Biography

Cambridge Who's Who Member Kerri Duncan, Ed.D.

Cambridge Who’s Who^® member Kerri Duncan, Ed.D. received a Master of Science in Education in 1990 from Southwest Missouri State University and recently earned a Doctor of Education from Nova Southeast University. For the past 27 years, she has been dedicated to the quality education of children with learning disabilities and autism. From 1985 to 1991, Dr. Duncan served as a special education teacher (K-12). She became a principal in 1991. Currently, she is an adjunct professor at Drury University in Springfield, Mo., where she instructs graduate student coursework in exceptional child education.
 
Dr. Duncan’s greatest accomplishment was starting the autism program at Rivendale Institute of Learning, a private school that provides alternative education and enrichment to students with learning disabilities and autism. Located in Springfield, Mo., the school recognizes individual differences, and provides a learning environment that emphasizes social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. As the director of the school, Dr. Duncan develops programs to address the needs of children with learning disabilities, language delays and autism. Since its establishment in 1985, the school has tripled in size, while additional locations continue to open throughout the United States.

Additionally, Dr. Duncan founded Rivendale Extension Services, a 501(c)(3), whose mission is to raise awareness for children with special needs and provide assisted special education programs. To further assist disadvantaged families with children who experience learning differences, she formed a partnership with the Community Foundations of the Ozarks, where an endowment fund was established to provide scholarships for families so that their children would have the opportunity to receive alternative educational programming.

Kerri Duncan is currently developing the coursework for an autism certification graduate program in the state of Missouri.  She has received professional recognition, and, in 2003, was named among the Top 20 Most Influential Women by the Springfield Business Journal, and was one of the top three finalists for the Athena Award. In 2004, she was the recipient of the Service to Mankind Award. She has been a recipient of the Women Mean Business Award, presented to her by the Missouri Business and Professional Women’s Organization, and, in 2006, she received the Difference Maker Award from a local Decision Makers Network organization.

For more information about the Rivendale Institute of Learning, visit www.rivendaleinstitute.com, or call Kerri Duncan, Ed.D.: (417) 864-7921.

Article(s) by Kerri Duncan

• Dyslexia New!
• Autism and Communication New!

By Donald Trump Jr., Executive Director of Global Branding and Networking, Cambridge Who’s Who^®

Photo by Scott Duncan

Navigating a small business in today’s economy is like driving that car you refuse to scrap, even though it’s time to head to the dealership. You jumpstarted it this morning, and crossed your fingers in hopes that the engine would run long enough to get you to and from work. You’ve done the research and entertained the prospects of buying a new car, but you’re holding out for the next great deal. Similarly, small businesses are operating under pressure to stay afloat, with no clear signs of market growth. While the National Bureau of Economic Research claims the recession ended in June of 2009, a lot of people are scared for the future of their enterprises. Fittingly, I was invited to speak about small businesses and the economy on Fox Business “Bulls and Bears,” where I referenced the Cambridge Who’s Who community. As Executive Director of Global Branding and Networking for the organization, I see our members taking a spirited approach to thrive and survive firsthand.

It’s a difficult situation, yet the reality for many, whose instincts are telling them to freeze hiring and investment. Many are unsure whether to continue competing in mature markets, with no foreseeable innovation to drive an economic boom, or to get out completely and carve a new niche. If you’re like many small companies, you are designed largely to yield short-term benefits, while not looking at the bigger picture for expansion and growth. But people can’t expect things to be a certain way in order for them to progress. Small business owners, executives and employees alike need to take a proactive approach to professional development — they need to participate in vigorous networking and diligent marketing of their expertise, products and services.

As history dictates, companies that are able to evolve with the times, and maintain a strong foothold in the global economy, are the exception, not the rule. In the ‘90s, when the Internet was in its infancy, I don’t think most companies were prepared to make the transition to e-commerce — a largely unexplored space at the time. A great example is the music industry: Although labels still struggle with piracy issues, in the past decade they were forced to acclimate to an entirely new business model as they watched their revenues flounder. The companies that emerged at the top stopped relying solely on CD sales, started selling singles and albums digitally, and licensed their music to films, advertising campaigns, and retail and restaurant chains.

