| Copyright 2006 Invent Your Future Enterprises All rights reserved Privacy Policy Conditions of Use |
| 2008 INVENT YOUR FUTURE CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN Speaker Bio Page |
| Many Thanks To Our Sponsors |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Jim Kimzey
V.P., Strategy and Business Development
Fluential, Inc.
V.P., Strategy and Business Development
Fluential, Inc.
Jim Kimzey has 20+ years experience in marketing, sales, and fund raising. As founder and CEO of a start up, Jim raised over $16 million
from angels, venture capitalists, and strategic investors over three rounds of funding. In his current position as Vice President of Strategy and
Business Development, Jim has helped raise over $5 million in R&D funding from six federal agencies. Jim holds a B.A. in economics and
an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
from angels, venture capitalists, and strategic investors over three rounds of funding. In his current position as Vice President of Strategy and
Business Development, Jim has helped raise over $5 million in R&D funding from six federal agencies. Jim holds a B.A. in economics and
an M.B.A. from Stanford University.
Peggy Klaus
Workplace Communication & Leadership
Expert, Author of "The Hard Truth About
Soft Skills" and "Brag!"
Workplace Communication & Leadership
Expert, Author of "The Hard Truth About
Soft Skills" and "Brag!"
Leonid S. Knyshov
CEO
Crashproof Solutions, LLC
CEO
Crashproof Solutions, LLC
Leonid S. Knyshov founded Crashproof Solutions, LLC in February of 2002. Prior to launching the firm, he spent many years in the Information
Technology industry acquiring the wealth of experience in various different fields. Leonid worked in many different industries. He started his
career by becoming the IT Manager of Kiyomura Ishimoto Associates, a boutique San Francisco Public Relations firm. He then moved on to
become a Network Administrator at a prominent Silicon Valley law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. After succeeding at WSGR, he
became a Sr. Network and Systems Administrator at VerticalNet, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed software company that was recognized as the innovator
in B2B supply chain management and B2B procurement markets.
Technology industry acquiring the wealth of experience in various different fields. Leonid worked in many different industries. He started his
career by becoming the IT Manager of Kiyomura Ishimoto Associates, a boutique San Francisco Public Relations firm. He then moved on to
become a Network Administrator at a prominent Silicon Valley law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. After succeeding at WSGR, he
became a Sr. Network and Systems Administrator at VerticalNet, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed software company that was recognized as the innovator
in B2B supply chain management and B2B procurement markets.
A much in-demand communication and leadership coach, Peggy Klaus has spent more than a decade advising America's top Fortune 500
executives. She reaches thousands of professionals a year through speaking, coaching, and workshops at leading corporations and
organizations. Her client list includes JP Morgan Chase, Levi Strauss, Chevron Texaco, American Express, Disney, Goldman Sachs,
Pharmacia Upjohn, General Mills, Cisco Systems, UNICEF, and Booz Allen Hamilton, among others. Klaus's colorful and frank advice is
frequently sought out by journalists. She has been featured and quoted extensively in a wide range of media including ABC 20/20, NBC Today,
BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Newsweek, Fortune, and O Magazine.
Author of BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It (Warner Books, Hardcover, 2003; Paperback, 2004), Klaus offers BRAG!
workshops for both professional development (promoting yourself and your agenda) and business development (promoting your company
and its products). To-date she has led 100+ BRAG! events for organizations, including General Mills, SC Johnson, Credit Suisse, American
Express, Freddie Mac, The Harvard Business School Alumni Association, and The National Association of Female Executives. Also the author
of The Hard Truth About Soft Skills—Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish They'd Learned Sooner (Collins, January 2008), Klaus provides
a variety of programs for increasing soft skills mastery.
executives. She reaches thousands of professionals a year through speaking, coaching, and workshops at leading corporations and
organizations. Her client list includes JP Morgan Chase, Levi Strauss, Chevron Texaco, American Express, Disney, Goldman Sachs,
Pharmacia Upjohn, General Mills, Cisco Systems, UNICEF, and Booz Allen Hamilton, among others. Klaus's colorful and frank advice is
frequently sought out by journalists. She has been featured and quoted extensively in a wide range of media including ABC 20/20, NBC Today,
BusinessWeek, The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Newsweek, Fortune, and O Magazine.
