When smart entrepreneurs gather, we multiply each other’s talents. This year the Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University is hosting their fifth annual women’s event, G.L.O.W. which stands for growth. leadership. ownership. well-being & wealth.
Thank you for joining us for our 5th Annual G.L.O.W., a women’s entrepreneurial gathering.
Today will be both fun and functional as we gather as a collective of dynamic women who are using our gifts to create meaningful products and services in the world.
It is a high honor to assist and advocate for SWFL’s small businesses with access to no-cost training, technical assistance and 1-on-1 consulting. G.L.O.W. is just one exemplar of how we show up doing that work.
We know this past year has challenged us to glow even brighter with an extra dose of grit, grace and gumption. We’re here every step of the way to support on your journey. We would like to offer our gratitude to 5/3 Bank for their continued sponsorship, G.L.O.W. is made possible because of you!
Again, we appreciate you being here. We believe your greatest glow up is yet to come. Thank you for trusting the Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University to be a part of your growth and success.
Today’s G.L.O.W. Schedule
Stay informed & engaged
Engage with us
keynote speaker
Melanie griffin, Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Melanie S. Griffin, Esq. serves as the Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis to head the agency beginning January 1, 2022, Secretary Griffin leads Florida’s regulation of more than 1.6 million licensees across more than 30 fields of industry.
In 2019, Secretary Griffin joined Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick, LLP, an Am Law 200 firm that is the largest law firm in Tampa Bay, as an of counsel attorney, and Shumaker Advisors as a senior advisor, business-to-business relationships. Previously, Secretary Griffin honed her business, legal and entrepreneurial skills for 13 years at a prominent Florida corporate law firm, where she served as a law clerk and then attorney from 2006-2019, the last five years of which she was an equity shareholder and the Tampa office managing partner. A commercial litigation and employment law attorney, Secretary Griffin has advised and represented businesses of all sizes and types in a wide range of matters, from simple breach of contract actions to complex commercial cases involving intellectual property issues, real estate actions, non-competition and non-solicitation agreements, tortious interference with contracts and business relationships, and substantive employment law issues such as harassment, discrimination, and retaliation. Read More.
Dr. Stephanie Ahasic
Owner, Synergy Health, https://synergynaples.com/
Pamela Belford
Banker turned business owner of PMB Homegroup, https://pmbhomegroup.com/
After working as an interior design consultant for some of Southwest Florida’s most successful design firms, Pamela M. Belford started her career in personal banking over 10 years ago. As a licensed banker and broker associate with Well Fargo, Pamela quickly became the top producing licensed banker in her district and consistently ranked in the top five in the region. Along with her current NMLS mortgage license, Pamela also holds a Series 6, Series 63 and a Life & variable annuity license 2-14. Pamela launched PMB Home group at the beginning of 2021 and she is licensed and operating throughout the entire states of both Michigan and Florida. She provides professional financial services, specializing in financing the purchase and refinance of residential and commercial real estate. Pamela is committed to helping her community establish equity and legacy through real estate.
Christin Collins
Interconnected Wellbeing Advocate | Speaker | Author | Global Thought Leader | Executive Coach | Purpose Practitioner | Podcaster, www.christincollins.com
Christin Collins is a magnetic, thought-provoking influencer, a certifiedworkplace mindfulness facilitator, andan executive coach. As a certified holistic coach, author and national speaker, Christin supports the journey toward optimal wellbeing by shedding light on the mind/body connection, the effects of trauma healing, and the toxicity stress has on the physical body.She shared this message at the 2022TedX Westshore conference in Tampa,Florida.A former healthcare executive, Christin served as System Director of Health &Wellness and Senior Director ofDevelopment at a Southwest Florida healthcare system. She also served as vice-chair of the Global Positive HealthInstitute Board of Directors and was a former member of the AmericanCollege of Lifestyle Medicine Happiness Science & Positive Health Committee.
Marie Grasmeier
Marie Grasmeier is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Management Accountant, Certified Global Management Accountant, Registered Trust and Estate Practitioner and founder of Grasmeier Business Consulting. She speaks nationally on tax strategies for real estate investors, and her firm offers a complete range of tax and accounting services with a special niche in international tax. Marie is a contributing author to the Amazon Bestselling book “Wealth for Women: Conversations with the Team that Creates the Dream –the Top Female Professionals Who can help You Get Wealthy in Real Estate.” She is one of Gulfshore Business Magazine’s inauguralten Women in Business honorees and was featured in the 2022 Women Visionaries by Gulfshore Life Magazine. Marie serves in many leadership roles in the local community and is a proud recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award for her work with the American Red Cross.
Shontra Powell
Author of “Proven ot Perfect”. Former VP at Hertz, now co-owner of RedZone Fleet Services, https://redzonefleetservices.com/
Shontra Powell has crafted leadership and general management skills throughout her 28-year career in business. Shontra commands a unique skill to develop commercial business strategies for growth, particularly in times of business transformation and change. Shontra assesses the situation, identifies the problem to solve and delivers ideas that are supported by the business operating system and goals.
Marilyn Santiago
Partner, CMO of manufacturing company, Creative Architectural Resin Products, CARP, https://carpusa.com/
Marilyn Santiago is a force of nature. She started as a radio DJ and after nearly two decades, Marilyn reinvented herself, launching Sunshine Integrated Solutions, a venture that leveraged her expertise in branded content, promotional campaigns and artist management to foster connections with Hispanic consumers across the U.S. While tremendously successful, this was a period of incubation that allowed her to transition into something entirely new and an industry with very few women, let alone Latinas: Construction.
Alongside her life and business partner, Steven Russel, Marilyn launched Creative Architectural Resin Products, CARP. Through this entrepreneurial venture, Marilyn and Steven offer excellence in built-to-order fabrications to some of Florida’s largest construction firms.
Jessica Tressler
Vice President & Retail Small Business Sales Effectiveness Manager, 53.com
Jessica Tressler serves as Vice President and Retail Small Business Sales Effectiveness Manager. She is responsible for developing the Small Business Strategy across the Retail line of business as well as supporting the execution of business banking sales and service performance across the company. Prior to this role, Jessica successfully led 5 Retail regions between North and South Florida. Jessica is passionate about building cohesive teams with a strong group identity that work as a unit to produce results Before joining Fifth Third, Jessica was the Director of Brand Marketing for HSN with various other roles in the company. She possesses over 25 years of Sales Management and Effectiveness experience.
Making the most of your GLOW experience? DId you get your swag bag? Did you take your headshot? Don’t forget to network!
Yummy Nosh: Breakfast & Snacks
Free Headshots
Swag bags
A chance to connect with SWFL’s biz mavens and makers
Impact-worthy Aha Moments
A fresh boost of business inspiration
5/3 BANK IS GIVING AWAY 2 $530 BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIPS (must be present to win)
Event Sponsor
