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Jennifer Sabel with InterContinental Hotels Group, Hank Picken with Beaumont Products, Inc., and Keehln Wheeler with MaxMedia

May 29, 2014 by kristaberutti

Atlanta Business Radio

Jennifer Sabel with InterContinental Hotels Group, Hank Picken with Beaumont Products, Inc., and Keehln Wheeler with MaxMedia

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Jennifer Sabel / InterContinental Hotels Group

Jennifer Sabel is a Business Development Manager, with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) the world’s largest global hotel company. She is responsible for the groups and meetings market of IHG’s Business Development Group. In this role, Jennifer is responsible for prospecting, analyzing, and creating new business opportunities for IHG. She provides an enthusiastic vibe to her position by bringing an innovative perspective to building the company’s account profile. Jennifer assists Key Account Managers and Key Account Directors to increase segment revenue and account portfolios.

Prior to joining IHG, Jennifer served as Catering Representative for Hyatt Regency Atlanta. She was responsible for both internal and external meetings, client and associate communications, and event execution. She developed keen relationship skills in the hospitality industry.

Specialties: Business Development; Client Relationship Building; Cold Calling; Networking; Prospecting, Time Management

Hank Picken / Beaumont Products, Inc.

Mr. Picken has been in the Consumer Products business since the early 1970’s and has held various management positions at Colgate-Palmolive, Lever Brothers and Pfizer’s Consumer Products Division.

Prior to beginning his career in Consumer Products, he worked for Price Waterhouse where he earned his CPA from New York State.

He founded Beaumont Products in 1991, and has built a consumer product business in Kennesaw, GA with Nationally Advertised brands of Citrus Magic, Clearly Natural Soaps, Veggie Wash, Trewax and Farmers’ Market Body Care Products.

Mr. Picken has an AB in Government & Law from Lafayette College and an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at Dartmouth College.

He also served in the United States Army as an Infantry Captain with a tour of duty in Viet Nam.

He is currently a member of the Kennesaw State University Advisory Board to the School of Marketing and Professional Sales and is a past Director of the Tommy Nobis Rehab Center in Marietta

Keehln Wheeler / MaxMedia

Founded by Keehln Wheeler in 1997, MaxMedia helps clients, such as AT&T, The Home Depot, Cox Enterprises, NCR and LexisNexis, shape their digital ecosystem to create long-term value and entice users to interact with their content.

The firm’s digital services extend across five disciplines: Customer Experience Strategy, Creative Design, Motion & Display, Data Science and Technology. To accomplish its unified approach, the team leverages its diverse capabilities in brainstorming, planning and delivering a unique experience for its clients and their customers.

Special Edition: Women In Technology

May 29, 2014 by kristaberutti

Atlanta Tech Leaders

Special Edition: Women In Technology

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This special edition of Atlanta Technology Leaders focuses on The Women In Technology Foundation (WIT).

Vicki Wright Hamilton, Business Technology Consultant & Founder, The Wright Answer and WIT Vice President of the WIT Foundation Board of Directors

www.linkedin.com/in/vhamilton

With over 20 years of technology experience (15 years at executive and senior level), Vicki is currently utilizing her vast skillset and resources to work as a consultant with smaller businesses in a CTO and COO capacities- assisting them with technology roadmaps, strategy, operational challenges across their organization – as well as guiding them on resource management and capability alignment. Prior to venturing out on her own in this consulting capacity, Vicki served as Senior Vice President at Turner Broadcasting Systems where her role in Turner's Technology, Strategy and Operations Group provided leadership and business insights in the areas of technology, operational efficiencies and business prioritization.She is an active board member of several organizations including Global Leaders, Global EXEC Women, BEEP, – the National Urban League’s Black Executive Exchange Program with Historically Black Colleges & Universities and the Board Director for Women in Technology (WIT) Foundation, where in addition to her board responsibilities she has provided leadership in many areas including: Executive Liasons to Girls Scouts of America, Executive Advisor for Career in Actions Program, Committee Member Nominating & Governance, and Liaison for Girls Get IT.