Even top companies must accept change, lest they become dinosaurs in the global market. Looking to the big guns, it is widely known that on Sept. 8, 2010, at the WAN-IFRA 9th International Newsroom Summit, The New York Times publisher and chairman Arthur Sulzberger Jr. stated, “We will stop printing The New York Times sometime in the future,” to push the publication entirely online. While a date was not determined, the poignancy that one of the most powerful newspapers in existence is willing to adapt to the online space in the face of falling revenues and circulation, and the rise of popular electronic tablets such as the iPad and the Kindle, resonated.

To survive an uncertain future, small businesses must flex with the ebb and flow of the global economy. It also requires that they leverage resources and strategies to help them distinguish themselves from the competition. I’m working with Cambridge Who’s Who, and that is exactly what we do — help individuals to brand themselves, gain recognition, network, and stay ahead of the curve. At the get-go, Cambridge Who’s Who was primarily a publisher of print registries filled with biographical profiles. But as times changed, the forward-looking management team drastically transformed its business model and rebranded the organization. They created ways to feature members online, while increasing their social networking abilities and introducing them to a vast selection of communication channels available on the Web.

In the midst of a fast-paced and connected world, our team has learned that the most effective way to reach your audience is to continually provide them with fresh content. We are helping our members to build up their digital real estate™: the various properties available to them on the Web that can enhance and promote their brands. This includes opportunities to be featured on our Charities Blog, News Blog and Resource Center, and on Cambridge Who’s Who Connect™, our social networking platform. Additionally, our members have the option to tell their stories in the form of a professional video biography, which we shoot, post, edit and share online. Video is an ideal form of digital real estate because it gives the viewer a very clear and personalized depiction of an individual or company. The full package comes with short and long versions, combining professionally rendered audio and video for a memorable, high-impact presentation. To view a great example of the Video Production and Distribution program at work, please visit Cambridge Who’s Who member Riccardo DeGirolami’s video feature.

In order for our members to take full control of their online identities, we also offer them the option to participate in the Website Development and Internet Exposure programs. After we secure their URL, our editorial staff posts the most pertinent information about them across five pages, including an overview, a biography, press release, certificate of recognition, and a contact form. We then select keywords, optimize the pages, and drive traffic to the website — all within a quick turnaround time. Anyone who has made their content public by way of a professional website knows that there are numerous steps involved, including website design and programming, plus the creation of meaningful subject matter. We have consolidated these steps, making the Website Development Program, coupled with the Internet Exposure service, a fast and efficient way to expand your digital real estate.

As you can see, Cambridge Who’s Who is firmly grounded in the now, making a strenuous effort to equip its members with effective tools and resources. In many ways, the organization mirrors my own life. My father, Donald Trump Sr., became one of the world’s most widely recognized real estate moguls by way of traditional personal branding methods. As I have come up under his wings, I am adapting to the now and uncovering powerful ways to pioneer the real estate movement in a new realm — online. Together, Cambridge Who’s Who and I are taking the necessary steps to provide members with the means to gain a foothold and navigate through economically tough times.

If you’re a company bent on surviving, I highly recommend Cambridge Who’s Who. I have had the privilege of speaking with a number of hardworking members; they are determined to continue promoting themselves and flourish in these times. By striking up conversations within this vast network, I am confident that you will gain new strategies to succeed.

By Cambridge Who’s Who^® Member and Contributing Author Michelle R. Tinkham RN, BSN, MS, PHN, CNOR, CLNC, RNFA

You are probably aware that anxiety and stress can negatively affect how you feel and act, but are you aware that it also affects how your body functions? Anxiety can increase a person’s heart rate and blood pressure, which can have life-threatening consequences on the body. It can also lower immunity levels and delay wound healing.¹ For some time, it has been recognized that a person’s attitude regarding their illness can affect their healing ability. For instance, a positive, calm attitude can help reduce pain levels in postoperative patients.² The use of music therapy is one of the many ways in which healthcare facilities help patients relax. In addition, the use of aromatherapy, particularly the smell of lavender, is employed in some areas to promote a more peaceful environment. This smell has even been shown to reduce nausea and pain levels.² Various alternative and complementary therapies exist to enhance traditional medicine, not just in the hospital, but also in our everyday lives to improve our quality of life. Artistic expressions, such as visual art, music and craft making, are examples of these very helpful therapies that you may not have explored on the path to a healthier you.

