The Women Business Owners Board of Directors, elected by its members, comprises a diverse group of women entrepreneurs and business experts. The Board works closely with various WBO Committees to develop and implement programs to further the mission and strategies of WBO. Please contact them with your ideas and suggestions.
Jessica is a CPA and CFO for Worksite Wellness, a full service wellness implementation company, leveraging the latest technology, cutting edge research on wellness and human capital, and best-in-class wellness resources and practitioners. Jessica earned her B.A. in Business Economics/Accounting at the University of California in Santa Barbara. She later earned an MBA from City University. After working for the Washington State Department of Revenue and LeMaster Daniels (formerly known as Abramson, Pendergast & Co) as an auditor, she joined Worksite Wellness as a CFO.
Jessica is a firm believer in giving some of her time to help those in need. In the past, she has volunteered during tax seasons with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). She sees WBO as an outlet for thriving professional women to share their knowledge and skills, and encourage other women to reach their potential. She is inspired by the success of other women and hopes to contribute to the growth and sustainability of WBO as our President Elect.
Penelope has been a business owner since 1986. She has experienced several start ups, some very successful, some not, but all phenomenal opportunities for learning. Her primary focus for more than 25 years has been in the human development field. Her passions include increasing the understanding of the effects of multicultural, gender and systems conditioning, both for herself and others. Currently she is the owner of Simply a Moment, LLC, providing counseling and consulting aimed at supporting leaders, business owners and management teams to "transform stress into success".
Penelope has a lifetime of experience working in volunteer organizations and is honored to serve in WBO. During 2008, she has chaired the BBG subcommittee, doing an excellent job of directing and developing that important WBO resource. She believes, fundamentally, that women developing and becoming powerful leaders is the single most critical factor in affecting change in our world. She sees stepping into a larger role with WBO as one way to support that. She wants to help WBO grow, especially during stormy economic times, and help its members connect, collaborate, and support each others’ success. She would ask this question of the Board: What decisions are we making as the leadership team that will affect WBO seven generations from now?
Holly is an independent associate with Pre-Paid Legal Services. Holly earned her WBO stripes by stepping into challenging roles without fear and getting things done. She started by taking on PR as a member of the Communications Committee, generating more PR for Women Business Owners than we had had for a long time. When the chair of the committee stepped down, Holly took on that role. Now, she is ready for the additional challenge of leading the Sponsorship Committee. Sponsorship is a critical function at WBO, one that will benefit from Holly’s hard work and dedication.
Debbie Leviton has 20 years experience assisting and educating clients to attain their personal and financial goals. Debbie combines confident planning skills with a style that is inspirational, upbeat, and supportive. She has made several real estate investments and in addition has proven her entrepreneurial skills as the founder of Creative Solutions, a successful coaching and training business.
Carlanne McCrystal, owner of TopDawg Travel, a boutique travel firm in Seattle, is an independent travel advisor and consultant specializing in designing individualistic and unique experiences for her clients. Carlanne lived for 28 years in Hawaii, mainly on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii, the Big Island and has traveled extensively. A dedicated urbanite, she lives and conducts her travel business in downtown Seattle, just short blocks from the Seattle Center and the Space Needle. Her activities of interest are travel, photography, writing and technology…accompanied a lot of the time by the TopDawg, Andre.
Carlanne has been involved in helping women-owned businesses since the late 1970’s. She believes women comprise the most powerful force in the business world even though they do not always recognize it. She sees supporting the growth of other business women as part of her own growth as a woman. She knew very few people in Seattle until very recently, and feels that WBO allows her to become more integrated, both professionally and personally, in her community. As part of the Board, she hopes to devote some of her considerably energy to getting the word out to more women about WBO and its goals, and to have some fun doing it!
Shawn is a shareholder with the law firm of Carney Badley Spellman, P.S. She concentrates her practice in the areas of collections and creditor’s rights, commercial litigation and construction litigation. Shawn also represents real property owners and managers in landlord-tenant disputes. Shawn works with construction and business clients to draft contracts to protect their rights and limit or deter future litigation. She is also often relied upon for her experience in performing legal research and preparing briefing that assists clients during the urgent litigation process often seen by contractors involved in construction projects. Shawn advises construction and business clients of the options available to them when collecting monies owed by debtors. Clients look to Shawn for advice regarding collection of monies owed and, if necessary, she will draft and revise contract terms to ensure a client’s ability to collect payment from a debtor at later date. Shawn advises clients to ensure they are in the best position to collect monies owed at all stages of the creditor-debtor relationship beginning with the formation of the initial relationship and the governing contract terms to execution of any resulting judgments. In the area of landlord-tenant disputes, Shawn primarily advises commercial property owners and managers in matters related to tenant defaults (whether related to non-payment of rent or otherwise). She assists clients in addressing such defaults, including eviction. Shawn’s success is the result of her skills, experience and tenacity. Shawn was named a Rising Star by Washington Law & Politics magazine for 2006, 2007 and 2010.
