Women in Corporate Growth

ACG 101’s Women in Corporate Growth ("WCG") is a group of professional women located along the US Hwy 101 corridor who work for or provide services to companies in the middle to upper middle market. WCG holds programs during the year to discuss current topics related to corporate finance, to build relationships, and to recognize the achievements of local female executives. In addition, WCG encourages a practice of mentoring the next generation of women executives and service providers by helping up-and-coming professionals to build relationships. ACG101's Women in Corporate Growth Annual Luncheon raises money for community non-profits aimed at bettering the lives and educational opportunities for the youth of our area.

WCG Committee Members
Chair

Lisa N. Murgia, Senior Vice President & Regional Sales Manager, Wells Fargo Bank

Founder & Chairman Emeritus

Melissa Fulmer, Senior Vice President & Regional Sales Manager, Wells Fargo Bank

Committee

Sally Aubury- Singer Lewak Greenbaum & Goldstein
Johana Flores- Moss Adams
Nicole Kamm- Fisher Phillips
Hannah Sweiss- Fisher Phillips

Past Programs Include:

July 12th, 2023: 12th Annual Women in Corporate Growth Luncheon

July 13th, 2022: 11th Annual Women in Corporate Growth Luncheon

January 21st, 2021: 10th Annual Women in Corporate Growth: Virtual Forum

January 15th, 2020: 9th Annual Women in Corporate Growth Luncheon

January 29th, 2019: 8th Annual WCG Luncheon & Program

Managing through Change

The 2019 Women in Corporate Growth Luncheon and Program brings together a panel of powerhouse executives who have recently participated in M&A transactions across various structures, including both strategic acquisitions and private equity investments. The 2019 Luncheon took place on Tuesday, January 29th at a new location, the Braemar Country Club in Tarzana, for another unforgettable program. This year's panelists include:

Ann Kono, Former CIO, Ares Management; CEO & Founder, Leda Advisory Group
July Bocabeille, Chief Financial Officer, Algenist
Laura Siegal, Chief Financial Officer, Natal Engineering Co., Inc (NEO Technology)
Jennifer Terrill, Chief Investment Officer, Paysafe

As always, the WCG luncheon is a fundraising event. This year's proceeds will benefit the Let them Play Foundation, which will provide grants to various children’s organizations in the Ventura County area to offset the dwindling Physical Education programs in public schools across the country and help ensure that our future remains active and healthy.

Need more info? Contact Maureen Whalen, Chapter Executive, at 818-324-6209 or mwhalen@acg.org.

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January 24, 2018 Luncheon: A Conversation with Therese Tucker, Founder and CEO, BlackLine

To the behest of Finance & Accounting organizations across the world, Therese merged her two passions in technology and finance when she founded BlackLine, the first automated solution for account reconciliations. In 2016, Therese led BlackLine through an IPO, debuting on the Nasdaq Select Global Market and becoming one of the first/only female tech company founders to take her company public. The company now has users in over 130 countries served by some 700 employees worldwide. Jane Wells, Special Correspondent with CNBC, joins Therese for an intriguing look at the path that led this well-respected woman to her place at the top of the technology world.

January 19, 2017 Luncheon: Baby and Children's Products Panel
The 2017 Women in Corporate Growth Annual Luncheon featured a panel of leaders in the Baby and Children's Products sector.

Speakers included: DeNai Jones, Founder and Designer, Petunia Pickle Bottom. Her company, based in Ventura, has been bringing style and sophistication to the world of modern motherhood since 2000. Its line includes diaper bags, backpacks, shoulder bags, travel bags, satchels and totes; Katie Richardson, Founder of Puj. Pronounced "Pudge," Puj was founded by designers Katie and Ben with four kids of their own, with the goal of simplifying parenthood through great product design. The Vancouver, WA-based company makes soft infant tubs, infant and toddler towels, hangable kid cups, bath spout covers and more; Jennifer Saxton, Founder & CEO of Tot Squad. Her startup, based in Los Angeles, has raised over $1.4M from angel investors. It provides services for busy parents such as car seat and stroller installation, cleaning and repairs, in partnership with retailers. Tot Squad recently opened its first franchise and is about to launch a program with car seat safety affiliates in 40 states. Our moderator was Heather Smith Thorne, Managing Director, Swander Pace Capital.

