2017 Concurrent Sessions

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (PICK ONE)
Aiming Higher
University Club
Today’s strong and successful women share a common trait: They’ve found ways to forge a path in uncharted
territory and taken on daunting tasks that others fear. But even the most successful among us might struggle
with self-doubt or concern about how others view our actions and choices. How do you block out the unsupportive
inner and outer voices and focus on a strategy for success? Join Board Certified Counselor Dr. Kim Costello as
she asks panelists to discuss the risks they’ve taken, the keys to resilience, and how supporting others in their
journey has enriched their sense of achievement.
MODERATOR
vorce without despair is
nter with her husband
dependent contractors
seen throughout her
rall well-being. Great
Ashlee B. Cooper, is
ers. Heartstrings: The
Dr. Kim Costello
Co-owner & Co-founder, The Costello Center
With over twenty years of experience, Dr. Kim E. Costello is a psychotherapist, Board
Certified Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Florida Supreme Court
Mediator, Certified Christian Marriage and Family Therapist, Parenting Coordinator, and
Neutral Mental Health Facilitator. She is a member of the American Board of Professional
Counselors, the American Psychotherapy Association, the Association of Family and
Conciliation Courts, and the International Association of Collaborative Professionals.
Her innovative method for collaborative divorce, developed using her expertise in conflict
resolution therapy, has grown as families have realized that divorce without despair is
possible.
Dr. Costello’s experience and training led her to found The Costello Center with her husband
Frank Costello in 2006, where she works alongside a wide variety of independent contractors
who help to provide a holistic approach to counseling.
Dr. Costello’s desire to help people beyond The Costello Center can be seen throughout her
books which promote family communication, self-awareness, and overall well-being. Great
Monkeys All Are We is a children’s book, co-written with her daughter Ashlee B. Cooper,
is meant to increase children’s awareness of how they are viewed by others. Heartstrings:
The Parent-Child Connection is a “handbook” for parents, teaching them how to better
understand the role they play in their children’s lives. Her newest book, written with her
husband, is Dash the Sea Turtle, a children’s book showing how it is okay to be yourself
despite what others think.
Deborah Figgs-Sanders
President, Personal Agenda, LLC
Deborah Figgs-Sanders has more than 25 years of experience in strategic planning, staff
and volunteer management, youth programs and services, community outreach and
organizational leadership. Until recently, she was the Executive Director of YMCA Resources
Centers, prior to the YMCA, she was the Power Broker Foundation President and partner in
her family business, Supreme Heating & Cooling, Inc. Professionally, she is the President of
Personal Agenda, LLC (2002), Executive Vice President of the Power Broker Media Group and
2020 Plan Taskforce Core Team Co-Chair. Her education includes Florida A&M University
(1989) BS in Computer Information Systems magna cum laude graduate and a MBA from the
University of Phoenix (2006).
Board and civic affiliations include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Zeta Upsilon Omega
Chapter President (2006-2010), Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority International Communications
Committee, Youth Development Foundation president, Juvenile Welfare Board South County
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9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Deborah Figgs-Sanders (continued)
Community Council, and past board member of the Happy Workers Preschool, Urban Development Solutions
and Earth Mission Ministries to name a few. Recent recognitions include a Five Fabulous Females honoree, Bay
Area Community Leadership Award 2015, Department of Juvenile Justice Community Award 2016, the Robin
Lynn Young Spirit Award, Rev. Dr. Constance D. Samuels Award, Pinellas County Urban League’s Whitney M.
Young Leadership Award as well as, the current Mayoral appointment to the Citizens Advisory Committee for
the South St. Petersburg CRA and by Pinellas County Commissioner Kenneth Welch to the Council for Persons
with Disabilities.
Deborah is married, the mother of 3 sons, and grandmother of 2 beautiful granddaughters.
