Speakers/Presenters - Bios
Alphabetical by Name
A - C | D - F | G
- J | K - M | N
- Q | R - T | U
- Z
A - C
Candy Beauchamp
Candy
is the owner of a 7-year-old multi-VA virtual bookkeeping firm, OffAssist.
Her volunteer work in the virtual assistance industry is very important
to her. She serves as an
administrator at VANetworking.com as well as a Past President of the
IVAA. Earlier this year, she founded 2minuteswithava.com because she felt that she never had enough time to
give everyone that asked about being a VA. She answers questions (usually in 2 minutes or so) that are reader submitted in a
Video Blog (Vlog) format.
Patty Benton
Patty Benton has a BA in education and is a certified life coach. She
runs a training program for new entrepreneurs interested in venturing
into the virtual professional industry, that is affordable to all, training
them how to set-up a solid foundation and successfully market their business.
She has also written an e-book that takes virtual assistants through
the process of setting up their business. Additionally, Patty is the
owner of JERPAT Virtual Assistants and JERPAT Web Designs which provides
affordable tele-seminar, administrative, and web design support to coaches
and virtual professionals. She has also partnered to establish the ministry
Acknowledging Christ Together in Life. Learn more at www.professionaladminteam.com.
D - F
Nikita Devereaux
Nikita Devereaux is a virtual assistant, professional speaker and Lean
Office certified productivity consultant who inspires companies and individuals
to work smarter - through the application of virtual teams and technologies.
Since 1997, Nikita has served as President & CEO of Simply Virtual,
one of the industry's leading and most respected U.S. based multi-VA
practices. In her work with It's a Smart Decision!™, Nikita specializes
in working with geographically dispersed teams and other "virtuals" who
want to increase their productivity and successfully balance priorities
in the unique work environment that they call "home".
Diana Ennen
Diana Ennen is the co-author of numerous books including Virtual Assistant
- The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA and accompanying
Workbook, as well as Virtual Assistant the Series: Working Virtually,
(with Kelly Poelker) and Words From Home: Start, Run and Profit from
a Home-Based Word Processing Business. Her most recent book, So You Want
to Be a Work-At-Home Mom: A Christians Guide to Starting a Home-Based
Business is also now available. She is President of Virtual Word Publishing.
www.virtualwordpublishing.com, where she specializes in publicity and
marketing and PR and virtual assistant coaching.
Diana loves publicity and thrives on getting media attention both for herself and her clients. She’s seen that when you do it right, you triple your chances for success so she strives to always stay on top of PR news.
She has been featured in numerous books and magazines including Family Circle, Readers Digest, Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur Magazine, USA Today, Home Business Journal, Woman's World, etc. One of her true passions is helping others start their own business and she remains extremely active online mentoring and providing expert advice on business start-ups. She is a wife and mother to three terrific kids and a very supportive husband.
Suzanne Evans
Suzanne Evans has a passion for teaching Helpingpreneurs
to help more people, make more money, enjoy more freedom. Suzanne is
most commonly referred to as an "action expert". She created
a private coaching practice with over 40 clients in one year, launched
three businesses in a four-month timeframe, and took her business from
0 to six figures in 15 months. Most helping professionals going through
one of Suzanne's programs increases their income by 2,000-5,000 a month
in 4- 6 months.
Cristina Favreau
Cristina Favreau is a former Virtual Assistant turned VA marketing coach.
She helps online virtual professionals align their business with their
authentic, holistic selves. She helps VA's match their personality, strengths
and values so their business is compatible with their lives. She breaks
marketing down so that it’s understandable – and fun! Cristina believes
that every single Virtual Assistant has a unique gift and it’s their
moral obligation to spread the word and serve the people who need their
expertise. Master at brainstorming, Cristina helps her clients come up
with their 30-second networking introduction, information product ideas,
blog post series, articles, etc. Marketing doesn’t need to be complicated.
Cristina’s mission is to teach virtual office professionals how.
