultant, Wendi developed a tremendous commitment to women’s leadership, which inspired her to launch Generations—a unique organization where women of all ages share important lessons from their professional experience, and provide mentoring opportunities and valuable connections. Wendi strongly believes that when women share their experiences and wisdom across generations, they have the power to transform challenges into opportunities, and to alter the course of their lives in profound and meaningful ways
Wendi received an M.S. degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania. She has attended international economic and organizational management seminars at Oxford University and the University of London. Wendi presently serves as a Functional Advisor for The Wharton School’s Small Business Development Center, advising undergraduate and MBA students on client casework.
She is also a keynote speaker for corporate events and professional women’s associations. Her speaking engagements are infused with pertinent contemporary examples, time-tested lessons, academic research and entertaining words of wisdom--all of which are intended to challenge conventional wisdom and engage listeners in a transformative experience.
Wendi’s passion for Leadership Development grew exponentially when she was Vice President of Organizational Development for a leading national company. Today as an entrepreneur, Wendi offers a powerful perspective on how to achieve and sustain peak individual and organizational performance to produce significant business results.
During her fifteen years of experience as a business consultant, Wendi developed a tremendous commitment to women’s leadership, which inspired her to launch Generations—a unique organization where women of all ages share important lessons from their professional experience, and provide mentoring opportunities and valuable connections. Wendi strongly believes that when women share their experiences and wisdom across generations, they have the power to transform challenges into opportunities, and to alter the course of their lives in profound and meaningful ways
Wendi received an M.S. degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania. She has attended international economic and organizational management seminars at Oxford University and the University of London. Wendi presently serves as a Functional Advisor for The Wharton School’s Small Business Development Center, advising undergraduate and MBA students on client casework.
She is also a keynote speaker for corporate events and professional women’s associations. Her speaking engagements are infused with pertinent contemporary examples, time-tested lessons, academic research and entertaining words of wisdom--all of which are intended to challenge conventional wisdom and engage listeners in a transformative experience.
Pattie Simone
Pattie Simone is a Serial Entrepreneur, New Media Activist, Speaker, Vlogger, and founder of WomenCentric, a socially-conscious business networking and opportunity hub for ambitious working women worldwide. WomenCentric's mission - to amplify women's voices, tap the power of collaboration, close the gender gap and achieve pay parity for women in all walks of life, especially for our Kindred Sisters in disadvantaged communities, both locally and abroad.
Pattie is a credentialed Journalist and Vlogger with 850+ bylines for print and online publications by WomenEntrepreneur.com, Entrepreneur, Gannet, North Jersey Media Group, and New Jersey Bride Magazine. She is one of 72 Co-Authors of Jersey Women Mean Business! Big, Bold Business Advice from New Jersey Business Women: Practical Pointers, Solutions and Strategies for Small Business Success, available on Amazon. She has produced hundreds of videos for clients and WomenCentric Media, interviewing experts, authors, thought leaders, activists and entrepreneurs, including Gloria Steinem, Rachel Ray, Communications Guru Charlotte Beers, the first women CEO of Oglivy & Mather, Billie Jean King, Sr. Helen Prejean, Author of Dead Man Walking, and Mary & Carol Higgins Clark. Her diverse "in-the-trenches" life learning experiences have shaped her vision as a profit generalist; helping startups and growth track firms with branding, communications, promotion, strategy development, efficiency, and new media, including video production, scripting, and media training.
Pattie has been featured on WCBS Newsradio's Wall Street Journal and Opening Bell report, on Making a Living with Maggie on Martha Stewart Living Radio on SiriusXM, as well as on MSNBC, ABC and FOX 5 TV, and in MORE Magazine.
She is married to her high school sweetheart (who she met in a high school musical) and is a proud mom to three 20-somethings. Pattie is working on achieving everything in her bucket list; which includes spending more offline time with family and friends, perfecting the perfect croissant and writing her second book - a sassy communications success guide (to publish in 2013). For more information about Pattie, Google her. Follow her on Twitter @PattieSimone and on WomenCentric's YouTube Channel.
