Nora Abousteit; a "rare leader who can pull together technology, publishing, and fashion, and inspire people" (Fast Company)."

Nora recently founded Kollabora.com, an online platform with fashion forward DIY projects in jewelry, knitting, and sewing. At Kollabora, which is currently invite-only, you can find inspiration, skills, and shop supplies that you need for making something awesome.

With a love for interaction and innovative technology, before starting Kollabora, Nora reinvented an old sewing magazine into the DIY fashion community BurdaStyle.com, with over 700,000 members now an icon in the sewing community.

Nora began her career at German power-publisher Hubert Burda Media and is part of the founding team of the DLD (Digital Life Design) conference.

She is a published author and has been invited to share her experience at Picnic, FOO (Friends of O'Reilly Media), Parsons School of Design, Stream, the World Economic Forum Media Summit, and NY Forum.

Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, BusinessWeek, Women's Wear Daily, and Fast Company. She was just elected to the board of the Craft and Hobby Association.

Nora grew up in Germany, lives in Brooklyn, NY and holds a degree in Middle East Studies, Political Science, and Philosophy from the American University in Cairo.

Andrea Agnew; Director of Diversity and Inclusion - Comcast Cable

Andrea Agnew is the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Comcast Cable Communications in Philadelphia, where she works to integrate diversity and equity practices into institutional employment and workplace practices.

She serves on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania and the advisory board of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

She has been recognized by her colleagues for Diversity Best Practices in Leadership at Comcast several years in a row. In 2009, she was the Urban League 2009 Whitney M. Young, Jr. Volunteer of the Year Award recipient. She was also recognized as one of the Most Influential Minorities in Cable by CableFax Magazine in 2008.

She is a graduate of the NAMIC Executive Leadership Development Program at UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management, and is an active volunteer in her daughter's Girl Scout troop for girls with special needs.

Bassam Awadalla; Consumer Area Executive for Bank of America

Bassam Awadalla is responsible for managing 185 banking centers in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Southern New Jersey. He joined the bank in August 2008 as a Consumer Leadership Program Associate. Prior to Bank of America, he spent 10 years with Chevy Chase Bank, most recently as a Vice President for Regional Sales and Service Coach. Bassam earned his bachelor's degree in political science from the American University in Cairo. He devotes a great deal of his free time to charitable activities and serves on the board of directors of Philabundance and Junior Achievement of Delaware Valley.

 

Dr. Ronda Beaman, Confirmed Keynote for the Adult Appreciation Brunch

Highly decorated Girl Scout and Patrol Leader, cheerleader, student council officer, honor roll, dean's list and aerobics champion Ronda Beaman has kept up her badge habits!

The first recipient of the NEA's Art of Teaching award, Dr. Ronda is the mother of USA Today's Most Creative Family, highest rated speaker at the Young President's Organization, author of the award winning book, "You're Only Young Twice", director of Leadership Studies at California Polytechnic University, and a highly sought after speaker, life coach and fitness trainer. She is Chief Creative Officer for the research and consulting firm PEAK, Learning, Inc. and a national thought leader for The American Health Network. She has been featured on major media including USA Today, CBS, NBC and Fox and was anchor for the television magazine Seattle Today.

Dr. Ronda earned her doctorate in leadership, paying her way by singing telegrams dressed in a gorilla suit. She has been Professor of the Year at three universities and named one of the Top Ten Outstanding Women in America.

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, Savvy Brand Marketer

There is a reason Kendra Bracken-Ferguson, DBA's Co-Founder was
named Mobile Marketer's "Mobile Women to Watch in 2010."

She helped create one of the first Cingular and MySpace mobile music studios, before "mobile social networking" as a term was part of our vernacular and went on to become the youngest Vice President at Fleishman-Hillard New York, one of the largest PR agencies in the world, where she was responsible for overseeing the digital consumer team and developing social media strategies for high profile global brands in fashion, consumer packaged goods, and technology.

Before co-founding DBA, she worked with Ralph Lauren to launch its first dedicated global social media department, navigating brand management, marketing, advertising, and public relations to develop and drive a cohesive approach to the online space from the US to Japan. There, she implemented some of the most noteworthy influencer campaigns across multiple brands.

Her background includes online interactive and integrated marketing with specialties in mobile marketing, influencer relations, digital communications, and viral/Word-of-Mouth marketing, event management and youth marketing.

She was featured as one of the twenty-eight most influential African American women in Essence Magazine in October, 2011. She is also on the Foundation Board of New York Women in Communications. She has a love for education
and a Master's of Business Administration.

Kendra Bracken-Ferguson lives in New York City with her husband and turtle.

Adam Braun; Founder, Pencils of Promise

Adam Braun is 28-year-old Founder of Pencils of Promise, the nonprofit organization that has opened more than 50 schools around the world and delivered over 1.5 million educational hours in just over three years.

All of this began as a college student on the path towards a career in finance. He met a young boy begging on the streets and asked him what he wanted most in the world. The answer- "A pencil." Braun then backpacked through 50+ countries, engaging in conversations and living amongst the world's best NGO's to develop a best practice model for global education created through the hands of locals.

