Kristina Bouweiri is the innovative Chief Executive Officer and President of Reston Limousine, Washington DC’s premier chauffeured transportation provider ranked the 8th largest chauffeured fleet in the nation.

Starting with only five vehicles in 1990, Bouweiri diversified the business and developed Reston Limousine into to a $28 million company today with 250 vehicles ranging from sedans to coach buses.

Kristina also is the founder of the monthly networking luncheon Sterling Women and co-founder of the annual Virginia Women’s Business Conference – two programs that have helped hundreds of women entrepreneurs and executives achieve their professional goals.

As an active business community leader, Kristina is a board member of the DC Chamber of Commerce, Washington DC Economic Partnership, Northern Virginia Community College, Inova Loudoun Hospital Foundation, BCT-Bank of Charles Town, and Enterprising Women magazine, among others.

Gena Lovett is the vice president of manufacturing, safety and quality for Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS). In this role she is responsible for managing a global portfolio that includes over 20 programs at 27 different plant facilities. Leading the $23 billion business unit’s manufacturing transformation efforts to accelerate performance, she is changing the face of BDS Operations by championing innovation from factory floors to front offices across the enterprise.

Since joining Boeing in 2015, Lovett has worked hand in hand with its top leaders to advance the strategic direction for manufacturing a wide range of defense and space products. She also dedicates much of her time to empowering teams in the execution of safety and quality improvements and enhancing production and fabrication capabilities.

Before joining Boeing, Lovett was chief diversity officer for Alcoa, where she was responsible for cultivating a work environment that encouraged and supported diversity and inclusion at all levels of the organization. She led the successful incorporation of diversity and inclusion as a business imperative with a set of measurable indicators that produced bottom-line business results. Under her leadership, Alcoa won the 2013 Catalyst Award and the Human Rights Campaign’s 2014 Corporate Equality Award.

Prior to this, as Alcoa’s director of manufacturing, Lovett led the successful turnaround of a historically underperforming operation. Under her direction safety improved almost 80 percent, on-time delivery rose 50 percent, productivity grew 45 percent and employee engagement increased 24 percent.

She began her career at Ford Motor Co. as a first-line supervisor rising to the role of plant manager of Prototype Operations during her 15-year career there.
Lovett is a graduate of The Ohio State University and has a master’s degree in international business. She will begin her Ph.D studies in values-driven leadership this spring. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Trustee.

Jonathan Elias is an award winning journalist and has been recognized both nationally and locally for covering and reporting stories. Right now Elias anchors our 4, 6, and 11 p.m. on ABC7 News, as well as our 10 p.m. on WJLA 24/7.

He also heads up the 7Salutes beat, where he is constantly looking for stories about our men and women who are serving or have served in the military.

Elias joins ABC7/WJLA-TV from WBZ in Boston where he was a primary anchor and a lead reporter. On the day of the Boston Marathon bombings he was the only reporter to be standing on the finish line. His coverage earned him the highest journalism awards in the business, a DuPont, a Peabody, and a National Emmy Award. While in Boston Elias earned Emmy Awards for being the best anchor, writer, and for four years in a row the best general assignment reporter. He covered blizzards, hurricanes and parades for the Bruins, Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots.

Before Boston, Elias was the main anchor at KNXV in Phoenix. He traveled the country covering big stories including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita, and the Washington D.C. sniper case. His investigative work exposed a gaping hole in the T.S.A. screening process earned him a national Peabody Award. Elias also started the Welcome Home Project — a group that worked to recognize and thank returning Purple Heart Veterans.

During his career Elias worked as a primary anchor at KCBS in Los Angeles, WCCO in Minneapolis and as a reporter in Birmingham and Joplin.

He has reported from important stories including the L.A. Riots, Oklahoma City bombing, the crash of TWA 800, and the Oakland Hills fire. He’s covered hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and politics.

His work has been recognized with three George Foster Peabody Awards, an Alfred I. DuPont Award, a National Emmy, and 25 Regional Emmys.

In addition to his work as a journalist Jonathan has served as an Honorary Commander at Hanscom Air Force Base for three years, and for nearly a decade has served as an instructor at the U.S. Army War College.

Elias graduated from California State University at Northridge as a history major. In his free time he enjoys golfing, traveling, reading, working out and searching for the perfect BBQ.

