2018 Officers |
Beth Lawrence,PresidentBeth Lawrence LLC 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. | Leslie Cano,Vice PresidentProfessional Women's Roundtable With over ten years’ experience in financial analysis and risk management, Leslie has experience in global and national arenas in financial services, energy, legal services, education, and tourism/ hospitality industries. She is a graduate of the Forum of Executive Women’s Mentoring Program and is passionate about supporting initiatives to increase diversity in corporate leadership. She was honored for her efforts to support the success of professional women as an award recipient at the 2018 South Jersey Business People's 40 Under 40 Awards. Leslie earned her B.S. in Finance from the University of Akron and her MBA from Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. |
![]() Christine Topping, 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. |
|
Dawn Bundick,Chair, EventsHard 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. |
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.
|
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. |
|
Kiran Sweigart
Chair, Members-Only EventsMcAdam Financially AdvancedAs a native Philadelphian, Kiran is an experienced financial advisor with deep roots in our local communities. In her practice, her core areas of focus are strategies for high net worth individuals involving advanced tax reduction, retirement investment planning, and multi-generational wealth transfer. Kiran’s knowledge is rooted in the foundations of the comprehensive financial planning process and her designation as an Accredited Asset Management SpecialistTM helps her to offer her planning clients a distinguished professional experience. Working as a fiduciary for her families, she is a passionate and relentless problem-solver who champions her clients above all else in her practice. Kiran graduated from The University of Pennsylvania, majoring in political science with a concentration in international relations. During her time there she played on the Penn club lacrosse team, volunteered with PennCORP and Alternate Spring Break, made life-long friends in Alpha Phi, and studied abroad in Stockholm, Sweden. | Rachel ClippingerChair, Social Media
Hands from the Heart
Rachel is the Digital Marketing Specialist for Hands From The Heart, a home healthcare agency located in the Philadelphia area. With a background in digital marketing and communications, she specializes in writing and packaging digital content, social media strategy and community relations. In her role, she manages the digital space for her agency including mass media buying, content creation, website development, graphic design and most importantly, social media management. Her passions reside in giving back to the community through volunteering with her agency’s Volunteer Committee (which she started), and through other community organizations such as Rebuilding Together Philadelphia, Ronald McDonald House, Alzheimer’s Association and more. Rachel graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing with a minor in Journalism and Public Relations. |
Gretchen is the Business Travel Sales Manager for the Loews Philadelphia hotel. She is responsible for the Good Neighbor Program that offers discounts and special rates to local residents and businesses at the 581-room property. Prior to this role, she served in a dual role as Business Travel Sales Manager and Catering Sales Manager for the Doubletree by Hilton Philadelphia Airport. She has received accolades from her clients for creating memorable experiences with flawless execution. Gretchen also serves as a Board Member for the Midtown Village Association. A graduate of the University of New Haven in Connecticut, she is also a licensed esthetician and spends her free time volunteering for various non-profit organizations such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Philabundance, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Candy’s Place, a center for cancer awareness. Participating in the Eagles Autism Challenge, Gretchen has already surpassed her fundraising goal and contributions will go to CHOP, Drexel, Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health Research programs around Autism.