Featured Member
Brie Ford
Wealth Advisor and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, Conquis Financial
As a wealth advisor and CFP® professional with Conquis Financial, Brie Ford offers financial planning and investment management designed to deliver clarity, confidence, and peace of mind for her clients’ financial futures. With her experience in cash flow, retirement planning, and investment management, she provides structured, personalized guidance rooted in her clients’ values and goals. What Brie loves most about being a wealth advisor is the human element of the work. Her passion lies in providing clarity and structure, ensuring that every client has a personalized roadmap tailored to their financial goals.
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Brie’s clients benefit because Brie is able to guide them through a process of defining their most meaningful life goals; she then strategically uses financial resources and tools—from investment accounts to tax strategies—to ensure their wealth is purposefully aligned with their future. She also specializes in simplifying complex financial topics and empowering her clients to make informed decisions about their future. Good referrals for Brie are individuals who are asking questions such as, “Can I retire?,” “Are my investments working hard enough?,” or “How much can I spend worry-free in retirement?”
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Through MDBW, Brie finds it rewarding to connect with other women who are focused on building their networks and driving their businesses forward. Brie also inspires other women in
the financial industry, which is historically male-dominated. Brie makes a proactive and strong effort to uplift and champion the women she works with. She says, “We need more voices at the table, and I am passionate about driving that necessary change.”
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Brie is currently training to offer pro bono financial planning through the Financial Planning Association (FPA) to those in the community who are in need.
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For Brie, life outside the office revolves around her husband and their two daughters, Clementine (9) and Nova (4), who keep her busy and thriving! To stay centered, she prioritizes her mental health by working out consistently. And when she can sneak away, she loves socializing with girlfriends and says that “Nothing beats connecting with friends.”
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Learn more about Brie Ford and Conquis by visiting the company’s website (https://conquis.com/) and connecting with Brie on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brie-ford-cfp%C2%AE-513185149/).
Past Featured Members
Anita Pereda
Founder and Owner, Anita Pereda Leadership Coaching
Anita Pereda Leadership Coaching helps leaders and organizations thrive through leadership coaching, keynote speaking, and holistic practices that support the whole person. Anita’s work blends results-driven strategies with mindfulness, yoga, and energy work to help people reduce stress, build resilience, lead with emotional intelligence, and show up authentically. Anita loves that her business allows her to bring together both strategy and soul. Seeing clients realize they can achieve results without sacrificing their well-being is the most rewarding part. And through speaking, she is able to amplify that message to larger audiences.
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Anita’s clients benefit by gaining practical tools to lead more effectively. Whether through coaching or speaking engagements, Anita gives leaders the skills to not just manage tasks, but to inspire people. Great referrals for Anita include HR leaders, business owners, associations, and event organizers looking for an engaging speaker on leadership, resilience, and emotional intelligence. She also works with women who want to deepen their impact and with young professionals stepping into leadership for the first time.
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Anita values her membership with MDBW because it has connected her with an inspiring network of women who support, challenge, and cheer each other on. She has built meaningful relationships, collaborated on opportunities, and gained visibility for my business. Anita inspires other women by showing that leadership doesn’t have to look one way. Through her coaching,
speaking, and writing, she encourages women to embrace resilience, emotional intelligence, and authenticity as powerful leadership assets.
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Anita gives back to her community by leading free or low-cost and no-cost workshops for nonprofits, teens, and women’s organizations. She also hosts meditation and wellness events that provide accessible tools for stress relief an
d well-being. Service is not separate from her business—it’s at the heart of it.
Outside of work, Anita loves being outdoors—walking her dogs, tending to her garden, hiking, and spending time with her family, especially her grandson and granddaughter. She also practices yoga and travels to recharge and gather inspiration.
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Learn more about Anita and Anita Pereda Leadership Coaching by visiting the company’s website (https://anitaperedaleadership.com/) and Anita’s LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-pereda-915676a9/),TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@anitapereda222), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/apleadershipcoaching/).
Barbara Irias
Partner, Pacemaking Group
If you are a business, organization, or individual seeking new leads and interested in increasing customer engagement, the custom websites built by Barbara Irias and her Placemaking Group team of designers, writers, ecommerce, and programming experts will help you to achieve these goals. From exceptional graphics and smart technology solutions, to surprising yet solid marketing strategies, your experience with Placemaking Group will be a positive and rewarding one. The websites and marketing programs Barbara and her team create generate interest, establish credibility, engage target audiences, and increase revenue and profits. The professionals at Placemaking Group treat each business they work with as though it is their own, so they are well-vested in the end results.
