Dr. George Fraser

Thousands of people over the last ten years have gathered together for knowledge sharing by or for African American and Black people. The luminaries are the who’s who of speakers, academicians and community leaders nationally and internationally. They are dedicated to one cause and brought together by one man – Dr. George Fraser.

There are many key people on the FraserNet team that you won’t see on stage like Alexandria Boone (Conference Manager), Bernadette Mayfield, Charmaine Ward (Volunteer Manager) and the Fraser family members especially Jean. There are behind the scene team members that you will see on stage like Greg Williams – George’s partner, Dr. Kwa David Whittaker, Veronica Conway (Conference Coach) and me Dr. Joel Martin (Director of Education)…and then there are the multitudes of  sponsors, faculty members and guests who are so vitally important. This is a birthday card of sorts to everyone, to an organization and importantly to the man who dreamt it into existence. Many many more Dr. Fraser. Keep making your magnificent difference creating a stellar PowerNetworking environment “where people gather together to get ahead” for wealth building, health, entrepreneurship, spirituality, corporate contribution, connection, education for youth and fun.

“It takes teamwork to make the dream work!” George Fraser

“This is not an issues conference, it is an education and training conference…” George Fraser

For more information and to join us for this year’s celebration, click here.

PNC Conference Preview

In spite of numerous potholes, pitfalls and disasters, Susan Ratliff has survived and thrived on the way to the top of her industry. Naysayers are her motivation for success. Lack of experience is her catalyst for innovation.  She was a mom-preneur before it was popular, leaving a real estate career to build a home-based personalized children book business to one of largest distributorships in the country, so she could stay home with her son. With no college degree, business experience or industry education, Susan built an award-winning exhibit company from scratch.

While many said she couldn’t, she wrote and published four books.  Without a clue about producing a conference she created and personally financed the Women Entrepreneurs’ Small Business Boot Camp for micro-business owners, that is now her signature event, annually drawing impressive corporate sponsors and hundreds of attendees.  Susan is a survivor and her passion is sharing her journey with others.

Professional development is about being a lifelong learner. It means always asking the burning questions “What’s next in my life, my business and for my community”. It demands investments in ones education. It takes connecting with others and being willing to confess, “I don’t know it all.” It takes getting up and going out to new places to learn new ideas. It takes caring about the people next to you in your business, at a conference and next door. Professional development is fueled by a vision and a passion for excellence, empowerment and education. This too is what fuels a successful business – and life. Dr. Joel P. Martin, Positively Powerful Triad West Inc.

The love for your business is Loretta Love Huff. She has created two opportunities for professional development: The retreat ReEnergize Your Business: April 28th to 30th and her presentation featured by the National Bank of Arizona, Unleash Your Inner Leader, Thursday May 12th from 5:30PM – 7:30 PM . Loretta Love Huff is a successful coach known as The Dream Leader for Business. For more information, contact Loretta Love Huff.

Here’s what’s she promises during just day one of her three day ReEnergize Your Business.

• The exact 7-step process of her BAMBOO (Business Acceleration Model that Boosts Outrageous Outcomes™)
• Confidence, knowing you can truly trust yourself
• How to de-stress and stay focused on the perfect path for you
• Freedom from the money baggage you inherited as a child
• Clarity about what’s blocking you from the progress you yearn for

Here’s what to expect during her Unleash Your Inner Leader: “Some say leaders are born and not made. This myth has kept many professionals from expressing their personal leadership, pursuing their purpose and creating the lasting legacy they were meant to leave in their organizations and communities.  In this session, attendees will discover what it takes to step out with confidence, influence with integrity and live a life with passion and purpose.”

Give your business more love. The National Bank of Arizona’s Women, Wine and Leadership programs are one of the services of the Women’s Financial Group (WFG) dedicated to providing networking and resources to female business owners. It is the creation of Deborah Bateman, Executive Vice President of Specialty Banking, member Executive Committee and Board of Directors National Bank of Arizona. Ms. Bateman will be receiving the 2011 Positively Powerful Woman Of Philanthropic Leadership Award on May 20th at the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix for this and many other contributions.

“Kristi went through the fire. She has an empowering story to share.”