Debra Adams Simmons is executive editor for culture at National Geographic Magazine and nationalgeographic.com where she manages coverage of the lived experiences of people and the exploration of places around the globe. Debra was a 2016 fellow of Harvard University’s Nieman Foundation for Journalism. Before that, she spent several years as the managing editor and editor of Cleveland’s Plain Dealer newspaper before joining its parent company, Advance Local, as a vice president. A 30-year news veteran, Debra has extensive reporting, editing, and senior news management experience. She has served as the Associated Press Media Editors president and been on the boards of directors of the International Women’s Media Foundation, the American Society of News Editors and Athena International. Debra graduated from Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and its College of Arts & Sciences, where she serves on the board of visitors.

Kevin Reynolds is Executive Vice President and Regional President, Director of Sales for United Bank, with over $19 billion in assets and 142 branches in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia. Kevin joined United Bank in April 2017, following its acquisition of Cardinal Bank. Prior to establishing Cardinal Bank with a select group of community bankers in 1998, he held executive and management positions with several leading area financial institutions, including George Mason Bank and American Security Bank. Kevin’s primary role at United Bank is to provide strategic and executive oversight over the sales & service directives over all lines of business.

Kevin’s contributions toward improving the quality of life in the region are widely recognized and reflect his years of service and dedication.  He was elected board chairman of the 2015 World Police & Fire Games, the second largest multi-sport event in the world, surpassed only by the Summer Olympic Games.  He was awarded the 2012 Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year for Large Businesses and was finalist for the 2012 Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Executive Leader of the Year.  Kevin was named the 2010 Business Citizen of the Year by the Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce and was honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2009 as one of Washington’s most outstanding fundraising volunteers.   That same year, he was honored by Leadership Fairfax with a Regional Leadership Award for fundraising leadership.

A graduate of The College of William and Mary, Reynolds earned an MBA in Finance/Business from The George Washington University. He lives in Oakton, Virginia with his wife, Stacey, their two children, and two golden retrievers.

Trey Mauck, of Fairfax, Virginia started Integrated Insurance Solutions, an independent insurance agency, in September of 2001. With more than 25 years in the insurance service industry, Mr. Mauck handles a variety of insurance matters for businesses involving Property & Casualty, Employee Benefits as well as Personal insurance for successful individuals. Trey is an expert in self-funded medical plans.

Prior to starting Integrated Insurance Solutions, Mr. Mauck worked for 3M, Aetna and partnered with one of the original founders of the Carlyle Group providing private equity and consulting services. He has been involved in the formation of 16 companies.

Trey attended James Madison University earning a dual degree with a B.A. in Business Management and a B.A. in Business Marketing with a minor in Business Economics. He holds both Property & Casualty and Life & Health licenses in over 40 states.

• Awards and Designations include:
• Top 100 Agencies
• Washington Business Journal Top Agent/Broker Designation
• United Healthcare Top Producer Award
• Erie Insurance Top Producer Award
• Assurant Health Top Producer Award
• Northern Virginia Magazine Top Financial Professional Designation
• Grange Insurance Outstanding Sales & Superior Performance Award

Trey takes pride in his involvement in the community, coaching travel basketball and lacrosse teams. He is a member of St. Mark Catholic Church and Vistage Worldwide. Trey and his wife, Joely, are dedicated volunteers and supporters of the Wolf Trap Animal Rescue center, fostering over 22 dogs throughout the years.

Trey has lived in the Northern Virginia area since 1987. He enjoys spending time with Joely and his four children. His free time is spent devouring any statistics he can find on insurance, including all things related to P&C and, most recently, Health Care Reform, to benefit his clients. He enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family in Ocean City, MD.

Dr. Kate Rosengreen is the President of the Proposal Resource Group, Inc. a proposal development consultancy in the Washington, D.C. area. For over 25 years she has provided proposal support and training for systems integrators, consulting firms, nonprofit agencies and small businesses across the U.S. Kate applies her technical and interpersonal skills to help her clients win contracts, so they can grow their organizations and meet their mission goals. She is a past President of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) Washington D.C. Chapter and has a strong network within the vocational rehabilitation, business development, defense and academic communities.

Kate was born in Sydney, Australia. Prior to her relocation the U.S. she founded her own training company where she provided training for long-term unemployed jobseekers to help them reach their career goals. She received her PhD from the University of Canberra, Australia in 2008. Her research focused on the workplace experiences of jobseekers with disabilities to better understand the challenges they face with employment and career success.

