Keynote Speaker -Martha Mayhood Mertz
Martha is the Founder of ATHENA International (formerly ATHENA Foundation), a non-profit organization that seeks to support, develop and honor women leaders, inspire women to reach their full potential, and create balance in leadership worldwide. She is also a speaker, author, and successful real estate entrepreneur as president and owner of the Michigan-based firm Mayhood/Mertz Investment, Inc.
Mertz was President of ATHENA International from its inception in 1982 to May 1999. She serves ATHENA now as a board member and an ambassador, traveling the globe to share its message: That women bring a distinctive, transforming approach to leadership — an approach that goes beyond gender to speak to all who would lead in the 21st century. Since 2000, Mertz’s work on behalf of ATHENA has taken her to to China, to participate in an international conference on issues of importance to women; to England and to India, to join new ATHENA Award programs in presenting their first awards in those countries; and to the United Arab Emirates, to teach Zayed University students the principles of ATHENA leadership and establish a cross-cultural mentoring program for young women.
As president and owner of Mayhood/Mertz Investment, Inc., Mertz actively served the Lansing, Michigan, community. She was president of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, founding partner in several development/management partnerships in the Lansing area, and a leader in numerous other local organizations. Mertz was honored as one of the Top 25 Women Business Owners in Michigan by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), and selected as the Michigan Women-In-Business Advocated by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Other awards she has received include the Visionary Award from Office Depot, in 2004; the Vassilissa Award in Moscow, Russia; and induction in 2006 into the Enterprising Women’s Hall of Fame.
Mertz received her B.A. in Women’s Studies and Psychology from Michigan State University. She currently resides in Sedona, Arizona, with her husband, Dr. Edward Ingraham.
Morning Session - Cindy Fleming
President and Founder of VISIONSHIFT™ INC, Cindy engages the mind and heart with a unique blend of inspiration and blunt edginess. Holding a Bachelor of Arts from Western Illinois University and an MBA from Bradley University, Cindy has harnessed her vast knowledge and experience in career transitions, interpersonal communications, sales training, team building and mediation into commanding and life-challenging programs for both individual and corporate settings.
Her strong involvement in community includes membership in The Consultants Forum, Women in Leadership, Peoria Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Health Resources Network and Business Networking International (BNI). Her assertiveness, creativity and passion for affecting a VISIONSHIFT in the lives of her clients have birthed a number of unique workshops and seminars.
Cindy is facilitating the Morning Dynamic Communication Workshop.
Colleen Callahan - Afternoon Break-Out
Colleen Callahan grew up on a purebred Hampshire hog, Angus cattle and grain farm near Milford, Illinois. After receiving her bachelor’s degree in agricultural communications from the University of Illinois, Colleen became the Agribusiness Director for WMBD Radio and TV in Peoria, the first woman to hold that title. After 30 years there, Colleen started her own communications firm, where she continues her farm broadcasting at WGFA Radio in Watseka, Illinois.
Colleen is a small business owner specializing in giving motivational speeches, facilitating meetings and debates and connecting people, enabling them to develop strong professional relationships. Colleen’s passion for agriculture has taken her all over the world, including a journey to Afghanistan and Iraq paid at her own expense at the invitation of the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. She and her husband raise purebred Angus cattle on their farm near Kickapoo, Illinois, and own a farm in DeWitt County, Illinois. Their daughter, Brittney, is an attorney in Chicago, Illinois. She can be reached at www.ColleenCallahan.com
Colleen is facilitating the "E’s Of Life - Not Winning Doesn't Mean Losing - The Making of Your Own Quilt" break-out session.
Prior to experiencing a spiritual awakening in 2002, Elizabeth A. Grant lived in an almost constant state of depression and anxiety. Within four years, she was living in an almost constant state of bliss. Almost immediately, though, she noticed that manifesting her external life became virtually effortless, later learning that her inner happiness had put her in perfect harmony with universal laws of quantum physics, such as the law of attraction. Through her experiences, she developed Quantum Approach, a method to help others awaken and find their true nature -- one of happiness and bliss. Since then, she has helped clients find meaning in their lives and remain happy even amid seemingly chaotic external circumstances.
A firm believer in The Power of Thought and The Power of Now, Elizabeth is the author of Morning Commute, an audio book that helps listeners develop crucial mindsets, habits and beliefs to experience happiness from the inside out. She has been featured in the books Living the Law of Attraction and Serendipity Jane's Guide to Life Coaching. Elizabeth is a graduate of Iowa State University and a certified life coach. She can be reached at www.TheQuantumCoach.net.
Elizabeth is facilitating the "Developing Personal Power Through Principals of Quantum Physics" break out session.
Yvonne Greer - Afternoon Break-Out
She is a certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor and motivational coach/speaker with extensive training in multiple fitness formats, including: aerobics, step aerobics, indoor cycling, kickboxing, Pilates, yoga, strength training, and aquatic exercise. Yvonne is also a freelance television/radio personality who guest hosts on Chicago’s WGN Radio with her husband/radio partner Greg Batton.
Yvonne graduated from the University of Illinois in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism. She has hosted shows on Peoria’s WMBD-TV and WMBD Radio, Chicago’s WLS and WGN Radio, and the nationally syndicated Health Radio Network. Yvonne and her fitness efforts have been featured in publications across the country, as well as on several television and radio programs.
Since 1994, Yvonne has led fitness classes, workshops and presentations across the country. She has also produced, choreographed, instructed and starred in three fitness videos for PowerZone, an independent fitness training company she started in 1998. Yvonne has also created a special series of fitness workshops just for women called "Hot Mamas". It’s designed to renew the mind, body and spirit with life coaching strategies, exercise skills, and nutritional planning. Yvonne can be reached at: http://www.yvonnegreer.net/
Yvonne will be facilitating the “Leadership - Know Your Truth, Speak Your Truth, Live Your Truth” break-out session.
