Press Releases

Monique A. Honaman is named a "2011 Women's Business Enterprise Star" by Women's Business Enterprise National Council

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:50:23 -0600

Atlanta, GA, December 16, 2010 – Monique A. Honaman, CEO, ISHR Group will receive the nation's premier award for excellence among women's business enterprises (WBEs) bestowed by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) at its Annual Salute to Women's Business Enterprises, Wednesday, March 23, 2011, before 1,000 corporate executives, WBEs and government and nonprofit VIPs at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

ISHR Group provides global leadership assessment, development and coaching services. They are revolutionizing the concept of business coaching for multinational corporations and worked throughout North America, Brazil, UK, France, China, Tokyo and India in 2010. Specifically, their Guide Coachingä program instructs executives and their teams in results-oriented leadership development that will enhance and sustain performance. ISHR Group helps leaders to create an embedded culture of coaching, empowers employees in their own success, and lays the groundwork for continued employee engagement and alignment.

"Monique is a role model of innovation and drive for women's businesses everywhere," said Linda Denny, WBENC President and CEO, the leading advocate for and authority on WBEs as suppliers to the nation's top corporations.

“We are proud to receive this recognition by WBENC and thank the Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC) for their nomination,” said Monique.

Monique will be recognized for her leadership in the business community, her inspiration to other women business owners, and her active role at the helm of ISHR Group. The Greater Women’s Business Council (GWBC) selected Monique for this national honor. It is one of WBENC's 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) which process WBENC's world-class certification of WBEs, in addition to providing skill-building educational programs and business development opportunities with major corporations.

“We are excited and proud to have Monique represent GWBC as our Business Star. She exemplifies every day the characteristics of an excellent leader who is a successful business woman and who volunteers to support women’s organizations and other causes. Balancing this with her most important roles as a mother and wife translates to being a super woman that kryptonite can’t destroy,” said Roz Lewis, Executive Director, Greater Women’s Business Council. “It will be an honor to present Monique with the coveted Business Star Award at the annual WBENC Summit & Salute Awards Dinner, where hundreds of fortune 500 company representatives and women businesses will be in attendance.”

WBENC's Summit & Salute is part of a comprehensive two-day strategic educational program showcasing thought leaders and key business trends, and providing WBEs with vital access to WBENC Corporate Members. This year's sessions will include ways in which WBEs can expand their businesses in alliance with prime suppliers and other WBEs.

"The Summit & Salute illustrates why WBENC is The Opportunity Connection for women's business enterprises," Denny added. In delivering sophisticated resources and senior-level networking opportunities, WBENC enables the long-term success of women's businesses and the corporations they serve.

About WBENC: The Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the leading advocate for, and authority on, Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers and vendors to the nation's corporations. Founded in 1997, WBENC is also the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with over 10,000 WBENC-certified WBEs and WBENC certification accepted by more than 1,000 corporations, representing America’s most prestigious brands. Throughout the year, WBENC and its RPOs provide opportunities for interactions between more than 250 member corporations and certified WBEs at business building events and other forums. WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and programs. For more information, please go to www.wbenc.org.

Georgia SBDC Network Advisory Council (2009-2011

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:13:17 -0600

Ms. Stacey Key President and CEO GMSDC Atlanta, GA 30303	Ms. Lorra Lee Economic Development Corp. Gainesville, GA 30503
Ms. Marjorie Young CarriageTradePR.com Savannah, GA 31406	Mr. Randal Morris Georgia Pacific Corp. White Oak, GA 31568
Mr. Tony Bass Super Lawn Trucks, Inc. Fort Valley, GA 31030	The Honorable Sonny Perdue Governor, State of Georgia State Capitol Atlanta, GA 30334
Mr. Scott Blackstock Thomaston, GA 30286	Ms. Judy Randle Central Monitoring Albany, GA 31702
Mr. Darron Burnette Senior Vice President Sea Island Bank Statesboro, GA 30459	Ms. Sharon Roberts Buffalos Café Athens, GA 30606
Ms. Monique Honaman ISHR Group Suwanee, GA 30024	Ms. Mary Rodriguez Hilrod Group, Inc. Atlanta, GA 30342
Ms. Terri Denison District Director, Georgia District U.S. Small Business Administration	Mr. Jack Scherer Driving Profit LLC Johns Creek, GA 30097
Mr. John Fretti Mayor City of Valdosta	Mr. Mark Spaulding Spaulding Fine Men’s Wear Brunswick, GA 31520
Mr. Geoff Fulton Fulton & Kozak Accounting Morrow, GA 30260	Mr. Philip Wahl II Augusta City President First Citizens Bank Augusta, GA 30909
Senator Tim Golden Beacon Hill Financial, LLC Valdosta, GA 31602	Mr. Robin Sewell Worley The Sewell Companies Bremen, GA 30110
Senator Jack Hill Hill Shopping Center Reidsville, GA 30453

