The WIM Fox Valley virtual meeting will feature Jodi Bondi Norgaard, founder of Dream Big Toy Company, during its virtual ZOOM meeting on Thursday, May 13, 2021 from Noon to 1:00pm. No fee for the meeting for WIM Fox Valley members; $5.00 for guests who are welcome to attend.
 
For meeting registration information, please click here .
 
In this powerful presentation, Norgaard speaks on the value and benefit of women supporting women in business and life.  She brings awareness to the stereotypes imposed upon women and the steps needed to eliminate them from our culture, so women can rise together.  She will share her entrepreneurial experience and the mentors who helped her succeed through guidance, kindness, and support.
 
“We are grateful that Jodi will take the time to speak to our group of amazing women who inspire and mentor other women,” said WIM president Joy Symonds. “As a business owner and mother of two young girls, I look forward to hearing about her own journey as a ground-breaking entrepreneur and mother.”
 
Norgaard is an expert in creating change and breaking gender stereotypes. She is the creator of the award-winning line of dolls, books, and apps for girls encouraging healthy and active play over fashion and body image.  In October 2016, her Go! Go! Sports Girls brand was acquired by Jazwares, an established cutting-edge toy company. 
 
She is a keynote speaker, entrepreneur, consultant, and activist in the movement pushing media and retail to do a better job portraying girls beyond stereotypes. She has been featured on national media including The Today Show, Forbes, Good Housekeeping, Chicago Tribune, New York Times, and Huffington Post. In 2016, Norgaard was invited by the White House under the Obama administration to participate in conferences on breaking down gender stereotypes in media and toys. Recently, she was asked by the Biden administration to be part of the ground-breaking White House Gender Policy Council.

WIM Fox Valley virtual meeting to feature Jennifer Cook, owner of Cook’s Ice Cream and Sweet Boutique in Elgin  during the virtual ZOOM meeting on Thursday, April 8, 2021 from Noon to 1:00pm. No fee for the meeting for WIM Fox Valley members; $5.00 for guests who are welcome to attend.
 
For meeting registration information, please click here.
 
Party planning during the “new normal” can be limiting, but it needn’t limit the fun. “Until we can be together safely, we can still have parties that are stylish and sweet by using these tips and tricks,” said Cook. She notes that with a little creativity, technology, and thorough planning, celebrations can still be memorable, enjoyable, and most of all, safe. She will review party trends for Spring of 2021 and different ideas for micro and virtual events.
 
“We look forward to having a little fun at this WIM meeting,”said WIM president Joy Symonds.
“With family spring and summer events ahead, Jennifer will provide us with fun ideas to make them unique and safe.”
 
Cook started her business as a pushcart operator in Elgin’s Festival Park in 2017. Her Cook’s Ice Cream paved the way for other entrepreneurs by becoming the first licensed food vendor. The subsequent year, after the business evolved into the Scoop Bus, the Elgin City Council lifted the ban on ice cream trucks that was in place since the 1970s. 
 
As an ice cream caterer and food truck operator, Cook enjoys being a part of family weddings, birthdays and graduations. In February of 2020, she opened a brick and mortar location, but the next month the pandemic hit. On July 30, 2020, Cook’s Sweet Boutique was able to partially open and continues to navigate these challenging times facing small business retailers. 
 
Cook’s Ice Cream and Sweet Boutique prides itself as a community partner and has donated to many charitable causes. Cook remains active in her community as a volunteer and was awarded the Outstanding Woman of Elgin award in 2015. She currently serves on the Leader Luncheon Committee of the Elgin YWCA and Young Life Ministries-Fox Valley as a committee member.

WIM Fox Valley virtual meeting to feature Kathleen Caldwell, CEO of Caldwell Consulting Group, LLC, who will present how to activate your success (and love) in 2021 during the virtual ZOOM meeting.

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Noon to 1:00pm.

No fee for the meeting for WIM Fox Valley members; $5.00 for guests who are welcome to attend.
Click Here to Register.

Caldwell notes that individuals have the biggest dreams and visions for personal and professional success, but without an effective fulfillment system, it’s impossible to experience a breakthrough year and life.

In this lively, interactive and information rich program, Caldwell will share 3 key strategies to having 2021 be the most successful, fulfilling, and love-filled year yet. Meeting attendees will leave the presentation with a personalized 2021 Roadmap For Success™ to spark their passions and turn them into action.

