Meet the Freelance Edge Panelists

First Breakout Session, Option A for new/aspiring freelancers:
"I've Got My Business Cards. Now What?": Finding Your First (and Second, and Third) Client

Mary Ellen Waszak (moderator)

Mary Ellen Waszak is the president of iWrite Publications Inc., a communications company in Chicago. Her company's ChicagoWriter Books imprint specializes in resources for writers and has published numerous Chicago-specific market guides, including A Guide to Chicagoland Magazines and A Guide to Writing Jobs in Chicago.

Diana Schneidman (panelist)

Diana Schneidman, freelance writer, editorial consultant, and founder of Stand Up 8 Times, helps unemployed and underemployed people who want to start earning money quickly as a freelancer or consultant.

Jennifer Murtoff (panelist)

Jen Murtoff is a bright and versatile freelance English/Spanish wordsmith with a wide range of interests and abilities.

First Breakout Session, Option B for experienced freelancers:
Innovative Marketing: Building on Your Success

Chris Benevich (moderator)

Chris Benevich, president of Panache Writing, Inc., highlights and substantiates what makes you different using Compelling Storytelling(SM) so your target audience can hear you *and* trust you.
(Photo courtesy of Ann Mehrman)

Christine Cupaiuolo (panelist)

Christine Cupaiuolo is a Chicago-based writer, editor, and consultant with a decade of online media experience. She currently covers women's health and politics for Our Bodies, Our Blog, writes for local and national publications, and helps nonprofit organizations figure out how to make the most of blogs and social media.

Kay Daly (panelist)

Kay Daly is a freelance writer, editor, and proofreader with special expertise in online copywriting and entertainment and education topics.

Second Breakout Session, Option A for new/aspiring freelancers:
Freelancing 101: Finance and Business Issues

Annie Logue (moderator)

Ann Logue is a freelance writer and consulting analyst who is fascinated by business and technology. She is the author of Socially Responsible Investing for Dummies (Wiley, 2009), Day Trading for Dummies (Wiley, 2007), and Hedge Funds for Dummies (Wiley, 2006), and has written for Alpha, Barron's, Newsweek Japan, and BusinessWeek Chicago, among other publications.

David Fisher (panelist)

David J.P. Fisher is the president of RockStar Consulting and a business coach who takes a whole-person approach to helping independent business people thrive.

Amy Keller (panelist)

Amy Keller is a Financial Advisor with Della Monica and Associates, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. With over ten years of experience as a fee-based advisor for Ameriprise Financial, she specializes in everything from retirement and tax planning to insurance and asset management.

Second Breakout Session, Option B for experienced freelancers:
Taking the Next Step: Growing Your Business

Maureen Glasoe (moderator)

Maureen Glasoe is a partner in The Glasoe Group, a design and editorial firm specializing in marketing communications for associations, nonprofits, and educational institutions.

Sheila Moyer (panelist)

Sheila Moyer is the founder of Out of the Blocks, a firm that provides business management services to small businesses. Out of the Blocks specializes in creating solutions to help small-business owners maximize their potential and gain more time, energy, and control over their business.

Linda Wolf (panelist)

Linda Wolf, owner of Network Publishing Partners in Glenview, works with freelance editors all over the country and has built a strong, dedicated team of editorial professionals with a reputation for quality and service.