Category Archives: Members of the Year

Linda Graham Parnell has 6 years of experience with her current company but over 25 years of experience in her career in arts events and festivals, including the Women’s Arts International Festival, the first of its kind in the UK. She does a lot of freelance writing work. She has worked with authors around the world to help them with proofreading and editing.

She has her Masters in creative writing from Lancaster University, from 2006. She has worked with publishing in the past and really enjoyed it. She has done poetry readings before. She has published a book of poetry and has had several poems published in magazines.

In the next few years she would like to continue doing editing and proofreading work. She would also like to finish her second collection of poetry. She is looking forward to networking and connecting with other like-minded professionals and gaining the recognition and credibility of being a member.

Althea Bates has been the CEO and Founder of the Project Resiliency Movement for about 3 years and was previously the CEO and owner of another non profit called A Bates Consulting. Althea provides customized training for non profits and local municipalities around work force and development as well as coaching for non profits and individuals. She started the project as a result of doing a lot of soul searching for herself and she found that this was something that she could do to help others.

Althea is currently studying for her Doctoral degree in Public Service Leadership with a specialization in Non Profit Management Leadership from Cappella University and is expecting to graduate in the next 2 years. She also holds her Master’s degree in Human Services with a specialization in Organizational Management Leadership from Springfield College, which she received in 2008. Althea is a member of the National Organization of Human Service Professionals, the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals and the National Association of Professional Women. She has been published in Women Empowerment Magazine, Voyage Dallas Magazine, DSE magazine and Swag Her magazine. Frequently lauded for her work, Althea is the recipient of the 100 Women of Color award in 2015, the VIP Women of the Year award from the National Association of Professional Women, the Dynamic Women of Faith and Purpose award 2018, the i am free women empowerment award 2018, and the Women Empower Expo DC Honoree award in 2018.

Moving forward, Althea is looking to do more global marketing and business ventures and is interested in real estate investing and doing her own retail product line. When not engaged with work, she enjoys travel, reading and exploring other cultures and ideas.

Stella Maris Haefele is a Fashion Designer and Entrepreneurs she has been extremely passionate about her field and has been making headlines over the years. She is freelance and has her own company where she worlds with distributors and magazines worldwide.
work for designer labels, as part of in-house design teams for retail chains, and for clothing manufacturers. The heaviest concentration of designers is in London and the surrounding area.

Her average day includes producing concepts, making sketches by hand or on the computer, developing patterns, overseeing production, ad analyzing trends in fabrics, colors and shapes. She usually works in a studio and attend fashion shows, prediction fairs and exhibitions, as well as visit clients. Travel is often required, which she enjoys. She is looking forward to networking and connecting with other like-minded professionals, and to gaining the recognition and credibility of being a member.