BTW BOARD MEMBER BIOS
Bobbie Becker, Environmental Health & Safety Manager, MWD
Bio Coming Soon _______________________________________________________________________________
Patty DeDominic,President, PDQ Services, Inc.
Patty DeDominic is the Founder, CEO and Chairman of the PDQ Careers Group of Companies. PDQ is one of Los Angeles’ largest privately held staffing services. Divisions specialize in recruiting and consulting in Accounting, Administration and Information Technology, in Finance, Aerospace, Medical and Educational institutions.
Along with a team of talented recruiters and human resource experts, she built the firm on the premise of Dedicating themselves to Quality outcomes for both job seekers and employers ranging from large medical or educational institutions to insurance, governments, telecommunications and financial industries. The firm provides solutions and advice on labor issues, staff challenges & planning and innovative recruitment strategies. PDQ's motto is Staffing Partner to America's Finest Employers.
DeDominic currently serves on several boards of directors and is Chairman and one of the founders of the Foundation for SCORE, SCORE Counselors to America's small business has over 10,000 volunteers offering free business counseling on line and in confidential personal settings. DeDominic is also past Chair of the Board of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce & President Emeritus of the National Association of Women Business Owners (L.A.) and served as Commissioner of the Americas for the World Association of Women Chiefs (FCEM).
The United States Congress, Governors, trade associations and her peers have awarded DeDominic and her firm special recognition for over twenty years. First as an advocate for small businesses, as a community leader and as one of "America's Finest Employers." DeDominic has long been recognized by labor and business organizations for her outstanding contributions to business and employment issues. She is active on the board of Fraser Communications, the Jane Goodall Institute and an advisor to the Women’s Leadership Board at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. PDQ and CT Engineering clients include the University of Southern California, The Automobile Clubs, Cedars Sinai Hospital, Children's Hospital, local, state & the U.S. Government, Western University, the Aerospace Corporation, Boeing and the country of Japan.
DeDominic wrote & published The New World of Work, a most practical guide to working in the new millennium and is a featured speaker and resource for the media.
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Nancy Edwards, Chief Executive Officer, Edwards & Associates
Bio Coming Soon
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Renee Fraser, President, Fraser Communications, Inc.
Under Founder Renee White Fraser’s leadership, Fraser Communications has developed into the 3rd fastest growing, woman-owned business in the Los Angeles area, with more than $42 million in sales and is ranked #36 nationwide by Entrepreneur Magazine in the category of fastest growing woman-owned businesses in the United States. Since 1992, the full-service advertising and marketing agency has attracted a broad spectrum of local and nationally recognized clients, including: Toyota; Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; AIDS Healthcare Foundation; East West Bank; The United Way of Greater Los Angeles; Flex Your Power (the California State Energy Conservation Campaign); Greystone Medical, Inc., Rainbow Light and Los Angeles World Airports (LA/Ontario International and LA/Palmdale Regional Airports).
Having earned her PhD in Psychology from USC, Renee is a consumer psychologist who also serves on several non-profit boards. Most recently, she addressed the West Hollywood Women’s Leadership Conference and gave the keynote address of “Women Lead Differently – We Walk Shoulder to Shoulder” at the 2006 International Forum of Outstanding Women Entrepreneurs in Shanghai. She serves on the faculty of University of Southern California and is currently featured on American Airlines’ The Insider Exclusive program in a segment called “L.A.’s Most Influential Women.”
Honored by Advertising Age as one of the “Ten Brightest Women in Advertising,” Renee was the recipient of the 2003 Los Angeles SBA “Women in Business Advocate of the Year” Award and the 2004 LA Business Journal “Woman CEO of the Year” Award. Throughout a career that has included being President and General Manager of Bozell Inc./Pacific Region, Renee has established a reputation as a brand builder. She distinguishes herself as and leads a team of experts in qualitative and quantitative research, which results in thoughtful and effective campaigns for her clients.
Renee is currently featured along with fellow entrepreneur and business leader Betsy Berkhemer-Credaire on www.2MinutesWith.com, a new business radio talk show and website. The newly launched program finds Renee and Betsy sharing their own experiences and interviewing high-level executives to encourage and inspire entrepreneurship among listeners.
