Small Business, Big Dreams: Women in Business Summit

1 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd,Fort Lauderdale FL 33304

20 October, 2022

Description

Join us for our Small Business, Big Dreams: Women in Business Summit! Enjoy a morning of inspirational talks from women-owned business leaders and network with fellow business owners. Stay for a live business competition* where businesses can win up to $15,000!*To enter the competition, visit https://www.bankunited.com/small-business/small-business-big-dreams-challenge/. Deadline to apply is September 16, 2022. Event Agenda:8:30 a.m. - Registration & Continental Breakfast9:00 a.m. - Welcome Lisa Shim, SEVP, Head of Consumer & Small Business Banking, BankUnited Lisa Shim is the Senior Executive Vice President and Head of Consumer and Small Business Banking at BankUnited, overseeing the entire division supporting consumer and small business clients, with oversight of corporate strategy, digital banking, marketing and community development. Shim has been a part of the BankUnited family since the new bank was formed in 2009, when she joined the bank as vice president of corporate development, and has been involved in a wide range of critical initiatives throughout her tenure, including the bank’s merger and acquisition strategy, internal corporate strategy and digital transformation journey. Shim leads several large initiatives, including a multimillion-dollar digital transformation program to enhance the customer experience, and a new branding campaign that positions the bank as one built to Go for More™ for its clients. She has set the vision to create the omni-channel experience, a multi-year journey to transform mindset, process, product and technology, and piloted the bank’s first collaboration workspace, a model of collaboration, agility and transparency. Shim also leads BankUnited’s efforts to support the work of community organizations in the areas of economic development, affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization and financial literacy through volunteerism and CRA grant funding. Prior to BankUnited, Shim worked in the financial institutions group at Merrill Lynch and the retail bank division for Countrywide Bank. She graduated with a B.A from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Kellogg School of Management. 9:15 a.m. - Takings Risks and Overcoming Obstacles: Women in Business Panel DiscussionPanelists: Sharon McTurk, President, Astra Services Sharon is the majority owner in Astra/CFX Holdings, LLC and all subsidiaries. Sharon provides over 30 years of experience in the logistics, warehouse, and transportation industries. Prior to starting Astra, she was a Terminal Manager and Sales Representative for Roadway Express. For the 15 years she was with Roadway, she consistently ranked in the top 10% of performers in both terminal efficiency and sales. Arilee S. Ortiz, President, Concierge Title Agency, Inc. Arilee is the owner and founder of Concierge Title Agency, Inc. Arilee has worked in the title and real estate closing industry for over 22 years. Her experience at various agencies throughout the State of Florida gives her the knowledge, experience and expertise necessary to understand that no two closings or situations are the same. Today, her title company helps homeowners navigate through the intricate closing process with ease. She is dedicated to getting to know each one of her clients’ unique requirements and find the best possible solution for all involved. Nicole Milnthorpe, Chief Financial Officer, Smokey Bones Nicole Milnthorpe is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Smokey Bones, a Sun Capital portfolio company, and has more than 20 years of experience in financial services including Big 4 and C-suite executive positions in national restaurant organizations. Nicole joined Smokey Bones in 2015 and has been focused on maximizing brand value while focusing on leadership and team building. Nicole is a highly respected communicator skilled in providing technological direction, strengthening relationships and maximizing team member value, while demonstrating the ability to maintain confidentiality and impart leadership. She is an industry expert in leveraging existing and innovative new strategies to generate breakthrough business results. She has a proven track record for leading multifunctional teams to drive revenue, control costs, and improve culture while achieving profitable growth through deployment of strategic and tactical initiatives integrated with implementation of and improvement to organizational processes. Nicole previously served as President and Chief Financial Officer of Shula’s Steakhouse from 2012 to 2015. Before Shula’s, Nicole spent nearly 13 years with Deloitte in various capacities including Senior Manager in the audit practice focusing in various industries including Fortune 500 public companies, consumer business, including retail and hospitality, and