EVENTS
MIDSHORE
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Summer Speaker Series
REinspire: Conversations to find your Passion & Purpose
Women to Watch is excited to present the 2nd Annual Women to Watch Summer Speaker Series REinspire: Conversations to Find Your Passion and Purpose.
With three dynamic events across the Midshore–June 20 at Chesapeake College, July 25 at Wharves at Choptank Visitor Center and August 15 at the Avalon Theatre–REinspire harnesses the expertise and networks of influential Women to Watch leaders, offering invaluable one-on-one and small-group mentoring sessions.
Each event includes networking and connecting with fellow community leaders and then during the panel discussion titled “Finding Your Passion and Purpose,” attendees will learn from the speakers as they share personal and professional stories from their career and development. Following this engaging dialogue, participants will break into small groups to speak with the panelists and their fellow attendees with their own personal and professional challenges.
REinspire is for all stages of their journey—be it in age, career, or influence—this event promises inspiration, guidance, and invaluable connections. Join us as we embark on a career of empowerment and growth together.
Sponsors are KEY to the Women to Watch program. Learn more about how you can be in front of community leaders, view the sponsorship opportunities and contact Kristi English for information.
Thursday, June 20, 8-10am
Chesapeake College
Health Professions and Athletics Center (Room 141)
Sponsored by:
Moderator
Carrie-Ann Barrow
Executive Coach, Owner, Author
Scaling Strategies
Carrie-Ann Barrow is an Executive Coach, a successful serial entrepreneur and dynamic force helping women build their dreams with unshakable confidence. She founded her first company in 2000, a staffing company with a three-year sales growth of 444.7%. She was featured in the Washingtonian Magazine as a ‘Woman to Watch,” and since then, she has built and sold two other businesses and is now focused on her passion for helping others achieve their desired success. She empowers her clients to reimagine what’s possible and make their boldest visions real, achieving record success in both work and life! She shares her story and those of women she’s coached in her book, The Queen’s Decree, which became an Amazon #1 seller in Women and Business. Carrie-Ann has a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master's in Employee Relations. She is an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Certified DiSC Practitioner, and a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). Carrie-Ann is a proud mother of three and lives in Queenstown, MD.
Panelists
Shelly M. Gross-Wade
Principal Consultant & CEO
Bay Crossing Consulting
Kim Montooth
Assistant Vice President
M&T Bank
Shelly Gross-Wade is a nationally certified Economic Development Finance Professional. Shelly is recognized as an ICON in economic development and nonprofit leadership and was honored as a Maryland Top 100 Woman by the Baltimore Business Journal. Shelly was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame of Maryland Economic Development Association. She is highly regarded for generating measurable impact within the organizations she has led. As the President & CEO of a regional Certified Development Financial Institution, she developed, implemented and managed more than 10 non traditional financing programs, funded more than $100 Million in direct loans and grants to small businesses, attracted $1.4 Billion in public/private funding and supported more than 2000 jobs over an approximate forty-year career. In January 2023, Shelly chose to pursue her entrepreneurial aspirations and started Bay Crossing Consulting Services headquartered in Stevensville, MD where she and her husband also own and operate a vacation rental home -- The Woodland Retreat on Kent Island. Shelly has provided Executive Coaching services to numerous aspiring entrepreneurs and volunteers on various Boards and Commissions throughout the State of Maryland. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland Global Campus, Anne Arundel Community College, Leadership Maryland and Leadership Anne Arundel. Shelly’s business motto: “Where you see challenges, we see opportunities.”
Kim is a seasoned branch manager with a passion for nurturing small businesses and watching them flourish. With a wealth of experience spanning over 18 years in management, she thrives on the dynamic challenges that each day brings. Her forte lies in understanding people - unraveling what motivates them and ignites their drive to succeed. When Kim is not busy empowering entrepreneurs, find her exploring new destinations or simply basking in the joy of family time with her amazing husband and four wonderful children. An adventurer at heart, she recently embarked on an exhilarating journey through all six enchanting New England states in just 6 days, proving that no challenge is too great when faced with determination!