Braun now speaks often on global education, finding one's passion and purpose, youth empowerment, international development and the intersection of the nonprofit and for-profit spaces. He graduated magna cum laude from Brown University and has been featured at the Clinton Global Initiative and Google Zeitgeist. He is also a featured contributor to Mashable and The Huffington Post.

Blondell Reynolds Brown; Councilwoman At-Large

Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown is dedicated to enriching the lives of Philadelphia residents by "Putting People First." As an educator, community activist, political leader and concerned parent, her focus and commitment to help others defines her work. She has sponsored and gained passage of legislation that increases access to meaningful opportunities in small business development for women and minorities. In addition, she is a leader in advancing energy conservation and environmental matters.

Councilwoman Reynolds Brown often devotes her programmatic and legislative efforts toward improving the quality of life for our City's most vulnerable citizens, children. The Celebration of Moxie Women, her signature program, focuses on the potential of girls, the promise of the next generation of women leaders, and the power of accomplished businesswomen, especially working mothers. She has been recognized as a Philadelphia Business Journal Woman of Distinction; as a recipient of the PA Commission for Women Women's History Month Award; and as one of 50 of Pennsylvania's most influential women in the book, VOICES.

Sophia Bush, Film and Television Actress

Actress Sophia Bush has captured film and television audiences alike with her range of roles and the diverse characters she portrays. Bush currently stars as ‘Brooke Davis’ on The CW’s “One Tree Hill.” Now in its 9^th and final season, her character has evolved from a trouble-making vixen to a fiercely loyal friend.
Bush developed a passion for performing while in high school.  Her first movie role came in the comedy “Van Wilder,” with Ryan Reynolds.
Bush starred in the hit comedy “John Tucker Must Die” co-starring Jesse Metcalfe and Brittany Snow and opposite Sean Bean in the 2007 remake of the classic horror film, “The Hitcher”. That same year she garnered Teen Choice Awards in the categories of “Choice Movie Actress: Comedy,” “Choice Movie Actress: Horror/Thriller” and “Choice Movie: Breakout Female.”
When not in front of the camera, Bush is a passionate philanthropist. She has recently worked closely with Global Green on the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and their continuing projects. Bush also supports The Art of Elysium, a non- profit that enriches the lives of children battling serious medical conditions.

Lorene Cary - Author

Lorene Cary's new novel, If Sons, Then Heirs (Atria Books, April 2011), recounts a love story for our time while exploring a searing racial history that haunts-and impoverishes-its unforgettable characters. Publishers Weekly calls it: "an absorbing and moving tale." Cary's other books include: the best-selling memoir Black Ice, an American Library Association Notable Book for 1991 often taught in colleges and high schools; The Price of a Child, a 1995 novel chosen as the first One Book, One Philadelphia selection; Pride, a contemporary novel, and FREE! Great Escapes on the Underground Railroad, a collection of true-life stories for young readers, published in 2006.

In December 2010, the public opening of The President's House on Independence Mall in Philadelphia introduced visitors to five videos, shot from Cary's original scripts, depicting the lives of nine enslaved Africans in the household of President George Washington as well as the free black men and women who helped two of them run to freedom.

Cary founded Art Sanctuary in 1998. Now, more than 10,000 diverse participants enjoy the organization's unique programs of excellent African-American arts and letters in inner-city Philadelphia. Signature events include the Celebration of Black Writing, at the National Historic Landmark Church of the Advocate, Temple University, and schools across the city.

For arts activism, for her writing, and for her teaching as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, Cary in 2003 received the Philadelphia Award, her city's highest civic honor.

In October 2011, Cary was appointed to Philadelphia's School Reform Commission.

Catherine Cook, Co-founder, myYearbook and Vice President, Brand Strategy Quepasa Corporation

Participating in the "Be Your Own Boss: It's Easier Than You Think" panel on Sat. 4.21.

Catherine is the Vice President, Brand Strategy for Quepasa Corporation, the public market leader for social discovery and owner of Latin-American platform Quepasa and North-American platform myYearbook. Catherine co-founded myYearbook, with her brother Dave in 2005. The company merged with the Quepasa Corporation in Nov. 2011. Catherine is responsible for creating some of the most important applications on myYearbook and has been instrumental in driving the site's growth by conceiving of the next popular features. As part of Quepasa Corp.'s management team, Catherine will continue to drive new features that deliver on our mission -- to be the best place to meet new people.

Catherine graduated Georgetown University in 2011, where she majored in OPIM and marketing. Catherine has been reported on extensively in CNBC, MTV, ABC News, Fox News, CosmoGIRL, BusinessWeek, the San Francisco Chronicle, and CBS.

Susan Corbett - First Lady of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Susan was born in Pottstown, Pennsylvania and grew up in Pine Grove, Schuylkill County. Susan met Tom Corbett in 1968 while attending Lebanon Valley College. After dating for several years, Tom and Susan married in 1972. Susan began her career at Northern Lebanon School District where she taught Senior High English for one year before moving to San Antonio, Texas. She then worked as a legal secretary while Tom earned his degree from St. Mary's Law School. After her two children, Tom and Kate, were born, Susan dedicated several years to staying home and raising a family.

