Chief Connector - Rhonda Bannard
rhonda@inspiredconnections.net
Inspired Connections’ founder is a single mom with two incredible kids, a family who simply and sometimes pointedly connects, and a cadre of friends who inspire and offer passion and energy to the world. Through these special relationships and years of work and consulting in the nonprofit arena, Rhonda’s interest in “connecting” all of these dots peaked in early 2005. Just a short few months later, along with a team of equally passionate and skilled associates, Inspired Connections™ is evolving as a company that distills life down to its basic common denominator – that relationships or “connections” matter more than anything else in the world.

“My dream is to help people build and nurture their relationships – whether in business, whether with themselves as contributors to the world or within their professional lives, and with family and friends - so that we can all leave this place better than we found it.”

Rhonda brings more than 23 years of professional experience to this effort – from early years in television news, to working in the nonprofit arena and with traditional business associations. Her areas of expertise include communications, marketing, public relations, writing, strategic planning, event management, board development, coaching and other talents. Volunteer time over the years has touched on a number of issues and causes – AIDS, Autism, heart disease, politics, women, babies and much more.

Connecting Project Manager - Cathy Lake
cathy@inspiredconnections.net
After more than 12 years in playing with Windows, Cathy Lake was ready to set her sights on making a bigger, more meaningful difference in the world. She thoroughly enjoyed her time at the Microsoft Corporation where, in addition to driving business with large corporate clients, she deftly executed Microsoft corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs in the Phoenix community, including Microsoft DigiGirlz technology day for high school girls, Microsoft Partners in Community events and Environmental Sustainability at Microsoft.  What got her jazzed though was blending her extensive knowledge of technology while building deep relationships with Microsoft customers and business partners.  That commitment helped her build a wide network to drive not-for-profit technology support, environmental sustainability awareness and corporate volunteer programs.  Now she’s bringing it into play for current and those “new” clients Inspired Connections is looking to support.  Cathy’s extensive Fortune 10 CSR program management experience, coupled with her citizenship initiative work, technology background and event production talent, offers a high degree of professionalism and success for nonprofit and corporate clients alike.

“My passions as a mom, yogini and sustainable living practitioner blend beautifully with the vision and values of Inspired Connections,” says Cathy.  “Within this mix we have the freedom to help companies and nonprofits leverage their assets and relationships, think strategically and gain value in both doing well and doing good.  That’s what it’s all about.”

Prior to joining Microsoft, Ms. Lake held sales and technical positions at a variety of large companies.  She holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona and her community service work spans decades and topic areas including hands on volunteering, mentoring, babies, cancer and more.

Connecting Project Manager - Louann Phillips
louann@inspiredconnections.net
Louann is passionate about everything she does and takes the work of her clients seriously. She is tenacious about the details and loves to coordinate and execute projects with the client’s objectives clearly in focus. Her talents include event management, community relations, electronic communications and database development and management. Being able to nurture win-win relationships between business and nonprofits is a dream assignment for Louann and she’s ready for the challenge. For more than 15 years, Louann has worked with nonprofit organizations in the health, economic development, education, faith-based and workforce development arenas, among others.

Associate Connectors

Inspired Connections’ team of associates extends into public relations, event creation and management, graphic design, web support, marketing strategists and community outreach professionals. This virtual support network provides clients the quick and fluid responses often demanded by a 24/7 community. Depending on the need, IC taps into its committed group of professionals for your benefit.