Women's Business Summit Athens

Madeline Rosa Velez

Madeline is a business consultant with the Athens office. She possesses over 20 years’ experience mentoring and serving others, with a dynamic background in financial management, insurance, banking, compliance, real estate, debt management, housing/credit counseling and business acumen. She is driven by her passion for the community and a genuine desire to build and mentor individuals, families, young and mature small businesses.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Madeline is fully bilingual in Spanish and English.

Tulu Kaifee

Tulu Kaifee is the Procurement and Finance Specialist at the UGA SBDC. She joined the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s Multicultural Business Division in October 2023 as a procurement and finance specialist. Tulu has spent over 20 years in the financial services industry with experience in the consumer, small business and commercial lending segments serving entrepreneurs across Georgia. Tulu’s passion to serve multicultural and underrepresented communities gives her a unique edge incorporating Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategies to attract and retain talent in a competitive environment.

Taylor Merritt

Taylor Is a multifaceted individual with a deep commitment to health, wellness, and leadership and service.  As a health and wellness specialist, Taylor has leveraged her unique experience and expertise to assist clients in performing higher in their personal life, while enhancing their professional performance in the workforce.  She channeled her background athletics and competing at higher levels towards assisting corporate businesses through various means, including consulting, implementing and improving the health and wellness of employees to elevate performance in their workspace.  She has become a valuable resource for business seeking to have healthier and happier employees

Rita Goodroe

Rita Goodroe is dedicated to helping individuals, teams, and organizations build stronger connections in an increasingly disconnected world so that they cultivate a sense of belonging, elevate community, and unlock success and fulfillment.

Kristen Morales

Kristen Morales is the marketing strategist for Georgia Artificial intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM), a federally funded initiative that works across the state to help manufacturers and workforce partners adopt AI and smart technologies. She leads branding, digital strategy, and statewide outreach for the program, working closely with experts at Georgia Tech and across Georgia’s technical college system. With a background in journalism and design, Kristen brings more than 20 years of experience translating complex ideas into clear, engaging communications. She is also pursuing a diploma in Construction Management and enjoys hands-on building projects in her spare time.

Nikki Tobias

Dr. Nikki is an educator, speaker, certified life coach, and founder of Grounded Vision. With her background in teaching, counseling, administration, crisis management, and nonprofit management, she is adept at helping people overcome life's obstacles. She is a direct communicator who is both fierce and vulnerable with her speaking audiences, coaching clients, and students.  Dr. Tobias is a lifelong learner, passionate and engaging speaker and workshop facilitator, and a lover of the enneagram.  

Denise Groves

Denise is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and an Advanced Certified Profit First Professional specializing in financial performance and cash flow management. She is a frequent speaker working toward her life legacy goal of improving others' financial intelligence.  A business founder, owner, and entrepreneur, Denise shares practical advice on business, personal and philanthropic improvements offering down-to-earth explanations with emphasis on consequences and sustainability. A seasoned Profit First Professionals coach, she frequently speaks on this organization cash flow technique based on Mike Michalowicz’s bestselling book called Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine. Additionally, her firm offers group training and one-to-one consulting helping organizations reach their financial goals including family- and women-owned businesses and nonprofits.
Denise’s accomplished career has spanned a wide array of industries and organizations, blending Big Four KPMG International Public Accounting, Fortune 500, entrepreneurial, philanthropic, and personal finances hand-on experiences. Denise is a graduate of nationally ranked Auburn University’s Harbert Business School with a BSBA in Accounting.  Denise, active in professional and community volunteer roles, comes highly recommended as a professional who guides others towards stable cash flow management and finances. Currently, she serves on the Georgia Society of CPAs Statewide Leadership Council, Auburn University Women’s Philanthropy Board Executive Committee and is a Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG) active member. Her husband and she live in the Newnan, GA area close to her Grandparent’s former farm. She is also a Master Gardener Extension Volunteer.  

Rosaria Meek

Dr. Rosaria Mangiavillano Meek, founder of The Oracle of Style, celebrates the intersection of beauty, confidence, identity, and empowerment. An Italian native with a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia, she channels her rich heritage and academic background into her style and executive presence coaching business, helping individuals transform through intentional self-expression. Outside of her work, Dr. Meek enjoys her roles as a soccer mom, embracing life’s vibrant moments with elegance and authenticity.