Susan resumed her professional career in 1990 as a special projects manager for the President's Office at Carnegie Museums and the Director's Office of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. She served as Assistant Producer and then Executive Director of Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures, a nationally recognized literary arts organization. From 2006 to 2010, Susan served as Vice-President for Programs and Development for the Gettysburg Foundation, a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service that works to preserve Gettysburg National Military Park and to enhance the preservation and understanding of the heritage and lasting significance of Gettysburg. Susan also serves as the Honorary Chair of the Girl Scouts' 100th Anniversary Celebration and as the Honorary Chair of the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Conference.

Jerry Craft - Cartoonist

Jerry Craft worked in advertising for several years writing newspaper ads and radio and TV commercials. But in the 90s, the ad business went in the tank, so he decided to fall back on his drawing skills. He's always loved to draw, and when he was younger, Jerry had dreams of becoming the next great artist of Spider-Man or the Silver Surfer. Although that never happened, at least not yet, Jerry was fortunate to be able to work with cartoonist Barbara Slate on comic books such as New Kids On The Block for Harvey Comics and Sweet 16 and Yuppies From Hell, two series that she developed for Marvel Comics.

Jerry's comics have appeared in The Village Voice, Ebony magazine, The New York Daily News, Street News, and Jewish Week (believe it or not), to name a few. He has also drawn or written gags for a couple of syndicated features such as Laff-A-Day, Tar Pit, Jr Whirl and Hints From Heloise.

Ramonia Dixon - Student

For much of Dixon's life, she and her family were in a constant state of change, living on the streets on cardboard boxes and moving from one homeless shelter to another in city after city. These difficult and challenging experiences led Dixon to seek out a place that she could call "home," which she found immediately after being housed long-term in UMOM and then receiving Section 8 Housing in the city of Tempe.

Five years ago, Dixon found a place to call home when she joined Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley. From her first day at the Club, she took advantage of every available opportunity to teach younger children about the importance of being responsible, caring, productive members of society. To help ensure her family's continued stability, Dixon contributes to family income by working part time.

In May 2010 Dixon graduated third in her class at Tempe High School with a 3.93 GPA. She was also a member of her varsity basketball team and participated in the National Honor Society, Stand and Serve (a peer leadership group), Student Council and Black Student Union. Dixon is currently a sophomore at Arizona State University's Barrett Honors College and W.P Carey School of Business, pursuing a dual bachelor's degree in supply chain management and business management.

Erica Domesek, founder, creator, and author of P.S.- I made this...

Erica is a distinguished DIY design and style expert living and creating in New York City. P.S.- I made this... inspires and encourages everyone to embrace Erica's creative motto: "I see it. I like it. I make it."

In Fall of 2010, Erica's first book was released. Part designer DIY, part fashion and lifestyle inspiration guide, P.S.- I made this... features more than 25 projects inspired by iconic fashion looks, runway trends, and celebrated style mavens for readers to create themselves. The user-friendly "Designer DIY" projects range from lucite necklaces and faux-fur vests, to embellished heels and chic handbags. Each project is featured alongside inspirational, vivid fashion mood boards and clear, easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. Domesek's collection of unique projects will tempt any style-maven who's ready to dive into DIY.

Erica has been seen crafting on Martha Stewart, Nate Berkus, Rachael Ray, Fox, NBC, E! News and CBS. Her work has been featured in publications such as Teen Vogue, Glamour, Lucky, InStyle, Self, Italian Vogue, Vogue Nippon, The Wall Street Journal, and more. She has styled and designed campaigns for international brands such as Coca-Cola, Ford, Helmut Lang, Bloomingdales, Roxy, Quiksilver, and Sharpie, among others. Domesek's online DIY collaborations have included WhoWhatWear, Fashionista, Refinery29, DesignSponge, and more.

Donna Fenn, Author and Expert on Entrepreneurship and Small Business Trends

Donna Fenn is the author of two books: Upstarts! How GenY Entrepreneurs are Rocking the World of Business and 8 Ways You Can Profit From Their Success (McGraw-Hill, 2009); and Alpha Dogs: How Your Small Business Can Become a Leader of the Pack (Collins 2005). A business journalist for more than 25 years, Fenn is a contributing editor at Inc. Magazine and the co-founder of YEC Mentors, an initiative of The Young Entrepreneur Council. She is also an experienced international keynote speaker. She has been a blogger on BNET/CBSi, a columnist on Lifetuner.com, and her work has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, Working Woman, Parents, Reader’s Digest, and The Washington Monthly, among other publications. She was a correspondent for The Associated Press in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from 1988 to 1992. She now lives in Pelham, NY with her husband, Guian Heintzen, and is the proud mom of a Tulane grad and a Cornell junior.

Liz Gateley, Cutting Edge Television Producer

Liz Gateley is the Co-owner and Founder of DiGa, a full-service independent production company/studio formed in January of 2011. Gateley joined MTV in 2003 as the Vice President of Development and quickly worked her way up to become Head of Series Development.  In her first year at MTV she created the game-changing reality show Laguna Beach and executive produced the spin-off, The Hills. Most recently, Gateley developed and executive produced 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom. Other hits under Gateley's tenure included Run's House and America's Best Dance Crew. She also developed the scripted series Hard Times of RJ Berger, Teen Wolf and Awkward.  Prior to MTV, Gateley worked at Lifetime Television where she was responsible for the development of primetime and daytime scripted and reality original series and specials.

