Women’s Summit Presenters & Panelists
Women’s Summit Presenters
Julie Lancaster
President of Lancaster Leadership; Cultivating Lifelong Leaders. Leadership Coach, Trainer, & Consultant
Keynote session: Attention management: managing priorities, energy, and dynamics
Julie Lancaster knows that being a leader takes guts. Before being the founder of Lancaster Leadership, she walked the talk. Julie first found her calling decades ago as a rock-climbing instructor. She helped thousands to look challenge in the face, to be vulnerable, to enthusiastically strive for tall goals, and to celebrate hard work together. Through finding her calling, she found her true voice. Today, as the President of Lancaster Leadership, she now supports others to delight in their successes and overcome their challenges. She has been honored to be Dean of Education, Career Services Director, Entrepreneur of the Month, Businesswoman of the Month, and Adjunct Instructor of the Year, and to support outstanding clients as a leadership coach, consultant, and trainer in many sectors. Now with decades of leadership in the U.S. and beyond, her experience guides her practice. Although she travels around the country working with teams who aspire to flourish, she calls Flagstaff, Arizona home. Learn more about Julie: www.LancasterLeadership.com
Deborah Ostreicher
President of Distinguished Communications; Speaker, Author, Leader & Award Winning Business Woman
Keynote session: Female Assertiveness and Powerful Presenting for Women Professionals
Deborah Ostreicher has spent over 25 years in leadership positions around the globe, including as Marketing Director for a multi-national hi-tech company in Central Europe, as Events Manager for Prince Charles in the U.K. and most recently as the Vice President of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. She is now the President of Distinguished Communications, an international firm that dramatically improves communication for individuals, teams and entire companies. She is recognized as an expert presenter and communication coach. In fact, she is constantly flattered by the awards she receives; from “Athena” to “Business Woman of the Year” to “Most Influential” to “Most Outstanding”. She created Distinguished Communications because she is passionate about communication and about sharing her secrets with others so that they can achieve success. Her undergraduate degree in Liberal Arts is from the University of Maryland, College Park; her MBA is from the American University, Washington, D.C., and her certificate in Leadership Communications is from Harvard University, Boston. Learn more about Deborah: www.DistinguishedComm.com
Marney Babbitt-Pierce
Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator; Dare to Lead: The Four Skillsets of Courage
Keynote session: Dare to Lead: The Four Skillsets of Courage
Marney knows that courageous leaders are developed, not born. Her interest in applying evidence-based techniques to leadership challenges lead her to the work of Dr. Brené Brown, which she now shares in Dare to Lead workshops across the United States. In her day job, Marney supports clients as they make change to choose a healthy lifestyle. Previously, Marney helped young girls discover their limitless potential as the Council Director of Girls on the Run of Northern Arizona. A mentor at heart, Marney started her career in Higher Education supporting students as they forged their path into the world. Marney has been recognized for her contributions to the Northern Arizona community: Athena Young Professional Award, Northern Arizona University College of Health Sciences Community Partner of the Year, Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce 20 Under 40, and Leaders & Entrepreneurs Women of Sedona- Verde Valley. A third generation Arizonan, Marney calls Clarkdale her home. Learn more about Marney: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marney-babbitt/
Cierra Winters
B.S. Fitness Wellness, ACE Personal Trainer; Head Coach at Orangetheory Fitness Flagstaff, Fitness Professional, Lululemon Ambassador
Breakout session: The Art of Kicking Ass
Cierra is one of the first graduates of the Fitness Wellness program at Northern Arizona University. She has been leading fitness classes for more than 10 years, managing three of the studios that she has worked at. Her work is her passion, and she is dedicated to not only helping others achieve the physical results they desire but also to improving their overall quality of life and happiness. She believes that fitness begins with creating strong, positive habits, and is committed to being the driving force of direction that others need.
