SPEAKERS
The Honorable Sonya E. Medina, Deputy Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and Director of Projects for the First Lady Laura Bush.
She
oversees foundation initiatives that improve access to information technology and technology training; advance education; enhance professional-skills development; address key community health and human services issues; support arts and cultural knowledge; and create opportunities for broadly diverse populations.
Ms. Medina has been honored as HISPANIC Magazine's recipient of the 2005 Government Service Achievement Award. She serves as Co-Chairman of the Harvard Journal of Hispanic Policy Executive Board at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
She earned her Masters of Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Columbia University and graduated cum laude from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education.
Gretchen Gaines
Gretchen Gaines is a licensed clinical social worker, consultant, bereavement counselor and writer.
She has earned several degrees: Master of Social Work from Catholic University, Master of Arts in Education and Theological Studies from Union Theological Seminary in New York, and Bachelor of Arts from Trinity University in Texas. She is the Bereavement Coordinator at The Washington Home and Community Hospices. Her professional background includes working with grieving families and children. She makes presentations on the topic and has spoken at George Washington University, Federal Home Reserve Bank Board, King College and National Hospices Organization. She is at the author of many publications.
Jeanine Cogan, Ph.D
Jeanine Cogan, Ph.D. is a speaker for Contacts Count (with Lynne Waymon) a nationally known company for their expertise in networking and business development. Jeanine brings her years of experience as a coach, trainer and public speaker to audiences with a warm and authentic style. She has spoken nationally and internationally at hundreds of conferences, seminars and workshops receiving excellent reviews for motivating her audience to take positive action in their lives.
Jeanine holds a doctorate form the University of Vermont in social psychology and is also a graduate of Newfield Network, a certified executive coaching program. She’s coached a wide variety of professionals, including executives, CEO’s small business owners, government and non-profit employees, managers and professors. Her contact information is
www.cogancoaching.com
Rita Gworek
Rita Gworek has over fifteen years of experience as a certified image consultant in the D.C. area.
She has been a presenter on “Appropriate Attire” for men and women to the existing Military and Corporate America arena.
Her background as Tailor has helped her build a clientele that includes presidents, CEOs and prominent people on Capitol Hill.
Additional corporate clientele includeBoeing Aircraft, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Booz Allen and Hamilton, the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins.
She has used her knowledge to train and manage other successful image consultants across the country. This includes certification in color analysis, body typing, personal style, appropriate dress codes, accessorizing, and design concepts. Her membership in the Custom Tailors and Designers Association has kept her updated on the latest innovations in the industry.
Rita has been writing a monthly column titled “Boots to Suits” for GI Jobs, a national publication since 2002. The Washington Times quoted her in the article “Campaigns’ First Ladies Get Citations From the Fashion Police” November 2000. She has also been featured in Centre View’s article “Women’s History Month Preview” February 1998 titled “These Women’s Career Decisions Helped Shaped County.”
Her contact information is http://imagebyrita.com and email address rita@imagebyrita.com.
Marilyn Dawson, RN, and Master Esthetician, is president and CEO of Special Care Retreat Spa in Bowie, Maryland with more than fifteen years of professional experience as a business owner. From the mountain of Colorado she started helping people with her healing hands at a young age. Her career’s journey has taken her from a registered nurse, to a Special Care Wellness Spa as a home based business, which blossomed into a full service Special Care Retreat Spa. She has been featured in many trade magazines such as Ebony, Essence, Heart and Soul and Skin Inc. She is a public speaker and has facilitated numerous health and wellness seminars for various organizations.
www.specialcarespa.com
afrospa@aol.com
Alice Guo
Alice Guo is a financial advisor and tax CPA with a Master’s Degree in Accounting who has a passion about educating women on the secrets and methods to building wealth. She is a woman on a mission to help other women learn about wealth-building as well as practice it. With a teaching background in English and a member of Toastmasters International her presentation style is simple, fun, and powerful.
aguohong@yahoo.com
The Honorable Joan M. Pratt, CPA was elected Comptroller in November 1995.
She scrutinizes all transactions before approval by the Board. Her goal is to assure the cost effective and efficient fiscal administration of the City.
As Comptroller for the City of Baltimore, she is Chairwoman of the Baltimore Employees’ and Elected Officials’ Retirement System and a trustee for the Fire and Police Retirement System.
The Honorable Joan M. Pratt, CPA is a graduate of Hampton Institute where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She also received a Masters of Science degree in Taxation from the University of Baltimore. Comptroller Pratt started her career at the Big 8 accounting firm Coopers & Lybrand. Also, she served as Comptroller of the Baltimore Legal Aid Bureau, Inc. for 13 years.
She is the recipient of numerous awards. She was named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women by Baltimore Magazine. Comptroller Pratt is committed to the mentoring of young people and has helped many to enter into the financial field. She is sought after as a public speaker.
Ginny Robertson
Ginny Robertson's is President of Live Your Life On Purpose, an organization that provides women with information and opportunities to help them lead richer and fuller lives.
She facilitates workshops and speaks to larger number of women’s group.
She is the founder of On Purpose Networking for Women and On Purpose Woman Magazine, a free publication mainly in the Baltimore area.
She is the co-host of Woman Talk Live with Ginny Robertson and Ann Quasman, a weekly radio shows on WVIE 1370 AM in Baltimore.
In late 2006, she compiled an anthology, The Spirit of Women Entrepreneurs Real-Life Stores of Determination, Growth and Prosperity. She believes that discovering and living our life’s purpose takes time and effort but the paybacks are tremendous.
Ms. Robertson’s contact information is:
410-252-2703, web sites www.OnPurposeNow.com and www.WomanTalkLive.com
Margie Warrell
Margie Warrell is a certified coach, speaker and author who has been quoted and had articles featured in magazines and newspapers both I the U.S. and around the world including the London Telegraph. She has gained international recognition in recent years as an expert on courage as it relates to communication, relationships leadership and life! She is a syndicated columnist with Women’s Lifestyle Magazine
www.margiewarrell.com
info@margiewarrell.com.
Sherreen Ogletree
Sherreen Ogletree is CEO and President of Wiltech Systems Group, Inc., an information technology and a recently awarded 8(a) certified company servicing corporate and federal clients in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area for over 10 years. She shares tips and lessons learned while preparing her company’s SBA 8(a) application.
www.wiltechsystemsgroup.com
SOgletree@wiltechystemsgroup.com
Thurman Watson, D.O.
Thurman Watson, D.O. Licensed Naturopath, practicing Natural Alternative Therapies, brings many years of professional experience to share with us. His experience has confirmed that proper balance can improve many physical, emotional and sexual dysfunctional conditions experienced by women of all ages. Health care and women’s health issues are serious business. In addition to traditional and alternative medicine, he shares how magnetic and nutritional therapies are used for healing. His presentation is educational, encouraging and exciting!
inflight@erols.com