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AlexSandra Lett is a professional speaker and the author of Natural Living, From Stress to Rest, A Timeless Place, Lett’s Set a Spell at the Country Store, Timeless Moons, Seasons of the Fields and Matters of the Heart, and Timeless Recipes and Remedies, Country Cooking, Customs, and Cures. Her next book, Coming Home to My Country Heart, Timeless Stories about Life, Death, and Healing, will be released in March 2007.

She can be reached at LettsSetaSpell@aol.com. Her Web site is www.atimelessplace.com

Southern Books & Talks
1996 Buckhorn Road
Sanford, NC 27330
Phone: (919) 258-9299
www.atimelessplace.com

 

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Known as The Alligator Queen, Ana Tampanna coaches women to wrestle the alligators in life and at work. Ana reinvented herself from starving artist to an international personality featured in the LA Times, on NBC primetime, and even Japan television. As a working mother, Ana managed her family through multiple crises and a tragedy. Her saucy, playful style brings laughter while her interactive presentations help people to connect from the heart and create better life strategies. Ana is a member of the National Speaker’s Association, and has authored three books including The Womanly Art of Alligator Wrestling: Inspirational Stories for Outrageous Women Who Survive by Their Wisdom and Wit.

ana@alligatorqueen.com
www.alligatorqueen.com
ph:336-768-9992
fax: 336-768-9997

Legacy Life Skills Coach
Coaching Women to Wield their Wisdom .....and Guiding Achievers toward Balance

 

Anna Spell Miller, MPA

Anna Spell Miller is a professional fundraiser, currently serving as assistant director of Foundation and Corporate Relations for Salem Academy and College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Having recently completed her master of public administration in nonprofit organizations, Anna continues to follow her passion of empowering individuals through development work in nonprofit organizations. She resides in Winston-Salem with her husband Nathan and their guinea pig, Winnie the Pig. Anna is available for consultation and training in the areas of resource development, grantwriting, and effective organization.

annaspell@hotmail.com

 

Anna Munoz,
Senior Account Executive

Anna’s background is primarily healthcare-related and includes communications support for companies in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical arena. Her previous healthcare experience includes managing a national and international PR program for a biotechnology company pioneering immunotherapeutics designed to help patients suffering from renal cancer, leukemia, lupus and HIV. Anna has also conducted a national awareness campaign for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies for a major “household name” product for gastrointestinal disorders. Her experience ranges from strategic counsel, messaging, and issues management to media and advocacy group relations, collateral production, new product launches, Web content, trade show support and newsletter development.

Christa Miller
Client Service Manager

Christa Miller, Client Service Manager

Christa Miller has 12 years experience in editorial/reporting, corporate public relations management and public relations agency experience. She currently oversees client work in both healthcare and technology arenas, while also supporting the agency’s business development team efforts in the southeastern U.S. Christa’s experience includes extensive public and media relations efforts, crisis communications management, and oversight of tactical programs: collateral production, web site execution, trade show/event management, product and corporate launches. Christa also leads media training and strategic counsel for a variety of clients.

 

Angela Ursprung, The Body Sculptress® is an author, personal trainer, personal chef and public speaker who lives in Raleigh, NC. 

angela@thebodysculptress.com
www.thebodysculptress.com

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Anita Hermesch is President of CAREacter-based Success. Launched in July of this year, CAREacter-based Success has a two-prong focus. For businesses, the objectives of CAREacter's 3D training and consultative services are to weave ethical principles in the daily operation of any business without mentioning ‘ethics’ for long-term sustained success.

What’s most unique about CAREacter's 3D programs are that every concept presented is 'picturized' for maximum retention and usage because ‘a picture’s worth a 1000 words.’ CBS’s second focus is inspiring and educating children ages 4-14 on how to make ‘good and safe choices’. Hermesch also speaks to middle and high-school children about the importance of higher education. She brings over 20 years business experience primarily from the telecom industry to CAREacter's company.

Hermesch will have a book and newsletter forthcoming in the spring of 2005.

919-672-6234 anita@careacterbasedsuccess.com
www.CAREacterBasedSuccess.com

 

 

Ann Starrette is founding director of The Lydia Group of Lake Norman NC, an organization dedicated to providing women a sacred space apart to tend their souls; offering workshops and retreats for work, life and spiritual growth; inspiring women toward their highest and best. She is a graduate of Stillpoint Ministries, of Black Mountain, NC, intensive Retreat Leaders Training program and is currently completing post-graduate studies at Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, DC.

starrette@mindspring.com
www.TheLydiaGroup.com

704-664-2576

 

 

Audrey Mark is a free spirit and freelance writer without much free time! Her column "Mark My Words" appears in the in the News and Observer (Raleigh, NC). Her work has also been featured in the NC Journal for Women, Mom-Writers Literary Magazine, MommiesMagazine.com, HumorIsRelative.com and MainStreetMom.com.

