Where Women Grow Their Businesses

Amanda Perry Carl is a distinguished agricultural lawyer and compliance consultant with deep roots in Florida, where her family has cultivated a legacy since 1823.

Amanda has served as the President of the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers and was appointed to the 5^th District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission by then-Governor Rick Scott in 2017 and was subsequently reappointed by Governor Ron Desantis.

Amanda currently lives on the St. Johns River in Osteen, Florida with her husband, Tim.  Tim and Amanda have 5 boys that they adopted in 2019, as well as a 115-pound black lab named Louise.  They are members of Mission Sent Church.

With a genuine passion for agriculture, Amanda continues to advocate for the industry, ensuring that the agricultural heritage of Florida, and the entire country, thrives for generations to come.

Amber Clore Morales, is a registered Interior Designer who has been practicing Residential and Commercial design for over 2 decades. After earning her Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and growing her Interior Design passion into an award-winning business, A.Clore Interiors, Amber quickly discovered a gap in the interior design marketplace. Her youthful energy and mature sense of style have created a niche in Central Florida and in the design world. She is a current member of the Rotary Club of Avalon Park, Leadership Seminole Executive Council, and Seminole State College Foundation committees.

Angie Ruff is a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the food industry, specializing in food brand consulting and boutique co-manufacturing. With a strong background in manufacturing operations, distribution, and brand management, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project.

As a food brand consultant, Angie works closely with CPG brands, restaurants, and other businesses to develop strategic solutions that drive growth and profitability. She possess the ability to hold key stakeholders accountable while fostering a collaborative and creative work environment sets her apart from others in the industry. Her keen understanding of market trends, consumer preferences, and industry regulations allows me to provide tailored guidance and support to my clients, helping them navigate the complexities of the food industry with ease.

Annetta Wilson is President of Annetta Wilson Media Training & Success Coaching. She is a Certified Mastery Coach and Certified Trainer specializing media training, presentation skills and communication skills. She has coached for Goldman Sachs ‘Launch with GS’ program for African American and Latinx entrepreneurs, AAA, the City of Orlando, Cracker Barrel, and the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, among others.

An award-winning journalist, she was the first African American to anchor a weekday evening newscast in Central Florida history (WKMG-TV, Orlando).

Annetta is one of 8 featured coaches in the book, ‘Coaching for Success’ (Insight Publishing). She is the creator of ‘You’ve Got Less than 15 Seconds. Impress Me!’ (elevator speech system), and the author/editor of ‘What If It’s True? Challenge Your Thinking on Stuff Experts Say’.

Cassi Willard is an advocate, attorney and educator for entrepreneurs and creatives. She currently serves as an Instructor in the Management Department in the College of Business and the Program Director at the Blackstone LaunchPad at the University of Central Florida. Prior to joining UCF’s faculty, she was a Course Director at Full Sail University for nearly 20 years, where she taught in the undergraduate and graduate business courses. Willard was the President of the National Association of Women Business Owners – Orlando from 2019-21, which afforded her the opportunity to advocate and support entrepreneurs during unprecedented challenges posed during the pandemic.

With nearly 20 years in HR, nine of those in business ownership, Dawn understands the pressures of entrepreneurship. She began her professional career after graduating from UCF with her business degree in 2004. Since then, she has supported hundreds of companies in Central Florida with their hiring needs either as a corporate recruiter, staffing company, or consultant. It was during those years in staffing that the concept of Sipley The Best was born. Instead of the agency experience where they simply do the grunt work for you, STB targets companies that truly care about the culture of the company, dedicated to attracting diverse but like-minded talent, and while choosing to value the team they already have in place.

Dr. Brooke Stuart is a holistic doctor in private practice as well as the founder and creator of Let Go & Grow®, where our mission is to provide the most direct and approachable way to experience growth in the world! Over the past ten years, Dr. Stuart has worked with thousands of people through her online platform, speaking engagements, work with teams and organizations and one on one in practice. Holding degrees in medical anthropology, psychology, and integrative medicine, Dr. Stuart uses a unique combination of holistic counseling and functional medicine to personalize and tailor treatments for her patients, particularly women and professional athletes, locally in Central FL and around the world. As a physician, she is deeply committed to her patient’s personal growth and development as she uses solution-oriented methods to clear issues, create health and assist them in realizing and actualizing their true potential.

Dr. Laine Powell is the founder and executive director of Tech Sassy Girlz, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring underrepresented girls in middle and high school to engage in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Taking on the challenge head-on of addressing the notable shortage of girls and women in STEM fields, Powell created the organization in 2012 to address the critical shortage of women and minorities being represented in high-tech STEM careers.

Powell is also the vice president for AceApplications, LLC, a technology solutions provider for businesses, schools, and government agencies. AceApplications delivers custom software, systems integration, mobile app and web development, data analytics and reporting, and training and staffing.