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Carol Finch, 2nd VP, Financial Planning Specialist, Smith Barney
Carol, 2nd Vice President of Wealth Management with Smith Barney, has been advising clients on investing and financial planning issues since 1993. She holds a Financial Planning Specialist designation as well as designations in Portfolio Management, Alternative Investments and Retirement Planning. In addition, she holds her Series 7, 63 and 65 licenses through the National Association of Securities Dealers and is licensed to provide insurance and annuity products.
Although her office is in Beverly Hills, California, her clients reside all over the United States, Europe and the UK. Carol is committed to providing common sense, practical and uniquely personal advise and service to each and every client. Her goal is to establish and maintain long term client relationships and to help her clients make wise and informed financial decisions. She especially enjoys working with busy women professionals and executives who want an approachable ally and financial coach.
From 1975 through 1990 Carol was an account executive in the information technology field and was employed by Control Data Corp., Itel Corp., and Holland Systems. Her clients included the Federal Reserve Board, Arthur Anderson Consulting, Boeing, Northrop, Shell Oil, and California Institute of Technology.
Carol attended the University of California at Long Beach and has lived and worked in Southern California all her life. She is enjoys cooking, the arts, and is an avid golfer and traveler. She resides in El Segundo with her husband, Bill.
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Diane Gubin, President, TechExec Partners
Dianne Gubin,has spent over 10 years at the top tier of Executive Search, IT consulting and Sales Staffing for major corporate clients in both Los Angeles and New York. A gregarious, energetic and creative match-maker, Dianne intuitively understands how to negotiate putting together the right collaborative team for your company.
Dianne is a firm believer in giving back to the community. In addition to staffing services, Tech Exec Partners produces and sponsors executive level networking events, as well as programs for smaller groups of invited executives which convene for several intimate meetings during the year. As the Los Angeles chapter director of Women in Technology International (WITI-LA) from 1999 - 2004, Dianne led the most successful and powerful chapter in the WITI Professional Association. Under Dianne's leadership, WITI-LA launched a suite of community outreach programs including a Mentor program; an Education initiative designed to introduce high school and college students to careers in technology; and a technology-based Entrepreneur program.
Dianne is active on several boards. She co-chaired the Digital Coast Roundtable Industry Relations Committee for two years (2003-2004) and formed a bio-tech IT advisory board for Los Angeles Valley College. Dianne is a founding member of both the National Executive Alliance and Big Thinking Women's network (BTW). She is also a member of the Professionals Network Group (PNG) and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO). In both 2002 and 2004 Dianne received nominations for the Los Angeles Business Journal - "Women Who Make a Difference" award. A journalism major at the University of Connecticut, Dianne lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their three children.
Currently, Dianne is co-authoring a book on networking and professional development.
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Marina Kotsianas, CEO, Artia Strategies; Managing Partner, Artia Ventures, LLC
Marina Kotsianas is Founder and CEO of Artia Strategies (www.ArtiaStrtegies.com) , a strategy consulting practice in the areas of corporate growth, technology commercialization, new ventures, and global business. She is also Managing Partner of Artia Ventures, LLC (www.ArtiaVentures.com), an investment firm focused on growth sectors of the Indian market.
Marina is the Founder of Agribuys, Inc., a pioneering supply-chain technology company for the global food industry. As the Chairman and CEO of Agribuys, Marina led the company from concept to its current position as the Premier B2B solution for the Global Food Industry. Marina raised $35 m in Venture Capital funding, grew the company to over 150 people on 4 continents, achieved sustainable revenue generation, successfully differentiated Agribuys from over 80 competitors, and led Agribuys’ selection as the exclusive Partner of the world’s largest consortium of Retailers.
Marina’s background includes strategy consulting experience at McKinsey & Co., as well as numerous roles in the software and Food industries in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Marina won the Software Council of Southern California’s “Entrepreneur of the Year” award.
Marina is also currently on Faculty of the MBA Program at the University of Southern California teaching Global Strategic business consulting and directing about 15 consulting projects annually. She also serves on the Board of several organizations and consults with numerous global enterprises.
Marina has an engineering degree from Athens, Greece; a Master’s in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York; and an MBA in International Business from the University of Southern California; all top of class. She is multi-lingual and multi-cultural, having lived and worked around the world.
As an early pioneer of B2B technology, Marina has written extensively on the role of B2B in the competitiveness of the Food industry, and has been featured in numerous industry publications and cover stories.
Marina’s current interests include issues of emerging market development; competitiveness for smaller firms; ways of effecting Large-Scale Change; and the support of women in business.