Ms. Mark was a prize winner in the 2006 "Carolina Woman Magazine" writing contest, as well as HumorPress.com's "America's Funniest Humor" contest. She is also a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. She was recently selected as a contributing writer for the upcoming book "Chicken Soup For The Beach Lover's Soul", scheduled for release May 1, 2007.

She is a graduate of Northwestern University and the mother of three very active children, Audrey considers herself lucky to have the support and encouragement of a husband thinks that even her shopping lists are brilliantly written.

website: www.AudreyDMark.com
e-mail: Audrey@AudreyDMark.com

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Barbara Carr is a licensed esthetician specializing in organic skin care and anti-aging strategies. She conducts beauty and color workshops.

barbara@vizaj.com

www.vizaj.com
 

Barbara Busey is the president of Presentation Dynamics, a training firm that specializes in the dynamics of how people present themselves. She has 16 years of experience training, speaking and writing on different types of communication skills. Her clients include Bank of America, Belk, The Charlotte Observer, McColl School of Business at Queens University, and Transamerica Reinsurance. She is the author of Stand Out When You Stand Up—An A to Z Guide to Powerful Presentations, and has produced an audio CD—The Compelling Speaker—and a DVD—How to be a More Dynamic SPEAKER. www.presentationdynamics.net

 

Bea Perdue is the Executive Director of the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity & Inclusion Institute at Bennett College for Women. She has an extensive corporate background in sales and marketing with fortune 500 companies including Dow Jones

 

Bevery Weber, MBA, SPHR, has more than 20 years work experience in public, private, and nonprofit organizations. She has held various senior level management positions and currently serves as President of Spectrum Consulting Services, Inc. a consulting firm that offer services in the areas of Career Assessment, Coaching, Training and Development, Recruiting and Human Resources.

SCS offers a spectrum of HR consulting and Recruiting solutions tailored to meet your specific needs. SCS provides a range of services from HR and Recruiting Outsourcing to the analysis and/or development of an HR or Recruiting Department(s).

919.783.7414
bweber@spectrumrecruiting.com
www.spectrumrecruiting.com

 

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Billie J. Goodman is an insurance consultant in Cary, NC and is licensed in Disability, Health, Life, and Long-Term Care insurance and Medicare Supplement Coverage. She is also a part-time small business owner of Designs by Billie: Handmade Ornaments and Accessories specializing in customized gifts and accessories located in Cary, NC.

919-696-6912

 

 

Brenda Lewis Cleary received a BSN and MSN from Indiana University and a PhD in Nursing from The University of Texas at Austin. Until July of 1994, Dr. Cleary was Regional Dean and Professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing. While at TTUHSC, she received the Excellence in Teaching Award and the President’s Academic Achievement Award. She currently holds the position of Executive Director of the North Carolina Center for Nursing, a state funded agency committed to assuring nursing resources to meet the health care needs of the citizens of North Carolina. Dr. Cleary served as project director for a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (Colleagues in Caring) funded initiative, the NC Nurse Workforce Planning Model, and currently serves as a Magnet appraiser for the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She also serves on the North Carolina Institute of Medicine, a gubernatorial appointment, and is a Sigma Theta Tau Virginia Henderson fellow as well as a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

 

Other recent honors include the NC Nurses Association Nurse Researcher of the Year Award (1997), distinguished alumna awards from University of Texas at Austin and Indiana University Schools of Nursing, in 1998 and 1999 respectively, recognition as being among the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina (2000), Leadership America, Class of 2001, and selection as a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow, 2002 cohort.

Dr. Cleary has published numerous articles and book chapters and is the co-editor of a new book related to the nursing workforce and nursing leadership. She is also published in the field of gerontology, her clinical passion, having published a 2004 AJN Book of the Year on conducting research in long term care settings.

Brenda L. Cleary, PhD, RN, FAAN
Executive Director, NC Center for Nursing
222 North Person Street
Raleigh, NC 27601
(919) 715-3523

Nursing: The Power to Make a Difference
www.nccenterfornursing.org
bcleary@northcarolina.edu

 

Cara McLauchlan is a writer from Fuquay-Varina, NC who wonders what ever happened to Lola and can she please start lessons at the Copa Cabana. She can be reached at cara@crankymommies.com or 919/552.1818.