ISHR Group To Co-Sponsor Women's Business Enterprise National Conference And Business Fair

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:29:15 -0600

Washington, DC, May 1, 2008 -- The ISHR Group, a widely respected and industry acclaimed human resources assessment, development and consulting firm, and the parent company of Incite Strategies Inc. and the HROptIn.com online community of HR experts, will co-sponsor the nation’s largest conference and business fair for women this summer.

A one-of-a-kind event, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) conference is entitled "Women in Business 2008: The Power of Progress" and will be hosted in Atlanta, from June 23-26, 2008. Founded by WBENC, the leading advocate for and authority on women’s business enterprises as suppliers to corporations and government agencies, the event draws more than 2,500 women’s business enterprises (WBEs) and corporate procurement executives due to its success in generating business, building skills and expanding networks.

“The networking experience is an essential part of the outreach of Incite Strategies and HR OptIn,” stated Monique Dearth, president of the ISHR Group. Recent WBENC survey results showed that 96 percent of the attendees from the 2007 conference say that they established new business contacts there, 92 percent say they will attend again this year, and ninety percent will recommend it to others.

This year's distinguished keynote presenters include Bernice A. King, the youngest daughter of the late Coretta Scott King and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and author of Hard Questions, Heart Answers; Chin-Ning Chu author of the international best-selling books: Do Less, Achieve More; and Nancy Kramer, Founder and CEO of Resource Interactive.

Politics will be front and center ay this year's conference. In addition to an up-to-the-minute election update, a panel on Setting the Small Business Agenda, moderated by Barbara Kasoff, President of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). will address the role of women-owned businesses in the elections, the transition plan for a new Administration, and a discussion of the “Small Business Platform.”

The events will take place at The Georgia World Congress Center. More than 300 exhibitors, including procurement decision makers from the Fortune 500, are expected to participate.

"We are proud to be a co-sponsor of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)," said ISHR Group co-owner Stacy Sollenberger. "WBENC is the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, and the leading advocate of women’s business enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers to corporate America."

ISHR Group co-owner Ellen Dotts, commented that WBENC has developed several highly regarded initiatives for recognizing excellence in corporate supplier diversity targeting WBEs (America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises, The WBENC Applause Awards) and women’s business enterprises (WBENC’s Woman-Owned Business Stars). WBENCLink is an Internet database, accessed by WBENC corporate members and certified women's business enterprises (WBEs), which contains information on certified women's businesses for purchasing managers nationwide.

Recognized as one of Atlanta's most successful female executives, president Monique Dearth related, "The timing of this year's WBENC conference coincides with the launch of our new ISHR Group name and Website and parallels the fact that ISHR Group grew up in Atlanta and today services clients around the world."

The new ISHR Group online venue, located at http://www.ISHRGroup.com features variety of interactive features along with information on the group's iAdvance leadership assessment services, Leadership ROI seminars, HBDI workshops and the HR OptIn professional community and placement services.

For more information, please contact:

Monique Honaman, Stacy Sollenberger or Ellen Dotts
ISHR Group
5400 Laurel Springs Parkway, Suite 303
Suwanee, GA 30024
678.513.7661

Div100 National Recognition

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:24:00 -0600

Incite Strategies has received the Div100 award as one of the top 100 women-owned businesses in Georgia. Incite Strategies will be honored at an awards ceremony at the "8th Annual Multicultural Business Conference" taking place April 23 - 25, 2008 in Orlando.