Pattie is a credentialed Journalist and Vlogger with 850+ bylines for print and online publications by WomenEntrepreneur.com, Entrepreneur, Gannet, North Jersey Media Group, and New Jersey Bride Magazine. She is one of 72 Co-Authors of Jersey Women Mean Business! Big, Bold Business Advice from New Jersey Business Women: Practical Pointers, Solutions and Strategies for Small Business Success, available on Amazon. She has produced hundreds of videos for clients and WomenCentric Media, interviewing experts, authors, thought leaders, activists and entrepreneurs, including Gloria Steinem, Rachel Ray, Communications Guru Charlotte Beers, the first women CEO of Oglivy & Mather, Billie Jean King, Sr. Helen Prejean, Author of Dead Man Walking, and Mary & Carol Higgins Clark. Her diverse "in-the-trenches" life learning experiences have shaped her vision as a profit generalist; helping startups and growth track firms with branding, communications, promotion, strategy development, efficiency, and new media, including video production, scripting, and media training.
Pattie has been featured on WCBS Newsradio's Wall Street Journal and Opening Bell report, on Making a Living with Maggie on Martha Stewart Living Radio on SiriusXM, as well as on MSNBC, ABC and FOX 5 TV, and in MORE Magazine.
She is married to her high school sweetheart (who she met in a high school musical) and is a proud mom to three 20-somethings. Pattie is working on achieving everything in her bucket list; which includes spending more offline time with family and friends, perfecting the perfect croissant and writing her second book - a sassy communications success guide (to publish in 2013). For more information about Pattie, Google her. Follow her on Twitter @PattieSimone and on WomenCentric's YouTube Channel.
Maria Gamb
Maria Gamb is Founder and CEO of the coaching and training company NMS Communications. As a former Fortune 500 executive, she spent more than twenty years in the trenches of corporate America directing and managing successful businesses valued in excess of $100 million. Providing her with invaluable global experience working in the Asia, Australia, Europe, Turkey and parts of South America which lead her to write the Amazon best selling book “Healing the Corporate World: How Value Based Leadership Gets Results from the Inside Out”. Her specialties include value-based leadership, gender intelligence and communication, team collaboration as well as championing women in emerging leadership roles. Her belief is that we all are responsible for shifting the environment within business to a more constructive and collaborative model – together, regardless of gender we can accomplish more together than divided.
Forbes magazine identified Maria Gamb as a new thought leader to follow and tapped her as a regular contributor addressing women in leadership. Her approach to leadership has also been featured in Inc Magazine, Time Magazine, Wall Street Radio Network and the Women’s Media outlet. She is a sought after professional international speaker, author, trainer and advocate for women as change agents – leading the charge for positively changing industry norms within organizations, groups and governments cabinets.
Maria sits on the Global Advisory Board for Impact 21 Leadership and the Board of Directors for Collective Changes; advancing women’s leadership worldwide. She is a member of the Women’s MBA International (WMBAI) association and the United Nations Association of New York (UNA – NY). In 2013 Maria begins her work with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) developing a women’s entrepreneurial program for the Arab Nations.
Forbes magazine identified Maria Gamb as a new thought leader to follow and tapped her as a regular contributor addressing women in leadership. Her approach to leadership has also been featured in Inc Magazine, Time Magazine, Wall Street Radio Network and the Women’s Media outlet. She is a sought after professional international speaker, author, trainer and advocate for women as change agents – leading the charge for positively changing industry norms within organizations, groups and governments cabinets.
Maria sits on the Global Advisory Board for Impact 21 Leadership and the Board of Directors for Collective Changes; advancing women’s leadership worldwide. She is a member of the Women’s MBA International (WMBAI) association and the United Nations Association of New York (UNA – NY). In 2013 Maria begins her work with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) developing a women’s entrepreneurial program for the Arab Nations.
Elizaveta Filatova
Elizaveta Filatova comes from a professional background in international journalism and lobbying. Her scientific course study was based on information security and geopolitics, which encouraged her to explore lobbying and public relations deeper.
In 2011 Elizaveta founded the American Association of Russian Women (AARW) with an idea to merge Russian-speaking women in the United States. The mission is the advancement and unification of Russian immigrants in the U.S., including the preservation of Russian culture and science abroad.
American Association of Russian Women is also an organization that focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment. It was established to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide.
Elizaveta also represents the Inter-regional Union of Life Help “Sail of Hope”, a non-governmental organization in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2002. The organization helps children with disabilities get education to better their lives.
