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

Dr. Firestone is founder and president of the Women Presidents' Organization for women whose businesses annually gross over two million dollars. The Women Presidents' Organization is currently operating 80 chapters nationwide and in Canada. Dr. Firestone was previously Vice President of Women Incorporated and of Training and Counseling at the American Woman's Economic Development Corporation (AWED). 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. Her career also includes positions as National Executive Director of the Women's American ORT, a volunteer organization with a membership of over 150,000; a full-time faculty member of the American Management Association Competency-Based Management Development Program; and a faculty member at the City University of New York and Adelphi University.

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. A frequent guest speaker, her most recent presentations have been at Tulane University, Women's Jewelry Association, University of Syracuse, The Center for Women's Business Research Roundtable, and Unicul International in Tokyo, Japan. 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 Women's Business Enterprise National Council, The Hall of Fame Award from Enterprising Women, the Outstanding Alumna Award 2003 from Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University, and the 2004 WMBE Outreach Award from the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, and the Women Empowering Women Award from the Ohio WPO. From March 2003-2006, Dr. Firestone served on the National Women's Business Council, which reports to the President and Congress on issues of importance to women in business and was part of the official delegation to the Overseas Economic Development Council in Istanbul, Turkey.

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, where Margaret Mead sat on her dissertation committee. Dr. Firestone is also involved in numerous community activities including New York Women's Agenda, the Board of Advisors of the Women's Leadership Initiative at Harvard's Kennedy School, the Board of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, the Merrill Lynch Diversity Advisory Council, the American Express Open Network Advisory Council, Women's Jewelry Association's Advisory Board and the advisory councils of Women's Financial Network, the International Women's Forum and Enterprising Women. 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.