Name: Beauty + the Bias 2024 / All-Women Panel • Refreshments • Vendors
Start: 2023-05-04T17:00:00-05:00
End: 2023-05-04T19:30:00-05:00
Location: Iron Street Distillery

Beauty + the Bias / Women-Owned Business Shopping Event 2023
May 4, 2023
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Beauty + the Bias 2024 / All-Women Panel • Refreshments • Vendors
May 9, 2024
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

The grand finale of the AAFCM programming season is upon us! The 7th Annual Beauty & The Bias Panel is Thursday, May 9th, starting at 5 PM at Iron Street Distillery in St. Cloud.

In addition to the panel, our women-owned businesses market will be held. You can expect a night of female-focused fun and fantastic conversation, with a bit of shopping mixed in.

Beauty & The Bias was born out of the desire to amplify and empower the voices of businesswomen in our communities. When so often women must fight for a spot at the table, we’re making our own and inviting all of you. We know that shifting the perception of females in the workplace is a marathon, not a sprint, but we hope that by providing opportunities like this, we’re taking those first steps in the right direction.

Don’t let the name fool you, though. This event is open to everyone. In fact, we encourage people of all genders, walks of life, professions, and passions to join in on the conversation. We guarantee you’ll leave this event with more than you came with, and we don’t just mean the goodies from the market.

So, what’re you waiting for? Come support AAFCM, local business owners, and help us #breakthebias.

Event Details

Venue: Iron Street Distillery (539 E St Germain St Suite 101, St Cloud, MN 56304)
Date: Thursday, May 9th
Time: 5 PM to 6 PM Happy Hour, Socializing, + Shopping / 6 PM to 7 PM Panel + Discussion / 7 PM to 7:30 PM Shopping
Cost: Free! Please register below.

Panelists

NeTia Bauman

CEO + President of Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation

NeTia joined the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation in July 2023 as the new CEO & President. In this role, she leads the organizations’ mission to provide inclusive and equitable economic development efforts throughout the greater St. Cloud region. She believes in fostering an innovative, collaborative, and growth mindset to carry the GSDC’s mission forward.

NeTia is particularly skilled in business development and site selection and is passionate about entrepreneurship and downtown revitalization. She earned a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) designation from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in 2022. Other professional development accolades include being named a 2020 MN Compass Champion led by Wilder Research, a 2020 cohort of the reputable Blandin Community Leadership Program, and a current cohort in the 17th Anderson Center Executive Forum.

In prior years, Bauman served as the CEO for Greater Fergus Falls, Administrator for the Fergus Falls Downtown Riverfront Council, and held several positions during her time at the Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI) at North Dakota State University (NDSU). NeTia also serves on the Board of Directors for the St. Cloud Downtown Alliance and the Mayor’s Downtown Task Force.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking with her family, paddle boarding, and true crime.

Alison Jorgensen, MPS, LADC

Psychotherapist, Nystrom & Associates

Alison is a therapist at Nystrom & Associates in Sartell, Minn., specializing in outpatient therapy for adolescents and adults dealing with mental health disorders, grief, trauma, and substance use disorders. She received her Masters in Integrated Behavioral Health from the University of Minnesota in 2023.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Mass Comm and Journalism from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 2002. Prior to grad school, Alison spent 20 years in the marketing industry in people-forward roles focusing on creative content, buyer demographics, account management, and writing (and writing, and writing … and writing). Her first affinity has always been storytelling and the human experience, and her “second act” career focuses on just that.

Alison was involved in The American Advertising Federation from 2008-2021, serving in numerous capacities including president of AAFCM and governor of District 8. She currently serves on the District 8 foundation board. She is the recipient of the AAF’s Silver Medal Award achieved in 2021.

Meghan Kelsey

Owner of Second Street Coffee House

Meghan Kelsey is owner of Second Street Coffeehouse in Sartell as well as co-creator of The FELT group, a women’s entrepreneur support group motivating and encouraging female business owners to come together and operate under the ‘Collab vs Compete’ mentality.

When Meghan isn’t at her Coffeehouse working or meeting with other entrepreneurs, she is running her 3 kids between their 5 sports all while reminding women that life isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. She strives to show women “real life” situations while encouraging them all to realize social media shows a small window of their reality and working together is best for everyone!

Special Guest

Kelly Cane

Principal | Director of Marketing @ Moxie

As Moxie’s director of marketing and owner, Kelly will ensure your project goals are met and your expectations exceeded.

Kelly has 30 years of experience of helping businesses grow through smart marketing initiatives and has been recognized for her career accomplishments. She works within the team as a marketing strategist, account manager, and copywriter.

Kelly holds a master’s degree in public relations from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville and a bachelor’s degree in technical communication from Michigan Technological University.

Kelly lives in St. Cloud with her partner, Eddie and her sister, Susie; and children, Ryan and Maya, when home from college.