Asia Rahman, 2014 WIT on Campus Scholarship Recipient and Former EdgeSolutions Intern

www.linkedin.com/in/asiarahman

Asia Rahman was born in New York City and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. She studied Computer Information Systems at Georgia State University graduating summa cum laude in 2014. While there, Asia spent many hours working in the Computer Forensics Lab researching and establishing the fundamental materials for testing the viability, accessibility, and scalability of multiple software additions to the CIS program at GSU. In addition, she designed and created the next generation of IT security modules and in-class workshops that will be integrated into the CIS department’s graduate and undergraduate programs. Prior to her work with the CIS department, Asia worked for Edge Solutions, as a client development specialist, where she gained valuable hands-on-experience and learned the inner workings of the Atlanta business community.

During her undergraduate career, Asia participated in a variety of student and volunteer organizations where she exhibited exemplary clinical acumen in a team environment and displayed her propensity to leadership. She has participated as a Board of Directors member of the Student Alumni Association. Asia has also served as a member of the Association of Information Systems student chapter and as a Student Ambassador for WIT On Campus initiatives. Furthermore, Asia has taught entry level computer technology courses to middle and high school students, from her alma mater, as a means to introduce them to various STEM fields.

Asia also received many awards during her educational career. While earning an A.A. in Marketing, Asia won first place for an advertising campaign in the Delta Epsilon Chi state and international competitions. At GSU, Asia was awarded the Bergeron Scholarship for Women in Technology and the GSU Merit Scholarship, among others. After spending a semester abroad in Seoul, South Korea, she hopes to pursue her interests in cyber security and IT project management.

Tracy Zucco, Director, Human Resources, IT and Program Manager of WIT on Campus

www.linkedin.com/pub/tracy-zucco-sphr/6/a79/484

Tracy Zucco joined the CHEP team as Director, Human Resources, IT, reporting to Jean Holley directly. Tracy is a member of the global IT leadership team. She will support the Information Technology strategy by developing, leading and enabling the IT people and change agenda, thereby playing a key role in influencing operational performance and delivery. Her responsibilities include advising on and supporting all aspects of HR to ensure IT people, processes and systems are working effectively.

Prior to joining Brambles, Tracy has led a distinguished career spanning more than 20 years with increasing responsibility as an HR professional, including organizational design and transformation, talent acquisition and retention, employee development, performance management and employee and labor relations. Most recently, she served as Director, Human Resource Business Partner, Global Information Technology for the Coca-Cola Company, supporting an IT organization of 2,000 employees in more than 15 countries.

In her Atlanta-based role, Tracy will serve as a consultant and advisor to the Chief Information Officer and the IT leadership team in implementing employee strategies. In addition, she will work closely with all levels of IT management by focusing on performance and talent management, employee engagement and the planning of Brambles Employee Survey follow-up actions. She will also ensure alignment to HR employee relations practices.

In addition to several HR certifications, Tracy holds a Bachelor of Arts, Psychology degree from the University of South Florida, and she is a 2014 candidate for the Master of Science, Human Resources Development degree at Villanova University, USA.

Jose Rodriguez-Diaz with AID Atlanta, Chip Newton with Deloitte Consulting, Arthur Freeman with Chamblee Chamber of Commerce, and Jared Degnan with Kellen Communications

May 22, 2014 by kristaberutti

Atlanta Business Radio

Jose Rodriguez-Diaz with AID Atlanta, Chip Newton with Deloitte Consulting, Arthur Freeman with Chamblee Chamber of Commerce, and Jared Degnan with Kellen Communications

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Jose Rodriguez-Diaz / AID Atlanta

Rodriguez-Diaz comes to AID Atlanta from the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. Before that, he was senior medical consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources Services Administration – Office of Performance Review. Before working at HRSA, he was program director for the Department of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology at Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, responsible for conducting HIV clinical trials for women and children.

