WISE Women’s Business Center Announces Three New Board Members, Roster for 2013

The WISE Women’s Business Center announced the appointment of Jennifer Creighton, Alyse Holstein and Gwen Webber-McLeod to its board of advisors, as well as the full slate of officers and board members for 2013.

“I am excited to welcome our new board members to the WISE Women’s Business Center,” says Joanne Lenweaver, the center’s director. “They bring us a wealth of expertise in entrepreneurship and business, as well as passion and energy to serve the mission of the center.”

Creighton is communications coordinator and office manager for F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse, a nonprofit dedicated to citizen engagement and trusteeship. Prior to F.O.C.U.S., Creighton was assistant editor for CNY Business Exchange Magazine and CNY Sports Magazine. Creighton has more than 10 years of experience in communications, public relations, marketing, publishing and graphic communications for nonprofits and startups.

Holstein is a principal at hpg partners, a global advisory services company that connects businesses with one another as well as funding sources. Holstein has a background as a financial advisor and co-owner of The Holstein Co., a Baltimore-based financial planning and investment advisory firm. She was a leading agent for Lincoln Financial Group for 15 years.

Webber-McLeod is president and CEO of Gwen Inc., a leadership development corporation. Webber-McLeod has more than 30 years of experience in leadership development, facilitation, strategic planning and the development of effective coalitions/collaborations.

In addition, board member Nicole Samolis, president of The Events Co., was elected chair, succeeding Suzanne DeFuria, president of Potter Heating & Air Conditioning.

The WISE Women’s Business Center’s board members for 2013 are Samolis, (chair); Zina A. Berry, Berry Good Dental Care; Terry Brown, Falcone Center for Entrepreneurship; Rani Ristau, KeyBank; Creighton; Rachael Stanton, U.S. Small Business Administration (ex-officio); DeFuria; Ann Marie Stonecypher, AMS Models & Talent/Your Better Style; Holstein; Webber-McLeod; Amy Isca, Isca Design Studio; Cathy Pokines, U.S. Small Business Administration (ex-officio); and Rita L. Reicher, KS&R.

The WISE Women’s Business Center, located in the Tech Center in downtown Syracuse, is one of more than 100 women’s business centers nationwide sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration. It is an outreach program of the Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University.