Marsha Firestone, Ph.D.
President & Founder, Women Presidents' Organization

Dr. Firestone is founder and president of the Women Presidents' Organization (WPO) for women whose businesses annually gross over two million dollars. The WPO is currently operating in 50 locations nationwide and in Canada. Prior to her involvement in women's economic development, she oversaw all operations and established educational direction as president of a for-profit educational institution. In 1998, Dr. Firestone was Executive Director of The Women's Economic Summit whose work resulted in a master plan for accelerating the growth of women's business and was presented to Congress and the public in March, 1999.

Dr. Firestone has published research on adult learning theory, nonverbal communication and managerial competency appearing in both business and educational journals, and The Busy Woman's Guide to Successful Self-Employment, an interactive, easy to read resource. She is the recipient of a special achievement award from Woman, Inc. of Jamaica, the Applause Award for breaking down barriers for women in business from WBENC and the Outstanding Alumna Award 2003 from Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University and the 2004 WMBE Outreach Award from the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. In March 2003, Dr. Firestone was appointed to the National Women's Business Council which reports to the President and Congress on issues of importance to women in business.

She earned a Master's degree in Communication from Teacher's College of New York, as well as a Ph.D. in Communication from Columbia University.