Ivy Banks
Assistant Vice President, Student Affairs, Engagement & Inclusive Excellence , Northern Arizona University
Breakout session: Engagement & Inclusive Excellence
Ivy Banks earned her Masters in Education from Northern Arizona University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Akron. With over 15 years of executive leadership experience in private industry and higher education, Ivy specializes in educating others on the value of leading with inclusion, diversity and equity. Ivy is heavily involved in the community, serving as a member of the historic Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc and the White Dove Foundation of Arizona. Her awards and accolades include: Akron BLSA Alumni of the Year, NAU LGBTQIA Commission Ally of the Year and the Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award. Lean more about Ivy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivy-banks-esq/
Kate Carey
Owner of A Blissful Life
Breakout session: Cultivate Wholeness through Self-Care
Kate Carey is a personal growth enthusiast who finds meaning in life by sharing what she has learned on her journey with open-hearted souls. At the end of her life, she would most like to be remembered for being a soul-awakener, a joy-revealer and all around wise woman who was generous of spirit. A native Arizonan, Kate is a married mother of two amazing young people and splits her time between NAU and her craft business, A Blissful Life. Learn more about Kate: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ablissfullife/
Erin Widman
Owner of The Yoga Experience
Breakout session: Embody Your Learning: Move on your Momentum
Erin Widman is the owner of The Yoga Experience, a yoga studio that has been offering Flagstaff top quality yoga instruction for over 20 years. She is passionate about enhancing the health and well-being not only of her students but also the community as a whole. Her specialty is training teachers to be clear, effective and profound in their ability to communicate and teach. She has degrees in both Human Psychology and Environmental Planning and is the author of Sleeping Bag Yoga: For Hikers, Bikers, and Paddlers. Learn more about Erin: https://www.theyogaexperience.com/teachers/
Jeannie Duncan
JSDuncan LLC Coaching
Breakout session: 4 Essential Coaching Skills to Help Others GROW (without solving it for them)
Jeannie works with brilliant leaders to make a big difference in the world. Her passion is helping technical experts who become organizational leaders align their quest for excellence with the talents and well-being of their teams and organizations, and fully takeoff on their path to stardom. Jeannie has 25 years of corporate executive experience in talent management and organizational development roles across the U.S., Middle East, Southeast Asia and South America. With her support, leaders have shifted organizational cultures to strengthen engagement and contribution at all levels and re-engineered talent management processes resulting in increased productivity and unparalleled employee and community loyalty. To broaden her impact, she founded her executive coaching business, JSDuncan LLC, in 2014. She now serves the top executives who need her most, across a broad range of industries, to create successful, healthy, mutually-rewarding and thriving workplaces everywhere. A graduate of Fielding Graduate University’s Evidence Based Coaching Program and certified in group coaching, Jeannie also has three Master’s degrees―in Educational Administration, Human Resources Management and Development, and Organizational Development―and her PhD in Human and Organizational Systems. Learn more about Jeannie: https://www.differentkindofsmart.com
Women’s Summit Panelists
Being Bold
Assertiveness. Dealing with challenges. Claiming your place at the table. Going for it.
Nicole Lance
CEO of Lance Strategies/Managing Partner of Extraordinary Balance/19 Years of Non-Profit Experience/Executive Coach to Google
Nicole Lance is the CEO of Lance Strategies and also the Managing Partner of Extraordinary Balance. Passionately committed to helping organizations and individuals succeed in reaching – and reaching beyond – their goals, Nicole is known for her authentic, energetic, and positive approach to strategic consultation and providing exceptional value and high levels of return-on-investment for her partners. With 19 years of nonprofit and local government experience in addition to owning and operating her own consulting firm for the past 5 years, Nicole translates easily between industries and cultivates an experience tailored to the exact needs of her clients. From working with major corporations like Google to supporting local governments, small nonprofits, and individuals through executive coaching, Nicole creates unforgettable experiences to help her clients get to where they want to be.
Nicole is an Arizona native and loves to kayak and hike throughout the state with her dog, Nala. When he’s not busy in his high school classroom, she even takes her husband, Sean, along sometimes, too! She is the proud stepmom to a 19-year-old United States Navy Sailor, Myka, who taught Nicole the value of deep breathing when she was learning how to drive. Nicole and Sean also welcomed baby girl Emersyn to Team Lance in 2018 and currently spend most of their time chasing after her. Learn more about Nicole: www.nicolelancestrategies.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelance/
Flo Spyrow
MSN, MPA/MHA, JD, FACHE/Northern Arizona Healthcare president and CEO/Nursing Degree from San Jose State University/M.A. of Public Administration/Health Administration from Portland State University/M.A. in Nursing from Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, OR/Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa/Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives
Florence L. Spyrow was named NAH president and CEO in Oct. 2018 after serving as interim president and CEO for six months. She joined Northern Arizona Healthcare as Chief Administrative Officer of Flagstaff Medical Center in 2015. Prior to joining NAH, Florence served as Interim Chief Executive Officer at Healthtech Management Services in Geneseo, Ill., where she directed and coordinated hospital activities and employed physician practices at Hammond-Henry Hospital. Florence also served as Senior Vice President of Operations for Genesis Health System, a top-100 health system spanning 10 counties in Iowa and Illinois and including five hospitals, three nursing homes, and a 180-member physician group. Before that, she served as Vice President of Hospital Operations for Trinity Regional Health System in Rock Island, Ill., which includes three hospitals and a College of Nursing & Health Sciences. A visionary, value-based leader, Florence has transformed organizational cultures to achieve and sustain exceptional, cost-effective results.