Author of BRAG! The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing It (Warner Books, Hardcover, 2003; Paperback, 2004), Klaus offers BRAG!
workshops for both professional development (promoting yourself and your agenda) and business development (promoting your company
and its products). To-date she has led 100+ BRAG! events for organizations, including General Mills, SC Johnson, Credit Suisse, American
Express, Freddie Mac, The Harvard Business School Alumni Association, and The National Association of Female Executives. Also the author
of The Hard Truth About Soft Skills—Workplace Lessons Smart People Wish They'd Learned Sooner (Collins, January 2008), Klaus provides
a variety of programs for increasing soft skills mastery.
Sydnie Kohara
News Anchor
CBS 5 / KPIX TV
News Anchor
CBS 5 / KPIX TV
Award winning journalist Sydnie Kohara brings more than two decades of experience to her position as news anchor at CBS-5/ KPIX TV. She
has lived and reported in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Kohara is no stranger to the world of technology. She was the founding host of CNBC
Asia’s first show about the Internet, “dot.com”, in 1997 and later anchored CNBC’s “CNET News.com”, exploring the people and personalities
driving the tech revolution. Kohara was part of the KGO-TV newsroom which won the both the George Foster Peabody Award and the Edward
R. Murrow Award for coverage of the 1989 earthquake, two of the highest honors bestowed in U.S. broadcast journalism. She has been
selected to participate in this year’s Asian American Journalists Association Executive Leadership Program.
has lived and reported in Asia, Europe and the U.S. Kohara is no stranger to the world of technology. She was the founding host of CNBC
Asia’s first show about the Internet, “dot.com”, in 1997 and later anchored CNBC’s “CNET News.com”, exploring the people and personalities
driving the tech revolution. Kohara was part of the KGO-TV newsroom which won the both the George Foster Peabody Award and the Edward
R. Murrow Award for coverage of the 1989 earthquake, two of the highest honors bestowed in U.S. broadcast journalism. She has been
selected to participate in this year’s Asian American Journalists Association Executive Leadership Program.
Suzanne Lavine
Partner Community Manager
Microsoft
Partner Community Manager
Microsoft
During Suzanne Lavine’s 13 years at Microsoft, she has served in a variety of management and individual contributor roles; currently working
as Partner Community Manager. Prior to working at Microsoft, Suzanne held positions at 800-SOFTWARE, Honeywell Information Systems,
DataPoint, and BaronData,.
She is very active in the community having served on the Boards of Rubicon Programs and Chabot Space & Science Center, and currently
volunteers for Furry Friends Rescue, and serves on the Advisory Councils for East Bay SBDC.
Suzanne has spoken at several women’s conference, interviewed on eWomenNetwork Radio Show, recipient of YWCA TWIN Award in
2001. Published articles on Therapeutic Horseback Riding www.learnriding.com
as Partner Community Manager. Prior to working at Microsoft, Suzanne held positions at 800-SOFTWARE, Honeywell Information Systems,
DataPoint, and BaronData,.
She is very active in the community having served on the Boards of Rubicon Programs and Chabot Space & Science Center, and currently
volunteers for Furry Friends Rescue, and serves on the Advisory Councils for East Bay SBDC.
