2019 Officers

Beth Lawrence,

President

Beth is a PR, events and experiential marketing expert who owns her own firm, based in Philadelphia. Beth's background is in events, marketing and PR for brands such as Snap Kitchen, The Palm, Brûlée Catering and Dave & Buster's A founding member of Party Partners of Philadelphia, Beth is passionate about making connections for herself and others in order to form a more solid community. A believer in giving back, Beth has also served as Silent Auction Co-Chair for the 2014 and 2015 Human Rights Campaign Galas, as well as a Campaign Manager for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Women of the Year campaign 2 years in a row.  She was a candidate for LLS Woman of the Year in 2017. Beth graduated from Arcadia University with an individualized concentration B.A. in Event Planning, combining Corporate Communications, Business and Marketing classes to fulfill her curriculum.

Christine Topping,
Treasurer

MassMutual Greater Philadelphia

Christine works with individuals and families to help them make smarter decisions about their money, manage their debt more efficiently, and plan for long term goals.  As a professional woman herself, she is passionate about helping educate other professional women, as well as women of loss or divorce on how to protect themselves and plan for their future. Christine earned a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Stockton University. She chose the financial services industry due to her entrepreneurial mindset and her willingness to make a difference in people's lives. Passionate about organizations that empower women, she is also on the board of the Women’s Resource Center. Christine was born and raised on the Jersey Shore and now resides in Philadelphia, PA. 

Kelly Collins,
Organizational Continuity Chair & Secretary

Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals

Kelly is a marketing and event planning professional with a passion for social media and networking. Her career has taken her to many corners of the City of Brotherly Love in industries including healthcare, technology and hospitality. Kelly enjoys staying active in the community and has volunteered on event production teams including The World Meeting of Families, Alex's Lemonade Stand and The Pennsylvania Women's Conference. Kelly received a B.A. in Communications from York College of Pennsylvania.

Dawn Bundick,

Chair, Events

Hard Rock Cafe Philadelphia

Dawn Bundick has over 25 years of Customer Service and Hospitality experience and is a founding member of Party Partners of Philadelphia. She began her career in 1988 at Strawbridge & Clothier and transitioned to hospitality in 2000 when she assumed the role of Sales & Marketing Manager for Hard Rock Cafe (HRC) Philadelphia.  In 2014 she was promoted to Senior Sales & Marketing Manager and Regional Support for the North America East Cafes. In her time with HRC, she has been integral in marketing the Cafe to conventioneers, visitors, and locals by spreading the spirit of Rock n’ Roll and creating authentic experiences that rock! Dawn handles events and events for the café ranging from 50 to 700 people.

Cherise Wynne,
Chair, Membership, Diversity & Inclusion

Coldwell Banker Preferred 

Cherise is a former chemist-now-realtor with Coldwell Banker Preferred, and is known in the real estate industry as "Agent Lady." Cherise provides home buying and selling services all across Philadelphia; however, her focus is working with first-time home buyers in Center City and surrounding areas. Cherise's passion for real estate goes far beyond just closing deals, and is shown by becoming a personal resource to all her clients. Cherise received a Bachelors degree in Chemistry at West Chester University and became a licensed realtor after attending Temple Real Estate School. Cherise was awarded a Who's Next, 40 Under 40 Award by Billy Penn in 2018.

Mara Smith

Chair, Sponsorship

Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads LLP

Mara, a South Jersey native, is a 2017 graduate from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Drexel University, where she completed a Health Law concentration. During law school, Mara worked for Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals in both their Office of General Counsel and their Office of University Counsel where she specialized in HIPAA-related compliance work. When she isn't writing for Philly.com's Health Cents blog, Mara takes an active role in the Philadelphia Jesuit Community through the regional program Contemplative Leaders in Action, and through active involvement with her alma mater, The University of Scranton, where she majored in International Business and completed minors in Spanish and Philosophy. Following undergrad, Mara completed a year of service through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in San Francisco before returning to the East Coast to earn her law degree. In September 2017, Mara will join the law firm Montgomery, McCracken, Walker and Rhoads, LLP in their Philadelphia office. She was awarded a 30 Under 30 Award by South Jersey Millennials in 2018.

Opeola Bukola

Chair, Social Media

Backstage Capital, Lillo Consulting

Opeola Bukola is an Investment Associate in Strategic Initiatives at Backstage Capital and a business consultant specializing in operations and entrepreneur support. The Nigerian-born founder of Lillo Consulting has a long history with emerging brands, founders, and startup ecosystems. After shuttering her first business, she spun her brand as a startup marketer and community organizer into a consulting role for Gainesville Florida's “Department of Doing,” before leaving the country to pivot into operations work. Upon her return to the US, Opeola shortly joined Techstars’ as Program Manager, before chasing her penchant toward diversity and inclusion to join Backstage Capital's investment team.

Opeola's consulting work has touched on sectors as disparate as wearable technology, environmental advocacy, digital nomadism, andand healthcare administration. When she's not working or being quippy on Twitter (and, often, while she is), Opeola enjoys making good food, better friends, and excellent puns.

Gretchen Frank

Board Member At Large

Loews Philadelphia