Archive for February, 2009
WOAMTEC Founder Kathleen Hawkins Featured on Podcast
It seems as though everyone wants to hear about how Kathleen Hawkins, founder of WOAMTEC, has been able to incorporate her motto of Faith, Family and Career into a successful business.
Leah Turner and Jennifer Lee of Creating Your Masterpiece, a professional and personal coaching organization, interviewed Kathleen recently on their weekly podcast show, which airs in conjunction with the Parents Everywhere Network and iTunes.
Kathleen shared with the listeners, that Faith is the most important aspect of how she lives her life and offered some great insight on how to live a balanced life while keeping Faith at the forefront. WOAMTEC’s philosophy of Faith, Family and Career provides professional business women a chance to network with other women, while not having to feel guilty about having other priorities!
To listen to Kathleen’s interview Click Here.
Woamtec supports Family Services of Metro Orlando at their 3rd annual Heart Gallery Gala!
WOAMTEC members went all out at giving back to their community this past week at the 3rd annual Heart Gallery Gala held on February 12, 2009 at the Rosen Plaza on International Drive. Heart Gallery Gala Chair and WOAMTEC founder, Kathleen Hawkins is passionate about the cause and exhibit debut and remains the driving force in encouraging others to support WOAMTEC’S charity of choice. This past week, they did with pride!
Last Thursday night:
- 7 of the 18 GALA tables were hosted by WOAMTEC members
- 49 of the 92 auction donation items came from WOAMTEC Members
- Special thanks to WOAMTEC Members: Xiomara Rivas, Dawn Gilmore, and Ann Steinke for being event Chairs and Coordinators. Plus a big thank you for the over 30 volunteers!
- Special thanks to WOAMTEC Members: Cakes by Design, Clear Channel, Chocolate Traditions, Kirby Rental, Orlando Women’s Newspaper for offering your personal flair and services to making the Gala a beautiful evening to remember!
A heartfelt congratulations to our very own Jennifer Shoemaker for winning the Oscar of the evening for being the “With all my Heart” volunteer team leader who raised and donated the most this past year! Debra Kincer with Fields BMW came in a very close 2nd, so we are thankful and proud of her as well!
Together, WOAMTEC really can make a difference in the community and by striving to give every child a childhood we are taking the first step to making that dream a reality! Thank you for your support!
Visit the WOAMTEC image gallery to view images from the event or to see all the event images visit Jeff Hawkins Photography at www.jeffhawkins.com, click on ordering, find Heart Gallery and then type 021209 as the password. 20% of all proceeds benefit Family Services of Metro Orlando. Visit www.parentswanted.org for more information.
The Columbia Restaurant in Celebration was all “a buzz” Thursday, February 12th for lunch. Why you ask? WOAMTEC launched it’s latest chapter, almost filling the restaurants private room with, positive, proactive and professional women from the Celebration area; networking and learning about their fellow professionals. Kathy Ryan, Executive Director for the Celebration chapter, anticipated the large turnout and was excited to see the variety of businesses that were represented. Valerie Thomas, one of the top Realtors in Celebration brought several guests to the inaugural meeting, Barbara Brenlove of Met Life and Ergonomics expert Johnine Mowhatt all played key roles in the meetings success. As with all new WOAMTEC chapters, many guests were networking for the first time or had indicated they were ready to find an organization that supported today’s business woman - keeping Faith, Family and Career in priority.
Kathy Ryan provided everyone with an opportunity to take an inspiration card for the road, “keep it in your wallet or daytimer, as a constant reminder of the blessings you have received and the exciting journey that is your life” quoted Kathy. The Celebration chapter will meet every other Thursday at the Columbia Restaurant from 11:30-1:00. Please contact kathy@pinnaclecoachinggroup.com for more information.
Thursday night, February 5th, Jennifer Shoemaker (Heathrow Chapter Director) held an after-hours WOAMTEC event named “Rev up Your Heart” at the Cork and Olive in Lake Mary. Her mission, passion and goal was to raise $500 for the Heart Gallery exhibit. Well, she didn’t make her goal…she almost doubled it ! Raising a total of $900 in one night. As with any fundraising event - the generosity of other businesses donating their time and services is critical. WOAMTEC members did not fail; Effie’s Culinary Delights, Chocolate Traditions, Upper Crust Desserts, Cork and Olive and Casino Parties all chipped in to make the night successful.
Members from all WOAMTEC chapters had fun mingling, playing black jack, tasting some yummy wine and practiced thier golf swing. Representatives from the Sanford Chamber of Commerce, Altamonte Chamber of Commerce, as well as friends and families alike stopped in and participated in this great event. The “Rev Up Your Heart” event just highlights the “heart” of WOAMTEC. Serving our community and supporting one another. Great Job Jennifer!
Our second quarterly Confident Women Conference was a huge success! The Citrus Club room was filled with over 170 positive, proactive and professional women (and a few men) ready to take on the challenges of the year! We were honored with the presence of Chief Val Demings, as we unveiled the new and improved Confident Women Magazine, bearing her picture on the front cover. Chief Demings message to the attendees was consistent with WOAMTEC’s philosophy; those who dream big, have confidence in themselves and keep their priorities in line with Faith, Family and Career will reach their goals and more importantly make an impact on others in the community.
As always, we had several dynamic speakers ground the conference with messages supporting women in business. Barbara Coenson, from KM Jackson Law Firm educated us on the law and your business, Jamie Yasko-Magnum of Successful-Style Image gave us insight on how look ,speak and behave in today’s business environment and Leah Turner and Jennifer Lee from Creating Your Masterpiece taught us the empowerment of word “No”.
There were several vendor tables there, so the attendees were able to shop and learn about various services offered through our WOAMTEC members, from accounting services, jewelry, photo albums and yummy chocolate treats!
Based on the feedback from the attendees, everyone is looking forward to the next conference…bigger and better every time! WOAMTEC Founder, Kathleen Hawkins was pleased to present Heathrow Chapter Director, Jennifer Shoemaker, with a Custom designed Fabulous 50’s lapel pin for exceeding 50 Chapter members in the previous quarter. Kathleen stated, ” I am simply thrilled with the quality of the 300 plus members currently associated with WOAMTEC. It is a blessing and a joy to see the dynamics of such great women. In today’s economy and market place, it is vital to have other great alliances to lean on. When I looked to my left and to my right at the Conference, I was proud to be surrounded by women of such strength and admiration.”
The Columbia Restaurant in Celebration was all “a buzz” Thursday, February 12th for lunch. Why you ask? WOAMTEC launched it’s latest chapter, almost filling the restaurants private room with, positive, proactive and professional women from the Celebration area; networking and learning about their fellow professionals. Kathy Ryan, Executive Director for the Celebration chapter, anticipated the large turnout and was excited to see the variety of businesses that were represented. Valerie Thomas, one of the top Realtors in Celebration brought several guests to the inaugural meeting, Barbara Brenlove of Met Life and Ergonomics expert Johnine Mowhatt all played key roles in the meetings success. As with all new WOAMTEC chapters, many guests were networking for the first time or had indicated they were ready to find an organization that supported today’s business woman - keeping Faith, Family and Career in priority.