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Cari is currently at Duke Divinity in order to achieve her Masters of Divinity. She is also a part-time hospice volunteer. Prior to school, Cari took a year to volunteer full-time. Before that she was the VP of Employee Services e-business group with Fidelity for 2 years. She also worked at IBM for over 18 years in many roles from Human Factors Engineering to middle management in Human Resources (HR). Cari used to speak at numerous HR conferences about how to transform HR operations. She also led the Women’s Diversity Network Group at both IBM and Fidelity. Cari graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in psychology. She loves to hear from you - her e-mail is williscj@aol.com.

 

Carla Forte is a recent Masters of Social Work (MSW) graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill. Carla also possesses a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and diverse professional corporate and non-profit experience in development, project management and marketing.

In addition to managing Hope for Children, Carla works closely with the CEO and President of Triangle Family Services and the VP of Programs to manage the full grant cycle - from development to implementation - for the agency’s entire grant portfolio.

Carla R. Forte
Project Manager
Hope For Children
401 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
919-829-5913
919-821-0790 x326
cforte@tfsnc.org
www.hopeforchildrenwake.org

 

Cathy Ashby is an award-winning editor and writer. Her work has appeared in dozens of regional magazines throughout the U.S. and Canada. She is currently the editor of Carolina Parent magazine.

 

 

Cathy Howell

 
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Few people are as uniquely qualified to combine the skills of speaker, trainer, consultant, and group facilitator into one dynamic bundle of energy as Cher Holton. Cher is most often requested for her dynamic interactive Keynotes, her unique Retreat Forward™ Summits, and her innovative TurboTraining™ sessions. She is author of several books, including The Manager’s Short Course; Living at the Speed of Life; and From Ballroom to Bottom Line…in business and in life. Cher is one of only a handful of professionals throughout the world who has earned both the Certified Speaking Professional and Certified Management Consultant designations. She leads, guides, and inspires people to live at the speed of life … one choice at a time!

ph:919-783-7088
800-336-3940
fax: 919-781-2218

cher@holtonconsulting.com
www.holtonconsulting.com

Cher Holton, Ph.D. ~
Impact Consultant of Choice
The Holton Consulting Group, Inc.

"Inspiring people to live at the speed of life …one choice at a time."

 

 

Cherokee Pinder graduated through The Center for Journal Therapy as a certified instructor of the writing techniques workshop based on the work of Kathleen Adams.

Cherokee is a life long journal writer and poet. Writing has been a natural extension of her personality and she has written for personal growth and creativity for over 20 years. Cherokee has been teaching this workshop series since 1999 with great gratification and passion. She has had the opportunity to work with colleges, hospitals, wellness centers and book stores. Cherokee’s work has led her through extensive training with social workers and therapists. Cherokee also graduated from the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale, is a United States Navy Veteran and mother of two beautiful daughters.
919-468-0974
cherokee@soulkisswriter.com
www.soulkisswriter.com
 

 

“Emotion, experience, diversity and imagination are what happen when you apply pen to paper, “explains Pinder, “you kiss your soul and connect the universe.” 

 

 

 

Cheryl Pfeiffer is an expert in American Sign Language and cofounder of CICS Language Solutions, which specializes in overcoming language barriers through onsite interpreting, telephone and video interpreting, and document translation. Cheryl has received the Comprehensive Skills Certificate (CSC) and is one of only four individuals in North and South Carolina to receive the highly selective Special Certificate: Legal.

CICS Language Solutions employs the largest staff of qualified and certified interpreters in the Carolinas and can provide access to a qualified interpreter in 130 languages in less than 45 seconds. CICS Language Solutions is headquartered in Charlotte, with an office in Asheville doing business as BRIA Language Solutions and Raleigh doing business as Interpreters Inc. For more information, please call 704-532-7446 or visit www.cicslanguagesolutions.com.

 

Chris Frazier works as a public information officer with the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention & Environmental Assistance. She has a B.A. in Communications from N.C. State University.

Chris may be reached during business hours at (919) 715-6515

 

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Christy Geiger is a Coach and Trainer. Christy is the owner of Synergy Strategies, A Business and Life Coaching Company that works with professionals to maximize their productivity to gain time, energy and money. Through conducting cooperate trainings, administering assessments and facilitating strategic planning sessions Christy supports companies to be powerful teams with direction and measurable success. Through on-going coaching Christy supports CXO's, IBO's and individuals to have the clarity, focus and plans to exceed their goals and get results.

www.synergystrategies.com

 

Chrystal Bartlett currently works as Stormwater Awareness & Outreach Coordinator for the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources where she recently launched a new stormwater Web site, www.ncstormwater.org. She is also a freelance voiceover talent and image management consult. Before working at DENR, she worked as a DJ, news reporter and at several ad agencies. Chrystal graduated from N.C. State University with a B.A. in Communication and an M.A. in Public Relations.

