Speaker Biographies

These are the biographies for speakers from the 2008 Women's Business Conference, which was held on April 17, 2008.

What people are saying...

..."Awesome speakers!"...

..."Lots of high energy speakers"...

..."Presenters knew their material well"...

Here's some info about the speakers at this year's Conference.

Dagmar Beckel-Machyckova, Downtown Eau Claire Inc.

About Dagmar:  

Dagmar Beckel-Machyckova is the Business Assistance Specialist for Downtown Eau Claire, Inc.(DECI) and the City of Eau Claire Economic Development Division. Previous to working for DECI, she spent several years in Marketing Communications and Product Management. She is now the coordinator for Jump-Start Downtown Business Competition, assists businesses with expansions, and administers city's financial incentive projects.

Beckel-Machyckova holds a Master's Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies with focus on International Business, Speech Communication and Spanish from Minnesota State University Mankato and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Barcelona School of Business. She is President Elect of the Downtown Rotary Club, and a board member of the Eau Claire Family Resource Center.

Dagmar spoke at the following sessions:

Downtown Eau Claire Inc. also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.



Kelly Berry, ResourceAbility, LLC

About Kelly:  

Kelly Berry is the founding partner of ResourceAbility, LLC, a small business consulting firm helping Western Wisconsin businesses with marketing research, strategic planning and data analysis. Kelly has over ten years of experience in the service and manufacturing industries, with a focus on research, data analysis and project management. She spent an additional four years lecturing at UW-Eau Claire in the College of Business. She holds an MBA from UW-Eau Claire and a BA in Applied Mathematics from Drew University (Madison, NJ).

Kelly and her partner Pam have spent the last two years helping local entrepreneurs learn how to better understand their business and their customers so that they can take their business to the next level of success.

Kelly spoke at the following sessions:



Karman Briggs, Wisconsin Common Market

About Karman:  

Karman Briggs is the E-Commerce Site Manager of WisconsinCommonMarket.com, which showcases over 250 small, Wisconsin businesses and their products to more than 25,000 online shoppers each month. Karman graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a BA in English and a certificate in Web Development and Design.

Karman spoke at the following sessions:

Wisconsin Common Market also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.

Wisconsin Common Market was a member of the Planning Committee and a Premier Sponsor of the 2008 WBC.



Evlyn Carlile, Simple Office Solutions

About Evlyn:  

Evlyn Carlile is the owner of Simple Office Solutions which opened in May 2004. For many years previous to starting her business Carlile worked with small businesses through CPA firms, temporary agencies, income tax prep through H&R Block, and other tax offices. Over the years, Carlile has worked with clients to maintain their bookkeeping during the year, and to review their records for tax preparation at year end.

Carlile attended the University of Arizona, Phoenix and University of WI Eau Claire in the Accounting, Business Management program. She also operated a similar business in Arizona for 10 years. Carlile's mission in her business is to assist the beginning entrepreneur start out with an understanding of how to keep and use their financial information in the daily operation of their business.

Evlyn spoke at the following sessions:

Simple Office Solutions also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.

Simple Office Solutions was a member of the Planning Committee for the 2008 WBC.



Pam Christenson, Director, Bureau of Entrepreneurship and Technology Development, Wisconsin Department of Commerce

About Pam:  

Pam Christenson is director of the Bureau of Entrepreneurship within the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. The Bureau works closely with the "Wisconsin Entrepreneurs' Network," houses early stage technology development grant and loan programs, handles revolving loan funds and manages the Women Business Enterprise Certification program.

During her 13 years with Commerce, Christenson has served as the Acting Administrator for the Division of Business Development, the agency's Small Business Ombudsman and manager of an environmental assistance program. Pam has also held past positions at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Miller Brewing Company.

She is a member of the board of directors for the Wisconsin Economic Development Association, Wisconsin Women in Government and the Waubesa Beach Neighborhood Association. Pam and her husband own a bar and restaurant in the Madison area on Lake Waubesa.

Pam spoke at the following sessions:



Michele Dalton, Digital Daisy

About Michele:  

Michele Dalton has over 15 years experience in the printing, advertising and marketing industry. She currently owns and operates Digital Daisy Productions, a personal audio, photo and video restoration service and Digital Daisy Media, a creative agency focused on the needs small business.

Michele spoke at the following sessions:

Digital Daisy also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.

Digital Daisy was a Premier Sponsor of the 2008 WBC.



Linda Danielson, Ruder Ware

About Linda:  

Linda is an attorney with Ruder Ware, L.L.S.C., a business law firm with offices in Eau Claire and Wausau. She has been with the firm since 1989. Her law practice consists primarily of business law, tax, and estate planning. In her business law practice, Linda advises clients on the appropriate type of legal entity to use for their business, drafts and reviews contracts, and assists clients in developing exit strategies for their business.

