2019 WISE (Women Who Ignite Student Engagement) Symposium Program

About WISE
Our mission is to unite college women from across the USF
system to represent the voices of students and lead campus events
promoting the advancement of women. All proceeds from this event
will fund a WLP scholarship. This scholarship will provide a young
woman with the opportunity to become integrated within our WLP
network and provide finances to help fund her college career. She will
serve in an official capacity within the WLP Program, building
relationships and developing leadership skills that will position her
for future success. This is a chance to empower college women
to become pioneers and chart their own path.
About the 2019 WISE Student Symposium
Superheroes have the power to navigate their own journeys and
inspire others to do the same. Their exceptional abilities include being
clear about their unique superpowers, exhibiting strength and
vulnerability, demonstrating confidence while working through their
fears, breaking through barriers without being broken, and advocating
for themselves and others. They collaborate with allies, making their
collective efforts a catalyst for boundless opportunities. Superheroes
own their stories of hardship and triumph and write their own narratives.
When their stories are told, they acknowledge the past, emphasize living
in the present, and create the future they envision. Come and learn
from brave individuals whose journeys embody self-reflection,
motivation, discipline, collaboration, and ownership. Their stories
will not only inspire you, but will also spark in you the desire
to be the superhero you are meant to be.
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Special Thanks to our Sponsors
Presented By:
Concurrent Session Sponsors:
Dr. Valerie Riddle
Also Sponsored By:
Cindy Kane Sheau-Lei Ellison Hop 2 It Music
India Witte
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2019 Schedule at a Glance
9:30-10:00 am
Registration
Marshall Student Center MSC 2100 Pre-function
10:00-11:00 am
Welcome by Dr. Judy Genshaft- USF System President
Power Breakfast
With Gina Folk
MSC 2100AB (Ballroom)
11:15 – 12:15 pm
Breakout Session A
Being Resilient: Overcoming Challenges to Build a Stronger You
MSC 2709
12:30 – 1:30 pm
Breakout Session B
Being Yourself: Unleashing the Power of Authenticity
MSC 2709
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Luncheon with Keynote Dr. Sandra Braham
MSC 2100AB (Ballroom)
3:00 – 3:45 pm
Student VIP Reception
MSC 2100C
(invitation only)
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Breakfast Keynote
Gina Folk
President and CEO, The Folk Group
From age 12, business operations and the people running them fascinated
Gina. At the age of 28, she became the youngest female Director of Supply Chain
Operations in a Fortune 500 telecommunications company. She was a highly sought-after
implementation and process improvement expert, deemed top talent for years, yet she knew
little about leading and influencing work through others. She learned to achieve optimal
performance the hard way…by trial and error. Her years of hands on experience in studying,
working with and leading people, process and massive change in organizations, that she
created her proprietary D.I.R.E.C.T. framework to help leaders optimize their operational results.
Gina grew up in Nashville. She has a B.S. in Psychology and Business from Vanderbilt
University, and an M.B.A. from Belmont University, and a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma.
Gina does not have any children, and is a big kid at heart! She loves all things Disney,
her family, especially her 3 nieces and travel. Gina is an Operations girl who loves seeing
people and process work together for the greater good!
My Superpowers:
Organize and implement ideas
Cultivate potential and growth
Sniff out root cause issues and create solutions
Change and improvement
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Luncheon Program
1:30 pm
Welcome
Lauren Hartmann ’15
Chair, WLP WISE Advisory Council
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Jackie McIntosh
Senior Vice President,
Market President of the Florida Division for Valley Bank
Keynote Address
Dr. Sandra Braham
President and Chief Executive Officer of
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services
Concluding Comments
WISE Committee
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Keynote
Dr. Sandra Braham
President and CEO
Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services
Dr. Sandra Braham was appointed as President and
Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Coast Jewish Family
and Community Services in March 2016. At $33 million,
employing a workforce of some 525 full time staff, Gulf
Coast JFCS is one of the largest JFS agencies in the
United States.
