Meet Our 2007 Keynote Speakers and
Activity Leaders
Click here to see our speakers from 2006
To Explore the Keynote Session and Activity Details
Click on "info" to link down the page to the session description, speaker photo and bio. Use the back button or click on Meet Our Speakers on the left navigation bar to return to the top of the page.
Sarah Michel, CSP info
Colorado Springs, CO,
Emcee Perfecting Connecting
Jana Stanfield, CSP, info
Nashville, TN,
Our Transformation Troubadour, Wednesday Evening Speaker, You Will Do Amazing Things
Laurie S. Kahn, info
Director of Camp Spirit
Karyn Ruth White, info
Denver, CO,
Wednesday Lunch Speaker
Debra Fine, info
Denver, CO,
Wednesday Afternoon Sessions and Thursday Evening Speaker
Jodi Brooks, info
Denver, CO,
Thursday Lunch Speaker
Joan Slaughter, info
Denver, CO,
Thursday Evening Speaker
Marilyn Hosea, info
Denver, CO,
Thursday Evening Speaker
Karen Sherman, info
Washington, DC,
Friday, Lunch Speaker
Kriss Wittmann, info
Denver, CO
Visual Recording Interactive Camp Activity
Betsy Wiersma, CSEP, info
Denver, CO,
CampExperience Creator
2007 Keynote Presentation Details
More Perfecting Connecting! Sarah Michel Returns as Emcee
Have you been investing in improving your social capital? Have you thought about your net worth? In the 21st century, your success will be based on the people you know. Your clients, potential partners, and employer want to know how you have invested in your network relationships that will pay back in dividends for them in word of mouth advertising, partnerships and resources. In other words, is your net working?
Sarah, a master connector will share what real networking is…Connecting! The way you connect, interact and build bridges is instrumental in your ability to leverage yourself and your organization for success! Learn seven key strategies for improving your connections and why you should connect for life, not just for the moment.
Sarah is a communications expert who uses a personality-centered approach to help people learn how to better connect with their personal network, co-workers and customers. As a certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI™) and facilitator of the Self-Discovery Process™ Sarah has keynoted and presented for audiences and teams around the world on how to be a more effective connector. Sarah is currently an adjunct faculty member of both the Eastern and Western Management Development Centers for the United States government.
She is a member of the International and National Speakers Associations (NSA), a CSP and Past President for the NSA-Colorado Chapter. Sarah founded Perfecting Connecting® in Colorado Springs in 1996 offering keynote presentations, facilitation, and training to organizations and companies worldwide.
2007 Camp Theme
Jana Stanfield, CSP,
Our Transformation Troubadour
Do you ever feel like you’re working with no map on an ever-changing terrain? Multi-platinum songwriter Jana Stanfield’s combination of music and message will convince you you’re exactly were you need to be on your journey. Known as the Queen of Heavy MENTAL, Jana Stanfield’s music has been described as “psychotherapy you can dance to.” Jana is back with another empowering keynote and songs just for Camp that will leave you feeling refreshed, renewed, and recommitted to your role as an explorer on your journey of a lifetime. Jana will be our Transformation Troubadour for Camp, weaving her songs and messages through our fun.
Jana Stanfield is an internationally recognized, award-winning recording artist, transformational speaker, humorist and multi-platinum songwriter. She has shared stages with notables ranging from Kenny Loggins and the Dixie Chicks to Lily Tomlin and Deepak Chopra. Her one-of-a-kind performances receive standing ovations on world-famous stages from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry to New York’s Carnegie Hall.
A five million-selling songwriter, you’ve heard Jana’s compositions, sung by such artists as Reba McEntire and Andy Williams, on radio stations coast to coast… and on popular television programs, including Oprah, Entertainment Tonight, and 20/20, as well the feature film, “8 Seconds,” starring Luke Perry. With the motto, “Start Small, Dream Big, Live Large,” Jana started a record company in 1991. Her work ethic, marketing skills and business savvy turned Relatively Famous Records into one of the most successful businesses of its kind.
CEO Jack Canfield, of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, recently highlighted Jana as “one of the world’s top achievers” in his most recent best seller, “The Success Principles.” This year marks the release of Jana’s live recording from Carnegie Hall, a project that will support the launch of her latest humanitarian effort, The Women Helping Women Help the World Tour.
