CAROL COX- KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Founder and CEO of Speaking Your Brand®, A Coaching & Training Company

Carol Cox is the founder of Speaking Your Brand®,  a coaching and training company that helps high-performing, purpose-driven women entrepreneurs and professionals create their signature talks and thought leadership platforms. Carol is host of the weekly 5-star rated Speaking Your Brand® podcast and during election seasons serves as a Democratic political analyst on TV news. Carol was named as one of Orlando's Women of the Year in 2021 and has been featured in Forbes. Through her company and content, her mission is to empower more women to find and use their voice, to tell the stories that need to be told, and to activate ideas for change.

CYNDI SHIFREL- vip guest

CEO of Orlando Wedding & Party Rentals, CEO of Central Florida Luxury Restroom Trailers and founder of The Gingerpreneur.

With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Cyndi is the CEO of Orlando Wedding & Party Rentals, a full-service luxury event and party rental company that specializes in upscale, tailored event rentals. Her company was fortunate to make it on Orlando Business Journal's Fastest 50 growing companies in Central Florida in 2018 and 2019. She is also the CEO of Central Florida Luxury Restroom Trailers, a company that provides luxury restroom trailers for events. Most recently in 2020 she started her own personal brand, The Gingerpreneur, a podcast that provides insight, tactics, and advice on the daily challenges and success stories from women making a difference in the hospitality industry. Prior to founding her two companies, Cyndi owned her own piano studio for 10 years where she taught over 40 students on a weekly basis.

Cyndi serves on the board of the American Rental Association of Florida overseeing education as well as on the SSC Women's Entrepreneur Advisory Board.

When Cyndi isn't busy growing her businesses she loves spending quality time with her husband Darrin and traveling around the world exploring new places. Her pride and joy are her two grown children, Zac and Alyssa, and of course her 2 year old Golden Retriever PJ

vi ma- VIP guest

President of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce

Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Vi Ma, her mother and four brothers came to the United States to reunite with her dad (a former lieutenant) in 1982. Orlando, FL has been her home for 39 years. After graduating from Evans High School, Vi completed two years of college but needed to assist her family so she focused on her business career and began in telecommunications where she spent seven years serving in various roles.  In September 2003, Vi started a new venture in hospitality, specifically in the restaurant industry with Darden where she had enjoyed a progressive and growing career for nine years.

Vi is currently the Founder and President of Global Diversity Marketing Network, LLC. – a company that specializes in strengthening business markets and global perspectives through the integration of multicultural strategies.

As an active member on multiple non-profit boards, such as the Asian American Chamber of Commerce in Central Florida, Vi brings her devoted work ethic and broad vision to all her community endeavors. Through these and other involvements, Vi is able to maximize her management experience and further develop her leadership skills.

Vi is also currently President of Long Van Temple, a Vietnamese American Buddhist Temple in Central Florida.  It was the first Temple in Orlando, FL established in 1981 and today has over 170 members.

Unfortunately, both Vi’s parents have passed, her father in 2017 and her mother in 2018.  She has followed in her parents’ footsteps and enjoys being deeply involved in the community, especially in the Vietnamese American community.  Vi is happily married to her husband, Kevin Stolz, for 20 years, and has a 16-year-old son, Zachary. They reside in Orlando, FL where she enjoys community work and charity events, and where she is often accompanied by Zachary since he was 4 years old.

ROSENE JOHNSON-vip guest

Director for PACE Center for Girls, Orlando’s 2020 Women of the Year

Rosene Johnson is an energetic, innovative, results-oriented executive leader passionate about building strong communities and improving the lives of girls, children, and persons with disabilities. Recognized by the Orlando Business Journal as a Top 40 under 40 business leader, career achievements include: Developing and implementing successful corporate social engagement strategy leading to increased funding and strategic partnerships in excess of $2 million dollars Public policy advocacy for children rights, community initiatives with local and state government officials Successfully led the transition of a 4,000-square foot facility to a purpose-built and renovated 15,000-square foot facility for individuals with disabilities, garnering over $750,000 of community support Gubernatorial appointment to the state of Michigan Early Education and Investment Committee

 Ms. Johnson has held faculty positions at Lansing Community College and Michigan State University developing curriculum and programs in the areas of child development, early childhood program administration, leadership, and inclusion. She has also served as a program consultant with the University of Michigan, Orange County Public Schools, Scholastic Inc., and several other family and youth service organizations. A published author and researcher in the child development field, Ms. Johnson was appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott to serve on the Valencia College Board of Trustees, ranked nationally as the top two-year college in the country.  Recently, Ms. Johnson has been named in the Orlando Sentinel list, “10 People that Make Orlando a Better Place”, featured as one of Orlando Family Magazine’s Super Women, and as one of Orlando’s 2020 Women of the Year by Orange Appeal magazine and the African American Women’s History Month Project.

Ms. Johnson currently serves as the Executive Director of Pace Center for Girls, Orange in Winter Park. Pace is a transformational youth program providing education and mental health counseling services for girls ages 11-18 overcoming unresolved trauma while helping them reach their highest potential in school and in life.

CHRISTI ASHBY-vip guest

Editor and Publisher of Orange Appeal Magazine. Founder of the Orlando Women’s Conference

Christi Ashby is the editor and publisher of Orange Appeal, a magazine for women she founded in 2008 to create a sense of community and promote local women, their interests and non-profit organizations.