Amanda Stevens
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, USAmeriBank
Ms. Stevens graduated from Michigan State University, and began her professional career
in 1998 with the accounting firm Crowe Horwath LLP. During her ten-year tenure, she
served in various leadership capacities and relocated her family twice to help expand
the Financial Institutions practice. In her latest role as an Executive, she led audit and
consulting engagements for financial institutions. In 2008, she joined USAmeriBank as
the Chief Financial Officer and helped grow the institution from $400 million to over $4
billion in assets. While at USAmeriBank, she was instrumental in launching the Women
Entrepreneur’s program, a group that supports professional women through handcrafted
banking solutions, educational, and networking opportunities.
In 2017, Ms. Stevens helped lead an effort to enter into a definitive agreement to merge
with Valley National Bancorp, a $23 billion bank headquartered in New Jersey. Currently,
she is leading the USAmeriBank team responsible for the integration which is expected to
occur in the spring of 2018.
Ms. Stevens enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. She is actively
involved in her community as a Board Member of the Centre for Women, Treasurer of
the Franklin Boys Preparatory Academy PTSA, USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy
member, and volunteer at Grace Family Church.
Susie Wheldon
Owner, Verve Boutique
Susie Wheldon is founder and owner of the upscale clothing store, verve boutique, in
the heart of St. Petersburg’s EDGE District. She is a stylist and purchaser in the fashion
industry. Susie holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations, and found
herself working in the unlikely field of motorsports, a path that would ultimately change
the trajectory of her life in insurmountable ways. In 2011, Susie suffered the loss of her
husband, Dan Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and INDYCAR series champion,
who was killed in a motor racing accident in Las Vegas. Faced with the harsh reality of
being a widow at the age of 32, Susie had to publically come to terms with her grief while
trying to raise two small boys, Sebastian, aged 2 and Oliver, 7 months. Now six years later,
Susie keeps her husband’s legacy alive through The Dan Wheldon Foundation and other
philanthropic work benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association, a cause close to her heart.
Opening verve boutique earlier this year was the realization of her dream to become a
business owner, but also the personal acknowledgement and acceptance of what her life is
now and a daily reminder of her resilience and journey in overcoming tragedy.
USF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP & PHILANTHROPY • USF.EDU/WLP 23

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (PICK ONE)
How to Be More Than a Keyboard Warrior
Esplanade
Whether it’s a passion for education or a need to make the community a better place, we all want to make
an impact on our world. Modern communications gives us the ability to take a stand from wherever we are
and at any time of day, but online conversations and sharing on social media has its limits. How do we get out
from behind our screens to become a true change maker? Hear from powerhouse women from the Tampa Bay
Region who will ignite your inner activist with insights on the best channels and most effective methods to be a
transformational community leader.
Bemetra Simmons
Senior Private Banker, Wells Fargo the Private Bank
MODERATOR
Bemetra Simmons currently serves as Senior Private Banker at Wells Fargo the Private
Bank. Ms. Simmons’ role is to serve high net worth clients preserve and transition wealth,
provide customized credit solutions, and help define and analyze long term goals. Ms.
Simmons began her career as an Account Manager with WorldCom, served as a Global
Account Manager for AT&T Global Services and worked in financial services for over 14
years.
Ms. Simmons is the daughter of an Air Force Chaplain and has lived in ten states and two
countries. She attended Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN on a basketball
scholarship and received a B.S. in Business Administration, and her MBA from Wake Forest
University.
Ms. Simmons serves on the board of trustees for Christian Brothers University,
Community Tampa Bay, and the City of Tampa’s Police Review Board. She was recently
selected by Tampa’s Mayor to serve as a commissioner on the board of the Tampa Housing
Authority. Ms. Simmons is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., USF
Women in Leadership and Philanthropy, a 2013 Leadership Tampa graduate, named Up and
Comer by the Tampa Bay Business Journal in 2013, and a finalist for Businesswoman of the
Year 2017 by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Erin Aebel
Partner, Healthcare Practice Co-Administrator, Shumaker, Loop,
& Kendrick, LLP
Erin Smith Aebel is board certified as a health law specialist by the Florida Bar. She
represents physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers in business law including
fraud and abuse, Stark, HIPAA and licensure. Erin also advises on a variety of Florida health
law issues including the developing medical marijuana law.
