Board of Directors

Karen Anderson, M.A. in Educational Psychology from New York University; B.A. in Education from Montclair State University has served as head of communications for Gymboree and Supercuts. She was the host of a talk show on the NBC affiliate in San Francisco for over 25 years and currently specializes in Market Research.

Dr. Sammie Dortch is the chairperson of the Applied Science Department of Harold Washington College, a professor of Social Work, national lecturer, consultant and curriculum developer. She has received three outstanding educator awards: Harold Washington College Distinguished Professor, Kathy Osterman and the National Organization for Staff Development. Dortch is also a licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with children, adolescents, families, faith and community-based organizations.

Richard J. Erwin, award-winning documentary film director, professor of documentary film studies at Columbia College, curriculum writer and freelance television cameraman has been a primary force in over 500 film projects and productions. After the President's Council on Physical Fitness reported the dismal activity level of America's children, Erwin was called in to work with Arnold Schwartznager and direct Just Say Go, a video on family fun and fitness hosted by exercise guru, Kathy Smith. Erwin's work has aired on MTV, ABC, Nickelodeon, HGTV and PBS.

Laura Hansen, is a strategic marketing and collaboration consultant specializing in the call center industry. For the past four years, Ms. Hansen has served as President/CEO of the Direct Response Corporation.  She has 20 years of strategic direct marketing, call center operations, and executive management experience.  She has extensive background in the strategic positioning and implementation of consumer-based direct marketing programs, particularly in the cable television industry guiding call center efforts for GTE Directories Corporation, ABC Broadcasting, Newhouse Broadcasting, Westinghouse Broadcasting and Walker Research. Ms. Hansen is a member of Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America, and Who’s Who in Media and Communications. She is a consultant through the Gerson Lehrman Group to Wall Street analysts regarding contact center and telecommunications software and emerging technologies. She has facilitated for both DePaul University’s Direct Marketing Certification Program and the Direct Marketing Association (DMA).

Betty Hoeffner, l.o.c.s., whose public relations savvy is featured in the book 303 Marketing Tips, is President and co-founder of Hey U G L Y, Inc. Utilizing both her passion for helping teens and her expertise in creating and implementing programs targeting teens, Hoeffner is dedicated to helping them handle the hurdles peer pressure and low self-esteem can cause. Using her PR savvy, she created a national teen grooming program for Supercuts, a safe driving initiative for Precision Tune Auto Care and an educational program to educate teens about our electoral process for Willy Wonka Brands. While serving as partner for Field Trip Factory (FTF), Hoeffner helped develop a program teaching kids the importance of exercise when news broke of the CDC's report on the obesity epidemic facing American kids. She secured The Sports Authority as the program's sponsor.  Hoeffner has designed and implemented corporate communications programs that have helped propel companies to preeminence in their industries. Clients have included Dove Bar, Thomas' English Muffins, Willy Wonka Brands-Nerds Candy, Brunswick Corporation, TCBY, Supercuts, Hair Cuttery, Boston Chicken, Gymboree Corporation, to name a few.

Francey Smith is Managing Director of Francey Smith and Associates, Inc., serving B2B and B2C marketers and their service providers. The firm is expert in the use of customer information for continued growth and competitive advantage in all channels: bricks, clicks, postal mail, email and Internet. She has held senior marketing positions at Bloomingdales and her firm has worked with Saks, Filene's Basement, Kohl's and many more.

Dr. Leia Syal PhD, the mother of two teens and is passionate about helping kids with self-esteem.

Juliana Taimoorazy, M.A. in Instructional Design is a seasoned curriculum writer. She is the hostess of 'Around the World,' an international Assyrian television program. After working for Corporate America for 5 years, this entrepreneur opened a medical spa and wellness center called Derma Physique in Northfield, IL. She has worked with Pat Quinn, Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, on Operation Home Front . Her compassion for children ranges from helping to create the first scholarship program for Assyrian students to assisting in transferring a child with Scoliosis from Iraq to Shriner's Hospital in the US.

Christine L. Thomas, CFP is a financial advisor for American Express Financial Advisors Inc. who is dedicated to helping teens achieve their potentials.