Keynote Speaker: Miranda Anderson
Miranda Anderson is an inspiring speaker, teacher, podcast host, and author of the book More Than Enough. During a year-long no shopping challenge, she and her family developed a new sense of gratitude, patience and abundance that has transformed their perspective on what “Enough” really looks like. She has spoken at conferences for over five years, with audiences ranging from 30-300 attendees. Her podcast reaches
thousands of engaged listeners each week. She is dynamic, energetic, while still remaining candid and relatable. Her goal is to leave the audience with something to think about, something new to feel, as well as something to DO to move forward toward living the life of their dreams.
Wellness Breakout Speaker: Maria Gonzalez
Maria Gonzalez is a native of Medellin, Colombia and moved to the United States in 1998. Maria’s education is in accounting, but as a competitive swimmer and Colombian National Water Polo Player, her lifelong passion has been helping people live a healthier lifestyle, feel better about themselves, reach their goals and push their limits. Though she didn’t speak English when she arrived in the U.S., it didn’t stop her from building a successful career, while demonstrating a commitment to people and excellence everywhere she lands. She is the CEO of ClubFitness Greensboro, a group of locally owned fitness centers. She is an active member of this community and received a Leadership Medal in 2018 from Leadership Greensboro. She was a 2015 class participant and 2016 Leadership Greensboro Program Co-Chair. She is in the 2020 Other Voices Class and is currently serving on the board of Faith Action International House, Weaver Foundation, Casa Azul, NCCJ, Leadership Team of GEA. She has also volunteered organizing Faces of Diversity, GSO National and International Dance Day at Lebauer Park for the past couple of years. One of her missions is to help our community to embrace diversity by building bridges through social activities.
Career Breakout Speaker: Charlitta Hatch
Charlitta Hatch is a nationally recognized and locally impactful, business change agent with a heart for service and a mind for results which she has brought to her clients for over 14 years. Charlitta helps businesses solve complex problems in their organization so they can provide better experiences to their employees and customers. She does this by delivering solutions for large, complex organizations. Leveraging her broad experience across a variety of clients and lines of business, she seeks to understand her client’s business problems, translate them into achievable plans delivered on time, on budget, with high quality while preparing them for the impact across their business. A passionate advocate for women and children, she is always looking for opportunities to inspire, encourage, and support others to be the best they can be at home, work, and in the community which is why she is proud to serve as the President-Elect for the Junior League of Charlotte. Charlitta is also the founder of the Me3 Project (an organization geared to change the perception of black boys in America) where she authored Black Boy Joy. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Queen City Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and the Nursery Ministry Leader at her church. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Mark Jr. and together they parent their 3 year old son, Mark III.
Finance Breakout Speaker: Virginia Summerell
Virginia Summerell is Senior Vice President of Finance & Treasurer of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers Inc. and has held this position since May 2011. Since joining the Company in August 1992, she has held various positions including Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Secretary and Director of Finance. Her major responsibilities include oversight of corporate and project finance transactions, developing and maintaining banking relationships, management of treasury systems and the supervision of the Company’s credit department. Prior to joining the Company, she served as a Vice President and in other capacities at Bank of America and its predecessors in Real Estate and Corporate Lending for nine years. Virginia is a graduate of Davidson College and holds an MBA from Wake Forest University Babcock School of Business. Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. (NYSE: SKT), is a publicly-traded REIT headquartered in Greensboro, NC that presently operates and owns, or has an ownership interest in, a portfolio of 39 upscale outlet shopping centers. Tanger’s operating properties are located in 20 states and in Canada, totaling approximately 14.3 million square feet, leased to over 2,800 stores which are operated by more than 510 different brand name companies. The Company has more than 39 years of experience in the outlet industry. Tanger Outlet Centers attract more than 181 million visitors annually.
Panelist Speaker: Charrise Hart
Charrise Hart is the CEO of Ready for School, Ready for Life, a collaborative effort to build a connected, innovative system of care for Guilford County's youngest children and their families. A believer in educational and health empowerment for families, Charrise’s previous leadership roles with the YWCA Lower Cape Fear and YWCA Greensboro involved the expansion of an early learning center, women’s health and entrepreneurship programs, and participation in a successful five-year, $5 million major initiatives campaign.
Charrise has been awarded the NC Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteerism and has received the Wilmington Business Journal’s Women to Watch award. Charrise currently serves on the UNC School of Social Work Board of Advisors and the World YWCA Service Council. Charrise earned a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from NC State University, a Masters of Social Work from UNC-Chapel Hill, and is an MBA graduate of Wake Forest University.
Panelist Speaker: Cecelia Thompson
Cecelia Thompson serves as Executive Director of Action Greensboro. Action Greensboro, together with the Chamber of Commerce, serves as the city’s primary economic and community development agency. Formed in 2001, Action Greensboro is a collaborative effort of six local charitable foundations working to leverage local philanthropic impact. In collaboration with business, higher education, and municipal government, Action Greensboro works to strengthen Greensboro's economy and ensure the continuation of its excellent quality of life. In her role, Thompson works on a variety of efforts from talent and workforce development, K-20 education, urban livability and city marketing efforts. In addition to her role at Action Greensboro, Thompson serves on the boards of Greensboro Downtown Parks Inc., UNCG Board of Visitors, the Greensboro ABC Commission and the North Carolina Humanities Council.
Prior to her work with Action Greensboro, Thompson served as Executive Director of the Guilford Green Foundation and Communications Officer for the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro. Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Thompson holds a B.A. in Political Science, Public Administration and Sociology from Elon University.
Panelist Speaker: Gail Jacobson
A graduate of The Wharton School – University of Pennsylvania, Gail joined Liberty Hardware/MASCO Corp. in 2011 as the Vice President of Marketing and was named Liberty’s CMO shortly thereafter. During the past 8 years, Gail has led a diverse and broad organization that has included Product Marketing, Customer Marketing, Analytics, Market Research, Program Management, Digital Marketing, Industrial Design, Engineering, Graphics Design and New Business Development. In addition, she has partnered with the President in leading both the Long-Range Strategic Planning and Mergers and Acquisitions processes for Liberty Hardware.
Prior to joining Liberty Hardware, Gail worked with the Pactiv Corporation – owner of the Hefty Brand, a Chicago based consumer and commercial products leader, and progressed from Director of New Product Development to Business Unit Manager to Vice President of Hefty Food Preparation and Storage. Prior to Pactiv, she worked with Scott Paper Company, initially as a Financial and Strategic Planning Analyst, but progressed rapidly to Sr. Marketing Manager for the U.S. Tissue Category. Gail’s earlier career included work as a Mechanical Engineer with a major architectural engineering firm. On a personal note, Gail and her husband John are the proud parents of four young adults. Gail is passionate about her family, tennis and pickleball. She is an avid reader, enjoys new experiences and is a life-long learner.