Laurie S. Kahn, Author of Sleepaway: The Girls of Summer and the Camps They Love and CampExperience Director of Camp Spirit
www.sleepaway.net
Laurie Susan Kahn has 27 years experience in advertising, 22 years at Young & Rubicam NY, the last ten as Executive Vice President, Director of Radio & Television Production. In 1995 she was inducted into the YWCA's Academy of Women Achievers, which recognizes top-level executive women for their outstanding contributions to their organizations and their professions. Following her tenure at Y&RNY, she wrote, produced and directed the documentary, “The Reservoir of Affection: Finding the Lost Girls of Camp Kear-Sarge” and then, in June 2003, her seminal camp book, SLEEPAWAY: The Girls of Summer and the Camps They Love was published by Workman, NYC. Ms. Kahn graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin.
Welcome Lunch hosted by
Colorado Company
featuring Karyn Ruth White
Poking Fun At Pefectionism©
Remember wearing jeans so tight that you had to lie down to get into them? Have you ever lost your pantyhose WHILE you were wearing them? Are your thighs the only things at work that haven’t been downsized? As women we drive ourselves insane trying to cook like Martha Stewart, look like Cindy Crawford, and succeed like Oprah Winfrey…and we wonder why we feel stressed!
Well, here’s a news flash, life’s not perfect, and neither are we. But that’s never stopped us from trying! Laugh ‘til you cry with Karyn Ruth White as she pokes fun at perfectionism, our need for it, our belief in it, and our hilarious attempts to attain it.
Karyn Ruth White is an International Motivator, Comedian and Author with over 20 years of expertise in the field of learning through humor. Before entering the speaking world, she performed nationally as a headlining comedian for over 10 years.
In her popular keynote programs Laughing In The Face of Stress© , and Laughing In The Face Of Change© Karyn Ruth helps organizations boost morale and increase productivity by giving employees a chance to see the humor in their current challenges and use a positive outlook to meet those challenges. Her humor is always clean, customized and professionally delivered.
Her national keynote program Laughing In the Face of Stress© has been televised regularly over the past several years. She is the co-author of Your Seventh Sense; How To Think Like A Comedian© and is the owner of Laugh and Learn Productions, a Denver-based organization dedicated to helping people laugh more, work healthy and live happy. Some of Karyn Ruth’s very happy clients include CH2M Hill, Microsoft, Nextel, IBM, KPMG, The University of Colorado and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Karyn Ruth White combines her business acumen, her comedic gifts and her passion for helping people into a rare, delightful and poignant presence on the professional speaking circuit.
Afternoon Networking Activities:
Belly Dancing with Maria
www.boulderbellygrams.com
Maria is a Boulder area professional Belly Dancer. She is one of the main dancers at the Mataam Fez in Boulder, and teaches belly dance in Boulder and Lakeshore Athletic Club in Broomfield. Past Director of World Dance at former dance studio "Dance West," she now acts an Event Manager for Boulder Creek Events, where she coordinates and schedules high profile Boulder Events such as the "Boulder Community Dance Stage" at the Boulder Creek Festival. Maria has been seen belly dancing at numerous events, weddings, parties, etc. in and around Boulder County, and in movies and TV shows. Maria is known for dancing with snakes, performing an ancient zar/trance dance from the Middle East.
Maria owns and operates a successful business, "Boulder BellyGrams by Maria", which provides belly dance entertainment and other ethnic entertainment for corporate events, schools, birthday parties, celebrations and shows. Maria has co-founded a troupe with storyteller/musician Bobby Avstreih, called "Ziva Dunya" ("bright world"). They have developed a program entitled "Tales & Rhythms from the Middle East" which we have brought to schools, multicultural festivals, senior centers, etc., to great acclaim.
The Fine Art of Small Talk: Network with Style: Wednesday Afternoon Activity presented in two sessions
A former engineer, Debra Fine is now nationally recognized as a speaker and communication expert as well as the author of the best selling book “The Fine Art of Small Talk”. Recently described by the Denver Post as “a mixture of stand-up comic, therapist and teacher”, Debra’s keynotes and workshops teach conversational tips and techniques to both the technically oriented professional and the spouse who is dragged along to conferences, conventions and banquets. Debra’s programs are held regularly for Fortune 500 firms as well as financial, legal, health care, real estate, government, engineering and entrepreneurial organizations. Her book “The Fine Art of Small Talk” was published to excellent reviews in the Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and USA Today and feature stories in Entrepreneur Magazine and The Chicago Tribune. Her recent media appearances include the Today Show, the Early Show, NPR and CNN.
