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Patricia Madison/Campfire

Camp Fire was founded in 1910 as Camp Fire Girls, this cherished Movement became Camp Fire USA in 1975 when they began to serve both boys and girls.  Today, the contemporary, coeducational Camp Fire is one of the nations’ leading not-for-profit youth development organizations, serving nearly three quarters of a million participants annually in the United States.   By design, Camp Fire programs are not only fun; they build specific skills and characteristics like self-direction, confidence, school preparedness and social responsibility. Programs include VPK, after-school and child care programs, family clubs, environmental day camps, abstinence program, service-learning and youth-driven leadership.

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Laurie Murphy/Emerald Coast Keeper
Executive Director

Laurie Murphy is the Executive Director and Coastkeeper of Emerald Coastkeeper, one of over 240 Waterkeeper Alliance members; a grassroots nonprofit organization that helps to enforce the Clean Water Act. Laurie has a B.S. degree in Oceanography and a Masters Certification in Geographical Information Science from the University of West Florida. Her background includes research and development in the effects of global climate change, including an in-depth study of the demise of mangrove forests in Senegal, Africa.   

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Kolleen Chesley / Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast

Founder / Co-Director

Kolleen Edwards Chesley is the Executive Director for Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast which is a networking group for women who meet twice a month with the purpose of growing themselves personally and professionally. Kolleen enjoys her various speaking engagements where she educates attendees on topics such as networking, referrals, and business building. Kolleen has the heart of a teacher and thru her endeavors both personally and professionally, she strives to build long-lasting and beneficial relationships with all she meets.  In addition, Kolleen is a Junior Advisor with Mainstay Financial Group and has worked in the financial services industry for more than 20 years.

Founded after Hurricane Ivan, Women’s Business Lunch (WBL) was organized by Kathleen Shoop, Natasha Parvey, and Kolleen Edwards Chesley to provide a venue for women in business to come and share ideas, information, networking contacts, etc to help each other be more successful in business.

In the Fall of 2013, the WBL reorganized and took on the name “Powerful Women of the Gulf Coast” and are a recognized not-for-profit organization.

Meeting information — Like clockwork, we meet for PWGC-Pensacola always on the 1st Friday of every month, always from 11:30-1:00pm, always at theGulf Coast Kid’s House on 12th Avenue. We also have PWGC-Gulf Breeze, always on the 3rd Friday of every month, always from 11:30-1:00pm, always at the Hampton Inn and Suites, Gulf Breeze. There is no charge to attend our meetings. They are WOMEN ONLY events, so feel free to grab a couple of girlfriends to bring with you and help share the WBL experience.

powerfulwomengulfcoast.com             The Magazine               FaceBook                  Annual Conference