Speakers
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Nicole Lee, Keynote Speaker
Ms. Lee is the first female President of TransAfrica. As the President, Ms. Lee leads the formation of the organizations policies. Ms Lee has testified before Congress on the issues of aid and food security for the continent of African. In addition, she regularly briefs policy makers on key issues facing the Africa world. In addition, major media is calling on Ms. Lee as an expert on Haiti and the African Diaspora. She has appeared on ABC's 20/20, CNN's Anderson Cooper 360, National Public Radio, BBC television and radio, Democracy Now and numerous radio stations around the globe. She has been quoted in the Washington Post and USA Today. Her opinion editorials have been published in The Nation, Tom Paine, theroot.com, and she is a weekly op-ed contributor to the National Newspapers Publishers' Association wire service that serves more than 200 newspapers weekly.
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Dr. Deborah Bergfeld and Andy Gannon After graduating from the University at Buffalo School of Medicine in 2001, Dr. Bergfeld completed her residency training through Northwestern University- Feinberg School of Medicine at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. There, she received subspecialty training in Women's Health Rehabilitation which focuses on the treatment of osteoporosis, pelvic pain and pregnancy related complications.In 2005, Dr. Bergfeld joined Buffalo Spine and Sports Institute where she is now a partner in the practice. Buffalo Spine and Sports Institute specializes in the nonsurgical care of numerous musculoskeletal diseases. In addition to the other services offered by Dr. Bergfeld, she also heads the Women's Health Rehabilitation initiative of this group.She is currently a member of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R), NASS (North American Spine Society), ISIS (the International Spine Intervention Society), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) .For more information about Dr. Bergfeld and her practice, please visit www.buffspine.com. Andy Gannon is the owner of Excel Personal Training in Hamburg, NY. He is a certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. He has been practicing for the past 9 years. Prior to opening his own business, Andy worked as a Physical Therapist Assistant for 6 years. His rehabilitation background and functional approach has allowed him to specialize in offering strengthening programs for clients after injury. However, his clientele includes woman, men and children of all ages with various fitness levels and goals. He offers individualized training programs for each of his clients; ranging from those with little to no exercise experience to professional athletes. Andy resides in Hamburg with his wife Beth, daughters, Hayley and Madison. He is an avid hunter and golfer and also competes in triathlons.
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Amanda Brown Amanda Brown is creator of ABbling, specializing in handmade jewelry and accessories for all occasions! Beautiful, unique, custom-made jewelry without the retail markup.
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Jill Chiacchia Jill Chiacchia is the Founder and Director of beHealthy Institute, a wellness center in Hamburg NY, offering healthy cooking classes, fitness instruction and living well lectures. Jill is a former CPA with a Masters in Finance and a NYS Licensed Insurance Broker. She was the Vice President of Finance and Human Resources at a mid-sized manufacturing facility before finding her true calling in the health and nutrition. A graduate of the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, Jill is a Certified Health Coach and a Member of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She works with individuals, families and groups to guide her clients toward a healthy lifestyle beyond calories, carbs, and fats; recognizing that there is no "one perfect way" of eating or living that works for everyone. A wife and mother of four children, Jill understands the challenges of nourishing a family and living a healthy lifestyle in a busy world.
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Lisa Coppola As a partner with Buffalo-based Rupp, Baase, Pfalzgraf, Cunningham & Coppola LLC, Lisa Coppola helps her clients manage risks in their commercial, employment, and business matters as well as in their personal lives. Whether litigating in court or handling negotiations, arbitrations, or mediations, Lisa uses education to empower her clients which are among regional leaders in construction, banking, finance, education, and insurance. Before deciding on a career in law, Lisa graduated from Syracuse University and worked in advertising. She returned to Syracuse for law school (and terrific Orangemen basketball), graduating summa cum laude with her law degree in 1989. Along with her partners, Lisa has grown her firm from a staff of four in 2000 to its current team of 65+ individuals working and living in and around Western New York. Along the way, the firm has achieved four top-place awards as Buffalo's "Best Place to Work" in the past several years. Lisa's work has not gone unnoticed. She has received numerous awards and is a sought-after speaker. Business First of Buffalo recently cited her as a 2011 Woman of Influence and she was also recently named a 2011 Super Lawyer for Upstate New York.
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Mary DeNisco Buffalo native, Mary Frances DeNisco, earned a Master of Science degree in Education at Buffalo State University College and taught at Lackawanna High School for 6 years before moving to Toronto. There she has enjoyed a lengthy career teaching English and Religion in an all girl inner city high school. Mary is an avid writer whose hobbies include cooking, trying new restaurants, photography, reading, story telling and travelling. She loves to study people from all walks of life and is currently writing a book about life's defining moments. As a motivational speaker, Mary credits the wisdom of her Beautiful Mother (deceased in 2009) and 33 years in the classroom with teenagers for her deep faith, gusto for life and witty sense of humor.