Placemaking Group serves clients primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area and works with a variety of industries including business-to-business, construction and real estate, governments, including city economic development departments, manufacturing and distribution, nonprofit organizations, and professional services.
Almost any business or individual is a potential referral for Barbara. Companies that have been a good referral source for Placemaking Group include IT professionals and other businesses such as CPAs, consultants, and sales trainers. Other great referral relationships have resulted from creative and multimedia professionals -- videographers, photographers, and designers.
Barbara joined Mt. Diablo Business Women (MDBW) a few years ago and has found that it has helped her to expand her network. She enjoys the fact that MDBW members have diverse backgrounds and experiences which helps to fuel new ideas.
As part of her work, Barbara has helped other women understand the need to wear many hats in the web/marketing agency world. She has offered internships to college students and helped young new hires to inspire success in their own future enterprises. She also actively gives back to the community and has volunteered at the Alameda Food Bank and Open Space Groups and has contributed to arts programs.
When not working, Barbara enjoys photography, painting, travel, and hiking with friends and family along with her Yorkie, Sophie.
Learn more about Barbara and the Placemaking Group by visiting the company’s website (https://placemakinggroup.com/) and its Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/placemakingWeb) and LinkedIn pages (https://www.linkedin.com/company/placemakinggroup/).
Dale Marie Golden
Vice President, Bridge Bank
Dale Marie is vice president at Bridge Bank, which provides financial services to companies “at every stage in their life cycle, from startup to IPO and beyond.” Dale Marie specializes in small businesses, nonprofits, and commercial lending. What she enjoys most is that “We are a relationship bank, not a transaction bank, so you know we truly care.”
Dale Marie’ clients benefit by gaining the ability to expand their services through best financial practices and credit products. Dale Marie says, “I am the silent partner in your business who will not be silent. After over 30 years in banking, I am happy to help take your business to the next level.” Good referrals for Dale Marie are nonprofit 501(c)(3)s, women-owned businesses, trust and estate lawyers, and fiduciaries.
Dale Marie is an active member of MDBW and enjoys being with other professional women each month. We all look forward to when Dale Marie introduces herself at our meetings: “Golden Like Your Money!” Dale inspires other women through her enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to her community.
Dale Marie has served her community for over 30 years, and her work is extraordinary. She says, “I am here to serve the community and to advocate for your business in this complicated financial world.” Because of this work, Dale Marie won the EBWIBR Trailblazer Award, was named one of the Eight Most Powerful Women in the East Bay, and won the League of Women Voters’ Making Democracy Work Award. She has been nominated three times for Best Person in Oakland by Oakland Magazine. And she is known in her community as the “Purple Lady” and “Mama Dale” because she takes care of everyone.
In her free time, Dale Marie loves to read and has been in the same book club for over 35 years. She also enjoys bringing orchids back to life, swimming, and being the event chair for two professional networking groups, BNI and ProVisors. She most enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and celebrating her mom and day. Family and giving back are her passions.
You can learn more about Dale Marie and connect with her on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalemariegolden/).
Pam Bayer
Owner and CEO, Bayer & Associates
Pam Bayer is owner and CEO of Bayer & Associates. Based in Concord, Bayer & Associates provides bookkeeping services for sole proprietors, partnerships, LLCs, S and C corporations, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, her firm provides tax services for individuals and small businesses. What Pam likes best about her business are the people connections. She finds the work she does to be quite fulfilling, and the client connections are what create a true trust relationship. Pam also notes that clients sometimes bring her plants as thank-you gifts, which she enjoys as well!
Pam’s clients benefit from her bookkeeping and tax services because she makes sure that her clients’ accounts are current. She reconciles all bank and credit card accounts, which ensures compliance with IRS rules and regulations, thus “keeping them out of hot water with the IRS.” Good referrals for Pam are business bankers, financial planners, and realtors.
Pam is a valued member of MDBW and serves as treasurer on our board of directors. Pam says that through her membership with MDBW, she has established connections with other professional women, giving and receiving referrals. Because she has been in business for 37 years, she is able to inspire other entrepreneurial women by showing them what is possible and by encouraging them to follow their own wisdom.
One way that Pam gives back to her community is by going to the homes of her elderly clients instead of their having to come to her office. In addition, at Christmas she solicits donations from her clients to give to Mary Kay’s Adopt A Grandparent program, which gives gifts to people living in convalescent homes.
In her free time, Pam is a member of a 120-voice choral group called Cantare Con Vivo, a nonprofit that serves the Alameda and Contra Costa County communities by “sharing the power and beauty of choral music through adult choirs, youth programs, and concert performances.” In addition, Pam takes vocal jazz classes and is part of a storytelling group. She also loves to travel, mostly out of the country, and enjoys hanging out with her family.