The 2011 Positively Powerful Woman Award for Nonprofit Leadership will be given to entrepreneur, speaker and author Kristi Lee for her leadership role in the founding of the National Association for Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Phoenix Chapter, the NAAAP Mentor and Professional Development Programs; for her service to the State of Arizona as Commissioner of the Governor’s Asian American Advisory Council, and for her  co-founding of the global organization Bridging The Gap Consulting which works to facilitate educational, trade and developmental interests of United States individuals and the people of China.

Kristi has an extensive business background with more than 20 years in marketing and retail. Her previous corporate experience includes responsibility for product and marketing decisions for more than 2,300 Albertson’s Food and Drug stores in 38 states, and negotiations with national brands such as Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble, Maybelline and Revlon.

Kristi is  the Vice Chair for NAAAP.  NAAAP Phoenix’s mission is to be the proving ground for Greater Phoenix Asian American Professionals, forging leaders of tomorrow through professional development, cultural awareness, community service and mentorship.  She helped create the Professional Development program in 2008 and created the vision for the NAAAP Mentorship Program in 2009.  She is also the facilitator for Public Speaking workshops for the NAAAP leadership team. Kristi has been a Commissioner of the Governor’s Asian American Advisory Council, and a member of the Business On Board program sponsored by the Arts and Business Council of Greater Phoenix.

About the Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix (A&BC) and the Business on Board Program:The Executive Director of A&BC is Debbie Paine, the first recipient of the Positively Powerful Woman Award for Nonprofit Leadership. Eugene “Gene” Kochert of Intel Corporation is Board President and Jeannette Thomas is the Community Development Manager. Their mission is to grow leaders and inspire involvement to enrich the entire community. BoB is a dynamic six-month training program that identifies, recruits and trains business professionals for nonprofit arts and human services board positions with modules on Board Rules and Responsibilities, Effective Nonprofit Board Leadership, Legal and Ethical Responsibilities, Fundraising, Financial Responsibility, Diversity, Advocacy and Politics, and The Art of Networking.

In addition to the BoB and educational programs, the Council has become a one-stop shop for the arts by including opportunities for governance training, new educational opportunities for artists, and functioning as a strategic partner for capacity building. The Arts & Business Council of Greater Phoenix provides increased benefit to business by way of exposure throughout the community, growth and enrichment in leadership skills and experience for executives and key management, and business-to-business opportunities.

Kristi is a founding partner of Bridging the Gap Consulting, a firm that specializes in cultural sensitivity training, conversational business Chinese, corporate and individual training on how to conduct business in China, Her company also coordinates Chinese students with exchange programs as well as summer camps and provides translation services for all versions of media and presentations.

Kristi recently co-authored, License to Dream – Every Woman’s Guide to Financial Freedom Through Network Marketing, which was launched worldwide. She and her co-authors were featured in the highly respected Networking Times March 2011 issue, “The Rising Economic Power of Women”.  She is an accomplished speaker and sales trainer and has great passion for empowering women around the world.

Five years ago, faced with her corporate job moving out of state and going through a divorce, she went on to build a successful network marketing business with Send Out Cards, an international greeting card and gift company.  She has team members in 30 states, Australia and Canada and is in the top 250 income earners of the company.  In December 2010, she received the prestigious “Freedom Award” voted by the top leaders of Send Out Cards in Arizona for “Exceptional Leadership and Dedication”.

About the Awards Program. The Positively Powerful Woman Award is given to servant leaders who have founded or lead legacy organizations that have stood the test of time. On May 20th, 11:30am to 2pm, at the Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix we will honor women as royalty for their hard work, resourcefulness and diligence. Following the Luncheon will be networking and “Conversations On Leadership” for professional & business development. Positively Powerful Guest Speakers include Diana Gregory, Susan Ratliff and Dr. Kay Lovelace-Taylor. You will leave inspired to go for your vision with new friends and information that will assist you in getting where you want to be…faster. The public is invited to attend. Dr. Joel P. Martin Triad West, Inc. president is the producer.

“She 
tirelessly offers her time and expertise to nonprofits. Deborah has a huge heart!”