Chip Newton / Deloitte Consulting

Chip is a senior labor optimization strategist. He is a consulting thought leader with nearly 15 years of professional services experience in healthcare and life sciences industries. Mr. Newton is a savvy, client-facing professional, who has negotiated, developed and directed program strategies, business systems planning and complex workforce management implementations for Fortune 100 companies. Chip has been with the Board of Directors of AID Atlanta for over 5 years and was recently elected as the Board’s Chairman.

Arthur Freeman / Chamblee Chamber of Commerce

Arthur Freeman vast experience has significantly contributed to the social-scientific aspect of nourishing, developing and enhancing human potential. For more than 50 years he’s been involved in private and public initiatives via philanthropic donations and volunteerism for non-profits.

Through Quest International, a consulting practice he started in 1978, he has mentored, founded, operated or consulted over 130 For Profit and Non Profit ventures entities. Since coming out of retirement and moving back to Atlanta from Washington DC 5 years ago, he has founded and operated The Greater Atlanta Community Foundation, Inc. ((a 501(c)(3)),Virtuous Capital, L3C (to provide a means of sustainable financing for Non-profits via for profit ventures) ,the Brookhaven Chamber

of Commerce ((a 501 (c)(6) and Brookhaven Chamber Foundation ((a 501 (c)(3) and Chamblee Chamber and Foundation.

Mr. Freeman’s scientific contributions have also been beneficial to his endeavor to aid in humanistic progress. After receiving his Bachelors in Biology/Chemistry, this one time member of the NY Academy of Sciences and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute award winner, went on to become a contributing author for the BETZ Handbook of Water Treatment. During his career with BETZ Laboratories he received his certification in Water Treatment, became a Registered Environmental Specialist, attended Law School, and represented Betz’s industrial clients before the EPA. Over the course of 19 years, Arthur appeared before Congress as an environmental expert in opposition to punitive EPA guidelines for Steel, Pulp and Paper, Petrochemical and Mining industries.

Whether involved in Non-Profit or For Profit ventures, his core values of personal and professional integrity, stewardship, partnering in the community, education and legal compliance have been the key value factors in his many successes.

Jared Degnan / Kellen Communications

Jared Degnan is an over-caffeinated brand geek, strategy wonk, and Director of Digital Strategy for Kellen, one of Atlanta’s largest public relations firms.

He has a 12-year track record in marketing analysis, strategy and online brand development for brands like Kraft Foods, Vespa USA, MetLife, Intel and Pedigree.

Jared has an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate School of Management and a BBA in Marketing & Hospitality Management from The George Washington University.

You can catch Jared on Twitter or on his blog: Just Friggin’ Peachy

Stuart O’Day with Dental Post, Brett Conner with Isotrak, and Richard Lawrence Duhe with ComplyRX

May 22, 2014 by kristaberutti

Atlanta Tech Leaders

Stuart O'Day with Dental Post, Brett Conner with Isotrak, and Richard Lawrence Duhe with ComplyRX

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Stuart O’Day / Dental Post

Stuart is currently the Lead Software Developer for DentalPost. In this role, he is actively developing new features for both Employers and Job Seekers.

Prior to DentalPost, he held a variety of Atlanta-area technology leadership positions including Senior Technical Director at AT&T, Chief Technology Officer at SparkIP, Software Architect at EzGov and Technical Team Lead at BellSouth.

He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an MBA from the University of San Diego.

Brett Conner / Isotrak

Brett is a leading expert in the application and integration of wireless network technology into the automotive, commercial vehicle and Class 1 Railroad environments. He has been awarded the Warner Award, GTE Chairman’s Award, President’s Leadership Award, the Employee Quality Award, among others, to recognize his contributions in the development and implementation of a national virtual cellular network, addressing the needs of the telematics industry. Brett was inducted into Verizon Wireless’ Winner’s Circle in 2010 and 2011 and President’s Cup in 2012.

Brett has leveraged his 21 years of experience in product development and distribution at Chevrolet, Delco Electronics, GTE Wireless and OnStar in the creation of Verizon Wireless’ Transportation Practice, targeting the unique mobility requirements of its largest enterprise customers in the logistics, freight rail, commercial trucking, and airline segments.