Trailblazing Women Entrepreneurs Achieve Rapid Growth With Support from Make Mine a Million $ Business™ Program

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:16:30 -0600

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Make Mine a Million $ Business program, a national grassroots movement empowering women to grow their entrepreneurial ventures, today announced the names of its most prosperous members, those who grossed more than $1 million in annual revenue in 2007. The Million $ Business Club is currently made up of 29 women business owners who have benefited from mentoring, marketing assistance, a peer network, financing and technology tools provided by the program.

Launched in 2005 by Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources and business education for women entrepreneurs, and founding partner American Express OPEN®, Make Mine a Million $ Business is the only program dedicated to helping post start-up women entrepreneurs grow million-dollar firms. More than 48,000 women entrepreneurs from across the country have already joined the Make Mine a Million $ Business community and have made a pledge to build million-dollar enterprises.

From the steel and concrete of the construction industry in rural Maryland to the relaxing aroma and tranquility of airport spas, the Million $ Business Club represents flourishing businesses from a broad array of business sectors and every region of the country. One example is South African-born Claire Evans. Never one to shy away from an adventure, Claire left her homeland and comfortable office job when she moved to Florida and founded amaZulu, Inc., a supplier of natural and synthetic tropical-themed materials. Today, Claire’s million-dollar business services big name clients such as Disney, Sea World, and Outback Steak House.

“Women entrepreneurs are the real economic stimulus package,” said Nell Merlino, founder and president of Count Me In. “Women are starting businesses at almost twice the rate of men, and they are building bigger businesses than ever before. In celebrating the success of the Million $ Business Club we are recognizing the contributions women entrepreneurs are increasingly making to their regional and national economy.”

Today, less than 3% of women-owned businesses generate more than $1 million in revenues. If the program can reach its goal of inspiring one million women to the million-dollar revenue mark, that will translate to $700 million in revenue for the economy and create 4 million new jobs.

Another shining member of the Million $ Business Club is fashion-forward minded Bonnie Marcus of Westport, CT. While pregnant at home anxiously waiting the “big day”, Bonnie decided to start her own contemporary stationery company. Today, Bonnie Marcus & Co is available in more than 1,000 retail stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdales.

“As a mompreneuer it was always extremely difficult when I saw other moms bringing their children to the beach on sunny days. I thought that I was missing out on something, until all the other moms started asking me for jobs,” Bonnie said.

“If you truly want to grow your business, let go of the day-to-day tasks. Learn to delegate and trust your employees. You'll be amazed to find out you don't have to do it all,” said Garnett Newcombe, president of Human Potential Consultants, LLC, a job training and placement agency in California that crossed the million-dollar level in 2007. Garnett’s employment solutions company is the highest-grossing business in the Million $ Business Club with $5.7 million in 2007 revenue and $20 million more in contracts.

“A community of growth-focused women has limitless potential and these 29 women exemplify those possibilities,” said Susan Sobbott, president, American Express OPEN. “We believed in these women and provided them with the right combination of resources to enable growth. Now they can set their sight on $2 million, $5 million, and beyond.”

“As a woman entrepreneur, you have to surround yourself with people who believe in you. The Make Mine a Million $ Business community not only provides the support, but also the inspiration to reach our goals,” said Leah Brown, president and CEO of Aten Solutions, Inc., a million-dollar clinical trials staffing company.

At competitions held throughout the year in cities across the country, women business owners compete for the Make Mine a Million $ Business awards package of resources and access to business brilliance. Weekly phone conversations with a team of business coaches offer insights on how not to work harder, rather, how to work smarter - namely, to delegate responsibility to key employees and to trust them to do their jobs.

Twenty new businesses have already won in 2008 at events held in Los Angeles and Phoenix. More than 5,000 applications are expected for the remaining 2008 events in New Jersey, Washington, New Mexico, Ohio, Connecticut, North Carolina and Florida. Interested parties should refer to www.makemineamillion.org for more information. With a growing number of Make Mine a Million $ Business awardees – now at 122 – the Million $ Business Club will inevitably have more company in the coming year.

