Sheila McDonnell – Women in Business Symposium

This dynamic woman is a familiar face in the Del Mar area.  She works full time for the Del Mar Race track in Corporate Sales but once a year pulls off an event of her own design.  This month hosted the 8th annual Women in Business Symposium bringing women (and men) together for a day of:

•   3 Fabulous Speakers
•   10 Exciting Roundtables
•   65 Exhibitors

 …in 1 incredible day of fun!

She also is a member of the Del Mar Kiwanis Club.. originated and organizes the yearly Ugly Dog Contest at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, one of their most popular events.

I asked her recently how the WIB Symp got started.  Sheila related how, WAY back in 1999, she said that she really loved to hear great presentations by fabulous women…and lamented that there were very few opportunities to hear great presentations by fabulous women.  Right then and there she decided to do something about it.

Six months later the first Women in Business Symposium was born.  The first presenters were Mary Ellen Drummond and the contributing authors from Women’s Way to Incredible Success in Business. The next year they added the exhibitor booths, and it has been growing ever since.

Sheila is also a very active member of the Del Mar Chamber of Commerce  having served as President and is currently on the Board of Directors.  She and her husband John also own electronic retail store in El Cajon.

Sheila’s willingness to make connections is what makes her stand out.  I have personally witnessed…more times than I can count.. her saying…oh…you need to meet…..   then takes them by the hand and personally introduces them.

That type of introduction is worth its weight in gold!  

 

Gail M. Spivey, Pres. Black Business Assoc.

Gail M. Spivey
President
Black Business Association

Gail M. Spivey is the President of Black Business Association of San Diego County (“BBA”), a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for, and increasing, resources for black businesses to facilitate their growth and success.  The BBA, which was formed by Gail and a few other business owners in San Diego, embodies her vision of a dynamic force for positive change. 

Ms. Spivey directs the organization’s development and coordinates its various activities.  As of the end of April 2007, BBA’s membership consisted of 51 businesses.   Ms. Spivey also serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Gail M. Spivey & Associates, a public relations and consulting firm.  Gail develops creative marketing concepts for her clients and assists them with the implementation.  Other services include Research and Development, and Community Outreach. 

Ms. Spivey began her career as a sales consultant for The Miami Herald Publishing Company.  She later worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 22 years.  Throughout the latter part of this period, Gail honed her public relations skills by conducting freelance work that included organizing major public events and marketing of manuscripts to underwriters of film production. 

In 2004, Gail retired from the US Postal Service to pursue her own business as an independent consultant for telecommunication company ACN.   Ms. Spivey relocated to San Diego from South Florida in December 2005. 

 

Michelle Butler – President & CEO – WBCC

Michelle S. Butler
President/CEO
Women’s Business Center of California

The Women’s Business Center of California (WBCC) originated as an SBA program at National University.  After three years, the WBCC was formally established in August 2006 in order to meet an increasing demand in the community, becoming the first women’s business center in the country to become its own organization! 

Michelle’s achievements in her first year of running the center have been:

• Moved the organization from operating in the red to the black in just 4 months;
• Created the first annual Small Business Services Expo and Awards Luncheon which drew over 800 people;
• Increased overall event attendance by 75% while simultaneously decreasing marketing and advertising expenses by 90%;
• Increased individual counseling and training capabilities;
• Increased program revenue and sponsorship by 30%;
• Revamped the strategic marketing plan, increasing organizational awareness and support;
• Founded the WBCC as its own non-profit organization, recruited a new Board of Directors, wrote new policies, procedures and bylaws;
• Increased Spanish-speaking capabilities 

Michelle holds a Masters in Pacific International Affairs from the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies at the University of California San Diego and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in Communication and Spanish from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.  She looks forward to continually growing the WBCC and expanding its services and has maintained a strong presence as a small business advocate with numerous community groups and organizations throughout San Diego County. 

Community Involvement and Awards
▪  San Diego Regional/Metro Revolving Loan Fund Advisory Board
▪  Co-founder and co-host of the San Diego Small Business Community Coalition
▪  2006 Best Small Business Advocate, San Diego Supplier Development Council
▪  Marketing Chair, Organization of Women in International Trade San Diego
▪  2007 Small Business Advocate of the Year nominee, National Association of Women Business Owners San Diego (winner to be announced May 17, 2007)

Prior to accepting the position with WBCC she was a full partner and CEO in the Navarretta Group, facilitating trade between the U.S. and Cuba.  She lead the first official trade delegation to Cuba on behalf of the World Trade Center Association Los Angeles – Long Beach, securing a $10 million trade pact for the state of California. She has collaborated with members of the U.S. Congress on trade policy with Cuba and has been a guest speaker and interviewee for various print, radio, and television media regarding U.S. – Cuba relations. 

www.wbcc-sd.org
Tel: 619-921-6881
Fax: 619-353-9900