Come join us for a panel discussion on how your company can thrive in today’s economy. Hear from some of the best marketing minds on how businesses can take advantage of the environment to grow. You’ll receive practical ideas for handling today’s business challenges and you’ll walk away with new and emerging tools for addressing some of your pressing business problems. Finally, learn how to leverage communities (internal and external) to enhance your personal and professional growth.

February Speakers:

Kate Unger

Vice President of Marketing for The Kahala Corporation (owners of the Blimpie brand) will talk about how she is able to manage successful franchises and how key vendors play an important role in supporting growth goals. She has overseen national promotions and advertising for dozens of franchise brands, and is most recently responsible for over 1,200 Blimpie franchise stores across the country. Prior to joining Kahala, Kate served as an Account Executive in public relations at Phoenix based Riester Advertising. Kate has also managed marketing operations for 20 McDonald’s stores in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area. Kate serves many charities benefiting “high-risk” teens and children in Africa such as Golf FORE Africa and Project Cure. She is a graduate of University of Kansas where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English.

Lorenzo Sierra

An award-wining author and accredited regional marketing consultant for Humana – a Fortune 200 health insurance company. Lorenzo is also a member of the Commercial Sales leadership team which makes him uniquely qualified to provide guidance and strategic advice on today’s marketing and business development issues. He will also share what obstacles he’s helped our State overcome by serving on the Governor’s Commission on Services and Volunteerism where he was recently appointed by former Governor Janet Napolitano. As a board member of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce he is also concerned with setting the pace for business growth in today's highly diversified market. Lorenzo is a graduate from ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Dan Willis

A Strategy Advisor in Microsoft’s Platform Evangelism organization. His work experience includes stints at 3M, Hewlett Packard, The Sullivan Group and other organizations. At Microsoft, he helps customers leverage the breadth of technologies and resources at Microsoft for business success. He works with startups, the Fortune 100 and any organization in between that has an interesting business problem where emerging Microsoft technology and resources can help. In addition, Dan has volunteered considerable time to many community and educational organizations including the Twin Cities Housing and Development Corp., The St. Paul Public Schools, Boys & Girls Clubs of Phoenix and the Arizona Tech Council Technical Workforce Development Committee.

Lydia Aranda

Lydia Aranda is Vice President & Regional Director of Diverse Segments for Wells Fargo, overseeing strategic growth and business development in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Oregon. Prior to joining Wells Fargo Ms. Aranda served under Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano for several years as Governor’s Small Business Advocate, Executive Director of the Governor’s Small Business Council, and as Director of Small Business Services for the Arizona Department of Commerce. In her current role with Wells Fargo, Ms. Aranda works closely with business and community leaders, focusing on the emerging and diverse markets throughout the southwest. Ms. Aranda has over 23 years in national and global marketing, business development and client relations with strengths in creating exceptional client relationships; developing and maintaining strong business/community alliances; launching e-business / IT start-ups; and significant experience in strategic development. Her list of employers range from industry-leading corporations to woman- and minority-owned entrepreneurships in the telecom, finance, education, law, public relations and fashion industries, including home-based enterprises. She has also lived and worked abroad in political and administrative roles, including an extensive term in the US Embassy to Uruguay. Ms. Aranda enjoys music, traveling, books, films and art, and remains active in the community.