Karri Flatla
After
the birth of her first child, Karri Flatla started a home based marketing
consulting business so she could parent flexibly and avoid re-entering
a workforce that smothered her deep need for creative independence. Today,
Karri is the go-to coach-consultant for modern work at home moms and
other small business entrepreneurs around the web. Her frank and sassy
advice has been featured at Search Engine Guide, VAnetworking Blog, TwiTip,
Fuel Net, Alberta Venture, and Smart Company Magazine.
As a work at home mom and self-proclaimed alpha female, Karri has experienced the spectrum of trials and tribulations that come with trying to balance career and family. Upon realizing it was pointless and defeating to aim for the work-life balance myth, Karri decided to pioneer a different path.
AlphaWAHM.com was born, addressing the cries of Generation X moms everywhere who are as passionate about their entrepreneurial dreams as they are about nurturing their families.
Dana Fortier
Dana Fortier started her virtual legal assistant service in 2007 after
spending over 15 years working for attorneys and law firms as a legal
assistant and litigation department supervisor. One of Dana’s primary
services and inherent skills is her ability to manage a full schedule
– not only for herself, but she is able to keep all of her clients’ schedules
on track through a system she developed while supervising a 13 member
litigation department that supported nine attorneys. This schedule management
procedure will be explained during the session in full detail and attendees
will be given step-by-step instructions for putting it to use in their
daily VA business for themselves and their clients.
Joeann Fossland
As Chief Evolution Officer of Advantage Solutions Group, since 1993, Joeann she has coached hundreds of individuals and companies to increase their bottom lines while achieving life balance through seminars, workshops and one on one coaching. Her clients are highly motivated people, interested in leveraging their strengths and productivity while living a life they love.
Educated at Johns Hopkins University, Joeann owned 3 successful businesses before the age of 30. She has 26 years experience in the real estate industry and has helped many small business owners and REALTORS® to create successful businesses.
Joeann publishes a weekly email Tips newsletter (which is masterfully formatted and handled by her VA!). Contributing author to Chocolate for A Woman’s Soul, Conversations on Success and Profit from Technology, and she has also written hundreds of articles, published online and in many magazines.
One of only several hundred coaches worldwide to hold the coveted Master Certified Coach (MCC) designation, through International Coaches Federation, Joeann lives a life she loves including lots of travel and time being inspired by her 4 adored grandchildren.
Joeann is an active social networker and teaches others to do this successfully. She was recognized as one of Real Estate’s Top 10 Woman Bloggers by Sellius in 2006 and last year, Joeann was recognized as one of the Top 25 Women In Real Estate.
Julie Fuimano
Named one of the TOP 100 THOUGHT LEADERS in the field of PERSONAL LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT by Personal Excellence Magazine, Julie Fuimano, RN, MBA,
CSAC is passionate about helping you harness your personal power and
learn to enjoy yourself. YOUR happiness and success is HER business!
The owner of Nurturing Your Success Inc., Julie has been engaging audiences,
coaching, and providing resources for advancing human potential since
2001. Through her Success Coaching, Julie integrates Neuroscience and
Value Science providing people with an intense learning and personal
development experience. She is a popular and dynamic motivational speaker
and educates using transformational, inspirational, and educational articles,
books, and audios to empower your personal best. She is the author of
The Journey Called YOU: A Roadmap to Self-Discovery and Acceptance, as
well as over 100 articles on personal leadership topics published worldwide.
Julie brings her wisdom, experience, and education to her work. She is
a Certified Six Advisors Coach (CSAC). She has an MBA, two bachelor’s
degrees and she is a registered nurse. Her presentation style is educational
and engaging; she empowers people to achieve greater success. To learn
more, visit NurturingYourSuccess.com.
G - J
Kimberly Grass
Kimberly Grass is Owner of K Grass Business Consulting and specializes
in social media marketing. She has over nine years of business
and marketing experience. She always has had an entrepreneurial
spirit and wanted to use the skills she acquired to help other
business owners. She enjoys helping business owners to expand and
improve. She strives at helping entrepreneurs to maximize their
business potential.
