What a treat! This episode of Collaborative Connections Radio Show and Podcast was chock full of advice, lessons learned, motivational quotes, mindset tips, and inspiring stories from very successful business owners. One of the themes that ran through the show was that your past doesn’t dictate your future.

Host, Kelly Lorenzen, was honored to be in the studio with this powerhouse panel of successful women CEOs! Jessica Herbert with IDEA Analytics, Lisa Rehurek with The RFP Success Company, and Sarah Hope with Vertical Identity Background Screening & Drug Testing joined Kelly on-air.

One of these women used to be in law enforcement and now has a doctorate, one is a child of immigrant parents who now owns multi-million dollar businesses, and one is an author, speaker, and has trained organizations such as ASU and SRP. Can you guess which business owner is which? Check out this episode to find out! 

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Our Featured Guests

The RFP Success Company is an RFP strategy & support consultancy that focuses on helping mid-market businesses win more state, county, local and higher education bids. They focus on overall bid strategy and provide hands-on fractional RFP response support.

The RFP Success Company team knows winning responses aren’t just about checking boxes and filing the right paperwork: you have to capture the evaluators’ attention by telling a great story, too!

The RFP Success Company helps businesses create the kind of responses that capture the right attention and emotional connection, while building trust. Known for their enthusiasm, extensive RFP expertise and countless client successes, the RFP Success team drives your RFP responses forward so you can win more contracts.

Spunky, fun, and full of energy- dynamic speaker, trainer, author and owner of The RFP Success Company, Lisa Rehurek shakes up the status quo.

She brings fun and a bit of real-world funk to the often-boring topic of responding to RFPs. Her 26+ years of business knowledge shines right alongside her down to earth, “get it done” approach.

Obsessed with strategies, systems, and simplicity, Lisa seeks to transform the most overwhelming processes into simple, attainable steps that get you & your team moving forward, faster.

Lisa has trained and consulted international organizations such as Salt River Project, Arizona State University, Mercer, Kronos, Myers & Stauffer, UC Davis, Hilton, SkillPath & more.

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn and follow RFP on Facebook and Twitter.

Vertical Identity provides comprehensive screening services such as background checks, education verification, employment verification, drug screenings, physicals, driver qualification file maintenance, and motor vehicle record checks.

From managing your random drug free workplace testing to running a monthly monitoring criminal search let Vertical Identity help you plan, prepare and implement your background screening and drug testing policy. Consistent screening helps reduce risk in pre and post hiring needs.

Sarah Hope is a Serial Entrepreneur and Visionary behind Vertical Identity, and 911OccMed. Sarah is a child of immigrant parents from Cuba. She grew up cleaning houses, and mowing lawns with her parents to make ends meet.

Today, she runs two multi-million dollar businesses, in Phoenix Arizona, and spends her summers in beautiful Alaska with her husband Jason.

Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.

IDEA Analytics provides strategic advising and analytical services for local governments, public safety and nonprofits that are interested in data-informed change. Comprised of researchers and data scientists, IDEA works with communities focused on solving complex social challenges by leveraging technology, people, and leadership. 

They have worked in 34 states and over 80 cities on topics like gun violence, human trafficking, crime reduction strategies, economic development and workforce, and programs for youth and adults. IDEA works closely with clients to enhance the capacity of services and resources for sustainable, smart approaches for the next generation.

Dr. Jessica Herbert (she/her/hers), Founder/CEO of IDEA Analytics, brings over 20 years of experience in policing, research, and data science to lead clients through transformational projects.

Jessica’s career has spanned government, public, and private industry. She began her path as a law enforcement officer in Fairfax. Upon leaving public service, Jessica leveraged her investigative skills with private industry on cybersecurity threats within financial, energy, and manufacturing industries, resulting in protections against domestic assets and intellectual property.

In focusing most recently on domestic policing topics, Jessica applies her leadership, expertise, and advisement to public safety officials on matters of data-driven or intelligence-led policing, problem solving, program strategies, and organizational change.

In addition, Jessica works with the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Human Trafficking Capacity Building Center and Field-generated Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance programs, and with Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Program’s (OJJDP) juvenile justice reform efforts to coordinate with victim service providers, nonprofits, and community-based organizations.

Dr. Herbert holds double bachelor’s degrees of Administration of Justice and Sociology from George Mason University, a Master of Arts in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University and her Doctorate in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Arizona State University. She has several professional certifications in topics of design learning, data science, and other technical skills.

When not traveling around the US and other countries, Jessica lives in the Valley of the Sun (Phoenix, Arizona) where she supports the small business community, enjoys hiking, meditation, and the cultures of the SouthWest.

Follow IDEA Analytics on LinkedIn.

About Collaborative Connections

Kelly Lorenzen started the “Collaborative Connections” show to bring her clients, favorite charities, local organizations, and other business leaders together to meet each other, connect and collaborate in life and business.

She hopes to build a stronger community through collaboration.