Erin’s clients include hospitals, physicians, physician group practices, diagnostic imaging
centers, pharmacies, clinical laboratories and other providers.
In 2014, the Tampa Bay Business Journal named Erin Business Woman of the Year in the
category of legal services. In 2016, the international company, Lexology, awarded Erin the
Client Choice Award in London, England for health law in Florida. The Client Choice Award
is for excellent client service.
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9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Kimberlee DeBosier
Vice President, Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc.
Kim DeBosier is a licensed professional civil engineer. In a field somewhat non-traditional
for women, Ms. DeBosier was the first female engineer in each of the offices in which she
worked. In 1995, she and two colleagues formed Bayside Engineering, Inc., a women-owned
consulting civil engineering and surveying firm. Ms. DeBosier served as its President until
Bayside was purchased by Maryland-based JMT in January of 2016. Kim is a Vice President
with JMT and leads the Tampa Office.
Ms. DeBosier was named Engineer of the Year by the Florida Engineering Society in 2005, the
first woman to receive that recognition.
Ms. DeBosier serves on the Boards of the Florida Engineers Management Corporation, the
Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women, MacDonald Training Center, the
Athena Society, a member of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy, and is Vice Chair
of the Advisory Board of the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of
South Florida and Co-Chair of the Transportation Council of the Greater Tampa Chamber
of Commerce. She is a former president of the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers –
again the first, and only, woman to serve in that leadership role.
Sarah Combs
Executive Director & CEO,
University Area Community Development Corporation, Inc.
Sarah Combs is the Chief Executive Officer of the University Area Community
Development Corporation, Inc. (UACDC). Combs joined the organization in 2010,
and under her senior leadership the organization has more than tripled the number
of children and adults it reaches with education, health, workforce, cultural arts and
other programs. With more than 16 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Combs’
experience spans nearly every facet of organization and program development and
management. Combs previously served as the Chief Operations Officer for the UACDC
and has been with the organization for eight years. Combs was born and raised in
Colorado and moved to Tampa over 12 years ago to raise her daughter and identical twin
boys with her husband Will. Sarah and her family live in New Tampa and enjoy spending
time at the beach, traveling, cooking and most of all spending time with family and
friends. Sarah is an active member and volunteer in the Tampa Bay community serving
on the following boards: Safe & Sound Hillsborough, Innovation Place, Mort Elementary
Community School, Florida Alliance of CDC’s and Tampa Bay Community Reinvestment
Association.
USF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP & PHILANTHROPY • USF.EDU/WLP 25

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (PICK ONE)
Transforming the Future of Health:
Creative collaboration for a healthier region
Palma Ceia
Creating a healthier future for women requires innovative and collaborative thinking across a variety of
professions. Women leaders from Florida Blue and USF Health will share how they are working to improve the
physical and economic health of our community by bringing together diverse teams in education, research and
clinical care. The session will feature a special focus on the downtown expansion of the USF Health Morsani
College of Medicine and the USF Heart Institute at Water Street Tampa, where top cardiovascular researchers
will work to find cures to our greatest health threats in the world’s first wellness certified city district.
Carole Post
Deputy Chief Operating Officer, USF Health
Interim CEO, USF Health Center for Advanced Medical Learning and Simulation
MODERATOR
Carole Post is Deputy Chief Operating Officer at USF Health where she leads the operational
transition of its medical school to the new Morsani College of Medicine and Heart Institute.