 The National Institutes of Health state “[m]any scientists agree that the arts can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve well-being, and enhance the way we fight infection.”³ Many of us lead very busy lives and feel that if we are able to squeeze in some “gym time,” we are improving our health, but find we are still stressed and tired afterward. This is because we are only focusing on the physical body, not our mental and spiritual health. A “holistic” approach to health is not a new idea, but has been gaining momentum for some time. Listening to calming music or viewing visually pleasing artwork can help us to relax, as well as improve our moods and the physiological functions of our bodies. This has been proven in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and even in our own homes. In fact, these ideas have gained much acceptance in the medical community, and there are now awards granted to facilities and programs that offer outstanding art projects to their target audiences.

So, why wait until we are ill to employ these therapies in our lives? Many community centers offer painting and other art classes to citizens at very low costs. Most cities have musical performances in their parks, which are often free to the public. Even taking 10 minutes to listen to music that improves your mood can also improve your health. In this very busy, stressful time, we must remember that we need to meet more than just our physical needs; to be truly healthy, happy, and whole, we must nurture all of ourselves.

References

1. Vaughn F, Wichowski H, Bosworth G. Does Preoperative Anxiety Level Predict Postoperative Pain? AORN J. 2007; 85(3): 589-604
2. Garbee D, Beare P. Creating a Positive Surgical Experience for Patients. AORN J. 2001; 74(3): 333-337.
3. Sadler B, Ridenour A. Transforming the Healthcare Experience Through the Arts. San Diego, CA: Aesthetics Inc; 2009.

Biography

Cambridge Who’s Who^® member Michelle Tinkham, RN, BSN, MS, PHN, CNOR, CLNC, RNFA, is a perioperative registered nurse who specializes in vascular surgery. She serves as the general, vascular, trauma, and transplant resource nurse at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, Calif. With 11 years of experience assisting in surgical operations, Ms. Tinkham has published manuscripts and written courses for professional journals, most specifically AORN Journal, which is a primary source for perioperative nurses to obtain valuable information on perioperative field practices, guidance and support.

Michelle Tinkham is actively involved in many professional organizations, such as the AORN, Inc., the Society for Vascular Nurses (SVN), and Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI). Ms. Tinkhman participates as a board member on five national committees, is the national education chair for the Vascular/Endovascular Specialty Assembly, and an abstract reviewer for STTI. Recently, she was honored with the Excellence in Vascular Nursing award from the SVN, as well as two writer’s awards from STTI.

In 2001, Ms. Tinkham received a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, having previously received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from California State University Bakersfield. In addition, she holds numerous professional certifications, and operates her own surgical first assisting and legal nurse consulting business.

Article(s) by Michelle Tinkham

• How Artistic Expressions Can Improve Your Overall Health New!

I have read many articles about ways to take control of your finances in a downstream economy. Seldom are we comfortable talking about how this economy is impacting our relationships and what steps we can take to bring the love back into our lives. Are you spending your nights with your loved one arguing about the next pending bill that is past due? For those families or relationships in which people are quickly developing a negative love balance along with a negative bank balance, here are a few ways to recharge when it is not so affordable to go on a vacation:

1. Keep a written track of everything from your bills to your daily chores.  Write down all due dates as well as any other important dates on your calendar. This process will give your mind a break from having to remember one hundred things to do and give you the peace of mind to make the most out of your busy life. 

 

2. Think about ways to eliminate your credit card debt as soon as possible. If you come up with a plan, make a note and think about out how you will approach the subject with your significant other. Plans are most effective when you have convinced your brain first about the pros and cons associated with each step you would like to take. Writing your thoughts out carefully on paper can help you become confident and overcome fear, which is one of the greatest obstacles to overcome in achieving financial success.

 

3. Reach out to each other by finding ways to make each other’s lives easier. Are there dishes in the sink that you can help wash? Is there mail that needs to be delivered to the post office? Each step you take to help one another will reap rewards just like they add up on your credit card: the more you do for your loved one, the more rewards you will accumulate.