Suzanne has spoken at several women’s conference, interviewed on eWomenNetwork Radio Show, recipient of YWCA TWIN Award in
2001. Published articles on Therapeutic Horseback Riding www.learnriding.com
Charlene Li
Vice President & Principal Analyst
Forrester Research
Vice President & Principal Analyst
Forrester Research
Charlene primarily contributes to Forrester’s offerings for the Interactive Marketing professional. She is one of the driving forces behind
Forrester’s Social Computing and Web 2.0 research, and examines how companies can use technologies like blogs, social networking, RSS,
tagging, and widgets for marketing purposes. During her eight years at Forrester, Charlene has also led the marketing and media research
team, and ran the San Francisco office. In her research, Charlene covers such marketing-related topics as consumer portals, search, and
media site design. She also leverages her background in newspaper publishing and looks at online local media and online classifieds. In the
past, she has also written about online advertising, online gaming, and media content strategies. She also contributes to her Groundswell
blog and plans to publish a book by the same name in spring 2008.
Charlene is one of Forrester’s most quoted analysts and has appeared in outlets like The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer, CNN, NPR, and BBC,
as well as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and BusinessWeek. She is also an accomplished and frequently requested public
speaker, and has appeared at Web 2.0 Expo, Ad:Tech, Search Engine Strategies, and AlwaysOn. She has delivered keynote speeches at
many events, including Forrester’s Consumer Forum and Television Forum. A former strategy consultant for Monitor Company, Charlene is a
magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Forrester’s Social Computing and Web 2.0 research, and examines how companies can use technologies like blogs, social networking, RSS,
tagging, and widgets for marketing purposes. During her eight years at Forrester, Charlene has also led the marketing and media research
team, and ran the San Francisco office. In her research, Charlene covers such marketing-related topics as consumer portals, search, and
media site design. She also leverages her background in newspaper publishing and looks at online local media and online classifieds. In the
past, she has also written about online advertising, online gaming, and media content strategies. She also contributes to her Groundswell
blog and plans to publish a book by the same name in spring 2008.
Charlene is one of Forrester’s most quoted analysts and has appeared in outlets like The NewsHour With Jim Lehrer, CNN, NPR, and BBC,
as well as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and BusinessWeek. She is also an accomplished and frequently requested public
speaker, and has appeared at Web 2.0 Expo, Ad:Tech, Search Engine Strategies, and AlwaysOn. She has delivered keynote speeches at
many events, including Forrester’s Consumer Forum and Television Forum. A former strategy consultant for Monitor Company, Charlene is a
magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University and holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Dr. Margaret A. Neale
John G. McCoy - Banc One Professor of
Organizations and Dispute Resolution
Graduate School of Business
Stanford University
John G. McCoy - Banc One Professor of
Organizations and Dispute Resolution
Graduate School of Business
Stanford University
Margaret Neale’s teaching and research focuses on negotiation and decision making, collaborations, the allocation of burdens and benefits,
learning in groups and teams, group decision making, and diversity. Her research is based on the psychology of conflict and negotiation,
extending judgment and decision-making research from cognitive psychology to the field of negotiation. Before her research, much of the work
on negotiation concerned either the effect of individual differences or payoff structures on bargaining. She studies cognitive processes that
produce departures from effective negotiating behavior.
learning in groups and teams, group decision making, and diversity. Her research is based on the psychology of conflict and negotiation,
extending judgment and decision-making research from cognitive psychology to the field of negotiation. Before her research, much of the work
on negotiation concerned either the effect of individual differences or payoff structures on bargaining. She studies cognitive processes that
produce departures from effective negotiating behavior.
Karen Northup, CPA, CMA
Founder & CEO
Corefino
Founder & CEO
Corefino
Ms. Preston is General Partner for the new CalCEF Clean Energy Angel Fund, as well as CalCEF Clean Energy Angel Network. The California
Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF) is a $30 million public benefit investment fund created to spur investment and innovation in California’s clean
energy economy. Ms. Preston was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence with Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for 6 years and continues as a
consultant, specifically focusing on initiatives related to angel investing and angel organizations. Ms. Preston is also a consultant to the Angel
Capital Education Foundation, teaching seminars on angel investing and angel organizations. Prior to taking the position with CalCEF, she
was Director of Attorney Training and Professional Development for Davis Wright Tremaine, a 450-lawyer international law firm.
Ms. Preston received her JD, cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law and her BS, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in Microbiology
and Public Health from Washington State University.
Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF) is a $30 million public benefit investment fund created to spur investment and innovation in California’s clean
energy economy. Ms. Preston was an Entrepreneur-in-Residence with Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for 6 years and continues as a
consultant, specifically focusing on initiatives related to angel investing and angel organizations. Ms. Preston is also a consultant to the Angel
Capital Education Foundation, teaching seminars on angel investing and angel organizations. Prior to taking the position with CalCEF, she
was Director of Attorney Training and Professional Development for Davis Wright Tremaine, a 450-lawyer international law firm.
Ms. Preston received her JD, cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law and her BS, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, in Microbiology
and Public Health from Washington State University.
Susan Preston
Managing Director
CalCEF Clean Energy Angel Fund
Managing Director
CalCEF Clean Energy Angel Fund
Genevieve Haldeman
V.P., Corporate Communications
Symantec
V.P., Corporate Communications
Symantec
Genevieve Haldeman is vice president of corporate communications for Symantec. She is responsible for the worldwide public image of
Symantec Corporation, overseeing all internal and external corporate communication as well as enterprise product public relations on a global
basis. Since starting at Symantec in 1997, Genevieve has managed the strategic, global positioning for the world leader in protection. She has
been responsible for the communication strategies surrounding more than 20 mergers and acquisitions, including Symantec’s recent merger
with VERITAS, which brought the leaders in storage software and security software together to provide customers with a more effective way to
secure and manage their most valuable asset – their information.
Genevieve also established Symantec’s crisis communications response team, which today provides critical communication to the media
regarding various threat outbreaks to help ensure customers know how to protect themselves. She also focused on helping raise general
consumer awareness about computer threats through various educational outreach efforts. Prior to Symantec, Genevieve worked for several
public relations agencies including Golin Harris, the Bohle Company, and Lapin East/West, providing communications support for clients such
as Canon Computer Systems, Inc.; Tricord Systems, Inc.; Global Village Communications; and Toyota.
Genevieve graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma.
Symantec Corporation, overseeing all internal and external corporate communication as well as enterprise product public relations on a global
basis. Since starting at Symantec in 1997, Genevieve has managed the strategic, global positioning for the world leader in protection. She has
been responsible for the communication strategies surrounding more than 20 mergers and acquisitions, including Symantec’s recent merger
with VERITAS, which brought the leaders in storage software and security software together to provide customers with a more effective way to
secure and manage their most valuable asset – their information.
Genevieve also established Symantec’s crisis communications response team, which today provides critical communication to the media
regarding various threat outbreaks to help ensure customers know how to protect themselves. She also focused on helping raise general
consumer awareness about computer threats through various educational outreach efforts. Prior to Symantec, Genevieve worked for several
public relations agencies including Golin Harris, the Bohle Company, and Lapin East/West, providing communications support for clients such
as Canon Computer Systems, Inc.; Tricord Systems, Inc.; Global Village Communications; and Toyota.
Genevieve graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma.
Sam Horn
Communications Expert
Author, "Pop! Stand Out in Any Crowd," What 's Holding You Back,"
and "Tongue Fu!"
Communications Expert
Author, "Pop! Stand Out in Any Crowd," What 's Holding You Back,"
and "Tongue Fu!"
Sam Horn has an impressive personal and professional background that contributes to her being a sought-after keynote speaker, best-selling
author respected creative consultant, and an in-demand media resource. A partial list of credentials includes:
* An award-winning professional speaker who has presented programs to more than half a million people worldwide since 1981 and for
such corporate and convention clients as Hewlett-Packard, Fortune 500 Forum, NASA, Legg Mason, the IRS, Lockheed Martin, ASAE, United
States Tennis Association, the U. S. Navy, National Governors Association, Loma Linda University, Associated General Contractors, State of
Hawaii, Booz Allen, and America Bankers Association.