She also works with USF Health leadership to identify opportunities for efficiency and
collaboration, and facilitates key initiatives that support its long-term strategies. In August
2017 she was appointed Interim CEO of the Center for Advanced Medical Learning and
Simulation (CAMLS), part of USF Health’s academic and entrepreneurial portfolio.
Carole is a native of the Tampa area and joined USF after nearly 20 years in New York City
where she was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at New York Law School,
and prior to that served in several senior positions at the City of New York under Mayor
Michael Bloomberg, including being the first woman to serve as Commissioner of the New
York City (NYC) Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications.
Carole also served as Deputy Director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Operations and
Executive Director of Strategic Planning for NYC’s Department of Buildings where she was
involved in the re-building process following the 9/11 Terrorist attacks.
Before joining City government, she practiced law in Palm Beach County, and served as City
Attorney and Acting City Manager for the City of Palm Beach Gardens. Before attending law
school, she worked in Tampa at Health Plan Services. She has a bachelor’s degree from the
University of Florida and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Dr. Donna Petersen
Senior Associate Vice President, USF Health
Dean, College of Public Health
Dr. Donna Petersen is Dean, College of Public Health, and Senior Associate Vice President, USF
Health, at the University of South Florida. She is past president of the National Board of Public
Health Examiners, immediate past-Chair of the Council on Education for Public Health, and Chair
of the Board of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. From 2011- 2015, she
chaired Framing the Future: The Second Hundred Years of Education in Public Health. She has been
honored by numerous public health organizations for her work and in 2011 received the Distinguished
Alumna Award by The Johns Hopkins University.
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9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Dr. Elana Schrader
Chief Medical Officer, FloridaBlue
Dr. Elana Schrader is Florida Blue’s chief medical officer. Schrader is responsible for the
development of the overarching clinical strategy for Florida Blue and leading clinical
activities including care management, health promotions and wellness, pharmacy, quality
and clinical retail health initiatives. Since joining Florida Blue, Schrader has served in a
number of innovative and transformational leadership roles. Most recently, she served
as vice president of product where she was accountable for the design and development
of new health solutions and the management of the product portfolio for commercial
business. Prior to joining Florida Blue, Schrader served as the medical director for
Columbia/HCA Memorial Hospital and had a private practice in internal medicine in Ponte
Vedra Beach, Fla. Schrader is active in civic and community organizations.
Recently named an honoree for the Jacksonville Business Journal’s 2016 Women of
Influence, Schrader is a graduate of the 2007 class of Leadership Jacksonville and has
served as Florida Blue’s executive leader of the Women’s Initiative Network. She was
the 2015 and 2016 chairperson for the American Cancer Society’s Jacksonville Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer event. Schrader holds a B.A. from Barnard College of
Columbia University. She received her medical training at Albert Einstein College of
Medicine and trained in internal medicine at The New York Hospital of Cornell Medical
College and the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She completed a postdoctoral
research fellowship at Columbia Presbyterian College of Medicine, and is a graduate
of the Advanced Management Program at the University of Chicago, Booth School of
Business, Class of 2011.
USF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP & PHILANTHROPY • USF.EDU/WLP 27

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (PICK ONE)
Finding Grace Under Pressure
Esplanade
You know her, she’s effortlessly cool and always in charge. We’re surrounded by examples of successful women
who make taking on the world look so easy. But being that confident isn’t always easy, and the reality is many
women let a fear of failure determine their success. In 2014, Forbes identified the correlation between women’s
personal worth and professional failures, noting a fear of professional missteps can cost when it comes
to career, personal reputation and overall success. Breaking through these barriers requires trusting your
instincts, being comfortable in your own skin and embracing change. Hear from women who have navigated
life’s personal and professional obstacles in their journey to success and find out how to empower yourself and
those around you.