Elizaveta hosts the annual round table “21st Century Woman”, whose goal is to foster collaboration amongst women who come from different cultures and are now living in the United States.
In 2011 Elizaveta founded the American Association of Russian Women (AARW) with an idea to merge Russian-speaking women in the United States. The mission is the advancement and unification of Russian immigrants in the U.S., including the preservation of Russian culture and science abroad.
American Association of Russian Women is also an organization that focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment. It was established to accelerate progress in meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide.
Elizaveta also represents the Inter-regional Union of Life Help “Sail of Hope”, a non-governmental organization in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council since 2002. The organization helps children with disabilities get education to better their lives.
Elizaveta hosts the annual round table “21st Century Woman”, whose goal is to foster collaboration amongst women who come from different cultures and are now living in the United States.
Denise Shull
Denise Shull teaches risk takers how to make better judgment calls. She recently authored the highly acclaimed Market Mind Games: A Radical New Psychology of Investing, Trading and Risk to elucidate a whole new way to think about thinking itself.
Having founded ReThink in 2003 to transform neuroscience into business advantages, she and her team have consulted with CEO’s, Chief Risk Officers, Institutions, Portfolio Managers and top-tier hedge fund traders on how properly understand and leverage the human skill in judgment calls. She has also educated thousands of independent investors in the use of their psychological capital and coached executives in English football in the same principles.
Her unique work has been featured in the Financial Times, Bloomberg Magazine and Risk Professional magazine. Denise has written for Psychology Today, Absolute Return, CME Group Magazine and Reuter’s Hedgeworld. She has been quoted in The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, Smart Money and The Washington Post. Ms. Shull has appeared on CNBC in both the US and in Asia, Bloomberg , Cavuto , PBS and The Discovery Channel.
She graduated from the University of Chicago’s unique Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences in 1995 where she wrote her thesis on how our brains develop in childhood so that we tend to perceive and react according to fractal patterns in adulthood. Shull is also a graduate of Harvard’s executive education program in “Investment Decisions and Behavioral Finance”.
Denise resides in New York City and belongs to the Association for Psychological Science, The Society for Social and Affective Neuroscience, the Society for Neuroeconomics and the Author’s Guild.
Having founded ReThink in 2003 to transform neuroscience into business advantages, she and her team have consulted with CEO’s, Chief Risk Officers, Institutions, Portfolio Managers and top-tier hedge fund traders on how properly understand and leverage the human skill in judgment calls. She has also educated thousands of independent investors in the use of their psychological capital and coached executives in English football in the same principles.
Her unique work has been featured in the Financial Times, Bloomberg Magazine and Risk Professional magazine. Denise has written for Psychology Today, Absolute Return, CME Group Magazine and Reuter’s Hedgeworld. She has been quoted in The New York Times,The Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, Smart Money and The Washington Post. Ms. Shull has appeared on CNBC in both the US and in Asia, Bloomberg , Cavuto , PBS and The Discovery Channel.
She graduated from the University of Chicago’s unique Master of Arts Program in the Social Sciences in 1995 where she wrote her thesis on how our brains develop in childhood so that we tend to perceive and react according to fractal patterns in adulthood. Shull is also a graduate of Harvard’s executive education program in “Investment Decisions and Behavioral Finance”.
Denise resides in New York City and belongs to the Association for Psychological Science, The Society for Social and Affective Neuroscience, the Society for Neuroeconomics and the Author’s Guild.
Cheryl Benton
Cheryl Benton is the current President of the Metro NY Chapter of the US National Committee for UN Women, the United Nations entity for gender equality and the empowerment of women. She is also the Founder/Publisher of The Three Tomatoes.com, a lifestyle web site and newsletter that celebrates women over the age of 40. She is passionate about helping women and children succeed in life, which has led to her involvement in non-profits supporting women and children globally and locally. In addition to her involvement with the Metro NY Chapter of the US National Committee for UN Women, she serves on the board of NYWA (New York Women’s Agenda).
Linda Arrey
Linda Arrey is President and CEO of Women In Leadership Development and Empowerment, LLC (WILDE). WILDE was birth from Linda’s vision and dedication to the education and empowerment of women globally, and her inclination to improving individual and community standards. As a philanthropist, she is constantly seeking innovative ways to give back to the community through mobilization, direct service, donations, and more.
