Marci Brand  •  President

In 1990, Marci founded Creative Marketing Concepts, Inc., an outsource marketing department for owners, developers and managers of apartment communities. The company soon became a “go to” resource for anyone needing marketing consulting, trouble shooting, training and marketing assistance (both print and digital). In 2020, Marci and her all female team of talented marketing warriors celebrated the company’s 30th anniversary by starting a division dedicated to assisting small to mid size businesses to grow and thrive, Creative Solutions CMC.

Passionate about helping women achieve their goals, Marci was named an Emerging Leader by the SBA and was nominated for the Forbes 50 over 50, celebrating women who have taken on new challenges and new directions after the age of 50.  In 2023, she was named to the Leadership Council of the National Small Business Association.

Patricia Livingston • Treasurer

Patricia is a Vice President of Business Development for Howard Bank where she manages the relationships of small to middle market businesses throughout Howard County.  She prides herself in providing a high level of personal service which is confirmed in the long relationships built with her clients, many of which she says, “have become like family”.  Her professional motto is:  “You don't just need a Bank, you need a Banker!"

Patricia has lived and worked in Howard County for almost 25 years along with her husband Glenn and 2 teenage sons, Bradley & Grant.  In her down time she enjoys cooking (and eating!), playing piano and guitar and gardening.  Patricia can be reached at plivingston@howardbank.com. 

Audra Whitlock • Secretary

Audra is a cabi Stylist. cabi is an innovative boutique fashion brand that brings style and beauty to women through personalized styling experiences. She works with women 1 to 1 or in small groups helping them find their perfect style within the cabi brand. She has a Bachelor’s from the University of Maryland, College Park in Fashion Merchandising and joined the cabi team in 2015.

She also works as Finance Manager for Frisco Tap House and Reckless Shepherd Brewing Company located in Columbia, MD. She has been a resident of Ellicott City for 17 years where she lives with her husband Keith. She has two sons, Sean who lives in Baltimore working for CMS and Chad who lives in Mountain View, CA working for Tesla. www.audrawhitelock.cabionline.com

Lana Wimberly-Bowman  •  Membership Co-chair

Lana is a Cruise Planners Travel Advisor & Agent. Lana prides herself in providing travel experiences that expands a client’s view of the world and all it has to offer! Her extensive travel experience and knowledge helps her provide personal service to her clients. Lana has traveled the world, Egypt, Israel, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Hungary, Austria, Monaco, Vatican, Morocco, Mexico, Aruba, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Canada, Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, and many other beautiful destinations. 

Committed to her community, she is a the chair of Andrews Federal Credit Union’s Service Quality Advisory Committee; a Board Member of Touch Stone Financial Wellness Services; and a financial mentor at Bridgeway Community Church

Ashlie Sowers  •  Membership Co-chair

Ashlie is a longtime resident of Howard County and is an alumni of the Howard County Public school system. Ashlie has been in the financial field for nearly a decade, and has held various roles with increasing levels of responsibility. Ashlie sits on several boards and committees in Howard County including Making Changes, Business Woman Network Membership Committee, Howard County Academy of Finance, Silas Craft Collegians, and Woman In Leadership. Ashlie is very active in the community and church. Ashlie specializes in First Time Home Buyers and covers the Ellicott City and Columbia SECU locations. In her free time Ashlie enjoys researching market trends, taking cooking classes, and traveling.

Katie Turner  •  Marketing & Communications Chair

Kate Turner is a marketing strategy consultant and fractional CMO based in Baltimore, Maryland. She brings nearly 20 years of experience working for top nonprofits, local healthcare companies, higher education institutions, and small businesses as a senior marketing and communications executive. With a laser focus on strategy, she helps clients stop random marketing tactics that waste time and money so they can start seeing real results. Offering a range of options to fit the needs of each client, Kate can help you manage your marketing, clear your to-do list, and connect and engage with your ideal customers.