 

4. It is quite common for couples to disagree on the simplest of ideas. Chances are, when this happens, you would rather steer clear of each other. The idea here is: if you disagree, let your mind do the work for you. Sleep on your ideas and wake up the next morning to find yourself in a better mood and with better words to approach your loved one.

While it is not possible to negotiate a better rate for our relationships, there are surefire ways we can take small steps to bring us closer in times when we need each other’s support the most.

Biography

Cambridge Who's Who VIP Member Nadia Farooq

Cambridge Who’s Who^® member Nadia Farooq is a senior financial data analyst for Imagine Software Inc., a leading provider of on-demand derivative trading analytics, portfolio and risk management solutions. Ms. Farooq has four years of professional experience in statistics, specializing in time series and real data analysis, handling correlations, analyzing actual market data, maintaining data integrity and accuracy of interest yield rate curves and ensuring quality.

Nadia Farooq started her career as an entry-level financial data analyst after graduating with her master’s degree. Shortly thereafter, she was promoted to the position of senior financial data analyst. She then moved into quality assurance, utilizing problem solving techniques. She currently performs time series data analysis, real data analysis, correlations analysis and analysis of actual market data. She also maintains data integrity and quality assurance in addition to ensuring the accuracy of interest yield rate curves. In addition to these responsibilities, Ms. Farooq has extensive knowledge of fixed income products with a concentration in convertible bonds.

In 2005, Ms. Farooq received her Master of Arts in Statistics from Columbia University, having received her Bachelor of Arts in Statistics from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in 2004. In addition to her other accomplishments and accolades, she was awarded the Mabel Smith Douglas Honor Thesis in Mathematical Finance. She is a member of The Phi Beta Kappa Society and the Golden Key National Honour Society. In her spare time, Ms. Farooq contributes to such worthy charities as the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and the Helping Hands Association.

Nadia Farooq became involved in her profession through her educational background in statistics, and she attributes her success to her hard work, problem-solving and decision-making skills. In five years, Ms. Farooq hopes to write several self-help books to improve the lives of her readers.

Visit Nadia Farooq’s Cambridge Who’s Who Press Release to learn more about her accomplishments and experience in the finance industry.

Article(s) by Nadia Farooq

• Tips for Maintaing Healthy Relationships in an Unhealthy Economy New!

When preparing a résumé, the use of bold print is one of those thoughts lingering in the back of your mind that you should be sure to incorporate. Once all of the information has been gathered and typed into some sort of format, and the résumé is essentially complete, the first thing the average person does is goes back and highlights items throughout the presentation in BOLD.

This event usually signals the light at the end of the tunnel, as the preparation process was absolutely exhausting. The gathering of information took days, and trying to come up with a format was equally tiring, when faced with so many choices. Just having to consider all of the different approaches to résumé-writing that you see on the Internet today can be intimidating. Then, you have to complete the task of compiling (writing) your information in the “best style” ever, in ways that each of us has fantasized will “wow” the reviewer. Finally, after days or even weeks, the “Best Résumé Ever” is in the final stages of being ready to submit. With glee and a sense of accomplishment, the finishing touches are added to define a creative flair.

On average, the subject matter or things that people will use bold font for can be quite amusing. Some presentations will have only the dates of employment in bold (2003-Present), while others will have the candidate’s name and category headings in bold (Professional Experience or Education), and several among them will use capital letters to help make these headings stand out. In certain cases, the applicant’s address, phone number or even e-mail address is considered important information, and calls out for bold accents. On occasion, you will find the employer name and/or job title prominently displayed in bold highlights, and, of course, there are those that direct attention to a high school or college degree, and institution.

For just as many people you find out there preparing a résumé, you will find variations in the use of bold print when adding the final touches. What many people do not consider is that there really is a strategy involved to incorporating bold print. How you choose to use bold print can portray quite a bit of information to the reviewer about your approach to life, or to getting the job done. If your use of bold print seems haphazard, inconsistent, and does not portray a theme or employ a methodical approach, you may be sending the wrong message. Notice how nothing in this paragraph seems to stand out?

