Jodi O’Donnell-Ames Jigna Rao

Susan Michel Cynthia Ricker

Jodi O'Donnell-Ames is a certified teacher, writer, member of Union Fire Co. and Rescue Squad and tireless advocate for Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). She is also the founder and Community Outreach Director of Hope Loves Company, a non-profit organization committed to providing educational and emotional support to children and young adults who have had or have a loved one battling ALS in their lives. She

lives with her husband Benton in Titusville, NJ. Their children, all young adults, have lost a parent to ALS before the age of 11. Jodi is the author of two books, “The Stars that Shine” and “Someone I Love has ALS.” She was chosen as People Magazine's "Hero Among Us” and is the recipient of many awards including the Russ Berrie Making a Difference Award, the AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) Founder’s Award, the TIAA Difference Maker Award, the New Jersey Governors Jefferson Award, the TCNJ Alumni Humanitarian Award and the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber’s Women ofAchievement Award. In addition, she was invited to give a Tedx talk on Leading a Life with Purpose.

Susan Michel is the founder and CEO of Glen Eagle, a full-service Registered Investment Advisor and Broker Dealer. Susan founded Glen Eagle in 2002 and it is a WBENC- Certified Women’s Business Enterprise. Today, under Susan’s guidance, Glen Eagle has grown to be a national financial services firm, serving clients in 32 states and supervises over $4 billion dollars in assets. She has been named one of NJBIZ’s Best 50 Women in Business and one of the

Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs and Business Owners of NJ. Susan is a graduate of the College of Saint Elizabeth and the Dartmouth Tuck School of Business WBENC Executive Program. Susan began her professional career as a teacher, drawing on this background Susan leads the firm in delivering an educational, holistic focus on helping clients reach their goals. Susan also believes it is important to give back to others through service. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of Board of Trustees of The Hun School of Princeton, as a Trustee Board member of the College of St. Elizabeth, as a board member of the NJ Chamber of Entrepreneur’s Organization amongst several other board roles.

Cynthia Ricker is a Vice President at Bryn Mawr Trust in Princeton. With over 25 years of banking experience, her career has been built on meeting the needs of retail, commercial and nonprofit clients. She works closely with families, business owners and organizations delivering very tailored solutions. Cindy is known as a true connector in the Princeton area with a passion of bringing likeminded people together to help solve their challenges and resolve

them quickly and expertly. A long time community leader, Cindy has served on the boards of many nonprofits, including Volunteer Connect, where she is currently Treasurer; Kidsbridge, where as President-elect she is preparing to lead the board through a strategic planning process; the YWCA of Princeton, where she served on the Nominating Committee; and Womanspace, where she chaired the Board. She has been a member of the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber for over 20 years. In 2009, the YWCA of Princeton honored Cindy with their Tribute to Women Award, which recognizes women whose substantial commitment to service have changed the Princeton community for the better. In 2013, Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Central and South Jersey honored Cindy as Volunteer of the Year.

Jigna Rao is Director at Center for Continuing Studies at Mercer County Community College where she oversees noncredit programs creating educational and professional pathways, while cultivating a community of learning, and advancing economic development. Jigna’s career spans education, government, healthcare, business, and nonprofit fields where she has used her leadership to influence growth, affect change, and engage audiences. Previously, Jigna led the Youth

Services Programs at Millhill Child and Family Development including the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment. Prior to this, Jigna served on NJ Governor Corzine’s staff as the Director of Drumthwacket. Jigna's passions go beyond her professional endeavors. In 2007, following a diagnosis of Pelvic Tuberculosis and infertility, Jigna learned such conditions carried huge stigma, particularly for women. She realized that she could make true impact by sharing her story publicly, since few survivors feel they can do so without fear of being socially isolated. Jigna’s commitment to human rights extends beyond TB. She also dedicates her efforts to domestic violence, minority health, and serves on various nonprofit boards and committees including Womanspace, and SKN Foundation.