DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS SUPPORT THE RENOWNED RLF PROGRAM

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RLF’s facilitators, participants and each of the RLF programs throughout the U.S. are continuously supported by a capable group of dedicated professionals. These Program Support constituents bring together their knowledge, experience and diverse talents to provide a strong support infrastructure contributing to the current and future success of the famous RLF program. 

Margot Carleton is an IT executive with over 30 years of leadership at large and small companies, now dedicating herself to leadership coaching and growing the next generation of leaders. She spent 10 years as the VP/CIO at BAMSI, a large human service, non-profit. Prior to that, she spent 25 years working at Kendall/Tyco Healthcare/Covidien/Medtronic where she was VP responsible for applications and acquisition integrations. She’s on the Advisory Board for GrowHope Foundation and on the Board of SIM Boston. She graduated in 2009 from RLF and is currently a certified Leadership & Transition Coach.  Reach Margot at margotcarleton@gmail.com.

Debbie Carrothers is the Program Manager for RLF and has more than 20 years of public affairs experience focusing on government affairs, advocacy and community relations. She is skilled in project management, relationship building and strategic message development. Debbie is responsible for accounts receivable and payable for RLF, ensures a smooth registration process for RLF participants and works directly with RLF facilitators and leadership.  She holds a BA from the College of Charleston and a MA from George Mason University. Debbie can be reached ddelong@simnet.org 

Michael Garlich is a marketing / communications professional sharing the capabilities he honed while leading the successful marketing and communications strategies of major organizations during transformational expansion and change. His experience includes serving as the CMO / chief communications officer at one of Florida’s fastest-growing state colleges, as the VP of marketing and communications for Central Florida’s largest privately-held employer, and leading the marketing and communications areas for two divisions of The Kroger Co. – the largest supermarket chain in the United States. He is an alumnus of the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, where he earned his Bachelor of Journalism in Advertising. He is a longtime resident of Orlando, Florida and is actively involved in leadership and community activities in the Central Florida area.  Reach Michael at magarlich@gmail.com.

Mark Griesbaum is the Director of Marketing & Relationships for RLF and the Managing Partner at Affinity4U, LLC.  He is a former CIO / COO for higher education organizations with experience in overseeing marketing, admissions operations, instructional design, student management, information technology, and learning management systems for online-blended programs. Mark also has 20+ years of experience in the financial industry in Chicago during which his leadership was acknowledged by Computerworld Magazine as one of its "Premier 100 IT Leaders."   Reach Mark at mgriesbaum@affinity4ullc.com.

Joann Jackowiec has provided administrative support for all RLF and Executive RLF programs for more than 10 year. She supports the Directors in their day-to-day administration of RLF programs, assists the sales team staff and Facilitators in marketing all forums nationally, and supports each Facilitator with onboarding RLF participants and other activities in conducting each RLF program. Joanne is often the first point of contact for new participants since she handles all RLF and Executive RLF registrations as well as administrative preparations to start each forum. She takes care of participant questions throughout the year and prepares graduation materials at each Forum’s conclusion.  Prior to joining RLF, Joanne had many years of real estate and retail experience.  Joanne can be reached at  jjackowiec@simnet.org.

Sreesha Rao is Director of IT at Niagara Bottling LLC, responsible for Supply Chain Planning, Execution, Analytics & Distribution Technologies.  He has over two decades of IT leadership and management experience working closely with CIOs across consumer goods manufacturing and distribution, government and healthcare industries. He holds a MS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Marquette University, certifications in Leadership and Project Management, and has published manuscripts in peer-reviewed gait, biomechanics and rehabilitation research journals.  Sreesha lives in Southern California and enjoys professional networking, running, meditation and playing golf.  He is a proud 2019 Pacific Southwest RLF graduate.  

Lisa Harper is the West Coast Relationship Manager for RLF, assisting the Pacific Northwest RLF and the Pacific Southwest RLF programs in enrolling participants in these renowned programs.  

Lisa is active in the IT community and the greater Portland area. She currently serves on the Board of SIM’s Portland Chapter. She is a graduate of RLF and has been involved with marketing RLF since 2017.   Reach Lisa at lisadspezza@gmail.com.

Corky Valenti has 30-plus years of consulting and leadership experience in strategic communications, marketing and technical communications, and training design and development for technology organizations. He recently retired as senior leader of Operations communications for Asurion, the global leader in device protection and personal technology support. He was previously a VP at JPMorgan Chase, where he headed internal communications for Commercial Banking Risk. Before that, he was Assistant VP, IT Communications for Chubb Corporation, responsible for leading strategic internal and external communications and providing support for the Global CIO.  Corky became involved with RLF in 2004 and graduated from the program in 2007. He completed the Hartford LDR program in 2009 and received the Friend of RLF Award in 2012.  Reach Corky at  cjvalenti1995@yahoo.com.