Shawna D. Payne, MBA, CHC
Founder & Coach
The BE Academy
Shawna D. Payne, MBA, CHC, is an award-winning, Goal Setting Expert, Success Strategist, Women's Empowerment Speaker and Creator of BE The Game Changer Planner: God. Goals. Grind®. Through her online consulting and mentorship company, The BE Academy, Shawna provides personal and professional success coaching, entrepreneurship education and mentorship to support new and aspiring entrepreneurs, career professionals and students. Her mission is to help individuals [youth and adults], build their own opportunities to be self-sufficient. She helps her clients identify what they want to achieve, how they will achieve it and implement strategies to successfully transform their goals and visions into reality. Shawna's full immersion into entrepreneurship and empowerment came in September 2018, when she resigned from her corporate career of 13 years, to fulfill her dream of cultivating women in positions of leadership and influence in workplaces around the world. Currently, Shawna's client and community portfolio expands from Washington, D.C. to Dubai; Abu Dhabi, South Africa and Nigeria to name a few.
Liz Verhelle
Financial Advisor
Edward Jones
My passion has always been helping people. In pursuit of that passion, I joined Edward Jones as a financial advisor in 2015. Originally from the Philadelphia area, I matriculated at the University of New England where I earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree. In 2003, I made Maryland my home. From a young age, my family instilled in me a spirit of service. Outside of my role with Edward Jones, I continue to be an active volunteer in local organizations near to my heart. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, wine tasting, boating and trying new recipes with friends. As an Edward Jones financial advisor, I believe it's important to invest my time in understanding what you're working toward before you invest your money. It's also important to understand the level of risk you are comfortable accepting when investing, so we can balance it with the steps necessary to reach your long-term goals. In order to provide comprehensive service, I work closely with you, your CPA, your attorney and any other professional, always keeping your information confidential. I believe relationships are key. At Edward Jones, we use an established process to help you build personalized strategies to reach your goals. Let me show you how we can make a difference.
Thursday, July 25, 8-10am
Wharves of Choptank Visitors Center
Sponsored by:
Moderator
Amanda Kidd
Food & Hospitality Innovator
Co-Founder of Build Legacy Now, which includes the brands: Beat The Rush Delivery, Mana Safi, Alist Appz, and Four Eleven Kitchen Inc
Amanda M. Kidd, wife, mom of five God-sent children, Queenie to one very special grandson, business owner, nonprofit founder, 2x bestselling author, community connector, food and hospitality innovator and legacy builder. Born and raised in the DMV, now resident of Cambridge, MD. Amanda's heart is postured towards ministry, business, family, and food; which each of her initiatives reflects. Amanda is on a mission to cultivate mindsets break barriers and elevate the communities she serves. Currently, Amanda is working diligently on a 3-year in the making project. With the help of Amanda's late father who passed away in July of 2022. Amanda has been preparing to launch the first of its kind, barrier-breaking commercial shared use kitchen in Cambridge, Maryland; Four Eleven Kitchen, Inc. This facility will provide food entrepreneurs and enthusiasts access to a licensed commercial kitchen to start or scale their food business. Additionally providing opportunities to local organizations in the areas of culinary arts, food and agriculture education and nutrition programming. In honor of her late mother, father, and grandparents. While all of these efforts bring Amanda great pleasure, what really brings her the most joy is knowing that in all she does and builds, she does it God's way.
Panelists
Meisha Amia, MSN RN
Author, Speaker, Nurse
Shay Lewis-Sisco
Speaker, Founder of Maryland Parents Supporting Parents (MDPSP), DCPS Career Coach
ShaySpeaks
Megan Rosendale
Realtor, GRI
Denton Office Manager
Rosendale Realty
Kimberly Boggerty
Author & Clinical
Trial Manager
Meisha Amia (Woolford) currently serves the local community as the Program Coordinator for Adolescent Health at Dorchester County Health Department. Prior to moving back home, Meisha created a global impact through travel nursing, authentic storytelling and mentorship for nurses and entrepreneurs. She was born in Cambridge, MD and attended those public schools. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Coppin State University and a Master of Science degree in Nursing Executive Leadership from Kaplan University. Meisha now has 15 years of experience in the nursing profession. Most of that experience includes: Public Health Settings, Labor & Delivery and Postpartum hospital services. Over the years she has done her footwork in the community to give back, to educate and to empower other community leaders, nurses and nursing students. Award-winning and recognized for her initiatives/ nursing service in the community; Meisha is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., a published author, and former travel nurse of 11 years. Her self-help book for travel nurses is called, The Bedside Boss: From Scrubs to Six Figures. In 2016, Meisha founded 2 communities for empowerment and education in nursing and entrepreneurship. Chicks with Cheques that grew to more than 20,000 entrepreneurs and The Nurse Power Network, which is a community with over 30,000 nurses In 2017, Meisha started focusing on her philanthropy initiatives, with the launch of Bumps of Love; she has donated over 8,000 diapers to support underprivileged families of Dorchester County. After spending a decade traveling all over the world to serve women and fellow nurses, Meisha's mission is to now share her knowledge and skills gained to promote wellness and self-care for women, nurses, and teenagers of her local community.
