Women’s Executive Club

Diane Ratcliff, co-owner of D&R Consulting Group provides human resource services and cash flow solutions that qualify small/mid-size businesses for federal, state and local government stimulus tax incentives. These incentives include commercial property, energy efficiency, R&D tax credits, hiring tax credits, and benefits incentives. Her team consists of engineers, group health insurance auditing experts, financial analysts, and human resource and HRIS consultants. “We are an eclectic group of professionals that provide support to businesses not usually available all in one place”.

Diane has over 25 years of experience in human resources and international project management throughout the US, Caribbean and Latin America Region. Her experience includes large corporations such as AT&T, Toshiba, as well as new startup’s, companies experiencing struggles in growth, and mergers and acquisitions. She received her BA in Business from Barry University, her Master’s in Biblical Theology from Golden Gate Theological Seminary, and has one Son, Rocky, who co-founded D&R Consulting Group with her. “I enjoy any activities on the water or associated with eating. Love good food and try not to miss a party. I’m active in my church and I believe in the power of prayer, so I’m always available to pray for or with anyone”.

Welcome, Diane!

Retired from the army, where she served for twenty one years from 1974 through 1995, Penny worked for years in logistics and recruiting before entering a teaching position at Piper High School in Fort Lauderdale from 1995 through 2003.  From 2005 through 2007, Penny worked at The Cooperative Feeding Program before becoming the new leader at The Pantry of Broward. Welcome, Penny!

Regine Cordon is the Executive Director of the Children’s Home Society of Florida (CHS), Intercoastal Division serving Broward County.  She has approximately 24 years of knowledge and leadership experience in serving the needs of children and families in the non-profit arena.  Ms. Cordon received a bachelor’s degree from Barry University and a master’s degree in social work from Florida International University. She is a licensed clinical social worker and holds a certificate in fundraising management. She has held numerous leadership positions in community organizations both as a paid employee and as a volunteer.  She has received both local and state wide awards for her advocacy efforts.

Originally born in Haiti but moved to the US, with her family at the age of three.  Regine is a proud single parent of a 19 yrs old daughter.  Her hobbies include volunteering in the community, singing in the Church choir, attending community music and performing arts events and spending time with her family. 

Deborah Berkowitz manages Ruden McClosky’s Trademark Practice. Deborah concentrates her law practice in trademark, copyright, computer software, technology and internet, licensing, unfair competition, and trade secrets matters. Active in the community, Deborah currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Broward Alliance and Artserve, Inc. of Broward County. Deborah received the Pro Bono Service Award for her outstanding contribution in the category of Arts Law to “Put Something Back.” She is a Fellow of Brandeis University. Deborah’s hobbies include reading, discovering new recipes, traveling, spending time with family and friends, recreational walking and urban hiking.

PERSONAL:

I grew up in a large family. We lived in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Hampshire and New York. I worked my way through college and law school as a waitress, newspaper columnist (paid by the inch!), exercise instructor, retail clerk, bookkeeper, summer day care provider, Laundromat and clam bar worker, shoe salesperson and so many more jobs. Each of those experiences was invaluable in making me an independent, positive and grateful person.

I am married and have a wonderful husband who is retired from 28 years in law enforcement. He spends much of his free time as a community volunteer focusing on the environment—and worked on my campaign for re-election. He has given me 8 terrific, smart and adorable grand kids.

Lastly, being a breast cancer survivor has given me strength, a better understanding of what is truly important in life and a wonderfully increased capacity for compassion.  Each day, I bring each of those traits to the bench.

PROFESSIONAL:

BAR ADMISSIONS:

Florida Supreme Court-December 1981 Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court –January 1977

EDUCATION:

Suffolk University School of Law, Boston, MA. Juris Doctor June 1976

University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA. B. A. June 1971

LEGAL EXPEREINCE:

2003-PRESENT Broward Circuit Judge. Civil Division, Family Division ( injunctions against domestic, dating, sexual and repeat violence), Criminal Felony Division

1981-2003 U.S. Department of Justice, Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA). Civil Division, Criminal Division, Appeals and Management

1976-1981 Assistant District Attorney in Massachusetts

1971-1974 Massachusetts Senate Aide

1973-1975 Various Law Clerk positions. Massachusetts Labor Relations Commission, Law Offices of Henry Wynn and Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.

BAR ASSOCIATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES:

Broward County Bar Association, 1990 to present

Federal Bar Association, Broward Chapter, 1987-2003, President, Treasurer, Secretary , Board

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Association, 1990-2003, past Board of Directors

St. Thomas More Society, 1988 to present, Founder and past Board of Directors

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

Lighthouse of Broward, serving the Blind and Visually Impaired. Board of Directors since 1990

Leadership Broward Foundation since 1990, past Board of Directors, VP and Class Chair

Florida Bar Grievance Committee, 1996-1999

Broward Women’s Alliance, 2000 to present. Past President

Junior League of Greater Fort Lauderdale, 1991 to present. Vice-Chair, past Board of Directors

Neighborhood Leadership College, Fort Lauderdale

Boys and Girls Clubs

Put Something Back, Legal Aid of Broward, 1996-2002, pro bono representation of domestic violence victims

AWARDS and HONORS:

Who’s Who In American Law, Martindael-Hubbel, AV Rating

Norman C. Roettger Award for service to the Federal Bar Association, 2003

U.S. Department of Justice, Director’s Award for outstanding litigation, 1999

U. S. Attorney General Award for Volunteer Service, 1992

Distinguished Service Award, Florida Department of Education, Division of Blind Services, 1992

A Bostonian by birth, Ginny and her husband Paul Costello moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 1997, where he is a Tech Crew Chief with American Airlines, based in Miami.  Though prior Florida positions include Property Manager at American Express, Senior Real Estate & Facility Manager with Spherion, and Project Manager with PRC, her expertise is in Lease Portfolio Management for businesses with a large number of leased locations.  Ginny determines if and where new sites should be located, negotiates leases, designs the buildouts, manages construction and installation of furniture and voice/data connectivity, moves in the occupants and manages all aspects of the lease thereafter.  In 2007, Ginny was named by Florida Real Estate Journal, as one of Florida’s Top 20 Women in Real Estate, and was interviewed in the May 7, 2007 issue of Business Week on the advantages of utilizing Executive Suites in corporate lease portfolios. Currently in transition between firms, Ginny is working as an independent consultant.  Sailing, enjoying cruises, and independent travel to such exotic destinations as Hong Kong, Greece and Australia is her favorite "therapy", keeping Ginny and her husband quite busy.