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Keynote Speaker: Genevieve Thiers, Founder and CEO - Sittercity, Inc.
The oldest of seven children and two sets of twins, is the founder and CEO of Sittercity, Inc., America's first company to take babysitting services online. A babysitter that worked her way through Boston College babysitting for over 30 families, Thiers pitched Sittercity to Boston investors in 2001 and was told "We don't fund babysitting clubs." Undaunted, Thiers begged her dad for $120 to buy the Sittercity.com domain and distributed 20,000 flyers through the city of Boston on foot, recruiting babysitters from more than 20 local colleges while working a full time job at IBM and singing opera at night.
Five years later, Sittercity.com now has over half a million users nationally including hundreds of thousands of sitters, and serves a huge cross-section of American parents with its online database and popular SpeedSitting events. Genevieve was recently recognized by President Bush at the White House as the Small Business Administration Young Entrepreneur Champion of the Year for 2006, and Genevieve has done hundreds of appearances as a childcare expert on TV, radio, and in print outlets including multiple appearances on the Today Show, Martha Stewart Living Radio, the CBS Early Show, CNN, Live & Style, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Redbook, Parents, Parenting, Better Homes and Gardens, and Working Mother. Other awards that Genevieve and Sittercity.com have received include the Women's Business Development Center Rising Star Award for 2005, a 2005 Stevie Award, and recognition as one of TIME's "Top 50 Coolest Websites" in 2004. Noted for her babysitting expertise and business acumen, Genevieve has spoken at hundreds of mothers' forums, colleges, and conventions across America, and she currently serves as the iVillage babysitting expert. Her first book, Love at First Sit, will be appearing on shelves in 2007.
Prior to her Sittercity experience Genevieve worked for IBM. She is also a former Big Bird, holds a master's degree in opera and is a professional opera singer in the Chicago area.
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Janet Cabot, President Edelman Public Relations, Central Region, Career Panel
Janet Cabot is a veteran public relations practitioner who joined Edelman three years ago. Prior to her new position, she led Edelman’s Chicago Consumer Food and Nutrition practice. She continues to serve as Food & Nutrition practice director for the U.S., bringing her deep industry knowledge, thought leadership and understanding of current and emerging food issues to the benefit of Edelman teams and their clients. Janet is chair of The Culinary Trust, the philanthropic arm of the International Association of Culinary Professionals and board member and former chair of the Visiting Nurses Association Foundation.
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Nancy Loo, Anchor/Reporter FOX News Chicago, Career Panel
From Nancy, "It wasmylove for words that inspired meto become a journalist. My parents, brothers and I are first-generation Chinese-Americans from Hong Kong and I spoke only Cantonese until Idiscovered American television showsand started kindergarten.My grandfather had come to America during the California Gold Rush and my great-grandfather had helped to build the Trans-Continental Railroad.
For decades, my parents owned and operated a Chinese restaurant in Northern California and that'swhere I grew up. My desire to improve my vocabulary paid off at school in our weekly Spelling Bee. By the time I earneda degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Oregon, my word quest had gone beyondChinese and English toinclude German and American Sign Language.
My television career has taken me around the world. I've lived and worked in Oregon, Hong Kong, Tokyo andNew York City. My husband and I met while covering a coup attempt in the Philippines. Now I'm blessed to call Chicago home. Every day is a thrill as I use words to composestoriesfor "Good Day Chicago" andFox Chicago News at Noon. I especially enjoy bringing youour "Cool Websites" segment and always welcome your comments and suggestions atnancy.loo@foxtv.com."
Nancy is also an Emmy winning journalist and went into labor during a newscast!:)
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Joe O'Sullivan, Detective Sergeant and Private Security, Safety Panel
Joe O'Sullivan is a detective sergeant in a suburban Chicago police department, and has more than 20 years of experience in law enforcement. His expertise is in investigations and in police use-of-force and defensive tactics.He has also provided training and consulting for a number of clients in private security and asset protection. In addition to his regular job, Joe likes to tell stories, and writes the blog "Arresting Tales" for ChicagoNow.