Dr. Rosengreen has combined her business development, training and research skills to support nonprofit agencies so they can improve employment participation of persons with disabilities and build their organizations. Kate is the national instructor for proposal development for SourceAmerica, a Central Nonprofit Agency (CNA) under the AbilityOne program. She is also the author of “Proposal Development: Concepts, Theory and Practice” ̶ a process guide for nonprofit agencies and small businesses to better understand proposal development and to prepare high quality proposal submissions to their customers.

Alicia Wilson is Vice President of Community Affairs and Legal Advisor to Sagamore Development Company, a Plank Industries Company. Wilson is responsible for shaping and promoting the interests of all Plank Industries’ operating companies by developing strategic initiatives that enhance its philanthropic and investment impact. She is also responsible for cultivating and building key stakeholder relationships and collaborative relationships regionally, nationally and internationally for Plank Industries.

During the 2016 Baltimore City Council legislative session, Wilson drafted key pieces of legislation and served as the principal negotiator of the two largest Community Benefit Agreements in the history of Baltimore associated with the passage of a $660 million public financing project. The negotiations of the community benefit agreements involved over 200 stakeholder groups representing tens of thousands of residents from across the City of Baltimore. Wilson now leads and oversees a team charged with implementing the letter and spirit of the community benefits agreements focused on workforce development, supplier diversity, and inclusionary housing, and youth enrichment matters.

Prior to joining Sagamore Development Company, Wilson was litigation and employment and labor law partner at the law firm of Gordon Feinblatt, a full-service law firm located in downtown Baltimore. She has successfully litigated cases before state and federal courts throughout Maryland and the District of Columbia. Wilson also counseled and advised mid-size and large business on all aspects of employment and labor law matters.

Wilson is actively involved in civic and charitable organizations. She currently serves on the Executive Board of the CollegeBound Foundation and as its program chair, on the board of the Center for Urban Families, the University of Maryland Foundation at Baltimore Board, Associated Black Charities, and the Citizenship Law Related Education Project. She also serves as Art Facet Chair within the Harbor City Chapter of the Links, Incorporated.

Wilson is a graduate of Mergenthaler Vocational-Technical High School and the University of Maryland Baltimore County and the University of Maryland School of Law. In 2003, Alicia was named the Harry S. Truman Scholar for the state of Maryland. She is the first student in the history of UMBC to be awarded this honor. The Truman Scholarship is a National Award bestowed upon one college junior from each state that demonstrates exceptional leadership potential and who is committed to making a difference through public service.

Mother, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Reality TV Star and Author are just a few ways to describe this 2013 Maj McClung Leadership award recipient Gunnery Sergeant of Marines, Tee Marie Hanible. Tee Marie Hanible is a Southside Chicago native, and enlisted into the Marine Corps in 1996. In 2003, Hanible deployed as the only female in one of the first units to Iraq. During her time in the Corps, Tee served as a Military Recruiter, Legal Chief, Operations Chief and as the Marine Corps Diversity Chief. In 2011 Hanible founded Operation Heroes Connect, an organization partnering veterans as full time mentors for at-risk youth. Her organization also facilitates a summer camp program in which 50-60 local youth from the D.C., MD, and VA areas are afforded the opportunity to attend a week long summer enrichment camp for free. In 2012, Ms. Hanible was honored at the White House by President Obama for her work both in and outside of the uniform. Later Tee went on to be featured in Newsweek Magazine “Heroes Edition” publication and featured in the Daily Beast Heroes Summit. The following year, Tee (them Gunnery Sergeant Hanible) went on to assist in assembling the Corps’ first ever Marine Week Youth Academy program for 250 local Cleveland Ohio area youth. Tee Marie Hanible is also the first military recipient of the prestigious “Washingtonian of the Year” award, an award normally coveted by doctors and other such humanitarians. Upon retirement from the Marine Corps, Tee went on to costar on FOX’s “American Grit” alongside John Cena as the only military female expert on the show, the
first national television role to ever spotlight a military Woman of color, Tee also co-starred in the Lifetime documentary “What I Signed Up For”. Tee was the National Veteran’s Chair for Women’s March on D.C. and currently sits on the board for Women’s March D.C. Along with being the author of the memoir “The Warrior Code; 11 Principles to Unleash The Badass Inside of You”, Tee is the CEO of her nonprofit foundation “Operation Heroes Connect” mother to two beautiful daughters Destiny and Jasmine and Graduate student at Harvard University studying creative writing and Literature. Follow Tee Marie Hanible on Twitter. Check out Tee Marie Hanible’s website

Carmen Ortiz-McGhee is Executive Vice President of the National Association of Investment Companies (NAIC).  As part of the executive leadership team, Carmen oversees NAIC’s primary initiatives to include industry research, events, communications and new member engagement. Further, she collaborates with NAIC’s CEO Robert Greene in the development of new services and solutions for the members.

