Who are your biggest influencers and mentors personally & professionally?

I try very hard to keep my mind and heart open to accept unexpected influence. For me it seems those I look up to and admire are not separated personally and professionally and often come from every day places. I am looking for inspiration as who I am right now. There are many great business women, I have not chosen the same path as all of them. If I have unimaginable business success at the expense of my daughter or husband, then I have still failed. There are many people I greatly admire who have had a large influence over the person I have become, not because they are famous or an incredibly successful business person. Some of them have profoundly impacted me because they simply got up every day, went to a thankless job with no glamour and did what had to be done and were happy to be able to do it. Some of them worked multiple jobs to keep things together. Some of them gave up holidays, months over seas and even their life for people they do not know. The determination, willingness to do the hard parts, and sense of sacrifice that I have no doubt has allowed me the success I have enjoyed professional was influenced by these people on a very personal level. I do also love a good podcast or TED Talk. I have also learned one of the most important things you can do professionally is to know when to ask someone that knows something better. When I find someone, who is an expert in an area – personnel management, marketing, accounting, business growth, I want to talk to them get their opinion, insights and experiences. No matter how well you do something, it is rare you could not learn something and do it better. Courtney Pantelis. Practice Administrator . Anderson Center for Hair and Aesthetics . Dior Mavens. Jacksonville, Alabama . Auburn University . Animal Science . Charity Involvement Lost-n-Found Youth, Gratitude America, Bert’s Big Adventures, Ian’s Friends Foundation, Roswell Fire and Police Foundation, Make-A-Wish, and a few other local charities

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My biggest influencer and mentor serve both roles on the person and professional side, William (Bill) M. Shaw. I met Bill when I began working for Turner Broadcasting, Inc. in 1996. At the time the Company was in the process of building a new arena, “Philips”. After Philips was built, Bill went on to retire as VP of Human Resources from Turner Broadcasting. Ted Turner would later ask Bill to come work for his personal company Turner Enterprises, Inc. Bill listed a position for HR associate. I sent my resume and, well 22 years later, I oversee the entire function after Bill retired in 2015. I am honored to have been mentored by Bill. Our working relationship and his investment in my career are simply put, AMAZING. Bill was no holds barred. He made sure that whatever I needed to excel in my career was taking care of. He supported my philanthropist interest and supported my community involvement initiatives. I truly admire Mr. Shaw and will always appreciate everything that he did to make me the success I am today. Verla J. Calhoun-Kelley, SHRM-CP, PHR Director Human Resources and Administration . Turner Enterprises, Inc. Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas Spelman College/Kennesaw State University/University of Arkansas. Business Administration / Human Resource Management

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My mother because she taught me everything I know, including how to make people feel welcomed and being sarcastic! (personally) Juanita Baranco because she is a fierce business woman, and you notice her femininity and beauty, but you know she’s much more than that. You can’t help but know. (professionally) There are many women and men who I look to for guiding examples, from their stern business savvy to their emotional intelligence; I am always learning. Katerina Taylor. President and CEO. DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. Kansas City Kansas. Texas Wesleyan University/ Argosy University. BBA Marketing/MBA Finance. United Way, New Life Church

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Howard and Lynne Halpern who orchestrated George Lefont and I purchasing the infamous Coach and Six restaurant. Later after we sold it, they hired me as their first female sales representative selling meat, game and seafood to the hotel and restaurant industry. Without the knowledge I learned there, I would not have been able to be an effective restaurant consultant. The other being my father, he had many sayings like, “when you’re digging a hole stop digging” and never work for anyone. Mimi Bean Corporate Chef/Publisher. Mimi’s, Inc. Dior Mavens. Native Atlantan 5 generations .University Chef Apprentice Le Centenaire, Les Eyzies, France .Charity Involvement : River Keeper, Turner Foundation, Chelko, Atlanta Humane Society

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My parents have always been my biggest influencers both personally and professionally. They are two of the most hardworking and kindest people I know. I continue to hold the values they taught me close to heart and credit them with giving me the foundation to really soar in both my career and personal life. They are also both Guyanese and raised both my brother Chris and I to be proud of both our Canadian and Caribbean heritage. I am extremely proud of my roots and it’s important that my children are not only proud to be American … but also Canadian and Caribbean. Andrea Harry Bibbs. Director, Ad Sales Integration. CNN Headline News (HLN). I was born in Montreal but grew up in a suburb called Mississauga just outside of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Ryerson University in Toronto. Radio and Television

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