Name: Doris Brown
Chapter: Oxon Hill Charter Chapter
Occupation: Director, Affiliate Relations and Services, Avue Technologies Corporation

“My association with ABWA has been and continues to be a very positive experience and a tremendous confidence booster. I do not question whether I can effectively deliver presentations and successfully lead people, programs, organizations and projects, because the positive feedback I’ve received through ABWA has proven that I have what it takes. Over the years, when increasingly important career-critical opportunities came my way, I never felt as if I were totally traveling in uncharted waters because of my ABWA experiences. My ABWA involvement has given me relevant experience and the confidence to ‘stand and deliver.’ I now provide training, give presentations, seminars and workshops to my employer’s clients and to non-profit groups, and can quite comfortably present from one hour to three days in duration, on a wide variety of career topics, tailoring them to suit each particular audience! My ABWA experience has made each succeeding step in my career ascent seem like a natural progression."

In her 17 years as an ABWA member, Doris has invited guests to chapter meetings and sponsored new members from diverse backgrounds. She has shared her expertise with Chapter members to assist them with career questions and employment issues. She has served as keynote speaker and benefited from networking opportunities. “Through ABWA, I came to see the power and the importance of being a resource for others,” she says.

Doris has nominated women who have positively influenced her for Chapter awards so that they are exposed to ABWA and receive public recognition for the role they have played in her life. In keeping with ABWA’s mission, she has encouraged reluctant members to assume committee chair positions and she has worked with them to help them succeed and gain a sense of satisfaction with their accomplishments. She is a self-described believer in “paying it forward”, freely and willingly giving the kind of advice and support others have given her.

Name: Debra Yates
Chapter: Camelot Chapter
Occupation: Business Owner; Practice Administrator, Plastic Surgery Center, Ltd.

“Being involved with ABWA, I have found it a positive, wonderful and educational experience on many different levels. From my association with ABWA, I found it has given me character, courage and conscience, the three 3 C’s, in both my personal and professional life. ABWA has given me the courage to take initiative, action and leap of faith to make decisions in my skin care business and career. Within ABWA there are so many invaluable opportunities and unlimited support to help me in my leadership skills through committees and being a part of the executive board. ABWA helps women to be ‘glass breakers’ and empowers women to help other women. ABWA has made such a significant impact on my life and my profession. This has helped me in my involvement with national and local organizations. Whether I’m speaking at our national plastic surgery meeting, skin Care Society, volunteering at the World Burn Congress or the board of the YWCA, ABWA is always close to my heart because the experience has helped me fulfill many of my goals and aspirations.”

Debra started the first skin care clinic in the central Pennsylvania area within a doctor’s practice in the early 1980’s and continues to consult and educate patients on medial skin care and provide a wide variety of services. She currently serves on the editorial board for New Beauty Magazine, has recently contributed two chapters to a new medical text book, and is the editor of the newsletter, Specialty Skin Care, for the Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists for more than eight years. Debra spoke at the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons and the Society of Plastic Surgical Skin Care Specialists meeting in Las Vegas on “Supervising the Team,” and “Marketing During Tough Economic Times,” and has been invited to speak at the California Plastic Surgery Society annual meeting in Los Angeles, Calif.

Name: Cecile Harris Walters
Chapter: Diamonds of Southbay Chapter
Occupation: Development Project Manager, Pacific Gateway Workforce Investment Network

“ABWA has assisted me in pursuing my goals by offering a connection with women from diverse backgrounds, a perspective that I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to gain. Through the diversity of occupations and experience, I have not had a need to go outside of the ABWA Network to access services, products or mentoring. I have been the benefactor of the Frances Stuckey Memorial Scholarship from the local council and an ABWA Grant. Both have helped me tremendously in my success in achieving my Masters Degree in Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Long Beach. These scholarships made it possible for me to achieve this goal. The many programs and services offered to members have taken away the doubt of security if I chose to retire from traditional employment and pursue my business goals. Conferences offer so much in the area of training and most importantly inspiration. ABWA has truly held to its theme in promising to deliver the best for its members.”

As a workforce development professional, Cecile serves as the coordinator of the Center for Working Families, a satellite one-stop workforce center, strategically located in the heart of the Central Long Beach community. Additionally, she manages the Construction Jobs Program. Her eight years in the City Council prepared her to be the link in the community to the workforce services, managing a budget of $1.2 million and a staff of 10 employees and partners.