Louanne Walters
Owner, My Video Voice Productions
MODERATOR
With over 30 years in communications, tourism and finance, Louanne has served as -- a
TV news reporter/anchor with three NBC affiliates, a cruise director with Royal Caribbean
Cruise Lines (RCCL), a financial advisor with Raymond James, and is the co-founder of My
Video Voice Productions. Through MVVP, Louanne and her wife enjoy working with nonprofits
and creating The Philanthropy Show®. She is an active speaker, moderator, and instructor
at several nonprofit organizations in Florida, as well as with Udemy.com, an online teaching
platform serving over 9 million students worldwide.
With a passion to use her communications skills to help empower people toward greater
health, Louanne is now a graduate student working toward her MS in Human Nutrition and
Functional Medicine, a program created by the University of Western States in collaboration
with the Institute of Functional Medicine. Earlier this year, she was appointed by the Pinellas
County Board of Commissioners to the Suncoast Health Council as Board Member.
Lynda Lyday
America’s Home Improvement Expert
Lynda has become the go-to expert for media venues such as CNN, MSNBC, FOX NEWS, ABC,
NBC’s The Today Show. She often demonstrates products on national and local television
shows and the Home Shopping Network. The Woman with a Hammer - Lynda was the first
woman to win “The Golden Hammer Award” in New York City by the United Brotherhood of
Carpenters in the mid 80’s when very few women were entering construction. Lynda became
the first woman to teach carpentry at the union school. She became a licensed contractor
in 1993 launching her own construction company specializing in apartment renovations in
Manhattan. Toolbox to Television - In 1997, Lynda was discovered by The Discovery Channel
who casted her as one of television’s only licensed female carpenters on “Give Me Shelter.”
Lynda went on to host more than 350 home improvement shows for HGTV and The DIY
Network honoring her two Telly Award for “The Fix” and “Talk2DIY.” Get a Grip - Perigee
Books and Que Publishing published Lynda’s two books: Lynda Lyday’s Do It Yourself and A
Homeowner’s Manual. Soon Lynda decided to create Lyday Tool Line-- tools with the Lyday
Grip—a retro tool line catering to women and those with a smaller grip. Carpentry Goes
Comedy - Lynda’s other love is sketch comedy. She has developed a web series called “Ask
Big Lou”--Lou is a widow and mother of four who has a penchant for animal print and an
ability to fix things.
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10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Clemmie Perry
Founder & Director, Women of Color Golf
Clemmie Perry is the Founder and Executive Director of Women of Color Golf (WOCG),
and Girls On the Green Tee (GOTG-T). The mission is to promote and facilitate the
inclusion of minority women and girls into the game of golf. WOCG seeks to create
interest and inspiration in the game through organized clinics, recreational golf events,
business networking & mentoring opportunities. Founded in 2014, WOCG has introduced
over 350 minority women and girls to the basic fundamentals of golf in the Tampa Bay
and Washington, D.C. areas. WOCG & GOTG-T received recognition by former President
Obama, as a U.S. White House Champion of Change for After School Programs for
Marginalized Girls. Clemmie has over 20 years’ experience working for two Fortune
500 companies. At Lockheed Martin Corporation, Ms. Perry served as the Corporate
E-Learning Training Manager. She was responsible for managing virtual learning teams
and developing online corporate training materials for 130,000 Aerospace & Defense
employees. At Florida Power & Light Company, she was responsible for electrical
distribution systems training and the implementation of smart grid & smart meter
technology training programs. She owns her own training development & consulting
company, Educational Training Consultants (E.T.C).
Clemmie earned her B.S. degree from Florida A&M University and an M.S. from Nova
Southeastern University. She is a member of the National Council of Negro Women,
FAMU Alumni Association, National Football League Cheerleader Alumni Association and
Executive Women Golf Association. She currently serves on the World Golf Foundation
Diversity Task Force and is a Board Member for the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.