In addition to Caldwell Consulting Group, LLC, she is founder of the Women’s Success Accelerator™ and the C-Suite Network’s Women’s Leadership Council™. She is a credentialed and certified leadership coach, professional speaker and author who has mentored and advised thousands of entrepreneurs, executives, leaders, and business teams around the world to greater success.

​She has received numerous awards and honors including a SHAW Media Woman of Distinction, Daily Herald/Business Ledger Women of Distinction, and Entrepreneurial Excellence designations. She is best known as a connector and thought leader.

​Sponsor of this month’s meeting is Corporate America Family Credit Union (CAFCU), which is dedicated to providing the tools, resources and expertise for empowerment to succeed. CAFCU  provides the advanced products and client services to help further financial goals and dreams.

WIM to feature certified life and health coach and certified hypnotherapist Connie Jo Holmes who will note the the importance of goal setting and creating a vision board during the virtual ZOOM meeting.​

Thursday, January 14, 2021
Noon to 1:00pm.
No fee for the meeting for WIM Fox Valley members; $5.00 for guests who are welcome to attend.
Click Here to Register.

Holmes will offer her specialized expertise as a mindset mentor helping individuals align their mind, body, and spirit to live a balanced and renewed life in home, heart and career. In addition, her 30 years of corporate managerial and leadership experience supports her expertise with self-leadership, personal organization, life planning, and strategic goal-execution.
She has specialized training as an anxiety and panic specialist and in removing negative emotions and limiting beliefs. With this specialized training, she is able to help her clients reset themselves for a life of confidence and momentum. Coaching self-acceptance and confidence is the foundation for all Holmes does, including her business name, BU2BFULL, Inc., and her book titled, “Be YOU to be Full: Learn the Art of Self-Acceptance for a Life of Confidence and Fulfillment.”

This month’s meeting sponsor is the Melissa Meyers State Farm Agency in Elgin, which specializes in personalized insurance plans. Meyers and her team are truly a one-stop shop when it comes to insuring an auto, motorcycle, home, condo, renters, boat, small business, and life insurance needs.

WIM Fox Valley (WIM) welcomes Kane County Judge Elizabeth Flood who will give an interactive presentation of “You be the Judge” during the virtual ZOOM meeting on Thursday, December 10, 2020 from Noon to 1:00pm.

No fee for the meeting for WIM Fox Valley members; $5.00 for guests who are welcome to attend.

​Click Here to Register.

​Judge Flood began her law career in 1995 with the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office as a criminal prosecutor.  During her 8 years in the criminal division, she prosecuted in every criminal courtroom, including traffic, misdemeanor, D.U.I., and felonies. Flood then transferred to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s civil division, where she represented county officials and employees in state and federal courts in cases involving election law, employment law, personal injury, property damage, and federal civil rights litigation.  She was able to argue before the Illinois Second District Appellate Court and the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. 
 
 In 2013, Flood was appointed as an Associate Judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit, Kane County, Illinois, where she has presided over traffic and misdemeanor cases, bond call, orders of protection, and forfeiture hearings.  Since 2016 she has been assigned to the Family Division.  In October of 2019, Judge Flood was appointed by unanimous vote of the Illinois Supreme Court to be a Judge in Kane County.  
 
Flood received a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois College of Commerce and graduated cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law. 

WIM Fox Valley (WIM) presents executive coach and national speaker Linda Deering Dean during the virtual ZOOM meeting on Thursday, November 12, 2020 from Noon to 1:00pm. No fee for the meeting for WIM Fox Valley members; $5.00 for guests who are welcome to attend.

Click here to register.

Deering Dean has over 35 years of experience in healthcare clinical, operational and executive leadership.  She has a passion and ability to deliver outstanding results for service, quality, safety, engagement and finance.  In her most recent role as President of Advocate Sherman Hospital, she led the organization to significant improvements and national recognition, including: 
patient engagement increased from 40th to 90thpercentile; employee engagement improved from the 50th to 90th percentile; physician engagement improved from the 45th to 85th percentile; 
serious safety events decreased by 85%; and operating margin moved from 0% to +8% .
 
She has served as a national speaker through her participation in the Studer Group.  In this role, she fulfills her passion for improving work environments for leaders, employees, partners and customers while improving operational results.  