Major corporations including AIG, Dell, Cisco, FedEx, JetBlue and Marriott, have also joined the Make Mine a Million $ Business movement. They contribute to the awards package with products, services and discounts in the areas of financing, technology, shipping, travel/lodging, and insurance to help propel women over the $million mark.

The Million $ Business Club:

Awardees:

Tammy Adler of QWANtify, Inc. - Madison, WI-based IT consulting company (www.qwantify.com)

Maureen Borzacchiello of Creative Display Solutions, Inc. - Long Island, NY-based company specializing in trade show displays, graphics and event exhibits (www.creativedisplaysolutions.com)

Leah Brown of Aten Solutions, Inc. (A10) - Cary, NC-based national clinical trials staffing company (www.atensolutions.com)

Amelia Case of Universal Health Institute - Chicago, IL-based medical center that provides a unique combination of drug free, non-surgical traditional and alternative therapies (www.uhichicago.com)
Amelia Ceja of Ceja Vineyards - Napa, CA-based ultra-premium Latino family-owned winery (www.cejavineyards.com)

Sandy Corso of A Peaceful Company - Madison, CT-based on-line retailer of unique, high quality products for people who are conscious of living gently upon the earth (www.peacefulcompany.com)

Theresa Daytner of Daytner Construction Group - Mount Airy, MD-based commercial construction consulting group (www.daytnercorp.com)

Melinda Earl of StoneImpressions - San Diego, CA-based manufacturing company that makes decorative natural stone tile products (www.stoneimpressions.com)

Claire Evans of amaZulu, Inc. - Winter Garden, FL-based supplier of natural and synthetic tropical theming materials (www.amazuluinc.com)

Molly Fuller of Hands On Gourmet, LLC - San Francisco, CA-based cooking party company (www.handsongourmet.com)

Theresa Hinton of Comprehensive Consulting - Louisville, KY-based company that provides medical utilization review and medical case management (www.compreconsult.com)

Shaparak Kamarei and Marjaneh Hedayat of Solaris Laser Institute - Mission Viejo, CA-based laser-hair-removal business (www.solarislaserinstitute.com)

Lynne Lambert of Prak Productions, Inc. - Chappaqua, NY-based designer and distributor of NYC-themed products (www.nycsubwayline.com)

Fiona Macaulay of Making Cents International, Inc. - Washington, D.C.-based training and consulting firm (www.makingcents.com)

Bonnie Marcus of Bonnie Marcus & Co., a Westport, CT-based invitation and greeting card company specializing in chic, stylish greeting cards and invitations (www.bonniesstylepress.com)
Kimberly Martinez and Lisa Harrington of Bonitas International LLC - Englewood, FL-based manufacturer of beaded ID Lanyards, retractable badge reel jewelry and eyeglass holders (www.bonitasinternational.com)

Robin Moorad of Imago Associates - Berkeley, CA-based company that buys and resells used and refurbished commercial furnishings (www.imagoassociates.com)

Garnett Newcombe of Human Potential Consultants, L.L.C. - Carson, CA-based employment solutions company (www.hpcemployment.org)

Elizabeth Perelstein of School Choice International Inc. - Mamaroneck, NY-based global educational consulting firm working with families being relocated (www.schoolchoiceintl.com)

Bonnie Plotkin of 1st Class Bail Bonds, Inc. - Huntington Beach, CA-based business that provides bail bonds services throughout the United States (www.1stclassbailbonds.com)

Cynthia Rubio of Radiant RFID - Austin, TX-based provider of RFID solutions for tracking assets and people in emergencies (www.radiantrfid.com)

Gina Stern of d_parture spa - Newark, NJ-based business that runs three full service spas located in airport terminals (www.departurespa.com)

Dawn Stokes of Texas Driving Experience - Fort Worth, TX-based high performance driving school held at the Texas Motor Speedway (www.texasdrivingexperience.com)

