Meet the Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Blair Milo
Vulnerability: Breaking Down Barriers
Blair Milo is the founding Director of the Center for Talent and Opportunity, a partnership through the Sagamore Institute focused on closing the wealth gap of women and minorities by cultivating inclusive startup communities and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
Panelist
Jen Bennett
Connections Panel
As President of Shive-Hattery, a leading architecture, engineering and interior design firm, Jennifer Bennett is responsible for the overall leadership, strategic planning, culture, vision and direction of current and future operations. Bennett joined the design firm in 2003 and has 25 years of experience of client service, talent development and market growth. She has a structural engineering background and previously served as the Vice President and Office Director of Shive-Hattery’s Quad Cities location.
Panelist
Ramal Taylor
Connections Panel
Ramal Taylor is the proud Owner and Director of Bright Beginnings Childcare located just south of downtown South Bend. BBC provides childcare services with a focus on building family and community. She
brings a unique perspective to this industry by providing onsite extra-curricular activities, community events for families, free parenting and financial classes and amenities busy parents need.
Panelist
Kathy Burnette
Connections Panel
Kathy, a reader by heart and a book connector by nature, started Brain Lair Books with money raised through an Indiegogo campaign. She wanted a place that centered books featuring historically underrepresented communities. Kathy named the store “Brain Lair” which is an anagram of librarian.
Panelist
Christin Kloski
Connections Panel
Christin Kloski recently returned to her alma mater and serves as the Associate Director of Student Equity at Saint Mary’s College. She is passionate about learning how to create socioeconomic diversity in higher education.
Panelist
Connections Panel
Amy works for the City of South Bend in the role of Business Development Manager for the Department of Community Investment where her primary focus is business retention and recruitment. Small businesses in the South Bend community hold a special place in Amy’s heart. She genuinely appreciates the community aspect and the deeply personal nature of small businesses.
Moderator
Emily Kennedy
Connections Panel
Emily Kennedy joined the ABC 57 First Warning Neighborhood Weather Team as the Morning Meteorologist in March 2017. This is home for her as she grew up in Niles, Michigan.
Workshop
JOan McClendon
The Compassionate Leader: Leading from the Head and the Heart
There is so much pressure in our world to perform as parents, professionals, and as leaders. People have become increasingly hungry for a deeper sense of meaning and a closer connection between others, what they do, and how to serve the greater good.
Workshop
Susan Ford
Your Place at the Table: Effective Negotiations and Deal Making
Susan is a Director at Graham Allen Partners. She is also President of SEMMA Health and is responsible for SEMMA's overall strategic growth, as well as operational excellence and corporate client development and service.
Workshop
Personal Branding: Telling YOUR Story
Macy Troyer is a business owner and entrepreneur who was recently named Michiana’s Forty Under 40 recipient as one of Northern Indiana’s most talented and dedicated young professionals. Passionate about serving others, she sits on the Board of Directors for Girls on the Run Central Indiana and leads Indiana’s SoGal chapter, providing funding and resources through the largest global platform for diverse entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.
Meet the Committee
Chrissy Lee
Event Planning Committee
Itzel Munoz
Event Planning Committee
Rebecca Ward
Event Planning Committee
Marie Bond
Event Planning Comittee
Alex Kline
Marketing Planning Committee
Elle Longhi
Marketing Planning Committee
Jenny Phan
Marketing Planning Committee
Amy Anderson
Marketing Planning Committee
All proceeds of the Professional Women's Summit will benefit:
