The Women’s Finance Exchange – Houston prides itself in providing an exciting line-up of programs, workshops and special events designed to educate, develop and intrigue our members and their guests, as well as have a great deal of fun. We hope you will add our events to your calendar and plan to join us! And if you pre-pay for the year, you’ll enjoy not only a significant discount, but also the chance to participate in several exclusive members-only events.
All event sales are final.
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For our February meeting we have invited Haley Dunn with Culture Index to present. Culture Index is a tool used to better understand organizational culture, training needs and how people prefer to be managed and communicated with. This assessment will give you insight on your natural strengths, communication styles, and motivators, all key to improving collaboration and performance across our organizations. In order to get value from this interactive presentation we ask that you set aside 7-10 minutes, during which you will have no interruptions or distractions, and simply follow the instructions to complete the brief two question word survey. This is not a test: no passing or failing.
Please complete the survey by Monday, February 16th
https://surveys.cultureindex.com/s/6CM5KtF2mG/59753
Haley Dunn:
My journey is a testament to ambition, extraordinary talent, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence. Rising to the US Olympic Shooting Team transcended mere athletic achievement; it reflected a deeper philosophy marked by relentless ambition and determination. Yet, my aspirations extend beyond Olympic success. Motivated by a belief in the unique talents inherent in individuals, I embarked on a new professional journey.
With an MBA in hand, I found my calling with the Culture Index—a platform that aligns with my fundamental belief in identifying and nurturing natural talent for personal and corporate advancement. Within Culture Index, I exemplify how a blend of competitive drive and visionary thinking leads to extraordinary results. I guide organizations in unlocking their teams' potential for unparalleled performance.
My narrative is a demonstration of how competitive prowess, coupled with dedication to uplifting others, can have a profound impact. Transitioning from Olympic shooting to a leader in business and personal development, I deliver a resonant message: resilience, passion, and belief in each person's potential are crucial. In my role at Culture Index, I am at the forefront of creating a future where unique talents are recognized, celebrated, and fully utilized for excellence, inspiring others to strive for their best.
Working with owner/operators and C-level managers, I address challenges in employee performance by understanding what drives their people—motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. As a Culture Index Licensee and Professional Speaker, I help manage talent to align with company goals, implementing consistent benchmarks for all positions, employees, and prospective candidates. Ultimately, I assist in increasing the ROI of the payroll expense.
Julie Jones:
Julie Jones is a Dallas-based business protocol and etiquette expert, sought-after public speaker, corporate trainer, and educator. She is certified by the Protocol School of Washington®, a nationally accredited institution. Julie is a 15-year veteran in the field of education as well as an entrepreneur, building a plumbing company from the ground floor to selling it in 2021.
Throughout her years in education and business, she realized the crucial need for developing soft skills, which are not the primary focus of our educational system. She believes that in today’s competitive world, success requires more than education and determination; it necessitates understanding the importance of developing strong personal and professional relationships.
Patty Zesut:
Founder of Exemplary Travel Advisors, a premier luxury travel agency, and The Woodlands Travel Club, a vibrant community for upscale group travel experiences.
I help busy professionals escape the overwhelm of vacation planning with highly personalized, stress-free luxury journeys—think European river cruises, boutique ocean voyages, and custom global itineraries—crafted with care, insight, and five-star service.
💼 Former attorney & Naval officer | 🎨 Creative spirit | 🧭 Strategic planner with a heart for hospitality
Amanda Pierson, Founder of Heights Law Group, PLLC:
In June of 2014, Amanda was studying for the bar when her dad unexpectedly passed away. Amanda was confronted with grief, shock and death in a way she had never experienced before. She felt entirely overwhelmed, with little capacity to handle the administrative headache that accompanied her father’s death and the probate process. Amanda didn’t know where to begin, and worse, she realized there was so much she didn’t know about her dad and his wishes. Now it was too late to ask him where he held his accounts. Too late to have him jot down the pin numbers, passwords, and other information that would make administering his estate so much more manageable. Too late to talk to him about what he would have wanted at his funeral and for his family as they moved forward.
Once the initial fog of losing her dad had passed, Amanda decided to use her personal experience with loss to help others going through the same thing. On the probate side, Amanda understands that grieving families need more than legal services. These families need someone who can take as much stress off their plate as possible and give them the relief in knowing their loved one’s wishes have been respected and their estate has been handled correctly.
On the estate planning side, Amanda realizes that a well-planned estate can mitigate a lot of the burdens families face when they lose someone they love. Amanda believes her clients deserve a plan that goes beyond the legal documents and ties up both legal and non-legal loose ends in order to give her clients’ families a path forward through their grief. Amanda wishes she could have done things differently before her dad died, and wants to be sure her clients do not leave their family members feeling the same way. With a husband and young kids of her own, Amanda helps her clients create estate plans that do not just transfer assets- the wills and trusts Amanda creates take a load off the survivors, prevent familial conflict, and protect future generations. Whether you need a will, a trust, or a vehicle to protect your assets, Amanda can prepare a customized plan that will help you achieve your goals. Amanda enjoys counseling her clients on how to use their estate plan to protect their legacy and provide for loved ones in the event of death or incapacity.
Amanda graduated from the University of Texas School of Law in 2014. During law school, Amanda served as an associate editor of the Texas Law Review and graduated with honors.
Amanda is committed to her husband Gene (a great Intellectual Property lawyer) and raising her two young boys.
Kaki Perdue, CPA, CFP® Founder of Look Both Ways Financial:
I am Kaki Perdue, an advice-only financial planner. I help individuals and families chart their path to financial independence (FI) as DIY investors. As a CPA and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, I specialize in comprehensive financial plan development, year-round tax planning, and personalized financial education. My Dad taught me drivers ed. He would say “when the light turns green, you still need to look both ways”. That sound advice applies to our financial lives as well! Let’s work together to build clarity and confidence in financial decisions as we Look Both Ways.
I didn’t start in financial planning, so I think about things differently. I spent 12 years as a CPA in audit and worked with business owners daily. I led the Mentoring Program at the CPA firm and discovered that I loved coaching people. I also worked 6 years as a Chief Financial Officer for a technology company where I honed cash flow and strategic planning skills. I am a Magna Cum Laude graduate in accounting from Colorado State University.
I have collaborated with individuals and families to develop detailed strategies and provide clarity when making major financial decisions. I have been fortunate to work with families of various ages, levels of wealth, educational backgrounds, and personal lifestyles. Each financial plan is unique - just as you are unique and have individual goals.
I love to garden, so I skip the nail salon! I like to hike, ski, golf, play pickleball, and generally be outside. I have two children and I’m married to my college sweetheart.
