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Morning Breakout 1 Panelist
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Madelyn Alfano was born in Hoboken, New Jersey. She worked in her parents' Italian market as a young girl, and continued after graduating from UCLA in 1979. In l985, she opened her first Maria’s Italian Kitchen in Sherman Oaks, California, and now there are 10.
With more than 400 employees, Maria’s Italian Kitchen is among the leading privately owned restaurants in the state.
Madelyn sits on the boards of numerous charities and nonprofit organizations, serves as a president of the California Restaurant Association and NAWBO L.A. and is a member of YPO.
She lives in Encino, is married to Dr. Jeffrey Tucker and has three children. |
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Afternoon Breakout 1 Speaker
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Jane Applegate is America’s most respected small business management expert. She’s a keynote speaker and author of four books, including the best-selling, newly revised 201 Great Ideas for Your Small Business, published by John Wiley & Sons.
A former syndicated columnist for the Los Angeles Times, Applegate writes articles and blogs for Amex’s OpenForum.com as well as custom contests for Pitney Bowes, Cox Communications and Montecito Bank.
She writes and produces independent films and promotional videos for clients. Her new site, www.201greatideas.com, is home to the Great Ideas Network, a platform for creative business tips and strategies.
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Morning Breakout 1 Panelist
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Karen Caplan
President & CEO
Frieda's Inc.
Products like Cherimoyas, Fingerling Potatoes and Jicama may be unfamiliar to the average person, but Karen Caplan grew up eating and selling them. As the first-born daughter of entrepreneur Frieda Caplan, founder of Frieda’s, Inc., Karen began working with produce at the age of 10. After graduating with a degree in Agricultural Economics and Business Management from the University of California-Davis, Karen joined Frieda’s Inc. full time. Learning the business from the ground up, Karen has worked in just about every department at the company, from packing boxes to sales and marketing. In 1986, at age 30, Karen was promoted to President and CEO of the company. Karen’s vision and leadership propelled Frieda’s, Inc. to the forefront of the produce industry as the nation’s leading marketer and distributor of specialty produce.
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Morning Breakout 3 Panelist
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Catherine Corley
Vice President of Member Program Development
Sam’s Club
With more than 20 years’ experience, Catherine brings a unique blend of strategy, marketing and financial expertise to her role of ensuring Sam’s Club is meeting the needs of its members by developing simple, relevant member benefits. Prior to joining Sam’s Club, Catherine worked for Tyson Foods, Inc holding VP roles in strategic planning and foodservice marketing. She has a BSBA in Accounting from the University of Arkansas and an MBA from the University of Memphis. In 2002, Catherine received the “Emerging Leader” Award from the Women’s Foodservice Forum for her leadership at her company and contributions to the industry. She also serves on the Small Business Development Council of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Advisory Council of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).
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Morning Breakout 3 Panelist
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Midori Connolly is CEO and Chief AVGirl at Pulse Staging and Events. Pulse Staging is best known for producing the industry’s first set of guidelines for sustainable audiovisual staging. Midori is the AVGirl advice columnist for PlanYourMeetings.com, director on the Green Meetings Industry Council international board of directors and was the sole woman to serve on InfoComm International’s first-ever Green AV Task Force. She’s an expert at hybrid meeting production for clients such as PCMA and BMW and is devoted to making AV technology more human, approachable and sustainable.
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Morning Breakout 3 Panelist
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Judith E. Goldkrand
Senior Vice President
Wells Fargo Bank
Judith manages the business banking team in Palo Alto, California. She has nearly 20 years’ experience in banking, including corporate finance, private banking and business banking. Her banking team provides a full array of financial services to small- and medium-sized private businesses and non-profits. Using a relationship management approach, her team and partners secure debt financing, optimize cash flow, manage risk and create efficient business solutions. Judith leads the women’s initiative for the West Coast business banking team, promoting women-owned businesses and creating strategies that address the unique needs of this rapidly growing market segment. She is passionate about women’s leadership and influence, global philanthropy and the growth of women-owned businesses.
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Morning Breakout 3 Panelist
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Heather Hickman has 20 years of experience in the skincare and spa industry as a spa manager and senior educator. She has taught extensively throughout the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia specializing in advanced skin care modalities and techniques. Her experience and expertise have led to her contributing to the design and development of curriculum and operations programs for Dermalogica and The International Dermal Institute.
In her current position as Director of USA Education for The International Dermal Institute & Dermalogica at the Corporate Headquarters in Los Angeles, Heather is responsible for the overseeing the US operations, marketing activities and Education Teams for all 18 International Dermal Institute Training Centers.
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Morning Breakout 2 Speaker
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Jennifer Kushell
Co-founder & President
YSN.com
Jennifer Kushell is the author of Secrets of the Young & the Successful, a New York Times bestseller. Called the “Career Doctor” by Cosmopolitan and a “guru” of her generation by U.S. News & World Report, Jennifer has worked with tens of thousands of young people in more than 100 countries for more than 15 years. She is co-founder and president of YSN.com (Your Success Network), which connects driven young people with experience, employment and entrepreneurial opportunities around the globe.
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Afternoon Breakout 2 Moderator
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Dana oversees the daily operation of the National Women’s Business Council. Most recently, she served as the special assistant and personal aide to First Lady Michelle Obama. In that role, she coordinated and managed the First Lady’s briefings, speeches and public and private schedules. Prior to joining the White House, Dana served on the Presidential Inaugural Committee and on the Obama presidential campaign. Lewis began her career in Washington in 1993 as an intern with the Senate Democratic Policy Committee. Previously, she worked for members of both the House and Senate, including Representative Steny Hoyer, Senator Barbara Boxer and Majority Leader Harry Reid.
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Morning Breakout 1 Panelist
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Beth joined forces with her mother, Mary Novak, on Spottswoode Vineyard and Winery in the fall of 1987. After completing high school in St. Helena, California, she attended college at UCLA. She spent her junior year studying in Europe, and it was at that time her interest in wine developed. Beth graduated with a degree in economics, after which she worked for four years as a sales representative for a wine brokerage company based in San Francisco. In addition to overseeing their family business, Beth is a past (and first woman!) president of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, and she participates in numerous volunteer and philanthropic events.
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