Elizabeth Gore, Humanitarian and Inspiring Marketing professional

Elizabeth Gore is the Vice President of Global Partnerships for the United Nations Foundation, currently managing partnership and cause marketing strategies implemented in programs and campaigns of the United Nations. Mrs. Gore directs large-scale partnerships with global corporations and organizations to bolster support for UN programs. She leads strategic grassroots efforts such as the innovative Nothing But Nets and Girl Up campaigns, the Shot@Life global vaccines campaign, and a faith-based campaign for malaria programs and the Global Fund.  In 2010 Elizabeth joined Summit on the Summit and climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for the global clean water crisis on behalf of the United Nations.
Gore is a former United States Peace Corps volunteer. In 2008, she was named by People as one of the top 100 Extraordinary Women.

Scott Harrison, Change Agent and Philanthropist

Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity: water.
Scott spent 10 years as a nightclub promoter in New York City before leaving to volunteer on a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, Africa as a volunteer photojournalist. Returning home to New York City two years later, he founded the non-profit organization charity: water in 2006. Turning his full attention to the global water crisis and the one billion people without clean water to drink, he created public installations and innovative online fundraising platforms to spread international awareness of the issue.
In five years, with the help of more than 250,000 donors worldwide, charity: water has raised over $60 million and funded 6,185 water projects in 19 developing nations. Those projects will provide over 2.5 million people with clean, safe drinking water.
Scott was recently recognized in Fortune Magazine’s 40 under 40 list, and the Forbes Impact 30 list.

Frances Hesselbein, Former CEO of GSUSA

Frances Hesselbein is the President and CEO of the Leader to Leader Institute (formerly the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management) and its Founding President. Mrs. Hesselbein was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States of America’s highest civilian honor, in 1998. The award recognized her leadership as CEO of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. from 1976–1990, her role as the Founding President of the Drucker Foundation, and her service as “a pioneer for women, volunteerism, diversity and opportunity.” Her contributions were also recognized by the first President Bush, who appointed her to two Presidential Commissions on National and Community Service. Click to read more.

Mariandl M. C. Hufford - Educator

Mariandl M. C. Hufford is an experienced educator who holds dual master's degrees in Educational Leadership and in Psychological Services from the University of Pennsylvania, a master's in Teaching and Curriculum from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts from Bryn Mawr College. During her nearly two-decade career in independent schools, she has taught Latin and served as a school counselor and director of student services. Her student-centered, research-based focus has led her to work on the creation of systems and programs that best serve girls.

Alexis Jones; all-american, southern belle, Texas tomboy.

Alexis grew up in Austin and moved to L.A., where she completed a B.A. in international relations and a Masters in communication management, both at USC. Alexis discovered her passion for inspiring girls and women after starring in The Vagina Monologues, a progressive women's play. Subsequently, she hosted a show on the red carpet, worked at Fox Sports and ESPN, and was a contestant on the hit show Survivor.

Using entertainment as a starting point, Alexis launched I AM THAT GIRL, and quickly became an internationally recognized speaker, activist, and author.

She has established herself as a thought leader for the 21st century women's movement and an expert on Generation Y. Her authenticity, contagious passion and "straight talk" style, have made Alexis a trusted voice for her generation. Alexis has spent the last 4 years speaking to over 100,000 youth in person and over one million on-line regarding personal and professional development, leadership, activism, social entrepreneurism, and women's issues.

Ellen Langas, Prolific Author

Author of the popular Girls Know How® series, Ellen writes, speaks and conducts children's workshops about career exploration. A former on-air host and officer of billion-dollar QVC, Inc., she is founder and president of NouSoma Communications, Inc.

Named one of Philadelphia's Women of Distinction and a Freedom Valley Girl Scout Council Women of Achievement honoree, Ellen received an Excellence Award from Working Woman magazine and was named one of Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business. She is an accomplished commercial actress and voice-over artist.

She received her MBA from the Katz School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh and a BS in marketing summa cum laude from Robert Morris University. An active community volunteer, Ellen has two daughters, Stephanie and Veronica (who recently received her Gold Award). www.girlsknowhow.com

Becky Lee, Domestic Violence Advocate

As a young leader and catalyst for change in the fight against domestic violence, Becky Lee is the force behind Becky’s Fund, a national non-profit focused on domestic violence prevention and education.  After receiving her B.A. in Women’s Studies from the University of Michigan, she became a lawyer to help victims of domestic violence.  Interested in the prevention of domestic violence, Ms. Lee has dedicated her life and career to helping survivors of domestic violence over the last 13 years as an advocate, a policy associate, and an attorney.  