Maribeth Vander Weele of Vander Weele Group, LLC - Chicago, IL-based professional services firm that provides investigative and security planning services (www.vanderweelegroup.com)

Sandi Webster and Peggy McHale of Consultants 2 Go, LLC - Newark, NJ-based consulting firm that provides marketing and analytic solutions to Fortune 500 companies (www.consultants2go.com)

Kris Wittenberg of SayNoMore! Promotions - Eagle, CO-based promotional products agency (www.saynomorepromotions.com)

Doreen Zayer of Relax On Cloud 9 - Staten Island, NY-based full service day spa (www.relaxoncloud9.com)

Finalists:

Maribel Araujo of Caracas Restaurant - New York City-based restaurant specializing in Venezuelan cuisine (www.caracasarepabar.com)

Monique Dearth of ISHR Group - Suanee, GA-based leadership development and placement services (www.ishrgroup.com)

About Count Me In

Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of business education and resources for women to grow their micro businesses to $million enterprises. Find us at www.countmein.org or call 212-245-1245.

About American Express OPEN

American Express OPEN is dedicated exclusively to the success of small business owners and their companies. OPEN supports business owners with exceptional service. With tailored products and services, the team delivers purchasing power, flexibility, control and rewards to help customers run their business. Specifically, business owner customers can leverage an enhanced set of products, tools, services and savings, including charge and credit cards, convenient access to working capital, robust online account management capabilities and savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners. To obtain more information about OPEN^SM, visit OPEN.com, or call 1-800-NOW-OPEN to apply for a card or loan. Terms and conditions apply.

American Express Company www.americanexpress.com is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.

HR OptIn launches to link high-caliber professionals with HR assignments

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:03:08 -0600

(ATLANTA) – Opting out wasn’t easy. Now, even with stellar credentials, opting back in has become increasingly more difficult for women who made the decision to leave their high-powered careers to focus on their families. According to the Harvard Business Review, “Only 38% of women graduating from Harvard Business School are working full time today and 93% of women who opted out wish to return to their careers.”

To help Human Resources (HR) professionals transition back into the workforce, the Atlanta-based HR firm of Incite Strategies has launched an interactive online headquarters called HR OptIn. This new enterprise matches professionals wishing to rejoin the workforce with organizations seeking part-time or temporary HR project managers. HR OptIn and its parent company, Incite Strategies, Inc., already has relationships with some of the nation’s premier HR departments at Fortune 1000 companies.

“Companies requiring support for an immediate human resources project will be able to take advantage of a pool of experienced women who will dive right in, make an impact, and add value without adding overhead and unnecessary costs,” said Monique Dearth, president of Incite Strategies and HR OptIn.

HR OptIn launched with two clients -- GE and Philips Medical Systems. Both clients are seeking ways to reduce overhead, quickly add highly qualified team members to short-term, high-profile projects, and bring fresh ideas to the table.

GE HR Manager Raghu Krishnamoorthy sees the benefit of having a pool of qualified talent available on short notice. “HR OptIn jumped in right away to provide two managers who facilitated a complete session at the last minute for us. They followed up with defining and managing a robust process,” said Krishnamoorthy. “Most of our employees did not even know they were dealing with external consultants. Everything was seamless.”

The Brain Drain

In 2004, the Center for Work-Life Policy sponsored a survey to investigate the role of women opting in and out of the workforce. The survey revealed that 37% of highly qualified women leave the work force voluntarily. Among women with children, that statistic rises to 43%. But child rearing is not the only reason for leaving. Seventeen percent of women opted out because their jobs were not satisfying or meaningful. Other reasons included rigid policies and glass ceilings.

An impressive 58% of all college graduates are now women and almost half of all professional and graduate degrees are earned by women, according to the Harvard Business Review. If 37% of these female graduates have left the workforce, then the business community has lost valuable human resources.

HR OptIn’s goals are to reverse the brain drain and raise those statistics by helping women prepare themselves to re-enter the workforce and to educate companies on how they can benefit from these opt-ins and accommodate their requirements.