Florence earned a bachelor’s in nursing from San Jose State University in San Jose, Calif.; a master’s of public administration/health administration from Portland State University in Portland, Ore.; a master’s in nursing from Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Ore.; and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. She is licensed to practice law in Iowa and Illinois. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Learn more about Flo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florence-spyrow-msn-mha-jd-66a0bb29/
Shondra Jepperson
Actor/Singer- Songwriter/VO artist/Coach/Producer/Alumni of the Juilliard School of Drama/Co-founder of Sedona Youth Theatre/Co-owner/Entertainer of Entertainment by Tom & Shondra/Northern Arizona Women Business Owners past president
Shondra Jepperson is an Alumni of the Juilliard School of Drama with an impressive resume reflecting performance credits of 42 years in the entertainment business. Besides her acting credits, she’s starred in her own shows in Las Vegas, Reno and concerts across the USA and on several cruise lines. Shondra’s originals include three produced musicals & her recent music video, “Greed Incorporated,” has won an American Tracks Music Award and nominations in the Artist’s Forum Film Festival in NYC, Chicago’s Amarcord Television Awards, LA Music Video Awards, Audio Shoot Unsigned International Music Video Festival in Ireland, Widescreen Film Fest. in Las Vegas, Utah Music Awards, Jerome Indie Film Fest and World Music & Indie Film Festival in Virginia. She’s co-founder of Sedona Youth Theatre in it’s 14th year and is a private voice, acting & stage performance coach with former students acting in film, TV and commercials. She is co-owner/entertainer of Entertainment by Tom & Shondra, The Two Lucys and also one of the popular Dynamite Divas. She’s been awarded for her community service community including two AZ Foundation Awards, served as NAWBO Sedona VV Pres. in 2018-19 and currently serves on four Board of Directors. Learn more about Shondra: ShondraMusic.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-and-shondra-jepperson-4278668/
Jamie Karlovits
Blog-writer of Mindful in the Muddle/Corporate Event Planner/Degree in Communications from John Carroll University/Mom Extraordinaire
Jamie Karlovits is a blog-writer and stay-at-home mom to 3 kids plus a furry one. Her daughter, Emily, has Down Syndrome and Speech Apraxia, which has added the title of Special Needs Mom to her credentials. She shares her busy and crazy life with her husban, Doug, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jamie’s blog, Mindful in the Muddle, creates awareness, connection, encouragement and joy, along with a little humor. She writes about her journey of a recovering perfectionist and control freak, along with motherhood and special needs. Prior to being a stay-at home-mom, Jamie was an event planner for corporations and associations. She received her bachelor degree in Communications from John Carroll University. Learn more about Jamie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-karlovits-0b522b10a/
Authenticity
Living your values. Being yourself versus pushing your comfort zone. Respect at every level. Building trust and relationships.
Sara Presler
CEO Presler Consulting/Attorney/Bachelors from Northern Arizona University/Juris Doctor from Michigan State University/Public Defender in Coconino County/Numerous local and state boards and commissions/Mayor of Flagstaff/Business Law and Ethics Adjunct Instructor
Sara Presler is an effective business-minded attorney with deep experience creating, growing, and transacting for corporate clients. A graduate of Northern Arizona University and Michigan State University, she served as a public defender in Coconino County, representing children adults. In 2008, Sara was elected Mayor of Flagstaff. She was the youngest person and first woman to hold the office. Sara served on numerous local and state commissions, including the Governor’s Homeland Security Council. In 2010, she was re-elected to a second term as Mayor of Flagstaff. Her most significant accomplishments include substantial investments in Flagstaff’s children, collaboratively resolving water settlements with tribal nations, demonstrating unwavering support for the Flagstaff Fire Department and Flagstaff Police Department, and preserving the Flagstaff environment we love. Sara began teaching for Northern Arizona University and continued for many semesters as a Business Law and Ethics Adjunct Instructor. She also taught Constitutional Law for Coconino Community College. Sara’s served as General Counsel of a global renewable energy company, CEO of a medical company, and CEO of a women’s foundation. In 2015, Sara shifted full time into the cannabis industry as a lawyer and consultant for licensed operators. Sara chairs the Compliance Committee for the Arizona Dispensaries Association and serves on its Board of Directors. Learn more about Sara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarapresler
Holly Figueroa
Cultural Competency Administrator/Tribal Liaison for Health Choice Arizona/Member of the Hopi/Ohkay Owingeh Tribe/Interim Tribal Liaison/Certified Adult, Youth, and Veteran Mental Health First Aide Trainer
