Chatham University

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Learn. Grow. Connect. A Conference for Women in Business

Think Big

10th Annual Think Big Forum

#thinkbigcwe

time

cost

location

05:00 PM - 08:00 PM $45 General Admission
$25 Non-Chatham Student/Veteran
Free for Members!
Eddy Theatre
(campus map)

Speakers

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

"By Women, For Women: Celebrating 10 Years of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh"

The Center is celebrating our 10th anniversary of serving women entrepreneurs in the greater Pittsburgh region, and as a part of that celebration is highlighting women business owners in the Pittsburgh area who innovate for women in their products or services for our 10th Annual Think Big Forum: By Women, For Women, Celebrating 10 Years of Entrepreneurship in Pittsburgh. Join us for an evening celebrating the advancement of women entrepreneurs with the owners and founders of Blu Salt, Marinus Analytics, Nikki's Magic Wand, and Trusst Lingerie!

Event Agenda
5:00-6:00pm Networking Reception*
6:00-8:00pm Speaker Forum
*Light appetizers and refreshments will be provided at the Networking Reception

Cara Jones-Harries

Cara Jones-Harries

Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Marinus Analytics

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Mrs. Jones-Harries has 15 years of industry experience with high technology implementations. Her background includes successful practice of technology project management, software development and business entrepreneurship. Early in her career, Mrs. Jones worked as an engineer with the local robotics company, Aethon Inc. More recently, she served as senior consultant at Deloitte Consulting and was promoted to manager. Prior to launching Marinus Analytics, she worked as research staff at the Auton Lab within The Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University. Mrs. Jones-Harries holds a B.S. in Computer and Systems Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and an MBA from the Lally School of Management at RPI where she was a Herman Family Fellowship recipient.

Nicole Narvaez Manns

Nicole Narvaez Manns

Founder/Owner, Nikki's Magic Wand

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A native of Philadelphia, Nicole found her way to Pittsburgh to attend college. After graduating with a Business degree, she began her career in Affirmative Action Compliance. In 2009, while struggling to retrieve product from a recently purchased lip-gloss tube, Nicole decided to invent a device to assist with removing product from small tubes and containers. So began the journey to Nikki's Magic Wand and ultimately selling out on air on QVC in June 2015!

Rohini Shah

Rohini Shah

Founder, Blu Salt

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Rohini Shah is a citizen of the world who is both knowledgeable and passionate about minimalist, sophisticated design. Rohini Shah's extensive experience in the corporate world pushed her to re-examine her life and contemplate her purpose. With the good fortune of excellent training, a deep understanding of her market and a renewed sense of self, she founded Blu Salt on the audacious principles of “Mindful Production, Mindful Consumption.” She brings her minimalist aesthetic, commitment to excellence and sense of social responsibility to Blu Salt. She launched Blu Salt, designed in collaboration with a top West Coast designer, to make women’s accessories from sustainable materials and has them produced by curated manufacturers committed to the historic high standards of fine Asian craftsmanship. Rohini created Blu Salt’s beautifully smart products to be an embodiment of the peace that comes from deliberately choosing simplicity, and has partnered up with a non-profit to contribute a % of each sale to help destitute women in rural South Asia learn life and employment skills. Rohini graduated from the Yale School of Management and from the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad. She resides in Pittsburgh with her husband, 3 cats, 2 dogs and 1 son.

Sophia Berman

Sophia Berman

Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Trusst Lingerie

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Sophia Berman earned her BA in Industrial Design from Carnegie Mellon University in 2007, and has over 8 years of experience managing the design and manufacture of consumer products. Sophia began her career as an architectural designer at CH2M HILL, a global architectural engineering company with a focus on high-tech and industrial construction. Following, Sophia worked as Senior Designer at Lexicon Design, a consultancy focusing on soft goods, facilitating projects with both emerging entrepreneurs and internationally acclaimed clients from initial concept to manufacture. Before founding Trusst Lingerie, Sophia spent a year at Thermos LLC as a Product Manager, responsible for over 300 product lines in both domestic and international factories. She managed brand relationships, including Under Armour hydration, and also worked with the marketing, sales and logistics teams to help implement new product launches. Sophia is currently the CEO and co-founder of Trusst Lingerie, an emerging fashion and technology company currently building a patent-pending system of support for larger busted women. Trusst is a team of women focusing on creating products to enhance the quality of life for women across the globe.

Laura West

Laura West

Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer, Trusst Lingerie

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Laura West has 4 years of design, small scale production and large scale manufacturing experience. She graduated in 2013 from Carnegie Mellon University with a BA in Industrial Design and a concentration in business administration. Prior to founding Trusst Lingerie, she spent over 2 years working at a Pittsburgh based soft good design consultancy where she provided concept and schematic design, prototyping, line development, identity, industrial, packaging, and graphic design for various clients. She has worked in numerous industries including medical, promotional, fashion, travel, robotics and outdoors. She has designed and developed soft goods ensuring market requirements such as features, price, quality and overall desirability are met. She has planned and coordinated soft goods manufacturing process based on lean manufacturing; developing, evaluating and improving to meet customer price points. Laura is currently the Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Trusst Lingerie, heading up product development and manufacturing.