After coming in third on the reality show, Survivor: Cook Islands, in 2006, she used her prize money to start Becky’s Fund, which executes its outreach strategy through national awareness and media campaigns, using radio, print and tv PSA’s to connect victims to help. The organization leverages education, web 2.0 technology and essential resources to enable critical one-on-one connections between survivors and victims and works on addressing domestic and dating violence with both men and women as a human rights issue. Realizing the importance of educating youth about this problem affecting 1 in 3 women in America, Becky travels extensively across the U.S. to teach students about the warning signs of domestic violence, how to get help and how to help a friend.  She works with attorneys, judges, and the community to train them about how to be better advocates for victims of abuse. She also continues to teach kickboxing and self-defense to women and teens to encourage self-empowerment and confidence.  Since founding the organization, she has dedicated herself full-time to the mission of DV prevention. Using social media and innovative community collaborations, Becky’s Fund engages people from diverse backgrounds in order to address the issue of DV. Furthermore, Becky's Fund is currently working with Reed Smith in Washington D.C. to create and train more attorneys to better advocate for victims of DV.

Sarah Lewis, Scholar, Writer, and Curator

Scholar, writer, and curator Sarah Lewis is currently finishing her book, Rise, under contract with Simon & Schuster (U.S., 2013 release), HarperCollins (U.K.) and in over six countries to date. Drawing on her work in the arts and expanding into sports, business, psychology, sociology, and science, Rise explores the advantage of resilience and so-called failure in successful creative human endeavors.

She received her B.A. from Harvard University, an M.Phil from Oxford University, and will receive her PhD from Yale University in 2012. Her dissertation, The Circassian Beauties and American Racial Formation, is under contract with Harvard University Press.

Selected for Oprah's 2012 "Power List," and included as a member of President Obama's Art Policy Committee, her writing has been published widely. She has taught at Yale University, School of Art in the MFA program and has been an active curator, holding positions at both the Tate Modern and the Museum of Modern Art. She was also selected to be the Co-Curator of the 2010 SITE Santa Fe Biennial.

She sits on the boards of the Harvard University Alumni Association, The CUNY Graduate Center, The Andy Warhol for the Visual Arts, The Brearley School, and the Madison Square Park Art Program.

She lives in New York City.

Connie L. Lindsey; Executive Vice President - Northern Trust

Connie L. Lindsey is Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Northern Trust, Chicago. Prior to becoming the Head of CSR, Ms. Lindsey led the client servicing teams in the Public Entities and Institutions segment in the Corporate & Institutional Services business, serving public fund and not-for-profit clients.

Ms. Lindsey is National Board President of Girl Scouts of the USA, the highest ranking volunteer of this 3.4 million member organization. She is a Delegate for Vision 2020, a national project focused on advancing gender equality by energizing the dialogue about women and leadership. Ms. Lindsey attended the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she majored in finance and has completed the Harvard Business School Executive Education Corporate Social Responsibility program. She is a public and motivational speaker on topics of corporate responsibility, leadership, mentoring, and personal and professional empowerment.

Lindsey Love, Philly-based Baker Extraordinaire

Lindsey Love is the creator of the Philadelphia‐based baking company coco love homemade. Lindsey started coco love in late 2010 and in under a year established coco love as a name to know in the world of whoopie pies. A baking hobbyist for fifteen years, Lindsey finally turned her passion into a business after leaving her much‐coveted buying job for local Urban Outfitters. With her business background and enthusiasm for baking, coco love is a perfect balance of what she does best. Sold in local coffee shops and shipped to your doorstep, Love ensures that “all you need is coco love.

Matthew S. May; Executive Vice President - Qualified Retirement Plans - Delaware Valley Financial Group

Matthew May became a member of DVFG Advisors, LLC (DVFG in March 2010. His specialty is assisting Corporate Retirement Plan Sponsors and Financial Advisors with plan design, investment architecture and fiduciary processes. With a keen focus on objective retirement plan business solutions, he mitigates employer and participant expenses and maximizes opportunity for growth.

Prior to joining DVFG, Matthew served as Vice President and Retirement Specialist for Fidelity Investment. He has successfully managed client relationships both regionally and nationally. He has cultivated, implemented and managed several hundred retirement plans representing in excess of $1.8 billion in retirement plan assets.

A graduate of North Central College in Naperville, IL, Matthew focused on Business Management with an emphasis on Marketing. While in college, he participated in both entrepreneurial and philanthropic organizations reaching the community and surrounding businesses. Matthew is active in political and charitable organizations in and around the Philadelphia. He resides in Collegeville, PA with his wife Christy and four children.

Matthew is a Registered Representative and Financial Advisor with Financial Network Investment Corporation. Matthew currently holds a Series 6 & Series 63 Securities and Life, Accident and Health Insurance licenses.

Lisa Johnson Nutter; President of Philadelphia Academies, Inc.

Lisa Johnson Nutter is President of Philadelphia Academies, Inc., a non-profit youth development organization that works in Philadelphia's public high schools to provide career-based learning experiences that motivate young people to stay engaged in school and that create supportive networks for them in the real world. The overarching goal is to expand life and economic options for these students and set them on a positive path. Ms. Nutter previously served as Senior Director of Research and Planning at Philadelphia Academies, during which time which she oversaw and conducted research and planning activities for the organization as well as led the development of the organization's research and advocacy capacity.

