SE Lady Bosses Affinity Group (virtual)

Social & Cause Entrepreneurism Panel

You might be surprised that Michigan sits as the forefront of a business revolution known as Social Entrepreneurism. Think of Tom's Shoes', buy one, give one philosophy as an example.

We've assembled a Social Impact Panel that will open your eyes to the great potential for businesses that have a social cause here in Michigan and globally. Investors are looking to fund these projects and entrepreneurs are looking to make these businesses viable.

During the session, you'll learn when to start a non-profit versus a social impact business. You'll also learn about businesses that have made a positive social impact and so much more.

Inspired? We hope so.

Take, for example panelist Natalie Gringras Hazen, VP & Chief Global Strategic Officer, whose company has accomplished these goals as of the end of June 2020:

• $48,252,000 - Amount of Impact Capital supported by Gingras Global
• 21% - Average enterprise profitability increase first year on their platform
• 26% - Average enterprise revenue increase first 18 months on their platform

Another panelist, Kyleen Walker, who, as a side gig passion project, advises people who want to start a nonprofit. She has helped more than 100 nonprofits achieve this status, all while serving as Senior VP at AlixPartners.

In addition, you'll hear the secret sauce of Rebel Nell from Amy Peterson, co-founder, of this jewelry business that helps empower and employ local women facing barriers. Rebel Nell has proven that businesses with a cause can be both socially valuable and a for-profit venture. Plus Amy is part of the Gingras Global group of companies. Use LADYBOSSES promo code to get 20 % off Rebel Nell (see info below Amy's bio for more).

If you’ve ever considered starting a cause oriented business or non-profit or adding a social component to your existing business, then this panel is for you.

More about the Speakers:

Natalie Gingras Hazen

Gingras Global Inc., Vice President & Chief Global Strategic Officer

Makers Environment Fund LLC- Managing Partner

Natalie Gingras Hazen is no stranger to social and community impact, having spent 20 years in strategic community development in a variety of roles. Natalie is highly strategic, and her observant nature lends the exact set of skills to social impact projects of all sizes and scopes. She carries this along with her financial background to serve as Vice President of Gingras Global since 2014. In 2017, she formed the first skilled trade Impact Capital Investment Fund, the Makers Environment Fund. Natalie uses her background, education, and experience in the financial industry to elevate the credibility of any project she touches. Natalie started serving on the National Small Business Associations' Leadership Council in early 2019 sitting on both the Technology Council and the Economic Council. You can contact her at natalie@gingrasglobal.com (248)845.2032 ext 103 (office), (989)573.0045 (cell).

Kyleen E. Walker

Advisor to Start-Up Nonprofit organizations

Sr. VP, AlixPartners, LLP, corporate services division

In 2007, Kyleen became an advisor to the leaders of start-up nonprofit organizations. In this role, she prepares and files an organization’s state and federal nonprofit documents. Kyleen has assisted over 100 nonprofit organizations to date, securing their 501c3 status with the IRS. In 2013 she began teaching a nonprofit capacity building course four times per year to empowers nonprofit executive directors and board members with the information and skills needed to build sustainable, productive community-based organizations. In addition, in 2000 Kyleen co-founded a community based nonprofit organization , Wise Steward Ministries, serving as program director and fund developer for this financial literacy organization for seven years, growing the fund balance to $150,000 annually. In addition to advising nonprofits, Kyleen is a senior vice president at AlixPartners, LLP in the corporate services division. Her life’s purpose is to assist individuals in bringing their vision to pass. She operates with a spirit of excellence and passion; and she enjoys connecting with her clients! You can contact her at kyleenwalker2@gmail.com

Amy Peterson

Co-Founder and CEO of Rebel Nell

“Let your passion be your motivation,” Amy says and believes in those exact words. Amy’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for helping others lead her to cofounding one of her greatest accomplishments, Rebel Nell in 2013. Rebel Nell is a jewelry company with a purpose, that employs disadvantaged women in Detroit to help them transition from a life of dependence into one of self-reliance and self-empowerment. As Co-Founder, Amy’s background in law and brilliance in business has significantly contributed to the success of Rebel Nell in its early stages.

When Amy moved to Detroit in 2007, she immediately fell in love with one of America’s greatest cities and was adamant about contributing to Detroit’s revival. Living next to one of the city’s most well known shelters gave Amy the unique opportunity to build relationships with many of the residents. The inspirational stories many of the women shared of overcoming emotional, physical and financial abuse were the catalyst for creating Rebel Nell. Amy was adamant about providing women in the shelters with an opportunity to lead an independent life. She believed that employment paired with financial literacy, business education, and a focus on life wellness would help them regain the confidence they need to lead them on the path to success.

Amy has been recognized for the impact she has had in the city of Detroit in Dbusiness Thirty in Their 30s Detroit’s Premier Business Journal, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year: 2016 Michigan and Northwest Ohio. You can contact Amy at amy@rebelnell.com, or follow on Instagram: @RebelNell or Facebook @RebelNellDetroit

REBEL NELL 20% OFF DISCOUNT CODE: LADYBOSSES (The code is good until 11:59 pm. Dec. 24, 2020 on online products excluding the Dugout collection.) Shop online at www.rebelnell.com

Moderator:

Carol C. Ward

Franchise Consultant/Business Owner

FranNet, an international franchise consultancy

Co-chair Inforum Lady Bosses & Women on the Move

A 5th generation business owner, Carol grew up searching for businesses with her father who took the severance package at his organization to start a business. Today, she has helped more than 75 people get started in franchise businesses through her role at FranNet. She started as an employee at FranNet's international headquarters in 2013 before joining the FranNet of Michigan team as a business owner four years ago. Before changing to a career in franchising, Carol led public relations functions for various organizations including her own consulting firm, a Fortune 500 company and an executive compensation and corporate governance firm. She loves helping others tap into their motivation and value system to find the right career path or business to purchase. Follow her hashtag on LinkedIn: #OwnYourPathForward. You can contact her at cward@frannet.com, (248)590-7290 (cell), www.frannet.com/ccward.

Lady Bosses 

The purpose of the Lady Bosses is to provide educational programming (speakers, workshops), support, inspiration, accountability to and from other Inforum business owners or prospective owners. While much of the Inforum membership is in the corporate world, Lady Bosses Affinity Group is designed to meet the unique needs of business owners. It can also become a catalyst to encourage women to start or purchase their own businesses. The group also can provide and gain synergy from Inforum’s inGAGE strategy. In 2017 just 17 percent of companies had a female founder, a number that hasn’t changed in five years, according to Crunchbase.

First Wednesday of the month, 10:30 a.m. – noon

Virtual platform will be sent to you 24 hours before the meeting.

View Attendee List

Group Leadership

Carol C. Ward, (248) 590-7190, cward@frannet.com

Michelle Cantor, (248) 705-9008, michelle@volarconsulting.com

Joscelyn A. Davis, (248) 860-8858, joscelyn@jadestrategies.com