Richard Lawrence Duhe / ComplyRX

As the Founding Partner and CEO of ComplyRx, Rick leads partnership and business development activities. He has over twenty five years of group health and workers’ compensation disease management and wellness medical cost containment experience. Prior to ComplyRx, Rick was Co-Founder and President of MediCor, a multi-million dollar Managed Care Company. His entrepreneurial endeavors have been featured on the cover of Inc. Magazine and mentioned within The Wall Street Journal. From 2009-2012, Rick was Chairman of the Georgia State Board of Worker’s Compensation Advisory Council, Rehabilitation and Managed Care Committee. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Masters in Counseling, and subsequently obtained the professional credentials of Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS) and Certified Rehabilitation Consultant (CRC).

Thom Gonyeau with Mountain View Group, Kelley Durfee and Justin Knot with INTREPY, and Kyle Glave with NOVAtime Technology, Inc.

May 20, 2014 by kristaberutti

Midtown Business Radio

Thom Gonyeau with Mountain View Group, Kelley Durfee and Justin Knot with INTREPY, and Kyle Glave with NOVAtime Technology, Inc.

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Thom Gonyeau / Mountain View Group

Equal parts right-brain and left-brain. Operational guru. Works with clients to solve their business needs; works with MVG employees to solve our business needs. Avid photographer, tennis player, runner, writer. Had first brush with fame at age 8, when his poem “Things That Are Beautiful” was published in Highlights magazine. Is often told he looks like Sean Penn. Doesn’t find it particularly funny when people try to pronounce the ‘h’ in his name. Has birthmark on tongue. Ran for class president in 7th grade on the slogan “Vote for Thom. He’s a bomb.” (He lost, learning his first valuable lesson in the need for effective communications.) Always on the lookout for really good breakfast food.

Kelley Durfee / INTREPY LLC

My name is Kelley Durfee. I am from Orlando, Florida with a background in PR and marketing. I recently started a healthcare marketing company with my business partner Justin Knott named INTREPY LLC. INTREPY LLC’s main goal is to increase practice revenues and public relations by driving higher physician referrals through personal marketing, designing and developing social media platforms, and strategic media & advertising. Creating active PR and connecting healthcare professionals with their local communities through philanthropy and other social events. I would love to connect with you via LinkedIn or Twitter please find the link to both below. Look forward to doing business with you!

Justin Knot / INTREPY LLC

My name is Justin Knott. I am from Orlando, Florida with a background in finance and early stage invest- ing. I recently started a healthcare marketing company with my business partner Kelley Durfee named INTREPY LLC. INTREPY LLC’s main goal is to increase practice revenues and public relations by driving higher physician referrals through personal marketing, designing and developing social media platforms, and strategic media & advertising. Creating active PR and connecting healthcare professionals with their local communities through philanthropy and other social events. I would love to connect with you via LinkedIn or Twitter please find the link to both below. Look forward to doing business with you!

Kyle Glave / NOVAtime Technology, Inc.

In 1999, NOVAtime Technology, Inc. was founded with the mission to continually research and develop the capabilities of Workforce Management solutions. Driven by forward-thinking people and the latest advances in technology, NOVAtime has gained recognition as a technical leader of the industry and is now one of the largest Time and Attendance providers in the United States. Our solutions automate and simplify time and resource management through the use of innovative technology that controls labor costs and promotes the growth of business.

Jim Browning with YPN Companies, Inc., Alan Pandiani with The Aspire Group, and Geoff Stella with Sprout Organic Foods

May 19, 2014 by kristaberutti

High Velocity Radio

Jim Browning with YPN Companies, Inc., Alan Pandiani with The Aspire Group, and Geoff Stella with Sprout Organic Foods

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Jim Browning / YPN Companies, Inc.

Jim is the Chief Profit Generator, CEO and owner of YPNTM Companies, Inc. and CEO & Co-Founder of YPN Strategies, LLC. He is “Dedicated to Your Success”

Jim has over 37 years of diverse business experience in the field of sales, marketing, information systems, training, business development and operations on the national and regional/local levels.