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Michele Lando, President, Skilset Communications
Marketing fusionary Michele Lando helps companies to build brand awareness and realize their market potential. She views brand-enabled communications as a key to reaching audiences, enhancing the perception of value, and creating preference in the marketplace. Guided by her vision, the Skilset team delivers comprehensive solutions supported by broad-based business expertise. Additionally, Michele has developed tools and solutions designed expressly for start-up businesses looking to establish a compelling presence. Prior to co-founding Skilset, she created marketing strategies, dynamic alliances and highly successful new directions for numerous businesses. She regularly speaks on branding and design to businesses and organizations in a wide variety of industries, and sits on the boards of select organizations dedicated to the advancement of women in business.
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Audrey Lockwood, Financial Planner, Lincoln FInancial Advisors
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Barbara Meltzer, Barbara Meltzer & Associates
After reading about her background, a perplexed client once turned to Barbara and said, “I’ve never seen a biography like this.” When she asked him why, he replied, “I’ve not known anyone who has been associated with ‘The Tonight Show,’ child abuse prevention, organ donation and Tiny Tim’s wedding—all in one lifetime!”
You could say it’s that diversity that sums up her professional life, which began with “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” in New York, where Barbara was Assistant to the Producer. Her 10 years with the show afforded Barbara a unique and enlightening look at the inner workings of the entertainment industry.
Determined to “never leave her hometown,” she remained in New York when “Tonight” moved to the West Coast, and helped to create the American Academy of Humor with comic/producer Alan King. Barbara then served as Associate Producer for ABC-TV’s “Annual Comedy Awards.”
She eventually did make the move to Los Angeles, and after rejoining “The Tonight Show” for two years, became NBC-TV’s Director of Network Creative Services. There she supervised numerous public relations campaigns for network programming and directed major corporate & station events and special activities, as well as handling affiliate requests for personal appearances by talent.
Next came a few years as Executive-in-Charge of Talent & Casting for the Marketing and Development Department of LA’s Public Broadcasting Station, KCET-TV. Barbara's career in public relations was launched when she became an account executive for Boonshaft-Lewis & Savitch Public Relations & Government Affairs. That opportunity to service a variety of clients with an eclectic list of needs prompted her, in 1987, to create the public relations firm of Barbara Meltzer & Associates.
In her “spare time,” she has taught a course on “Public Relations for Nonprofit Organizations” for UCLA’s Extension Division and have also been a monthly newspaper columnist. She serves on the American Jewish Committee’s Advisory Board and is a past Vice President of the Board of Directors of the Public Relations Society of America’s LA Chapter.
She co-founded that organization’s Independent Practitioners Group and served on its steering committee.
Barbara's growing interest in the aging of the Baby Boomer generation led her to serve on the LA County Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council, for which she chairs the Communications Committee. Most recently, she has been appointed to serve as a Commissioner on the Los Angeles County Commission on Aging.
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Jaki Scarcello, Founder/FPS Consulting
Jaki Scarcello is a talent development and program design specialist. She creates practical tools and human systems to improve organizational performance by increasing employee satisfaction and retention rates.
Her personal and professional mission is to build workplaces that exceed corporate goals while fulfilling the human need to work and to contribute to something greater than oneself.
In 2002 Jaki moved to Southern California, and founded FPS Consulting, Facilitating Profit with Spirit.
Jaki offers organizations three basic principles, which are the cornerstones of FPS Consulting:
The culture of an organization impacts the bottom line and employee satisfaction and retention are the two most important cultural diagnostics.
An organization will reach and sustain its goals when, the people who work within it, are engaged in and aligned to the strategic objectives of the organization.
Excellence in leadership requires a shift in focus from personal acquisition to legacy creation. Excellent leaders strive to give back to the company, the employees, and to the community within which they live and work.
For Jaki’s clients the improved ability to achieve their vision has been the proof of the practical application of these principles.
Jaki’s belief in the validity of these principles has developed from her experience in the following roles:
Top producing consultant with Forrest and Company, a leadership and strategy consulting practice in Toronto, Canada. Jaki was valued by her clients for her skill in aligning business vision and strategy to individual behaviour.
Among other significant projects, Jaki led the sale, design and implementation of, TLC, The Leadership Coach™. Sears Canada has used to TLC to create workplace environments which meet and exceed customer’s expectations since 1999.
