Featured guests:
For more information about the book " SKIRTworking," which will be available beginning September 10th, visit: www.skirtworking.com
Buy the book on Amazon: SKIRTworking: How to Network Using SKIRT
Guest bios:
Michelle Alberda: Founded a solo financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services in San Francisco in 2007. She has eight years of experience in financial planning and in 2004 she received CFP® certificant status and has developed experience in comprehensive financial planning including planning for retirement, estate and income tax planning strategies, stock option strategies, and education planning. Her main focus is working with women and small business owners.
Prior to this, Ms. Alberda utilized her foreign language skills and experience in South East Asia to co-found BMC Resources, a consulting firm in Malaysia, which specialized in government infrastructure projects. She worked together with numerous Prime Ministers and leaders in the region to improve the quality of life for the citizens of their countries by bringing them power sources, roads, and various technologies.
Her career highlights also include being the only non-Japanese person employed by Toyota Automatic Loom Works (the parent company of Toyota, Inc.) in Japan during the early 90's, and collaborating with a team of all Japanese engineers to develop a patent for the automobile air conditioning air compressor which saved a multi-million dollar contract with one of the major US automakers. Advisor is licensed/registered to do business with U.S. residents in the states of CA, CO, DC, FL, HI, KY, MA, MI, NM, NV, NY, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.
Michelle is the co-founder of S.K.I.R.T.S., a networking group for women. Michelle is President of the Financial Women's Association of San Francisco.
Michelle Balog: From the moment you first shake hands with Michelle, you will immediately understand why the phrase "People Person" is said to have been invented just for her! Michelle's signature qualities - listening, understanding and communicating - are the reasons why she enjoys phenomenal success as one of San Francisco's premier real estate agents. Specializing in condos, lofts and single family homes and TICs, Michelle's experience in marketing and selling homes spans all of the City's unique and diverse neighborhoods though she is known among her peers and clients as "The Expert" on the new and exciting neighborhoods and of South Beach, Rincon Hill and Mission Bay.
Michelle is currently with Vanguard Properties, one of San Francisco's San Francisco's leading and most innovative real estate firms. Michelle started her sales career at TRI Coldwell Banker where she was ranked in the top 1% nationwide with Coldwell Banker and was recognized as a Top Producer for 2007. Michelle is thrilled to be at home now at Vanguard Properties, and is excited to announce that she is partnering with X.Cristian Flores who comes to Vanguard Properties from many years as a top producing new home sales agent with The Mark Company.
Michelle is a real estate all-rounder, adding tremendous value to the service that she provides to her clients. Her six years' experience in the San Francisco real estate market is augmented by 2 years prior experience in real estate finance and additionally from serving as President of two Condominium Homeowners Associations.
Also a talented and accomplished photographer, Michelle ran her own photography business in New York City, prior to moving to the Bay Area. Among her photography clients were celebrities such as Frankie Muniz, Julia Styles, Tami Michaels and the alternative rock band Dishwalla. Her portfolio demonstrates a keen eye for art direction and capturing the full essence of her subject matter - a skill that is profoundly evident when conveying the most important features of a home in the marketing process.
Michelle resides in San Francisco's South Beach historic district in a converted warehouse loft that was once a warehouse for General Electric. Michelle continues to enjoy photography as a pastime and spending time with her brother's Michael and Christopher Balog and sister- in- law, Dr. Tera Balog. Michelle has a degree in film production and photography from the University of Southern California, School of Cinema Television. She is one of the founding members of a networking group called SKIRT™ (Sharing Knowledge Information and Resources Together) (www.skirtsnetwork.net
Stacey Fleece: With more than 20 years in the financial industry, Stacey Fleece has positioned herself as one of the premier mortgage professionals in the Bay Area. Her broad financial experience includes many years in the volatile hedge fund arena, giving her a unique perspective on interest rates, the bond market and real estate.
Stacey brings a vast breadth of experience and knowledge to each transaction, ensuring each client leaves the closing table confident in the knowledge that they received the best loan at the best terms for their specific needs and financial goals.
As a Chartered Financial Analyst and student of the market, she is able to deliver her services in the financial planning format, offering guidance and counseling on appropriate products that fit into the overall financial portfolio of her client.
Stacey, her husband and two children live in Mill Valley (Marin County) and she is very active in the community. She is a prominent member of the Junior League of San Francisco (currently serving as President), the Financial Women's Association and the Security Analysts of San Francisco. She is a Director in the San Francisco Opera Guild and sits on the board of directors for the 150 Parker Avenue School.