Dr. Braham brings more than 20 years of leadership
experience in the not-for-profit sector. Before coming
to GCJFCS, she spent 25 years in El Paso, Texas where
she served for 10 years as CEO of the Young Women’s
Christian Association (YWCA) El Paso del Norte Region,
the largest YWCA in the nation. In this role, she led 450
employees, managed an annual budget of more than $30
million and supported a $9 million foundation. While at
the YWCA, she lowered the agency’s crippling deficits
by more than 70%, while raising salaries and making
significant investments and improvements in its IT
infrastructure.
Sandra is a strategic, visionary leader with broad
experience in planning and organizational development,
diversity and staff and community engagement.
Prior to joining the YWCA, Dr. Braham served as
Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies and
Assistant Vice President for Outreach Programs at the
University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) from 1992 to 2006.
At UTEP, she secured more than $20 million in federal
and state grants and developed programs focused on
helping low-income youth access, enroll and succeed in
higher education. Later, she spent eight years as an
adjunct faculty member for the graduate school in the
University’s College of Education where she mentored
master and doctoral-level students through courses,
including qualitative research methodology, organizational
change and development, and educationa leadership
in a diverse society.
Dr. Braham received her Bachelor of Arts in Biology
from the University of Missouri at Columbia and her
Masters and Doctorate Degrees in Educational Leadership
and Administration from UTEP. She is a graduate of
Leadership Texas, Leadership America and The Harvard
Business School’s Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit
Management executive education program. Dr. Braham
is a member of The Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, the
Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Women of
Influence Committee, the Clearwater Chamber and the
St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, where she is vice
president for organizationaldevelopment on its Board of
Directors. She recently completed her term as a member
of The UTEP Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Dr. Braham was named a 2018 Business Woman of the
Year by the Tampa Bay Business Journal and in January
of 2019 she was honored by Academy Prep Center of
St. Petersburg as one of its “Five Fabulous Females.”
When not working, you might find her belting out a song
with an area band. She is also working to finish her first
book, a memoir that chronicles her life, spending time in
foster care and being raised by her mother who suffers
from Schizophrenia.
Dr. Braham is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, she has
three adult children, and she and her husband are proud
to call Florida their new home.
Ask Dr. Braham a question!
Tweet questions to Dr. Braham during the Keynote
@USFWLP
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Breakout Session A
11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Being Resilient: Overcoming Challenges to Build a Stronger You
Superheroes share two common traits: personal mission and resilience. Superheroes find ways to forge new
paths in uncharted territories and take on daunting tasks that most people fear. But even the most powerful heroes
struggle with periods of self-doubt, discouragement, or concern about others’ perception of their abilities and choices.
Clarity of their mission and superpowers equip superheroes to anticipate challenges, adapt their strategy, push
through barriers, and succeed in their desired outcomes. Come be inspired by our panelists who practiced
resilience in the face of adversity, accomplishing their missions and growing stronger in the process.
Kristin Cunningham ’97
Founder, A Girl and a Globe
WLP Member
Kristin is a first-generation college student, a WLP member and a proud USF alumna, earning a BS in Education in 1997.
After graduation, Kristin landed a job in the academic publishing industry, where within two years she was promoted to lead
an editorial division. In recent years, the publishing industry has grown increasingly volatile in the ongoing transition from print
to digital. The constant uncertainty inspired Kristin to make a pivotal shift and turn her lifelong passion for travel into something
more. She launched A Girl and a Globe—a travel company for women offering small group immersive adventures and retreat
planning services. Her travels have taken her to Morocco, the Galapagos Islands, Greece, Sicily, Malta, Portugal and many
more. She is a firm believer that exciting things happen when you step out of your comfort zone.
Grace Maseda ’14
Vice President of Marketing, Helios Education Foundation
WLP Corporate Member
As Vice President of Marketing with Helios Education Foundation, Ms. Maseda oversees the development and
implementation branding and communication strategies that further the foundation’s mission of enriching the lives of
individuals by creating opportunities for success in postsecondary education. Prior to Helios Education Foundation, Ms.
Maseda was employed by Hillsborough County Public Schools where she led various marketing initiatives including the
implementation of Edsby, the district’s parent communication platform. Ms. Maseda has held numerous leadership positions
including chair of the board of trustees for SERVE, Volunteers in Education, chairperson of the City of Tampa Mayor’s
Hispanic Advisory Council, and chairperson of the board of directors for KidCity. Ms. Maseda is currently a member of
the leadership council of LEAP, Tampa Bay’s College Access Network, and serves as co-chair of the network’s
communications committee. Ms. Maseda holds the designation of APR, Accredited in Public Relations, from the
Public Relations Society of America, is a graduate of Saint Leo University with a Bachelor’s degree in
Management and also completed graduate studies at the University of South Florida
obtaining a Master’s of Science in Management.