Shay Lewis-Sisco, known as ShaySpeaks, was born and raised in Cambridge, Maryland. Shay always serves in some capacity--currently a Career Coach for Dorchester County Public Schools and the founder of a newly established organization, Maryland Parents Supporting Parents. She previously worked in workforce development for the Maryland Department of Labor. Active in serving and engaging the community as a board member for For All Seasons, Cambridge Waterfront Development Inc (CWDI), a member of the Curriculum Coordinating Committee, a member of the Chesapeake College Multicultural Committee, and an advocate for families. Her love for education, engagement, and advocacy fueled the launch of Maryland Parents Supporting Parents (MDPSP). MDPSP is committed to engaging, educating, and empowering parents for lifelong success, fostering holistic growth through family engagement events, workforce development support, and financial literacy. Shay enjoys traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family. She lives in Cambridge with her husband, Junebug, and four children, Jairyn, Jakayla, Harmonie, and Harlem, as well as their dog, Butter. Shay is a podcast/motivational speaker. All Things Talk with ShaySpeaks Podcast-- @iamshayspeaks.
Meet the Author behind the amazing book Get Your W.A.I.T. Up Sis! CEO, Kimberly (Lee) Boggerty believes when you don’t tell your own story, people will create their own narrative for you. As a child of God, daughter, mother, sister, and friend, she brings story telling to you in a new way. But it didn’t come easy. Kimberly had to build up the confidence and trust God to share her heart through the pages. Not only is she an accomplished recording artist of seven original songs, Kimberly is now the first time published author of Get Your W.A.I.T. Up Sis! memoir. Having gone through some challenges, Kimberly describes personal moments of how God changed her from the inside out. Some of these challenges dealt with rejection, hurt, disappointment, and unforgiveness. Her W.A.I.T. is now a lifestyle of rediscovery that keeps on getting better. Kimberly’s hope is that this book will encourage the reader to unlock the hidden purposes in their life! Kimberly has a B.S. in chemistry, an MBA and M.S. She is a clinical trial manager in the medical device industry. She loves traveling, running, and lawn work. Kimberly has three beautiful adult children (2 sons, 1 daughter), a daughter in love, and two wonderful grandsons (ages two and one) that have all changed her life for the better!
Thursday, August 15, 8-10am
Avalon Theatre
Sponsored by:
Moderator
Lesa Lee-Mulcahy, LCSW-C
Chief Clinical Officer
For All Seasons, Inc.
Lesa Lee-Mulcahy, LCSW-C, is a seasoned clinician and a dynamic executive leader with over two decades of comprehensive experience in the mental health care field. As the Chief Clinical Officer at For All Seasons since 2008, she leads a robust team of more than 40 clinicians, instilling a culture of excellence and resilience within the organization. Lee-Mulcahy holds numerous professional certifications, including a Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Certified (LCSW-C) and Level I and II trauma certifications through The University of Maryland and Ferentz Institute. She is a Certified Sensorimotor Psychotherapist, is Theraplay trained, and is a Certified First Responder Counselor, evidencing her commitment to continual learning and mastery in her field. Her expertise in trauma and reactive attachment disorders guides her work with clients, marking her as a leading professional in these fields. Throughout her tenure at For All Seasons, Lee-Mulcahy has been instrumental in the agency's evolution. Her leadership was instrumental in the implementation of an Open Access model of care, a pioneering initiative that ensures same-day, walk-in services to community members in need, eradicating the waitlist for critical mental health services. Lee-Mulcahy was also a critical player in the rapid deployment of a fully functioning telehealth program in response to the COVID-19 emergency, ensuring continuity of care during an unprecedented time of need. Alongside her executive role, Lee-Mulcahy is an influential educator in the field of mental health. As a co-leader of For All Seasons Center for Learning, she has delivered numerous presentations and training. Her commitment to disseminating knowledge extends to her work as a Certified Dare to Lead© facilitator, where she shares the principles of Courageous Leadership with businesses, organizations, and community groups. Lesa Lee-Mulcahy's leadership, clinical prowess, and unwavering dedication to service are fundamental to the growth and impact of For All Seasons. Her relentless pursuit of improving mental health care accessibility and quality continue to drive the organization forward, leaving a profound impact on the community.
Panelists
Stefanie DeFiglia, CRNP
Owner
Two Tree Integrative Health
Keasha Haythe, CEcD
President & CEO
Foundation of HOPE, Inc.