Prior to joining NAIC, Carmen was Senior Vice President and Head of Sales for Aon in the DC, MD and VA (DMV) region. In this role she was responsible for driving growth across all product lines throughout the market. Carmen was responsible for the turnaround of the DMV sales team, culture and performance, leading to its highest revenue generation in a decade, generating 127% of the goal and 150% YOY growth. Carmen also served as a member of Aon’s Diversity & Inclusion Board. In 2014, she was selected as one of Business Insurance Magazine’s Top 25 Women to Watch.

Prior to that role, Carmen served as Executive Vice President of Sales for Aon Cornerstone Innovative Solutions. Aon Cornerstone was tasked with sourcing and vetting MWDBE firms, building strategic alliances and go-to-market strategies with them to meet the increasing demand by Aon’s clients for subcontracting with those firms. Prior to joining Aon, she was the Vice President of Business & Investment Development for a boutique real estate private equity firm with $1 billion in AUM.

Previously, Carmen was President of The Marathon Club (TMC), an organization established to accelerate relationships among the best and brightest business minds in the U.S. to create enhanced wealth creation and deal flow for ethnically diverse professionals. Carmen led programs both in the US and abroad. Prior to leading TMC, Carmen created value for a number of non-profit organizations. In her various roles at these organizations, Carmen led corporate fundraising strategies; membership recruitment efforts, raising the diversity and number of participants; content development, innovating unique approaches and managing the logistical implementation of the annual meetings, trade shows & conferences.

Carmen is the former Chair of the Board of New America Alliance, Inc. and also previously served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the National Education Association Foundation.  She is licensed in Life & Health and Property & Casualty insurance brokerage and lives in Virginia with her husband and their three children.

Kimberly Y. Robinson is a member of Funk & Bolton, P.A, resident in the firm’s Baltimore office. Ms. Robinson leads the firm’s Government Relations Practice Group and is a member of the firm’s Insurance Regulation Practice Group.

Ms. Robinson currently represents a variety of insurer and business interests before the Maryland General Assembly and serves as the Executive Director of the League of Life and Health Insurers of Maryland.

Prior to joining Funk & Bolton, P.A., Ms. Robinson was employed by the Maryland Insurance Administration from 2001 until 2008, most recently serving as the Director of Government Relations. As the Director of Government Relations, she was involved in policy development, drafted legislation and regulations, authored legislative reports and represented the Administration on all insurance related legislation (life, health, property, and casualty) before the Maryland General Assembly. She also served as the Insurance Commissioner’s liaison between the Governor’s Legislative Office, members of the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland Congressional delegation, and local governments. Ms. Robinson previously served as Staff Attorney to the Life and Health section and Staff Attorney to the Commissioner’s Office of the Administration, handling regulatory matters before assuming legislative responsibilities.

Ms. Robinson played a key role in the development and drafting of the Administration’s legislation beginning in 2003 and worked on such key issues as the creation of the Maryland Health Insurance Plan, regulation of viatical settlement providers and brokers, the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, requirements for the licensing of insurance producers, and reforms regarding the availability of property insurance in the coastal areas of the state. In addition, she served as a member of the State Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers, the Health Disparities Work Group and on the Diabetes Coalition, and staffed various legislative task forces including the Task Force on Access to Mental Health Services, the Commissioner’s Auto Insurance Task Force to Study Rates in Urban Areas and the Task Force on the Availability and Affordability of Property Insurance in Coastal Areas.

Ms. Robinson serves on the Board of Directors for the Baltimore Washington Chamber of Commerce, NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland and has recently concluded 10 years of service on the Board of Directors of the Metro Delta Education Programs, Inc., operating a Head Start Program in Baltimore City. In 2012, she was named one of the Daily Record’s Top 100 Women in Maryland and, in 2010, she was named one of the Daily Record’s Leading Women, recognizing the accomplishments of 40 Maryland Women Under 40.

Ms. Robinson is a member of the Maryland Government Relations Association, the Alliance of Black Women Attorneys of Maryland, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The Links, Incorporated.

