Michigan Young Professionals Network Statewide Conference
Michigan Young Professionals Network Statewide Conference
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2017 Education Sessions

When registering, choose from the following sessions.
Participants will be able to attend 4 of the 6 sessions below.
Dr. Johnny V. SparksGreg Sieszputowski
How to Run an Effective Meeting

Get More Out of Your Meetings!
This workshop will help you drive your teams toward action. You'll leave with the tools to organize your meeting from writing outcomes to the wrap-up. You'll also learn new skills to keep your meetings on time, how to energize your group, and deal with those time wasting, off-topic discussions.



About Greg Sieszputowski, Director, Center for Learning and Leadership |
Mid Michigan Community College, Mt. Pleasant




PictureJohn Patterson
Social Media in the Workplace: How Does It Impact Productivity?

Have you ever wondered if the impact of social media and our constantly connected lives affects our productivity in the office? Today, everyone is expected to have some type of presence on social media, but how much exactly is ‘too much’? Is it hurting your company’s bottom line or even your own career? The correct way of dealing with this phenomenon is having the right approach. In this session, learn about the advantages of social media usage in the workplace and how a good social media policy can actually help increase efficiency.​


About John Patterson, Associate Director, Social Media | Search Optics, Detroit

Social media marketing veteran John Patterson faces the constant challenge of a young industry seeking its place among a myriad of shiny new toys and entrenched incumbent strategies. John is the ultimate champion of social media as a powerful marketing tool that delivers to the bottom line for brands.

John's unique approach taps into many of the tried and true tactics of traditional marketers allowing those tactics to gain new life in the digital world while also driving innovation in both strategy and execution. He is currently the Associate Director of Social Media at Search Optics in Metro Detroit. John brings his experience with brands like General Motors, Fiat Chrysler, Samsung, Chuck E. Cheese, Bob Evans and many more to events and venues all over the state to continue to educate marketers at every level as to why social media is the most versatile, powerful and efficient marketing tool that has ever existed. 

Because John believes that the real power of social media is in genuine connections he invites you all to connect with him on Twitter @JohnPatterson85 and LinkedIn. Bring him your toughest challenges and questions!



PictureCathey Prudhomme
Protect Your Character: Motivation & Character Development
Multiple changes can occur in all areas of your life, including career, relationships, home and family. How will you handle these changes?  What is “your story” and how has it impacted the pursuit of your dreams and goals?  Develop the tools to use when difficult or unfair situations arise in your life.  Learn the strategies to turn difficulties into opportunities that can change your perspective and shape your life for greatness!

About Cathey Prudhomme, President & CEO | Eagle Village, Inc., Hersey

Cathey Prudhomme is President & CEO of Eagle Village, Inc., a healing center innovatively serving today’s ever-changing youth, families, and communities. Cathey consults with a wide spectrum of organizations, helping them to unlock their potential and move to excellence.  She facilitates experiences that promote personal, interpersonal and leadership skills by working with boards, executives and their teams.

Cathey believes that behind every successful organization are great leaders who strive to motivate and unleash the talents and capabilities of their people. Cathey lives in Pentwater, Michigan and is married to Steve Prudhomme, the president of Grace Adventures, a year-round, Christian Training Center in Silver Lake.



PictureErik Simon
DREAM, DISCOVER, DELIVER: Energizing Your Life through Simplicity​

Whether you are actively searching for new opportunities in your personal and professional life, or have established a solid foundation, there is still space to DREAM, DISCOVER and DELIVER your passions in order to give them purpose. Often, the biggest challenge to this process is time. In this session, we will explore simple and creative methods to learn more about your interests, experiences and skills in order to find your fit and unique balance in a variety of settings. Central Michigan University Career Services' Resource Directory will set the stage for you to target relevant information and initiate action. Do you have an hour a week to strategically devote time for you? If your answer is “Yes”, I will see you soon!

About Erik Simon, Assistant Director, Myers-­Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) Certified Facilitator | CMU Career Services, Mt. Pleasant


A dedicated member of the Central Michigan University Career Services team since August 2012, Erik Simon describes himself as both a "Professional Educator" and "Content Creator." From managing a kindergarten classroom in a small town to planning next steps with undergraduate and graduate students on a large campus, he has a passion for lifelong learning and holistic student development. Through Career Services, Erik serves as liaison to the College of Humanities & Social & Behavioral Sciences and the College of Communication & Fine Arts.  He also coordinates all aspects of the Capital City Internship Program (CCIP), which provides all CMU students with the opportunity to gain experience and network in a governmental setting.