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Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance, Morningstar, Money Panel
Benz is also editor of Morningstar Practical Finance, a monthly personal-finance newsletter, and writes a weekly column on Morningstar.com. She is also co-author of Morningstar® Guide to Mutual Funds: 5-Star Strategies for Success, a national bestseller published in 2003, and author of the book’s second edition, which was published in 2005. Before assuming her current role in 2008, Benz served as Morningstar's director of mutual fund analysis. She has also served as editor of Morningstar® Mutual FundsTM, the firm’s flagship newsletter, and Morningstar® FundInvestorTM, a monthly newsletter for individual investors. She has worked as an analyst and editor at Morningstar since 1993.
Benz holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and Russian/East European studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is on the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, and currently serves as the council’s treasurer.
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Teresa Ging, Founder, Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique, Career Panel
With a Bachelor's degree at the University of Chicago in Economics and Statistics and a career in finance for 6+ years, owner Teresa Ging left her finance position to attend Le Cordon Bleu Patisserie program in Paris.
When she returned to Chicago she set out to pursue a dream to open a cupcake boutique and spent eight months testing cupcake recipes. In August 2007, Ging finalized the 20+ flavors in the Sugar Bliss cupcake collection and launched the catering and delivery side of the business in October 2007. She has expanded her client base with corporate customers, hotels, event and wedding planners and catering companies.
In January 2009, Teresa Ging opened the first Sugar Bliss Cake Boutique retail location at 115 N Wabash in the Downtown Chicago Loop.
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Terrence Hale, Founder, Survival Fitness, Personal Safety Panel
With more than 20 years of martial arts study and 15 as a teacher, Sensei Terrance founded and is the head instructor of Survival Fitness, a professional training academy that specializes in martial arts, social programs, fitness and nutrition. And even though Sensei Terrance Hale has studied martial arts with black belt hall of famers, he is quick to acknowledge that his first and most important teacher is his mother, Gracie May Hale, who taught him how to survive. He grew up in Long Beach, CA and has four brothers and two sisters. Sensei Terrance and his wife Corliss of 13 years live inChicago with their two daughters 10 and 8.
Sensei Terrance is a 5th degree black belt in Sanuces Ryu Ju-jitsu, a system created by the late Dr. Moses Powell. Sanuces Ryu is a combination of street fighting, judo, aikido, jiu-jitsu, and other martial arts blended together. Sensei Terrance studied under 45 plus years martial arts veteran Professor Urban Muhammad. “Not only has it taught me how to defend myself, family, and friends, it has also given me the fortitude of spirit to overcome and the self confidence to believe in myself,” he says.
Sensei Terrance is a protection expert with years of experience inexecutive protection, security, and women safety issues. (Stalkers, divorce, andetc.) Sensei Terrance has provided personal protection for the late Johnny Cochran, Mike Tyson, Prince, Jenny McCarthy, and a host other professional athletes, business executives and celebrities. He has also contributed his protection advice and has been quoted in media outlets like EPSN. Additionally, he has trained the handicapped, elderly, women, and children to better protect themselves. Currently he serves as Head of Security forBill “Dock” Wallsan Illinois Governor candidate.
“What makes Survival Fitness different from our competition is our system of training, the instructors, and our unique focus on practical application,” said Sensei Terrance. “By combining easy to learn drills with martial arts principles, we offer simple solutions for complex situations. Students will learn stress reduction, discipline, confidence, weight management, and self defense.”
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Sheryl Garrett, Founder, The Garrett Planning Network, Inc., Money Panel
Sheryl Garrett, CFP®founder of The Garrett Planning Network, Inc., has been dubbed “The All-American Planner,” possibly because of her zealous mission to “help make competent, objective financial advice accessible to all people. Sheryl’s fresh approach as a financial advisor working with clients on an hourly, as-needed, fee-only basis has evolved into an international network of likeminded financial advisors, the Garrett Planning Network.