Ms. Nutter's diverse professional background includes work in the fields of education, community organizing, human services, community development, and arts and culture. Prior to joining Philadelphia Academies, Inc., she was a senior project director at OMG Center for Collaborative Learning with an extensive background consulting with community-based and non-profit organizations. While at OMG Center, she led several long-term research and evaluation projects including the evaluation of three multi-year community revitalization initiatives - the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Rebuilding Communities Initiative, the Comprehensive Community Revitalization Project in the South Bronx and the Fannie Mae Sustained Excellence Awards Program. Ms. Nutter also conducted numerous public policy research and applied research studies in urban open space and open space maintenance, education and education reform, and employment and workforce development. These experiences with practitioners and organizations in a number of community change initiatives influenced her practice significantly, leading to her to develop practical organizational strengthening tools that are used to support organizational learning and reinforce reflection, self-assessment and planning practices among non-profit organizations working toward social change.

Ms. Nutter has a B.S. in Psychology from the Pennsylvania State University and an M.A. in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. In 2005, she completed a year-long fellowship in the Emerging Leaders Programme which is administered by the Centre for Leadership and Public Values at the University of Cape Town (South Africa) and Duke University.

She is actively engaged locally and nationally in issues related to social change and youth development and presently serves on the board of directors of the Women's Community Revitalization Project, Big Picture Philadelphia and United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Rakia Reynolds; CEO, Skai Blu Media

Rakia Reynolds is fashion enthusiast of all things fab! She is also the president of Skai Blue Media, a full service PR agency with clients that run the gamut of lifestyle PR. Reynolds has sky-rocketed to success by serving as a "Media Superwoman". Reynolds is sought after by companies to provide her expertise in a wealth of subjects and projects such as media and art direction, branding and strategic planning, creative development, and producing content for television outlets such as MTV networks, TLC and print outlets such as Lucky magazine.

In addition, Rakia is called on by jewelry and clothing designers as a consultant on how to grow a local business. She is on the pulse of fashion trends, as the Philadelphia 360 Fashion Ambassador, where she covers the latest and greatest in beauty,clothing, trends, and hair styling. Rakia also works with the Greater Philadelphia Tourism and Marketing Corporation on highlighting the exposure of local boutiques and Philadelphia's shopping scene. In addition to NBC Nonstop's Life Around Home, You can catch her on Good Day Philadelphia on Fox 29, Talk Philly on CBS3, The NBC 10! Show, 6 ABC'S FYI Philly andMyStyle.com from time to time talking about all things fabulous.

Laurel J. Richie, President-Women's National Basketball Association

Laurel J. Richie has more than three decades of experience in consumer marketing, corporate branding, public relations, and corporate management, with a long track record of developing award-winning campaigns that transform brands and drive business results. As President of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), she is responsible for setting the vision for the WNBA and overseeing all of the league's day-to-day business and basketball operations.

Prior to joining the WNBA in 2011, Richie was Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Girl Scouts of the USA, where she was responsible for Girl Scouts of the USA's brand, communications, publishing, marketing, and Web-based initiatives. She also spent 20+ years at the advertising agency Ogilvy & Mather, where she worked on a series of campaigns for prominent clients, including American Express, Pepperidge Farm, Pond's, Huggies, and Kotex. She sat on Ogilvy New York's Operating Board and continues to serve on the agency's external Diversity Advisory Board.

Richie's pro-bono clients have included the Museum for African Art, the Hospital for Special Surgery, and the New York City Commission on Human Rights. In addition, she has mentored young women and girls as part of Big Brothers Big Sisters, the 4A's Multicultural Advertising Intern Program, Xavier University's Youth Motivation Task Force, and the Advertising Educational Foundation.

Richie is a recipient of the Black Girls Rock Shot Caller Award and the YMCA's Black Achiever's Award, and Ebony magazine's Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications honor. She was named to The Network Journal's 25 Influential Black Women in Business and Ebony's Power 100 list.

A graduate of Dartmouth College with a bachelor's degree in policy studies, Richie lives in New York City.

Kimberlee Salmond, M.P.P.; Senior Researcher for the Girl Scout Research Institute

As a Senior Researcher for the Girl Scout Research Institute Kimberlee Salmond studies issues related to young people's safety, health, and development. Her most recent research includes Real to Me: Girls and Reality TV; Who's that Girl? Image and Social Media; Beauty Redefined; Good Intentions: The Beliefs and Values of Teens and Tweens Today; and Change it Up! What Girls Say About Redefining Leadership. Kimberlee is an official spokesperson for GSUSA and has presented research to a variety of audiences, including those in the youth development, academic, marketing, and government fields.

Previously, she worked with the Families and Work Institute, where she co-authored Youth and Employment: Today's Students, Tomorrow's Workforce and Youth and Violence: Students Speak Out for a More Civil Society. Kimberlee also worked at the Legislative Commission on the Economic Status of Women in Minnesota and National Council for Research on Women in New York City. She has a master's degree in public policy from the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, where her work focused on women and public policy, and a bachelor's degree in political science from Kalamazoo College.

Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati - Literary Diva of WURD-AM Radio

Vanesse Lloyed Sgambati is a nationally known literary consultant. As one of only 8 African American publishing consultants in the country she is also the founder of the Largest and Oldest African American Children's Book Fair in the country. She travels frequently abroad reporting on her activities on WURD-AM radio as The Literary Diva. In the publishing industry she is a leader in promoting children's books.