The Balancing Act

Lisa Hart was on the fast track at GE working in a variety of high-profile HR roles before she opted out to start a family. A graduate of Siena College in New York and GE’s prestigious two-year HR Leadership Program, Ms. Hart put an admirable education and career on hold. Now, four children later, she wants to return to the career she once enjoyed while continuing to be engaged in family and volunteer activities.

Women like Lisa Hart are finding HR OptIn to be the perfect solution to balancing their careers with their busy personal lifestyles. “Through HR OptIn, I’m able to have it all,” said Ms. Hart, who has been assigned to lend a hand with the GE projects. “I am now contributing to the business world and to my family’s income in a way that meets the demands of my lifestyle.”

“Two forces in the HR industry led us to the creation of HR OptIn,” says Ms. Dearth. First, is the changing nature of human resources itself into a more dynamic and increasingly specialized, project-oriented set of challenges. Second, is the changing outlook of many HR professionals, including many women, who have sought a transition form full-time status to smart, flex-time positions balancing career and family. Opting in is also about giving back, and Ms. Dearth is committed to enriching the lives of women and children globally. Through the ‘Opting In/Giving Back’ program, HR OptIn provides a donation, in honor of each consultant who completes an assignment, to the charity of the consultant’s choice that supports women and children.

One of the on-ramps to opting in is through HR OptIn’s website, www.HROptIn.com. This state-of-the-art site features a virtual community of career experts, an interactive reading room, and blogging options. Ms. Dearth is one of four recipients of Enterprising Women magazine’s 2007 Enterprising Women of the Year Award. Profiled by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2004 as one of “40 of Atlanta’s Most Promising Young Stars under the Age 40,” Ms. Dearth has certainly lived up to the publication’s prediction. In addition to leading one of the fastest growing companies in Georgia, she also is a dynamic speaker on leadership development. Ms. Dearth holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan, a Masters of Labor and Industrial Relations with honors from Michigan State University, and a Juris Doctorate cum laude from Albany Law School. She is married with two children.

A global HR consulting firm based in Atlanta, GA, Incite Strategies focuses on building people capabilities through executive assessment and coaching, leadership training, and organizational strategy providing services to some of the most recognized names in the Fortune 100, including GE, The Home Depot, Earthlink, and Porsche Cars. Incite Strategies is certified as a Women Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

For more information, contact:
Monique A. Dearth
President
HR OptIn
5400 Laurel Springs Parkway, Suite 303
Suwanee, GA 30024
Phone: 678.513.7661
[email protected]
www.HROptIn.com
www.InciteStrategiesInc.com

Women's Careers Finding Web 2.0 Options at HR OptIn

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:00:58 -0600

February 12, 2007, Suwanee, Georgia --- You've heard about the new era that is
sweeping the World Wide Web? Dubbed Web 2.0, this online revolution is all about
sharing: be it a personal page at MySpace, a video on YouTube, a podcast or a blog.

Now, a Website called HR OptIn has brought the power of Web 2.0 to working women, or more specifically, to women who used to be working for some of the top organizations in America but who took time off to care for a child, a parent, or to raise a family.

HR OptIn was created to help talented women opt back in to their chosen profession by sharing ideas and knowledge at a virtual online HQ. In this case, the chosen profession is Human Resources or HR for short, a department you'll find at most mid-to-large size companies. HR OptIn, and its parent company, Atlanta-based Incite Strategies, Inc., already has relationships with some of the nation's premier HR departments at Fortune 1000 companies.

The HR OptIn Website serves as an on-ramp to flexible, project-oriented career
opportunity by employing the best practices of Web 2.0. First there is a Reading Room where community members can read articles written by their peers as well as create and upload their own stories and "Expert Guides." Each article or guide can be voted on by others -- thumbs up or thumbs down More than just one blog at HROptin.com, visitors can read several, a virtual community of experts whose ideas are channelled into a feed that site users can subscribe to. HR OptIn members can also share bookmarks to their favorite Web hot spots. Giving back to society, HR OptIn will also donate a portion of its revenues to the charities selected by the group.

