Paula Ankele, Franchise Owner
847-420-2647
E-mail
Biography »A former chemist disenchanted with Corporate America and the lack of opportunities for women in her field, Paula Ankele started a Direct Sales business in 1987 and rose to a leadership position a few years later. She made this business a full-time career, building and leading a team of over 100 women in her organization. Between her team and a client base of over 400 people, she earned the use of a company car for over 28 consecutive years, ranking her in the top 2% of the company!
Paula believes that leadership is about service and influence and uses her skills to support small business owners and entrepreneurs. She is passionate about helping people build relationships and grow their networks. She retired her leadership role in direct sales in April 2021 to focus on growing AmSpirit chapters!
In her spare time,Paula and her husband Don enjoy living on a lake just northwest of Chicago. They like boating, traveling, taking rides in their collector cars and hiking in National Parks.
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Chapters: Barrington Biz Builders, Belvidere Elite Business Network, Greater Oakbrook Business Connectors, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Forest Networking Partners, Schaumburg Elite Networkers
Kaleen Marshall, Franchise Owner
847-946-5962
E-mail
Biography »Studying alongside the John Maxwell Team and a certified professional coach through the Professional Christian Coaching Institute (PCCI), Kaleen is the founder and CEO of The Viaggio Group Inc., a professional coaching and leadership consulting firm focused on helping people move forward along their journey to reach their full potential. In addition, she has years of experience recruiting, coaching and development of directors in the world’s largest business referral organization, BNI.
Outside of business, Kaleen has leadership expertise in key management roles at large faith-based organization throughout the United States and done work around the world coaching and developing leaders. She is also an advocate for supporting adults with special needs and through this experience the author of Who Will Love Me, describing her own personal journey with her sister who has Down syndrome.
To learn more about her or order her book, go to https://www.kaleenmarshall.com/
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Chapters: Algonquin, Always Doing Business-Skokie, Crystal Lake Preferred Referral Partners, Naperville Referral Network, Oak Ridge Referral Partners, Rockford-Partners In Success
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names to expand details)
Leah JacksonLeah Jackson, Director
(847) 749-8858
E-mail
Biography »I work as a Managing Loan Originator at Amerifinancial Home Mortgage, Inc. where she specializes in helping homeowners navigate the financial side of the home buying process.
I have been involved with AmSpirit since 2021 and I am passionate about connecting good people. In 2024 I have stepped into a role as a Director with the organization and could not be more thrilled!
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Chapters: Arlington Heights Business Connections, C G Business Exchange
Jeffrey StonecliffeJeffrey Stonecliffe, Director
847-732-9064
E-mail
Biography »The ability to positively impact lives has always been Jeff's goal. He received his undergraduate degrees in Business and Computer Science from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He also holds Life, Accident and Health Insurance Agent Licenses, an AAMS from the College of Professional Planning as well as FINRA 7 and 66 registrations.
Jeff built a career in the financial industry building business intelligence systems and eventually left the corporate world to open a small business serving the dental community. He eventually transitioned his business to a regional company looking to build a presence in the Chicagoland area and moved into a financial advisor position with Edward Jones to help individual investors and small businesses achieve their financial goals.
Outside of business, Jeff is married with five children and enjoys traveling, fishing and spending time with family.
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Chapters: Deerfield, Harvard, McHenry County Referral Partners
Lauren BierschenkLauren Bierschenk, Director
406-599-7624
E-mail
Biography »My name is Lauren Bierschenk I have been the Vice Preside and President of the Naperville Referral Network. I serve on the Ambassador committee for our local chamber, and I also serve as the Philanthropy chair for my local Alpha Gamma Delta chapter. Learning how to network with purpose has really changed my outlook on my business and how I can help others succeed through connection. Intentional networking is about being a resource for others and coming with a giving attitude and I hope to be able to do continue to do that.
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Chapters: Aurora - Naperville, Plainfield
Michel SharrittMichel Sharritt, Director
(630) 962-7043
E-mail
Biography »Michel Sharritt is Founder of two Naperville businesses, Situated Research and CueCamp. She resides in Naperville with her husband Matt and 9-year-old twins: Madeleine and Ethan and her amazing Portuguese Water Dog, Sadie.
Michel founded Situated Research in 2008, which specializes in user-experience (UX) research and usability testing. She also founded CueCamp, which specializes in digital marketing: including website design, social media marketing, SEO, and marketing automation. Both help small to medium-sized businesses across all industries to achieve an enhanced user experience for their customers.
Michel is a graduate of the University of Hawaii with a degree in Psychology. She has an extensive business background, cultivated at Naperville Central and the Business Professionals of America, where she won regional and national titles. She is a public speaker and loves to network.
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Chapter: Aurora-Oswego
Catherine FischerCatherine Fischer, Director
773-726-7310
E-mail
Biography »Catherine Fischer is the owner of Fischer Advisors LLC, an accounting and tax firm located in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago. Catherine has a love of numbers, education, and
people. Her clients describe her as knowledgeable and approachable, friendly, and nonjudgmental. They appreciate her unique ability to make numbers and complex tax topics understandable.
Catherine holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from The University of Illinois atChicago. She is active in the community and serves on the Board of Directors for CASA of McHenry County. Additionally, she is the Treasurer of the Porsche Club, and Director with AmSpirit.
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Chapters: Elgin, Huntley Superior Performers
Samantha Augustyn-OttSamantha Augustyn-Ott, Director
630-364-9451
E-mail
Biography »Samantha is an active member of the Belvidere AmSpirit chapter, where she embraces leadership roles to help others grow their businesses. She is deeply involved in her community, serving on several boards and always ready to volunteer her time to make a positive impact.
As a licensed real estate professional in both Tennessee and Illinois, Samantha is passionate about helping clients navigate the buying or selling process with ease. She loves seeing her clients happy, and finding their dream home is her true passion. Samantha's strong communication skills and extensive experience make buying or selling your home a breeze.
She’s a proud military spouse and a mother of four beautiful children, along with two rescue dogs. Originally from the Chicagoland area, her first love was the world of theatre. Her husband’s military career has taken them on many adventures across the country, leading to several home purchases.
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Chapter: Rockford Premier Networkers
