Greater Phoenix's calendar of networking events, groups, seminars, and mixers

Gelie is the Founder of www.NetworkingPhoenix.com.

NetworkingPhoenix.com is Phoenix's one-stop-shop for professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners and anyone else looking to find networking events, chamber of commerce mixers, useful business seminars and leads clubs. The site posts a free consolidated calendar publicizing events hosted by various groups and organizations all over the city. The social media capabilities of the site also allow users to create a free business profile, connect with other members and post their own networking events, which make this calendar extremely unique and resourceful.

Prior to establishing NetworkingPhoenix.com, Gelie spent years building relationships and developing her communication skills in Arizona's academic, small-business, and corporate arenas. As a student, she served as president of ASU's Pi Sigma Epsilon organization – a nationwide professional marketing group. Upon graduating magna cum laude, she spent 2 years as a publicist at a local start-up and later took on developmental responsibilities. Next, Gelie spent 2 years improving and streamlining internal employee communications across continents and multiple lines-of-business in JPMorgan's global IT infrastructure group.

It was during her time at the investment bank that Gelie decided to cut her corporate career short and venture out on her own. In January 2008, she launched her website and began contracting independently for various local and national companies. Chief among them were the business incubator startup Lucky Napkin LLC (www.luckynapkin.com) and consumer oriented www.amilya.com. At that time, Gelie worked directly with the companies' founders and ultimately forged close relationships with two of them: Amilya Antonetti and Anthony Tesoriero – both extremely successful self-made entrepreneurs. They became her mentors, teaching her invaluable lessons and guiding Gelie through the critical early stages of her own entrepreneurship.

In October of 2008, Gelie decided to re-brand and re-launch her website as NetworkingPhoenix.com – this time the main focus would be on the already popular events calendar. Since that re-launch, her company's membership has grown to nearly 11,000 and has become Arizona's de facto one-stop-shop for professionals, entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to network.

In addition to running the website, Gelie trains others on how to network strategically, create a personal following, and effectively and deliberately employ the latest social media tools. She also does speaking engagements on the importance of having a strategy when engaging in face-to-face networking and the power of building and maintaining strategic relationships.

Obviously Gelie is no stranger to the art and power of networking, but her passion for the craft runs even deeper than her professional experience might suggest. In the late '80s, 8 year old Gelie (and family) immigrated to Arizona as Soviet refugees fleeing religious persecution. Because of the hardships of poverty, it was necessary for her to take on many adult roles at that young age. She quickly became the family's interface with the outside world – translating at doctor's appointments, dealing with landlords, and even setting up and coordinating her own schooling. Gelie learned how important it was to know the right people and have access to the right resources at a very young age and she carried this knowledge into adulthood.

Gelie is the recipient of NAWBO's Emerging Visionary 2010 Award; AZ magazine selected Gelie to be included on its 2009 list of 35 women entrepreneurs under 35 who are helping elevate Arizona's business community; She was elected to the Suns Nite Hoops charity organization board; And is also a SCORE counselor where she helps small business owners with networking.

Because of her all-out addiction to networking, Gelie has quite literally attended thousands of networking functions and built professional relationships with thousands of people who are now part of her personal network. It's not just her job to get to know you, it's her passion and she's looking forward to it!

You may have seen Jennifer Jackson, aka "JJ," around town networking, hosting events or raising money for local charities through Rock Me Arizona Events and/or Change 4 Kids AZ - both companies that she founded. With her strong entrepreneurial spirit, JJ has had many successful ventures while living in the Valley and she has now joined our team to help launch Networking Phoenix Charities; a new venture with NetworkingPhoenix.com where JJ will give local charities and non-profits a voice through the networking community.

Prior to establishing Rock Me Arizona and Change 4 Kids AZ, JJ held several successful positions that afforded her the opportunity to expand on her creativity, professional skills and explore what role she wanted to play in the world.

JJ is an established professional in many areas, she is a graduate of Florida State University where she was one of the first to receive her B.S. degree in Environmental Science in 1999. After graduating she worked as a research analyst for the Environmental Protection Agency before she was recruited by the FL Department of Environmental Protection where she worked on muliple research projects. It was during this time that she was introduced to broadcasting and began working part time at a local radio station where she received recognition and was offered to be a part of the nationally syndicated radio talk show, Kidd Kraddick in the Morning (Dallas, TX). There, JJ learned broadcasting journalism and on-air skills, event promotions, interviewing and media production, as well as, had the opportunity to network with nationally acclaimed artists. Following her passion for the arts she completed acting school in Dallas and with the blessings of the Kidd Kraddick show moved to LA where she worked as a professional actor, model and equestrian.

In 2003, JJ relocated to Phoenix AZ where she has enjoyed several successful ventures; as a professional equestrian and animal advocate she has rehabilitated over 50 injured or abused racehorses in Arizona and after completing mortgage broker training in 2004 she was recognized as one of the Top 1% of Arizona Women in Finance in 2005-2006.

In late November 2008, JJ put her entrepreneurial spirit to test. She created Rock Me Arizona, as an entertainment booking company for live music and DJs, which quickly evolved into an events company through client’s requests. Rock Me Arizona Events has been the host of networking happy hours, entertainment showcases, charity fundraisers and corporate events. JJ contributes most of her success to her outstanding mentors which span from coast to coast and her ability to reach out and network with successful individuals to overcome any challenge. "There’s never, 'no,' there are always "other options!", she exclaims.

Her latest venture, Change 4 Kids AZ, was introduced in 2009 when she was recruited by the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley to host a fundraising event. "When they came to me, they asked if I could help them put on an event because their donations had dropped due to the economy and they needed additional fundraisers." Instead of a single event, she offered them an entire fundraising campaign and "Change 4 Kids" was born. "It's amazing to be able to help an organization that's incredibly impactful to kids in our community; I’m thrilled to be a part of the solution." says JJ.

Recently, RMAZ has partnered with Get Image Ready to host the Phoenix Woman’s Magazine Photo Shoot and Model Search Series through 2011 which benefits multiple local charities. The signature event "Celebrity Catwalk for a Cause" was created by JJ and Rock Me Arizona Events will be hosting the first catwalk on October 3rd 2010 at Talking Stick Resort and Casino for their showroom grand opening.

Because of her fun, innovative and passionate spirit, you’ll find JJ at events across the valley, designing marketing campaigns, networking, on stage presenting, volunteering with a local charity or hanging with her beagle, Bella.

“I have two stand out rules I live by, “Rock out every chance you get” and “If you have the ability to make a difference, you also have the responsibility.” – Jennifer Jackson ( JJ )

Hannah is currently a Marketing Student at Arizona State University where she is a member of the Arizona State University chapter of the American Marketing Association. She hopes to learn a lot from her time at Networkingphoenix.com that will help her be successful.

Before joining networkingphoenix, Hannah held internship positions with various companies. She worked at Monster.com as a business to business intern where she learned about sales and sales management. After that summer internship Hannah took one with Massage Envy where she worked directly with the CMO and learned more of the number side of marketing. During the most recent summer Hannah held an internship at Spirit Advertising, a local ad agency in London, England. While there Hannah was able to experience not just marketing but public relations as well as international business.

Hannah is currently the president of the Italian Club and is working on her minor in the language. Hannah also speaks Spanish quite fluently and hopes to learn more languages in the years to come.

During her internship at NetworkingPhoenix.com, Hannah’s responsibilities will be to network, network and network! You’ll probably see her out and about at events, so make sure to say hello.