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Clara Reynolds
CEO, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay
Clara Reynolds has served as the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay’s CEO for three years. She works with the
organization’s board of directors and senior management team to provide strategic vision and leadership
for the organization, while ensuring the Crisis Center’s programmatic, operational, and fiscal strategies
are effectively implemented across all segments of the organization. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is a local,
non-profit organization that serves as the community’s gateway to help, hope and healing. The organization
provides numerous essential services to the Tampa community that include a 24/7 crisis call center,
sexual assault services, suicide prevention, trauma counseling, and TransCare Medical Transportation.
Lauren Weiner
Wittenberg Weiner Consulting, LLC (WWC)
Lauren G. Weiner is WWC’s Chief Executive Officer and founder. She has significant experience in government
management, both as a federal employee and a government contractor. Lauren worked at the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) in the Executive Office of the President. Under two different Presidential administrations, she
oversaw policy development and implementation for multiple Federal agencies. She was an integral part of the team
that developed performance assessment guidelines and tools for the Executive Branch, which tied program performance
assessments to budget decision-making across the Federal government. She has a strong expertise in evaluation and
measurement, including qualitative and quantitative research and analysis. Lauren was Co-Founder of In Gear Career,
now part of the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring our Heroes program as well as the Homefront
Rising program which trains military spouses for roles in politics, policy and advocacy. Lauren has a Ph.D. in
Research Psychology from Dartmouth College, and a B.A. from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Lauren currently serves on the Board of Directors for St. Joseph/Baptist BayCare Hospital
System, the Commanders Board of Advisors for the AF 927th Reserve Wing,
and the Board of Directors for Congregation Beth Am in Tampa.
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Breakout Session B
Sponsored by:
Dr. Valerie Riddle
12:30-1:30 pm
Being Yourself: Unleashing the Power of Authenticity
Powerful superheroes have the capacity to lead and inspire. Their strength does not come from a facade of
perfection, but rather, through their knowledge and acceptance of themselves. Impactful superheroes’ authenticity
gives them the courage to be vulnerable, enroll others in their mission, and use their superpowers intentionally to
achieve success for the good of all. Join us as we engage with dynamic panelists who honed their superpowers
and accomplished their mission by letting go of perfectionism and embracing their authentic selves.
Gina Folk
President and CEO, The Folk Group
WLP Member
From age 12, business operations and the people running them fascinated Gina. At the age of 28, she became
the youngest female Director of Supply Chain Operations in a Fortune 500 telecommunications company. She was
a highly sought-after implementation and process improvement expert, deemed top talent for years, yet she knew
little about leading and influencing work through others. She learned to achieve optimal performance the hard way…
by trial and error. Her years of hands on experience in studying, working with and leading people, process and
massive change in organizations, that she created her proprietary D.I.R.E.C.T. framework to
help leaders optimize their operational results.
Gina grew up in Nashville. She has a B.S. in Psychology and Business from Vanderbilt University, and an M.B.A.
from Belmont University, and a Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma. Gina does not have any children, and is a big
kid at heart! She loves all things Disney, her family, especially her 3 nieces and travel. Gina is an Operations
girl who loves seeing people and process work together for the greater good!
Tricia Penniecook, MD, MPH
Vice Dean for Education & Associate Professor, USF College of Public Health
Dr. Penniecook is the Vice-Dean for Education and Associate Professor of Community and Family Health,
University of South Florida, College of Public Health. She plays a key role in supporting students’ academic
success, shaping courses, programs and degrees and prepare leaders who will stand in the gap, translating
knowledge from the most advanced research into practice, to improve lives every day. She is a physician
and public health professional with over 25 years of experience who has held several high
leadership positions in public health in Mexico and United States and inspire
students through her story of resilience.