Her story is a story that will inspire girls. Dream Big and Dream out of the box.

Carol Staubach; Wellnow Senior Consultant - Employee Health Management

Carol has over 20 years of experience in health promotion, disease management, vocational rehabilitation and disability management.

She is adept at analyzing and modifying existing programs to improve employee health and reduce the costs associated with illness, accidents, and injuries. As Director of Health Services for Conrail, she developed and managed the integrated delivery of health risk management programs within the freight rail industry for over 25,000 employees and their dependants. Through this model, Conrail reduced absences related to accidents, illnesses and injuries by 59% and the cost of medical, disability and occupational injury claims costs by 33% over three years.

Carol now serves at WellNow, helping clients to understand health issues, cost drivers, and culture.

Carol graduated from Drexel University School of Public Health with a Master's in Public Health.

Sabriya Stukes - Student

She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Biomedical Sciences at The Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Her work focuses on researching the environmental fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans, which is commonly found in major metropolitan cities and can cause diseases in persons with weakened immune systems. She is constantly working towards new discoveries and her work has been published in science journals. As a member of the Percy Julian Association, an organization catered to minorities in science, she spoke with local middle school children about what it is like being a scientist and led hands-on experiments to demonstrate fundamental concepts in science. Her hope is that by continuing to engage young children in this area, she can create not only interest but diversity in a field that excites her on a daily basis.

Gina Thomas, Esquire; Assistant Counsel in the Department of Environmental Protection's ("DEP") Southeast Regional Office.

Ms. Thomas' practice focuses on issues related to sewage facilities, storm water management, solid waste management, remediation of hazardous waste sites and hazardous waste cleanup cost recovery litigation. Before joining the DEP's Southeast Regional Office, she was an associate in the Environmental Law Group of Fox, Rothschild, O'Brien & Frankel, from 1997-1998 and was an Assistant Counsel in the DEP's Southcentral Regional Office (Harrisburg) from 1992-1997. She clerked for James Gardner Colins, former Chief Judge of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court and interned for the late A. Leon Higginbotham, former Chief Judge of the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Ms. Thomas is a graduate of Temple University Law School and Princeton University.

In addition to her law practice, Ms. Thomas is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Philadelphia, and a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women - PA Chapter. She also participates in the Princeton University Philosophy Executive Precept and the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral Choir.

Ingrid Vanderveldt - Dell's Entrepreneur-in-Residence

Ingrid Vanderveldt (iV) is the Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Dell, CEO of Green Girl Energy, Founding Organizer of the GLASS Forum (Global Leadership & Sustainable Success), seasoned entrepreneur, business television personality and a passionate advocate for WOMEN + GREEN sustainability initiatives. Ingrid has designed and executed corporate, entrepreneurial and philanthropic programs to advance the economic success of women-owned and green-focused businesses and has worked with companies including Microsoft, Dell, Humana and SAIC. Ingrid created CNBC's first original primetime series, "American Made" reaching over 1 M viewers around the globe and has hosted the Web shows 'On the Road with iV' and the 'Road to SXSW 2010'. 2010 inspired a new mission of "Empowering a Billion Women by 2020" to help foster a more sustainable future for our planet. Ingrid serves on the Advisory Boards of SXSW Eco, World Blu, Current Motor, the Young Entrepreneur Council and Visionary Holdings.  She advises and supports Richard Branson's Carbon War Room, XPRIZE, is a co-founder of The Billionaire Girls Club and is an invited member of the Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network(DWEN). She has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, Inc. Magazine, the Today Show and The Big Idea. iV has been awarded a technology patent and has a Master's in Architecture and an MBA in Entrepreneurship.

Rebecca Villegas; Educator of Urban Youth Development, Penn State Cooperative Extension- Montgomery Co.

Rebecca Villegas has been in the education field for over ten years. She is passionate about motivating students to reach their full potential and committed to providing opportunities for students to be leaders in their community. She has taught in the Early Childhood Education, Special Education, English as a Second Language, and Adult learning and Professional Development fields. Rebecca has a degree in Early Childhood Education, Organizational Management, and her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education. Rebecca has been with Penn Sate Cooperative Extension for four years, and during that time, she has been able to reach well over 3800 urban students with programs in many different areas. Some of her programs focus on Creative Arts, Community Service and Outreach, and Practical Science and Civic Responsibility. She is currently an Adjunct Professor for Montgomery County Community College in the Education department. She currently does extensive work on Cultural Competency programs for youth and adults, and develops curriculum for urban and traditional audiences in the Southeast Region of Pennsylvania.

Cheryl Ann Wadlington - Consultant

Lauded as one of the nation's premiere fashion and beauty journalists, Cheryl Ann Wadlington is a leading consultant in the field of personal growth. She is an accomplished writer, television personality and sought-after motivational speaker, having reached millions of people through publications such as Self, Life & Style, Essence, The Philadelphia Daily News and countless others. An accredited member of the press corps for New York City's annual "Mercedes Benz Fashion Week," she is the author of The DivaGirl's Guide to Style and Self-Respect (The Elevator Group Publishing) and a co-author and contributing editor of SoulStyle: Black Women Redefining the Color of Fashion (Rizzoli/Universe Publishing).