You can connect with Pam via LinkedIn
Shirley Roberson
Senior Associate Attorney, DLHA Law Group
Shirley Roberson is a business attorney with the DLHA Law Group, a firm based in Walnut Creek that is committed to serving its clients’ legal needs with empathy, experience, and expertise. Shirley assists clients with business formation, employment, operations, contracts, investor financing, and other legal matters so business owners can focus on their business, not legal issues.
What Shirley likes best about her profession is the variety of businesses she serves and the friendships she develops with her clients. From musicians to scientists and bankers to cosmetic companies, she has worked with them all. Her clients benefit because Shirley proactively does what is needed to prevent future litigation and costly lawsuits. That means ensuring that her clients have well-written employee handbooks, that their legal documents are in place, and that their intellectual property is protected from infringement.
A good referral for Shirley is any business that needs legal support. Privacy laws, AI, and similar issues can cause a lot of unexpected liability for business owners. It is her job to know the issues that are changing every day so that her clients stay compliant with legal matters.
As an MDBW member, Shirley most enjoys the friendships. She says, “The women in this group are an amazing collection of talents, personalities, and generosity. I've met the best in this community right here at MDBW.” She inspires other women in the legal field by being a mentor and role model. When she attends galas and fundraising events, she often takes young lawyers with her. She wants to show them how to participate in a community when you have the privilege of education, respect, and money that come with being an attorney.
Shirley gives back to her community by “showing up.” She notes, “Whether it is with my time, participation, or checkbook, I pick my battles and then dig in.”
In her free time, Shirley enjoys visiting with friends, traveling, scuba diving, reading, and yarn art.
You can learn more about the DLHA Law Group by visiting its website at. You can also connect with Shirley via Facebook and LinkedIn.
Maureen Wright
Executive Director, The Respite Inn
Maureen Wright serves as executive director of The Respite Inn, a nonprofit organization that provides short-term respite stays to adults with developmental disabilities. Maureen says, “These adults are guests at our bed-and-breakfast-style location in Concord, where they enjoy a wide range of fun activities, interact with other guests, and explore life away from home.” These respites also give their caretakers periodic breaks from their caretaking responsibilities.
Maureen has been with The Respite Inn, which opened in 1990, for over 33 years. What she likes most is seeing the sense of relief in family members as they get a chance to have long-awaited breaks for themselves. She also enjoys seeing their guests grow and express their unique abilities while being supported by specially trained staff. Guests at The Respite Inn benefit by having new experiences, forming friendships, and preparing for a more independent future. Their families, meanwhile, gain the gift of time away from caretaking to rest, rejuvenate, and attend to their own needs. Good referrals for Maureen are families who are providing care for loved ones who have developmental disabilities such as autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome.
Maureen enjoys being a member of MDBW, where she has “met incredible women who have many talents and have become long-lasting friends to myself and The Respite Inn.” Maureen is able to inspire other women through the passion and love she has for the work she does. Her ultimate goal is to inspire others to see the gifts and abilities people who have developmental disabilities possess.
Every day Maureen gives back to her community through her work with The Respite Inn, which has been able to keep its doors open for more than three decades due to the strong collaboration with agencies and social service groups in the community.
In her free time, Maureen and her husband enjoy spending time with their two dogs, going on long walks, going to Bay Area music venues, and spending time with their adult daughters as they carry out their passions of working with horses.
You can learn more about The Respite Inn by visiting its website.
Maggie Clark
Life Coach and Owner, Maggie Clark Consulting
As a life coach, Maggie Clark works with people who want to change and grow into who they are ultimately designed to be. Maggie describes it as a forward-thinking process: “Every growth spurt we explore opens doors to new wins, new joys, and new celebrations. There’s no end to this process. It’s exhilarating to learn about and ultimately discover who we are.” The discovery tool she uses the most is DISC, which stands for “Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness.” She loves sharing DISC’s full impact with clients, individually and in groups.
What Maggie likes most about her business is seeing people seek out and find transformation. In addition, she loves helping people change their lives by letting go of the old, embracing new visions, and stepping boldly into new ways of living. She observes her clients living with more freedom, as a result of forming better boundaries, exercising clearer thinking, learning how to effectively eliminate old ways, and moving forward with renewed perspectives. Good referrals for Maggie are individuals who recognize that it’s time for a change or time to grow.