Name: Dr. Maggie Mercer
Chapter: Douglas County Charter Chapter
Occupation: Owner/President, Douglas County Animal Hospital

“ABWA has helped me achieve my goals because I have found my voice. I met women in business who demonstrated that it was okay to go against the established network and follow my intuition, my heart, and my soul. Without the example and support of these iconic women, the programs, and the networking that ABWA has offered, I would not have reached to really develop the practice, to mentor, to participate in career days, and to be there for others. These women also give directly and indirectly to others who are less fortunate…I never dreamed that one organization could do so much. Owning our own business provided many opportunities to back down and run away with your tail between your legs. It’s been hard, but those feminine idols are now sitting on my shoulder providing me with strength and rigidity of spine to stand strong and remind myself just how qualified I am.”

In 2002, Maggie and her husband purchased a piece of land that resulted in a 4,000 square foot facility that has everything a dog or cat would want if they could build their own playground and hospital. The building is 80% maintenance free which reduces its carbon footprint, and is as green as it can be for when it was built, says Maggie, a self-described “green geek.” Maggie is the first female veterinary practice owner in Douglas County, currently employing ten staff members, including veterinary nurses, hotel/kennel staff, receptionists, groomers and an office manager, reaping a revenue of twice the national average for a practice of its size.

Name: Lee Ann Matsuda
Chapter: Na Kilohana O Wahine Chapter
Occupation: Senior Vice President of Finance/CFO, Easter Seals Hawaii

“ABWA not only helped me get on the right path to rediscover my passions, but it has also been in integral part of my professional successes, personal triumphs and recovery from so-called failures. When I first became an ABWA member, I was a young 29 year old, recently promoted to a management position at a major company. I was often the youngest person in attendance. What I found was that ABWA provided me with a safe, nurturing environment in which to grow. This supportive environment was cultivated by the members in my chapter and the programs established by the national organization. The spring and national conferences provided me with opportunities to learn from the messages of top-notch speakers and the experiences of fellow members from across the country. I was also fortunate enough to play a key leadership role in hosting a spring conference in Hawaii in 2005 which greatly contributed to my growth as a business professional."

A member of the senior management team of a 501 (c)3 public charity, Lee Ann serves as the Senior Vice President of Finance/Chief Financial Officer for an affiliate of the second largest health care organization in the world. During her tenure with Easter Seals Hawaii, she has managed more than 86% growth in the organization within three years, the administration of federal, state and city grants related to a construction project which resulted in a debt free completion of a 20,000 square foot multi service facility in July 2009, the upgrade of accounting and financial reporting systems, and more. She was recognized in 2009 as a Pacific Business News CFO of the Year finalist.

Name: Wanda Everist Magers
Chapter: LeFleurs Bluff Chapter
Occupation: Division Director II, Licensing Division, Mississippi Insurance Department

“ABWA has been a valuable resource in developing my skills and abilities. Previously being in a male dominated profession, I needed an organization that could provide me with opportunity to interact and network with women. ABWA provided the environment to develop communication and leadership techniques. I found business contacts, mentors, and friends. I have taken advantage of all resources and programs available to me. My public speaking skills have been enhanced and sharpened by introducing speakers, presenting leadership modules, and presiding on committees. I have held all officer positions at the chapter and council level which have kept my focus on personal and professional development.”

Wanda formulates, directs and controls internal operations as Division Director II, MS Insurance Department, providing licensing management for over 77,000 producers and business entities with an operating budget of $8M. She utilizes business management and professional development training through staff training and cross-training, communications with the Secretary of State Office, other agencies, divisions of state and federal government and state legislators, as well as supervising a license staff of seven employees.

Name: Jo Ann Huebner
Chapter: Greater Oakland Charter Chapter
Occupation: Senior Vice President, Director Planning & Project Management, Campbell-Ewald

“Much of my career has been spent working with and for men. When I returned to Michigan, I joined ABWA primarily to be able to share experiences with and gain knowledge from other professional women. Membership in ABWA did that and more. ABWA helped me achieve my goals by offering business-relevant educational classes and forums at spring conferences. Articles in Women in Business magazine and programs at local chapter and council meetings offered new insight on topics such as time management, organizational skills, staying healthy, financial/personal planning and setting goals and objectives. I especially gained valuable information from the Six Sigma presentation and the refresher material on Stephen Covey’s ‘7 Habits’ offered at recent spring conferences. All meetings offer networking opportunities with other ABWA members and guests (who) have similar goals and challenges, regardless of our specific work assignments or life situations. We can and do exchange ideas and gain insight and support from each other.”