Chrystal Bartlett lives and writes in Raleigh, NC. When not at her 'paying job' she does freelance voicework and image consulting.

She can be reached weekdays at 919.715.4116 or at chrystal.bartlett@ncmail.net.

 

Cindy Stranad is the managing partner of Raleigh-based Articulon, a boutique marketing and PR firm. She has created and managed strategic communication plans for consumer campaigns and Fortune 50 brands alike. She's executed hundreds of communication platforms that convey the business value provided to customers, clients and the community. Stranad is a frequent writing contributor to regional publications and writes frequently on business and commercial real estate.

 

Her 16-year career combines agency, corporate, and consulting roles, and includes extensive experience as director of marketing for a digital media studio, senior brand manager for a national photofinisher, and account management positions with two of Adweek's top 100 advertising agencies, Moroch & Associates and McKinney + Silver.

Her leadership extends to the community where she takes an active role in media, business and charitable organizations. She serves on the board of Raleigh's Tammy Lynn Foundation and has led the advertising and PR efforts for the Center's largest fundraiser, "A Toast to the Triangle" since 2002. Cindy also was named to the Triangle Business Journal's list of 40 Under 40. In 2006, Articulon has won several creative awards from the Business Marketing Association and the Raleigh Public Relations Society.

 

Coretta Poole is an engineer/freelance writer/content editor based in the Triangle area. Her work with organizations that promote the empowerment of women and minorities through technology and business training has inspired her to bring attention to women whose work uplifts the community. Coretta is a member of the North Carolina Technology Association, the North Carolina Museum of Art, Women in Information Science & Engineering (WISE), and the Project Management Institute. She also serves as national Vice President-Membership Management of BDPA, the premier organization for African-Americans in information technology. Her articles highlight the work of North Carolina women leaders who are making an impact in business, non-profits, politics, and the arts. She can be reached at coretta.poole@gmail.com.

 

As a Professional Organizer, Cyndy Ratcliffe works with home and small business owners to clear their clutter and organize what is important. She assists individuals to reduce stress, boost their image, and be more productive through her speaking, teaching, and hands-on coaching of organizing techniques.

She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ashland University in Ohio and was a senior-level manager for over 20 years supervising 130 retail stores before launching Organizing Solutions, Inc.

Cyndy is on the Professional Faculty at Meredith College, a founding member of The National Association of Professional Organizers, North Carolina Chapter, and a member of the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization.

413 Stone Monument Dr.
Wake Forest, NC 27587
919.612.3953

info@organizingsolutions.BIZ

www.organizingsolutions.biz
 

 

 

Cyndi Bulka has been practicing Yoga for nearly 20 years and teaching for more than 10. She opened Moving Mantra Yoga Studio in 1999 to share with others her eclectic approach to Hatha Yoga, focusing on organic movement and gentle unfolding from the “inside-out.”

Cyndi’s teachings are the combination of years of instruction and practice under nationally and internationally reputed Yogis. Her exploration and study of Yoga is continually expanding as she attends educational courses and workshops annually.

 

As a teacher Cyndi shares her wisdom with students in a manner that is inviting and simple to comprehend. With extensive experience in the field of wellness, her knowledge of anatomy, injury and recovery aids in her ability to help students balance the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of a continuing Yoga practice.

Specializing in therapeutic Yoga for healing, Cyndi views the practice as an empowerment accessible to everyone and every body. Her interactions with students create a playful environment that gives the freedom to experience and explore the inner self.

The foundation of Moving Mantra rests on a range of classes that inspire a journey to understanding our true self which include therapeutic, prenatal, meditation and gentle, as well as beginner to advanced levels. Cyndi also offers workshops, corporate classes and private and semi private sessions by appointment.

Cyndi Bulka, Director
Moving Mantra Yoga
(919) 449.0530
www.movingmantrayoga.com

 

Cynthia Matson grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science degree in May of 1988, was married in August of the same year and relocated to North Carolina in November of 1989. Over a two year period, twenty five family members relocated to North Carolina from Massachusetts and all currently reside within five miles of one another!