Starting his career as a clerk in retail grocery then onto a career with Coca-Cola in many roles and markets, Jim’s leadership spanned from managing teams from 3 to over 319 and budgets in excess of $295M.

Through this journey, Jim acquired the skills and passion for leadership, team and personal development for his giving role at YPNTM Companies, Inc.

Since leaving Coca-Cola in 2005, he has created seven companies. Throughout this journey, Jim continued to focus on business relationships, personal relationships and networking. Jim is author of “Relationships Matter,” “LinkedIn® for Business” and many more.

Jim is one of the world’s largest and most respected social networkers on such tools as LinkedIn®, SunZu®, Facebook®, Xing and Twitter® with more than 81 million connections overall. On LinkedIn® alone, Jim has over 29,967 1st level contacts with a total network of +34,865,204 people. Jim is a Globally Ranked “Top 25” networker.

He has trained over 29,353 people on the benefits of social media, through church and non-profit “Jobs Ministries”. He is sought after as a lecturer and keynote speaker having spoken at ACPI, Right Management, ASTD, Georgia State University, Emory University, Georgia Tech, CLO, NAAAHR, ASA, Vistage, Execunet, NGA, ROFDA, SHRM and others.

Alan Pandiani / The Aspire Group

As Manager, New Business Development, Alan is responsible for acquiring new partnerships to Aspires client base as well as expanding current initiatives for existing partnerships. Alan is charged with diagnosing the needs of current and potential client partners to provide them with a comprehensive recommendation for optimal operation. Alan, originally from Worcester, Massachusetts, became a member of the Aspire family in May of 2011 at Aspire’s Georgia Tech Fan Relationship Management Center (FRMC). During his time at the Georgia Tech FRMC, he was promoted twice and set multiple records for all-time revenue and total revenue in a selling year before transitioning into his current role in July 2013. Alan received both his bachelor’s degree (09′) and MBA (11′) from Providence College where he was also a student-athlete for the Friars on the Men’s track team.

Geoff Stella / Sprout Organic Foods

Cynthia Morneweck and Steven Walker with Great Parents Academy, Sarah Lodato and John Saddington with The Iron Yard, and Phillip Hardin with YouScience

May 14, 2014 by kristaberutti

Start-Opia

Cynthia Morneweck and Steven Walker with Great Parents Academy, Sarah Lodato and John Saddington with The Iron Yard, and Phillip Hardin with YouScience

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Cynthia Morneweck / Great Parents Academy

Cynthia oversees the overall strategic and operational responsibility of the three core areas of the company: Learning, Technology and Business. She provides leadership and coordination to the senior management team and is on the Board of Directors keeping them abreast of strategies progress and challenges.

Prior to GPA, Cynthia worked for PointClear Solutions, a consulting firm in the healthcare vertical. She was the Director of Operations for the UX practice. She also worked for Northrup Grumman as a Lead UX practitioner on a CDC contract. Before that she worked for the CTO of Georgia Institute of Technology as a UX practitioner promoting and helping the IT team produce a more user-centered approach to building applications.

Even though her roles have changed over the years, her love of User Experience stays with her. She applies the core principles of the discipline (HCI) to all aspects of her life. “I can’t turn it off. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t. I breathe it. It has served me well.”

Cynthia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Psychology from Smith College as well as a Masters of Science in Human Computer Interaction (Computer Science) from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Along with her GPA responsibilities, Cynthia is a wife and mother (daughter and son).

Steven Walker / Great Parents Academy

Steven is responsible for developing strategic partnerships and relationships to foster community growth with corporate child sponsors, charitable foundations, parent associations and education organizations.

Prior to joining GPA, Steven served as the CEO of a charter high school that focused on career academies and a STEM curriculum. He served on a subcommittee to advance STEM education for the state of GA and he currently serves on the education committees and board of trustees for two independent schools in Atlanta. Steven has over 22 years of experience in operations, finance and business strategy where he ran a multi-national information technology training and consulting company and oversaw the operations and financial controls of two restaurants as a franchisee and two mega-fitness centers in Atlanta and in District Heights, MD.