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Ellen Dunwoodie and Deborah Gromek Ellen and Debbie have each been teachers for over 30 years. Taking their experiences in the educational setting, they have formed the personal development company, Think It And Have It, LLC. Together they have a gift for using humor, real life experiences, and their knowledge to introduce strategies and tools for people to immediately begin to have more positive results in their lives. They have presented to over 500 teachers, administrators, support staff, students and businesses to teach everyone to refocus and shift their emphasis to the positive. They were featured in an article in Business First in July 2011. Check out there website www.thinkitandhaveitnow.com for more information on both presenters.
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Sue Kourt Sue started coaching Zumba this summer at Epic Dance Studio in Blasdel. She wanted to help make workouts fun! With upbeat music as a backdrop, your workout is effective and enjoyable!
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Mark LaMonte ASAC Mark A. LaMonte is a 1986 graduate of Canisius High School. He graduated with Summa Cum Laude Honors from Canisius College with a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in History and International Relations in 1991. In 1992, ASAC LaMonte began his federal Law Enforcement career as a Special Agent with the former Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS). Throughout the past 19 years, ASAC LaMonte has served in various HSI Law Enforcement Managerial positions in Washington, DC and Phoenix, AZ, to include the Deputy Chief of the National Joint Terrorism Task Force (N-JTTF) in Washington, DC and the HSI Field Intelligence Director for the State of Arizona. ASAC LaMonte is presently serving as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and currently oversees the Intelligence Operations and Coordination Division for HSI in Western, Central and Northern New York with a focus on mitigating Northern Border homeland security and public safety vulnerabilities through proactive intelligence-driven operations. Over the course of his Federal Law Enforcement career, ASAC LaMonte has been the recipient of the following National Awards for Investigative Excellence:
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Sondra Lily Sondra is a financial consultant with AXA Advisors, LLC in Williamsville, NY. She has made a personal commitment to work with non-profit organizations, women business owners, individuals, and their families to accomplish a sound and successful financial future. Her clients' goals are achieved through risk management, education planning, tax efficiency, retirement planning, and investment strategies. Her practice is built around the goals and financial dreams of her clients and is to be achieved with honesty, integrity, and reliability. Sondra received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a concentration in Mathematics and Finance. She has more recently been awarded the Retirement Planning Specialist designation from the University at Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business.
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Lindsey Metzger Lindsey Metzger is a Spanish teacher at Frontier High School. In her free time, she enjoys to spend time with her family, traveling, and scrapbooking.
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Jane Oles Jane Oles with husband Daniel and their two sons and families own and operate vegetable and livestock farms in Alden/Darien. Over the last twelve years they have transitioned from conventional farming to growing crops and raising livestock utilizing sustainable and organic farming methods. Starting in 2007 the Oles Kids Farm Market and the wholesaling of produce has gradually been replaced with direct restaurant sales and Promised Land CSA. Farmer/chef relationships have been forged with various Buffalo restaurants including Chef Kate Elliot at Merge Restaurant. At Merge, Chef Kate utilizes the Oles Kids Farm fresh, seasonal vegetables to create a delicious, nutritious and unique menu. Jane has a background in healthcare and is interested in sharing the health benefits as well as the culinary delights of eating seasonal, local and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables.
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Frank Rice Frank Rice has been a student of the martial arts for 30 years and an instructor for 24. He is one of the few to earn a black belt in American Bushido from Sensei Derek Mortiz. American Bushido is a complete combat system that focuses on practical, realistic techniques, and integrates karate, kickboxing, jujitsu, boxing, and aikido. Mr. Rice has also trained with kickboxing legends Bill "Superfoot" Wallace, Joe Lewis, and other specialists in a variety of martial disciplines.
