Archive for August, 2009

I wanted to introduce this year’s speakers who have been so gracious to join us. 

Romi Lassally is the founder of the website Truuconfessions.com and author of TRUE MOM CONFESSIONS: Real Moms Get Real. She has created a new kind of online community- an environment that gives women essential things they couldn’t get elsewhere: the reassuring knowledge that none of us is doing it perfectly. Like other fellow mothers, Romi has been (and struggled with the complexities of) all of the acronyms mentioned in her site’s confessions: a SAHM (stay at home mom), a WOHM (working out of home mom), and is currently a SAHWM (a stay at home working mom).  Also like her fellow moms she often thinks the grass is greener on the other side of the mommy divide, but deep down she knows it’s not.

Prior to Truuconfessions, she was founding editor for the Lifestyles section of The Huffington Post. She has also worked as a freelance writer and contributing editor to several parenting magazines. Before her online life, Romi spent more than a decade in traditional media, working as an executive and a producer in the entertainment industry. Romi currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and her three children Phoebe, Annabel and Owen.

Theresa Gage Durham, President Media Maven Consulting. Theresa Durham is an executive with over 15 years of experience in media relations, advertising, marketing and sales management. She is the Founder and President of Media Maven Consulting, a firm specializing in sales and marketing strategies for start ups.

Previously, she has been in executive management for Live Nation and Clear Channel, and has sold advertising for the Disney media properties and Westwood One Broadcasting. Her expertise includes business strategy, P&L responsibility, and new business development in media and entertainment.

Theresa is a graduate of the University of North Texas and maintains her ties with her alma mater as an advisor for the Mayborn Graduate School of Journalism. She is currently Chairman of the Board of Step Up Women’s Network and a board member of Operation Hope. Theresa resides in Malibu with her husband and two children and spends much of her spare time in the Central American country of Nicaragua where she is developing an eco-friendly surf resort.

The theme of this year’s event is to inspire mentoring.  We hope to launch new relationships and spread some good karma. In looking for a qualified mentor – or if you are thinking about becoming one, here are some tips:

•  Finding the right fit. Ask someone whose skills are not too similar to yours; pick someone you can learn from. Skills can vary from being a good public speaker, communicating effectively, running good meetings, organization skills, networking, technical skills etc
• Clearly define relationship goals. When a mentee and mentor agree on a shared goal, decisions and actions will fall into place. Take into account what each person brings to the table and what you both bring to the relationship.
• Through respect you gain trust. Mentoring is building a relationship. Each person should respect one another. The mentee understands that their mentor is donating their time and experience to develop another person’s skills and potential. As the mentor is responsible and compassionate with their guidance.
• Open conversations are encouraged. The mentor is one who listens to whatever the mentee wants to talk about and in return the mentee is one with an open mind when listening to their mentor’s advice and opinion.
• Remember to give in return. The relationship between mentee and mentor is one that is mutually beneficial.

 Are you Mentor material?

• Do you want to increase your contributions to the industry/digital media and entertainment space?
• Are you looking for experience in leadership?

 Do you need a Mentor?

• Struggling with no leadership at your current job?
• Do you need someone to help guide you in your career?
• Looking to improve certain skill sets?

Mentoring can be either an informal or formal process.  What does it take to be a good mentor? Join other Divas discussing this topic on our Facebook Group

We hope to see you at this year’s Digital Diva Summit and wish you luck in finding your mentee/mentor.