Jo Ann serves as the Senior Vice President, Director Planning and Project Management in the Information Technology Department for Campbell-Ewald, the eighth largest advertising agency and digital marketing communications agency in the U.S. This positions Jo Ann to manage all corporate technology and business projects and initiatives, as well as the company’s hardware leases, software inventory, technology budgets, and more. Jo Ann has been an integral part for many upgrades, developments, and audits in recent years, including acquisition of a major new client in 2009.

Name: Dr. Janice Unruh Davidson
Chapter: Columbus Anniversary Chapter
Occupation: Director of Research and Informatics, Institutional Research Management Associates, PLLC

“As a direct result of my chapter involvement, networking, mentoring and attendance at my first ABWA National Conference, ABWA has provided me the foundation for my organizational achievements. I have learned so much from the local chapter meetings in which I have had the opportunity to hear over 60 local and state-wide business leaders share their success strategies! In addition, by attending state council programs and the national conferences, I have been able to further focus my business skills in the areas of strategic planning, decision-making, and marketing management. ABWA has helped me achieve my personal goals by engaging what I call ‘active community learning’ through my local chapter and by networking with other women from an interdisciplinary perspective so that I can learn from their combined individual talents. Over the last six years, ABWA has provided me incredible opportunities above and beyond anything I learned in graduate study to jump-start new personal and professional business growth.”

Janice earned a Ph.D. from Texas Woman’s University and completed a post-doctoral fellowship as a Family Nurse Practitioner at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. She maintains national board certification as a nurse informaticist, nurse executive, and family nurse practitioner. As a research methodologist and statistician, she has been recognized with various awards for outstanding institutional service, national teaching excellence, and outstanding scholarship. She has been internationally recognized as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 2001 and her scholarship has been published and cited through various journals. She started her first business venture, Covenant Consulting Services, LLC, a private consulting practice in 2006, and her first not-for-profit healthcare organization, Magnolia Health, a voluntary service organization that provides primary healthcare to underserved families in Mississippi, in 2007.

Name: Lorie Burch
Chapter: Outlook Positive Express Network
Occupation: Owner & Attorney, Law Office of Lorie L. Burch, PC

“My membership in ABWA and Outlook Positive Express Network (OPEN) has been integral to achieving my goals. It was a leap of faith starting my own law practice and I was determined to succeed. Through ABWA, I have met a diverse group of women with whom I have developed meaningful business relationships. I am very passionate about my practice, and through ABWA I have gained the confidence to effectively convey that passion through our networking activities and presentation opportunities. I am continually impressed that my reach is far beyond the women who belong to my Express Network. I frequently receive referrals and speaking opportunities from other ABWA women who heard about me from one of the members in my Express Network. Most importantly, ABWA has provided a spring board for leadership. ABWA has allowed me to reinvent myself as a professional woman and as a leader in my community. It has shown me that women achieve greater success and personal satisfaction when we collectively work together to help each other realize our goals.”

As the president-elect of OPEN, Lorie continues to encourage a diverse membership to actively support each other’s career and business pursuits, to provide effective networking and educational programs, and to adhere to ABWA’s Best Practices. Incorporated in 2008, she opened her own law practice in 2004, focusing on estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, living wills, and probate. She reports that starting her own business has been the most rewarding professional experience, both as an attorney and business owner.

Name: Christine Boring
Chapter: Lakeland Downtown Chapter
Occupation: Independent Consultant, Christine Boring Consulting

“ABWA has provided me the opportunity to achieve my goals through continuing education at monthly meetings, Women in Business magazine articles, special professional development seminars and attendance at conferences. ABWA affords me a core of networking support, the opportunity to exercise and grow my leadership abilities, and the satisfaction for national recognition as an inner circle member. As a result of reinventing myself … as an independent consultant … I appreciate the flexibility it affords me. I am able to focus on the most urgent needs, the opportunity to build my business using my strengths and the luxury of doing what I like best.”

Christine’s career as an independent contractor encompasses diverse businesses. She enjoys excelling in writing grants for the restoration of the Polk Theatre and for programming funding; as a business partner in the retail venture, ‘The Pearl on Water Street,’ a fine art and hand craft gallery in historic Apalachicola, Fla.; and as a marketing manager as a Fine Art representative to several area artists. In 2008, Christine was named to the Who’s Who in America’s Business list. She served as the Lakeland Downtown Chapter President through 2009 and is a member of ABWA’s prestigious Inner Circle.