Meet the Team of Experts
ZaLonya Allen
ZaLonya Allen, PhD is an award winning speaker and author specializing in personal development and motivation. With ten years speaking experience and a diverse professional background in customer relations, sales and education, Dr. Allen delivers dynamic high content presentations based on experience. Having earned degrees in industrial relations, sociology and two degrees in psychology, she is an expert in human behavior. She has written numerous self-help articles and is the author of Dream: A Collection of Inspirational Poetry. She is a member of the National Speakers Association and President of ZaLonya Allen International, a speaking and training firm in Michigan.
Carolyn Brown
Carolyn Brown, a Financial Consultant with Capital Investment Group (which she describes as one of the best financial planning firms in southeast Michigan) belongs to several women’s organizations including Inforum, MCWT and NAWBO. Carolyn is very proactive with her education. She possesses a BS and an MBA from the University of Michigan and has added a CSA certification over the last several years. Her clients include individuals and businesses who value having first a strategy and then a plan to achieve their financial goals. She has presented numerous retirement seminars as well as seminars to corporate and church organizations.
Patty Buccellato
Patty Buccellato is President of Refined Images – a company specializing in image and personal branding services for individuals and organizations. With nearly 20 years in the image industry as speaker, trainer, author, and consultant, Patty has assisted countless groups and individuals in putting their “best foot forward” to achieve peak personal satisfaction. She holds a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising from Western Michigan University, and is a Certified Image Professional with the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI). With experience in advertising, marketing, sales management, and entrepreneurship, Patty offers a well-rounded package of skills from which to draw upon to motivate her clients toward excellence. Her commitment to surpass client expectations has earned her national recognition.
www.refinedimagesplus.com
Julie Cassens
“The future in sales belongs to women”, says Julie Cassens, president of corporate sales. Julie has spent the last 10 years speaking to companies all over the world. Her mantra is ”It is about the money -if you're going to spend 8 – 10 hours a day away from your family at least make some good money!! The key is to stop being a walking generality and start doing everything with specific intent! When you try to be everything to everybody, you end up being nothing to anybody, including yourself!”
Denise Christy
Denise Christy is currently President of Humana, Michigan. With over 20 years in
healthcare, her career began with Blue Cross. After three years, she seized the opportunity to “start up” Butterworth HMO. As VP of Sales & Marketing, she led their growth before merging with Lakeshore HMO. She then transitioned the plan, expanded product and service, and changed the name to Priority Health. In 1977, SelectCare recruited her as CMO until their eventual sale. She spent two years as UHC’s Regional VP in Minneapolis before returning to Michigan. Denise, husband Russ, and their two boys, are residents of Rochester Hills.
Meri Dembrow
Meri Dembrow is the owner of her own business consulting firm, which helps business owners craft and implement business plans and strategic initiatives. Meri has been called a fire-starter and a catalyst in helping small businesses plan their path to success. She devotes extra time to her passion of helping families, especially women and children, achieve financial independence. She has developed Camp $tart-Up, an entrepreneurial camp where teen women write their own business plans, and Summer $tock, a camp to teach teen women how to invest in the stock market.
Patti Gilman
For more than 13 years, Patti Gilman has been assisting homeowners in not only making good decisions that affect their present – but decisions affecting their future. After early aspirations to study engineering, Patti began working as a REALTOR© in 1993. Now with Coldwell Banker Schweitzer, she has sold more than $100 million in Real Estate, was the top agent for the Clarkston office in 2005 and consistently ranks in the top 10 of all Schweitzer agents, and in the top 98% nationally. If she’s not busy selling homes, she is juggling her role as wife and mother to five children.
Jill Jordan
Jill Jordan, Personal Branding Coach & Consultant with Smart Women’s Coaching, is dedicated to ensuring that women professionals can identify – and communicate – the strengths they bring to the world. After years of interviewing, selecting and coaching hundreds of candidates for executive positions across the country, it became clear to Jill that most people need help in communicating their vision and accurately presenting their true value. Jill partnered with Cynthia Zimber and Katana Abbott, founder of Smart Women’s Coaching, to give assistance to many more women in transition wishing to reinvent themselves in order to live with purpose, passion and prosperity!
Chris Lakatos
Chris Lakatos is the CEO & President of Network Pods. Lakatos invented the Network Pods system of effective B2B networking based on foundational beliefs in best practices within the business world pertaining to authentic marketing. She’s since invented a supplemental and complementary system for professionals to bring their sales and marketing to new levels called Personal Branding. A graduate of Baker College, soon to be Master’s student in Transformative Leadership, Lakatos welcomes new challenges and the vibrant feel of an active life filled with the bustle of four children and an exciting career with Network Pods.
Linda Lakatos
Linda Lakatos is the Managing Partner of Network Pods, L.L.C. After three careers in the corporate world, the last as a Senior Vice President for 21 years for a major title company, Linda thrives in her new endeavor of helping others succeed in building their business. Her specialty of building prospects into lasting relationships not only keeps her busy attending events, but has led to some enduring friendships.
Lynne Lourim
Lynne Olman Lourim practices law in the areas of estate planning and asset preservation. Focused on the individual needs of each client, she develops comprehensive, flexible estate plans that provide certainty through life’s unpredictable events. She also offers business clients practical advice to maintain professional success during personal transitions.
