Mercedes Bermejo
Sponsored by the Orlando Chapter

Mercedes Bermejo received a Master of Science degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University in 1998. Her passion is to assist others and encourage them to reach beyond their boundaries. Mercedes currently works at Seminole Community College where she provides positive guidance to at-risk youth and assists Hispanic students in reaching their academic goals.

Larincia Bowers
Sponsored by the Plano Chapter

Larincia Bowers is pursuing a masters in Business Administration at Indiana Wesleyan University. She is employed by Nationwide Retirement Services. Larincia hopes to establish a non-profit organization to provide women with financial education. Currently, she donates her time and effort to Women of Virtue in Ohio.

Lakesha Brown
Sponsored by the St. Louis Chapter

Lakesha Brown graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2002 with a Master of Arts in Organizational Management. As a Big Sister for five years through Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, she developed invaluable relationships with two young women. Lakesha’s goal is to establish an internet marketing and web design company providing consulting services to organizations and small businesses.

Misti Burmeister
Sponsored by the Montgomery County Chapter

Misti Burmeister graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 2002 with a master’s of Human Communication. She is committed to inspiring students to further their education and has had the opportunity to speak at many schools. Misti currently lives in DC and is writing a book geared toward high school and college students entitled “Inch-by-Inch.”

Simone Carter
Sponsored by the Vancouver Chapter

Simone Carter is a student at the University of British Columbia pursuing a degree in International Relations. She is an active member and volunteers at eWomenNetwork events in the Vancouver chapter. Her bright spirit and willingness to help was an inspiration to us at last year’s Conference.

Tara Cox
Sponsored by the Denver Chapter

Tara Cox graduated from Colorado Christian University in 2004 with a degree in Social Sciences and Psychology. She is the Development Director for the Hope House of Colorado and is responsible for raising funds for the organization’s $300,000 budget. Tara is also a counselor at Family Pathways, a residential treatment center for abused and neglected children.

Kelly Dell’ Antonio
Sponsored by the Orange County Chapter

Kelly Dell’ Antonio moved from Brazil to the United States only four years ago. This May she graduated from Mira Costa College with a degree in Business Management. Kelly hopes to open a consulting company to assist business owners who speak English as a second language and face the challenges of beginning a new life in a new country.

Tiffany Fairchild
Sponsored by the San Jose Chapter

Tiffany Fairchild graduated from San Jose State University in 2000 with a degree in Human Resources. She gives back to the community at many levels, striving to maintain a balance of business endeavors and charitable causes. Tiffany visited orphans and helped build a school in Mexico and is currently launching her own fashion accessory line in January 2006.

Bridget Gannon
Sponsored by the Cincinnati Chapter

Bridget Gannon McGraw is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College of Law. She is a mock trial coach for students at Ursuline Academy, an all-girls high school. Bridget volunteers with the Dress for Success program that helps transition non-working, low-income women into the workforce. Bridget is currently an Associate at Frost Brown Todd, LLC.

Delayne Hunt
Sponsored by the Lake Norman Chapter

Delayne Hunt is currently attending the Queens University of Charlotte. She is majoring in communication and education. She volunteers her time teaching lessons about economics to grade school children through the Junior Achievement of the Carolinas Organization. In the past, Delayne has held internships at NASCAR and WBTV-3, a CBS affiliate.

Kelly Ingraham
Sponsored by the Charlotte Chapter

Kelly Ingraham graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Business Administration. She has volunteered at the UNC Dance Marathon for six years, raising over $700,000 for the North Carolina Children’s Hospital. Currently, she is an Account Executive at MetLife with a dream to create a support system for college graduates beginning their careers.

Alicia Jones
Sponsored by the Colorado Springs Chapter

Alicia Jones is majoring in accounting at the IVY Tech College. She is a member of Zonta­, an organization dedicated to advancing the status of women locally and around the world. Alicia is the mother of two young girls and the founder and owner of Auto Clinic of the Rockies.

Lisa Keller
Sponsored by the San Cleveland Chapter

Lisa Keller graduated from the University of Akron in 2004 with a degree in Corporate and Personal Finance. She has been acknowledged as one of the Top 10 Interns in the country. Lisa is currently employed by Northwestern Mutual Financial as a Financial Advisor and is valued for her integrity and professionalism as a leader.

Mira Kuehnle
Sponsored by the Kansas City Chapter

Mira Kuehnle arrived in Kansas City six years ago from Germany with two bags, $1,000, and a degree in Photography. In the meantime, she has built Mira Photography and ShotBee into thriving businesses. Both of her companies have been featured in Flourish Magazine. Mira donates photography time to various non-profit publications within her community.

Aliza Mor
Sponsored by the Chicago Chapter

Aliza Mor graduated in 2004 with a degree in Political Science from Loyola University in Chicago. She held an internship with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. Aliza is a Big Sister with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Lake County and meets with a young woman three times a month. She is currently a dental assistant at Waterford Pointe Dental in Buffalo Grove, Illinois.

Kelli Papinchak
Sponsored by the Houston Chapter

Kelli Papinchak graduated from the University of Houston with a degree in Public Relations in 2002. She is an active member in the Houston chapter of the Public Relations Society of America and serves as the Chair of the Diversity Community. Currently, Kelli is employed by Schipul – The Marketing Company.

Meera Sridharan
Sponsored by the Fort Worth Chapter

Meera Sridharan was born in India and moved to the United States in 2000. She graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 2002 from Michigan State and currently works for Freescale Semiconductor in Austin, Texas. She volunteers at Girlstart—a non-profit organization created to empower girls to excel in math, science and technology.

Nicole Stika
Sponsored by the Cleveland Chapter

Nicole Stika graduated from the University of Dayton in 2002 with a degree in political science and is nearing completion of a masters degree in public administration. She has been active with the Miami Valley March of Dimes in Dayton, Ohio. Currently, Nicole works for the Greater Cleveland Partnership and supports the needs of entrepreneurs and small businesses through NEO411.biz.

Jennifer Woodsmall
Sponsored by the Washington Chapter

Jennifer Woodsmall graduated from Wake Forest University in 2004 with degrees in Psychology, Religion and International Relations. The handbag company she started, JL Lane, is structured towards giving back to women entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. Jennifer would like to establish a foundation to support entrepreneurial education and microfinance in developing countries.