HR Opt-In was founded by Monique A. Dearth, recently named one of the “2007
Enterprising Women of the Year” by Enterprising Women Magazine. In 2004, Monique was profiled by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of ‘’40 of Atlanta’s Most Promising Young Stars under age 40.” An HR wunderkind for GM and GE, Monique knows HR inside and out, online and off. So she knows HR OptIn is an idea whose time has come.

"Two forces in the HR industry led us to the creation of HR OptIn," she said. "First, is the changing nature of human resources itself into a more dynamic and increasingly specialized, project-oriented set of challenges. Second, is the changing outlook of many HR professionals, including many women, who have sought a transition from full-time status to smart, flex-time positions balancing career and family."

HR OptIn launched with two clients -- GE and Philips Medical Systems. Both
companies are seeking ways to reduce overhead, quickly add highly qualified team
members to short-term, high-profile projects, and bring fresh ideas to the table.
GE HR Manager Raghu Krishnamoorthy sees the benefit of having a pool of qualified talent available on short notice. “HR OptIn jumped in right away to provide two managers who facilitated a complete session at the last minute for us. Most of our employees did not even know they were dealing with external consultants. Everything was seamless.”

According to the Harvard Business Review, “Only 38% of women graduating from
Harvard Business School are working full time today and 93% of women who opted out wish to return to their careers.” HR OptIn members are quickly discovering the favorable options of serving America's top companies, not as full-time employees, but as independent HR consultants. That means going into business for themselves. At HR OptIn they are doing exactly that with the support of an entire community of women who share a decidedly Web 2.0 outlook. The Net result? See for yourself at www.HROptin.com where the career options are definitely looking up!

For more information, contact:
=======================
Monique A. Dearth
President
HR OptIn
5400 Laurel Springs Parkway, Suite 303
Suwanee, GA 30024
Phone: 678.513.7661

Georgia Entrepreneur receives Enterprising Woman of the Year Award

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 20:59:10 -0600

(ATLANTA) – Monique Dearth, president of Incite Strategies based in Suwanee, GA, is one of four
recipients of Enterprising Women magazine’s 2007 Enterprising Women of the Year Award. The
Enterprising Women of the Year Award honors the country's finest women entrepreneurs and their
remarkable success. The award also recognizes the winners as leaders who have mentored and given
back to other women in business and who have had a profound impact on their communities.
Award recipients will be honored at a gala dinner Friday, February 23, at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
& Spa in Lake Buena Vista, FL. “Ms. Dearth is an accomplished entrepreneur who has earned the
respect and admiration of her community,” said Monica Smiley, publisher and CEO of Enterprising
Women magazine. “This award is a testament to her remarkable accomplishments and we are proud to
see her honored for her success and business acumen.”
Ms. Dearth founded Incite Strategies in 1999. Over the past six years, the company has grown to a team
of 12 professionals bringing in revenues of nearly $1 million while providing services to some of the most
recognized names in the Fortune 100, including GE, The Home Depot, and Earthlink. Now a global
human resources consulting firm, Incite Strategies focuses on building people capabilities through
executive assessment and development, leadership training, and organizational strategy. For more
information, visit www.InciteStrategiesInc.com.
“I am extremely honored by this recognition,” said Ms. Dearth. “I look forward to helping other women
become successful entrepreneurs.”
Profiled by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2004 as one of “40 of Atlanta’s Most Promising Young Stars
under the Age 40,” Ms. Dearth has certainly lived up to the publication’s prediction. In addition to leading
one of the fastest growing companies in Georgia, she also is a dynamic speaker on leadership
development. In February, Ms. Dearth will launch a new company, HR OptIn, to provide opportunities for
experienced HR professionals who have opted out of the traditional workforce to opt back in and use their
HR skills to assist companies in need of flexible HR project management.
Ms. Dearth holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan, a Masters of Labor and Industrial
Relations with honors from Michigan State University, and a Juris Doctorate cum laude from Albany Law
School. She is married with two children.
Enterprising Women, headquartered in Cary, NC, is the nation’s only women-owned magazine published
exclusively for women business owners that chronicles the growing political, economic and social
influence and power of entrepreneurial women. For more information, please visit
http://www.enterprisingwomen.com or call 919-362-1551.