Erin Kamalzadeh is a proud Floridian who has called Seminole County home for nearly three decades. Deeply rooted in the community, she has built strong relationships across the region and is passionate about supporting and uplifting local women, families, and businesses. As the owner of Your Business Photographer, Erin creates professional imagery that helps entrepreneurs and organizations confidently share their stories. Her work is purpose-driven, grounded in the belief that authentic representation empowers leaders to grow, connect, and make a meaningful impact.

Beyond her business, Erin is an active volunteer and community advocate. She has served with organizations such as the Seminole County Chamber of Commerce, Private Business Association of Seminole County, PARCS Foundation, Teen Challenge, and Crooms Academy of Information Technology. Whether supporting youth, strengthening local programs, or helping families thrive, Erin approaches every role with compassion, dedication, and a deep commitment to giving back.

Gigi Santiago is an Executive Coach and Success Strategist dedicated to helping overwhelmed entrepreneurs (ages 35-65) move from being stuck to achieving true success. As the Founder of Optimal-Mindset LLC, she specializes in transforming mindsets to optimize life and business performance.

Gigi is an Elite Life Coach, a Master Mindfulness Practitioner, and a certified Money Breakthrough Business Coach. She guides clients using her ACE coaching framework (Awareness, Commitment, Execution) and her signature S.A.R.A. breathing technique to shift from reaction to clear, purposeful action.

Known for her clear and direct communication, Gigi combines a growth mindset with entrepreneurial practices. She is a New York native, a wife of 40+ years to an entrepreneur, and a grandmother of four. Her motto: “Stop thinking, start doing, achieve (the success you crave).”

Driven by her personal journey of moving to Florida as a single mom with limited English in 1998, Grace Acevedo has dedicated over two decades to empowering others through education. An experienced ESOL instructor and accomplished public speaker, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year at OTC Winter Park Campus in 2018-2019 for her outstanding contributions to student success.

Grace now channels her passion into In America with Grace, a language academy she founded to help immigrants transition to the United States. As CEO and Lead Instructor, she provides tailored educational programs and social knowledge with empathy, creating a nurturing environment where students can thrive and achieve their academic and professional goals.

An inspiring mentor and strategist, a proven community leader and an innovative entrepreneur, Judi certainly lives up to her name. In 2004, she created Awsumb Enterprises to assist CEOs and business owners with a full spectrum of measurable advisory services that examine all facets of their businesses to help them take their companies to the next level.

Through the years, Judi’s experience in Corporate America has made her uniquely qualified to provide the necessary background and skill sets to understand each threshold of business growth for the corporate and entrepreneurial environments. As one of three founding partners in launching GRAND Media – a national media company targeting first-time grandparents – Awsumb developed strategic partnerships with various media organizations, created sponsorship packages and hired and managed its national sales force.

In 2017, Judi founded, WE-Women Entrepreneurs, an invitation only network of women owned businesses who generate a minimum of $1 million plus in annual revenues. This roundtable group utilizes the collective knowledge of its members to improve, grow and achieve profitability objectives through a highly developed interactive process.

Maria Isabel Sanquírico, an award-winning public relations professional and former news anchorwoman, is the esteemed founder and president of Eleven 11 Communications.

This strategic communications firm, ranked as one of Orlando’s leading multicultural PR, communications, and outreach firms, is dedicated to helping clients authentically and effectively communicate with diverse audiences. Eleven 11 Communications applies unique insights into Hispanic and general market audiences to achieve government, nonprofit, and corporate clients’ goals and objectives.

With more than 25 years of experience, Maria Isabel has received recognition for her outstanding achievements. The University of Puerto Rico acknowledged her as one of the institution’s outstanding students.  In 2020, PR News honored her as one of their Top Women in PR, a recognition bestowed upon women who have made bold advances in crisis management, brand reputation, content creation, social media, and marketing for clients.

Sharonda W. Engram is the owner of Living Water Counseling Center, located in Lake Mary, FL. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in the field of psychology from Florida A & M University, in 2001. In December of 2007, she earned her master’s degree in Marriage, Family, and Couples Counseling from Stetson University. She’s licensed with the state of Florida as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Formal education and experience has equipped her to counsel individuals, families, and couples.

She has a great deal of experience working with relationships since 2008, and mental health issues since 1999. Living Water Counseling Center was birth in December 05, 2013. She loves working with families to help them change generational cycles. The work that she does is ministry to her, not a mere job or business. In all that she does, she believes in doing it wholeheartedly unto her God. She was ordained as a deacon at her former ministry in 2004. In 2009, she was ordained as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She is also a first time author of a children’s book titled Fearfully and Wonderfully.