Wendy Hanson
Wendy Hanson has over 10 years experience in corporate coaching and
consulting and co-found Corley Hanson Associates, Inc. in 1999. Wendy
Hanson is also Co-Founder of The Sassy Ladies- a resource for spirited
entrepreneurs. The Sassy Ladies website provides guides, pod casts and
resources to help women entrepreneurs. She is the host of a weekly TV
show on Rhode Island Public Access TV called "Women’s Business."
Wendy has a Masters in Organization and Management from Antioch New England Graduate School and is a certified Personal and Business Coach from the Coaches Training Institute in San Raphael, California. She has been a CEO of a non-profit organization, has held several leadership positions within the human service field and has served as an Administrator in a public school system.
Wendy’s entrepreneurial experience includes creating successful profit centers within the non-profit environment and she has also developed and operated several small businesses. Wendy was nominated by the SBA as the "2004 Women in Business Champion of the Year in Rhode Island."
Wendy is a sought after speaker for corporate events by companies such as Lee Hecht Harrison. Her speaking engagements include topics such as "Intergenerational Differences in the Workforce," "eSocieSocial Networking on the Web for Business", and "Entrepreneurial Skills for Women."
Dolly Hooker
Dolly Norris Hooker is a busy wife, mother and entrepreneur who understands
the demands of family and career. For over two decades, Dolly has successfully
run her own business while raising a family. She has been coaching since
2005 and as the director of JERPAT Training & Coaching, she trains
others to be coaches while providing her students with the foundation
to build successful practices. She incorporates her passion for life
and the desire to help others succeed in both her personal and professional
life.
Kim Hughes
When
you ask Kim Hughes what motivates her she is quick to say "my
family". Kim
is proud to share that the key to being successful is staying focused
on what is important "to you!" As a wife
of 26 years and the mother of three boys she has learned to prioritize,
organize and achieve success in all areas of her life. She is the
owner of Kim Hughes & Company, which is a highly recognized real
estate virtual assistant firm that offers services exclusively to real
estate professionals across the USA, Canada and Costa Rica. Kim
started her company in 1999 and is the first real estate virtual assistant
in the industry.
Kim achieved her Masters in Business Marketing and Business Management as well as a degree in Real Estate Development. She has worked with the top real estate developers in the industry to help them focus on business organization and marketing consultant. Kim’s entrepreneurial attitude has helped her achieve success by understanding the fundamental of a solid business structure and knowing how to organize and juggle every aspect of your life.
Rebekah Jones
Rebekah
Zobel Jones is a virtual assistant, business trainer, speaker, author
and coach specializing in partnering with online business owners to streamline
their processes and facilitate the delivery of their information products.
She teaches teleseminars and webinars, presents at virtual events, and
publishes written, audio, and video materials. Learn more about Rebekah
and contact her at: MyFabulousVA.com
K - M
Heather McMillan
Heather L. McMillan has been working as a virtual assistant with her
company The At Home Secretary since 1996. In 2007, she opened Secretaries
on Demand, which became the Virtual Assistant Resource in late 2008,
to support aspiring and emerging virtual assistants with the tools, the
knowledge, and the confidence they need to be successful as virtual assistants.
In addition to consulting, Heather also provides the raved about Be a
Power VA Starter Success kit for aspiring virtual assistants as well
as professional development courses to make VAs more marketable to online
businesses. Her first book, The Beginner's Guide to Be a Power VA is
scheduled for print release February 2010, with the ebook release scheduled
for November 2009.
N - Q
Kristi Pavlik
From chaos to clarity, from task overwhelm to task mastery—this is what
happens when the Systems Chick takes business professionals under her
wing. For more than a decade, Kristi Pavlik has been helping realtors,
coaches, and other entrepreneurs coral big ideas into smart systems that
support profit and growth. As the president of Adonai Business Solutions,
LLC, Kristi and her team of specialists design, implement, and maintain
smart systems for their clients.
In the administrative management field for over 17 years, Kristi is a skilled troubleshooter who helps business professionals get out of their own way and let "the system" work its magic. When Kristi isn’t waving her systems wand over backend debauchery, she is teaching virtual assistants and online business managers how to apply the art of systemization to their own practices.