Amy Rettig
Senior Vice President for Public Affairs, Nielsen
Amy Rettig is SVP, Community Engagements and a site leader at Nielsen’s Global
Technology and Innovation Center. Over her 23 year tenure, she’s held positions in
Training, Client Services, Communication, and Public Affairs. After acquiring her BA
in Communication from the University of Central Florida, Amy began her career as
a Traveling Leadership Consultant for Zeta Tau Alpha Fraternity and then worked as
Director of Student Activities at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills, KY. Community
outreach and corporate social responsibility are not only big parts of Amy’s job, but they
are her passion. She is involved in many areas of the Tampa Bay community, including:
American Heart Association’s Circle of Red, Chairwoman for the 2016 Go Red for Women
campaign, Executive Cabinet Member in 2017-2018; Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas
County Board Member; Pinellas Education Foundation Board Member; University of
South Florida Women in Leadership and Philanthropy Member; St. Leo University Tapia
School of Business Dean’s Advisory Board; UCF Nicholson School of Communication
Board of Advisors; University of Tampa Board of Fellows; Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors; AMIkids Pinellas Board Member; Better Business Bureau
of West Florida, Inc. Board of Directors; and a Tampa Bay Partnership Leadership Council
Member. She is also a proud member of Leadership Florida’s Class 29 and an active lector
at St. Paul Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, where she lives with her husband and
teenage daughter. She enjoys travel, being outdoors, spending time family and friends,
and her Swiss heritage.
USF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP & PHILANTHROPY • USF.EDU/WLP 29

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (PICK ONE)
Media and Communication: How to find the real news
Palma Ceia
Trying to keep up with current events in today’s multi-media jungle? With technology’s advances, we have become
accustomed to receiving information in mere milliseconds. The Pew Research Center found that more than 25%
of adults report they get their news from websites or apps. How can we be sure that we’re getting the facts? “Fake
news” is often almost associated with social media. Can we identify misinformation when we see it? Is it merely
entertainment? Panelists will discuss the importance of accuracy in the news, and how we can be more proactive
media consumers.
Rafaela A. Amador-Fink
Senior Director, Public Affairs, Tampa Bay Rays
Rafaela A. Amador-Fink joined the Tampa Bay Rays in June 2014. Amador leads all public affairs
efforts for the club and seeks to enhance the business image and increase the visibility of the
organization. Additionally, she works across departments to ensure consistent and excellent
communication.
MODERATOR
Amador previously served as account director at Tucker/Hall, a public relations and public
affairs firm, where she led client teams in the areas of public affairs, issues management and
strategic communications. Prior to Tucker/Hall, she was vice president of public affairs and
communications at the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce.
Amador received a 2009 Ford Foundation Fellowship for Regional Sustainable Development
through the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. The year-long program took her
to various cities, including a trip in March 2010 to China to study international sustainability
issues. Throughout the fellowship, Amador studied how political leadership, regional
collaboration and establishment of shared goals and objectives can support sustainable
development in Tampa Bay.
Amador holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a Spanish minor and
certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from the University of South Florida.
She was a founding board member of the New Leaders Council Tampa Bay chapter, served
as an Honorary Commander at MacDill Air Force Base, is a member of the Tampa Bay Area
Committee on Foreign Relations, the Pinellas County Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors,
the Community Tampa Bay Board of Directors, and a corporate member of USF’s Women in
Leadership & Philanthropy. She lives in Tampa with her husband, Jason and son, Maddox.
Gypsy C. Gallardo
CEO, Urban Market Analytics
Gypsy Gallardo is CEO of Urban Market Analytics, a Florida-based firm that designs and
evaluates innovative place-based solutions to speed economic progress for low-income
communities.
She has 26 years of executive experience with award-winning organizations in fields that
are vital to transforming community economies, and has consulted with 30 development
organizations, public and private, across America and overseas. Among them, serving as
Vice President with Urban Development Solutions, she helped to develop 281,000 square
feet of commercial space in low-income areas; and as Vice President for International
Enterprise Development, she helped establish MicroEnterprise Florida, an initiative to grow
the lending capacity of a state network of microbusiness development organizations.