Lydia Kearney Carlis, PhD is the founder and Chief Eyemagination Officer of Eyemagination Enterprises, LLC, based in Washington, DC. Eyemagination Enterprises exists to increase quality educational programs for children around the globe who are most at risk when schools fail them (www.eyemagined.com), and to help prove what’s possible through education and excellence using visual brand management (www.eyemaginationimaging.com). As an educational consultant and researcher, Lydia works with sites, schools, districts, nonprofits and foundations to ensure educational excellence for high risk, high need children. As a photographer, Lydia is passionate about capturing the beauty and strength of women executives, creatives, and entrepreneurial leaders. Her portrait and narrative profiles inspire professionals and students alike to expand their definitions of success and dream big about what they can become and accomplish in their lives.

Ms. Reed-Selby is a 20-year professional with both private and public sector policy and government relations experience at the national, state and local levels. She is currently a Gubernatorial Appointee, serving the O’Malley-Brown Administration as Executive Director of the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board (GWIB) since January 2011. She also served as GWIB Deputy Director for three years.

As GWIB Executive Director, Ms. Reed-Selby oversees the daily operations and management of the 45+ member Board and staff. Her responsibilities include budget development and management; identifying and recruiting corporate board members; strategic planning; analyzing labor market data, policy, and federal and state legislation; preparing and delivering legislative briefings; testifying before the Maryland General Assembly; and building and maintaining relationships with State agency partners, members of the Maryland General Assembly and Congressional Delegation. She also led the GWIB’s launch and promotion of Skills2Compete (S2C) Maryland, in partnership with Discovery Communications and Montgomery College; the Governor’s signature campaign aimed at encouraging Marylanders to pursue at least two years of post-secondary education.

Prior to joining the GWIB, Ms. Reed-Selby served for seven years as Senior Director of Business Partnerships for LRG, Inc., During her tenure, she was staffed as an “Executive on Loan” to the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration’s Business Relations Group.

She currently serves on the Leadership Council of the National Skills Coalition, Wilberforce University Alumnae and Others Special Taskforce on Accreditation, and is a past Board Member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP).

In her personal life, Ms. Reed-Selby is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a member of the Baltimore (MD) Chapter, The Links, Incorporated. She is a graduate of the Links Scott Hawkins Leadership Institute (SHLI) Cohort IV. Lynn and her husband Roland reside in Baltimore.

Tasha “TC” Cooper, Esq. is an intellectual property attorney, Amazon #1 new release author for multiple books, founder of the FaithFocusFlow™ training portal for Christian business leaders, and founder of UpwardAction® – a social media marketing training company. She has been recognized as a leader in social marketing, self-publishing and building influential brands online. Her social media communities collectively exceed 60,000 followers who tune in for her expert, actionable advice. You can learn about her work at www.UpwardAction.com and www.FaithFocusFlow.com.

TC has been engaged to provide training for entities that include the White House Fellows Program (Obama Administration), Council on Foreign Relations, DC Bar Association, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Wall Street Project Economic Summit, Hampton University, Rutgers University Business School, New Jersey Small Business Development Centers – as well as individual attorneys and consultants.

She has contributed to publications that include Black Enterprise Magazine, Speakers Magazine, California Bar Journal, Washington Lawyer Magazine and others. Her bible-based business books and resources are used in Bible study groups for entrepreneurs and faith-based non-profit organizations around the country.

TC began her professional life as a private equity attorney in an international law firm, following which she served as associate general counsel for a publicly traded luxury watch manufacturer, and following as associate general counsel in a regulatory agency of the federal government.

She is a graduate of Columbia Law School (NY), where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and Hampton University (VA), where she graduated from the Honors College program.

As Change Management Lead for General Dynamics IT, Michele directs the communications and organizational change efforts of a multi-year $20MM ECM@NIH project to implement an enterprise-wide content management system impacting more than 4000 federal workers and contractors across the National Institutes of Health. Her immutable and unique strengths to envision a preferred future state, quickly ascertain and deconstruct root challenges and roadblocks, and then articulate clearly a viable path forward toward solution, resolution, and improvement has increased a wide swath of stakeholders, leaders, and users’ process adoption and engagement and course-corrected communication gaps that has kept the project advancing toward success.

Prior to joining General Dynamics Michele founded and is CEO of Zephyr Group, a strategic management consulting company focused on organizational development, strategy, and change management. With a focus on people, proficiencies, and profits Michele’s insights have helped to deliver a full suite of change management and organizational development initiatives that improve programs, projects, and products within government, industry, and non-profit organizations.