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​This month’s meeting sponsor is Joy Symonds, co-owner, Symonds-Madison Funeral Home in Elgin. Proudly veteran and family-owned, Symonds-Madison Funeral Home has served Fox Valley families with compassion and excellence for over 90 years.

WIM Fox Valley (WIM) presents leading during a crisis with guest speaker Kane County Sheriff Ron Hain at its virtual ZOOM meeting.

Thursday, October 8, 2020
Noon to 1:00pm.

No fee for the meeting for WIM Fox Valley members; $5.00 for guests who are welcome to attend.
To register, please click here.

Sheriff Hain states, “Law enforcement leadership historically follows standardized training and policy adherence. When we encounter times of uncertainty and there is no road map to follow, dynamic and agile thinking is essential to keep a workforce positive and engaged while ensuring our communities needs are met on a 24/7, basis.”

This month’s meeting sponsor is Brittain’s Oil Express in Elgin which offers a variety of quality services to assure optimum vehicle maintenance for individuals and businesses.

​Rieke Office Interiors (ROI) and president Melissa Kehl will host WIM Fox Valley (WIM) at its offices on Thursday, March 12, 2020 from 5:30 to 7:30pm at 2000 Fox Lane in Elgin. 
 
Cost for members is $25.00 and non-members $28.00. Area women in business are welcome to attend this month’s evening networking presentation. Reservations can be made by clicking here.  Walk-ins are always welcome!
 

WIM Fox Valley (WIM) welcomes ​Kristen Hutchinson and Stephanie Szewczyk, co-founders of STRONG self(ie), as its speakers on Thursday, February 13, 2020.

The lunch meeting will be held at Emmett’s Brewing Co. at 128 West Main Street in West Dundee with networking at 11:30 a.m., luncheon and program at noon. Meetings adjourn at 1:00 p.m. Cost for members is $25.00 and non-members $28.00. Area women in business are welcome to attend this complimentary month’s presentation.

To register for the event, please click here.
 
Hutchinson and Szewczyk will share the reason they started their business and its success since its launch in 2017.
 
STRONG self(ie)is a subscription and gift box company strategically aimed to empower girls, and encourage them to embrace every moment of growing up. The season subscription boxes are filled with inspirational products designed to better connect parents and their daughter/s.  The STRONG self(ie) subscription gift offers a way for a mom, dad, grandparent, stepparent, aunt or uncle, to recognize and meaningfully celebrate the girls in their lives.

​This month’s meeting sponsor is Michelle Santucci, a Circle V Level Achiever with Rodan + Fields in Elgin. Rodan + Fields is a personalized skincare service created by Stanford-trained Dermatologists, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields. 

​This is a joint event lunch meeting with Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce "Women in Business."

WIM Fox Valley (WIM) kicks off the new year with nationally recognized trainer, speaker and coach Suzanne Ness, President and Co-founder of Forward Effect Coaching, who will present “Answering the Call: strategies for making 2020 your best year yet" on Thursday, January 9, 2020.

The joint event lunch meeting with the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce and the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce “Women in Business” will be held  at The Haight, 166 Symphony Way, Elgin.

Click here to make reservations.

In her topic on planning, Ness notes that setting goals and making plans starts with a strong vision. Join Ness as she shares strategies designed to help you achieve your goals and bring your vision to life.
Ness is a small business owner, certified coach, and elected public official. In this talk, she will share some of her own strategies toward achieving results, answering your own “call,” and having a great year! Ness is the. She has led hundreds of sessions in a variety of organizations throughout North America. As an ICF certified coach with a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management, she continues to train, coach, and empower workforces and organizations, specializing in all aspects of communication, leadership, presentation skills and team building. She is adept at connecting with others and inspiring the power of learning.
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She has served on the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce board and is an online Adjunct Professor for the School of Business at Purdue University Global. She also developed a Young Leaders Coaching and Mentoring program for Teens at Dundee Crown High School. She is married, has two college age daughters, a stepson, a granddaughter, and lives in Crystal Lake IL. She is an avid reader, runner, and traveler and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

​This month’s meeting sponsor is Pat Szpekowski, APR, president of PR Strategies & Communications, Inc./PmS advertising, inc. in Elgin. A co-founder of both WIM Fox Valley and the Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce Women in Business organizations, Szpekowski provides award-winning public relations, custom creative graphic design, and candid event photography for businesses and not for profit organizations.