LILLIAN BJORSETH

Lillian Bjorseth is a noted author, DISC expert and a highly sought-after speaker on the national circuit. Her dynamic, captivating and empowering presentations have helped tens of thousands dramatically increase their social capital by improving their business networking, business development, and communication skills. Lillian’s books, CDs, DVDs and workbooks are transformational. Her DISC training has relevance at all organizational levels. Dubbed a “networking expert” by the Chicago Tribune and “the business networking authority” by the Association Forum of Chicagoland, Lillian is a key figure in advancing the techniques that build prosperous business relationships. She is the co-founder of the Greater Chicago Networking Extravaganza. LinkedProfile

JOANN WRIGHT

Joann Wright is a veteran of the business world, having spent 40 years in the executive business ranks. She has owned and operated several successful mid- sized business ventures, before turning her attention to National and International real estate.

Joann lived in Africa and was a Manager on a large construction project as well as on the Washington D.C. subway project. Joann has also worked and lived in Panama and continues to maintain a home in Panama. She is a veteran in International real estate sales, a career initiative stemming from her extensive experience living overseas, mostly in Central America. She has been awarded by the Chicago Association of Realtors for industry leading sales production in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Joann believes in putting her clients first and opening up the global marketplace to her extensive clientele.

Joann is a member of various national and international organizations, including: The World Trade Center, F.I.A.B.C.I. – World Real Estate Federation, Chicago International Real Estate Council, Transnational Referral Consultant, I.C.R.E.A – World Properties, the National Association of Realtors, the Illinois Association of Realtors, and the Chicago Association of Realtors. Joann also has important accreditatons through the National Association of Realtors - - CIPS - Certified International Property Specialist, RSPS - Resort and Second Home Property Specialist and TRC, Trasnational Referral Consultant. Joann is currently withSudler Sothebys International Realty, Chicago, Illinois.

Joann can be reached at 773-430-6228 email: joann@world-wide-properties.net

MARTIN KUBLER - Director of Operations Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Originally from Munich, Germany, Martin relocated to London, United Kingdom, after completing his apprenticeship at the Bayerischer Hof Hotel, one of Germany's finest, family owned luxury hotels.

In London, Martin completed his BA (Hons) in International Hospitality Management at London Metropolitan University and afterwards joined Thistle Hotels as Night Manager and later moving to Assistant Front Office Manager.

Following 3 years with Thistle Hotels, he joined the Bonnington Group as Front of House Manager at the Bonnington in Bloomsbury where he was actively involved in opening of the hotel's boutique-style extension (45 rooms & suites).

In 2004, Martin relocated to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and spent the following two years working as Front Office Manager at the Novotel World Trade Centre. During his time at the hotel, Martin successfully coached two of his team-members to win the prestigious “Hotelier Middle East - Hoteliers’ Hotelier of the Year Award 2005” and the “Discover Dubai – Concierge of the Month May 2006 Award”.

Following his time at the Novotel, Martin spent a year in Doha, Qatar, working for the Ramada Plaza Doha where he was involved in managing the construction & opening process of the hotel’s second wing (259 rooms & suites), which opened in June 2007 and in upgrading & re-branding the hotel from Ramada to Ramada Plaza.

In October 2007, Martin returned to Dubai as Director of Operations for the Bonnington Jumeirah Lakes Towers.

This 480 keys (208 hotel rooms and 272 serviced apartments) property is scheduled to open early 2009 and will be Dubai’s first 100% British owned and operated 5-star hotel.
A fellow hotelier once described Martin as “An interesting mixture of German commitment to quality and doing things correctly and properly – yet flavoured with the English ability to be flexible.”

Martin’s specialities are building and leading teams that perform outstandingly for the benefit of their customers and their employers, using social media solutions to attract & retain guests, visitors and employees, hotel pre-opening planning and change management.

In his spare time, Martin likes to play backgammon, ride motorcycles, read or enjoy a good meal.

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/martinkubler
Plaxo: http://martinkubler.myplaxo.com
WIWIH: http://www.wiwih.com/profile/26021110.html

JEANNETTE KRAVITZ

Jeannette Kravitz, Executive Director sponsorKIDS® Charities 501c3: Mrs. Kravitz corporate experience is in Operations Management, Marketing and Public Relations as she served as Regional Operations Manager at Photography Corporation of America. Her Division ranked in the top 10% in profits globally, with the lowest employee turnover in the nation. In 2000, she founded sponsorKIDs Charities Peace Journey and began documenting stories of American teens helping kids on foreign soil in an effort to bring understanding of diverse cultures. She arranged music concerts with major artist to help raise funds and awareness. As a documentary director along with Viacom Division, BET TV (Black Entertainment TV) Jeannette co-produced a 30 minute special called Peace Journey, which won a coveted Telly Award for editing. She has gained major sponsor support and in her career, has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for non-profits through charity events including celebrity golf tournaments, tennis events including World Team Tennis/Elton John/NBC Sports fundraiser to benefit Pediatric AIDS and more.