The 2011 Positively Powerful Woman Award for Philanthropic Leadership will be given to Deborah Bateman Executive Vice President of Specialty Banking, member Executive Committee and Board of Directors National Bank of Arizona for her establishment of the Women’s Financial Group (WFG) dedicated to providing networking and resources to female business owners; for giving over 500 hours each year to community organizations including the Arizona 
Foundation for Women, American Heart Association’s Heart Ball, Juvenile 
Diabetes Research Foundation, The Phoenix Zoo, and Arizona State University’s 
Women; for serving as an Arizona Skills Standard Commissioner for the Arizona State Department of Education; for being a board member of Homeward Bound, FreshStart and ChildHelp; for increasing awareness to women’s causes; and for charitable efforts in the last three years that have resulted in raising almost $5 million for the benefit of organizations in Arizona.

In her role, Deborah develops, implements and monitors NB|AZ sales, service, and marketing strategies. She is also responsible for several of the bank’s key departments, including Private Banking, Executive Banking, Internet Banking, Nonprofit Banking and WFG. She has more than 35 years of banking experience as Senior Vice President with JP Morgan Chase in New York, Chicago and Phoenix including assistance in the institution’s merger with Bank One.

An active member of the community, Deborah finds substantive ways to make her difference. She brings boundless joy, passion and heart to every commitment. She’s served as Chair/Co-Chair of the 2011 Arizona Foundation for Women’s Sandra Day O’Connor Luncheon, the 2011 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Promise Ball, as well as the 2009 and 2010 Arthritis Foundation’s Oscar Night America.

It’s no surprise that she has received numerous honors. In addition to being one of this year’s Positively Powerful Women she has earned the national 2010 Stevie Award for Best Executive in the Financial Services Industry, Arizona Foothills, 2011 Women Who Move the Valley Phoenix Business Journal, 2011 Women in Business Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2011 Bronze Sierra Award YWCA, 2010 Tribute to Women, Corporate Business Leader Award National Association of Women Business Owners, 2010 Visionary Award SCORE, 2010 Phoenix Small Business Award and Trends Charitable Foundation, 2010 Trendsetters and many more.

Join us by clicking here as Deborah receives the first Positively Powerful Women Award for Philanthropic Leadership. She is a spiritual and loving woman with commitment to her family. She is the embodiment of servant leadership – and that you can bank on. She is a role model for what it takes to be a successful woman in a vital company and important industry.

About the Awards Program. The Positively Powerful Woman Award is given to servant leaders who have founded or lead legacy organizations that have stood the test of time. On May 20th, 11:30am to 2pm, at the Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix we will honor women as royalty for their hard work, resourcefulness and diligence. Following the Luncheon will be networking and “Conversations On Leadership” for professional & business development. Positively Powerful Guest Speakers include Diana Gregory, Susan Ratliff and Dr. Kay Lovelace-Taylor. You will leave inspired to go for your vision with new friends and information that will assist you in getting where you want to be…faster. The public is invited to attend. Triad West, Inc. Dr. Joel P. Martin president is the producer.

About the National Bank Of Arizona: Founded in Tucson in 1984, National Bank of Arizona is a full-service community bank offering personal and business financial solutions for every aspect of your life. As Arizona’s fourth-largest bank with over $4.5 billion in assets, NB|AZ has the resources people need, delivered with the local responsiveness and personalized service people want. With branches in more than 50 communities, they are committed to growing Arizona – to being the only bank anyone could ever need. For more information, please visit www.nbarizona.com.

“My desired focus is to connect individuals with resources that drive success and assist them with meeting their greatest potential.“

The 2011 Positively Powerful Corporate Woman Award will be given to Vivian Squire for her many contributions as a skilled organizational leader and corporate contributor focused on rapid executive, individual, team and operations improvement; for her commitment to leadership development, diversity and managing change; for her representation of the third-largest public power utility in the nation; for her management of the company’s Corporate Mentoring Program; for being the former Chair of one of the company’s affinity groups, The African American Cultural Committee; and for her commitment to entrepreneurs as company representative to The Greater Phoenix Black Chamber of Commerce. Vivian Squire, a 27-year veteran, is the Supervisor, Human Resources Learning & Development Services: Employee & Management Development of Phoenix-based Salt River Project (SRP) Agricultural Improvement and Power District, a political subdivision of the state of Arizona.

SRP is the largest provider of electricity to the greater Phoenix metropolitan area providing electricity to nearly 934,000 retail customers, operating or participating in 11 major power plants and numerous other generating stations, including thermal, nuclear, natural gas and hydroelectric sources and importantly and as it concerns this year’s award recipient, employing more than 4,400 people. Vivian Squire’s human resources policies and management impact the professional wellbeing and development of each employee.

