Leslie Speas has launched a new Human Resources (HR) Consulting Firm, InfluencHeR Consulting. This new firm will help small and medium-sized organizations elevate their talent, influencing positive results. She says her firm is differentiated by its affordable solutions and HIRE Guiding Values – Humility * Integrity * Respect * Empathy which is why you should HIRE them! Services include HR compliance and projects; engagement and wellbeing; assessments and leadership/employee development and coaching. Leslie is a strategic, HR professional offering more than 25 years of experience with broad expertise in leadership; talent acquisition; talent development; compensation; benefits; employee relations; DEIB and engagement. She has been an HR leader in the manufacturing, service, insurance, retail, technology, healthcare and non-profit industries and started several HR departments from the ground up. Leslie has a master’s degree in I/O Psychology, senior HR certifications from HRCI and SHRM. She was the president of Winston-Salem Society for Human Resources Management in 2022 and remains on the board in 2023. She is also the author of two Christian non-fiction books. Follow her at influencherconsulting.com.
Jenn Otten is the operations manager at The Barn at Reynolda Village. “I have spent my working career building knowledge from experiences in hospitality settings of all types,” she said. “I have 15 years of experience and am incredibly passionate about hospitality. I promise to always have a smile when you step into the barn and welcome you like it is your home. I pay attention to every detail, so you don’t have to and am dedicated to providing the best experience.” Jenn was born and raised in northern Minnesota and has an associate’s degree from Lake Superior College. “My husband’s career in golf took us to Washington, DC and to Winston-Salem in 2021,” she said. “We have been enjoying all of Winston’s treasures from restaurants and breweries to shows at The Ramkat and Dash baseball games. When Chris and I are not working, we enjoy walking state parks with our dog, Drake, golfing and watching our favorite sports teams.”
Hannah Jacobs Martin is the owner and head mixologist of The Drippy Bartender. “After completing my 30 before turning 30 list, my goal was to just have fun with the certification and make it off the list,” she said. “Now, I’m in my first year, and we are expanding all over North Carolina and South Carolina.” Hannah is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree. “My hobbies are creating new drinks as well as mocktails,” she said. “I would like to thank my wife and friends who have truly helped me during the first year of business. It truly means way more than they know.”
April Brunet is the owner of Sapphire-Studio LLC & Sapphire 24 Fitness LLC. She has more than 25 years of experience in dance and coached a competitive clogging team. “I opened my dance studio in 2014,” she said. “After a year, I began to see a need for health and fitness. I opened a small women’s gym alongside the dance studio. Through Covid, it turned into just a personal training studio where I did personal training. Now, in 2022, I train at my new 24-hour gym! Sapphire 24 Fitness opened January 1st of this 2022.” April has a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in French. She married her best friend, Ralph, in June of 2022.
Rachel Sherman is the designer and creator behind Brick and Boho, a furniture restoration and home accents small business which she started during the pandemic, and grew into a successful business. Whether it came from the curb, or from a special family looking to update a treasured piece, Rachel helps repurpose and restore them with a fun, Boho, modern twist. She does interior design as well and has worked with families and businesses in her community to create new spaces they will enjoy. Aside from spending time with her four kids, she enjoys shopping second hand, supporting local shops and traveling. She is a lover of music, tacos, Dr. Pepper and her two dogs, Lola and Abby. Her biggest supporters are her husband of 15 years, Casey, her mother, Debbie and her many friends.
Kayli Kimerer is a senior stage manager and current Student Body President at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She has lived in the Triad for the past few years while being a full-time student and leader in the community. She started working in student government and quickly joined various clubs, committees and student organizations, such as UNCSA Ambassadors, UNC Association of Student Governments Internal Operations Committee, UNCSA Housing Appeal Committee and co-chair of the UNCSA Tuition & Fees Committee. Along with her participation in these groups, she has volunteered her time to various school events, projects and productions. Her work goes beyond school life and into the Winston-Salem community. Kayli has been serving on the College Advisory Board of Winston-Salem for the past three years. In her time on the board, she has had a hand in representing college students in the surrounding area on the housing and food insecurity initiative. Representing her school for the NLC (National League of Cities), she takes her devotion to the students to a whole new level. This year, she is serving as the Student Body President and has become a voting member on the UNCSA Board of Trustees. She has dedicated her life to serving the students of not only UNCSA, but of the Winston-Salem community, as well.
