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When I was a little girl growing up on the island of Jamaica, I heard that in America "The streets are paved with gold." I couldn't wait to arrive here and live my American Dream. In Jamaica I attended Catholic all girls schools from kindergarten through high school. I graduated from high school at 16 and came to America when I was seventeen. It was so exciting! My dad was an electrical engineer, an inventor and an entrepreneur. I too, have always been interested in building things that help people and their work. After receiving my Associates of Applied Science degree from the College of DuPage, I followed up with a Bachelor of Arts degree from DePaul University. I am currently president of Ball of Gold Corporation, a knowledge management, training, and consulting firm and JAD Communications International, a motivation and human potential firm. During my 22 years of business technology experience, I managed major business initiatives with diverse teams within the U.S. and foreign countries, including Italy, England, India, and the Philippines. I am a frequent guest on television and radio talk shows, write for technology magazines and assist companies with corporate training, employee motivations, diversity workshops, eCommerce, eBusiness and digital business strategies. In addition, I teach the knowledge management module of the online eCommerce class at the University of Illinois at Chicago for the Professional Development Program office. I am also currently a co-chair for the MBA/University Task Force at the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, a Director on the Board of the Youth Communication Organization, as well as a board member and the regional director for the Chicago Chapter of Women in Technology International (WITI). I received my Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from DePaul University and completed specialized training in Risk Management (George Washington University) and Project Management (Loyola University). In November 2002 I authored the book Self Creation: 10 Powerful Principles for Changing Your Life. The book is designed to help people become actively engaged in the evolution of their own life and take control of their future. I participate in many conferences as a panelist and keynote speaker. A recent video on managing knowledge is currently featured on NETPoints at the University of Washington Educational Outreach (UWEO) and has been very well received. While pursuing my dreams, the personal computer was invented and I noted that this was a growing field where everyday there was a new innovation and that the skills and knowledge for working with technology provided excellent income as well as challenging work. Knowing that I get bored as soon as I master a task, I selected this field of work because it was always changing and I loved the challenging and interesting work. My corporate career spans 5 years as a computer programmer, 8-years as a project manager and managing consultant. One of the reasons that I became a programmer is because I found it fascinating to create a solution that the entire company used on a computer. I wanted to learn how to do that and thus began my journey. I thoroughly enjoyed solving business problems with the computer and even today still help clients to design and develop their Websites. I think that technology is FUN! After 22 years working with technology, I followed in my parents and grandparents footsteps and became an entrepreneur. I now own two companies, Ball of Gold Corporation http://www.ballofgold.com and JAD Communications International http://www.JADcommunications.com. I transitioned t writing, publishing and teaching, and over the years have become very passionate about helping girls create and live successful and meaningful lives. Mentoring is a way to share my knowledge and experience. Active involvement in public service is evident through my participation
in a variety of community organizations. I am a member of the National
Association of Female Executives and provide technical services
for the National Speaker's Association, Illinois Chapter. I am also
a speaker for the Gender Equity Fund of the American Association
of University Women of Illinois and serve as a member of the following
committees and organizations: Leadership and commitment to excellence are attributes that I aspire to. As recent inductee into the IT Professionals Hall of Fame (2002). I am also listed in the International Who's Who Historical Society of Professionals. All of these accomplishments are amazing to me, as I never set out with them as part of my quest for the American Dream. But I'm glad to bring these experiences to share with you and other women and girls. I am proof that "it can be done" regardless of where you started.
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