She founded the Orlando Women’s Conference in 2011 with her daughter, Kate Slentz. Interior Appeal magazine was launched in 2014.

Prior to that she developed Orlando Leisure and was the editor and publisher for nine years. Christi is celebrating 35 years as a publishing and media professional this year having managed and operated more than 10 different national and regional publications. A proud graduate of the University of Florida College of Journalism, she was on the board of directors of the Florida Magazine Association for 12 years, serving as president of the organization twice.

Currently she assists dozens of non-profit organizations and has served on the boards of Shepherd’s Hope (chair), the Central Florida Women’s League and Orlando Ballet (vice-chair), the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Circle and Florida Hospital’s Women’s Health Task Force. In the past several years she has been a committee member for the High Tea & Hats (Seniors First), Spa Invitational to benefit Grace Medical Home, Famous Faces Masquerade Ball (Shepherd’s Hope), Fashion Funds the Cure (Pediatric Cancer Foundation), Runway to Hope, Harriett’s Favorite Things, Harriett’s Can Can (Jewish Family Services) and Purse Strings (Credibility for women’s financial education services) and Orlando Ballet’s Expose.

She was awarded the 2011 Media Award from H.O.P.E., 2010 Women’s Executive Council Achievement Award, 2011 Seminole State College Alumni of Distinction and the Women’s Resource Center Summit Award in 2016. Christi has been married to her husband Rob for 38 years and has two children, Nick and Kate, and four grandchildren.

La-Zondra C. Randolph, Esq.-vip guest

Board Member for the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida

“Aggressively Going the Extra Mile” is not just a phrase but a standard practice that is befitting to Attorney La-Zondra C. Randolph in every area of her life. Attorney Randolph is a graduate of Florida A&M University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Education. She taught high school English for several years before being promoted to director and executive director of an alternative education program. She also earned her Juris Doctor degree from Florida A&M University, College of Law. During her matriculation through law school, she was a member of the Black Law Student Association and Entertainment Sports Law Association. She was also heavily involved with The Florida Civil Rights Association where she served on the education committee and later became state secretary for the organization. Attorney Randolph began her solo practice, The Law Offices of La-Zondra C. Randolph, P.A. (LCR Legal), in November 2012, where her primary practice areas are family law, personal injury, probate, and estate document drafting. In 2013, she began her service as a Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter, National Bar Association Fellow, and became director of the fellowship program in July 2019. As part of the fellowship, she has helped provide pro bono services to over 1,000 indigent members of the community in the areas of family law and housing. Her commitment to education and the community afforded her the opportunity to serve as an adjunct professor for the Guardian ad Litem Program at The Florida A&M University, College of Law. Also, in late 2013, Attorney Randolph founded The LCR Project (Love, Compassion, and Resolve), a 501(c)(3) organization, where she has provided over 100 families with household necessities and

furniture through her Holiday Sleigh Program. Rekindling the Flame, a dinner date night for couples who reside at the local homeless shelters; and Task F.O.R.C.E., (Fostering Our Responsibility in Civic Education) a civic education program for youth, are two other programs she has implemented through the organization.

In 2018, Attorney Randolph became co-owner of Kalon Karisma Hair and Beauty, LLC. She has gained an interest in the beauty industry, finding beauty products and routines that are effective on the go and products that can be used for the working woman, the soccer mom, the cancer survivor, and all women who want to look and feel their absolute best. Attorney Randolph, along with her partner, in honor of their late grandmother and mother, respectively, are striving to open Paula and Pearl House, a facility that will house cancer patients and provide emotional and physical support, wigs, hair pieces, and beauty enhancements to those in the underserved communities. Attorney Randolph was a radio personality on the Christian radio show, The Dee Lee Show, where she used her gifts to minister to believers and unbelievers alike. Attorney Randolph’s Christian values are important as she is a faithful member of The Experience Christian Center and sits on its outreach board.

Attorney Randolph is also a member of and holds many positions in professional organizations such as the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar; Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar; Florida Justice Association; Paul C. Perkins Bar Association; National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40; Florida

A&M University Alumni Association, Feed My Sheep Resource Center, Inc., Women on the Rise, International, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

CAROLYN FENNELL-vip guest

Senior Director of Public Affairs & Community Relations for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority & Board Member for Orlando Museum of Art.

Carolyn Fennell is an experienced communicator, journalist, and active community leader. She is the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Community Relations for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which includes Orlando International Airport, the busiest airport in the state of Florida, and Orlando Executive Airport In that role, she is responsible for domestic and international media relations, including crisis communications, for both Orlando International and Orlando Executive Airports.

In the aviation industry, she has been recognized by the largest airport association, Airports Council of North America, with the Ted Bushelman Legacy Award for creativity and excellence. She twice chaired the Airports Council International Marketing Communications Committee, its former international committee, and the North American organization.

As for community involvement, she is the recipient of a number of awards most recently in 2021 she was named “Women of the Year” by Onyx Magazine. Orlando Business Journal Business Woman of the Year, 2010 and Fennell also has twice chaired the Board of the Jacksonville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta in a six-year board position that ended in 2016.

In addition, her Community engagement includes former service on the Board as Chair of the Metropolitan Orlando Urban League and recipient of its 2017 Dorian Boyland Community Service Award. Ms. Fennell is a graduate of Florida A&M University and attended further studies at Queen’s University in Belfast Northern Ireland and the University of the South Pacific in Suva Fiji.