Wednesday Night Dinner, Sponsored by Dr. Lee Weisbard, DDS, featuring a Keynote Concert by Jana Stanfield, CSP
Jana Stanfield is an internationally recognized, award-winning recording artist, transformational speaker, humorist and multi-platinum songwriter. She has shared stages with notables ranging from Kenny Loggins and the Dixie Chicks to Lily Tomlin and Deepak Chopra. Her one-of-a-kind performances receive standing ovations on world-famous stages from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry to New York’s Carnegie Hall.
A five million-selling songwriter, you’ve heard Jana’s compositions, sung by such artists as Reba McEntire and Andy Williams, on radio stations coast to coast… and on popular television programs, including Oprah, Entertainment Tonight, and 20/20, as well the feature film, “8 Seconds,” starring Luke Perry. With the motto, “Start Small, Dream Big, Live Large,” Jana started a record company in 1991. Her work ethic, marketing skills and business savvy turned Relatively Famous Records into one of the most successful businesses of its kind.
Jana’s music has been described as “Heavy MeNtal” or “psychotherapy you can dance to.” Her songs, “What Would I do Today if I Were Brave,” “If I Had Only Known,” and others raise money for many charitable organizations, including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. CEO Jack Canfield, of Chicken Soup for the Soul Enterprises, recently highlighted Jana as “one of the world’s top achievers” in his most recent best seller, “The Success Principles.” This year marks the release of Jana’s live recording from Carnegie Hall, a project that will support the launch of her latest humanitarian effort, The Women Helping Women Help the World Tour.
Thursday, September 27th
Lunch sponsored by CBS4
Featuring Jodi Brooks
Watch out, Denver, she's back and better than ever! Jodi Brooks, a Denver native and graduate of Cherry Creek High School, joined the CBS4 team from WEWS TV in Cleveland, Ohio, where she most recently was the "Live on Five" Investigative Reporter. Jodi now reports for CBS4 News at 5 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. While on assignment in Mobile, Jodi gained national attention for her efforts to help mothers who were not able to care for their new babies. Sickened by a story about a mother who had drowned her baby in a toilet, Jodi wanted to make a difference. She convinced local leaders to allow mothers to drop off their unwanted babies at hospital emergency rooms, without fear of prosecution for neglect and abandonment -- no questions asked. Alabama lawmakers would eventually pass the "Jodi Brooks Law," and now nearly every state in the country has followed, including Colorado. Jodi won a National Emmy for her efforts and has appeared on several talk shows including "Oprah" and "The Rosie O'Donnell Show." She's also been featured in numerous magazines including People, Time, Newsweek, and Redbook.
Thursday Night Dinner, sponsored by Isagenix
Featuring Camp Founder Betsy Wiersma, Debra Fine, Joan Slaughter and Marilyn Hosea, each with One Women’s Story
Meet Our Camp Sponsors, Fashion Show and “Talent” Night
Belly Dance by Maria Mazzaferro
CampExperience: Update....Ride Enjoyed!
Betsy Wiersma
What has happened to the Camp brand and the first Campers? Founder Betsy Wiersma gives us an update on the inside scoop on Camp and our impact.
And Betsy introduces us to our Camp Marketing Partners and special sponsors
One Woman’s Story: Debra Fine, The Fine Art of Small Talk
Join Debra Fine as she proves to us all that perception is not necessarily reality. The author of the best selling book “The Fine Art of Small Talk” she is an internationally recognized speaker and trainer. Her “fine” name is just the beginning of the unconventional journey that led to her overnight success at 52 as a parent, wife, friend and entrepreneur. "
A former engineer, Debra Fine is now nationally recognized as a speaker and communication expert as well as the author of the best selling book “The Fine Art of Small Talk”. Recently described by the Denver Post as “a mixture of stand-up comic, therapist and teacher”, Debra’s keynotes and workshops teach conversational tips and techniques to both the technically oriented professional and the spouse who is dragged along to conferences, conventions and banquets. Debra’s programs are held regularly for Fortune 500 firms as well as financial, legal, health care, real estate, government, engineering and entrepreneurial organizations. Her book “The Fine Art of Small Talk” was published to excellent reviews in the Library Journal, Publishers Weekly and USA Today and feature stories in Entrepreneur Magazine and The Chicago Tribune. Her recent media appearances include the Today Show, the Early Show, NPR and CNN.