Consider the following perspective when you set out to send a message to the employer and make the decision to use bold highlights in your résumé presentation:

The purpose of bold font is to draw the eye to certain information, from the beginning of your résumé, right down the first page and into the second. The information portrayed in bold should be the information you want the reviewer to notice and remember. When you consider that the typical résumé only receives 10-20 seconds of attention (some résumés receive even less), the use of bold print can be your best friend. Did you find your eye drawn to this statement when you began reading this paragraph?

Only the most valuable bits of information in a résumé should be boasted in bold, and depending upon your career field or objective, this information will vary from one presentation to another.

The first and most common strategy is to highlight your name. You want to use an interesting font that portrays personality so that the employer will remember the visual impact and associate your name with the position you are seeking.

The second most important thing to highlight is your job title. Most presentations today will list a job title right up front, which should be the next thing the reviewer sees. The job title you choose to list should match the position you are applying for, and should be in bold. This covers several important areas: 1) You have told the employer that you are exactly who they are looking for and stated your objective early on; and 2) You have saved the employer valuable time, as they do not have to determine what your value is, or the position you are seeking, by reading through your information. This small attribute will leave a positive impression on the reviewer — almost on a most subconscious level — but there nonetheless.

This strategy can also be applied if you are using an objective statement or a profile narrative in your résumé. Make sure that you are careful to incorporate a job title in your statement, and that you highlight the information. Remember that there is never a one size fits all résumé: you must design each résumé for the position you are currently seeking. Along these lines, make sure that you highlight the job titles you have held when you incorporate your employment history. This strategy will draw the reviewer’s eye to your previous assignments, show progression in responsibilities and document advancement in your career field.

At this point, we have made sure the employer knows who we are and what job we are seeking, and reinforced the information by highlighting the job titles previously held. Great start! In other words, the target employer could care less about the names of your previous employers. And remember, if you choose to highlight the previous dates of employment, you are taking valuable review seconds away from other information in your presentation — not to mention drawing attention to the length of employment or any gaps in employment history you may have experienced.

The next strategy is to highlight a valuable contribution or accomplishment you have achieved in order to keep the eye moving and prompt the reviewer to gather as much valuable information as possible in the short period allotted. By applying the bold font to a portion of one or more statements further down in your résumé, you will accomplish this task. For this strategy to be effective, the information you highlight needs to make a statement in itself. Review the following statement to get an idea of how this works. This statement provides two different opportunities to use the bold print effectively:

Negotiated a $10 million venture capital investment in XYZ Corporation, which generated $1 billion in revenue over 15 years.

Negotiated a $10 million venture capital investment in XYZ Corporation, which generated $1 billion in revenue over 15 years.

Negotiated a $10 million venture capital investment in XYZ Corporation, which generated $1 billion in revenue over 15 years.

Notice how the highlighted text makes a statement in itself and could stand alone?

Negotiated a $10 million venture capital investment.

Generated $1 billion in revenue over 15 years.

Be selective in the information you choose to highlight and refrain from overkill. Too much bold print can render the entire process just as ineffective as a bad strategy in choosing the wrong information to highlight. As a general rule of thumb, the use of bold type is most effective when used sparingly and well-spaced throughout the document.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with highlighting your education, a degree or special training that supports your objective. This is especially true if the employer has determined that a particular degree or level of education is a condition of employment. If this is the case, then you may want to incorporate the education information on the first page to draw the same attention to this qualification as you would your name and job title.

As long as you follow the basic concept, you will be able to intrigue the reviewer with the information presented in your résumé, and effectively portray the potential or value you will bring to the organization. The competition is tough, and the little things that you use to promote yourself can go a long way. Your strategic use of bold print will serve to draw the eye down the first page and onto the second as the reviewer tries to absorb the most important information as quickly as possible!

Recently named Cambridge Who’s Who^® Executive Director of Global Branding and Networking, Donald Trump Jr. shared his knowledge of branding, marketing and networking with Cambridge members during an exclusive call held on Tuesday, May 18, 2010. The special event, hosted by Cambridge Who’s Who^®, was complimentary for participating members, and featured informative remarks from Donald Trump Jr. and Cambridge Who’s Who^® Chief Operating Officer Erica Lee, along with an interactive Q&A session.