As Chief Operations Officer and Program Director for a multimedia software development firm, Michele directed change management programs within NASA’s Office of Education, notably, a $1.5 million budget for the development of the Student Online Research Journal and the One Stop Shopping Initiative web-based platforms for NASA’s Office of Education. Between 2014-2016 Michele served as a Senior Adviser for NASA’s Office of Education Strategic Working Group to develop a 5-year strategic plan to realign the Office of Education’s intra-Agency technology and communication platforms.

Michele’s early career includes more than 20 years in banking and financial services. As a Vice President with Key Bank, NA, Michele led risk audits and enterprise-wide process improvement initiatives for disaster recovery and communications strategy. As a Financial Advisor for Merrill Lynch and Morgan Stanley spanning 10 years, Michele managed more than $60MM in client assets advising municipalities, non-profit organizations, and individuals. At that time in Cleveland, Michele was among the fewer than twelve women of color serving as Series 7 licensed financial advisors within a major wall street brokerage firm.

Recently, Michele has developed and launched a new patent pending product, PrettiFeet Perfect Fit. She is presently working to expand the new SKU for product placement in US retailers.

Rita Goodroe is an international speaker, author, business mentor and strategist to women entrepreneurs, helping them take bold actions to realize BIG results in business so they make more money in less time in a way that is fun and aligned with their values! Rita’s clients love how she uses humor to break tough topics down into practical, easily implementable, actions and have coined the phrase “Rita made me DO it!” to celebrate their many successes.

Prior to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, Rita worked for 13 years as a business attorney. Thanks to a revelation that sent her on 35 dates in 35 days, Rita left her life as an attorney and became a dating coach. She surpassed her attorney salary within months and was asked to tour as an expert panelist, speaker and to serve as an expert for The Washington Post. She found that the majority of people approaching her weren’t asking for dating advice but wanted to know how she had been able to grow a successful business so quickly.

In 2015, Rita created the global community, “Women’s Business Garden,” providing education and community events to women entrepreneurs making it easier for them to start and grow businesses. In June 2016, Women’s Business Garden was selected as a change-making community by the United State of Women Summit convened by The Obama White House.

Having built two successful businesses of her own, and helping her clients to do the same, Rita believes that the fastest path to success is by helping others succeed and is dedicated to fighting for women’s equal access to opportunities in all areas of entrepreneurship.

A serial- prenuer with a heart and passion for business and personal development, Dr. Terré is the Chief Visionary Officer at EnvisionU, helping entrepreneurs create lives they love and businesses that leave legacies, while offering live and virtual courses and events focused on leadership, marketing, and business strategy.

As a result of her work, in 2014 she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for her 20 years of service in the fields of business, education, the arts, and publishing.

A former classroom teacher and college professor, she speaks and teaches on leadership, resiliency, and business development and has authored more than 6 books, including her global project Persist, Inspiring Stories About Winning in the Game of Life When Losing Isn’t an Option, to be released in 2019.

When she’s not collaborating with other brands, speaking, or writing, you can find her in the kitchen whipping up something adventurous.

Gail Johnson is a veteran Human Resources Executive. Throughout her tenure at AT&T, she has played an instrumental role in human capital management positions building strategic partnerships, creating and executing leadership development programs, and hiring top talent across the organization including C-Suite positions.
Currently, she is responsible for the enterprise-wide Talent Development Programs including the Mentoring programs for the company. Prior to this role, Gail led AT&T’s Summer Intern Program, Leadership Development Programs and strategic talent development partnerships including HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities), minority-serving institutions, women’s organizations, and diverse stakeholders. Her ability to effectively respond to global growth, market changes, and economic challenges has made her a treasured resource and propelled her more than 30-year steadfast career.
Gail is passionate about connecting talent with the right career opportunities and the community with corporate America, serving on various non-profit and professional boards. She is a lifetime member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and currently a Board Member for the National Black MBA Association. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and an Executive Education Certification from Harvard University.
She is a highly sought-after speaker for various panels on topics related to diversity and inclusion, innovation, workforce planning, generational mentoring, and minority recruitment and retention.

SUMMARY: As a visionary and strategist, Ms. Lloyd has lead or contributed to strategic plans, new business development, capture plans as well as robust go-to-market approaches to industry specific markets. Ms. Lloyd has over two (2) decades of developing a strong track record closing large, multifaceted government and commercial contracts. She has worked with a varied customer base, senior level management and complex business operations and holds an active Top Secret clearance.

KEY EXPERIENCE:

• Prominent role in varying progressive positions leading the strategic business development life cycle and directing resources.

