ABOVE VIDEO: Wanda Lipscomb-Vasquez, Director of WeVenture-Melbourne, talks about Florida Tech’s WeVenture Impact Summit.
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – WeVenture’s second annual IMPACT Business & Leadership Summit had a turnout of more than 225 business leaders and entrepreneurs.
WeVenture, a division of the Florida Institute of Technology, brought in U.S. and Canadian business leaders to hold panel discussions on mentoring, leadership and branding yourself for impact.
The Melbourne Hilton Rialto ballroom was packed for the day of networking, panel discussions and presentations on personal branding, leadership and mentoring.
Beth Gitlin, WeVenture Executive Director, gave opening remarks, welcomed guest speakers and moderated a panel discussion on “Authentic Leadership.”
Panelists included Jennifer Sethre, former CEO of Lighting Science Group; Deborah Angerami, COO of Health First’s Viera Hospital; and Dawn Mays, Director of Real Estate Development for Sheldon Cove LLP.
WeVenture’s second annual IMPACT Business & Leadership Summit had a turnout of more than 225 business leaders and entrepreneurs.
During a presentation on personal branding, Elaine Kunda, CEO of EpicTimes said, “You need consistency. External branding campaigns need to be managed, because when you meet clients and colleagues face to face, your presentation and personality need to be consistent with your online image.”
Shea Glenny, Director of WeVenture-Orlando, moderated the “Launch Your Personal Brand in 4 Steps” panel discussion. Panelists included Ryan Mickley of REACH Personal Branding and Tina Fussell, an international travel blogger.
The Impact Summit attracted Central Florida business people from industries as diverse as real estate, law, engineering, visual design and philanthropy.
Wanda Lipscomb-Vásquez
“Last year’s Summit brought in a national audience,” said Wanda Lipscomb-Vasquez, Director of WeVenture-Melbourne.
“This year, our audience was international with our speakers and our panelists. WeVenture focuses on economic development and impact, so we know that – from a regional perspective – we are here to serve, and that’s what we pride ourselves on doing. We had over 200 join us to really make this a wonderful event, and this is something we want to continue next year.”
Health First was the Impact Summit’s diamond sponsor. Emerald sponsors included Space Coast Daily, EverythingBrevard.com, Florida Today, Melbourne Hilton Rialto Place and Wells Fargo.
HRSS Consulting Group, 142 Productions and TD Bank were Ruby Sponsors of the Summit, and Florida Business and Manufacturing Solutions Inc., as well as Alluvionic, were Sapphire sponsors.
WeVenture is a network of economic development centers amplifying womenpreneurs. The organization serves as a premier resource for accelerated, sustainable business growth and vital entrepreneurial development for the Central Florida region.
For information about WeVenture and the Impact Summit log on to WeVenture.org, call 321-674-7007 or follow the organization on Twitter at @weVENTUREmlb.
LEFT TO RIGHT: Irene Fonzi, Cathy Musselin, Jessica Pollack and Carrie Wilson.LEFT TO RIGHT: Catherine Skarr, Scott Olson and Susan O’Hara.LEFT TO RIGHT: Christine Thompson, Ari Lozano and Dr. Amy Ortega.WeVenture team members from the Melbourne and Orlando offices.Alexis Klima, left, and WeVenture Executive Director Beth Gitlin.Speaker Jennifer Sethre, left, and Shea Glenny, Director of WeVenture Orlando.Speakers Elaine Kunda, left, and Shawna Vercher, center, answer questions after a seminar.Candi Neuweiler, left, and Malak Hammad.Candi Neuweiler, left, and Alison Bogart.Kristin Woodling, left, and Emily Tonn.Shea Glenny, Director of WeVenture-Orlando, left, and speaker Deborah Angerami of Health First.LEFT TO RIGHT: Wanda Parisi, Mary Bowman, Marcia Meskiel-Macy and Jae Snell.Wanda Lipscomb-Vasquez, Director of WeVenture-Melbourne, left, and Beth Gitlin, WeVenture Executive Director.Shea Glenny, far left, moderates a panel discussion with Brian Noel, Tina Fussell and Ryan Mickley.LEFT TO RIGHT: Jeanne Whitman of Achieve Beautiful Skin, Audrey Grayson of A. Grayson Photography, Maria Waddell of Clutter B Gone and Patricia Simpson of UCF.Alexis Klima, left, and Impact Summit volunteer Danielle Schukoske.Gayle D’Haeseller, left, and Shannon Gronich.LEFT TO RIGHT: Susan Pounds, Tracy Stroderd, Dawn Pici and Mariel Chandler.LEFT TO RIGHT: Catherine Musselman of Greater Titusville Renaissance, Jillian Rosich, Alisa Southwell of Florida Prep and Deb Buza of Southern Aero Medical.LEFT TO RIGHT: Susan Pounds, Susie Glasgow and Karen Gregory.LEFT TO RIGHT: Michelle Shoultz of Frazier Engineering, Florida Tech’s Robert Salonen and Health First’s Kim Agee.
