Making an IMpact Conference
At the Historic DUKE Mansion
Myers Park, Charlotte, NC
MARCH 20, 2012
9:30 am until 3:30 pm
IMpact Your Life, Money, Well-being and World
By Attending!!!
Four Dynamic Speakers
Four Dynamic Topics
Limited Seating
$75 per person
click on button at bottom of page
Sponsorships Available
Speakers Bios
Elaine Marshall
North Carolina Secretary of State
In 1996, Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall became the first woman ever elected to a statewide, executive branch office in North Carolina.
Secretary Marshall was a member of the NC State Senate before rising to statewide office. She holds a B.S. in Home Economics from the University of Maryland and a law degree (JD) from Campbell University. She has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Campbell University, Lees McRae College and Meredith College. She serves as co-Chair of the NC-Moldova Partnership for Peace and recently received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from the Republic of Moldova State University of Medicine.
Her past work experiences include teaching Home Economics in the public school and community college systems, co-ownership of a book and gift store, establishing an interior decorating business and the private practice of law.
Secretary Marshall has been very active in many civic groups in the areas of child welfare, women's issues, and agriculture and small town economic development.
Since becoming Secretary of State, she has received numerous state and national awards for leadership in technology, government innovation, and women's leadership. These awards include:
· The North Carolina 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award;
· The Distinguished Attorney Award from the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys -- a group that has only awarded this honor twice in its entire history;
· Induction into the Honor Society of Agriculture of N.C. State University;
· The Common Cause North Carolina Leadership in Government Award;
· The North Carolina Association of Educators’ Women’s Equality Award;
· The Delta Kappa Gamma Society’s Eta State Founders Award;
· The Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in Business by the Triangle Business Journal;
· The National Notary Association’s 2006 Achievement Award and being named to its list of “The 50 Most Influential People in Notarization in the Last 50 Years”;
· Serving as President in 2007 of the National Electronic Commerce Coordinating Council, an organization dedicated to bringing best technology practices into all levels of government across this country;
· Recognized as the leader in state Trademark protection by the US Chamber of Commerce, the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition, and Underwriters Laboratories;
· Secretary Marshall has even received an official “Gold Record” from the Recording Industry Association of America for her law enforcement work to protect Trademarked goods and patent holders. She is also an honorary member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for her work on counterfeit law enforcement;
· And she received the most distinguished leadership awards from two national organizations in 2010: Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity and the Democratic Women of America.
She has five step-children and seven grandchildren.
Sheree DeMao
Sherré DeMao inspires millions through her monthly Savvy Business Owner column, Me, Myself & Inc. column, her weekly Monday Motivation & Insight and her nationally contributing writing for FoxBusiness.com, Entrepreneur.com, and Enterprising Women magazines. An expert strategist and marketer focused on entrepreneurs, her unique perspective and innovative approach has earned more than 50 awards regionally, nationally and internationally, including being named among the Top 50 Enterprising Women of North America in 2007, a Small Business Administration Women Champion, as well as a being given a National Leadership Award for small business advocacy. Her book, Me, Myself & Inc. - A Synergized World, An Energized Business, Living Your Ultimate Life, was cited as a Top Business Shelf pick by Midwest Book Review. Her recent book, 50 Secrets of Growth Companies in Down Economic Times has received multiple national acclaim from reviewers including being cited as a book “small business marketers will refer to time and time again” by Foreword Reviews, the independent publishers review journal.
Stacey Simms
Stacey is the host of Charlotte's Morning News and Health Headlines: The Show on News/Talk 1110 WBT. She's been named to the Charlotte Business Journal's Forty under 40 and as one of the 50 Most Influential Women in Mecklenburg County by the Mecklenburg Times. Stacey sits on the Board of Directors of the Charlotte Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and donates all profits from her award-winning cookbook, I Can't Cook, But I Know Someone Who Can, to JDRF. She's also on the board of the Charlotte Chapter of the USO of North Carolina, the Junior League of Charlotte's Community Advisory Board and has been named one of the top ten locals to follow on Twitter by the Charlotte Observer.
Stacey lives in Davidson with her husband and two children.
Patti Mercer
Patti Mercer is a Fort Mill native who has lived throughout the United States with her husband, Jay and four children. In 2006, she was crowned Mrs. South Carolina United States with a mission to promote the importance of early intervention and diagnosis of Autism. In 2008, Patti was crowned Mrs. South Carolina International. With a passion to continue her work raising awareness for Autism, she placed 2nd runner up in the International pageant held annually in Chicago. In 2010, she was awarded “hometown hero” for her work with Autism. Currently, Patti is the director for the South Carolina Strawberry Festival pageant where she works all year coaching confidence and the message of “cause before crown” to women of all ages. You may recognize Patti from various TV, web and radio marketing as she has been the “face” and “voice” of numerous ad campaigns. Patti writes for “Fort Mill Magazine”, reports for “Our Three Sons broadcasting” and hosts “Carolina Sessions” promoting the unsigned musical talent in the Carolinas. Patti also works with Nu Day productions as host of “Tell me about it” where she uncovers the unique story behind the people and projects making a positive difference in our community. She serves on the board for The Chrysalis Autism Center in Rock Hill, SC –a 501C program