ABOVE VIDEO: Wanda Lipscomb-Vasquez, Director of the Women’s Business Center, speaks on the success of the 2014 Impact Summit held in Melbourne, Florida, and the impressive turnout of business owners from across Central Florida.
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — More than 250 business women gathered for engaging panel discussions, inspirational presentations and active networking at the Women’s Business Center’s annual Impact Business and Leadership Summit.
Keynote Speaker Sarah Lewis speaks to a packed audience on “Transformational Change.” Lewis is a best-selling author and a faculty member at Yale University. (Cyndi Byars image)
The annual day-long event was held at the Melbourne Hilton Rialto.
Executive Director Beth Gitlin kicked off the event by introducing Erin Andrew of the Small Business Association. Andrew encouraged women in the audience to start and grow a business, and make an impact on the community.
“The Business and Leadership Impact Summit has hit a new height for our community,” said Wanda Lipscomb-Vasquez, Women’s Business Center Director.
“We were so pleased to have regional and nationally renowned speakers here, and pleased to have women-owned business leaders with us. We have already started planning for next year on August 28, 2014.”
Diamond Sponsor Wells Fargo was well represented by (from left to right) Cindy Forstall, Dawn Reprogel and Cindy Broome. (Cyndi Byars image)
Wells Fargo was the event’s Diamond Sponsor, and Emerald Sponsors included Space Coast Daily, Career Source Brevard, Everything Brevard, Florida Today, Hilton Melbourne Rialto and Space Coast Business.
Nationally recognized business leaders led an active panel discussion on leadership and confidence.
Mary Spiro, Michelle Naberhaus and Shawna Vercher answered questions on “The Confidence Gap,” and how successful business women can mentor and foster opportunities for others. Florida Institute of Technology VP Leslie Hielema moderated the panel.
Laraine Schultz of Wells Fargo introduced Keynote Speaker Sarah Lewis, a bestselling author and faculty member at Yale University.
Lewis spoke to a rapt crowd of business professionals and entrepreneurs on “Transformational Change.” She spoke on using a failure as motivation to master a skill, and discussed which traits lead to ground-breaking accomplishments.
This year’s summit featured a Networking Board, a sectioned whiteboard on which attendees can note a business service need, or business skill they wish to share.
By day’s end, business leaders had recorded business training or services they had to offer, as well as business needs, such as help with coaching or assistance in finding the right facility.
Renee Couperthwaite
“The Networking Board is part of purposeful networking,” said Renee Couperthwaite, Operations Coordinator for the WBC. “Since there are so many attendees to connect with today, the board is a great tool to note business skills you can share, or areas your business needs help with.”
For more information about Florida Institute of Technology’s Women’s Business Center, log on to WBC.Fit.edu
PHOTO GALLERY BY CYNDI BYARS
Patty and Andy Ziegler at the Impact SummitFrom left to right: ABWA members Laura Cheisman, Nancy Peltonen, and Nora MarekWendy Fisher and Jan Sullivan-ChalmerJeanette Kraar and Amy LuhnMarie Calandra and Sue Tyson ParkerSapphire Sponsor McPherson Financial Group was well represented by Marvin Shelton, Jr. and Heather Sandvick.Keynote Speaker Sarah Lewis speaks to a packed audience on “Transformational Change”. Lewis is a best-selling author and a faculty member at Yale University.Renee Couperthwaite of the WBC (left) and Jennifer Morin preview the Impact Summit’s “Networking Board” — a place where business leaders can list service “needs” and also service “haves” to exchange with other businesses.Jeanette Kramer talks with Bob DiBella of Met Life at the Summit.“Wise Women Panel” members, from left to right: Shawna Vercher, Michelle Naberhaus, and Mary Spiro lead a discussion for 250 audience members at the annual Impact Summit.Holly Tanner of LH Tanner Construction talks with Christine Thompson of Carr, Riggs, and Ingram. Both companies were Sapphire Sponsors of the Summit.From left to right: Kim Durnin, Board Member Debbie Pavlakos, and Sapphire Sponsor Barbara Wall
From left to right: Gail Kroen and Lisa CritesFrom left to right: Florida Tech’s Kathi Hennessy, Sarah Foley, and Tammy MurrayLaura Cheisman of ABWA’s Oceanside Charter Chapter with Caroline Caudill, owner of The Chandlery in Melbourne.
Mikeli Freelin and Karen EidmanDr. Donn Miller-Kermani and Nancy Peltonen at the 2014 Impact Summit.Women’s Business Center Operations Coordinator Renee Couperthwaite (left) greets WBC Board Member Debbie Steininger (right) as the Summit gets underway.Presenter Michelle Royal, Founder of Royal Innovation, (center), talks with Jenny Wall (left) and Theresa Bassing (right) after her presentation on “Unleashing Creativity and Innovation” at the annual Summit.Diamond Sponsor Wells Fargo was well represented by (from left to right) Cindy Forstall, Dawn Reprogel, and Cindy Broome.Sandy Pfrimmer and Julie Clover network at the annual Impact Summit.Bevelyn Samuel and Audrey Grayson network at the annual Impact Summit.Kristen Bakke of LEAD Brevard talks with Kim Agee of Health First.Caitlin Thomas and Robin Dixon network at the annual Impact Summit.Tisha Jewell and Telethia Szuba of Szuba Guardian CareFrom left to right: Sponsor Wuesthoff Health System was represented by Reba Blumenthal, Diana Spaulding, and Pam Carroll
