Jane Frederick, FAIA, is the 96th President of The American Institute of Architects. She is a principal at Frederick + Frederick Architects, which received AIA South Carolina’s 2017 Firm Award and Southern Living magazine’s Best Renovation of 2009. The Beaufort, SC firm specializes in custom residences and has earned over 20 design awards. Jane has served AIA in many roles, at-large director on the national Board of Directors, chair of the AIA Small Firm Round Table, and president of AIA South Carolina.
Melissa Dobbins could do seventh grade math in third grade, but she couldn’t read. She was ridiculed by students and even teachers, who told her in so many ways, “Your best is only ever going to be so-so.” But with advice from her 6th grade teacher, she shifted her attitude from “I can't do it” to “No, I'm going to show you.” And she has continued to show everybody for years, including forming Career.Place, an anonymous candidate evaluation solution that removes bias from the screening process.
Dr. Ann Kulze has distinguished herself as a nutrition and wellness expert. She received her undergraduate degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from Clemson University and her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. She's the Founder and CEO of the wellness education firm Just Wellness LLC and the author of six books, including her bestselling Eat Right for Life series. She's been featured in national media outlets, including the Dr. Oz Show, Oprah, Time Magazine, and others.
Ken Coleman is a number one national bestselling author, career expert, and a nationally syndicated radio host of The Ken Coleman Show. Pulling from his own personal struggles, missed opportunities and career successes, he helps people discover what they were born to do and provides practical steps to make their dream job a reality. His second book, The Proximity Principle: The Proven Strategy That Will Lead to the Career You Love, was released in May 2019.
Caroline Stokes leads an executive search and emotional intelligence coaching company for successful leaders and global technology organizations to move forward together. Her entire approach to executive search, the employer brand, the candidate and employee experience is included in her business book "Elephants Before Unicorns: Emotionally Intelligent HR Strategies To Save Your Company," published by Entrepreneur Press (2019).
Benjamin R. Case is a professional fundraising consultant, who has served in the nonprofit sector for 41 years as an advancement professional, senior manager and leader. He has personally been involved in the successful solicitation of over $1.1 billion in gifts and worked for and been engaged by organizations that have raised $4.8 billion. His fundraising experience includes working with The Metropolitan Opera in New York, Duke University and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, among others.
Alexis Davis Smith is the president and CEO of PRecise Communications, an award-winning marketing communications firm. With more than 20 years of experience and a reputation as a trusted communications strategist, Alexis is a leader in Atlanta’s public relations industry and a national voice for multicultural marketing. She is responsible for creating breakthrough, strategic communications programs for major consumer brands, including Coca-Cola, Toyota and Pfizer. She is a graduate of Florida A&M
Lisa Phillips lost her job and then her home to foreclosure during the recession of 2009. She was left with a $35,000 condo and only enough money to renovate the place doing the work herself. She clearly had reached the bottom. She came upon a strategy of owning inexpensive rental properties for cash flow that was possible, even when a traditional mortgage was not. As her strategy started to show consistent results, she started teaching others about it on her platform, Affordable Real Estate Investments.
Shawn T. Kelly is a licensed, practicing Landscape Architect, Principal of Kelly Design Group, LLC, a design bid firm in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. He opened his firm 25 years ago. He is also a full time faculty member and Distinguished Faculty Associate in the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, and is currently the Immediate Past President, having completed his Presidency in 2019.