Leaders in Action

Kathleen Caldwell
Topic:
Your Personal Brand

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Kathleen Caldwell is CEO of Caldwell Consulting Group, LLC. She is a credentialed and certified leadership and business coach, professional speaker, and author who has mentored and advised thousands of entrepreneurs, executives, leaders and business teams around the world to greater success.

Ms. Caldwell has received numerous awards and honors including a SHAW Media Woman of Distinction, Daily Herald/Business Ledger Women of Distinction and Entrepreneurial Excellence designations and was honored as a Crystal Lake Chamber Foundation GEM – Generous, Enthusiastic and Motivated leader in the community. Ms. Caldwell serves on several boards and committees in her community.

Awards, aside, Ms. Caldwell is known best as a connector and influencer and is excited to bring her alliances and new business strategies from her 7-figure mastermind groups to support business leaders in expanding their business and career success.

In her spare time, Kathleen is a certified Zumba instructor, health coach, and success hypnotherapist and has a passion for international travel and ballroom dancing with her sweetheart and husband, Michael.

Lori Parrish
Topic: Conversational Intelligence for Leaders

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Lori Parrish has her B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Teaching. She also holds an Evidenced-Based Coaching Certification and is certified in Conversational Intelligence. Early in her career, Lori worked for 10 years in the fields of Crisis Intervention & Behavioral Health. She also worked for 20 years in Education as a first-grade teacher, then as a school and district administrator. Lori is a 25+year resident of McHenry County, living in Crystal Lake with her husband and son, and pets Nacho Kitty and Peaches. She served one term as a member of the McHenry County Board. She is a Commissioner for Crystal Lake Police and Fire Departments and an alumna of Leadership Greater McHenry County (class of 2005). She started her own business in 2018 which provided Coaching and Consulting to individuals and teams, and included delivering presentations and workshops on a variety of topics related to personal and professional development.

Lori just embarked on a new professional journey, accepting the Director of Programs at Independence Health and Therapy, a not-for-profit organization here in the county, promoting independence and improving lives through care, education, and advocacy. Lori is excited to blend all her professional passions into this new role: Coaching individuals and teams to focus on continual growth/development, Connecting people in need to programs and resources, and Advocating for residents and communities to maximize their potential through collaboration and engagement. Lori can be reached at lparrish@independencehealth.org.

Bobbi Baehne
Topic: Leadership &
Technology

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Bobbi Baehne is the CEO of Think Big Go Local, a digital marketing agency located in McHenry. She is a respected business owner, community leader, college educator, trainer and speaker who is passionate about sharing her knowledge with entrepreneurs and businesses that need an edge over their competitors and a solid strategy for capturing the attention of their desired audience. She enthusiastically delivers the key tactics that business owners are looking for in developing and executing their strategies within the digital landscape.

Robin Walker
Topic: Thought
Leadership

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Robin Walker is a small business consultant that helps business owners and community leaders narrow focus, take action, and plan strategically. She works with leaders one on one, hosts workshops and events, and leads the Impact Goal Setting Mastermind Group. After receiving degrees from University of Illinois and Roosevelt University, Robin has spent years educating and coaching hundreds of leaders to greater success.

Paula Jenkins
Topic: Diversity, Equity
& Inclusion IS Leadership

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As the owner of LFS Consulting LLC, which specializes in Leadership and Financial Success, Paula R Jenkins genuinely believes true leaders create more leaders! Paula is a John Maxwell Certified Executive Director, DISC Certified Consultant, and a Licensed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion trainer. Paula encourages people on how to be better leaders, promotes positive tools for managing and leading through change, and harnessing your authentic self in leadership. Paula’s passion is leadership – developing, training and empowering people with the tools and knowledge to lead authentically. Before starting her company, Paula had a successful 20-year career in the corporate arena in various leadership roles in the HR Outsourcing and Benefits Administration industry where she held various leadership roles, developed, and designed management training programs for leaders, and facilitated multiple training courses for new and seasoned managers. Paula has received numerous recognitions as a strong and effective leader and has partnered with numerous Fortune 500 companies such as Verizon Wireless, Aetna, CenturyLink, and many others. Paula also served as president of one of the Business Resource Groups (B.U.I.L.D. – Blacks United in Leading Diversity) while working at Aon Hewitt. Paula lives in the northern suburbs of Chicago with her husband and teenage daughter.

Melissa Whitaker
Topic: 4 Key Steps for a Cultural Shift in Leadership

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Melissa D. Whitaker has spoken to and trained thousands of Leaders in excellence and growth. She is the co-author of the best-selling books “Pushing to the Front” and “Beat the Curve” with legendary Brian Tracy. Melissa is a sales & management expert, leadership coach, business consultant, health coach, speaker and trainer. She is the Founder and CEO of Melissa Whitaker International where she helps executives and their teams achieve alignment and drive profitable sales and exponential growth. She helps leaders on being more effective communicators and how to build dynamic teams. Melissa prides herself on helping companies transform their sales teams, management teams, leadership teams and their culture to thrive and not just survive. Before MWI, Melissa had years of proven sales & management results with leading organizations - Impact Networking, Toshiba America Business Solutions & Chicago Office Technology Group (COTG/GISX/XEROX). She can be reached at 847.845.4922 or melissa@melissawhitakerintl.com.

Matthew Kostecki
Topic:
Mentoring

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Matthew has worked in social services for over twenty-seven years, with eighteen years in Leadership. He currently serves as the Executive Director at Home of the Sparrow, Inc, and part-time adjunct professor at George Williams College of Aurora University. Matt is also looking to finish his Ph.D. 2026 in Leadership Management. Former Alumni of Leadership Greater McHenry County class of 2020.

Matthew has served on past boards as the Vice President of the Board for Gigi's Playhouse in McHenry County and Family Counseling Services in Rocking, Winnebago County.

Matthew is the Co-Creator of the Manage Strong Training Series that takes place in McHenry County. To help new managers and future managers be more confident, and feel supported with this series to grow as strong leaders in the county.

Become a better leader and more valued team member by attending this 7-week, presenter-led course.

For over 45 years, Leaders in Action has offered business professionals a credible space to explore new concepts and gain necessary skills.

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