Nancy Allen, Executive Director of weSPARK, a non-profit organization providing emotional support to those battling cancer and their families and the event beneficiary, delivered brief remarks.

The luncheon was dedicated to the memory of Anne Gardner. Anne, a beloved member of WCG from her time at from Bank of America Merrill Lynch, lost her fight with cervical cancer in October of 2016. (January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.)

April 19, 2016: An Evening of Bubbles & Sweets!

ACG 101’s Women in Corporate Growth presented an invitation-only event with Rosie O’Neill, Co-Founder of the chic, premium candy boutiques Sugarfina. It was an opportunity to network with other C-level women executives, like-minded entrepreneurs, and senior-level professionals while raising money for a great, local cause: Interface Children & Family Services.
Rosie O'Neill is an entrepreneur with a major sweet tooth. Sugarfina opened its first retail boutique in Beverly Hills in November 2013 and (and then had 15 stores in major cities across the U.S. Numerous additional stores have opened since that time). Interface Children & Family Services, established in 1973, is a comprehensive nonprofit social services agency that serves 24,000 individuals annually through seven Ventura County locations.

September 30th, 2015: Women In Corporate Growth Annual Luncheon
The 2015 Women in Corporate Growth Annual Luncheon featured a presentation by Karenjo Goodwin, Founder and President of Exact Staff. Exact Staff has been recognized as an Inc. Magazine 5000 Fastest Growing Company and as one of the Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses in California by the Los Angeles Business Journal. She was named Business Owner of the Year for Ventura County by the National Association of Women Business Owners. The Exact Staff team operates with a strong commitment to the community and to public service. All employees get a day off each year to work with a charity of their choice. Proceeds from the luncheon benefited Children of The Night, operated by Dr. Lois Lee.

November 12, 2014: Women In Corporate Growth Luncheon
The 2014 Women In Corporate Growth Annual Luncheon featured outstanding business leaders who discussed their experiences starting and running companies in the Medical Devices, Real Estate and Aerospace & Defense industries.Our Panelists were: Alison Perry Bauerlein, Co Founder, Executive Vice President and CFO of Inogen Inc. (Nasdaq GS: INGN); Trixy Weiss, President and CEO of Gensis Capital LLC; and Leslie King, CEO of King Nutronics Corporation. Moderating the discussion was Valarie Wright, President of Val Wright Consulting.

April 10, 2014: Women In Corporate Growth Breakfast

Our speaker was Kathy Peterson, Founder and President of Koi Design LLC.
A former designer for companies ranging from Guess to Carole Little, Kathy founded Koi Design to create scrubs for medical professionals that feature both comfort and style. From the introduction of its first collection in 2007, Santa Monica-based Koi's fashion-forward designs captivated the industry and earned the company a passionate and intensely loyal following.
As a very hands-on entrepreneur, Kathy has transformed Koi from a small startup into a major player and leading creative force in the industry.

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December 10th, 2013: Sara Miller McCune, Founder and Chair of Sage Publications.
Amanda Kimball, Research Specialist at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, presented an updated California Women Business Leaders study.

May 9, 2013: "There's a New Woman in the Kitchen!" An evening discussion with Dr.Ilana Kukoff, Psychologist, and a Wellness Experience with Registered Dietition Paulette Lambert at the California Health and Longevity Institute at the Four Seasons Hotel, Westlake Village.

November 1, 2012: Noel Irwin Hentschel, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, American Tours International, Inc., and
Amanda Kimball, Research Specialist, University of California Davis

May 1, 2012: Wine Social, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Westlake Village Inn

February 21, 2012: Pamela J. Shelley-Kessler, President & Chief Executive Officer, LTC Properties, Inc., and
Wendy L. Simpson, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, LTC Properties, Inc.

December 6, 2011: Mary Ellen Broganer, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President of Finance, Line 6.