Upon graduation, Cynthia began working with the senior population as a Recruiter of caregivers for a Home Health Services Agency. She enjoyed spending time with the seniors as she evaluated the performance of her placements in their homes. After a brief stint placing Physicians and Nurses in emergency rooms across the country, she accepted a position as Branch Manager for a local medical nurse recruitment and placement agency. She oversaw the RN’s and LPN’s that were assigned to various nursing homes throughout Wake County.

She was offered a position as an Administrator in Training but opted instead for a Regional Directorship which allowed her to travel between North Carolina and Florida to open and manage branches for a Texas based temporary service chain. She eventually settled down in Raleigh as the Branch Manager of an employment service where she stayed until becoming a new Mom in 1997.

As a stay at home Mom, she helped launch her husband’s electrical contracting business and managed its day to day operations. By the year 2000, baby number two arrived and Cynthia was kept busy continuing to manage her husband’s electrical business while chasing after her young children.

In 2002, Cynthia founded Assignment By Choice Inc., a volunteer, non-profit parent advocacy organization formed to unite parents opposed to the reassignment policies of Wake County’s Public School system.

As President of this organization, Cynthia became a public spokesperson representing parents of children affected by reassignment. The organization became recognized locally and nationally as the largest opposition to Wake County Public School system’s policies and launched Cynthia into the public limelight. She has appeared on local and national television, is a frequent guest on local and national radio talk shows, was highlighted in the New York Times and is in talks with 60 Minutes concerning a potential segment on Wake County Public Schools.

As a result of her work with Assignment By Choice, Cynthia was contacted in July of 2005 by Washington D.C. to step in as the State Director for The Parents Network for Better Education, a federal grant providing free information to low income families about their rights under No Child Left Behind. Cynthia successfully completed work on the grant in December of 2005 and decided concurrently to step down from Assignment By Choice so that she could pursue her dream of working with seniors again.

Cynthia Matson, owner
Single Seniors’ Network Inc.
919-616-7603
www.singleseniorsnetwork.com

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Dawn Coletti, has a long history of helping individuals meet their goals. She spent over two years with Pallotta Teamworks making events such as the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day and the AIDS Ride some of the most successful fundraising tools ever created. In her job as Walker Coach, she advised hundreds of women and men on their fundraising, training, and shoe buying; recruited new walkers; and led training walks. Dawn also provided advice to all 6,000 walkers on the event through a regular column in the newsletter for participants. She swam competitively for 16 years, has run two marathons, and was a participant in the 2000 3-Day from Bear Mountain to New York City. She has a BA in Psychology from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Social Work from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

 919-463-9554 familyrunwalk@att.net

 

 

 

 

Dawn Newsome is a partner with Moonlight Creative Group Inc., which specializes in imaginative, distinguished and captivating marketing communications. She can be reached at 704-358-3777or visit www.moonlightcreativegroup.com for more information.

Clients include Carolinas HealthCare System, Gibson Smith Realty Company, Fiduciary and Investment Risk Management Associates, Inc., Charlotte Preparatory School, the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas, Wachovia and more.

Moonlight Creative Group has been designated a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and a Minority and Woman Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) by the City of Charlotte. They are also certified with the State of North Carolina as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB). In its 11th year in business, Moonlight Creative Group has won over 65 awards for their design work and was named a finalist for the 2003 & 2005 Charlotte Chamber Entrepreneur Award.

 

Deborah Barry is a senior project manager with over 12 years experience managing business transformation focused program/project initiatives involving enterprise deployments and leveraging technology. Prior to joining Project Managers, Inc. she held various management and executive management positions in a Fortune 100 corporation. She first learned the benefits of project management techniques as a client, using consultants while heading a joint venture.

Project Managers, Inc., founded in 1998, serves executives that need to ensure the successful implementation of mission-critical, business transformational initiatives. In addition to sound program/project management practices, the firm specializes in mitigating cross-functional risks required to ensure success.

Project Managers, Inc.
212 South Tryon Street - Suite 1680 Charlotte, NC 28281
Phone: 704-332-6611 www.projectmgrs.com

 

Deb Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor/Life Coach with extensive counseling experience with grief and loss, death and dying, relationship issues, addictions/anxiety/depression and spirituality issues. Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, she graduated from Niagara University in 1977 with a BSN degree, and has had a varied nursing career, including past director of the Hospice Inpatient Unit in Cheektowaga, New York for over four years. She also possesses a master’s degree in Transpersonal Counseling (Holistic) from Southwestern College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. While in Buffalo, Deb established a successful private counseling practice, called Heart to Heart counseling.