Jenn Gruber  •  Programs 

Jenn Gruber, ACC, CPC, is a life coach specializing in transitions and family relationships. Jenn loves working with overwhelmed women who wish they had more time and energy to enjoy their lives and the people they love, helping them gain clarity on what they really want and need. She partners with them to create and implement realistic, achievable action plans, incorporating her expertise in communicating effectively and establishing healthy boundaries. Through her practice, Jenn Gruber Coaching, she enjoys providing one-on-one and group coaching, leading workshops and support groups, and facilitating conversations around sensitive topics. An astute listener who’s passionate about finding meaningful connection in both her personal and professional life, Jenn loves nothing more than long, leisurely, laughter-filled conversations with her husband and three young adult children - preferably over a great meal! To learn more, please visit www.jenngruber.com.

Carole Suser  •  Hospitality Co-chair

Carole Suser is a local publisher and market manager in Howard County. Her role includes partnering with the best businesses and services in the area, showcasing them and building their brands affinity with community. Her mission is to bring people together through a positive, relevant, family-friendly magazine. In Carole’s 30+ years as an entrepreneurial business owner she has opened new businesses from scratch and grown them to success.

Her success has been rewarded both financially and as recipient of numerous awards from contemporaries and community members. Knowing what it takes to start, nurture and grow your business is the key. Today Carole shares tips with her business partners helping them put the best marketing practices in place easily and effectively. Carole lives in Clarksville with her husband, daughter, two cats and dog Shasta. When she is not working, Carole enjoys the outdoors, taking Shasta on her doggie playdates and her role as chauffeur for her teen daughter.

Kristin Jarrell  •  Hospitality Co-chair

Kristin Jarrell is the owner of Moments Made Simple, an event planning, design, coordination, and creative event concierge specializing in personalized and custom experiences for business and social events.

She is based out of Ellicott City, Maryland and services the greater DMV area and beyond. Kristin is a certified Wedding and Event Planner and Designer through the Certified Wedding Planner Society. She has years of experience planning a diverse range of events including; meetings, conferences, sporting events, social events, weddings, and more. www.momentsmadesimple.com.

Alex Meeks  •  Member-at-Large

Alex Meeks is the owner and founder of Acorn Law, LLC, a boutique law practice dedicated to helping busy families get their affairs in order. As a former child advocate, Alex brings a family-focused attitude to estate planning and family law matters. Whether crafting the guardianship provisions in a will or hammering out the nitty-gritty details of a custody agreement, Acorn Law strives to help busy families create solid plans that put family first and keep them out of court. Alex is admitted to practice in Maryland and New York and Acorn Law has offices in both states.

Gaby Mace  •  Ambassador

Dr. Gabby Mace, DPT is a doctor of physical therapy and mobile physical therapist at Pioneer PT. Gabby is an avid hiker, runner, and loves outdoor activities. As an outdoor enthusiast herself, Gabby loves treating outdoor athletes and provides extensive knowledge of movement, injury prevention, individual workout/rehab plan to get her clients back to the activities they love. In addition to serving her clients as a physical therapist, Gabby is a coach and mentor to physical therapy students and has a podcast she started in grad school. Gabby currently lives in Laurel and loves all that Howard County has to offer.

Sue Bullock  •  Scholarship Chair

Sue Bullock is the owner of Celebrate Awards and Gifts in Ellicott City. She designs and creates recognition awards for organizations, schools, and local businesses, as well as personalized gifts for customers who want to celebrate special occasions. In 2019, Sue retired after 39 years of teaching high school in Howard County. While owning a business was never part of her plan, she is proud to stay connected with the community in a new way.

Sue has been a 4-H volunteer for nearly 30 years and presently serves on the Maryland 4-H Foundation Board of Directors.

Ruth Lamberty  •  Past-President

Ruth founded Adult Prep, LLC, a hands-on coaching and education firm, after nearly 2 decades of communications and engagement work for various entities. Ruth coaches in the areas of emotional wellness; career and management development; failure to launch; ADHD and executive functioning challenges, life balance and prioritization; teen development and life skills; academic success; family communication; and team facilitation.

Fueling her passion for the special needs community, Ruth teaches transitional classes for young adults with special needs. She also volunteers with several community organizations where she helps shape programs for team engagement, community building and self-focused initiatives. Ruth and her husband live in Baltimore city with their fur baby Dash and not far from their two young adult daughters. Learn more and reach out at www.adultprep.com.

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