Attendees at the WXW inaugural event on May 7th will have the choice to attend one of four fun, interactive, breakout sessions. Topics include…

1. Managing Growth –

Most of us believe that a growing business is a successful business – because clearly unsuccessful businesses don’t grow. But growth is a tricky issue for most companies. To grow, you need to increase sales. Then you need to deliver your product or service. Then you need to continue to sell more and
deliver more…but what if your company falters as you try to scale up? What if you’re overestimating your sales projections? What if you can’t hire the right people quickly enough? What if the processes that worked when you were a smaller firm begin to break down as you expand?

In this breakout session, the group will want to talk about the struggles, successes, problems, and solutions of their growing companies. Whether you’re a company of one or about to hire your 150th employee, this session will help you begin to analyze your business and determine how you’d like to efficiently grow.

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2. Learning to Lead & Creating Culture –

What exactly does it mean to be a LEADER? If you’re the boss, the manager, or the person calling the shots, then you’re automatically a good leader, right? Well, probably not. Just because you’re bossy doesn’t mean you’re an inspiring leader.

Managers and bosses focus on systems, processes, structure, and control. Leaders focus on a direction, a path, and a shared dream. Ultimately, leaders focus on TRUST between PEOPLE. Good leaders know how to inspire and empower others to turn a company’s vision into action.

So, how can we learn to be leaders? This session is for women who want to become better leaders. Participants will discuss how to build trust, communicate a compelling and inclusive vision, empower their teams to be creative & innovative, and create a strong, positive, open culture within their companies.

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3. Relationship Building –

Good salespeople will often say that networking is everything. In reality, networking is only the beginning. Shaking hands and exchanging business cards shouldn’t be the end of the process—it’s actually the first step in building lasting, rewarding business relationships. A business relationship goes beyond networking to create a bond of trust and respect. As you build relationships you will see the reciprocal benefits. You’ll earn referrals, you’ll build your business, and grow!

Are you searching for a new ways to build meaningful relationships? During this breakout session, participants will think beyond the standard notions of networking and discuss how to forge relationships that matter—with prospects, clients, trusted advisors, potential partners and collaborators.

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4. Visioning - You Made It Past the Start-Up Phase - Now What?

Like most business owners, you invested all your time, energy, and ideas into beating the odds and starting a successful company. A few years later your company is coasting along - revenues are steadily increasing, and you have a solid team. You shouldn’t have a care in the world, right? Wrong!

Do you feel like your business is stuck in a rut? Do you feel more like a manager and less like an entrepreneur? Are you struggling to find more meaning in the work your company does? Attend this breakout session to rethink your company’s vision, rekindle those entrepreneurial flames, and take your company to new heights.

The Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw is proud to announce the panelists for our Wednesday, May 7 event. These four dynamic businesswomen will bring stories to share with you of how they managed growth, created a vision, built their businesses, and forged business relationships. Our dynamic panel will be led by Gretchen Driskell, Mayor of Saline, another local, successful businesswoman. In addition to answering your questions, the panel participants, as well as many other local businesswomen, will be participating during the entire event. The breakout sessions will be an opportunity for you to interact directly with other businesswomen, exchange ideas and make connections. Get ready for the exchange!

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Marcie Brogan -CEO, Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing

Marcie Brogan is CEO of Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing — headquartered in Birmingham with a branch in the Research Triangle, an affiliate in Chicago, and service offices in Lansing, DC and Naples. In 1972 she traded in a doctoral program at the University of Detroit for a copywriting job at Doner. She later joined BMP in London, followed by a stint in Brussels running a copy consultancy for overseas GM clients. She was then hired by Interpublic as creative director of its two ad agencies in The Netherlands. Back in the USA, Marcie opened her own agency in 1984; it has grown into a successful, high-energy, culturally and ethnically diverse agency committed to “creativity at work.” She most recently co-founded Ignite, the country’s fastest growing social media agency. She’s active in the community, civic and professional boards—the Nature Conservancy, the Eli Broad School of Management at MSU, the Detroit Regional Chamber and others. She has been honored by local, national and international organizations for her creative work, her professional achievements and her workplace innovations. Marcie is married to mystery author Mike Brogan, has two adult children and a brand new granddaughter named … Brogan.

