About

Alexia Vernon

Alexia Vernon is an inspirational career and workplace author, speaker, coach, trainer, and media personality who empowers people to build careers and companies that are successful, sustainable and full of soul. Alexia draws on her background as an actor and dancer to facilitate interactive, participant-centered learning opportunities for companies, colleges, professional associations, and community groups in such areas as CAREERpreneurship, intergenerational and values-driven leadership, coaching for managers, effective interpersonal communication and public speaking, and women’s empowerment. Each year Alexia reaches thousands of executives, managers, professionals, educators and students through her individual and group offerings. She has worked with a range of organizations including the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the New York City Department of Education (DOE), National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE), American Society for Training and Development (ASTD), International Executive Housekeepers Association (IEHA), Step Up Women’s Network, Net Impact, College Summit, the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, Women Entrepreneurs (WE) and such colleges as The City University of New York (CUNY)- multiple campuses, Wells College, St. John’s College, Manhattan College, Washington State University, West Virginia State University, DeVry University, College of Southern Nevada (CSN), and New Jersey City University.

Alexia has been featured on a range of media including CNN, NBC, the Wall Street Journal, CBS MoneyWatch, ABCNews.com, Forbes.com, CareerBuilder.com, TheGlassHammer.com and is a career and workplace expert for Mint.com and Careerealism.com. Alexia is also the creator of Step Into Your Moxie, a brand that includes individual coaching, workshops and beginning in 2012 a “Playground” and MasterTreat™, to empower women to speak with confidence, power and impact.

When Alexia is not launching people to their next level of professional success, you can find her on her yoga mat, devouring cupcakes, or playing professional matchmaker to the people in her network.

CAREERpreneur Featured Writers

Jodi Brockington
Business and Career Expert
Jodi has over fifteen years of experience in the nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors. Jodi is an entrepreneur, and serves as the principal of a full-service consulting company that provides marketing and business development services to individuals, nonprofits, small businesses, and corporations as well as career and college coaching for youth and professionals. She has been featured on the cover of The Network Journal and honored as one of the magazine’s “40 Under Forty.” She has also been recognized by the National Urban League as an Urban Influencer and a 2010 Young Gifted & Black Entrepreneur honoree. Jodi earned Master’s degrees from the University of Southern California in Social Work; from Baruch College in Public Affairs; and from the Hunter College School of Education. She completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA. Follow Jodi on Twitter: @FriendsofJodi.

Cher Hale
Nonprofit and Social Enterprise Expert
Cher is passionate about using business principles to create social change. Since her high school years, she has been interested in marketing, public relations, and the widening field of social enterprise. She is a nonprofit leader at a local Las Vegas 501(c)3 called Hero School. Currently, she attends the University of Nevada Las Vegas and is majoring in entrepreneurship. She writes for her blog CherHale.com where she encourages women to have an affair with social good and business savvy. You can follow her on Twitter: @CherHale. 

Jacquette M. Timmons
Financial and Investment Expert
Jacquette is the author of Financial Intimacy: How to Create a Healthy Relationship with Your Money and Your Mate. She is known for leading thought-provoking conversations about money, choices, relationships, and life. An investment expert and financial coach, Jacquette is the founder and CEO of Sterling Investment Management, an investment education and financial coaching firm. She has worked in the investment industry for twenty-four years, dedicating more than a decade to teaching intelligent people how to be smarter with their money. Her on-air television and radio appearances have included CNN’s “Your $$$$$” and “Your Bottom Line,” WNBC’s “Today in New York,” “Black Enterprise Business Report,” Fox TV’s “Good Day New York,” and NPR’s “Marketplace Money.” In print, she’s been featured or quoted in Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Wall Street Journal, Forbes.com, Real Simple, Essence and Heart and Soul. Jacquette holds an MBA in finance from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Business and a BS in marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology. Follow Jacquette on Twitter: @JacqMTimmons.

Shelley-Ann West
Technology and New Media Expert
Born and raised in Trinidad, Shelley is currently based in Brooklyn, NY. From an early age Shelley has been interested in technology, hence the direction her career has taken has not been a surprise. She started her career as a programmer but her creative side won out, and her decision to pursue a more creative path seemed inevitable. She has worked in design, education, and consulting.  Shelley holds a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Barry University and a Master of Professional Studies in Interactive Telecommunications from New York University. Shelley provides information architecture, interaction design, design strategy, training, and user research services for a variety of clients.  She has worked on such major brands as Sanofi-Aventis, Cephalon, Citibank, Nokia, Samsung, Pfizer, Novartis, Abbott Labs, IBM, GMAC, and American Express. Shelley enjoys reading, gardening, practicing yoga, drawing, dancing, photography, and learning new things. Follow Shelley on Twitter: @SAJWest.

CAREERpreneur Guest Writers

Andy Bellatti
Health and Wellness Expert
Andy is a Seattle-based whole-foods focused nutritionist. He is the creator of the Small Bites blog. He provides customized nutrition-based services and regularly writes and lectures on various aspects of wellness, health, and nutrition. He expects to take his Registered Dietitian exam next summer. His work has been featured in Oxygen, Today’s Dietitian, AOL Health, and MSNBC.com. Andy has an MS in nutrition studies from New York University. Follow Andy on Twitter: @AndyBellatti.

Malla Haridat
Business Start-Up Expert
Malla is the founder and CEO of New Designs for Life and a nationally recognized expert in the specialized field of entrepreneurship education who has trained over 1,000 students.  She has traveled extensively throughout the United States working in partnership with companies developing creative solutions for entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs.  A dynamic thinker, strategist, and speaker, Malla now works with a wide variety of organizations applying her creative talents to the challenges of business transformation. Her company was awarded the 2005 New York City Small Business Award of the Year by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Malla has been featured in publications like The New York Times, Inc.com, and on Martha Stewart Radio. Follow Malla on Twitter:@MallaHaridat.

Teri Leavens
Leadership Expert
Teri has navigated her career from the nonprofit to the corporate sector, working currently in business development at the global public relations firm Weber Shandwick. At the firm’s DC office, Teri works with multi-office teams helping to secure work with many of the world’s leading brands. Prior to Weber Shandwick, Teri worked as the community relations and development director for The Salvation Army spearheading all fundraising efforts for The Citadel Corps. She currently volunteers with the Business Council for Peace—work that speaks to her passions for leadership, international affairs, and third-world development. Teri is a Dale Carnegie graduate and holds a Master’s in global marketing communication and advertising from Emerson College in Boston. She served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer, has interned in Munich and London, and traveled to Fondwa, Haiti as a volunteer. Follow Teri on Twitter: @TeriLeavens.