Community & Guest List
Christine Brooks-Cropper is President and CEO of the DC Fashion Foundation (DCFF). She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Delaware and received a Bachelor of Arts-Sociology degree from Delaware State University. She is a proud mother to her son, Christian.
As President and CEO of the DC Fashion Foundation, she identifies ways to retain and support new and established designers, fashion retailers, professionals and assist design students transitioning from school to career. Christine spearheaded the formation of the Commission on Fashion Arts and Events in DC Government with the message that fashion is an asset to economic development, served as Chairman for Mayor Gray and Mayor Bowser from 2013 to 2017.
As President and CEO of the DC Fashion Foundation, she identifies ways to retain and support new and established designers, fashion retailers, professionals and assist design students transitioning from school to career. Christine spearheaded the formation of the Commission on Fashion Arts and Events in DC Government with the message that fashion is an asset to economic development, served as Chairman for Mayor Gray and Mayor Bowser from 2013 to 2017.
Christie Lawler is the Founder and Owner of CJL CONSULTiNG, a niche marketing agency that primarily serves the national hospitality industry, She is also the Founder and Director of The WITI Group, a nonprofit foundation that supports the future female leaders of the food and beverage industry through mentorship, emotional and financial support. Christie is also host of the Lawler Out Loud Podcast, soon to be a published author, a public speaker and most recently she added inventor to her list of attributes as she just launched her own infusion line - JAB MiXOLOGY.
Jeff Badu is a serial entrepreneur and a wealth multiplier. He’s a Licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the founder of Badu Enterprises, LLC, which is a multinational conglomerate that owns several key companies. His marquee company is Badu Tax Services, LLC, which is a CPA firm that specializes in tax preparation, tax planning, and tax representation for individuals and businesses. Another key company is Badu Investments, LLC which is primarily a real estate investment company that acquires residential and commercial real estate properties in areas such as the South Side of Chicago in efforts to restore traditionally underserved areas.
With more than 20 years experience across a broad range of industries, Lori Hamilton has worked as a marketing strategist, researcher and creative consultant to help more than 100 companies stand out from the competition with innovative solutions that really work. She specializes in positioning (brand and product differentiation for competitive advantage), facilitated work sessions and business innovation. A professor of Insights at Columbia University’s Masters’ Degree Program in Strategic Communications, she has worked on strategy, product development, creative direction and positioning for more than 50 Fortune 500 companies.
Beth McRae is president of The McRae Agency, celebrating 25 years in 2020. She has represented clients for PR work in numerous industries and has notable clients such as Google, Sprint, CBRE, KB Home, Sunny Delight and Solatube International, to name a few. She has received over 45 awards for her work, including the Bank of America Enterprise award. She has a journalism degree, a marketing degree and an MBA, unusual for her field.
Claudia Cometa is a pharmacist turned business owner who lives her life purposefully and passionately. She worked for over a decade as a clinical pharmacist, then was quickly forced to see the healthcare system from the patient side after her father was diagnosed with lymphoma. It was this year-long struggle that shifted her course permanently. She is now on a mission to help others find clarity in their own healthcare journey and ultimately seek true wellness, which integrates mind, body, and spirit.
2016 Client Choice Award USA and listed in IAM Strategy 300."
Michael Levitt is the founder & Chief Burnout Officer of The Breakfast Leadership Network, a San Diego and Toronto-based burnout media firm. He is an in-person and Certified Virtual Speaker, a Certified NLP and CBT Therapist, a Fortune 500 consultant, and author of the new book BURNOUT PROOF. Michael hosts the Breakfast Leadership Show, a top 200 global podcast on iTunes. Michael's A Top 20 Global Thought Leader on HR & Culture with Thinkers360. and a former Healthcare executive, overseeing $ 2 Billion budgets.
After helping build a website design agency with a partner, I went out on my own to start Adapted Growth. We help small teams and entrepreneurs use technology and process to make sales repeatable. I am also one of the hosts on a new sales podcast called Sales Throwdown, we talk about how to get past your nature to be more successful in sales. He also has a business called Clutch Closer.
Architect - Creative Director and Founder of FittDesign.