Shawn joined Women Business Owners several years ago after attending a luncheon at which one of the Nellie Cashman award winners spoke and realizing she had found an organization where she could feel supported in who she was as an individual and a business person. Shawn also saw being involved in Women Business Owners as a way that she could support others in the same way. For the past two years, Shawn has co-chaired the Ambassador Committee, helping new members become acquainted with Women Business Owners and further building her own relationships with fellow members of the organization. Shawn is very excited to now be heading up the Education and Mentorship Committee and hopes new position will allow her to only further lend her support to her fellow members in their professional pursuits.
Known for her promotional prowess Jamie is the principal of Peha Promotions, a creative marketing, public relations and event solutions company with specialty in strategic alliances and business development. She has created and produced literally hundreds of events from intimate media dinners to festivals for thousands. An idea person with boundless energy and a knack for making the right connections, Jamie's passion has always been in the wine and culinary world. She is business focused with a flair for humor and engaging people. Her ability to think creatively and “make it happen” philosophy fuel her success with new endeavors and collaborative business alliances.
Jamie was with Tiger Oak Publications (Seattle Magazine, Seattle Business) as the Director of Sales Development and Promotions for the past four years. Prior to that she held a very public position as the Marketing and Promotions Director for the Washington State Wine Commission helping to put Washington wines on the map locally and nationally. As a leader in the field of professional hospitality management, Jamie has had the opportunity to wine and dine around the world, sharing tables and tastes with celebrated chefs and talented wine makers. Her latest endeavor is TableTalk-Radio that Tastes Good; which blends her passions and business sense; the show airs the first Monday of each month on KKNW 1150AM under the Chat with Women Network.
Jamie enjoys mentoring young professional women and combines her desire to serve and educate people with her love for food, wine and events. Jamie is a member of the Seattle Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International; a worldwide organization of professional women of high achievement in the multifaceted field of food, fine beverage, and hospitality. She is a board member for Women Business Owners, a member of the Chairman’s Board for the Auction of Washington Wines and sits on the board for the Washington Wine Industry Foundation.
Deborah has been an insurance professional for more than 25 years. For the past 13 years, she has focused on long-term care planning solutions. Her company, Peterson LTC, Inc. offers long term care insurance as well as a portfolio of annuity products and life insurance. By protecting her clients’ money, Deborah strives to provide them with peace of mind for their second 50 years.
Deborah has been an active member of WBO for 5 years. She has served on the Ambassador Committee as well as hosting the Eastside Breakfast event. She has also served on the boards of other organizations, including Business and Professional Women, Women’s Information Network, and YWCA’s Dress for Success. WBO is special, however, providing an environment for likeminded women to come together in a stimulating environment to share a common interest in developing their businesses. As a Board member, Deborah brings a fresh perspective and a strong desire to continue to bring value to the organization.
Margaret W. Purvine is a Principal and Co-Owner of Next Step Solutions, Inc., a business consulting practice focused on helping small business CEO/Owners build the operational foundations that will allow their businesses to grow and make more money. Prior to owning her own company, Margaret spent nearly two decades with IBM, working at jobs ranging from Systems Engineer, Marketing Instructor and Account Manager to Systems Engineering Manager. There, she developed the organizational, project, and management skills necessary to get large computer systems installed and implemented properly. Today, her professional life is focused on consulting, speaking, and writing. Publishing articles regularly in the Puget Sound Business Journal, she also writes all the copy for Next Step’s web site as well as the company blog. Margaret has been a member of WBO for three years, has been active on committees, and welcomes the opportunity to help lead the organization forward in its mission to support women in business.
Amy Reisman, of Call Me Amy Design, works with businesses to create print and online materials that attract and retain clients. Amy creates everything from logos and stationary to websites, brochures, and billboards.
Amy considers community involvement extremely important. As the owner of a small business, she knows how important it is to get out there, join relevant organizations and get involved. This is what brought her to WBO. WBO continues to be very important to Amy, not only for networking and career advancement, but also for the role she can play in making these opportunities available to other young business owners, both now and in the future. During 2008, Amy served on the WBO Communications Committee, stepping up to lead the Technology subcommittee. With Technology becoming a major committee for 2010, Amy has stepped up to the additional challenge of taking on a Board position. In the next year Amy will be getting the ball rolling on a brand new website for WBO.
Kalai is a partner in the law firm of Patentique PLLC where she assists and counsels clients with a broad range of matters that span from acquiring to licensing to enforcing intellectual property rights. Prior to joining Patentique, she had extensive experience in intellectual property and complex commercial litigation as part of a large international general practice law firm. An active member of the local legal community, she is also interested in community service, providing pro bono legal services to political asylum seekers in conjunction with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. Kalai holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from Stanford and received her J.D. summa cum laude from Seattle University.
Now that Kalai is a business owner herself, she looks to WBO and its members for invaluable support and insight into operating a business. She says that WBO members inspire clarity and purpose in her own efforts. As a Board Member, she will work closely with fellow Board members to further the mission of the organization. As Secretary, she will focus on providing excellent support to the Board and WBO committees. Over time, she will strive to establish standardized and reproducible processes for the office of Secretary.
Puget Sound's leading organization for women entrepreneurs
9594 First Avenue NE, #274, Seattle, WA 98115
Phone (206) 575-3232 Fax (425) 256-2223 info@womenbusinessowners.org
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