Leadership - Board Member Biographies
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PENNY MC DANIEL
PRESIDENT
Penny McDaniel is President of Collaborative Connections, Inc. and has more than
fifteen years of experience working in the field of facilitation and training
and development. Penny specializes in helping organizations develop their
leaders and improve team effectiveness by creating a collaborative work
environment which supports group problem-solving, achieving goals, and working
through conflicts and issues in a positive and productive manner.
Collaborative Connections has an experienced cadre of facilitation professionals
who are experts at providing facilitation training and facilitation services. We
are committed to engaging, inspiring, and aligning people to successfully
implement and achieve their goals and objectives in organizations and groups.
A sample list of clients include: American Water Works Association, Colorado
Department of Public Health and the Environment, Colorado Municipal League,
Denver Regional Council of Governments, IBM, Metro Denver Housing Initiative,
U.S. Department of Energy, The U.S. Forest Service, The EPA, HDR Engineering,
Zoe Training Resources, and The Social Security Administration as well as many
other organizations.
Penny has served as an Adjunct Faculty Member of University College at
University of Denver and is currently President-Elect for ASTD RMC. She served
as the Chapter VP of Professional Development for 2007 and 2008. |
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SANDI RUTHER
PRESIDENT ELECT
Sandi Ruther is the founder and principal of ProGold
Consulting, LLC, a successful documentation, training, and consulting firm,
whose mission is to help businesses improve efficiency and profitability by
aligning people, processes, and systems. Bringing more than eighteen years of
experience in business process optimization, auditing, technical writing,
training, facilitating, and consulting, ProGold Consulting, LLC helps clients
eliminate organizational roadblocks and implement cost-effective solutions.
With a degree in Psychology and certifications in technical training, internal
auditing, and software testing, Sandi can bridge the gaps between people,
processes, and systems. Whether functioning as a “translator” between software
development and end users, facilitating business process changes during a
software implementation, or managing training programs for multi-national
companies, ProGold Consulting, LLC brings a unique perspective and global
approach to strengthening an organization and implementing positive change.
As a program manager, technical writer, internal auditor, software tester, and
trainer, Sandi has contributed to the success of several Fortune 500 companies,
mid-size corporations, foreign multi-national corporations, and start-up
companies. A short list of clients includes Oracle, PeopleSoft, JD Edwards,
Molson Coors, LaFarge, TriZetto, Cegetel, Kasema, and Jones Cyber Solutions.
Sandi is an active member of ASTD-Rocky Mountain Chapter, Denver Coach
Federation, and NSA-Colorado Speakers Academy.
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KATHRYN MILLER
PAST
PRESIDENT
Kathryn Miller is the Founder and Principal of
Engage Communication Group, a successful training, development, and
consulting firm. Kathryn’s unique combination of experience such as nuclear
weapons training development, 10+ years of instruction and instructional
design, 10+ years performing Improvisation Comedy, and coaching professional
presentation skills for Six Sigma Black Belts and medical doctors helps her
produce satisfaction for her customers as an expert in designing advanced
computer-based training and leading the education decision making for
Fortune 500 Companies.
Kathryn has performed key management roles as Department Head, Instructional
Designer, Technical Sales Director, Faculty Member, Professional Speaker,
Business Owner, and Training Manager for companies such as CH2M Hill,
Technical Information Associates, Hillside Communications, RFETS, United
States Department of Energy, Colorado Department of State, Technical and
Field Engineering, and BLUEnergy. Her extensive education background
includes a BA in Communication from Regis University (Summa Cum Laude), and
The Aji Network (Graduate of the 2-year Business Professional’s Discourse
and currently accepted in the Leadership Entrepreneurship Innovation for the
Accumulation of Power , LEIP, program open only to those performing in the
top 10% of the marketplace).
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MARCIA COHEN
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Marcia believes in empowering people and organizations for better
decision-making by providing access to and understanding of their financial
information. She trains individuals and groups to see the picture behind the
numbers in financial statements, budgets and projections. Marcia’s background
includes being a former CPA and commercial banker for a combined total of 20
years.
She now has her own Quickbooks, Audit Support, and Business Plan/Projections
business called
Liberty Accounting Services, Inc.