As a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI®) Certified Facilitator, Erik has the training necessary to guide individuals through the MBTI® assessment, which has helped millions of people worldwide gain insights about themselves and how they interact with others—and improve how they communicate, learn, and work. It provides a powerful framework for building better relationships, driving positive change, harnessing innovation, and achieving excellence. The MBTI® assessment is used by 89 Fortune 100 companies to maximize individual and team effectiveness from entry to executive levels, and is backed by more than 50 years of scientific research and ongoing global development.
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PictureLeslie Fiorenzo
Stress Less -- Learn More: Take Control of the Stress in Life Before it Controls You!

Participants will learn how to:
Stop negative stress before it starts
Stress is a fact of life for most professionals and most of the time we are able to manage stressful situations. Yet avoidance, talking about others instead of talking to them, rumors, negative speculation, factions, and lack of trust create havoc in the workplace. What to do? Learn to stop negative stress before it starts. Whether we realize it or not our daily interactions with each other build trust or tear it apart. This program will provide you with the one action you can take that will make a difference in your life and the lives of your co-workers.

Create a culture of appreciation
We’ve heard about the negativity bias of the brain, and growing incivility at work. Sometimes we feel hopeless. Is THIS human nature? Learn why negative assumptions pick up momentum and spread, how to short-circuit destructive disagreement, extinguish incivility and eliminate unconscious behaviors that spark toxic power struggles and cycles of mistrust. Creating a culture of appreciation is the step toward a work environment where people want to show up and give their best.

Set the stage for constructive conversations
Everyone faces a time where they have to discuss a difficult situation with another person. Talk about stress! Yet a few simple steps can make the difference between a conversation with a positive outcome and changed behavior or a problem that continues. We will set the stage for success when a difficult conversation has to take place.


About Leslie Fiorenzo, Director | Employee Assistance Center, Grand Rapids 
Leslie Fiorenzo is Director of Employee Assistance Center, West Michigan’s oldest provider of employee assistance program services. She has over 25 years experience as a human resources professional working in the automotive, distribution, and packaging industries. In April of 2014 Leslie and EAC partnered with Anna Maravelas and her company Thera Rising and became certified to present their flagship seminar the Self Defeating Habits of Otherwise Brilliant People®.

From 2005 to 2012 Leslie taught human resources, business and marketing courses as an adjunct faculty at Davenport University. From 2003 until 2011 she was an independent consultant with Business Network International (BNI) the world’s largest referral organization and presented to hundreds of sales professionals and small business owners on how to get the most from their membership
.


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Patrick Mease
PictureDan Eversole
First-Time Supervisors: How to Efficiently Manage Employees

Becoming a leader at your organization is a great step forward in your career, but many admit the title comes with challenges. Many current managers say they weren’t ready to become a leader when they started managing others. The most cited challenges include dealing with issues between co-workers, motivating team members, and finding the resources needed to support the team. In this fun, participative session, attendees will learn how to address these challenges, and will leave with plenty of ideas, recommendations, and how-to’s as a first-time supervisor.​

About Dan Eversole, Past Senior VP, Human Resources | Isabella Bank, Mt. Pleasant

Dan Eversole is the former senior vice president of human resources at Isabella Bank, where he retired in 2014. He joins this year’s statewide YPN conference with an extensive background in the education and administration fields.  Dan earned his undergraduate degree from Eastern Michigan University and his master’s degree from Central Michigan University.  Before heading the HR department for nine years at Isabella Bank, Dan held the same VP title at LaBelle Management. He was also the associate director of admissions at CMU and spent time as an adjunct professor at Northwood University.
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About Patrick Mease current VP, Human Resources | Isabella Bank, Mt. Pleasant

Patrick Mease is currently the vice president of human resources at Isabella Bank, and has been with the bank since 2001, when he joined the information technology department. Patrick graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. At CMU, he also earned his Master of Science in Administration degree. Furthering his higher-education development, Patrick has also completed a multitude of leadership programs, including the Human Resources program through the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin, the Dale Carnegie Executive Development Program and the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce Rollie Denison Leadership Institute.