A 1995 cum laude graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Lynne was among the first to receive a Certificate of Completion in the areas of probate and estate planning from the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Probate and Estate Planning Section of the State Bar of Michigan.
T Marshal
Tmarshal encountered challenges early in life. As a former court ward, Tmarshal has experiences of abuse, and homelessness. Her unyielding faith proved to be the ultimate defense against a doomed life. Tmarshal was able to change her life by navigating racial, gender and financial limitations to pursue degrees in engineering and an MBA. After working for top companies in the automotive industry, Tmarshal discovered a passion for enriching the lives of others through speaking. Taking her speaking career to greater heights, she received tutelage from one of the greats in the industry, Les Brown – World Renowned Motivational Speaker and Author.
Michelle Pallas
Michelle Pallas is a founder and Managing Partner of Lighthouse Consulting Partners, a global provider of training solutions to organizations managing IT resources in a virtual and global environment. She provides consulting services through training, project and change management, project team coaching and facilitation. She is an expert facilitator and instructor. She is a successful entrepreneur, educator, speaker and writer and is actively involved in professional and community associations. Michelle is VP of Strategy for the Michigan Council of Women in Technology Board and is an enthusiastic contributor to the development of women and girls pursuing careers in technology.
Tracy-Ann Palmer
As the President and Co-Founder of Aricus International, LLC, Tracy-Ann Palmer is charged with the responsibility of organically building the Aricus brand to ensuring long-term corporate profitability and stability. Founded in 2005, Aricus International is the world’s preeminent source of international business intelligence. With over fifteen years experience in international business, Tracy-Ann has held numerous executive management positions including Partner -Global Executive, General Manager North America - marcus evans and Director, SRI. She is widely recognized for her leadership and management success, and is an expert in sales, marketing, motivation, influence strategies, new market penetration and effective leadership. Tracy-Ann Palmer is a native of South Africa and is a member of various organizations including (NAFE) and (NAWBO). In addition, she serves on the board for the Michigan Council for Women in Technology (MCWT).
Beth Pressler
Beth Pressler, CRS, GRI, PMN, RRC is a REALTOR® with over 26 years real estate experience in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. A graduate of Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, she was honored as Grosse Pointe Board of REALTORS® 2000 REALTOR® of the Year and 2003 Member of the Year for the Lake Pointe Chapter, Women’s Council of REALTORS®. Beth has served as 2005 Regional Vice President, Chair/Vice Chair for several National Committees, State Orientation Facilitator and currently serves on the National Finance/Budget, Bylaws and Executive/Strategic Planning Committees for the Women’s Council of REALTORS®.
Pamela Rumely
Pamela R. Rumely of Greystone Financial Group is utilizing her expertise in focusing on helping Women in Transition through life changing events such as the loss of a spouse from death or divorce. Pamela is a Collaborative Practitioner certified in the Collaborative Law Process and is compassionate about helping families through their uncertainties and financial restructuring. She is an executive board member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Michigan for the Oakland and Wayne Chapter. She is on the radio once a month with WNZK 690 AM a new Women’s Talk Show. She was featured in Crain’s Detroit Business.
Soumaya Sarayji
Soumaya Sarayji is a financial consultant at Capital Investment Group. Soumaya has substantial experience in the Finance field as she conducted feasibility studies for expansion projects and development of new factories. She also managed International Banking Relations for one of the biggest multinational company in the Middle East. Soumaya has a BS in Finance from George Mason University and an MBA with honors from Oakland University with an International Finance specialty. She has earned several awards during her education years such as Mathematics Award, Liberal Arts Award and A Team Award.
Ursula Scroggs
Ursula C. Scroggs, CPA is the President and Managing Director of Derderian, Kann, Seyferth & Salucci, PC, a full-service CPA and Business Advisory Firm. She has extensive experience in consulting to small to medium, closely-held businesses and organizations in all areas of planning, financial management, tax consulting and operational advice. Ursula was designated by the National Association of Women Business Owners as one of Michigan’s Top 10 Business Women and has received the SBA Michigan Advocate of the Year Award for Women in Business. She serves on the board of directors for several professional and community organizations.
Jane Sydlowski
As President of AMI Strategies, Jane has built and lead a dynamic team to help its clients lower telecommunications expenses. Jane has led AMI to recognitions such as: 2003 Deloitte Fast 500 Public and Private Technology Companies, 2002 and 2003 Inc 500 Fastest Growing Private Companies, and 2003 Crain's Best Places to Work. Jane has been named one of Michigan's top 100 leaders by the Detroiter magazine, received an Association of Women in Computing Award in 2004 and an Applied Engineering Distinguished alumni award from MSU in 2005. Jane currently serves on three Boards; Greenpath, MCWT, and WSU’s Business School.
Denise Anne Taylor
Denise Anne Taylor was trained and certified by The Protocol School of
Washington, the nation's leading protocol and etiquette firm. Ms. Taylor has over twenty years of corporate product and sales training background, and received her undergraduate degree from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Competitive Advantage, Inc. was founded by Ms. Taylor to provide "skills for life", seminars that would enhance an individuals image through knowledge in the fine art of etiquette, protocol, and dining.
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