As the guest speaker, Donald Trump Jr. informed members how to apply basic real estate concepts to the digital world. He offered online branding strategies, and identified the various types of digital real estate that are available on the Web to help members brand themselves and their companies more effectively.

Donald Trump Jr. emphasized the importance of being proactive and taking the necessary steps to control your online image. He stressed that securing a personalized domain name such as www.yourname.com improves your marketing and visibility, as well as assists potential employers, contacts, and customers and clients in finding information about you or your company on the Web. He also touched upon the benefits of implementing search engine optimization techniques when developing your digital real estate. Specifically, he pointed out that adding keywords and tags (targeted to a specific audience or industry) to your online profiles, blogs, websites and marketing messages will help you to strengthen your online presence and gain global exposure.

Erica Lee also highlighted the various Cambridge Who’s Who^® digital real estate™ opportunities offered through membership, including Cambridge Connect profiles, and Charities Blog, News Blog and Resource Center features, as well as online press releases, video production, website creation and search advertising services. These platforms are specially designed to showcase members’ skills, talents, products and/or services on a global level, and open the door to new professional contacts and opportunities.

Following their presentations, the conference call lines were opened to Cambridge Who’s Who^® members, allowing them to ask Donald Trump Jr. for career or business advice. Members who entered the queue had great questions for him on a variety of key topics such as how to reach your target audience, obtain credibility and become visible on the top-tiered pages in major search engines.

In response to members’ inquiries, Donald Trump Jr. instructed listeners to get in front of their target audiences by participating in industry conferences and booking public speaking engagements in an effort to gain recognition for their expertise. He also stressed the need to differentiate yourself from the crowd, and promote the unique set of talents, skills and abilities you possess that help to define your personal brand. In addition, he encouraged everyone to deliver a consistent message in their branding and marketing initiatives, and stated that you must create a proven track record to obtain credibility in your profession and demonstrate that you are an expert at what you do. Furthermore, he advised members to take advantage of the Cambridge Who’s Who^® online branding and search optimization services available to them. He notified them that Cambridge Who’s Who^® has a dedicated team to help members optimize their branded content for search engines. As he pointed out, the more relevant you are to the rest of the Internet community, the more online visibility you will obtain.

Cambridge Who’s Who^® members who attended the conference call gained valuable information to help them develop a strong online brand and Web presence. Several of the professionals who participated graciously shared their feedback on the teleseminar with Donald Trump Jr. “I have a newfound awareness of what messages and impressions are important in marketing a business,” writes Lee Logan, a Cambridge member located in Dallas, Texas, who specializes in event planning.

Cambridge Who’s Who^® looks forward to offering more seminars in the future. If you are interested in sharing your knowledge and advice as a guest speaker on an exclusive Cambridge Who’s Who^® conference call, please send an email with your full name, contact information and areas of expertise to seminars@cambridgeregistry.com.

To learn more about the Cambridge Who’s Who^® Spring Teleseminar featuring Donald Trump Jr. as the guest speaker, please visit our Cambridge Connect blog post: “Cambridge Who’s Who Spring 2010 Teleseminar Recap.”

Cambridge Who’s Who Professional Development

Structured as five-minute webisodes, the Professional Development Series is a ‘meat and potatoes’ guide that is available to anyone with access to the Web. Mary Delaney of Careerbuilder.com, Lon McGowan of iClick, Seth Goldman of Honest Tea, David A. Junge, MD, Chris MacAskill of SmugMug, Warren Brown of Cake Love and Ann Marie Harrington of Embolden, among others, have devoted their time to speak candidly about their experiences coming up in their respective professions. These revealing interviews with this high caliber group of professionals has been assembled into one video collection that can now be viewed on Cambridge Who’s Who Connect and the Cambridge Who’s Who Video Channel.

The Cambridge Who’s Who Professional Development Series was designed as an educational resource to enlighten those interested in realizing business growth, career development and/or professional brand-building. Interspersed within each chapter are handy hints and tips that sum-up and reinforce the notions expressed by the featured professionals. Each of the five initial Professional Development Series webisodes also focuses on a particular subject: Branding and Marketing, Networking, Business Financing, Motivation and Sales. For a taste of what these content-rich chapters entail, be sure to watch the Cambridge Who’s Who Video Series Introduction