WE Forum - Panel Discussion

Panel Discussion - Your Leadership Style
Tawonda Burks, Owner of ELOCINA, LLC and Owner & Editor of Rochester Women Magazine
Bethany von Steinbergs, Founder of Flourish Consulting, LLC
Kristi Ackley, Partner & President of Growth by Design, LLC

Tawonda Burks is an entrepreneur and a leader, with a passion for small business research, specifically minority owned businesses. Since 2012, Tawonda has owned and operated ELOCINA, LLC, a Minnesota-based corporation that provides consulting services to small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. She holds the following degrees: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration and currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Bethany von Steinbergs is the founder of Flourish Consulting LLC, a boutique consulting firm dedicated to engaging and developing talent within organizations. Bethany is a captivating and passionate communicator, a gifted facilitator, and a champion of Strengths development. Bethany holds an undergraduate degree in Education from Bethel University and a Master of Arts degree in Missional Leadership from Northwest University.

Kristi Ackley is a dynamic and inspiring leader and facilitator with a rich background in visioning and goal setting for organizations and communities. Kristi holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Acounting and is a Journeyman Career Counselor and Neurolinguistic Programmiung Practitioner (NLPP). She is also a distinguished graduate of the Lillly Family School of Philanthropy's "The Fund Raising School."

For more information on the We Forum’s monthly topics or speakers, you can follow them on their Facebook page HERE or their website HERE.

*WE Forum is hosted by RAEDI and meets at Saint Mary's University - Rochester Campus in partnership with the Rochestser Area Chamber of Commerce, Collider, Copiavia, Rochester Women Magazine, Elocina, and Red Wing Ignite.

What is the WE Forum?

The Women Entrepreneurs (WE) Forum was launched in 2019 to provide free educational programming for women who are running a business, as well as those who are seeking to start a business. The idea started as a partnership between Saint Mary's University and the Rochester Area Economic Development Inc. (RAEDI). Over the years, the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Collider Foundation, Copiavia, Rochester Women Magazine, DMC (Destination Medical Center), Elocina, and Red Wing Ignite have joined as partners. These partnerships are indicative of the desire and commitment of all these organizations to support new business start ups and ensure they have the right training and networks to succeed.

What Happens at our Events?
Each month we hear from speakers who have deep experience in the topic to be discussed. There is lots of room for questions from the attendees to ensure the discussion is relevant, informed by experience, and addresses the real questions women have when running a business.
WE Forum is held on the 3rd Thursday of the month for Workshops and Panels and on the 4th Thursday of the month for Social Connects. There is a rotation of lunch workshops one month, evening social connects the next, and morning panelists the third.
Workshop Meetings: 11:30am - 1:00pm: January, April, August, & November
Evening Social Connects: 4:30pm - 6:00pm: February, May, & September
Panelist Meetings: 8:00am - 9:00am: March, June, & October
No meetings in July or December

Why Join Us?
These events have proven to be valuable networking and learning events for women business owners. It is a chance to hear from those who have faced the same challenges and hear how they navigated those challenges to become successful entrepreneurs. Join other Rochester area women who are passionate about their ideas and their business. You may find your next client or business partner!