In this issue
Meet Ann Mackey
Adventure, invention, high speeds and… accounting?
That’s Ann Mackey, a JWN member since 2003. Since becoming a chartered accountant and subsequently passing the CPA exam while working for KPMG in the UK and Boston, Ann has worked as a finance director, CFO or CEO on five different continents at companies that were all growing at least 25% each year.
Ann’s career highlights include:
- A member of the executive team as Finance Director, Ann led a major financial services company from a leveraged buyout to a public offering on the New York stock exchange. At the time of the buyout, the company could barely raise junk bond debt. By the time the company was acquired, it was issuing commercial paper in its own name. “It’s from one edge of the credit quality spectrum to the other and is quite a ride for a finance person,” describes Mackey. “The finance and accounting team and the credibility they were able to provide were critical factors enabling those successes. Building that team and the systems to make it all work was exhilarating and I loved being part of that team.”
- Co-founder and CEO of a boutique company that serviced the mortgage portfolios for 37 investor groups and banks. When the assets were sold during the financial crisis, the company was profitable, had revenues of approximately $20 million and operated in offices located in Jacksonville and the Philippines.
- Chief financial officer of the 37thlargest not-for-profit organization in the U.S.
Currently, Ann is a principal with Didsbury Associates where she provides organizational, financial and accounting resources and guidance for companies during critical periods of transition and growth.
The secret to a fulfilling career – keep good company and love what you do. “I’ve been fortunate to have consistently worked with people who are considered to be at the top of their field, whether they have been colleagues, private equity groups, bankers, lawyers or accountants,” says Mackey. “It’s one of the reasons I enjoy JWN. Networking with successful women in other fields is energizing, interesting and frequently helpful with my own endeavors,” she continues.
Ann is a graduate of Vanderbilt University. In addition to serving on the board of directors for a private corporation, Ann has also served on a number of not-for-profit, professional and civic board of directors.
Meet Melissa Ross
Melissa is honored and excited to be awarded a fellowship this summer to the prestigious Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting.
Her commitment to environmental reporting and news about climate science has only grown during her years at WJCT. Florida is a state that is most vulnerable to sea level rise and the impacts of climate change makes it imperative to inform the public more now than ever.
The University of Rhode Island’s Metcalf Institute for Marine & Environmental Reporting has awarded fellowships to ten journalists to attend Metcalf’s 20th Annual Science Immersion Workshop. The fellowship represents news organizations with regional to international audiences, including the Los Angeles Times, Delaware Public Media, NTV Kenya, Politico, and Reuters. Melissa was chosen from an extraordinarily competitive pool of applicants representing 45 nations around the globe.
Newsletter
July 2018 
President's Message
Last month I had an opportunity to meet some family members discovered by an ancestry search. After finding a pet sitter, I traveled to Orlando, joining family from California, NY, and the Ukraine. It was two days of fun. Also, learning how our branch of the family went from French Catholic to Jewish was pretty fascinating!
I tell you this because this mini-vacation reminded me just how important it is to find time to unwind. It was wonderful to leave the computer tucked in the suitcase, turn off the phone, and immerse myself completely in the moment.
When I first started in real estate, I would never have considered turning off my phone. No matter what time it rang, I always answered. One day my son asked me why. He said, “Mom, if somebody calls you at 10 PM, you can’t do anything to help them until tomorrow anyway. Why don’t you just wait until then and call them back?”
He was absolutely right! Even today, I have to constantly remind myself to turn off the devices.
When I returned home from the reunion, my pet sitter told me that she had felt like she was on holiday while taking care of my home and pets. She enjoyed my pool and had her own break from her usual routine.
As for me, the change of scenery, the break from my devices, and doing something completely different made me feel refreshed and reinvigorated and I made a promise to myself to do it again SOON! I hope you do, too. Just a couple of days “away from it all” can make an enormous difference.
Here’s to a wonderful summer of refreshment and renewal for us all. Share your vacation stories with me!
- Zelda
Of Special Note
JWN now taking American Express!
We’ve had several members ask us to accept American Express and this payment method has been added to our system. This change is effective immediately. If you encounter any issues in using an American Express during the event registration process, please email our administrator, Kristin Thompson, at admin@jaxwomensnetwork.com.
Mega Luncheon Ladder & 40th Anniversary Celebration
The June Mega Luncheon Ladder & 40th Anniversary Celebration was a huge success. The program recognized and honored our remaining founder, Cecilia Bryant, as well as all of the past presidents. Click HERE to see the presentation. We also had a networking activity that incorporated social media. The following members were selected as winners and will receive one free ticket to any 2018 JWN event (excluding the Holiday Dinner). Congrats to the winners!!
Judy Lanier
Diane Yendol-Hoppey
In the News
Member Karen Brune Mathis
Is the editor for the Daily Record and Observer, LLC.
Financial News & Daily Record, has unveiled a trio of changes at the 105-year-old newspaper, including a new name, new design and the launch of a new free weekly business paper.
Following is the link to the press release for their new publication.
Observer Media Group Press Release
Member Katherine Way
Katherine Way Collections was at the Merchandising Tent at the US Open in Shinnecock Hills this June for the third season with over 35,000 attendees daily.
Jacksonville Women's Network was well represented at the Eve Award Luncheon on Friday, June 8th. Many of our members were in attendance as well as Janet Reagor who was one of the 12 Eve finalists. Janet was recognized for her work with Walk Off Charities as well as her role at The Sanctuary on 8th Street.
Member Mary Harvey
Mary has sold Agency a la Carte, her staffing and recruiting firm, to Hueman People Solutions. "I am very pleased with the decision to sell my agency to Dwight Cooper and his excellent company," said Mary, in making the announcement. "After 24 years of running my own company, it is time to let someone else handle the day-to-day administrative details and let me just do the sales and recruiting. I have long admired Dwight and his work and I am honored that he chose to acquire Agency a la Carte."
Mary will stay with the company, as will her staff, to run Agency a la Carte as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hueman.
Member Zelda Greenberg
Zelda Greenberg's newest book is jam-packed with wisdom and advice to have anyone's home sold in the quickest time for top dollar. Following the process that Zelda writes about will produce positive results and the book is absolutely FREE at www.14DaysToSold.com
Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Virginia Borrok.
Newsletter Submission Guidelines
This is an exclusive e-newsletter for and about Network members and upcoming JWN events. We welcome items about your personal and professional achievements, and any projects you would like to promote to members of JWN. Please include photos, preferably in JPG format.
Please email items and photos to admin@jaxwomensnetwork.com.
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