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Sonja Rosario
Vice President of Human Resources, U.S. Retail Bank & Mortgage, Citigroup
Sonja Rosario has been a progressive HR Leader for over 13 years in various industries. As a VP in HR at
Citigroup, she has successfully led various businesses in our Global Markets & Securities Services, International
Personal Bank, and is now leading the HR Strategy in the U.S. Retail Bank & Mortgage. She also serves on the Black
Executive Leadership Committee and the Hispanic/Latino Heritage Network, championing diversity and
inclusivity, talent development, and enhancing the employee experience.
Being in HR and a Psychology major, I’ve developed a superpower of being able to read people, i.e. determine
character and predict potential. Having this power made me very successful in recruiting, assessing top talent,
finding hidden potential, handling employee investigations, and negotiating.
Prior to joining Citi, Sonja worked at Ultimate Medical Academy and Deloitte. She’s a proud graduate
of the University of Florida. In her spare time, she loves to travel, practice yoga, and
spend time with her adorable Chihuahua Bella.
Nicole Stokes ’03, MA, CLU, ChFC, CLTC
Managing Director and Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual
Nicole Stokes is a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual. Known for her energetic and supportive
approach, she helps individuals, families and business owners craft a financial plan that aligns with their
values and goals. Her business background is diverse, including leading the New Tampa office as a
managing director, the Westshore office as the district director, teaching at the collegiate level, and
being a leader of a unique nonprofit enterprise, Ekhos.
Nicole has earned numerous accolades at Northwestern Mutual and from outside organizations. Most recently,
she was a Tampa Bay Business Journal 2018 Business Woman of the Year honoree. She was a featured speaker
at the Northwestern Mutual Women Connect Symposium and the managing director annual conference, as well as
the Working Women’s State Conference and the Sharp Heels Summit. She recently was a contributor in Pregnancy
Magazine, Marie Claire and the Tampa Bay Business Journal. A mother of three daughters, she was also a
featured guest on the nationally syndicated radio show, Mom Talk.
Nicole has been involved with several community organizations over the years. For three years, she served
as chair of the Community Action Committee benefitting Alex’s Lemonade Stand, and she currently
chairs the Inclusion Council board. In addition, she sits on the membership committee for USF’s Women
in Leadership and Philanthropy. She earned both her B.A. and M.A. from the University of South Florida
and her CLU, ChFC and CLTC from American College.
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WISE Advisory Council
Marlesha Bell, MS
Doctoral Candidate, Applied
Behavior Analysis
Class of 2020
Joannie Bewa, MD, MPH
Doctoral Student, Public Health
Class of 2021
Neto Coulibaly
Senior, Health Sciences
Class of 2019
Augustine Haile
Junior, Anthropology
Class of 2020
Shana Indawala
Doctoral Candidate, Pharmacy
Class of 2021
Wainella Isaacs
Doctoral Candidate,
Environmental Engineering
Class of 2020
Alyssa Jessen
Senior, Criminology
Class of 2019
Holly Lippman
Junior, Marketing
Class of 2020
Natasha Ram
Junior, Cell and Molecular Biology
Class of 2020
Jessica Rodriguez
Senior, Psychology
Class of 2019
Elizabeth Seymour
Senior, Public Health
Class of 2019
Xigrid Soto, PhD
Communication
Sciences and Disorders
Class of 2019
Shari Zamani
USF Alumna, Public Health
Class of 2018
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WISE Advisory Council
Chair: Lauren Hartmann
Kristin Cunningham
Sheau-Lei Ellison
Amanda Finch
Gina Folk
Sandy Goodman
Stephanie Haas
Shelby Harris
Fadwa Hilili
Giti Javidi
Virginia Kalil
Liz Kicak
Claire Lessinger
Esther Marshall
Grace Maseda
Karla Mastracchio
Betty Otter-Nickerson
Chris Reyes
Valerie Riddle
Lindsey Rodriguez
Dae Sheridan
Patty Soltis
Barbara Sparks-McGlinchy
Jessica Thompson
Carrie Zeisse
WLP Team
India Witte
Executive Director
iwitte@usf.edu
Catherine Rodi Evans
Assistant Director
carodi@usf.edu
Jessica Brasseur
WLP Assistant
jbrasseur@usf.edu
Katherine Lesser
WLP Student Assistant
lesserk@usf.edu
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