Maggie enjoys being a member of MDBW because she loves meeting new people who welcome learning and growing. She says that she inspires other women by being a great encourager. She leads, facilitates, and mentors constantly. She says, “My superpower is recognizing gifts and potential in others and celebrating the process with them of gaining greater authority in the use of these gifts.”
Maggie believes that we are designed to serve others, and she does this by leading at her church and by giving generously to her church, to missions that serve children in impoverished areas, and to missions that work to end human slavery.
In her free time, Maggie loves to read and learn. Her current passion is listening to Pete Greig on Audible as she wanders about the Martinez Marina. She also loves having deep conversations with her friends and taking classes to learn more about specific areas.
You can learn more about Maggie Clark by connecting with her on Instagram.
Diane Wilcox
Project Manager, Executive & Personal Assistant
As a project manager and executive assistant, Diane Wilcox works with executives, teams, and households in the technical, financial, hospitality, and agricultural industry sectors. She serves clients on both an ongoing and seasonal basis, providing project, administrative, and personal support. Her focus is on assisting clients needing organization, research, process development, and customer care. Diane strives to imbue her work with efficiency, commitment, and a collaborative and supportive spirit. Her guiding principle is that no job is too small, too big, or too messy.
The customized solutions Diane provides to clients are based on over 30 years of experience in tech, event, and residential settings in the roles of production manager, project manager, and operations manager. Clients benefit from Diane’s extensive experience, her contacts across many industries, and her ability to set projects on a sound course regardless of scope. What Diane enjoys most about her business is the opportunity to listen, learn, and connect emotionally and practically with people from all walks of life. She also enjoys the daily challenges to create solutions.
As a member of MDBW, Diane says she relishes learning the stories and challenges of local businesswomen, and she highly values the advice, contacts, and resources she has gained from the group.
Diane gives back to the Contra Costa County community as a docent at John Muir Medical Center and as chair of The Wig Source, a free resource for women and girls facing hair loss due to illness or injury.
When not working, Diane’s favorite things to do are reading news and autobiographies, whale watching on Monterey Bay, collecting fountain pens, writing, and cooking. Diane is also an avid touring motorist—over 1 million miles driven!—and a member of the Mt. Diablo Porsche Club.
You can learn more about Diane by connecting with her on LinkedIn and by reading testimonials from her clients.
Zehra Murthy
Owner and Lead Scientist, Belfiore Herbal LLC
Zehra Murthy has a PhD in molecular biology and genetics. At the age of 70, after a 40-year
career as a research scientist, she turned her passion for science into a thriving business.
Belfiore Herbal LLC produces skincare products for the face, body, and hair. These products
contain vegan and botanical based ingredients derived from botanical sources, including
lavender, aloe vera, turmeric, sunflower and grapeseed oil, rosemary, marigold, oranges, and
carrots. Zehra’s products are purposefully designed with high amounts of vitamins and
antioxidants. She blends the right botanicals with science-backed formulas to create all-natural
ingredients that help the body synthesize healthy skin cells, reducing discoloration and wrinkles
for beautiful results.
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Zehra is proud that she is using her knowledge of science to create products that benefit
society. She loves to formulate and make personal care products that are free of synthetic
chemicals because she knows how harmful these chemicals can be. Good referrals for Zehra are
spas, salons, businesses that sell health products, and anyone who would like to have healthy
skin at the cellular level.
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Zehra enjoyed being a member of MDBW. Through our organization, she has learned marketing
skills, secured new clients, gotten more involved in the community, and made many excellent
friends. She is able to inspire other women by demonstrating that hard work, deep knowledge
about one’s business, and honesty can lead to success. And Zehra is proof that age is not factor;
women can follow their dreams at any age.
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One way that Zehra gives back is through her company’s Ghanian shea butter product. Belfiore
Herbal imports authentic Ghanaian shea butter directly from the markets of Accra, Ghana, from a collective of female farmers who harvest and process the product. Belfiore Herbal then
donates 20 percent of the profit back to the female farm collective. This income funds
educational opportunities in the farming village.
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In her free time, Zehra enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, and connecting with friends and
family.
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You can learn more about Zehra’s company by visiting its website. You can also connect with Zehra on Instagram and Facebook.
Gwen Holtan
Health and Nutrition Coach, Beyond the Box Nutrition
Gwen Holtan is a health and nutrition coach with Beyond the Box Nutrition, a health and
wellness coaching business that offers weight loss, health, and nutrition support for those who
want to improve their health.