Jeannette serves to promote the Department of Peace and Nonviolence Bill HR 808 which would allow a Cabinet level position to be established. She is the Co Chair of the Chicago City Council Resolution Committee focused on getting city officials to support this Bill and to begin to work together as a nation towards a nonviolent future. In September 2007, she lead the team to Chicago City Council where the Resolution was accepted, allowing Chicago to be the 1st of the US Major Cities to come behind this bill. Jeannette is a member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs President's Circle and serves on the Sister City Casablanca Committee in Chicago.

Jeannette is now the owner and CEO of JuvenesseSpa.com. She purchased this 23 year old skin care line and opened a spa in River North-Chicago, created a botanical skin care line called PEACE to distribute through spas, providing a revenue stream for her work at Peace Journey. She has added micro-lending to women around the globe as the platform for future Peace Journey trips and activities. These micro-loans to women help them to advance their economic standings, learn commerce and provide a platform for change for these women and children in regions around the globe. This, then forms the base for Peace Journey Trips by American youth to further support the efforts of these women and children. She is the mother of two wonderful grown children and has four adorable grandchildren. In her spare time she enjoys tennis, the arts, music, Tai Chi, travel, especially to her mom's homeland of Portugal, and being with her family.

LINDA DECKER-Great Lakes Events

“Sights, Camera, Action…”
A Spotlight on Linda Decker, Great Lakes Events
Owner, Sr. Event Planner, Red Witch Pirate

Linda is originally from St. Paul, MN and developed her PR and production skills in Minneapolis. Since she’s had a radio voice since the age of 8, Linda’s college career led her to radio production, hosting a dance club show and voice-overs. Fortunately, the first PR proposal she wrote said yes so she continued to round out her PR skills with indie film, avid clubbing and concert going along the way. She graduated from the University of MN with a degree in English and helped write the grant to fund another radio station.

She’s proud of her work with Vamp Films (Minneapolis/LA) as writer, producer and actress in “Influence”. She cross-promoted with the Loosegroove Records’ posse (Seattle) on the “Chicago Cab” soundtrack during its film festival run.

To complement her creative background, Linda honed her business acumen as Project Manager with American Express NY and AXA Paris. Recently she’s been Event Manager for IMI (London/Chicago) and a writer for PR projects with US Tennis Open, Lowe’s, Martha Stewart and Eddie Bauer. She is currently improving her sailing skills and planning the next gourmet soiree and champagne pirate events coming to The Regal Red Witch and Tall Ship Windy this summer. She enjoys her stints as a volunteer for American Red Cross, 2030 Club and Chicago World Cup.

Linda is honored to be part of the Chicago sailing and event communities through Great Lakes Events and Lakeshore Maritime Collective.

Little known facts:
Has designed haunted houses and gothic sets since the age of 5
Completed a playful stint with Vincent Price’s Haunted Hayrides as writer, creative director and “Akasha: Queen of the Damned” for 3 years
Voice of WMMR Radio in Minneapolis
Red Witch Royale evolved from many of her trips to Paris
All of the above leads to being known as a professional pirate

JIM NEGRI

Jim Negri has recently relocated to Chicago from New York City. Most recently Jim was employed at Lifetime Television as the Post Production Scheduling Supervisor. Prior to that Jim was the Video Facilities Coordinator at American Express. During this time Jim also worked freelance for many award shows and large events such as The Tony Awards, The Daytime Emmys and a 4th of July Celebration at the U.S. Capital. For these events, Jim worked
with the talent department and the stage managers to ensure a smooth run for the programs. Jim is excited to be in Chicago and is currently seeking career opportunities in his new city.

Vicky Brago-Mitchell-Fractal Artist

Vicky Brago-Mitchell is an American fractal artist and a Stanford University coed elected student body president. She was born on September 30, 1946 in Yakima, Washington. Daughter of a Methodist minister, she grew up as Victoria Jane Bowles in small towns in Washington, Oregon and Montana. After graduating from high school she attended Stanford University as a scholarship student majoring in Spanish.

From 1970 to 1974 she toured the United States and Japan, then stayed in Japan for two years, working as a translator, photographer and English teacher. In 1977 she obtained a teaching credential from California State University, Fullerton, then worked as an elementary school teacher until 2005.

In 2002 she produced a CD of her husband composer John Mitchell’s chamber music for string instruments, recorded in Moscow, and in 2006 arranged the production of a double CD of his chamber music for woodwind instruments by MMC Recordings in Boston, featuring clarinetist Richard Stoltzman. In 2005 her fractal art appeared on the cover of Latin Finance magazine and was shown at the Biennale Internazionale dell’Arte Contemporanea in Florence, Italy.

We thank Vicky for allowing us to use this exciting view of Earth & Sky represented on our home page!