Linda spoke at the following sessions:



Sheila Dutton, American Family Insurance

About Sheila:  

Sheila Dutton is an American Family Insurance Agent in Bloomer, Wisconsin. She has been an agent for two years. Sheila has resided in the Bloomer community for 16 years. She took over the Dutton Insurance Agency knowing that she had some big shoes to fill as the family has been in business for 40 years and is always looking for ways to improve themselves. In a community of 3500 people she is the only American Family agent serving Bloomer and an area of several miles beyond the community.

Sheila worked her way through college by first attending UW-Barron County in Rice Lake, WI and later transferring to UW-Eau Claire in 1996 where she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism. She has both experience in radio and television news including the key position as an assignment editor at WEAU-TV 13. In 2005 she made the successful transition from journalism to the insurance industry of which both occupations require paying close attention to detail.

Sheila spoke at the following sessions:

American Family Insurance also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.



Kim Garber, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

About Kim:  

Ms. Garber has over 25 years experience in procurement including 19 years with a Wisconsin Prime Contractor selling to the Federal Government, 5 years as Small Business Liaison Officer, and 3 years with a woman owned manufacturer selling to Prime Contractors internationally.

Past and present affiliations include; North Central Region Council, National Association of Purchasing Managers, The Continuum Management Group, National Association of Woman Business Owners, Midwest Small Business Liaison Officers Group, Madison Junior Woman's Club, National Association of Manufacturers, and Madison International Trade Association.

Kim spoke at the following sessions:



Tom Giffey, Leader Telegram

About Tom:  

Giffey became editorial page editor of the Leader-Telegram, Eau Claire's daily newspaper, in November 2006. His career at the Leader-Telegram began with an internship in 1999, and he subsequently worked in the newspaper's Chippewa Falls News Bureau and as political reporter and business editor in the Eau Claire newsroom. Giffey, a Dodgeville native, holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and political science from UW-Madison.

Tom spoke at the following sessions:

Leader Telegram also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.

Leader Telegram was a Media Sponsor of the 2008 WBC.



Toni Hudzina, Applied Interfaces, LLC

About Toni:  

Toni Hudzina is the owner of Applied Interfaces, an Internet development and consulting company. In her over 10 years as an Internet specialist, she has worked on web sites small and large for non-profit associations, the federal government, health care agencies, and various industries in the private sector. Her current focus is on providing custom, quality web sites for small business; helping small businesses figure out what type of site they can realistically afford and maintain; and assessing the usability and accessibility of web sites for companies of any size.

Born in New York City and raised in the Washington, DC area, Toni moved with her husband and English Bulldog to the Chippewa Valley in 2004. After earning a B.S. in Geology, she participated in multipe dinosuar digs in Alberta, as well as volcano field work in Costa Rica. A former docent and intern/lab grunt at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, Toni volunteers at the Dinosaur and Fossil Hall at the Science Musuem of Minnesota in her spare time.

Toni spoke at the following sessions:

Applied Interfaces, LLC was a member of the Planning Committee and a Premier Sponsor of the 2008 WBC.



Dale Karls, Western Dairyland

About Dale:  

Dale Karls has been the Communications Coordinator for the Western Dairyland Community Action Agency since February 2007. He co-founded Volume One Magazine in 2001 and has worked in the graphic design, publishing and editing fields for the past ten years. Dale graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Dale spoke at the following sessions:

Western Dairyland also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.

Western Dairyland was a member of the Planning Committee and a Premier Sponsor of the 2008 WBC.



Linda Krysiak, Small Business Administration

About Linda:  

Bio coming soon!

Linda spoke at the following sessions:



Peg Leinenkugel, Customer Communication Director (1996-2007), Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

About Peg:  Head Shot of Peg Leinenkugel

From 1996 to 2007, Peggy Leinenkugel was the Customer Communication Director for the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. During that same time period, she also created and managed the "Leinie Lodge Clothing and Stuff" mail order business for Leinenkugel's. Currently, she writes for, edits and publishes "The Legend", the promotional newsletter that goes out to the "Leinie Lodge" patron membership of the Leinenkugel Brewery.

Mrs. Leinenkugel is an active volunteer at many Chippewa Valley businesses and organizations, including the Chippewa County Community Foundation, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association, St. Joseph's Hospital and Junior Achievement.

When she is not being an active mother to her four children (or grandmother to her grandchild), back-country hiking in the Canadian Rockies with her husband Jake Leinenkugel, or spending time with friends, Mrs. Leinenkugel is spoiling her Labrador Retriever.

Peg spoke at the following sessions:



Eric Nelson, The Coffee Grounds

About Eric:  

Eric Nelson, is the sole owner of The Coffee Grounds, and self-proclaimed Vice President of "Beans". Founded in 1991, The Coffee Grounds was one of the first coffee shops in Wisconsin. What began as a small 800 square foot coffee shop in London Square Mall, has now evolved into a 7,000 square foot retail store. Along with coffee, tea and accessories, there is an array of gifts, kitchenware, specialty foods, cheeses, chocolates, cigars, micro-brewed beers, fine wine and spirits. Eric’s passion for wine began as a hobby and this has become an integral part of The Coffee Grounds business.