Holly Figueroa is a member of the Hopi/Ohkay Owingeh Tribe and is from the Sun Clan. Pronouns, She/Her/Hers. Holly is the Tribal Liaison/Cultural Competency for Health Choice Arizona. As the Tribal Liaison, she works to strengthening Tribal relations with the 17 tribes in HCA service area, focusing on Crisis Service, Coordination of Care, Language Services and education and awareness programs. As the Cultural Competency Administrator, she works to ensure that culturally appropriate services are delivered to all HCA members and that providers meet the language needs of those they serve. Holly also develops education and awareness programs for staff and residents of the HCA service area to help reduce the stigmas aimed at diverse cultures and to decrease health disparities they often suffer. Holly was born into a military family. She is also a certified Adult, Youth, and Veteran Mental Health First Aide Trainer. Holly serves on the Arizona Rural Health Association Board of Directors and the MPOWRD Teen AA Advisory Board of Directors to serve as a bridge connecting the Native American culture as well as other cultures to a Western model of care. She is also a One N Ten volunteer and a dedicated Ally who works to advocate and ensure Safe Spaces for LGBTQ communities. Holly is dedicated to ensuring health equity to under-served and underrepresented populations. Learn more about Holly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/holly-figueroa-93bb0880/
Dr. Bizzy Riley
Naturopathic Primary Care Provider/Doctorate in Naturopathy from Bastyr University/founding member of the Naturopathic Academy of Primary Care Physicians
Dr. Bizzy Riley is a Naturopathic Primary Care Provider who is dedicated to helping her patients achieve their goals in health, work, and life. She graduated with a Doctorate in Naturopathy from Bastyr University in 2005 and has been seeing patients in Issaquah, Washington ever since. In 2010, she expanded her business to include a storefront dispensary for supplement sales. Dr. Riley is a founding member of the Naturopathic Academy of Primary Care Physicians, and has served on the board of the Washington Association of Naturopathic Physicians. She has also been a delegate to the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. This work has deepened her commitment to providing care that is affordable, effective and safe for people of all ages and states of health.
Dr. Riley believes strongly that we are all works in progress and that moderation is the path to happiness and wellness. Her personal goals are to maintain a balanced and joyful life so that she can be optimally available to the needs of her loved ones and patients. Her own life experiences have allowed her to have a deepened sense of understanding for the fact that health looks different for every person and changes according to different life stages. Dr. Riley is passionate about almost anything involving the outdoors, food, books, Julie Lancaster, and music. She lives in Issaquah with her husband, her sons and two dogs. Learn more about Dr. Riley: www.drbizzy.com
Lauren Lauder
MBA, MSW, LISAC/CEO of The Guidance Center/Served as Senior Vice President of Northern Arizona with Southwest Behavioral & Health Services/Board of Directors with Arizona Council of Human Service Providers/Board of Directors with Flagstaff Shelter Services/Bachelor of Social Work degree from Northern Arizona University/Master of Social Work degree from New Mexico Highlands University/Master of Business Administration from the University of West Georgia/Independent Substance Abuse Counselor State of Arizona
Lauren has been employed in the health and human services field for close to 20 years, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of the Guidance Center in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Guidance Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit Community Mental Health Center and a subsidiary organization of The NARBHA Institute. Prior to joining The Guidance Center, Lauren served as the Senior Vice President of Northern Arizona with Southwest Behavioral & Health Services. During her leadership, Lauren was responsible for service expansion, implementation and development of integrated care, and data based decision making. Lauren also has previous experience working at the Regional Behavioral Health Authority. Her responsibilities included working to expand service provision, implementing evidence based treatment models, and compliance monitoring. Lauren currently holds elected positions on the board of directors for the Arizona Council of Human Service Providers and Flagstaff Shelter Services. Lauren has a passion for impacting the communities she serves while ensuring those that need services are able to have their needs met in a timely and person centered manner. Lauren prides herself on being an agent of change and helping others navigate change in order to promote recovery and health for all individuals. Lauren earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Northern Arizona University, her Master of Social Work degree from New Mexico Highlands University, and her Master of Business Administration from the University of West Georgia. Lauren is licensed in the state of Arizona as an Independent Substance Abuse Counselor. Learn more about Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-lauder-2317466a/