• Impact player with proven success in winning new business and creating organic growth.

• • Expertise in execution of forward thinking initiatives to accomplish multi-dimensional business objectives including strategic partnering.
• • Skilled in business intelligence, market research and analyses, proposal management and operation of a Corporate Information Center.
• • Actively identifies, articulates and implements winning strategies oriented toward capturing specific business opportunities. Managing this process has provided a bridge between long range strategic planning and contract performance.
• • Managing Director for Arcadia Group International, www.arcadiagroupintl.com/leadership.php.

EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY:

StratPaths, Inc. – President & CEO

L3 Communications – Vice President, Department of Defense Business Development

Cisco Systems – Global Service Manager (United States, Europe, Middle East and Africa)

Unisys Federal – Business Development Director

Computer Sciences Corporation – Business Development Specialist

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Life Member, 2018

National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), 2017 – present

Odyssey Media, 2017 – present

Japanese Society of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (JSIE), 2016 – present

Women in Technology (WIT), 2010 – present

Laurel Grove School Association Board, 2009 – 2015

Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA), 2007 – present

National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), 2007 – present

Senior Professional Women’s Association (SPWA), Pentagon, 2007 – 2010

EDUCATION:

Bachelors of Science, University of Maryland in Business Administration

Executive MBA, University of Maryland

SUMMARY 
Nyree Wright is a role model who is as dedicated to her community as she is to her career. She is a natural born leader, committed to the role of excellence and diversity in the marketing and communications industry. Her “each one, reach one” attitude is her signature.
Nyree is a top Washington, DC public relations counselor who played a critical role helping to manage communications during the bankruptcy and recovery of General Motors beginning in 2009. Additionally, she served on National Grid’s crisis communications leadership team and was onsite during Hurricane Sandy – the deadliest and most destructive hurricane of the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, as well as the second-costliest hurricane in United States history. Most recently, Nyree was one of the key counselors helping Firestone Liberia communicate its efforts in combating the Ebola outbreak in West Africa – the largest and deadliest Ebola outbreak in history. In all, Nyree has a proven track record in crisis communications and for developing successful campaigns across various industries that include consumer, automotive, education, financial services, energy and telecommunications.

JOB HISTORY
Nyree currently is an Executive Vice President of Reputation Management at Porter Novelli. Previously, Nyree was Senior Vice President at MSLGROUP in Washington, DC. MSLGROUP acquired her previous firm, The McGinn Group/TMG Strategies, a well- known consulting firm, in April 2007. Prior to joining MSL Washington, DC in 2011, Nyree ascended through the ranks of The McGinn Group/TMG Strategies to Vice President, where, for five years, she managed the General Motors Communications assignment, the firm’s largest and most important account. Her work on the GM business came at a particularly critical time, as the automaker teetered on the cusp of bankruptcy. The McGinn Group/TMG Strategies played an essential role in the process, directly counseling GM’s executive leadership and serving as a critical hub for all communications during the pre- and post-bankruptcy phases. Nyree personally handled the day-to-day management and operations of “The Arlington Project,” which was created by GM’s most senior leadership. Additionally, Nyree took on key roles in the agency’s crisis and corporate reputation accounts, including Purdue Pharma and Howard University, where she served as a principle lead to Howard’s Office of the President during their Academic Renewal
Nyree joined The McGinn Group in 2001 after working at Prudential Financial (1997-1999) and Ogilvy PR (1999-2001). Nyree began her career at The Rosen Group in New York, where she secured a position with the agency after interning with them through her Rutgers University PRSA chapter during her undergraduate studies.