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Rev/Chaplain Brenda J. Sherman Rev/Chaplain Brenda J. Sherman truly loves to exercise her gifts, an Ordain Registered Chaplain of Chaplain Fellowship Ministries, International, where she continues training in Crisis Intervention Techniques. Rev. Sherman is on the Chaplain Staff at Hospice and Palliative Care of Buffalo New York. She has a Master of Divinity degree from Northeastern Seminary in Rochester New York; she has a Bachelor Degree in Social Work from Buffalo State College, and has an Associate of Science degree from Erie Community College. Rev. Sherman has completed 4 Units of Clinical Pastoral Education at Sisters of Charity Hospital CPE Program, where she also worked as a Resident Student. Rev. Brenda Sherman has also been elected the 2012 President of the Buffalo Association of Black Social Workers, Inc. Rev. Sherman is a volunteer empowerment facilitator for Greater Buffalo Workers, a Welfare-to-Work program; the purpose is to facilitate the placement of TANF recipients into transitional employment opportunities which will lead to lasting unsubsidized employment and self-sufficiency. She believe before you can minister to the spiritual needs of people, you must address their physical needs, that is the only way true growth and development will be manifest. Rev. Sherman is the founder/director of the ministry titled, "God's Women Empowering Women" meetings are held every 4th Saturday at the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). The group is a WNY community based organization dedicated to empower families through presentations, mentoring and spiritual reflection welcoming the diversity of all people. Rev. Brenda Sherman is the proud mother of two son's Philip M. Sherman, and Jonathan D. Sherman, and the grandmother of beautiful four year old Kamera Joney Sherman. Rev Sherman honors her parent's mother Mary A. Jackson and her stepfather the late Donald L. Jackson, along with her father Curtis A. McMillan and stepmother Prettie McMillan of Buffalo New York. Last but not least, Rev Sherman is a proud member of the True Bethel Baptist Church where Pastor Darius G. Pridgen is the Senior Servant.
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Carl Wilkens As a humanitarian aid worker, Carl Wilkens moved his young family to Rwanda in the spring of 1990. When the genocide was launched in April 1994, Carl refused to leave, even when urged to do so by close friends, his church and the United States government. He was the only American to remain in the country, though thousands of expatriates evacuated and the United Nations pulled out most of its troops. Venturing out each day into streets crackling with mortars and gunfire, he worked his way through roadblocks of angry, bloodstained soldiers and civilians armed with machetes and assault rifles in order to bring food, water and medicine to groups of orphans trapped around the city. His actions saved the lives of 100's. Carl returned permanently to the United States in 1996. After being featured in the 2004 PBS Frontline documentary, "Ghosts of Rwanda", about the Rwanda genocide, he began to receive letters, phone calls and offers from teachers around the country to come and share his experiences with students. In January 2008, with no end in sight to the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan, Wilkens left his job in Oregon to dedicate himself full time to inspiring and equipping people to stand up against hatred, prejudice and genocide. He and his wife Teresa have since formed an educational nonprofit, World Outside My Shoes, to facilitate this important work. This year Carl released his first book entitled, "I'm Not Leaving". It is based largely on tapes he made to his wife and children during the genocide, not knowing if he would ever see them again. Carl travels regularly to Rwanda and has recently visited the Democratic Republic of Congo. The goal of his presentations is to inspire and equip people to stand up against genocide, racism, bullying, and other forms of intolerance. He does this primarily through sharing his stories and experiences from the 1994 genocide along with what life is like today in Rwanda. To learn more please visit them on the web at:
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Robin Wilson Robin specializes in teaching and helping companies bring their marketing into the 21st Century. She uses her expertise to connect with thousands of customers with one click! She will help expose you and your company in the physical and virtual world. Utilizing the power of transparency, abundance and connection to create a market and build successful businesses. Robin has been using Social Media for over a decade, long before it was called Social Media. She is bringing her knowledge and experience to the WNY area by educating large and small businesses about the benefits of Social Media Marketing. The Wilson Edge is her unique and personalized approach to promoting the benefits of this very powerful medium. Specializing in bringing customers to you, Robin will show you how to gain the greatest leverage to make you and your business successful with social media tools. Robin was awarded the Canisius College Women's Business Center's Entrepreneurial Women of the Year for 2011. Robin is also the force behind the launch of Social Media Uninhibited!
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Alanna Zabel Voted "Best Yoga Instructor in Los Angeles" in 2011 by LA Family Magazine, Alanna Zabel is the creator and founder of AZIAM Yoga. She is a registered ERYT-500 yoga instructor, Pilates and fitness instructor in Southern California with a double BA in Psychology & Child Development. In 2000, she founded her own unique YogaDance company based on combining the essential movements of yoga with modern dance. Her first performance was choreographed for a private party at Michael Jackson's home and performed at Neverland. Her performances have been requested at fashion shows, conferences and private parties. Whether it is during a class or one of her signature yoga detox retreats, Alanna focuses all of her work on the personal self-realization of those she is working with. She has written and illustrated several children's books, including The Seven Doors, a children's version of Deepak Chopra's best seller The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. Beyond her accomplishments as an instructor, performer, program director and writer, Alanna's flare for style and design led to the launch of her own active wear line - AZIAM, The Modern Yoga Lifestyle. Alanna has been featured in Self, Women's Health, Men's Health, Life & Style, Whole Living by Martha Stewart, Yoga Fit, C, People, InStyle and Fitness magazines, as well as having been featured in several yoga/fitness productions. For more information on Alanna, please www.aziam.com. Robin was awarded the Canisius College Women's Business Center's Entrepreneurial Women of the Year for 2011. Robin is also the force behind the Launch of Social Media Uninhibited!
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