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. 

I am a professional costumer with 22 years experience.  My background is in theatre, starting with a BFA in Design and Technical Direction from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  I have worked as the chief costume designer, costume shop head, milliner (hatmaker), dyer and other positions for various theaters back and forth across the USA.  I have designed and built costumes for an Off-Broadway production entitled "Dubious Oysters, Questionable Pearls".   All of these jobs led me to work as the wardrobe mistress on the SS Norway cruise ship, where I met my husband. My wandering days were over and we settled in Florida to raise a family.
In Florida, I worked at a "normal" job in an office until I gave birth to my first child.  I incorporated my seamstress business and threw myself into it full time so I could stay at home with my new baby, Eleanora.  How silly I was to think I would now have time to devote myself to the business fully! After not sleeping for about 2 years, the business began to establish itself… and I became pregnant again with my second child, Daniel.  Eleanora is now seven years old and Daniel is four.
My business, Lassalle Designs, Inc. is keeping me pretty busy now.  I have made a good foothold into the Celebrity Impersonator community and now also offer custom wedding gowns. I am constantly expanding my bank of skills to increase the services I offer. I enjoy helping people to realize their projects.  It is exciting to take a sketch of an outfit and make it come alive.
I also work as the seamstress on set for several production companies, shooting film, television and commercials.  Some of the commercials I have worked on have starred San Marino, Tony Stewart and Papa John (of Papa John’s Pizza).
My family includes my husband Christian and our children Eleanora and Daniel.  We have three cats, a fish won at a birthday party and a weaver spider in our front shrubbery.  My hobbies include reading, gardening and keeping an eye on the weaver spider.

Life led me from Michigan, to Colorado, to South America, to California, to Ohio, to Maine, to SW Florida, and finally, to Fort Lauderdale. A couple months ago a friend asked me, “So, Judith, if you didn’t live in Fort Lauderdale, where would you live?” For the first time, ever, I didn’t hesitate. It took me half a heartbeat to answer. “Nowhere!”

Three years ago, my husband, Chuck Schwabe, and I bought a condominium in Marine Tower on Las Olas. I have one adult daughter; Chuck has three adult daughters. That leaves us with our princess cat, Zoey, living in a home and city we love. Until this month, I thought: Life can’t get any better. It did. I was introduced to WEC and am more than proud and excited to be a new member.

Professionally, I am a personal historian. My business is Memoir Shoppe. I am privileged to travel worldwide writing beautifully designed, heirloom quality books that preserve and protect stories of exceptional families—and every family is exceptional.

Thank you for the opportunity to become part of this dynamic group. I look forward to many years of active participation, personal and professional stimulation, fun, and new friends who will become dear friends.

Angela S. Colley is the owner and interior designer for A C Styles Designs, LLC. Angela has over six years of experience in interior design, specializing in residential and commercial, interior and exterior spaces. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude. Angela was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where she attended Dalhousie University and received Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and Computer Science. Before moving to Florida in 1996, Angela lived in Ottawa, Ontario Canada, where she worked in telecommunications. She is married to Leo Phillip. They have one daughter, Yasmin, and two dogs (Shih Tzu and Chihuahua mixed), Rex and Zip.

Angela is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers, ASID. She loves what she does now! Angela has a passion for design and loves to create innovative spaces. Her mission is to create spaces that reflect her client’s unique personality. Design is not cookie cutter!

Angela enjoys traveling, visiting museums and historic sites. When she finds time she likes to read, knit and sew. Angela is a member of the Zonta Club of Miami Lakes. Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy.

Ladies, please help me welcome our newest FX member (Future Executive) to the WEC Family- Sherine Bichara. Sherine is the founder and the cosmetic chemist of SB Cosmetics specializing in massage products, anti-aging products and bath and body care. Sherine would appreciate the experience, expertise and support of the WEC ladies to grow and prosper and develop into a fully fledged WEC member.

To accomplish her career goals, Sherine would like advice and guidance in the following fields:

- Business Coach: need guidance on getting customers and revising business plan.

- Marketing Coach: regarding promoting SB Cosmetics brand and products.

- Sales Coach: Need advice on pricing the products and making a profit while working with a salesman.

- Accounting Coach: regarding structuring the financial aspect of the business.

Sherine has a vision and a goal that she is working on accomplishing the following:

- The first goal would be to focus on the distribution of massage products by targeting a wide range of spas and massage schools.

- The second goal would be to market the natural anti-aging line by introducing to Spa s or salons. It includes serums, cleansers, toners and sunscreens.

- The third goal would be to introduce the bath and body care collections; Beautiful and refined baskets including sugar scrubs, body lotions and natural shower gel with a wide choice of exotic fragrances. Those products would be ideal for home spa.

- The fourth goal would be opening a State of the Art Lab where ladies could come and ask for their personal creams and fragrance while sipping a cup of tea.

WHAT IS AN FX or Future Executive?

An FX is a rising female executives or entrepreneurs. An FX is considered an associate member of WEC and will be committed to spending quality time with us at luncheons and other activities. By providing coaching and advice, and encouraging the FX candidate to network with all members, we can have a profound effect on her career and personal success. An FX is a junior member of WEC and will need guidance and support from all of us.

HOW can you participate?

An FX member will have the privilege of getting the mentoring from a member. A mentor will spend 2 hours/ month supporting the FX in a specific area of the WEC member’s expertise ( this can be accomplished by spending time in a work environment, via phone and email or via a face to face meeting). The mentor will support the associate member and the associate member will follow up with the mentor’s recommendations. We believe the benefits of this mentoring program will be rewarding for the FX, the mentors and Women’s Executive Club. We hope Sherine will reach her highest potential as we share our enthusiasm, experience, and energy with the WEC family!

Thanks,

Chaadia