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Michelle Crumm -Co-Founder/Chief Business Officer, Adaptive Materials, Inc.

Ms. Crumm has over 14 years of business and financial experience. As Co-Founder of Adaptive Materials, she has been integral in growing the company over 300% in the past three years. Capitalizing on her background, Ms.Crumm has been able to significantly increase market share and cash flow. With integrity and straightforward decision making, Ms. Crumm has been key at leading the company through the transition from start-up, high-technology, R&D company to a second stage, fast-growing manufacturing company. Prior to founding Adaptive Materials, her professional experience spans service firms, large automotive suppliers, and consumer package goods. She has held a variety of positions, including investor relations, procurement, and various financial positions. She is a licensed CPA, receiving her BS from Purdue University and her MBA from the University of Michigan.

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Carol A. Goss, President & CEO of The Skillman Foundation

Carol A. Goss is President and Chief Executive Officer of The Skillman Foundation in Detroit, Michigan. Prior to coming to The Skillman Foundation in March 1998 as a Senior Program Officer, her philanthropic experience included work as Program Officer at The Stuart Foundation in San Francisco, California and as Program Director at the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Ms. Goss has more than 27 years experience in the human services field as a social worker, social work supervisor and agency administrator with the Detroit Dept. of Public Welfare, Oakland County Family and Children’s Services, and The Children’s Home Society in Oakland, California. Her experience spans the areas of child welfare, family services and youth development.

Ms. Goss, a native Detroiter, began a career of service in her youth and has continued to be active
with numerous area and national service, advocacy and philanthropic organizations, including: Grantmakers for Children Youth and Families; Association of Black Foundation Executives; Women in Philanthropy; Detroit Area Grantmakers; Detroit Parent Network; Michigan’s Children; Council of Michigan Foundations; Court Appointed Special Advocates Advisory Committee; Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee; The Links, Inc., Oakland Chapter; McKinley Foundation; Michigan Aids Fund; Michigan Task Force on the Overrepresentation of Minority Children in Foster Care; Minerva Educational Development Foundation; NAACP; New Detroit, Inc.; Skillman Center for Children; Tomorrow’s Child Michigan SIDS, Inc. and the Wayne County Task Force on Foster Care Youth.

Ms. Goss is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, earning both a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

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Eileen Spring -President/CEO, Food Gatherers

During Eileen Spring’s twelve year tenure at Food Gatherers, the organization has received local and national recognition for its efficiency and effectiveness. Food Gatherers has been listed as one of the Top Ten Charities in the nation and the nations’ best food bank by Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator of non profits. Since it inception in 1988, Food Gatherers has rescued and distributed more 31 million pounds of food. Eileen manages a staff of fourteen and a volunteer force of 5,000. She is currently engaged in efforts to address the root causes of hunger through innovative programming and meaningful collaborations. Food Gatherers manages a Culinary Arts Job Training Program for homeless youth and is a founding member of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, a unique public and private collaboration dedicated to ending homelessness. Eileen is active on the local FEMA board, and is a board member of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance and The Food Bank Council of Michigan and has served on the National Council of Food Banks. Eileen received her BA from Hofstra University and her MA from the University of Michigan. She has more than 24 years experience in grassroots organizing and non-profit management.

The Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw Steering Committee has been gearing up for our first event, Wednesday, May 7. Every time we meet, the energy in the room seems to grow, and now it has spread across the region. I’ve been receiving emails from people who are ready to register. The wait is almost over. We will be posting registration details soon, and look for more information to come to your email inbox as well.

Our first event will be a day to remember. You will have the opportunity to exchange with women in an exciting, innovative forum. Our goal is for you to feel that you connected with someone new, discovered a new way to grow your business, and exchanged ideas by the end of the day.

I also just received some news about our panel of speakers. Our goal was to invite a panel of speakers that could address some of the major business issues of the day—managing growth, leadership, and relationship-building. Watch this space for an announcement about the panel, the list of speakers, and their bios. I think the panelists will bring stories to share, lessons learned, and advice that will speak to all of us.