​In addition to his professional achievements, Patrick has a passion for serving his community.  He is an active member of the Mt. Pleasant Optimist Club and was previously a member of the Community Advisory Board for the Salvation Army.  Patrick resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife, Michelle, and their two children, Grace and Sam.​

PictureSean Hickey
Using Social Media to Market Efficiently

There is no doubt that social media technology facilitates content creation, engagement, and analytics more efficiently than any other technology today. But as methods of obtaining entertainment and information continue to multiply, and audiences continue to fragment, the biggest challenge becomes not how to reach people, but how to reach the right people most efficiently. In this session, learn the best methods you can implement now to take your current social media program from good to outstanding.

About Sean Hickey, COO | PWB Marketing Communications, Ann Arbor 

Skilled at defining and building brands that sell, Sean Hickey has extensive experience in marketing, media, advertising and sales. Throughout his career, Sean has been involved in a variety of aspects of demand generation – whether developing strategies and creative, or deploying systems for metrics. His passion is for truly integrated brands that recognize and leverage the exploding spectrum of available communication channels. In addition, he strongly believes in the value of storytelling to help bring rich, compelling brands to life.
 
Sean is the Chief Operating Officer at PWB Marketing Communications in Ann Arbor. By working with his team to develop stories that connect to buyer needs, Sean is able to generate tremendous impact. Sean also provides strategic and day-to-day guidance in all aspects of PWB operations. 


Sean holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Central Michigan University. He is also adjunct faculty in the Department of Business at Kettering University, as well as an Executive Board member at the Ann Arbor Art Center. When he's not at PWB, you can usually find Sean outdoors – fly fishing, skiing, cycling, hunting, sport shooting, grilling, or pursuing some other passion.
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Kathie Fuce-Hobohm
PictureJenni Bush
How Design Influences Stress and Productivity

It’s a simple equation:  great design = less stress.  According to a recent study, over 80% of Americans are stressed out. While multiple factors contribute, the layout, design and organization of a space can have either a positive or negative affect on an individual’s quality of life. Through our Anew & within processes, SPACE, Inc. has been able to transform both commercial and residential interiors to allow for greater productivity and efficiency, while at the same time improving culture and reducing stress. In this session, we'll discuss the power of great design and how to make the most of your SPACE.

About Kathie Fuce-Hobohm, Owner/Dealer Principal | SPACE, Inc., Midland

SPACE is a quality company that specializes in marketing functional office interiors with a professionally trained team of certified interior designers, furniture specialists and customer service experts focused on developing total working environments that create the types of places people want to work.  

Owner, Kathie Fuce-Hobohm, started the company and has over 30 years of experience in the office interior industry.  As the Dealer Principal of SPACE, Inc., she directs the sales team, financial strategies and operations for the company. Kathie is an honors graduate from Central Michigan University and an active member of the Midland business community.  Previously, she served on the boards of the Lake Huron Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Midland Business Incubator, the Bay County Women’s Center, Midland Noon Rotary Club, CBM Services, and the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce. She is currently serving on the boards of Chemical Bank and Trust, Midland Tomorrow, the Stevens Family Business Center and the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM). 

Kathie has won numerous awards including the Athena award, the Girl Scouts' Women of Distinction, MMIC Innovation Award, Corp! Magazine’s Entrepreneur of Distinction, Leadership Midland’s Leader of the Year and was named a Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame Laureate.  Kathie has been married to her husband Bob for 37 years.  They have two children, daughter Tai (Nick) Petrillo, son, Paddy, and, one grandson, Kase Robert.
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About Jenni Bush, Vice President of SPACE within | SPACE, Inc., Midland

In 2013, SPACE, Inc. expanded from commercial workplaces into residential interiors with the creation of SPACE within. Through a partnership with ORG Home, SPACE within is able to provide a vast portfolio of custom products featuring smart organization, colors and styles to complement your lifestyle. Every ORG Home solution is expertly designed, manufactured with care from quality materials, and professionally installed.

As the Vice President of SPACE within, Jenni Bush oversees the sales, marketing, and financial strategies for the division. Jenni holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Grand Valley State University and has a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from Central Michigan University.  Jenni is an active member of the local community.  She is currently serving on the Membership and Parade of Homes committees for the Midland Home Builders Association, and is active with United Way of Midland, Chippewa Nature Center, and the Chamber of Commerce in both Midland & Saginaw.  


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