WEF BOARD MEMBERS

Brenda Allen

Co-Chair

With over thirty years experience in hospitality and travel industry Brenda Allen has served in a multitude of roles.  After entering the meeting, event and incentive planning industry Brenda has operated as the lead planner, project manager, operational director for meetings and events for some of the most recognized global brands. These meetings and events have been conducted throughout North America, Hawaii, Mexico, and Central America ranging in size from a few executives to over 3,000 attendees.

Laura Varner

Past Co-Chair

Laura Varner, ACC, consultative approach to business health helps businesses and individuals discover inefficiencies and incorporate high-performing processes and business practices that create a healthy team atmosphere and profitable results. 

Before Laura created AHA Strategic Partners, she was the Owner and President of Expo Chemical Company.  Laura was the company’s visionary, and led its prosperous evolution and sale in 2012. 

With her vast knowledge, Laura is now sharing her 35 plus years of lucrative experiences, to be a Consultant and Coach to managers, teams and executives. For individuals and companies, she is able to discover limitations, leverage strengths to overcome these obstacles, and accelerate achievements towards any goals. Two of the tools she uses to help identify those strengths, are the Birkman Method and the Kolbe System.

I have served on the board of WEF since 2015 during my time on the board I have been Secretary, Treasurer, President and Co-Chair.  My current position is past Co-Chair.  I have gained far more from this amazing organization that I have been able to contribute. 

Marie B Gonzales

Board Chair- Scholarships and Grants

I am a dedicated Insurance Agent professional with more than 20 years experience. Extensive knowledge in all lines of personal and commercial insurance plans; specializing in working with clients to achieve responsible and economical decisions to meet their insurance needs. As an Independent Insurance Agent, it allows me the opportunity to provide a more diversified policy selection and more competitive prices for those insurance products. My commitment is excellent customer service, exceeding client expectations from initial contact through post sales follow up.

JT Driscoll

Board Chair - Corporate Sponsors

JT Driscoll is an entrepreneurial, innovative executive with 20 years of professional employment experience.  In 2017 his recruiting organization was named by the INC 500 to be the 2nd fastest growing company in Arizona.  Recognized as one of the most accomplished recruiters in the US and having assisted more than 3,000 professionals advance their career, JT now consults with private organizations to create hiring solutions that produce exceptional results in a highly competitive employment market.

Cathy LaFee

Treasurer

Melissa Tucker

Secretary

Melissa helps businesses grow with Instagram & Facebook Ads, Chatbots, and Conversational Marketing. 
 
When she’s not spending time with her family or working on her projects, she enjoys volunteering her time and expertise to organizations that she believes in.

Kelly Ryan

PR Chair

Kelly Ryan, Secretary, Director and Founder of Super Golf Inc. founder of Premier Media Service Inc., Premier Distributing, as well as being a board member of Fix the Hurt, DV Prevention, board member Women’s Enterprise Foundation, adviser to Pappa’s Kids School House Foundation, member of NAWBO. Ms. Ryan has over 30 years of experience working with start-ups on their “Go to Market” strategy in cooperation with their bankers, attorneys and accountants and specializes in corporate structure, finance and marketing. Ms. Ryan recently merged PMSI’s interest in a medical device company, after successfully executing a large 4500 hospital system GPO contract.  Ms. Ryan’s efforts were supported through the members at Eliances, and a Shark Tank investment and brain trust alliance. In her career Ms. Ryan has worked with private and public companies to locate marketing alternatives, along with creating brand awareness in the investment and financial communities for their clients.

Katelyn Flores

Marketing Committee

When Katelyn isn’t serving as the marketing chair for the Women’s Enterprise Foundation, she is passionate about marketing and always sees the good in every situation and person. Katelyn likes to travel, hike and spend time with her family when she’s not taking care of client work at Six Degrees.

Caitlin Penny

Marketing Committee

When Caitlin isn’t volunteering for the Marketing Committee at WEF she is following her dream of running her own business. Caitlin started Copper Theory Creative in 2016. She specializes in helping people develop their brand from logo design to print which helps businesses evolve to their full potential.  Before opening her business, Caitlin got her experience working as a graphic designer at a consulting firm then moving on to learn the print side of marketing at a print shop.

When Caitlin isn’t busy designing, she loves spending time as a newlywed with her new husband and their dog Herbie! 

Connie Zimmerlich

Committee Member

When Connie isn’t supporting WEF, along with her husband Bob, they are creating personalized portraits of families, couples, children and professionals. Their portrait studio, Siena Artè Portraiture, is known throughout the valley for their elegant Masters Touch Portraits that are paintings finished in oils and cherished by families for generations.

 

 

Nancy Campo

Board Member

When Nancy is not volunteering with WEF and the other charities she works with, she is providing Consultative Commercial Banking Services to her Wells Fargo clients.  Find out more about loans, deposits and Treasury Services that can help you and your company when you contact Nancy at nancy.campo@wellsfargo.com