aerospace. Nicole was named a 2022 Influential Business Woman, 2021 Large Company CFO of the Year and previously, 40 under 40 by the South Florida Business Journal. She was also named 2021 Power List, Most Influential People As Published in Nation’s Restaurant News, 2021 FSR's Reader's Choice Awards, Brand Innovator and Recognized for Excellence. Born and raised in South Florida, she graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Miami and is a CPA. She loves the hospitality industry, and her passion is developing teams, streamlining processes, and creating brand value. In Nicole’s free time, she loves spending time with her husband and three small children on the sports fields, dance stage and watching Miami Hurricane football! Leigh-Ann Buchanan, President, aire ventures Leigh-Ann is a writer, facilitator and sought after strategic advisor who helps leaders develop REDI strategies that leverage tech, innovation and social design to accelerate organizational and community change. NY Times, Inc. Magazine, NPR, Bloomberg, the American Psychological Association, ABA Law Journal and others have featured her insights and contributions. She has developed solutions for public and private sector leaders, including Google, Facebook, Delta, P&G Ventures, AirBnB, HSBC and UBS. Leigh-Ann is the founder of Nyah Project as well as aīre ventures, the venture studio where she currently serves as President. She has raised over $4.5 million in equity free capital to fund these and other projects. A storyteller by nature, Leigh-Ann co-hosts the Innovation City podcast and produces documentary and short form video content. Leigh-Ann holds a J.D from the University of Miami and a B.A. in International Affairs from Bethune Cookman University. Her recognitions include Most Influential Black Business Leaders in South Florida, a McClatchy Florida Influencer, one of Miami’s 50 Most Powerful and Influential Black Business Leaders, a Black Enterprise Magazine Tech Trailblazer and the American Bar Association Top 40 Young Lawyers. 10:00 a.m. - Keynote SpeakerTere Blanca, Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Inc. Tere Blanca is the Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Inc., the leading independently owned commercial real estate services firm in Florida. She founded the firm in 2009 after identifying a need in the marketplace for a local advisory and brokerage firm built on a culture of giving clients a highly personalized approach to service. With Tere’s vision, progressive leadership, and foundation of passion, care, and commitment to excellence, teams are purpose-built and strategies are customized to fit each client’s diverse needs allowing the firm to achieve successful outcomes and setting new market standards. Blanca Commercial Real Estate now has a dynamic team of more than 40 top professionals that embrace a culture of collaboration and caring for each other, the firm’s clients, and the community. It is recognized as one of the top commercial real estate brokerage services companies in Florida, ranked by the South Florida Business Journal as one of the top ten firms in South Florida, maintaining more than 34% market share of all office lease transactions executed in Class A and B office space in Miami since 2017; the firm’s home base. Expanding across South Florida, the firm now has 3 offices across the region and has grown its services to include property management, tenant engagement services, development consulting, and health care practice. Throughout her 35-year career, Tere has participated and led many significant lease transactions and new development projects from land acquisition to the master planning, design, construction, marketing, lease-up, and sale of office and mixed-use assets. Clients of the firm include Nuveen Real Estate, Allianz, Hines, Agave Holdings, Lincoln Property Company, IQ Office/Blackstone, BH Group, Federal Realty Investment Trust, Shorenstein, Stiles, Related Group, AIMCO, and the law firms of Akerman LLP, and White & Case, LLP; Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Miami Herald Media Company; WeWork; Coastal Construction, Quirch Foods, Inc.; Insigneo; Inktel, DASI, Neutralogistics, Mexican Consulate and the University of Miami, to name a few. Prior to launching Blanca Commercial Real Estate, Tere served for five years as Senior Managing Director for Cushman & Wakefield of Florida, Inc., where she led the firm’s South Florida region, achieving significant revenue growth and increased profitability. Tere also held the position of senior vice president at Codina Realty Services, Inc. ONCOR International where she was consistently among the top producers during her 14-year tenure. 11:00 a.m. - Live Business CompetitionTo enter the competition, visit https://www.bankunited.com/small-business/small-business-big-dreams-challenge/. Deadline to apply is September 16, 2022. 12:15 p.m. - Winner Presentation12:30 p.m. - Grab & Go Lunch