The voices of these experts hail from a variety of business, academic, and media backgrounds creating a wealth of knowledge, perspective and tips for professional women. They are academics, authors, entrepreneurs, management consultants and leaders in business strategies…not to mention at the top of their respective fields. Maintaining high levels of professional status, they embody peer mentors, fountains of wisdom and experienced women on similar journeys who all want the same thing for you — success.
Valerie Sokolosky
Valerie & Company, Founder
"Companies improve when people improve! Level by level, we focus on people skills. And just how does that work? By starting with the human capital, we train and consult in companies to improve people first, then teams, and finally organizations."
An author of eight books and executive coach focusing on people skills, Valerie Sokolosky started Valerie & Company, an international leadership development firm in 1981. Since then, she has become known as the expert in her field of professional presence and personal branding. Valerie’s engaging style ignites the spark of enthusiasm in leaders to create a strong presence and personal brand that differentiates them and creates greater success for them, their teams and their organizations. Recognized internationally, she is a sought after executive coach and keynote speaker – having received the highly acclaimed position of vetted coach for several of the big 4 financial firms as well as for Women’s Leadership Exchange.
Professional Track: Leadership through Personal Branding and Professional Presence
In her latest book, Monday Morning Leadership for Women and
Do It Right!
Maureen Rabotin
Effective Global Leadership, Owner
“Global Mindset is the result of learning not only about other countries and cultures, but especially about ourselves, our expectations and our worldview”
Maureen specializes in coaching and training high-level executives in navigating globalization and multicultural business environments. She is HITeaming Certified by Advantara® Global Executive Coach Training Institute and licensed to use the T.I.P. tool for intercultural competencies. Prior to 1996, she was European product leader for a U.S.-based multinational and an Export Director for a French electronics company. She has traveled and worked extensively throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia; currently, she operates out of France and the U.S.
Professional Track: Globalization & International Mobility
Marny Lifshen
Marketing Communication Consultant
“Networking, when done strategically and consistently, is one of the single most effective ways to ensure professional success and personal fulfillment. Networking is an investment in yourself which will pay-off ten-fold.”
Marny is an Austin-based marketing communication consultant, author and speaker. She is the co-author of
Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Women, which was released in August 2008. Marny specializes in professional services marketing and public relations. She has also contributed articles and columns to many print and online publications on networking during her career. Marny is an experienced speaker and has been speaking specifically to women's organizations for more than 10 years, including Women in Technology International, Women in Communications and the Young Women's Alliance.
Professional Track: Networking Skills, Strategy & Success
Kim Zoller
Image Dynamics, Founder
“Luck really is what happens when opportunity meets preparedness. Everyday wake up and ask yourself if you are prepared.”
Kim Zoller founded Image Dynamics in 1992 and initially focused the company's services on business protocol and professionalism in the workplace. Over the past 16 years, she and her team have constantly developed programs and curriculum to provide a comprehensive array of performance-based interactive training. Through Kim’s direction, Image Dynamics has grown and become the total-solution, outsourced training and development resource to many international companies.
Together with Kerry Preston, she is the co-author of the book
You Did What? The Biggest Mistakes Professionals Make.
The book has more than 10,000 copies and is in its fourth edition. Kim is currently working on two books,
You Said What? The Biggest Communication Mistakes Professionals Make and Superwoman, which is about
women finding balance in life, staying true to themselves and being genuine in all areas of their lives.
Professional Track: Business Savvy
Kerry Preston
Image Dynamics, Director of New York Office
Kerry Preston partnered with the Image Dynamics team in 2000 to lead the efforts of the New York office. She facilitates training seminars and provides coaching for clients, which includes Omni Hotels, Hilton Hotels, Chase, Meridian Health Systems, Merck, Credit Suisse, Georgetown University and Estée Lauder.
Mary Abbajay
Careerstone Group LLC, Co-Founder
“Success in the 21st Century requires organizations and individuals to be skilled at adapting to change, developing strong networks, advancing diversity, collaborating well with others and taking responsibility for their growth and development.”
Mary is a consultant for professional and organizational development, specializing in facilitation, coaching, consulting and training. She is passionate about helping people succeed in their careers. Mary has over 15 years experience in leadership positions and has successfully founded several businesses. Mary is also an accomplished and dynamic speaker and presenter and is a frequent expert contributor for radio, television, and print publications in the greater Washington, DC area.
Together, Mary Abbajay and Karen Bedell co-founded the Careerstone Group, LLC, a full service organizational and leadership development consultancy. Careerstone Group’s consulting, facilitation, training, and coaching services help clients create effective, productive and positive workplaces where high-engagement meets high performance. They are committed to helping both the organization and the individual create lasting and sustainable success.
Professional Track: Leading In and Through Change
Karen Bedell
Careerstone Group LLC, Co-Founder
Karen is an experienced organizational and development consultant, facilitator and trainer. Karen’s solid business experience and educational background in international marketing ensures that organizational development solutions are in complete alignment and support of brand and organizational goals. Karen has provided organizational development consultancy services to both the private and federal sectors for almost 10 years. Prior to this, Karen was VP of Marketing and Niche Product Development for Corestaff, one of the world’s largest international staffing firms.
Cathy Greenberg
Master Certified Professional Executive and Personal Coach
Cathy L. Greenberg, PhD is a former partner in two of world's largest consulting firms and a recognized expert on leadership with over 50 articles and books. She is a master certified Professional Executive and Personal Coach (MPEC).
Professional Track: Work Life Happiness
What Happy Working Mothers Know shows women that happiness is within their grasp and teaches them how to bring happiness into their lives – immediately. Built on the foundation of science and positive psychology and original research involving more than 1000 women around the world, What Happy Working Mothers Know teaches and inspires.
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