Meeting/Event Information

Language is cultural and it evolves. Do you understand some of the new terminology? Are you conscious about what you say? Are you afraid of offending someone if you don’t use the correct words? Are you communicating with sensitivity and compassion?

Words Matter is a powerful 90-minute interactive panel discussion designed to confront the complexities and responsibilities of language in today’s world. As women business owners, the language you use can build bridges—or create barriers. And with new terms emerging every day, failing to keep up can mean losing trust, alienating customers, and missing out on potential partnerships.

Join us – bring your lunch – as we explore these topics:

• Words and Labels: Labels can empower, but they can also marginalize. Are you communicating in a way that fosters inclusion, or is your language outdated and exclusive?
• Unseen Disabilities: Anxiety, depression, and other disabilities often go unnoticed. Are you unknowingly leaving people out or failing to create a safe, supportive environment?
• Advocacy for the Voiceless: Language can be a tool for change, or a barrier that keeps the underserved silent. Are you using your platform to amplify the voices that need it most?

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the hidden weight of words and labels, and how to navigate them with precision.
• Learn actionable strategies to ensure that your business is seen as inclusive, supportive, and forward-thinking.
• Gain the confidence to engage with evolving language, helping you stay relevant and respected in an ever-changing market.

PRESENTERS:

PRESENTERS                          

Jolene A. Lane 
President and Founder
Equity Lane, LLC

Equity Lane, LLC, is a consulting practice focused on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility strategy, organizational belonging, and working with organizations and their leadership offering practical guidance in developing intercultural competence, work project improvement and organizational change. Jolene built her career in education and served previously as Vice President for Inclusion and Equity and Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Akron, as well as Senior Director for Diversity and Community Affairs at Teachers College, Columbia University. She has worked in higher education administration and as an elementary and secondary school principal, and in the non-profit sector specializing in college access, leadership development, and providing access and opportunity for first generation and underrepresented students.

Jolene studied mathematics and pre-med at Harvard University, earned a Master of Education from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education in Administration, Planning and Social Policy and is currently completing her doctoral dissertation from Teachers College, Columbia University in Adult Learning and Leadership. Jolene was honored in 2020 with the Athena Leadership Award.  She is a member of Leadership Akron Signature Class 35 and a Coach for Diversity on Board. Jolene serves on several non-profit boards including the Akron Urban League (Board Chair).

Amanda Cole
Executive Director
Plexus LGBT & Allied Chamber of Commerce

Amanda Cole champions inclusivity and economic empowerment for LGBTQ+ and allied professionals. With a distinguished background in fundraising, nonprofit management, and advocacy, Amanda has elevated Plexus into a leading force for positive change within the business community.

Under her leadership, Plexus cultivates partnerships that advance equality, dismantle barriers for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, and contribute to economic growth. As a sought-after speaker, Amanda imparts her expertise on diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging at conferences and through the Plexus Education Foundation's Business Inclusion Hub, a comprehensive training and educational program.

Amanda earned her undergraduate degree in Cultural Interdisciplinary Studies from Antioch College and a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Wright State University. She has been recognized on Crain's Power 150 lists in 2020 and 2022, and in 2024 she was featured in Cleveland Magazine's 500 list. Amanda strives to live by the Antioch motto: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."

Peggy Zone Fisher
Past President and CEO
The Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio

Peggy’s tenure spanned 18 years until her retirement in August 2024. She led the Center’s fundraising efforts and since 2006 raised over $16 million from events, major gifts, and grants. Under her leadership, the Center became established as a new independent nonprofit organization instead of a local chapter of the National Conference of Community and Justice, expanding its reach to 11 Northeast Ohio counties, serving over 7,000 students, educators, and professionals. Peggy also established SHIFT Consulting, the professional services division of the Center, which focuses on providing diversity, equity, and inclusion training to businesses, schools and nonprofit organizations. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Cleveland-Cuyahoga County Port Authority Board of Directors. Peggy is a graduate of The Ohio State University.

Among Peggy’s many honors are 2024 Community Leader of the Year Award, Cleveland Magazine; Cleveland 500, Cleveland Magazine; Notable Executive in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Crain’s Cleveland Business; Richard W. Pogue Award for Excellence in Community Leadership and Engagement, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation; YWCA Woman of Achievement Award; Appeal for Human Relations Distinguished Leadership Award, American Jewish Committee; and Progressive Woman Award, Smart Business Magazine. 

Jill Windelspecht
The Leaders’ Coach

Jill has helped leaders transform, grow and become the best version of themselves for over 25 years. She equips you with the tools and mindset needed to build your most effective, authentic leadership style, helping you “flip the script” on your inner critic. Here’s what it comes down to – what you think matters and impacts everything that you do. The problem is that most of our thinking is unconscious – almost 90%! As a Neuroplastician (aka Neuroscience Nerd), she helps you take charge of your thinking so that you can get the results you really want.

Jill is a Certified Coach with an emphasis in emotional intelligence and neuroscience. She is on the board of NAWBO NEO and serves on multiple committees. She is sought after for executive coaching, organization consulting, leadership workshops, and speaking. She helps leaders create high performing and engaged organizations, manage change, implement succession planning, build diverse and inclusive workplaces, and implement leadership development strategies. 

She holds a Masters in NeuroLeadership from the NeuroLeadership Institute, Masters in Organizational Management from Pfeiffer University and a BS in Psychology from Michigan State University.

Jenice Contreras
Executive Director
Northeast Ohio Hispanic Center for Economic Development

Jenice Contreras is an established leader in small business and community development, healthcare and nonprofit management. In her position, Jenice is responsible for the NEO Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Minority Business Assistance Center (MBAC), and community development. Under her leadership, the Center has ventured into the first real estate development of La Villa Hispana known as CentroVilla25 where she serves as Project Owner and a Co-developer. 

Jenice earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Capital University and an Executive Master of Business Administration from The Ohio State University, Fisher College of Business. She was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Magazine as a 2019 Woman of Note in Non-Profit and in 2018 as a Notable Woman in Real Estate. In 2018, she was awarded the YWCA Woman of Achievement and the 2017 Ohio Latino Affairs Commission’s Distinguished Hispanic Ohioan. 

Jenice was born in Puerto Rico, is bilingual, bicultural and is proud of her heritage.