2021 Judges
Thank you to our judges!
Pam Avila
Principal, Sierra Summit Group
Director, Economic Development
Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce
After more than 30 years in the fast-paced Silicon Valley technology world, Pam re-invented herself with a new career in the public sector. During her time in high-tech, Pam was a sales and marketing executive until she became an entrepreneur with several start-ups to her credit. She also mentored 80 small business owners at CT Pioneers, an organization that she founded until its acquisition. Pam is currently the director of economic development for the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce and serves as the CEO and Board Chairman for the Stronger Futures Foundation.
Marty Craner
President B&C Fresh Sales
Marty is the founder/owner/CEO of B & C Fresh Sales, which operates as a mushroom broker, marketing manager and consultant to the produce industry. She started in the produce business in 1980 with Castle & Cooke before founding her own company in 1988. Marty’s involvement in the industry includes Committee Chairs for the Fresh Produce and Floral Council as well as Treasurer and Chairman of the Board. She has also served on the Produce Marketing Association as a Board of Director, and is in-coming Chairman of the Board for the Center for Growing Talent by PMA. She has served as a mentor for The Fresh Produce and Floral Council, the Produce Marketing Association, The Center for Growing Talent and for Chapman University’s Food Science Dept. She serves on the So Ca Food Industries Leadership Team for the City of Hope.
Ruth Garcia-Corrales
Author, Entrepreneur and Women Advocate
Ruth has an extensive and flourishing background in helping small businesses thrive. Currently, she is the Director for New Economics for Women- Women’s Business Center in Los Angeles. The program provided over 300 webinars for 2,782 attendees in its first six months of operations while also giving one on one consultation throughout the pandemic. Before the Women’s Business Center, Ruth managed the West Valley Business Source Center and program from the Mayor's Office. Her many honors include: The ImpreMedia’s Distinguished Woman (Mujer Distinguida) award and Civic Service Leadership Award by League of Women Voters of Los Angeles. A former Consul General of Costa Rica for the U.S. West Coast, appointed by the President of Costa Rica, Ruth is the co-founder of the Central American Federation of Nations, composed of all the Consul Generals. She is the author of What it Takes, from $20 to $200 Million.
Stacey Harris
Founder, Social Evolution
Stacey is a global business leader who worked for Citibank, Compaq Computer, and Fidelity Investments. She pursued her passion to use her skills for greater good as the VP of Corporate Alliances for Make-A-Wish International, increasing their revenue by over 700%. With a passion to create better communities and a better world, she launched Social Evolution, to invest in projects with impactful social outcomes. She consults for nonprofits and companies on corporate social responsibility, building sales teams and fundraising strategies, governance, globalization of social impact and cause marketing programs. Stacey is on the Board of W.P. Carey Center for Entrepreneurship at Arizona State University, past Board Chair of SEED SPOT, a social impact incubator/accelerator, an Advisor at Empowered PhXX, Ellevate Phoenix and StartUpAZ Foundation.
Lynda LeMole, M.S.
Nutrition, Herb & Food Consultant
Former President, Traditional Medicinals
Lynda is known for her pioneering efforts in supporting the use of herbal medicine. Lynda was involved in the very beginning of the natural products movement, using her nutrition education and passion for holistic health and sustainability to teach and help various companies employ socially responsible practices. She was co-owner and president of Traditional Medicinals from 1983 to 2003, where she helped roll out the nation's first over-the-counter medicinal teas. Lynda is on the board of United Plant Savers. Her contributions to the herbal products industry are invaluable in inspiring and teaching legions of individuals, organizations, and businesses.
Kathy Lynn-Cullotta
Principal, i3 Ignite
Kathy is a consultant, advisor and connector. She has deep experience solving revenue growth challenges, especially as they relate to go-to-market strategy. Kathy brings proven frameworks and tools—as well as a hands-on approach—to large and small companies wanting to accelerate sales growth. For more than 30 years Kathy has helped B2B companies develop direct sales and distribution channels for new products / services, especially in markets being transformed by technology. Kathy is a Managing Director of Golden Seeds, a national angel network that provides early-stage capital to women-led companies. In 2018, she was a key member of the co-founding team for the Arizona Chapter. Similarly, she launched the Phoenix chapter of Ellevate—a global professional women’s network dedicated to the professional and economic engagement of women worldwide—and established a vibrant chapter of more than 200 members.
Carolina Martinez
Founder, Sarah Mann Public Relations
Carolina is the CEO of CAMEO - the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity, a statewide association that represents over 300 lenders, training programs, chambers of commerce, job creators, agencies and individuals dedicated to furthering Microbusiness development in the state. She has developed bilingual, culturally appropriate entrepreneurial training programs; trained and coached pre-venture and startups; developed international networks promoting partnerships among private corporations that boost industries; provided consulting services to vulnerable communities to explore entrepreneurship as a way to generate wealth; and owned her own business consulting firm. Carolina has served on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs as well as on the boards of the Berks County Latino Chamber of Commerce and the Kutztown University Foundation. She currently serves in the boards of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) and Mission Economic Development Agency’s Fondo Adelante. She has an MBA and BA in Industrial Engineering.
Karen Mildenhall
Founder, CEO
KM Leadership Solutions
Karen is an expert in leadership and business turnaround. As the Founder/CEO of KM Leadership Solutions, she works with busy high-achieving leaders in organizations with $50+ million revenues, who come to her for practical solutions as to why their organization is not executing their strategy. With Karen's help, they make transformational breakthroughs executing their strategic plans with focus and enjoying their leadership journey. She is an ICF accredited Certified Professional Coach and previously held executive leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations. She is the current President of the Phoenix Chapter of Ellevate Professional Women's Network and is passionate about community service, women's economic empowerment, and helping teens build character.
Suzanne Patrick-Lawrence
President/CEO Advisor Business Solutions
Suzanne brings over 25 years of her own business, marketing and communications experience to each client relationship. She has seen the ups and downs of economies and what happens when companies do not have effective strategies in place. In 2001, she launched Advisor Business Solutions, a certified Small Business Enterprise, Women Owned/Minority Owned Enterprise providing business development, buy/sell matchmaking, succession planning and strategic marketing consulting for small businesses, financial services firms and government agencies looking to increase revenues, secure clients or outreach initiatives. Previously Suzanne oversaw business development and marketing for an international asset management firm and raised over $60 million assets under management. She serves on PCR SBDC Advisory Board, is an active member for the Financial Planning Association (FPA) and is three-term past-President of the FPA San Gabriel Valley chapter. Ms. Lawrence is a speaker at financial industry events and lectures to audiences throughout the US.