* Sam was honored as the top-rated speaker at both the 1996 and 1998 International Platform Association conventions and was selected as
the 2003-2004 Outstanding Capital Speaker. Her programs are frequently the most well-attended and highly-rated at conferences as they’re
known for being fun, fast-paced, and full of real-life ideas participants can use immediately to reap real-world results.
author respected creative consultant, and an in-demand media resource. A partial list of credentials includes:
* An award-winning professional speaker who has presented programs to more than half a million people worldwide since 1981 and for
such corporate and convention clients as Hewlett-Packard, Fortune 500 Forum, NASA, Legg Mason, the IRS, Lockheed Martin, ASAE, United
States Tennis Association, the U. S. Navy, National Governors Association, Loma Linda University, Associated General Contractors, State of
Hawaii, Booz Allen, and America Bankers Association.
* Sam was honored as the top-rated speaker at both the 1996 and 1998 International Platform Association conventions and was selected as
the 2003-2004 Outstanding Capital Speaker. Her programs are frequently the most well-attended and highly-rated at conferences as they’re
known for being fun, fast-paced, and full of real-life ideas participants can use immediately to reap real-world results.
Jackie Kessel
Attorney
McQuaid Bedford & Van Zandt
Attorney
McQuaid Bedford & Van Zandt
Karen founded Corefino in 2002 after serving as CFO at a variety of successful venture-backed technology companies. Corefino delivers
outsourced finance and accounting operations to small-medium enterprises, guaranteeing its customers are GAAP–compliant and diligence-
ready. From the beginning, Karen assumed Corefino’s workplace would be significantly virtual. Today, the company’s 28 employees and 25
contractors reside in three countries. Karen has focused on building a company culture that is customer-focused, collaborative, responsive,
and fun regardless of geographical distance.
outsourced finance and accounting operations to small-medium enterprises, guaranteeing its customers are GAAP–compliant and diligence-
ready. From the beginning, Karen assumed Corefino’s workplace would be significantly virtual. Today, the company’s 28 employees and 25
contractors reside in three countries. Karen has focused on building a company culture that is customer-focused, collaborative, responsive,
and fun regardless of geographical distance.
Jacqueline B. Kessel founded HiTech Law in 1994 after running her own software company in California. Ms. Kessel merged her practice,
which focuses on technology licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law with McQuaid, Bedford & Van Zandt LLP in August of
2006. As an entrepreneur and founder of a start-up company as well as an attorney, Ms. Kessel is able to bring both business and legal
experience in representing her clients.
A British native, Ms. Kessel has over 30 years of business experience in the U.S. and abroad. She worked in international marketing and
public relations in both the U.K. and South Africa before moving to California with her husband to start their own software technology
company. Her client base is not only focused in the Bay Area but also internationally. Ms. Kessel represents clients in Vietnam, China, India,
Spain, Italy, England and France, among others.
Ms. Kessel has been profiled by her alma mater, Pepperdine University School of Law, and by the San Jose Mercury News, as one of the few
women lawyers in the Silicon Valley who own their own law firm. In 2003 Ms. Kessel was named by the San Jose Magazine as one of the
Silicon Valley's Top 300 Lawyers.
which focuses on technology licensing, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate law with McQuaid, Bedford & Van Zandt LLP in August of
2006. As an entrepreneur and founder of a start-up company as well as an attorney, Ms. Kessel is able to bring both business and legal
experience in representing her clients.
A British native, Ms. Kessel has over 30 years of business experience in the U.S. and abroad. She worked in international marketing and
public relations in both the U.K. and South Africa before moving to California with her husband to start their own software technology
company. Her client base is not only focused in the Bay Area but also internationally. Ms. Kessel represents clients in Vietnam, China, India,
Spain, Italy, England and France, among others.
Ms. Kessel has been profiled by her alma mater, Pepperdine University School of Law, and by the San Jose Mercury News, as one of the few
women lawyers in the Silicon Valley who own their own law firm. In 2003 Ms. Kessel was named by the San Jose Magazine as one of the
Silicon Valley's Top 300 Lawyers.