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Gypsy C. Gallardo (continued)
Locally, Gypsy is CEO of The 2020 Plan, a collective impact initiative of 100 organizations committed to
reducing poverty by 30% in South St. Petersburg by 2020; Publisher of the Power Broker magazine targeting
African-Americans in Florida’s Tampa Bay region; and was organizer of a six-year advocacy effort that inspired
the creation of the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment Area.
She earned a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor
of Arts from the Whitney Young College of Leadership at Kentucky State University.
Joni James
CEO, Urban Market Analytics
Joni James spent 26 years as newspaper journalist before becoming CEO for the St.
Petersburg Downtown Partnership in 2015. The nonprofit business-member group is
dedicated to project-based economic development. She has found her years covering
all forms of government and business across five states – including eight years in
Tallahassee during Gov. Jeb Bush’s tenure – a good foundation for what she does now:
Leveraging public and private interests to make investments for St. Petersburg’s future.
In the past year, that’s included everything from exploring changing relationships with
Cuba to investigating whether sewage treatment tanks could be converted to a fish farm.
Before switching careers, Joni served seven years as the Tampa Bay Times’ deputy editor
of editorials and was a finalist for both the Pulitzer Prize and the Scripps-Howard Walker
Stone Award. A North Carolina native, Joni is a graduate of Wake Forest University
and the University of Florida. She and her husband, Mark Howerton, have called Florida
home since 1997 and Tampa Bay, since 2007. They live with their young daughter in St.
Petersburg.
Katie Hawkins-Gaar
The Poynter Institute
Katie Hawkins-Gaar is the digital innovation faculty at The Poynter Institute, where she
teaches journalists, stays on top of industry trends and cheers on newsrooms testing out
new solutions to old problems. She is on a quest to prove that newsrooms don’t have to
be unhappy places.
Hawkins-Gaar runs Poynter’s Leadership Academy for Women in Digital Media and is the
co-founder of 40 Better Hours, a project to improve newsroom culture. Prior to Poynter,
she was the editor of CNN iReport, the network’s global participatory news community.
A leading expert in user-generated content, Hawkins-Gaar was responsible for the
site’s editorial and social strategy, setting verification standards and leading a team of
producers based in Atlanta and London.
She publishes a bi-monthly newsletter, The Cohort, dedicated to women crushing it in
digital media. Outside of work, she’s perfecting a mean shuffleboard game.
USF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP & PHILANTHROPY • USF.EDU/WLP 31

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS (PICK ONE)
Financial Fitness at Any Stage of Life
University Club
We know that being physically fit is important to maintaining a high-quality life. But when it comes to money,
what does being financially fit mean? A recent study found that 82 percent of women feel capable in their
ability to manage their daily finances, but only 37 percent of women felt confident planning for their retirement.
Whether your financial plan is to leave a legacy, ensure a comfortable lifestyle in retirement or to be prepared for
emergencies, knowing how to take charge of your money will make the difference in reaching your goals. Panelists
from various stages of life share the importance identifying the strategies, tools, and experts available to achieve
financial goals.
MODERATOR
Dr. Laura Mattia
RENDA GOLD
IOGRAPHY
PFP Program Director, Muma College of Business
Laura Mattia, PhD, MBA, CFP®, CDFA®, CRPS®, the Financial Planning Program Director at
Muma College of Business, University of South Florida.
Laura has a unique combination of financial work and educational experience including
working on Wall Street with the investment community, working as a CFO/Controller for
several major fortune 500 companies, working as a full time Finance Professor at Rutgers
University (where she created the Rutgers FPA Student Chapter and developed the Capstone
Financial Planning course).
