Jamie Puffpaff is the founder and creator of Rock ‘n’ Kids, Inc., a mobile company that provides music and movement classes and events for children ages 1-5 in over 60 communities throughout Illinois. Having established the firm in 1995, Jamie saw a real need for young children to have an outlet to explore the world around them creatively through music. The Rock ‘n’ Kids curriculum focuses on physical, cognitive and social-emotional development by incorporating a variety of rhythm instruments, movement props, and sensory tools.
Committed to professional growth and development, Jamie is constantly creating new curricula and staying up-to-date on current education trends and research. She has also worked with educational services companies to implement a state-funded supplemental enrichment program in school districts, has been a judge for the Miss Illinois pageant, and was a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters for 5 years. Jamie also teaches preschool at a long-standing, beloved school in her hometown.
Passionate about early childhood education, Jamie credits her success to focus, drive and perseverance. In her spare time, she enjoys entertaining, being with family, reading, spending time at the beach, and playing with her grandchildren.
Women’s Networking Association Member Jamie Puffpaff can be found on the Association Directory, where she is looking forward to networking with you.
Category Archives: Press Releases
Debbie Cherry is an Executive Coach and Relationship Therapist based out of Florida. A certified Master Coach and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, she is passionate about helping people to channel and nurture growth in their relationships. She is driven to understand and catalyze real change, and has counseled and coached thousands of individuals. With over two decades of experience in counseling, therapy and coaching, she has run her own company for the past 10 years.
Debbie holds a Master of Counseling in Counseling Psychology from the University of Southern California and an altMBA in Marketing, Business and Being a Good Human. She is a Former 7-Figure CEO and is able to draw upon her own entrepreneurial expertise and leadership experience to help managers and leaders to level up and learn how to invest in their relationships to cultivate success.
Whether working with executives, entrepreneurs, individuals or couples, Debbie is passionate about helping her clients to break free from old patterns and find the best in themselves and others. She is a member of the American Associates for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Women’s Networking Association Member Debbie Cherry, LMFT can be found on the Association Directory, where she is looking forward to networking with you.
Dee Bryant is a rising star that we all should pay attention to. Having retired from the United States Army after 21 years of faithful and honorable service, she published two books: Holding On and Not Giving Up On Self, and Girls Wear Combat Boots Too. Today, she is a sought-after motivational speaker and a US federal employee, nearing her second retirement. A recent inductee to the Women’s Networking Association, her most recent endeavor is gaining momentum as a major podcast influencer with a focus on motivating and inspiring young people towards military service within the U.S. Army through her Spotify Podcast: Dee Bryant Inspired.
Having completed with three degrees, including a Certification in Business Administration from Georgetown University, Dee Bryant graduated high school back in the 1980s in Jacksonville, Florida. Following graduation, she worked full-time at a fast food restaurant as she nurtured her ambition, faith and belief in a better tomorrow. Upon receiving counsel from her high school guidance counselor several months after graduation, she decided to sit-down with an Army recruiter to talk about possible options of serving in the military. Serving in the military and wearing the uniform was something she was never interested in doing; however, at a crossroads in her life Dee realized that the military could be the life changing opportunity she so desperately needed and wanted.
Dee enlisted in the Army in 1985 as an Automatic Data Telecommunications Operator (72G). While attending basic training she was totally out of her element especially as she struggled as an out of shape recruit. Dee will tell you that she had many private Benjamin moments as she navigated through basic soldiering skills while learning important values to live by, leadership, order and discipline. Upon graduating from basic training, she served in the enlisted ranks, successfully moving up to the rank of Staff Sergeant (SSG). After winning numerous awards as Soldier of the Month, Soldier of the Quarter, and even Soldier of the Year while stationed in Hawaii, she was not satisfied with her current status in the Army and wanted to do more to help soldiers and their families. She decided the best way to do more to impact soldiers’ lives was to become a commissioned officer in the Army. She went on to take the Officer Selective Battery test twice before passing, which allowed her to move on to demonstrating her military knowledge and experience while participating in several high-level selection boards, while stationed in Mons, Belgium. Dee was the only candidate at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) selected by the board to attend the Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Fort Benning, Georgia.
OCS was a 14-week program back in the 90s, which Dee Bryant repeated twice before successfully completing. “OCS was one of the most challenging things I have ever done,” recalls Dee. Following OCS and basic officer training, Dee had the opportunity to attend the Army Airborne School. “Airborne School was the most challenging thing I have ever done while serving in the military”. To learn more about Dee Bryant’s military experience, you can download her book, Holding On and Not Giving Up On Self at Amazon.com
Dee Bryant is a passionate author of two books, Holding On and Not Giving Up On Self, and Girls Wear Combat Boots Too.