The Coffee Grounds expanded in 2007 to four locations. Along with the flagship store on Highway 93, there is a coffee shop in the Marshfield Clinic in Eau Claire, a store in The Village Shops of Lake Hallie in Chippewa Falls, and a gift store and coffee shop along the Mississippi River, in Alma, Wisconsin.

Eric spoke at the following sessions:



Debbie Peak, Debbie's Designs

About Debbie:  

Debbie Peak is a Certified Interior Decorator and Silk Florist specializing in helping homeowners, businesses, and brides create lasting impressions through her knowledge of decorating and silk floral design.

Prior to establishing her decorating service and becoming a professional member of Certified Interior Decorator's International, Debbie has spent over 12 years as a silk florist catering to brides in the Chippewa Valley. She lives in Cadott and is the proud mother of three beautiful children. She has also been married to her husband and business partner, Mark, for 12 years.

Debbie offers a wide range of products and services including interior decorating and painting, color consultations, furniture placement, and Enduring Blooms floral arrangements. She also offers flower rentals and has recently introduced a new wholesale line of silk floral arrangements, available exclusively to retail establishments.

Debbie spoke at the following sessions:

Debbie's Designs also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.



Laurel Robertson, Dinner's On, LLC

About Laurel:  

Laurel Robertson is the owner of Dinner's On, LLC (A Culinary Experience) and coordinator of "Dinner's On @ Silver Spring" Cooking Classes held at Silver Spring Gardens in Eau Claire. Robertson started Dinner's On Personal Chef Service in May, 2005 and is affiliated with Personal Chefs Network. She prepares weekly meals for a handful of very loyal clients, provides healthy eating and food cooking consultation, and caters small scale events; corporate luncheons, dinner parties, fundraisers, anniversaries, cocktail parties, and holiday parties, to name a few. She is featured regularly on WQOW TV-18 and WEAU TV -13.

Robertson is incredibly passionate about healthy balance in life. As a wife, and mother of two, having quality time is key. Time with family, friends, and even the occasional minute for her self, is what makes her world go around. Recognizing how busy we are as women in this era she, through her unique business, is able to bring more hours to women and their families each and every day.

Laurel spoke at the following sessions:



Nancy Rothwell, Straighten-Up Organizing

About Nancy:  

Nancy Rothwell, owner of Straighten-Up Organizing, LLC, started her business in early 2002 after realizing peoples desire to get organized.

In March 1988, Nancy earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology and Psychology at Mankato State University in Mankato Minnesota. She followed her dream of becoming a Social Worker and did so for the State of Nebraska as a Child Protective Services Worker. In 1994, a move to Wisconsin caused her to leave her dream job behind and focus on the upcoming birth of her first child. While being at home with her children, she was able to help friends simplify their lives by organizing. It was then Nancy felt her calling to become a Professional Organizer.

Nancy is a member of the NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers), a member of ADDA ( Attention Deficit Disorder Association), a member of the NSGCD ( National Study Group for the Chronically Disorganized) and a member of Faithful Organizers.

Nancy spoke at the following sessions:

Straighten-Up Organizing also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.



Tegan Ruland, Associated Bank

About Tegan:  

Bio coming soon!

Tegan spoke at the following sessions:

Associated Bank also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.

Associated Bank was a member of the Planning Committee and a Featured Sponsor of the 2008 WBC.



Bill Sparkes, Clear Channel Media

About Bill:  

Bill Sparkes is an account representative at Clear Channel Radio. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire with a degree in Marketing, Bill has worked at Clear Channel for the last eight years, and won the Clear Channel President's Club award in 2004, and 2006 for excellence in sales achievement as well as Clear Channel's Regional Pinnacle award in 2004. Bill is also an Ambassador for the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce. He serves a variety of clients in and around the Chippewa Valley helping businesses big and small achieve the results they desire.

Bill spoke at the following sessions:

Clear Channel Media also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.

Clear Channel Media was a Media Sponsor of the 2008 WBC.



Erin Trowbridge, Eau Claire Economic Development Corporation

About Erin:  

Erin Trowbridge is the Marketing Director of the Eau Claire Area Economic Development Corporation. Erin has a Bachelor's degree in Business/Communications and a minor in Norwegian from Augustana College, Sioux Falls, SD. She has 5 years of experience in sales and marketing and is a member of the Young Professionals of the Chippewa Valley and Wisconsin Economic Development Association. She and her husband recently won first place for the tango in their first ballroom dancing competition.

Erin spoke at the following sessions:



Luke Wren, Highland Fitness

About Luke:  

Luke Wren is the owner of Highland Fitness. Luke has been in the health and wellness industry for 10 years. He has a B.A. in Sport and Exercise Management with multiple Personal Training Certifications. He has an extensive background in management, sales, personal training, wellness coaching and group motivational seminars.

Luke spoke at the following sessions:

Highland Fitness also had a booth in our exhibitor hall.