Jaki’s other clients included Sun Microsystems, Canadian Tire Corporation and Cedara Software.
A leader on the collaborative team that designed and implemented CTAL U, one of Canada’s first Corporate Universities. CTAL U took organizational learning at Canadian Tire Corporation, Canada’s most shopped retailer, to a premier level. For Canadian Tire employees, CTAL U brought the words “learning organization” to life. CTAL U played a vital role in bringing Canadian Tire Call Centres international recognition.
Internal Learning Consultant at Canadian Tire Acceptance Limited (currently operating as Canadian Tire Financial Services) Jaki was regarded as a cause/purpose oriented manager who delivered practical and innovative solutions. In 1995, CTFS experienced tremendous growth which was complicated by its remote geographical location. In response to this challenge, Jaki created a self directed career development system to grow internal talent. CDS is still a valued workplace tool and continues to positively impact employee satisfaction and retention rates.
Designer and General Manager of a network of innovative Community Career Centres (operating as a division of the Business Education Council of Niagara) which served at risk youth and adults in four educational districts. The programs which Jaki and her staff designed were the first of their kind. They established a standard for career education which has been modelled across Canada.
Jaki’s innovative leadership in the Community Career Centres, and other services distinguished the BEC as a not for profit organization which became sustainable through self sufficient community programming.
Jaki has taken on the challenges of people and work from inside and outside organizations and corporations. Her work experience has covered the private, public and not for profit sectors.
Clients include: Sun Microsystems, Showtime Networks, Sears Canada, Canadian Tire Corporation, Cedara Software Corporation, California Tradewinds, and Option One Mortgage.
Jaki creates human technologies that help people and organizations to fit together effectively.
Jaki’s clients are able to align their intentions, their actions and their results to achieve sustainable, inclusive prosperity.
Jaki is a currently on the board of BTW, Los Angeles, is an active member of the LA Chapter of Canadians Abroad and the past Manager of Volunteer Development for ASTD-OC.
Jaki has a BA in Social Sciences from the University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
She completed her coaching education at the Adler School of Psychology, Toronto, Ontario and is certified by ICF, International Coach Federation.
FPS is dedicated to developing organizational cultures where profit/value and the realization of human potential exist interdependently.
Jaki believes that the purpose of organizations is to provide a place for individuals to fulfill their human need to work and to contribute to something greater than themselves.
FPS Consulting is small and new and is founded on ‘earned principles.’ This means we offer:
- Talent without cumbersome machinery
- Innovation without drag
- The ability to turn on a dime to meet your client’s needs
- The wisdom of 19 years of experience
- The integrity and commitment required to balance the needs of multiple clients flawlessly
Jaki Scarcello is: - An inspiring coach and consultant
- An engaging facilitator,
- A creative learning designer
“There are so many executive coaches on the market today. I have met a few, but none that could even come close to the “service" you provide to people you connect with!!! You bring perspective, you are willing to push the tough stuff, and you force people to examine their own truths, without judgment. It’s so easy to be with you”
Janice Wismer
Corporate Vice President, Human Resources, McCain Foods Ltd
“Jaki’s involvement with our leaders was exceptional. She is empathetic, professional and a superior facilitator.”
Ethel Taylor
Senior Vice President, Corporate Store Sales, Sears Canada______________________________________________________________________________
Linda "Tish" Tisherman, Career and Lifestyle Coach
Tish is a Pragmatic Career and Lifestyle expert who helps people navigate their business lives to actually coincide with their true passions, because, frankly, life is just too short and too precious to wake up one day and wonder – what have I done with my life?!
Tish owned and operated a staffing and executive placement firm for over 25 years. Tish coached so many people struggling to find their place – make enough money, enjoy their daily work-life, find time for family. And although she was an entrepreneur and outside of the corporate box, Tish found herself being influenced by that mindset through serving it – 110%; which is how Tish serves anything she’s involved with – from boards to business to best buddies.
When you ask Tish about her “passion”, she’ll tell you that her heart is with teenagers looking to find their way in the “world of life”. Tish has been coaching and mentoring all kinds of "kids" for over 15 years. This is her joy and passion and the kids sense it. Tish teaches first impressions, life skills, goal setting and how to navigate the world of business and work.