Candace Henry
Director of the Disability Resource Center
Adjunct Faculty, College of Health and Human Services
Salisbury University
Kelly Simonsen
Manager, Marketing and Communications
Easton Utilities
Stefanie DeFiglia is a nurse practitioner and founder of Two Tree Integrative Health. She received her professional training at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. For the first 5 years of her career (as a National Health Service Corps scholar), she worked in community health in Washington, DC. She spent the next 9 years in geriatrics and long-term care, caring for frail and vulnerable adults all over Maryland and DC. She loved her patients and felt privileged to care for them. However, she became increasingly frustrated by our health care system's focus on productivity and treatment algorithms. No one seemed to get well, just less sick. Functional Medicine helped her see health and wellness from a completely different perspective. She completed professional training through the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), attaining the IFM Certified Practitioner designation shared by fewer than 2500 people worldwide. She founded Two Tree Integrative Health in 2019, initially working out of a yoga studio. Her practice has since expanded to include a second nurse practitioner and health coaching. We provide a whole body, whole life approach to chronic conditions and hormone challenges, with a special interest in gut health and the perimenopause to menopause transition. Her goal is to walk with patients on the journey towards wellness and to equip them with the knowledge and tools they need to stay there.
Keasha Haythe serves as President & CEO Foundation of HOPE, Inc., a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established to help women and young girls. She is the founder of the organization and developed the Economic Development and Empowerment Program for sixth-grade adolescent girls attending Easton Middle School. The program covers topics including: addressing low self-esteem, bullying, social media, workforce development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. The program teaches them to be community leaders and viable contributors to the future workforce. Ms. Haythe has been an Economic Development Professional for more than two decades serving as director for local government. In her role as Director, she developed a track record of initiating sound policies and innovative strategies. Partnering with private and public stakeholders, she championed education, entrepreneurship and expansion of existing businesses as key economic drivers. She unveiled a countywide brand marketing campaign entitled “water moves us.” Ms. Haythe spearheaded construction of a Technology Park and developed the Eastern Shore Innovation Center, the first business incubator on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She has secured more than $100M in funding for government projects, business expansions and start-ups. Ms. Haythe holds an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration from Chesapeake College and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Arizona State University. She is a member of many professional organizations. In her professional career she was appointed by Governor Hogan to serve a four-year term on the Maryland Marketing Partnership Board under the Maryland Department of Commerce, she also served as President of the Maryland Economic Development Association Board of Directors. October 2023, Governor Moore appointed her to serve on the Maryland Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors representing the Talbot County Council. Awards Include: 2009-What’s Up Eastern Shore, Mover and Shaker under 40 2011-Delmarva African American Pride, Outstanding Achiever 2011-Dorchester NAACP, Day of Service Award 2012- Daily Record, Leading Women under 40 2014-Dorchester Ministers & Citizens for Change Honors Award 2015-Daily Record, Maryland’s Top 100 Women 2015-Talbot NAACP Harriet Tubman Medal of Honor 2016-Fireflies “100 Women of Elegance” Award Ms. Haythe is an ordained, licensed minister and a member of Spirit of Faith Christian Center in Brandywine, MD. She is married to Marcus L. Haythe Sr., and they have three adult children; Marcus Jr., (U.S. Army Veteran) Miniah and Isaiah. Ms. Haythe was born and raised in Talbot County. She was elected in 2022 as the first African American female and is serving her first term as a member of the Talbot County Council.
Candace Henry is currently the Director of the Disability Resource Center at Salisbury University where she is responsible for the administrative oversight of the delivery and services provided to qualified students with disabilities. In that role she is also responsible for the development and facilitation of campus-wide disability inclusion/awareness outreach and training initiatives, technical assistance to faculty, staff, and university administration. Candace is also an Adjunct Faculty Member in the College of Health and Human Services at Salisbury University, where she co-developed the University’s first Disability Studies minor. Prior to her current position, Candace spent almost 10 years as a Transition Technical Specialist for the MSDE’s Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), working directly with employers to improve the workplace experiences of individuals with disabilities on the Eastern Shore. She is a member of the National and State branches of the Association on Higher Education and Disability. A member of the Maryland Rehabilitation Association, where she previously served as President, President-Elect, and Secretary. During her term as President of MRA, she served as the Maryland Representative to the Mid-Atlantic Region Board of the National Rehabilitation Association. Candace has dedicated nearly 20 years to advocating with and for individuals with disabilities across the State of Maryland.