Sheryl has also been honored to work with the House Subcommittee on Financial Services regarding predatory lending regulation, financial literacy and Social Security reform. She also works as a consultant and expert witness in lawsuits against financial advisors who rendered questionable or inappropriate financial advice.
She has authored, coauthored, or served as a technical editor on over a dozen books and several magazine columns. These books include Garrett’s Guide to Financial Planning(National Underwriter 2002, 2007),Just Give Me the Answer$(Dearborn Trade 2004),Money Without Matrimony(Dearborn Trade 2006),Personal Finance Workbook For Dummies®(Wiley 2007),A Family’s Guide to the Military For Dummies®(Wiley 2008), andInvesting in an Uncertain Economy For Dummies®(Wiley 2008).
As vocal advocate for financial education, Sheryl is a frequent public speaker and has been frequently interviewed on CNNfn, Bloomberg, ABC World News Now, Fox-TV; NPR’sAll Things ConsideredandMarketplace; and inBusiness Week, Newsweek, Time, Forbes, Kiplinger Personal Finance, Money, SmartMoney, MarketWatch, U.S. News & World Report,Glamour, Parade, Better Homes and Gardens,theNew York Times, USA Todayand theWall Street Journal.For four straight years Sheryl was recognized by Investment Advisor magazine as “One of the Top 25 Most Influential People in Financial Planning”.
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David Kadavy - Dating Columnist, Relationship Panel
Having spent all of his pre 20-something years in Nebraska and Iowa, only to later live in Rome, Italy; San Jose; San Francisco; and now, Chicago, David is well-seasoned in making adjustments to a new city. By day he's a freelance web designer, but by night he masquerades as Russ Ruggles, sharing over a decade of online dating experience on his online dating advice blog.
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Erica Takach - LUTCF Partner, New York Life, Money Panel
Erica Takach began her career at New York Life Insurance Company as an Agent and Financial Services Representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC working with business owners and individuals, helping to educate them about their finances, and protect and accumulate wealth on a tax-favorable basis*. While there are many approaches regarding personal finance, Erica believes in getting financially organized, building a foundation, and saving smart and efficiently.
“The most important thing for young professionals is to start saving early, make a budget, and plan for the long term. With the current economy and job uncertainty, it is important to have accessible savings.”
After qualifying for Executive Council in 2007 and 2008, winning the Long Term Care Foundation Award in 2007 and Life Star Award in 2008, she was promoted to Partner at the age of 24. She now manages a team of agents in the Chicago Northshore General Office.
Takach holds a bachelors degree in Marketing and Biology from the University of Central Michigan where she played competitive field hockey.
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Ralph Griffiths, head trainer at ENRG Fitness Chicago, Health & Wellness Panel
Ralph Griffiths began his career as a personal trainer in New Zealand. Upon moving to Chicago, he worked at a well-known gym, but found their impersonal approach to fitness to clash with his own. In January of 2009, Ralph started ENRG Fitness Chicago, an in-home personal training and team training company that focuses on providing an individualized, yet affordable approach to fitness. Ralph has experience training everyone from super-athletes to new or soon-to-be moms. Ralph brings a vast amount of knowledge to the Gal's Guide summit as it relates to integrating fitness and healthy eating into your everyday routine. In addition to keeping fit by running and playing basketball and tennis, Ralph can be found in the kitchen cooking healthy meals for his always appreciative wife.
