Dee O’Leary of IDME, has been selected to travel to the USA this December to meet relevant industry leaders to expand their business into the States. Dee pitched to a panel of US delegates from Leading Women Entrepreneurs (LWE) and BIG. The American business experts on the panel included: Alexandra Zetlin of Zetlin Strategic Communications, Karolina Dehnhard of Budd Larner, Susan Ascher, President of The Ascher Group, Liz Swinicki, Founder of Pravda Consulting, Caroline Gosselin, Founder Founder of Gosselin Group at Prominent Properties Sotheby’s International Realty, Terry Tateossian, Founder of Social Fix, Tara Gilvar the Founder of BIG and Linda Wellbrock Founder of LWE (see below for biographies.)
Remarking on the exciting news, Dee O’Leary said “I am delighted to have been selected for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which complements our future business goals. We have begun to develop a strong market share in Ireland and Europe, but will now be focusing strongly on our US expansion.“ IDME safety wristbands ensure children’s contact details and medical requirements are kept close at hand.
During the Thought Leadership Session led by Cork innovates, 10 indigenous female entrepreneurs pitched their business ideas to a delegation of 8 top US businesswomen. “The women received strategic advice and information on how to break into the American market,” says Siobhan Finn, Project Director of Cork innovates, “the US delegation chose Dee based on her strategic vision and long term goals.”
“Women are 5 times more likely to set up their own business after meeting other women entrepreneurs. We wanted to provide an arena for these crucial introductions to take place because we recognize the important role entrepreneurs play as Cork works to develop itself as a flourishing business economy,” Says Cork Foundation CEO, Heather McGuire. “Dee O’Leary’s trip to the USA will open doors for her company and expose Cork’s business potential overseas.”
Ireland Retreat Business Expert Biographies:
Linda Wellbrock
Founder and CEO
Leading Women Entrepreneurs
[email protected]
Linda Wellbrock is the President of Leading Women Entrepreneurs, LLC which is an initiative to commend women entrepreneurs for their service, leadership, contribution to their communities. Women who qualify for this honor are recognized through various media efforts and events, carrying their message to the women who dream of their own success.
Linda has an extensive marketing background from the financial industry working for leading financial institutions including UBS and Merrill Lynch. After earning her MBA in Entrepreneurial Studies, she entered the publishing industry where she served as Vice President of Business Development and Associate Publisher for a professional women’s publication. In addition to writing feature articles on some of the most influential women in New Jersey, her responsibilities focused on managing sales efforts, launching events and developing and implementing effective marketing campaigns.
Linda has been recognized by The Boy Scouts of America, Tribute to Women, on the New Jersey Monthly Magazine “List” and as one of Steve Adubato’s “New Jersey People.” Ms. Wellbrock has been featured on various news programs and media articles including: Fox 5 News, Comcast, One on One, NJ.Com, New Jersey Monthly Magazine, and more. She was recently invited to be a judge for the Fairleigh Dickinson University, Family Business of the Year Award.
She earned her MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University and her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University.
Tara Gilvar
Founder and CEO
B.I.G (Believe, Inspire, Grow)
[email protected]
B.I.G. (Believe, Inspire, Grow) offers a visionary path for women entrepreneurs. It is a rapidly growing business support, education and networking organization for women. B.I.G. is comprised of a large community of more than 1,500 intelligent, creative and entrepreneurial women who want to share their business ideas and build upon their professional dreams. The organization offers more than 50 local community meetings each month across five states, ongoing regional networking events, as well as an interactive and informative website.
In addition, through the launch of B.I.G.+ Plus, B.I.G. now offers women entrepreneurs a strategic path to profitability through a comprehensive curriculum taught by a team of business experts.
An accomplished public speaker, Tara brings her B.I.G. message to women throughout the country. In addition to serving as the face of the B.I.G. organization, she has spoken for the Boston College Council for Women in both Boston and New York City; has been a featured panelist at the New Jersey Conference for Women; the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs Women’s Entrepreneur Series and has been a keynote speaker for organizations including New Jersey’s Middlesex Chamber of Commerce.
Both of Tara’s paternal grandparents were born and raised in Ireland. Her grandmother Elizabeth O’Farrell is a native of Leighlinbridge, County Carlow. Her grandfather George is a native of Northern Ireland. She has many relatives currently living throughout Tipperary, Mayo and Dublin.
Alexandra Zetlin
President
p: 212.799.8803 ex. 25
f: 212.799.2206
www.zetlin.com
Alec Zetlin has been on the cutting edge of Strategic Communications for over 20 years. She founded Zetlin Strategic Communications in 1986. Prior to opening the firm, Ms. Zetlin directed public affairs for the Long Island Rail Road, served as the communications director for New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority and was Deputy Assistant to New York Governor Hugh L. Carey. Ms. Zetlin has been called on as an expert communications advisor for the American Architectural Foundation’s Great Schools by Design and Sustainable Cities Design Academy programs.