Holding On and Not Giving Up On Self (2016), Dee Bryant’s first book, specifically takes the reader on her military journey of developing mental toughness during times of failure, sadness, disappointments, making mistakes and dealing with fear. Throughout the book, Dee leans on her faith in God to keep pushing forward with a spirit of excellence. Of particular note is that in between each chapter, Dee has added powerful Bible scriptures, to help the reader focus on God’s goodness. The audiobook featuring Dee Bryant narrating is available on Amazon.com.
Recently, Dee started a podcast series on Spotify: Dee Bryant Inspired, where she is changing the game, motivating and inspiring young people towards military service in the Army. She notes, “I am preparing to retire from government service at the end of this year. The thought of retiring has forced me to do a little self-reflection of my life over the last 35 years. That reflection has allowed me to clearly see that my time in the Army has given me access, opportunities and great rewards unimaginable to see at age 18. As I think about our young people, I am determined to do what I can to convince them that serving in the military, the Army specifically, is a life-changing opportunity, which has been my greatest honor. Perhaps this is why I feel so compelled to speak from experience, in terms of what can be for young people unsure about their lives, and worrying about not having money for college. I want to be authentic and true in my podcast messaging. This is why I can only speak from what I know, and that is the Army.”
Dee also wrote, Girl Wear Combat Boots Too, a book to inspire little girls and little boys to go after their dreams—even when there may be people around them that do not believe. Girls Wear Combat Boots Too is about 8-year-old Skylar G; the ‘G’ stands for Grace. Skylar G. developed a fear of heights at age six after being pushed off the top of a playground slide by the classroom bully. What’s ironic about this story is that Skylar G. has acrophobia, but yet she still wants to live out her five-year-old dream to jump out of a moving aircraft and fly in the sky like a bird, just like her mom did while serving in the Army. But first, she must learn to overcome her fear while dealing with unforeseen circumstances and the classroom bully, determined to stop her.
Dee Bryant is an ordinary citizen without any fanfare doing extraordinary things, with the potential to inspire and change the world!
Women’s Networking Association Member Dee Bryant can be found on the Association Directory, where she is looking forward to networking with you.
Kate Ivory is the owner of GIDI Promotions Creative Branding Agency, a promotional marketing items firm that celebrates its brands and ensures clients come away from each transaction thinking: “Glad I Did It!” Dedicated to making money for companies one idea at a time, Katie and her team gather new ideas or refresh old ideas, working to maximize effectiveness of clients’ programming.
With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Kate has firsthand knowledge of the effectiveness of promotional marketing through products and the lasting impression the right brand materials can have. After completing studies at Sunset, Kate launched her career in hospitality, sales and customer service. Prior to establishing GIGI Promotions in 2003, she served as Local Sales Manager of The Ackerley Group/Clear Channel.
Based out of Portland, Oregon, Kate credits her success to integrity, passion and perseverance. Her favorite quote is “you are what you think you are.” Kate’s positive energy, enthusiasm and optimism demonstrate the effect of this quote in action.
Women’s Networking Association VIP Member of the Year Kate Ivory can be found on the Association Directory, where she is looking forward to networking with you.
Mary Cosentino is currently a Broker and agent with Royal LePage Real Estate Services Ltd., the most established real estate firm in Canada. In a comprehensive career of over 32 years, she has been ranked one of the top 5% of producers across all realtors in Canada. Primarily focused in residential properties, Mary works diligently to guide clients through every step of the transaction, including handling the staging, social media exposure, professional photography and videography, marketing, mortgage broker or legal advice.
Mary holds a master’s degree in Administration in Education from the University of Toronto, class of 1989. She is a member of the Canadian Real Estate Association and Association of Real Estate Agents, and serves on the boards of the International Adoption Association and Tennis Club.
In a highly rewarding career, Mary cites her greatest pride as helping people to find their dream homes. She serves the York region and Toronto area. She is highly knowledgeable and likes to keep her clients abreast of current real estate trends and opportunities. She looks forward to expanding into an international market and serving clients in obtaining properties here in Canada. Mary credits her success to service excellence, integrity and professionalism. Find out more at www.marycosentino.com.
Women’s Networking Association Member, Mary Cosentino, can be found on the Association Directory, where she is looking forward to networking with you.
