Women in Consulting (WIC) Names 2010 Board of Directors

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Jan 26, 2010, 09:00 ET

Innovative Community of Seasoned and Diverse Consulting Talent Names Avery Horzewski New President

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Women in Consulting (WIC), a collaborative community of professional consultants and small business owners, today announced its 2010 Board of Directors. The all-volunteer Board is comprised of some of the best minds in consulting and includes some key reappointments of WIC's senior leadership.

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The new board is focusing its efforts on adding to and strengthening the wide range of programs and benefits that WIC offers its innovative community of consultants. With an emphasis on social media and even more robust mentoring programs, webinars, and events, the board is committed to ensuring that WIC remains the leading go-to resource for its members and affiliates throughout the United States.

"I'm honored and excited to work closely with such a high-caliber leadership team as we continue to grow and strengthen WIC and the programs we offer our members," Horzewski commented. "The organization is dedicated to supporting consultants of every experience level, so they have what they need to grow their businesses even in an uncertain economic climate."

The 2010 WIC Board of Directors includes:

President -- Avery Horzewski steps up as president after serving as WIC's marketing and PR director for three years. Founder and owner of AVE Consulting, Inc., she works with companies of all sizes to develop compelling, persuasive, and effective customer-centric marketing and communications strategies that encompass everything from websites to social media to print collateral. Under her leadership, WIC is poised for an accelerated level of growth, with expansion of its member benefits through such programs as its prestigious Leaders Network, satellite groups, workshops, and webinars. Horzewski's specific expertise in social media strategies is well suited to help the organization further enhance its online presence as the organization enters its 12^th year.

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

Treasure and Finance Director -- Melissa Stacey returns for a third year as WIC treasurer and finance director. Owner and founder of Feeling Organized, Melissa specializes in helping homes, offices, and small businesses create customized organization systems to fit their unique needs and styles. She's also president of Women's Networking Alliance (WNA).

Secretary and Communications Director -- Deb McClanahan continues as secretary and communications director for a second year. Principal of BroadBand HR Consulting, Deb helps companies with executive search and HR consulting. She's also developed a practice in expert testimony, helping attorney clients with challenging immigration and employment matters.

Programs Director -- Melissa Frank joins the board as programs director and is an attorney providing startup counseling and guidance to small businesses and consultants in a variety of industries. Melissa also provides a select number of clients custom event planning services through her event management company Marlowe Berglund Events.

Marketing & PR Director-Elect -- Fanny Kim joins the board as marketing & PR director-elect, and will assume full responsibility for WIC marketing and PR in Q2 2010. A public relations consultant with over 15 years of experience, her expertise ranges from nonprofit and health/wellness to media properties and digital technology. Fanny started consulting in 2001 while attending graduate school in New York City. Since then, her firm, FKPR, has partnered with New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles-based public relations firms.

Online Marketing Director -- Jean Lombard joins the board in a newly created position focused on WIC's online marketing endeavors, previously under the marketing and PR director. Formerly one of WIC's marketing co-chairs, Jean was responsible for positioning and promoting WIC and its events. In her board role, she'll oversee WIC's online marketing efforts, including the WIC blog and website, and the organization's Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn presence. Jean is a PR and marketing professional, operating her consultancy The Jean Effect.

Membership Director -- Kathie Sherman joins the Board 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, CapGemini, Sun Microsystems, and Penton Media.

Partnerships & Alliances Director -- Sherry Prescott–Willis returns for a third year in her role as WIC director of partnerships. A former principal of Prescott Marketing and founder of Market This Strategy, she has over 18 years of strategic marketing expertise in both consumer and high-technology industries. Sherry is the author of Market This!: An Effective 90-Day Marketing Tool, currently available on Amazon and BarnesandNoble.com.

Partnerships & Alliances Director-Elect -- Kelli Richards joins the board this year as partnerships & alliances director-elect, and will assume full responsibility for WIC partnerships in Q2 2010. For the past 12 years, she's run The All Access Group, advising companies involved with digital music and entertainment. A connector, bridge-builder, and trusted navigator in digital media, Kelli creates opportunities for clients when they may not otherwise have access to the most sought-after influencers and decision makers.

Satellite Director -- Anne Evers joins the board in a newly created position focused on WIC's ever-growing satellite groups. Anne was co-founder of the WIC San Francisco satellite group and just recently stepped down from that role. Founder and owner of Anne Evers Communications, Inc., Anne provides editorial services for financial services clients, ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small startups. Specializing in writing, editing, and project management, she works with clients to turn business communication ideas into reality.

Strategic Audiences Director -- Deborah Siegle returns for a second year as strategic audiences director, overseeing WIC's Leaders Network. Principal of Strategic Marketing Solutions, Deb assists clients with strategic research, market and product development, technology industry analysis, and customer loyalty and experience projects. With more than 25 years experience, she quickly identifies and addresses core issues, developing actionable strategies and tactics that make a measurable difference to her clients.

Strategic Initiatives Director -- Jan Richards assumes her role as strategic initiatives director for a second year. A national Baldrige Award examiner for five years, she heads up J.G. Richards Consulting, helping companies streamline and simplify their operations; clarify their vision, goals, and priorities; and implement effective process management. This enables clients to increase profits by reducing costs, growing revenues, and increasing business flexibility.

Volunteer Director -- Deborah Hoard continues her second year on the board, this time as volunteer director, putting to good use her experience as VP of volunteers for the Silicon Valley chapter of IABC. In her first year on WIC's board, she served as programs director. As founder of Net Results, Deborah consults on marketing campaigns for a range of Silicon Valley businesses, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, helping them further their business objectives and maximize their budget and resources.

Past President -- Linda J. Popky continues to support the WIC board in the role of past president. Recently recognized as one of Silicon Valley's top "Women of Influence" by the San Jose/Silicon Valley Business Journal, Linda is founder and president of L2M Associates, Inc., a strategic marketing firm. She's a speaker, educator, coach, and consultant, as well as the author of Marketing Your Career and Promoting Your Non-Profit.

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.

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