Wadlington launched Evoluer Image Consultants to address the image needs of today's females. The agency has a cadre of nationally recognized style experts, whose beauty and fashion, make-up, and hair styling credits include a host of national magazines, commercial advertisements, and television programs including The Swan, American Idol and Oprah. Evoluer's collective clientele roster includes Beyonce, Queen Latifah, NBC's America's Got Talent winner Bianca Ryan, Mary J. Blige, Tyra Banks and Jill Scott.

Susan L. Warner; Covenant Leadership Consultants, LLC

Susan is the Managing Partner of Covenant Leadership Consultants, a full service consulting firm focused on providing Human Resource support and solutions. In her role, she is often called upon by clients to provide a range of services from executive coaching to handling complex organizational issues including leadership challenges, acquisitions, and large scale change initiatives.

In addition to her consulting experiences, Susan has a demonstrated record of success and people management experience spanning a gamut of human resource responsibilities including full cycle talent management, talent acquisition, and compensation management, across industries and in such well regarded Fortune 500 companies.

Susan has received several professional and civic awards, volunteers for a number of advisory groups including previously a North Texas employment ministry and has previously served as a Big Sister in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America youth mentoring organization.

Susan is currently a Girl Scout Daisy Troop Leader; and, is the proud mother of three daughters, all of whom are involved in Girl Scouts.

Tina Wells, Successful Entreprenuer

Tina Wells, CEO and founder of Buzz Marketing Group, earned her B.A. in Communication Arts graduating with honors from Hood College in 2002.  Currently a Wharton School of Business student for marketing management, Tina continues to create innovative marketing strategies for numerous clients within the beauty, entertainment, fashion, financial, and lifestyle sectors. Tina has worked with clients including: Maidenform, SonyBMG, PBS, P+G, Sesame Workshop, and American Eagle Outfitters.  Tina’s long list of honors include Essence’s 40 Under 40 , Billboard’s 30 Under 30 , andInc’s 30 Under 30, just to name a few. She is the author of the tween series Mackenzie Blue, published by HarperCollins Childrens Books, and the youth marketing handbook Chasing Youth Culture And Getting It Right, which was published by Wiley in April 2011. Tina is also a celebrated blogger on The Huffington Post. She serves on the board of directors of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, The Franklin Institute, Symphony in C and The Young Entrepreneur Council. She resides in Southern New Jersey with her vast collection of shoes.

Lynn Hardy Yeakel; Director of Drexel University College of Medicine's Institute for Women's Health and Leadership™

Lynn Hardy Yeakel is a recognized civic and community leader who has been a tireless advocate for women and girls throughout her career. She is currently the Director of Drexel University College of Medicine's Institute for Women's Health and Leadership™ and holds the Betty A. Cohen Chair in Women's Health. Yeakel is also the creator and Co-Chair of Vision 2020, a project with major funding from The Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company with the goal of advancing women's equality. This important ten-year initiative focuses on increasing women's participation in top leadership roles throughout society as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, guaranteeing women the right to vote, in the year 2020.

Yeakel was a founder of Women's Way, the first and largest women's fundraising coalition in the nation, and served as its CEO from 1980 until 1992, when she entered politics. She drew national attention in what was called the "Year of the Woman" when she won the primary in a U.S. Senate race and nearly unseated the incumbent. She later was appointed by the Clinton administration to the position of Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Yeakel is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate and former trustee of Randolph-Macon Woman's College and received a Master of Science in Management degree from the American College. She is active in leadership positions for local and national non-profit organizations, and she has received numerous honors and awards for leadership and humanitarian contributions, including the Pennsylvania Citizen Action Award, the Lucretia Mott Award, the MCP/Gimbel Award and the Distinguished Daughters of Pennsylvania Award. In 2010 she was the recipient of the John Gardner Lifetime Achievement Award from Common Cause and in 2011 received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Red Cross, Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter.

Her first book, A Will and A Way (2010), presents insights into the key issues of women's independence based on her own experience and lessons from history.

Melinda Zipin; President of Zipin Consulting and Assertive Diplomacy Trainings

Melinda Zipin, MBA, is a business and organizational development consultant with over 20 years experience assisting businesses, non-profits and health care organizations. Her business planning engagements range from start-ups to strategic plans. Her organizational development work focuses on interpersonal communication, conflict transformation, and diversity. Melinda's trademark synthesis of business expertise and people skills has helped organizations achieve the results they want while using processes that build long term trust and mutual understanding.

"Connecting across differences" is a frequent theme in Melinda's organizational development work. She served as content director for a web-enabled DVD course teaching civil affairs soldiers how to build relationships with Middle Eastern civilians. On issues of racial, ethnic and class diversity, Melinda has helped expand organizational diversity with inclusion initiatives. She has developed and facilitated numerous communication and self-development workshops and retreats. Melinda also brought a circle process for conflict transformation, known as restorative practices, into schools. Students practiced finding solutions that meet everyone's needs and then writing up action plans and role-playing how they wish to deal with future conflicts.