Elevating Potential: Education, Mentorship, and Growth For All!
We’re excited to share our latest newsletter with you! Thanks to your generous support, “Elevating Potential: Education, Mentorship, and Growth For All” was a truly transformative event, providing attendees with tools, inspiration, and connections for future success.
Inside this newsletter, you’ll find highlights from the event, including speaker insights, attendee testimonials, and a look ahead at our upcoming projects. Please take a moment to read through and see the impact your partnership has made possible.
Thank you once again for your invaluable support. We look forward to continuing this journey with you!
HFDR Seminar Nov 2024 Newsletter
Join us for a time of professional development, empowerment, education, and inspiration as we explore strategies for personal growth, leadership, risk management, and breaking negative cycles to build thriving futures.
At Haven For Divine Restoration (HFDR), our mission is to create opportunities that empower individuals through education, mentorship, and community support.
Thanks to our incredible donors, sponsors, and partners, this event is FREE and open to everyone (ages 16+). Join us for food, raffles, and networking opportunities!
To help us manage room capacity, please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/elevating-potential-education-mentorship-and-growth-for-all-tickets-1035235586507
SPEAKERS
Mimi Smith-Philemon, HFDR President and Founder
Mimi witnessed the struggles of people facing injustice, often with no access to the support they needed. This fueled her passion to make a difference from a young age, leading to the creation of Haven for Divine Restoration, an organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged women and families. Mimi shared her vision with close friends Emily and Rejoice, who joined her in making this mission a reality. Mimi holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and a Master of Organizational Leadership with a focus on management from the University of Northwestern, St. Paul. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), ScrumMaster (CSM), ITIL-certified, and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (LSSGB). As an independent Consultant, Mimi is the President and Founder of Paragon One Data LLC, a consulting firm specializing in Project/Change Management and Organizational Excellence solutions.
Emily Ohakweh, HFDR Vice President
Emily Ohakwe is the Director of Business Development at BA Sciences, where she leverages her scientific background and business expertise to drive growth and innovation. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and a Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Emily’s passion for helping others extends beyond her professional role, as she is committed to making a positive impact in her community. With her strong relationship-building skills and strategic mindset, she is dedicated to empowering individuals and supporting initiatives that foster growth and development.
Rejoice Tarfa, HFDR Treasurer
Rejoice is deeply passionate about empowering survivors of abuse, guiding them to rediscover their strength and confidence. With a degree in Accounting and a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, specializing in Strategic Management, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role as Vice President in the Risk and Control space. Her extensive experience in financial services equips her with a strategic mindset and leadership skills, making her well-versed in risk management, resilience, and control systems. These strengths align perfectly with her seminar topic, where she will focus on how individuals can strategically manage life’s challenges, rebuild after adversity, and take control of their future with confidence.
Susanna Watson, Watson Inspired, Geneva, Illinois
Susanna is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with over 10 years of experience driving both small and large-scale initiatives. She specializes in problem-solving and continuous improvement, helping teams generate quick wins and deliver large-scale transformations. Her people-centered approach is rooted in culture and powered by data.
Susanna’s work spans healthcare, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and more. She has worked with industry leaders like Nielsen, Andersen Worldwide, and the North Michigan Avenue Association, and has been an independent consultant with Watson Inspired, Inc. since 2020. Her certifications and training include: Nielsen Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, 2018; certified ASQ Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, 2017; certified Scrum Master, Scrum Alliance, 2016; Nielsen Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, 2016; Nielsen Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, 2007; LaMarsh & Associates Managed Change Program 2005.
Susanna earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Illinois State University and has extensive professional experience working globally. Susanna has volunteered with SCORE since April 2021.
Website : https://watsoninspired.com
Durga Poosaa, IT Manager, Portfolio and Projects, Exelon
Durga is dedicated to fostering growth in others by leveraging her extensive experience in IT, Finance, strategic planning, and global operations. She’s known as the “IT Bulldog & Renaissance Woman” for her kindness, unwavering determination, and empathetic leadership driving consistent high-performance outcomes while nurturing collaborative and inclusive environments. She brings a unique blend of technical and interpersonal skills to her role as an IT Manager. A first-generation immigrant with an MBA and multiple certifications, including CAPM, PMP, CSM, SAP FICO, Tableau, and Six Sigma Green Belt, she is both candid and transparent. She volunteers her time to help others achieve PMP certification and actively mentors career aspirants, supporting their professional growth within and outside her organization.