Before pursuing his entrepreneurial passions, Steven structured and executed investment-banking transactions for Bank of America, formerly NationsBank, in the corporate finance and private placements groups.

Steven holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Duke University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Along with his GPA responsibilities, Steven’s other duties are as a husband and father (daughter and son).

Sarah Lodato / The Iron Yard

John Saddington / The Iron Yard

A serial entrepreneur, John is a graduate of Georgia Tech and has two Master degrees from Dallas Seminary. He’s been an engineer and executive in the Fortune 50 as well as leading his own bootstrapped and venture-funded startups. He currently is a Partner and Chief Strategy Officer at The Iron Yard, a technology accelerator, incubator, and code school. He also continues to work on his iOS app Pressgram and his OS X app, Desk PM.

Phillip Hardin / YouScience

An experienced technology CEO, Philip Hardin has spent his career building technology products to solve complex industry issues. Now Mr. Hardin is tackling two of the most pressing issues of today – education and employment –with YouScience and its product Latitude®. Prior to YouScience, Mr. Hardin joined a start-up in Atlanta in 1995 focused on technology innovation in healthcare where he stayed for 17 years until the company was $1.3 Billion in revenues. He served in various executive capacities at Healtheon, WebMD and Emdeon before it was sold to the Blackstone Group. Mr. Hardin received a B.S. in accounting from the University of Georgia and received an M.B.A. from Stanford University.

Special Edition: Business Marketing Association Atlanta

May 8, 2014 by kristaberutti

Atlanta Business Radio

Special Edition: Business Marketing Association Atlanta

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Business Marketing Association (BMA) Atlanta

Patrick Blanchard / VP Social Media

Patrick is a Key Account Manager and Director of Business Development for TwentySix2 Marketing who helps tailor custom digital marketing strategies for companies, large and small, that provide effective results. TwentySix2 Marketing provides search engine optimization, paid search, social media, content marketing and web design services.

Moira Vetter / President Elect

Moira is the CEO of Modo Modo Agency, a strategic B2B marketing firm and the second fastest growing woman-owned business in Atlanta. Moira is President of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Marketing Association, sits on the board of Entrepreneur Advisors and is past Vice President of strategy for the international board of the Business Marketing Association. Her experience includes client-side positions in technology and healthcare, and nearly every position on an agency org chart. Moira specializes in B2B branding, thought leadership, and sales and marketing effectiveness for complex businesses. She was recently featured on a Fox News segment regarding Hire One Atlanta, entrepreneurship and her commitment to growing regardless of the current economic climate.

She has received awards from The International Association of Business Communicators, the Public Relations Society of America, the Business Marketing Association, the American Marketing Association, the Direct Marketing Association, Graphic Design USA, the WebAwards, the Webbys, Show South and more.

Special Edition: Women In Technology

May 8, 2014 by kristaberutti

Atlanta Tech Leaders

Special Edition: Women In Technology

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This special edition of Atlanta Technology Leaders focuses on The Women In Technology Foundation (WIT) and their upcoming signature event: The 20th Annual WIT Connect Presented by Dell. Featuring guest interviews with WIT Foundation’s Board President, Denise Reese and WIT Connect Co-Chairs, Jay Ferro and Lisa McVey.

WIT Connect presented by Dell brings together hundreds of Georgia’s leading technology executives and up-and-coming professionals for an entertaining evening of networking and competitive bidding at the Georgia Aquarium. Executives from Aaron’s, Cox Communications, NCR, Novelis, SunTrust, the Weather Company and many more have donated their time to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Proceeds from this unique executive auction benefit the WIT Foundation’s free career programs, Girls Get IT and WIT on Campus, aimed at encouraging middle, high school and college aged women to continue pursuing their interests in STEM education and careers. Since 2008, WIT Connect has raised more than $1.5 million to support WIT’s mission to serve as passionate advocates for advancing women in Georgia’s STEM industries.