With a smile, Vivian manages a team of human resource professionals who plan, organize, develop and coordinate corporate learning and the development of human performance improvement solutions needed to achieve corporate goals effectively and efficiently. With a commitment to excellence, she oversees the development of program content, training delivery methods with staff and executives to identify and maximize opportunities that increase organizational learning and employee performance. With success, she has advised on and guided several business units’ on their business development and growth strategies through the process of defining the value they bring to the organization.

Like the first winner of Positively Powerful Corporate Woman Award Angela Curley of Henkel North America, this visionary woman does the work that she does not for glory but for the development of others. Join us by clicking here as she receives the 2^nd annual corporate woman award. We know that her energy will continue to make a difference for her company and humanity. Vivian Squire is a role model for what it takes to be a successful woman in a vital company and important industry.

Dr. Joel Martin says, “There are many groups dedicated to entrepreneurial success, I say not only is this one of premiere in the Valley but anywhere. I’ll be speaking at the Boot Camp about personal and organizational branding. This is also the event I’ve selected to launch my new book: GET THE “ME” BRAND AWARENESS (MBA) THE POSITIVELY POWERFUL WAY.”

This is one of the events that I, like hundreds of others, look forward to. Each year, Susan brings together a stellar group of women speakers, business experts, exhibitors (corporate products and services for professional and personal development shopping), fun activities, meet and greet networking opportunities for use in accelerating ones business plus each year her event raises funds for a worthy local nonprofit organization. Here is information on this year’s:

The 2011 Women Entrepreneurs Small Business Boot Camp is proud to support Wings to Fly, a national, non-profit organization that promotes life long self-esteem in young women. Beginning with a fun, educational and inspirational one week educational camp, Wings to Fly focuses on the 4 building blocks of life: emotional, physical, spiritual and financial. By integrating inspiration, knowledge, research based resources and coaching into her daily life, a young woman can aspire with confidence and self respect to design the life she dreams and become a leader of tomorrow.

Susan Ratliff is President of an award-winning display company that helps thousands of businesses stand out from the competition. She is an author and authority on trade and consumer show marketing that gives relevant tools and practical strategies to maximize return on investment. Susan learned the exhibit business from the trenches, discovered the shortcuts and made the mistakes so her audiences don’t have to. She knows what attendees want, how exhibitors think and what they both need to be successful. As the producer of the Bootcamp, Susan insures that the event is unforgettable.

Susan Ratliff is also a POSITIVELY POWERFUL WOMEN AWARD recipient. This award is given to women in business, corporate America, non-profit organizations and the arts who have led or founded legacy organizations. As with the other years’ awardees, Susan received this recognition because she empowers her organization to breakthrough performance, makes a significant contribution to communities and is a positive role model.

What is the method that you use to find the point where everything started to go off track. Do you go back to the original idea? Do you guess? Or do you start peeling back every layer of the project, like an onion, until you’ve totally reconstructed it?

What is your process?

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I find it interesting that most of us don’t see that “Comm” is the root of all that is needed to revive our economy i.e. community, communication, commitment and commerce.

The information and methods we need to know about are available on the internet. We just need to be more curious and committed to helping ourselves. No one is talking about shunning larger, national or even global companies. This is not realistic or practical. What we are getting at here is that the solution(s) are all win/win.

• Kimber Lanning’s Local First Arizona, suggests that all of us on average, spend 10% locally annually. She provides us with a calculator “Shift Arizona” so that we can see what our commitment could produce in dollars and jobs. Kimber will be speaking at “TEDxPhoenix” November 6th, 2010
• Local First Chicago, gives its members and local businesses an education on adding value to your offering vs. discounting.
• Local First Utah works to to educate the public and government about the importance of locally owned independent businesses to the community and advocates strengthening those local businesses.
• There is most likely a Buy Local group in your state, city or community and if not, start one. There will be plenty of people to assist you in getting started, just Google Local First.

Panel Discussion: The pleasure and pitfalls of social media present themselves daily. Social media tools such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook can enhance a career or kill it with the touch of a finger. In this session, learn how to use these media as an asset to your work and marketing. Through coordinated conference activities, all attendees will have the opportunity to use this conference as a practice space for social media. Learn how not to distract others or be distracted by these useful tools. Uncover for yourself how to get the best from social media.

Download the complete Agenda Here