Leadership
Leadership
Cheryl Aufdemberge
President
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Cheryl is passionate about digital marketing and in helping her clients grow their online presence. She has a decade or more of experience in the areas of website, blog and CRM administration, social media management, e-marketing, online research and event planning/onsite management. Cheryl is a lifelong learner and serves on several Boards and Committees for local nonprofit organizations.
Liz Botts
Vice President
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As a writer and designer, Liz loves collaborating with others to craft authentic stories and content in novel ways. With more than a decade of experience in marketing, design, and the arts, she pulls from a rich and diverse skill set to deliver engaging and thoughtful results, no matter the task at hand. A never-ending desire to grow, learn, and engage keeps her active within the KC community through volunteering and serving on local boards and committees.
Desiree Bosch
Secretary
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Desiree leads a Project Management agency, Congruent Connections, that offers consulting, conversations, training and coaching. She is an experienced educator and offers preparatory classes, Congruent Classroom, for professionals looking to gain certifications such as the CAPM, PMP. She is a host of a podcast, Congruent Conversations, for her guests to share stories and personal motivations behind the complex projects guiding our businesses. She is a relationship builder, Congruent Consulting, connecting people to organizations to support projects in roles such as project managers, scrum masters, business analysts, product manager, product owner experts. She has experience in financial services, health insurance and transportation industries and has certifications as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified Scrum Master (CSM).
Julie Cortés
Founder
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Julie Cortés is an award-winning freelance advertising/marketing copywriter and proofreader, who works in all mediums and most industries. Her client and account lists run the gamut, from ad agencies and design shops to corporations and small businesses. Cortés has dedicated her 20+ year career to helping other freelancers be successful as well. She is the founder of The Freelance Exchange of KC, an adjunct professor at the KC Art Institute where she created her own course, Freelancing 101, and a professional speaker and business coach targeting both freelancers and the people who hire them.Board of Directors
Jeanene Dunn
Communications Director
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Jeanene is a writer, editor, proofreader and communications consultant – and avid reader. Her professional experience includes corporate communications and marketing stints in the engineering, financial services, mortgage and healthcare (animal and human health) industries. She has also worked on the agency side as an employee and a freelancer providing copywriting, consulting and proofreading services. For the last 15 years, Jeanene has written, consulted and managed editorial for the Kansas City-based Our Health Matters magazine. In addition to being in service to the Freelance Exchange, Jeanene is a passionate advocate for her community through her work as vice-president of the Beacon Hill-McFeders Community Council and neighborhood representative for the Urban Neighborhood Initiative.
Jen Rarey
Marketing
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Jen is a creative director, graphic designer, and illustrator based in Kansas City. Her work encompasses brand-building, print and digital marketing, and product development. Clients include agencies and entrepreneurs, nonprofits, conservation-minded organizations like Ocean Matters and Hawaii Experiences, and beloved brands such as Hallmark, Garmin, and Coca-Cola. Jen has also built deep experience in animal health with Compassion-First Pet Hospitals, a leader in veterinary emergency and specialty medicine. Animals are her passion, and individuals and businesses looking to do good in the world are her kind of people. Outside of work, Jen’s curiosity and adventurous nature has led her to hobbies such as hiking, snowboarding, and scuba diving. She’s owned by a kitty and two Shiba Inu. All of these have led to good stories. Let’s chat!
Elizabeth Dunn-Hall
Membership
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Elizabeth was FX's very first Membership Director and she is excited to put her 25+ years of entrepreneurial experience to work! A Texas transplant, avid coffee lover, proud mother of two, survivor of divorce and a true creative visionary. Her passion and strategic ability to adapt to the client’s needs and create from the business owner’s shoes – whether by pixel or print – is phenomenal. Elizabeth is a dynamic communicator who will keep it real, make you laugh, empower you to soar to new heights and realize your strengths.
Matt Nichols
Outreach
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Matt Nichols celebrated his 16th year anniversary as a freelance photographer in July, and has been creating dynamic images for over 22 years. Specializing in commercial and fashion photography. Matt works out of his custom-built 3000 square foot studio in the old Italian neighborhood of Columbus Park in downtown Kansas City, MO. Matt believes in "No BIG egos, just BIG pictures."
Byron Ginsburg
Podcast
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Byron provides content creation and consulting services to clients ranging from trash hauling to wealth management. He crafts stories and messaging that are clear, meaningful and memorable. Byron avoids jargon and loathes content that smacks of insincerity. As FX Program Director, Byron has planned dozens of events to help attendees advance their skills and business practices. He is an avid podcast listener and has mentored aspiring entrepreneurs at UMKC’s Bloch School of Management for nearly 10 years. Connect with Byron at www.ByronGinsburg.com.
Victoria Pena
Programs
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With a passion to empower audiences through creative storytelling, travel, and adventures, I have been sharing my journey around the world since 2012. I have written, directed and produced content and digital media for a variety of brands and industries, from non-profits to celebrities and influencers. Creative strategy is truly a passion and I've developed a proven track record of designing high-quality, engaging, audience-appropriate stories that are aligned with brand and business goals. I believe there is an art to bringing together the right internal and external resources to create and leverage a community.
Hamama Bushra
Social
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Hamama Bushra is an enthusiastic traditional illustrator and graphic designer, who enjoys the unique hands-on process that analog offers. She also makes a mean cup of tea. She plans all the coffee meet-ups and the happy hours that members and non-members alike can enjoy.
Laura Williams
Social Media
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Laura is a marketing freelancer who provides data-driven, creative digital and traditional marketing services, partnering with businesses to fill the gaps in their marketing strategy so they can meet their marketing goals and grow their business. Her services include social media marketing, SEO, content marketing, email marketing, PPC, media relations, print design, website creation and marketing automation. Keeping abreast of the latest marketing strategies, and testing and adjusting marketing messages and channels that compel consumers to act are ongoing challenges that she loves! She’s thankful for the opportunity to help businesses tell their stories. Reach out to Laura at [email protected].
Shelley Klein
Special Events
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Shelley has over 10 years of experience in Association Management and Event Planning. She has worked with many associations in a wide range of industries including payroll providers, accounting, corporate sales training, marketing, and engineering. In 2015 she started Klein Management Services with the goal of providing event and meeting planning for associations and small businesses. From small after-hours events and dinners to golf tournaments and national conferences, Shelley has built a reputation for being detailed oriented and delivering events on time and on budget. Her current clients include the Great Plains Chapter of the National Environmental Balancing Bureau (NEBB) and the Midwest Chapter of the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE).