Seminole State College Speaker Series

Each year, the Seminole State Speaker Series welcomes speakers representing diverse views and interests. 

All events are free and open to the public. To request accessibility accommodations, please email Disability Support Services

The views expressed by these speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Seminole State College of Florida, its Board of Trustees, employees, students, alumni or partners.

Seminole State's Speaker Series is co-sponsored by Addition Financial. For more information, please call 407.708.2776. You can also view a list of previous speakers at Seminole State. 

Roundtable on Gender, Labor, and Leadership

• When: Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 7 p.m.
• Where: Sanford/Lake Mary Campus Building C or watch live via streaming video 

This diverse "Roundtable on Gender, Labor, and Leadership" will feature local women who, in many ways, have found success in business and lead within our communities.   The purpose of the panel is to discuss the impact, struggles, experiences, challenges, and equity issues/non-issues of women in the community with respect to labor and leadership.

The views expressed by speakers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Seminole State College of Florida, its Board of Trustees, employees, students, alumni or partners.

This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is first come, first served. The presentation will conclude with a Q&A period. A reception will immediately follow the presentation.

Panelists: 

Dr. Frankie Huff

Moderator

Dr. Huff is an English professor and has been part of the Seminole State College faculty since 2003. Her passion for education and equity run hand in hand. Dr. Huff believes when people are seen and treated equitably, they can reach their greatest potential. She strives to create that kind of space in her courses and on campus.

Christi Ashby

Founder, Editor and Publisher, Orange Appeal

With over 30 years experience in the publishing industry, founder, editor and publisher Christi Ashby wanted a magazine to call her own that was not only informative and entertaining but also delivered the highest quality content and design.

Trina Gregory-Propst

Chef/Owner, Se7enbites

The path to the perfect biscuit can be long & winding, but for Trina Gregory-Propst, her Grammie showed her the shortcuts. From that close childhood bond with her grandmother, Trina would go on to have such a love for delicious comfort fare and well-appointed meals that she’d spend all her free time experimenting with recipes, while still whipping up the classics she was taught.

Virginia Poe

Public Art Commission of Sanford (Chairman),
Member of Florida Cultural Alliance

 Virginia Poe is a 30-year resident of Seminole County. Virginia has had a career in the graphic arts/publishing industry and holds a Bachelor of Design from the University of Florida. She recently has taken drawing, painting and printmaking classes at Seminole State College. Virginia is a working artist with a studio in Historic Downtown Sanford and site on the Board of Trustees for the Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens in Winter Park. Virginia is also a member of the Florida Cultural Alliance which liaisons with the Florida Legislature.

Dr. Laine Powell

Founder and Executive Director, Tech Sassy Girlz

Powell is the Founder and Executive Director of Tech Sassy Girlz, a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring underrepresented girls in middle and high school to engage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Taking on the challenge head-on of addressing the notable shortage of girls and women in STEM fields, Dr. Powell created the organization in 2012 to address the critical shortage of women and minorities being represented in high-tech STEM careers. She firmly believes that leveraging technology is an opportunity for girls to be content creators and makers.

Shelly Weir

President & Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA)

Shelly Weir is President & Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Institute of CPAs (FICPA), the statewide professional association for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Florida. In this role, Weir serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the FICPA and FICPA Scholarship Foundation and works in partnership with the FICPA Council to develop and execute the Institute’s strategic vision. Weir leads a staff of 40 professionals responsible for carrying out the missions of the FICPA and FICPA Scholarship Foundation.