Holistic Nutritionist, Wellness Lifestyle Expert and Coach, Jessica Marie, has a knack for making people well. President and Founder of CHEW Chicago – Complete Health Education & Wellness, Jessica Marie, who is also a certified Personal Trainer, invests her time in helping those who want to invest more in their overall health. Jessica Marie attended The Institute for Integrative Nutrition of Columbia University, NY. IIN is the largest and most prestigious nutrition school in the world, boasting nutrition superstar instructors like Deepak Chopra, John Douillard, Walter Willet, Paul Pitchford, and David Wolfe. Trained in over 100 different dietary theories, Jessica Marie addresses the fundamental concepts, issues, and ethics of eating in a modern world. Her passion lies in seeing her clients transform, inside and out. She believes in finding balance in all aspects of life, especially when it comes to food, fitness, and fun. For more information about Jessica Marie and CHEW Chicago visit http://www.chewchicago.com
Jon Ibrahim, Firefighter and Sex Columnist, Personal Safety Panel and Relationships Panel
Jon Ibrahim is an accomplished columnist, writer, and author who went from being an everyday firefighter to the most talked-about male sex columnist in Chicago. Jon has written over 350 edgy columns, beginning first with his popular sex and dating column “The Sex Playbook” in the Chicago Tribune RedEye newspaper from 2005 – 2008. Critics described the column as "Sex and the City" meets the "Man Show."
Jon’s latest edgy sex and dating column “The Take” can be seen every Thursday in the Chicago Tribune newspaper in the TribLocal section. You can check it out online at www.triblocal.com and do a search for “The Take”. Jon has lectured at seminars nationwide designed to improve men with women, their image, and self-confidence, and has also made many television, radio, and public appearances giving the down-and-dirty “guy’s guy” take on sex, dating, and relationships.
Jon is also a firefighter/paramedic in suburban Chicago. He is the Director of Operations for the Romeoville Fire Academy and is very active in the fire service community, mainly in education. Jon holds a Bachelor's degree in Fire Administration from Western Illinois University.When he isn't lighting fires in his column, or firefighting fires on the street, Jon enjoys sports, especially hockey, traveling, riding his Harley, hanging with family and friends, and of course, dating. "I have to get my material from somewhere," Jon says. Jon resides in the Chicago area, is single and has never been married.
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Laura Baron, Lifestyle & Relationships Consultant, Relationships Panel
Laura Baron is a Relationship and Lifestyle Consultant committed to the ambitions of others. Her self-taught methods are based in Laura’s honed intuition, life experience, and over 10 years of empowering clients with proven results.
Laura’s trusted voice and distinct insights are in high demand by the media including NBC, CNN, VH1, FOX Reality, Fine Living Network, MSNBC among others, Laura is NBC5 Chicago’s on-air Lifestyle Expert and on-line Lifestyle Columnist. Her articles frequently run worldwide on MSNBC.com. The Chicago Tribune has regularly featured Laura as their Relationship Expert publishing her advice columns in the Red Eye newspaper while appearing on-the-air nationally on WGN-TV. Laura is a frequent guest speaker on relationships throughout the country, hosting private events and empowerment seminars. Laura works with top production companies, such as Fremantle Media (American Idol) and has two lifestyle based shows in development that follow Laura into her client consultations.
For individual clients, she develops personalized solution-based strategies to help them achieve a greater life vision, balance, stronger communication skills, and more equitable relationships. Using a customized approach, Laura inspires her diverse clientele: recording artists, C-Suite executives, media personalities, small business owners, athletes, and moms and dads.
Corporations hire Laura for her customized initiatives. Notably, Laura consults with the Chicago Public School system, driving character education curriculum, and conducting empowerment, communications, and sensitivity training programs.
Laura’s dedication to help others is inspired by her socially conscious family and the life model of her mom, a recent Peace Corps volunteer, and grandmother, a Women’s Rights Activist. Born in New York and raised in the Midwest, Laura is known for her compassion with punch.
Dr. Crystal Tuncay, Health & Wellness Panel
Dr. Tuncay is currently a resident in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine St.James Hospital Olympia Fields and Chicago Heights. Dr. Tuncay along completed rotations through a variety of hospitals in Chicago and NW IN including but not limited to, Provident Hospital of Cook County, Swedish Covenant Hospital Chicago, John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County, Hope Children's Hospital, St.Margaret Mercy Hospital Hammond.
Dr. Tuncay is a graduate of Valparaiso University BS Chemistry/biology with minor in criminal justice. She also attended Midwestern University where she obtained her Masters in Medical Science and Physician Assistant degree, along with Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