Kristi holds a degree in Business Management and Organizational Development and is certified with both AssistU and the REVA Institute. Kristi resides in Lansing, MI with her husband and two children. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, reading and quoting Yoda to anyone who will listen.
R - T
Carla Rieger
CARLA
RIEGER is an expert on creative people solutions. She is the director
of The Artistry of Change, an creative communications firm since 1991.
She has written several books on change, conflict resolutions and presentation
skills. In addition, she has over 10 years experience in the performing
arts, specifically comedy. As a frequent speaker and trainer before many
audiences worldwide, Carla helps them stay in high performance states
even during change, challenge and conflict.
Chuck Schuele
Chuck has an extensive background in Information Technology. Before
leaving his corporate career, he was the Chief Information Officer for
a large Midwest insurance company. He has been actively involved with
social networking and social media marketing for over a year and stays
current with the latest industry trends and techniques. He and his wife
Susi own My Virtual Project, a virtual assistance company that specializes
in social media marketing as one of their flagship services. They analyze
a client’s needs and design a social media marketing program that addresses
the objectives and goals of the specific client. Chuck has done speaking
engagements for local networking groups, seminars and will begin teaching
a class on social media for business in November of this year at the
local area Community College.
Vickie Turley
As owner and founder of A
Balanced Alternative, I am able to provide
a well-rounded experience to each client, incorporating my supportive
and uplifting spirit with my extraordinary talents. It also allows me
to be a well-rounded individual, giving me joy in all areas of my life
- business and personal.
My clients STAY with me. Why? Because we bring something into our relationship that isn’t normally found in a business relationship - we put love into the mix. And trust me, when you do that, amazing things happen! I am a soon-to-be-published author on the subject of “What’s Love Got to Do With It – How to Get and Keep the Perfect VA-Client Relationship.” It’s not just the book that makes me an expert – but the way my clients have stayed with me – and the way a client and I have known when to let go. These are things that are so important to finding a long-term relationship with your client. But they are lacking in many practices. I believe this topic can revolutionize a VA’s business – not only in terms of the number of clients she/he will draw to her/him, but in terms of her/his happiness and fulfillment.
U - Z
Yvonne Weld
Yvonne Weld is the owner of Able Virtual Assistant Services, located
just outside London, Ontario. Able Virtual Assistant Services is a multi-VA
business that provides bookkeeping and administrative support to Consultants
and other solopreneurs. As a graduate of the Small Business Centre, Yvonne
has the professional training to compliment her practical skills and
knows what it takes to run a successful business. Yvonne also coaches
and mentors VAs to reach their goals through her roles as a Success Partner
with Canadian Virtual Assistant Network (CVAN) and as VAinsider President
at VAnetworking.com. She is also a member of the VA Certified Board.
As an author of two books she has shared her knowledge with Virtual Assistants
in the areas of creating a Procedures Manual, Contingency Planning, scheduling,
goal setting, boundary setting and time management.
Crystal Williamson
Crystal stumbled into computer training in 1986 when she was an administrative
assistant with a non-profit organization in New York City. She was the
only one in the office who knew how to use the computer! After about
a year, a computer trainer position opened up. She continued to perform
the same tasks as before but this time got paid for it! She wanted to
know more applications and branch out. She worked at many Fortune 500
companies both as an employee and a consultant in the 1980s and 1990s.
She has worked at media conglomerates, financial firms, non-profit organizations,
legal firms, government (state and city), and many more. She loved training
computers but wanted more interaction with people rather than inanimate
objects. She became interested in coaching after 9/11. She saw professionals
helping the shell shocked that were not psychologists or psychiatrists.
She did extensive research and found the best place to become a certified
coach - The Open Center in NYC. The day after She sent in my payment,
She was laid off from the law firm She was working at for 4 ½ years.
When She got home that night She received a letter from the Open Center.
It was the confirmation for the coaching course. Wow! What more of a
confirmation do you need????‼?!?!?‼!!