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VALERIE KENDRICK
VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS
Valerie Kendrick is a seasoned learning
professional specializing in communications training, organizational
development, and performance improvement. Her focus for the last several years
has been on helping corporations and individuals communicate more effectively by
improving both their verbal and written skills. She has worked with financial
institutions, major manufacturers, and many city and state government agencies
throughout the U.S. and Canada.
She has over 25 years experience in management, negotiations and team
development. She has saved companies millions of dollars by evaluating needs and
competencies then implementing the most streamlined approach to meeting a
company’s strategic goals. Valerie has a knack for very quickly “sizing-up” the
situation and determining the best solutions to meet needs, develop synergies,
and build trust. She brings an ethical perspective that relies on honest
communications between all levels within an organization or individuals within a
group.
Valerie has spent time in both Europe and Central Asia as a management
consultant and professional trainer for several multi-national corporations and
privately held businesses, including Vodafone, Solvay, Deloitte, and Caratube
Oil. Her executive toolbox includes her proprietary process (BEP) for
organizational effectiveness, and her training tools such as individualized
course design, coaching, goal setting and team building programs. She utilizes
both traditional and non-traditional methods to improve performance when working
with groups, small businesses and entrepreneurs.
Valerie received her MBA in Market Strategy from Regis University in Denver,
Colorado and her BA in Psychology and English Education from the University of
Northern Colorado. She frequently speaks at local associations and organizations
within the Rocky Mountain region. She is an active Board member of the American
Society for Training and Development (ASTD), a certified training facilitator,
certified business coach, and newsletter contributor for Melissa Data, Stellar
Connections, and MBM. She also frequently volunteers for several Denver area
non-profit organizations.
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PATIE JANSEN
VICE PRESIDENT OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Patie Jansen is the owner of Strategic Insight Solutions Ltd, a company
committed to delivering real world, step-by-step strategies that transform
supervisors and managers into leaders. Patie delivers training programs, keynote
presentations, and management coaching. In her programs, participants develop
the skills to leap from frustrated, ineffective supervisors and managers to
topnotcH communicators and leaders who forge productive teams to meet company
goals. Patie served on the 2009 Program Team. |
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DANA SEDNEK BOWLER
VICE PRESIDENT OF WEBINARS AND e-LEARNING
Dana Bowler has over 8 years experience in group facilitation and online methods
for increasing team engagement. She has a passion for championing online
learning initiatives in organizations. Ms. Bowler brings a background in face to
face training and online delivery methodology. She is inspired by the way
technology bridges the physical distances in an increasingly global work
environment and continuously seeks out methods for virtual team collaboration,
planning, and learning over the web.
Ms. Bowler has a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and is an expert in identifying
conflicts in system processes. She has a strong background in initializing and
implementing eLearning deployment and integrating strategy into current
organizational practices. With a Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution, she
identifies with the human side of change and works to develop countermeasures
that minimize the “people risk” of implementations. |
STEVE ERNST
VICE PRESIDENT OF VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
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JENI MAHAN
VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP
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SUE SCHNELLMAN
VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING
Sue Schnellmann is a training professional with 20 years experience in corporate
instructional design, training management, project management and implementation
in the high tech arena. Until recently Sue was part of the leadership team for
DIRECTV’s broadcast centers where she led the training initiative to launch over
100 new high definition channels in the United States and Latin America which
established the company’s position as industry leader. Sue’s background has
centered on the launch of key strategic new products and initiatives. Sue has
been ASTD RMC’s Volunteer Coordinator for the last year. |
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KIM BINGHAM
VICE PRESIDENT OF
SPONSORSHIPS
Kim Bingham has worked
in the Human Resources and Training field for over 20 years and has
accountability for the development and implementation of all company-wide HR
policies and programs covering employment, orientation, training, employee
relations, compensation, EEO compliance, organizational development, relocation,
health and safety, benefits, record retention, employee assistance and facility
management. Kim joined Collect America in 2007 she brings with her a true
passion for working with employees and leaders at Collect America. Kim is a
member of both our local Chapter and National and we are excited to bring her on
board to our leadership team. |
DEBRA FLICK
VICE PRESIDENT OF ASSOCIATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS
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