Currently she is committed to building the Financial Planning Profession by encouraging
competency and ethics through a university education and fiduciary standard. She is also
dedicated to improving financial literacy for woman. This dedication is embodied through
her academic research and work done through her brand, Women’s Money Empowerment
Network. Dr. Laura Mattia is the author of a financial news column, podcast and financial
workbooks used to educate women. Her Knowledge Sharing Workshops focus on helping
women make effective financial decisions and her Female Advisor Advocacy Workshops help
female financial advisors plan for success.
Dr. Mattia also serves as the SVP of Women and RIA Development at Cumberland Advisors
where she provides guidance in selecting strategies that are in the best interest of the client.
F
Vision:
Brenda Gold
Brenda Gold has been a dedicated Financial Professional wit
1987. She understands the importance of helping clients ma
financial decisions possible and strives to offer clients hones
strategies specific to their real life situations. Her primary fo
retirement planning including pension and DROP planning fo
partner of the Business Strategies Group which focuses on p
and cost effective financial strategies for business owners.
Financial Consultant, AXA Advisors
Brenda Gold has been a dedicated Financial Professional with AXA Advisors, LLC since 1987.
She understands the importance of helping clients make the most appropriate financial
decisions possible and strives to offer clients honest financial guidance and strategies
specific to their real life situations. Her primary focus is pre-retirement and retirement
planning including pension and DROP planning for public schools. She is a partner of the
Business Strategies Group which focuses on providing forward progress and cost effective
financial strategies for business owners.
Brenda is committed to professional excellence, integrity and open communication. She
is passionate about educating clients on how to achieve their financial goals and deal with
the unexpected turns life often takes. She aims for having an in depth understanding of the
unique financial needs of her clients and providing personalized service to provide an added
Brenda 32 is committed to professional #USFWLP excellence, • 12 TH integrity ANNUAL WLP and FALL open SYMPOSIUM communic

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSIONS
Brenda Gold (continued)
level of comfort and confidence for them.
Brenda holds a certificate in Retirement Planning for the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Actively
engaged in the community, Brenda is a member of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy, Hillsborough
Association of Women Lawyers, AXA Advisors Women’s Leadership Group, and volunteers in the AXA Advisors
Day of Service and Bike MS: The Citrus Tour.
Fadwa Hilili
Audit Services, TECO Energy
Fadwa Hilili works as a Financial Auditor for TECO Energy, an Emera Company. Her
responsibilities include providing independent and objective assurance and consulting
services while improving business processes, reducing risk, and increasing governance
for the company. Fadwa is proud to have over 5 years of service with TECO. She has also
worked as a Financial Analyst for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, and in the Assurance
practice of Deloitte & Touche, LLP.
A graduate of the University of South Florida, Fadwa holds a B.S. and Masters of
Accounting, and is a Certified Public Accountant. Fadwa stays actively involved in the
USF Community by sitting on the Board of Directors for the USF Alumni Association,
serving as co-chair of the Signature Event Committee and as a member of the Finance
and Diversity committees. Fadwa is also an active member of USF Women in Leadership &
Philanthropy, serving on the Mentoring and Programs committees.
Along with three other USF alumnae and friends, Fadwa established the Forward
Scholarship for Women of Excellence which is awarded to a female student each year in
the Lynn Pippenger School of Accountancy. The scholarship will be endowed by Fall 2017,
benefiting young women in accounting into perpetuity.
Lea LeVines
Senior Wealth Director, BNY Mellon Wealth Management
Lea LeVines is a senior wealth director with BNY Mellon Wealth Management. Her primary
responsibilities include business development and client service. Lea joined the firm
in January, 2008. She has more than 25 years experience in the wealth management,
financial planning and investment arenas. Lea received her bachelor’s degree in business
administration with a concentration in international finance and marketing, from the
University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida. She is a Certified Financial Planner.
Lea is actively involved in her community serving on the Board of Directors for both
Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. and American Red Cross, Tampa Bay Chapter. She is also
an active member of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy.
USF WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP & PHILANTHROPY • USF.EDU/WLP 33