Her firm, Zetlin Strategic Communications, Inc. is a full service communications consulting firm, specializing in community relations, public affairs, coalition building, issues management and crisis management. Established over 23 years ago, Alec’s clients include federal, state and city government agencies and large and small companies with a program focus on economic development, sus
Caroline Gosselin
Founder
The Gosselin Group Realty, Prominent Propertied Sotheby’s International Realty
www.gosselinhomes.com
Caroline is a marketing fanatic, skilled negotiator and creative problem solver. Caroline’s reputation is a fast-paced, innovative, highly knowledgeable and professional Realtor. In an industry that was shaken by the subprime mortgage crisis, she has built a thriving business that helps her US residential clients and investors buy and sell their homes.
Her local touch, combined with her company’s global reach offers her clients the best representation. In a few short years and with over $20 million in sales to date, she has become a consistent top producer and was recently recognized by her business community and awarded the local Chamber of Commerce “Mover and Shaker Award.”
Susan P. Ascher
President and CEO
The Ascher Group
Susan P. Ascher is President and CEO of The Ascher Group, an award winning national consulting firm, and Founder of The Sphere of Excellence in Communication TM. Susan’s programs have helped countless corporations and individuals raise the bar in communication, leadership development, teamwork, and client relations.
Susan is also the author of Dude, Seriously, It’s NOT All About You!, is a humorous rant on how communication and protocol have forever changed how we connect and interact with coworkers, friends and family in The New Millenium. Her second book, Dude, Seriously, Get Your ASK In Gear! is an overview of leadership concepts for employers and employees, parents and children, and anyone living in the internet age. It is due out this spring.
A native of New Jersey and a graduate of Lehigh University, Susan is also a proud mother who cherishes time spent with her daughter. When she is isn’t re-inventing the wheel and coaching corporate America in communication, collaboration and business development, she loves to spend her down time, snowshoeing playing golf and fly fishing around the world.
Terry Tateossian
Founding Partner
Socialfix Media
[email protected]
(888) 434-1411
Terry began her management career in 2001 when she dived into the world of serial entrepreneurship. With a B.S. degree in Computer Science from Pace University and minor in Business Management, she believed the online world will be a game-changer then and in the future. With a passion for bootstrapping and a love of start-ups, she began utilizing her technical skills and leveraging search marketing and social media to achieve optimal results on shoe-string budgets. As SocialFix’s founder and lead application engineer, Terry spends her time advising clients on the latest trends in technology and digital marketing while always keeping an eye on their ROI.
Karolina Dehnard
Associate
Budd Larner
[email protected]
Ms. Dehnhard was admitted to the New Jersey Bar and U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey in 2009. After receiving her Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude, from New York Law School, Ms. Dehnhard had the honor to clerk for the Honorable Rosemary E. Ramsay, J.S.C., in Morris County Superior Court, Family Part and Civil Part.
While attending law school, she interned for The Honorable Michael Ambrecht, J.S.C., in the Supreme Court, Criminal Part, Manhattan, New York, as well as the Honorable Raymond T. Lyons, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of New Jersey.
Prior to entering the law, Ms. Dehnhard enjoyed a successful career in the non-profit sector and was the Assistant Executive Director at Community Access Unlimited, overseeing residential and rehabilitative services for people with developmental disabilities.
Ms. Dehnhard is fluent in Polish and continues to maintain community and leadership positions, serving as a commissioner on the Mongil Housing Corporation in Union County, and the leadership committee of the National Multiple Sclerosis foundation Women On the Move. Ms. Dehnhard was named as the Committee Chair for the Multiple Sclerosis Women on the Move 2014 luncheon. She also takes an active role in the Polish-American community through various volunteer efforts and article publication in Polish Newspapers on family law topics.
Ms. Dehnhard joined the faculty of New York Law School in the fall of 2013 as an adjunct professor teaching a class with a focus on family law and custody evaluations.
Liz Swinicki
Pravda Consulting
[email protected]
Liz Swinicki brings more than fifteen years of Corporate and agency Recruiting with Human Resources experience in the finance, pharmaceutical, consumer, and medical device industries. She graduated from the University of Florida in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management and soon thereafter relocated to the New York area to commence her career.
Liz’s recruiting career began at Deloitte LLP, managing the Financial Advisory, Audit and Human Capital Group. Continuing at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Liz supported consumer and pharmaceutical groups with the successful establishment of suitable candidates. Her experience brought her again to the financial industry at Barlcays Capital, recruiting to support trading, sales, and research fixed income and equity groups.
Liz’s vast HR experience within top tier organizations has given her an edge in the establishment of her own recruiting firm, Pravda Consulting, emphasizing the placement of C level and managerial candidates in all areas of a corporation within the pharmaceuticals, medical device, consumer and finance industries. Additionally, she has built out businesses in sales, trading, marketing, human resource, medical, compliance, legal, and finance. Leading corporations and institutions seek out Liz for her consultative approach to facilitating the attainment of clients’ organizational development and staffing needs. Highly integrated in industry landscapes, market trends, and compensation benchmarks, Liz offers a competitive advantage to clients. Her knowledge has allowed her to assist with building infrastructure from the ground up. She drives recruitment processes in compliance with client-specific policy and procedures, as well as identifies top talent with an impressive time-to-fill record. Her ability to successfully source talent is due in part to her solid network of clients and candidates. She performs extensive skills analysis and talent assessment through testing and behavioral interviews as well as negotiates favorable employment contracts, making Pravda Consulting a one-stop shop for organization’s structural needs.