Tish is vibrant and passionate. She’s constantly evolving with new thoughts, new processes, new ways of communication, all of which benefit “her kids”, while, at the same time, guiding Tish towards both personal and professional development to live her life at an amazing level of gratitude and joy! Tish is a frequent guest speaker at community organizations, local high schools and colleges such as Santa Monica College, USC Marshall and USC Annenberg.
All children are beginning to want control over their own lives. They want to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be. They want to hear that it is possible – even in today’s climate. Tish’s kids learn what truly IS possible when they are coachable, committed, want to develop conviction, persistence and a mindset that failure is not an option.!
With that, we make their dreams and vision a reality!
Tish’s Accolades:
Rotary International - 4 Avenue of Service Award
Rotary Club of Santa Monica - Herb Spurgin Award
American Cancer Society - Best Relay Captain
Honoree Santa Monica Human Relations Council
Santa Monica Chamber President's Award
Santa Monica Women’s Business Council Entrepreneur Award
Nominee for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Century City Chamber Women’s Business Council's Woman of Achievement Award.
American Staffing Association - Award of Merit - Public Service
*American Staffing Association -"Touch of Knowledge" Award
(*The "Touch of Knowledge Award" is the highest honor the staffing industry bestows for community service in the form of education.)
Tish’s Community Affiliations:
Rotary International (Santa Monica Club)
2 year Director;
Vice President Programming
Century City Chamber of Commerce
Board member
Santa Monica Chambers of Commerce
Past Chairman of the Board;
Current Board Member;
Education Committee Chair
Santa Monica College Business Advisory Board
Muscular Dystrophy Los Angeles Executive Board
5 year Team Captain - ACS Relay for Life
Executive Board Meals on Wheels
Board Member PAL (Police Activities League)
BTW (Big Thinking Women)
Charter Member and Board Member
Lecturing/Coaching/Public Speaking
Venice High School - 7 years “Preparing Youth for Industry” - weekly classes
SM Chamber of Commerce – Various job seminars
SM Chamber Public Spokesperson as Chairman of the Board
USC Marshall – Frequent speaker
USC Annenberg School of Communication – Frequent Speaker
Santa Monica College – Frequent Speaker
SME (Sales/Marketing Executives) Speaker
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Melissa Wayne, President, 3 Oh! 5 Creative, Inc.
Melissa Wayne, is a founding BTW board member. President of 3 Oh! 5 Creative, Inc., a media and production company, Melissa is also a current member of the Producer’s Guild of America, the California Women’s Foundation Leadership Council, the Los Angeles Donor’s Circle, and the National Association of Women Business Owners. She has over twenty years of management and leadership experience in education and business and her current passions include her family, writing, economic literacy and self sufficiency for women, and life changes.
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Hiroko Tatebe, Founder, Global Organization for Leadership and Diversity (GOLD)
Hiroko Tatebe, Founder and Executive Director of Global Organization for Leadership and Diversity (GOLD) is a former Director, Executive Vice President and Treasurer of Dai-Ichi Kangyo Bank of California (formerly Japan California Bank; currently Mizuho Corporate Bank of California). Her extensive banking experience includes management in finance, investment, domestic and international operations, product development, compliance and information technology in a multi-cultural business environment.
A native of Tokyo, Japan, Tatebe received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Whittier College in 1973 and a diploma from the Graduate School of Banking at the Bank Administration Institute and the University of Wisconsin in 1983. In 1989 she became a Certified Financial Planner through the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado.
Tatebe was honored as an “Affiliated Businesswomen Member of the Year” in 1999 by the Los Angeles Chapter of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and was named “Outstanding Business Woman of the Year” in 2000 by the Los Angeles Chapter of Women in Business.
Tatebe is a founding member and director of Global Enhancement of Women’s Executive Leadership (GEWEL), a sister organization of GOLD, in Japan. GEWEL, a non-profit organization, is committed to supporting Japanese businesswomen to expand and develop their leadership abilities.
Active in many professional and community organizations, Tatebe currently serves on the Board of Directors of Big Thinking Women and the Multicultural Advisory board of the Women’s Leadership Exchange. She is past President of Financial Women International, past Board Member of the California Bankers Association, past Advisory Board member of the NAWBO Los Angeles Chapter and past Treasurer of Women Against Gun Violence. Tatebe has also served in officer and board positions for Whittier College Alumni Association, Organization of Women Executives, Women in Business and Women in Transportation.
