Women in Consulting (WIC) Names 2012 Board of Directors

Women in Consulting (WIC), a collaborative community of professional consultants and small business owners, today announced its 2012 Board of Directors. The all-volunteer board consists of leaders in a variety of industries, who bring years of professional experience to the organization.

In 2012, the WIC leadership team plans to accelerate the growth of the national email community, which gives members across the country access to expert advice, best practices, and networking opportunities. Members of the email community share everything from job leads and technical assistance to professional recommendations and productivity tools.

"The WIC email community is an amazing resource for consultants," said Kathryn Georges of The Social Marketing Diva. "I can ask virtually anything with respect to my consulting business and quickly receive thoughtful answers, resource ideas, and other suggestions. I don't know what I would do without it."

WIC provides other online benefits and services, such as its highly rated webinars on-demand and value-based partnerships with companies like Apple Computer, Office Depot, and Armstrong & Associates insurance brokers. The organization also features monthly meetings with highly regarded speakers throughout the Bay Area.

"WIC is committed to helping consultants and small business owners grow and expand their businesses," said WIC Interim President Avery Horzewski. "Our members consistently tell us of the positive impact this organization has had on their businesses, and, in 2012, we're committed to strengthening our programs to help consultants even more."

The 2012 WIC Board of Directors includes:

Interim President -- Avery Horzewski continues on the board as interim president. Under her leadership, WIC has launched several exciting programs and partnerships and continues to extend its online presence, bringing the organization's services to consultants across the United States. The founder and owner of AVE Consulting, Inc., Avery helps companies develop effective and authentic customer-centric marketing and communications strategies that encompass everything from websites to social media to print collateral. She regularly speaks on communication topics -- in particular, social media -- and serves as a program advisor and instructor for the Social Media certificate program at San Francisco State University's College of Extended Learning.

Executive Vice President -- Jennifer Berkley Jackson builds on her past experience and contributions as WIC's treasurer and vice president. The founder and owner of The Insight Advantage, Jennifer helps businesses integrate customer insight to make key business decisions in the face of emerging customer needs. She also teaches the Power of Marketing Research at the University of California at Santa Cruz Extension in Silicon Valley.

Vice President Finance/Treasurer Elect -- Joanna Nowak is new to the WIC board. As a principal and founder of MoneyWise Financial Advisors, Joanna specializes in financial planning and investment advice for women, their families, and businesses. She takes guesswork and worry out of money matters through comprehensive planning and disciplined investment management and, in the process, frees her clients to pursue the things in life they value most.

Vice President Communications/Corporate Secretary -- Sherry Prescott-Willis returns to the WIC board after past contributions as vice president, director of partnerships, and secretary. Sherry helps high-technology organizations meet their strategic goals through effective channels, alliance, and marketing programs. She's led workshops based on her award-winning book, Market This!: An Effective 90-Day Marketing Tool. Sherry is also a business plan competition advisor at UC Berkeley.

Vice President Membership -- Kathie Sherman returns for a third year, building on her experience as WIC's membership director. As president of TenFour Marketing, Kathie helps companies develop and implement direct marketing programs focused on increasing response rates, tracking and measuring results, and achieving higher ROI on marketing programs. She's worked with many well-known companies, including Apple Computer, CapGemini, Sun Microsystems, and Penton Media.

Programs Director -- Sandra Clark, WIC's new program director, brings with her an extensive background in managing educational programs. As the principal of Silicon Valley Training Connect and director of education for Skills4Admins, she has extensive instructional resources to deliver in-person and webinar training to companies. Sandra serves on the boards of two other organizations.

Finance Director -- Joanne Lehmkuhl, WIC's new finance director, is the owner and founder of Virtual Ms Moneypenny, LLC. Joanne provides administrative support solutions to small business owners. She helps clients free up time in their day to create more profits in their business by taking noncritical, but essential, tasks off their plate. Her specialties include marketing support, client relations, online research, business systems and resources, and publishing services.

Director of Partnerships and Sponsorships -- Sandi Smith Leyva, the founder of the Accountant'$ Accelerator marketing and coaching program, is also new to the WIC Board this year. More than 100,000 people have read her books and articles, used her training and coaching tools, or heard her speak at conferences on how to get more clients, more profits, and more free time in their businesses.

Marketing & PR Director -- Kay Paumier, principal of Communications Plus, brings more than 25 years of experience in public relations and communications to the WIC marketing team. Kay helps B2B technology companies spread the word about their products and services, making them better known, more credible, and more profitable. Services include public relations and publicity, writing, company and product launches, presentations, and website content.

Satellites Director -- Angel Rampy returns for a second year as the leader of WIC's satellite groups. Angel is the founder and president of Success through Learning. With more than 20 years of experience as a corporate executive, global trainer, and executive coach, she has the skills needed to empower and transform organizations and individuals. Her work includes providing and developing customized training to corporations as well as one-on-one coaching to executives and entrepreneurs.

Strategic Audiences Director -- Deborah Siegle directs the WIC Leaders Network for a fourth year. Principal of Strategic Marketing Solutions, Deb helps clients with strategic research, market and product development, technology industry analysis, and customer loyalty and experience projects. With more than 25 years of experience in her field, she quickly identifies and addresses core issues, developing actionable strategies and tactics that make a measurable difference to her clients.

Social Media Director -- Leilani Yau, who was previously on the WIC pro bono team as social media chair and Facebook coordinator, serves as WIC's new social media director. As a digital marketing consultant, Leilani brings 14 years of marketing and advertising experience in the Internet industry to help businesses L.O.V.E. (Listen, Offer, Value, Engage) their target audience online.

About WIC

Women in Consulting (WIC) is a vibrant, diverse, and powerful community of consultants and small business owners working to build strong businesses. Founded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1998, WIC provides its 400+ members and affiliates a forum to connect and share with like-minded professionals. Established as a nonprofit, collaborative community to foster successful businesses for its members, WIC sponsors programs and activities to help members network, improve their skills, and thrive even in a tumultuous economic climate, and also provides consulting leadership and support to the community at large.