One Woman’s Story: Joan Slaughter, Morgan Adams Foundation
Joan Slaughter is the mother of Morgan Adams. In 1997, her daughter was diagnosed with a highly malignant brain tumor. After Morgan’s death in 1998, Joan and her husband Steven Adams, redirected their energies toward fundraising and community support for pediatric cancer research. Through their efforts and the help of an extraordinary group of friends and volunteers, they have donated over 600,000.00 to pediatric cancer research begin conducted at Denver’s Children’s Hospital and other nationally recognized research institutions. Joan and Steven also stand with other families experiencing the traumatic loss of young children to cancer.
Joan Slaughter holds a BS in Professional Accounting from Regis University and was a member of a special projects divestiture team for a Fortune 100 company prior to her daughter Morgan's diagnosis. Joan continues to work toward increasing community awareness of the needs of kids with cancer. She serves as a member of the Oncology Advisory Board of the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders at Denver's Children's Hospital, and serves on the board of the Colorado Childhood Cancer Community. Joan and husband Steven Adams have two other children, Andrew and Grace.
One Woman’s Story: Marilyn Hosea
Give credit to Duke (Ellington, of course). A celebration of an African-American woman’s life told at mid-breath—the magical age of fifty-five. Marilyn Hosea describes her life of privilege, struggle, expectations, joy, and contemplation; a life guided by the impeccable intonation and resonant voice of jazz and a special muse.
Marilyn Ayenew Hosea has worked on behalf of low-income children and families for most of her professional life. Marilyn is a former executive director and administrator of Head Start projects in several major communities, including, Denver, Colorado; Pasadena, California; and, Los Angeles, California. She is Booz Allen Hamilton’s Technical Assistance Manager, a leadership consulting position to support the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Region VIII. In this capacity, Marilyn offers more than 25 years of experience in organizational development, program operations, nonprofit sector management and governance to community based programs sponsoring Head Start programs in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Marilyn returned to Denver, her birthplace after a nearly 30 year absence and shares a household with her spirited, engaging mother, Louise S. Biffle. Their home is a renowned gathering place for lively discussions, music, food and spiritual support. One of Marilyn’s favorite sayings comes from her grandmother, “Don’t ever forget to lift as you climb!”
Friday, September 28th
Final Celebration Lunch Sponsored by
The Squires Clinic
Karen Sherman, COO, Women for Women International, Washington, DC
Women for Women International mobilizes women to change their lives by bringing a holistic approach to addressing the unique needs of women in conflict and post-conflict environments.
As each woman engages in a multi-phase process of recovery and rehabilitation, she opens a window of opportunity presented by the end of conflict to help improve the rights, freedoms and status of women in her country. Enrollment in the Sponsorship program means that each woman not only receives financial support from her sponsor but also emotional support through letters of encouragement through the year-long program. Since 1993, Women for Women International has distributed more than $32 million in direct aid to more than 93,000 women living in post-conflict environments.
Karen Sherman is the Chief Operating Officer at Women for Women International. She provides strategic management and oversight of the organization’s operations in line with the organization's mission of serving women survivors of war and conflict. Ms. Sherman implements the organization’s vision and strategic direction by galvanizing new initiatives and special projects that focus on women’s economic, political and social empowerment.
Ms. Sherman has 20 years of multi-faceted international development experience specializing in the design, implementation and management of technical and financial assistance programs that target women, entrepreneurs and non-governmental organizations. Prior to joining Women for Women International, Ms. Sherman served as Executive Vice President of Counterpart International. She also launched and managed a small business in the former Soviet Union, identifying new entrepreneurial opportunities and partners throughout the region. Ms. Sherman is proficient in Russian and has a Master of Arts in Russian and East European Studies from the George Washington University.
All-Camp Activity: Visual Recording with Kriss Wittmann, Wittmann Studios
www.wittmannstudios.com
Kriss Wittmann is a human highlighter. With her keen listening skills and illustration talent she is able to “highlight” key concepts by drawing pictures onto maps, a process called graphic recording. She has been illustrating for over four years in training rooms, strategic planning retreats, awards banquets, think tanks and focus groups. Kriss has 17 years experience in higher education and corporate training. Kriss has provided professional skills development to universities in the U.S. and in Great Britain and to organizations such as Right Management, the U.S. Postal Service, ADT Security Systems and Sprint PCS. Recently Kriss has done recording for the United Nations.