Gwen loves helping people achieve their health goals, whether it's losing weight, navigating
hormonal changes, increasing one’s energy, managing high cholesterol or pre-diabetes, or
improving one's overall health and well-being. Her clients are located all over the world, from
Paris to Panama, and right here in the Bay Area. These clients get the comprehensive support,
education, and encouragement they need to develop sustainable habits so that they feel
empowered, confident, and healthy. Good referrals for Gwen are therapists, personal trainers,
healthcare providers, and med spas that are not specifically trained in nutrition.
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Soon after moving from Chicago to the Bay Area, Gwen joined MDBW. Through MDBW, Gwen
says, “I have met some interesting, smart, and inspiring women who have taught me things I
may have never learned, made me laugh when I was feeling down, referred people to work
with me, and shared job opportunities with me. I feel a deep sense of community and
camaraderie with the members of MDBW.” Other women are inspired by the fact that Gwen
started her own company at 53, proving that it's never too late to start something new or begin
again. She has shown other women that even when things get tough, there is always a solution
and a way to navigate the situation. As she says, “The power lies in how we react to a
situation.”
To give back to her community, Gwen volunteers for a senior service agency, A New Wrinkle,
located in Danville, where she helps seniors with their nutrition, exercise, and building healthy
habits for longevity.
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In her free time, Gwen is an avid CrossFit athlete, she loves cooking, and she is excited that she
will be taking an oil painting class this winter.
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You can learn more about Gwen’s company by visiting its website. You can also connect with Gwen on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Diane Salmon
Owner, Diane Salmon Writing & Consulting
Just months before the pandemic began, Diane retired from a corporate career that included product innovation, business line management, and advertising. She then founded her current business, Diane Salmon Writing & Consulting, which combines her strategic business experience with her love of writing. Her current work includes supporting nonprofits with their grant-writing and website content needs.
Diane helps her clients form a strategy and clearly communicate their ideas and information to their customers, business partners, grantors, or other decision-makers. Delivering results is what motivates Diane. She enjoys using words to organize, craft, and deliver projects, and feels especially rewarded when her work delivers top results for clients.
A good referral for Diane is someone who has a specific writing need, whether a one-time project or routine needs such as an email newsletter, an annual business plan, a grant application, or an RFP proposal.
Since joining MDBW in 2015, Diane has enjoyed the diversity, abundance of new ideas, positive spirit, and friendships gained from being a member. She serves on the MDBW board as its publicity chair, a role in which she is responsible for writing email messages and MDBW’s monthly newsletter. Diane believes every woman has a great story to tell. By helping women discover that story, and identifying and supporting their unique strengths and workstyles, she has inspired women to leverage the terrific things they have to offer in the workplace and in the community.
Diane also gives back to her community by serving on the advisory board of Yours Humanly, an education nonprofit, where one of her recent grants enabled funding of a two-year early literacy project in ten Title 1 schools.
In her free time, Diane can be found outdoors walking, running, hiking, and backpacking. She also loves reading and doing “just for fun” writing, which she sometimes pairs with her husband’s great photos.
Learn more about Diane by connecting with her on LinkedIn.​
Diane Kaplowitz
Producer/Broker, R.C. Fischer & Co. Insurance Brokers
Diane Kaplowitz is a producer and broker at R.C. Fischer & Co., a company that provides a
variety of insurance solutions to its clients. Diane and her team at R.C. Fischer have combined
experience of over 100 years in the insurance industry. Diane is a licensed broker in property,
casualty, life, and health insurance and is a subject matter expert in the insurance industry.
Diane’s favorite thing about her business is getting to know her clients on a personal level and
providing them with solutions to protect their assets. Unlike captive market insurance agents,
Diane has multiple carriers through which she can find the best options for excellent coverage
and competitive premiums for home, auto, and excess liability insurance. A good referral for
Diane is someone who is getting a nonrenewal notice from their current homeowners
insurance company or someone who would like a personal broker.
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Diane works in an industry that has been dominated by men. In fact, she is the first successful
female broker that RC Fischer & Co has had since its inception in 1939. Other women in the
insurance industry have told Diane that she has helped them become more confident when
speaking with clients and sharing their knowledge.
Diane is an active member of MDBW and has served as its hospitality chair and president and is
currently president elect. She finds the organization to be made up of friendly and encouraging
women and finds the meetings to be both informative and social.
As a way to give back to her community, this fall Diane and her husband will be opening their
home young children so that their parents can enjoy an evening out. Many of their young
friends do not have family members who live nearby, so on Friday evenings their children can
drop by for nutritious food and fun activities.
In her free time, you will find Diane in her garden, on a local trail, or on the golf course. She also
enjoys indoor activities such reading and crafting with mosaics.
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You can learn more about Diane’s company by visiting its website.