Prior to founding WILDE, Ms. Arrey has worked as office manager for legislators in Georgia. Her extensive duties included but were not limited to recruiting interns and volunteers, planning and implementation of special events such as mixers and fundraisers, and managing office operations. Among other community and non-profit organizations, she has enjoyed serving as Secretary General of the African Women Development Foundation Inc., helping women and children in need through resource provision and developmental processes. Ms. Arrey has also served as the Programs Coordinator for Pan-African Medical Missions providing sustainable health care to underserved communities. She was also the manager of the Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant Organization, the national pageant for women of African descent residing in the U.S. Working with the pageant she managed various aspects of business operations such as auditioning, processing and training the young women that applied to the pageant annually. She also collaborated and formed strategic partnerships between the pageant and other organizations such as The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation. Her role also extended to managing Miss Africa USA during her reign, where she worked with the Queen to implement structure, refine and execute her platform. Linda continues to serve as a personal career and leadership development mentor to several of these women.
In 2011 Linda founded WILDE to empower a new generation of women ready to take up leadership roles at the workplace, promote community development, and enhance interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships, while building self-esteem and overall appearance. WILDE is a membership community-based organization made up of a unique network of professional women from diversified backgrounds and experiences who aim at enhancing women’s skills and involvement at all levels of society. Under Linda’s leadership, WILDE runs a mentoring program for young women between the ages of 13 to 22, and also organizes quarterly women’s brunches and professional mixers bringing together business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals from other disciplines in the metro Atlanta area, with plans to expand to other states. WILDE also hosts a Leadership and Service Awards Gala annually in Atlanta where Ms. Arrey honors proven leaders who are dedicated to improving the lives of others and the community in general. Linda also plans to host the Women’s Leadership and Development Conference in Atlanta in the nearest future.
Linda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and a Master of Science in Public Health. She is an Officer of the United States Air Force where she serves as a Hospital Manager. She is a member of Church of The Harvest International (COTHI), and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Linda loves fashion especially shopping for new shoes, fine dining, spending time with close friends and family, and traveling the world.
Prior to founding WILDE, Ms. Arrey has worked as office manager for legislators in Georgia. Her extensive duties included but were not limited to recruiting interns and volunteers, planning and implementation of special events such as mixers and fundraisers, and managing office operations. Among other community and non-profit organizations, she has enjoyed serving as Secretary General of the African Women Development Foundation Inc., helping women and children in need through resource provision and developmental processes. Ms. Arrey has also served as the Programs Coordinator for Pan-African Medical Missions providing sustainable health care to underserved communities. She was also the manager of the Miss Africa USA Scholarship Pageant Organization, the national pageant for women of African descent residing in the U.S. Working with the pageant she managed various aspects of business operations such as auditioning, processing and training the young women that applied to the pageant annually. She also collaborated and formed strategic partnerships between the pageant and other organizations such as The Leon H. Sullivan Foundation. Her role also extended to managing Miss Africa USA during her reign, where she worked with the Queen to implement structure, refine and execute her platform. Linda continues to serve as a personal career and leadership development mentor to several of these women.
In 2011 Linda founded WILDE to empower a new generation of women ready to take up leadership roles at the workplace, promote community development, and enhance interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships, while building self-esteem and overall appearance. WILDE is a membership community-based organization made up of a unique network of professional women from diversified backgrounds and experiences who aim at enhancing women’s skills and involvement at all levels of society. Under Linda’s leadership, WILDE runs a mentoring program for young women between the ages of 13 to 22, and also organizes quarterly women’s brunches and professional mixers bringing together business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals from other disciplines in the metro Atlanta area, with plans to expand to other states. WILDE also hosts a Leadership and Service Awards Gala annually in Atlanta where Ms. Arrey honors proven leaders who are dedicated to improving the lives of others and the community in general. Linda also plans to host the Women’s Leadership and Development Conference in Atlanta in the nearest future.
Linda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and a Master of Science in Public Health. She is an Officer of the United States Air Force where she serves as a Hospital Manager. She is a member of Church of The Harvest International (COTHI), and currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Linda loves fashion especially shopping for new shoes, fine dining, spending time with close friends and family, and traveling the world.