Thursday, June 12th marks the 20th anniversary of WIT Connect led by Co-Chairs, Lisa McVey and Jay Ferro.

For more information on WIT Connect, visit www.mywit.org.

Denise Reese / WIT Foundation Board President

Denise Reese is Director, Business Development with Endava US LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endava UK Limited, a leading IT Services and Consulting firm with operations in London, Germany The US and Central Eastern Europe. In her role, Denise leads all Business Development activities for Endava in the Atlanta market.

Denise has spent more than a decade in Sales and Strategic Alliances for several major IT Services and Software organizations and has held positions both in The United States and Europe. Her experience spans multiple disciplines including Identity and Access Management, IT Security and Regulatory Compliance Management.

Denise has built a brand rooted in developing trusted advisor relationships with her clients. This, coupled with a keen ability to build repeatable and sustainable revenue generating opportunities, has afforded Denise with the opportunity to achieve significant milestones for the firms she’s worked with. During her tenure with Wipro Technologies, a leading IT Services, Consulting and Business Process Outsourcing Organization headquartered in Bangalore, India, she secured Wipro’s 1st and largest Hospitality Client in the US and was a multi -million dollar contributor to the RCTG (Retail, CPG, Transportation and Government) Business Unit.

Denise holds an MBA in Strategic Management from The Henley Business School in The United Kingdom. Her dissertation research focused on the importance of businesses adapting a sound IT Security and Risk policy. During her MBA Program, she completed her International Business Experience in Hong Kong. This allowed her the opportunity to analyze and provide strategic direction to Asia-Pacific companies in multiple industries including Manufacturing, Retail, and Public Sector.

Denise is passionate about serving in the community and embodies the qualities of a true Servant Leader. She served as Board Chair of the University Community Academy Board of Directors from 2009-2012. She is currently President of The Women in Technology (WIT) Foundation Board, the philanthropic arm of Women In Technology, Inc. Additionally, she serves as Executive Advisor to WIT’s “WIT on Campus “ Program and is also responsible for developing Strategic Relationships for The WIT Foundation. Denise also had the honor of being a contributing author to WIT’s leadership book CLIMB: Leading Women in Technology Share Their Journey’s to Success. Denise also serves on the Board of Directors for Cool Girls, Inc. where she has held positions as both Board Development and Resource Development Chair. She was also Event Chair for Cool Girls’ signature fundraiser, Hot Pink Party 2013. She had the privilege of being a 2012 Girls, Inc. “Strong Smart and Bold” Award Nominee and was recently bestowed the honor of serving on the Judges Panel for Distinguished Young Women’s (formerly Junior Miss) 2013 National Finals. Denise was a Founding Board Member and Director of Development for the Greater Atlanta Professional Chapter of Women MBA’s International, formerly known as NAWMBA – National Association of Women MBA’s. Recently, Denise was inducted into the Financial Times/European Business School’s Women on Board Initiative, “Global Board Ready Women.” This groundbreaking program is a global database of 8000 high achieving women in business and supports greater gender diversity on publicly quoted company boards in Europe. Denise is also a member of the National MS Society of Georgia’s MS Leadership 2014 Class.

Jay Ferro / WIT Connect Co-Chair

Jay Ferro, CIO for the American Cancer Society, is responsible for the people, strategy and operations of the global information technology of the organization. Ferro joined the Society’s executive staff in 2012, bringing a deep personal connection to the fight against cancer. In 2007, he founded the nonprofit group Priscilla’s Promise, in honor of his late wife, who died from cancer. Priscilla’s Promise raises funds for cervical cancer education and research; Ferro currently serves as the group’s executive director. Ferro was selected as Georgia CIO of the Year in 2011, and is currently serving as chair for the Georgia CIO Leadership Association. His commitment and dedication to community involvement is evidenced by the time and energy he contributes. In addition to his work with Priscilla’s Promise, in 2011, he was elected to the board of directors for TechBridge, an Atlanta-based nonprofit organization that helps other nonprofits use technology to improve their capability to serve the community.