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Nyree is a seasoned communications advisor who brings to Porter Novelli a strong foundation of corporate reputation, strategic counseling and public relations/marketing experience. Her knowledge provided her the skill-set and management acumen that contributed to a 2001 Public Relations Society of America Big Apple Award for her PR & Marketing Communications work while working in Ogilvy PR’s New York office. This award was not only a first for her, but also represented the program/campaign of the first- ever introduction of tax e-filing services. Her client (H.D. Vest Financial Services) set the stage for a multi- billion dollar industry and later became acquired by Wells Fargo. During this time, she also attended Seton Hall University where she earned her MA in Corporate & Public Communications – a challenging goal, since she was managing one of the largest accounts in her office.
Nyree has received top industry awards, including the National Press Club’s coveted Vivian Award for years 2013, 2014 and 2017. The Vivian Awards were established by former NPC president Vivian Vahlberg in 1982 to honor outstanding service to the Club. Nyree earned this recognition through hard work for one of the most important associations in the DC marketplace. As a member of the NPC’s Speakers Committee in 2013, she successfully pitched, managed and orchestrated sold-out luncheons for notable speakers, including Ben Jealous (NAACP President & CEO), Bob Johnson (Black Entertainment Television/BET Founder) and Gloria Steinem (the feminist activist) on the eve of her receiving the 2013 Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Since 2011, Nyree has also served as the co-chair of the National Press Club 5K Committee, responsible for the organization, execution and promotion of the annual 5K Run to help raise funds for the National Press Club Journalism Institute. The over $200,000 she helped raise during her tenure has allowed the Journalism Institute to help working journalists improve their skills with ongoing training and programming. It also funded scholarships for future journalists that promote diversity within the journalism profession. For her efforts, Nyree has been a regular presence on the dais for some of the NPC’s most prominent speakers, most recently in December when General Motors CEO Dan Akerson made his last major speech before his retirement.
Nyree was named to Washington Life Magazine’s “The Young & the Guest List 2014”, which “honors the 300+ under 40 geniuses, visionaries, crusaders & innovators shaping Washington’s future.” She was also featured in Capitol Communicator’s “Up Close & Personal Profiles” (March 2015).
Most recently in October 2018, Nyree was featured in Diverse Voices: Profiles in Leadership, a book designed to help communications leaders and professionals better understand the challenges faced by minorities in the communications profession.
The book features interviews with more than 40 multicultural corporate and PR agency leaders. These executives, many of whom have risen to the highest levels of the communications profession, share candid anecdotes detailing successes and challenges that they face during their career, as well as tips and lessons for those entering the field. The book was developed by the PRSA Foundation and the Museum of Public Relations, with all proceeds going to the Foundation, an independent, 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion within the communications profession.

INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS 
Nyree’s leadership in PR/Communications is undisputed. She is a charter and former board member of ColorComm, an organization for women of color in communications; a trained Focus Group Moderator of the Research in Values & Attitudes Institute (RIVA); a former member of the National Press Club (NPC), one of the most prestigious media/communications organizations in the world; a member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA); and in 2016, became a trustee of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Foundation.
However, the essence of her leadership is shown through her 2009-2012 presidency of the Capital Press Club (CPC), the oldest African-American communications association in the nation. CPC – founded in 1944 as an African-American alternative to the NPC which, at that time, did not accept black members – exists to unite communications professionals of color through professional development, networking, new business opportunities/entrepreneurship, and issues advocacy.

OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Nyree shines in and out of the office as a committed volunteer and humanitarian. Her commitments include:
Adjunct Professor, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland
Viva Women of Color/Public Groupe BRG: Charter/Board Member, DC-Metro Chapter
The Humane Society of the United States: Fundraiser
Heritage Hill of Alexandria Townhouses Association: Board Member (former)
Leadership/Role Model: Nyree’s leadership is evident in all she does. Within the agency (and industry), junior team members seek her out for guidance and counsel. With her peers, she is revered as an accomplished colleague. With her clients, she is a trusted and strategic advisor on all fronts.
Commitment to Her Trade: While Nyree has remained dedicated to the PR/Communications industry, she by no means remains complacent in her achievements thus far nor rests on her previous laurels. She continually looks for opportunities to grow professionally while mentoring those around her.
Dedication: Nyree leaves no stone unturned when it comes to servicing her clients, agency and fellow (wo)men. She constantly seeks to achieve the best in all she does, both personally and professionally. She believes that she’s been given gifts/blessings with a purposed vision to share them.

Linda Hsu has worked in the legal field since 2005.  She is a Certified Legal Manager (CLM), and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Chico & Nunes, P.C., a boutique law firm in Chicago specializing in aviation, commercial litigation, government and regulatory issues, procurement, real estate and land use, MBE/WBE/DBE certifications, and strategic business counseling.



Prior to her time in the legal industry, Linda worked in campaign politics and government on the local, state, national, and international levels.  She has been involved in aldermanic, gubernatorial, and U.S. Senate races in various roles, and has worked on a Democratic National Convention and a Presidential Inauguration.



Linda is a spiritual and life adventurer.  She is a graduate of Psychology of Vision’s transformational 100 Day Program, has journeyed to India to become a Oneness Blessing giver, and studies the works of J. Krishnamurti.  Linda lived in Asia for several years while working in Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan, and has traveled extensively throughout China, witnessing first hand its incredible economic transformation.