Emeritus Board
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Iris Burnett
Iris Burnett, is an experienced management and communication professional in government, global and international affairs, politics, entertainment, media, and academia. Ms. Burnett is presently the President of Kai Productions. Until 1998, Burnett was the Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications Public Affairs and Government Relations for the Sci-Fi Channel and USA Network. Before joining USA Networks, she served as Chief of Staff at the former United States Information Agency (USIA) the public diplomacy arm of the U.S. Government. During her tenure at USIA Burnett helped to create the White House Women’s Office and the President’s Interagency Council for Women.
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Sharon Cohen
Sharon Cohen currently heads communications and public affairs for Save the Children, a leading independent global non-governmental organization. Previously, Sharon was chief communications officer of the Kauffman Foundation, one of the country’s largest endowed foundations and the only foundation committed to entrepreneurship. For 18 years, Sharon was with Reebok International serving as Global VP of Advertising and Corporation Communications. While there, Sharon founded the Reebok Human Rights Foundation. She has served on the boards of Amnesty International USA and was a Senior Fellow of the Philanthropic Initiative. Sharon is an honors graduate of the University of Wisconsin.
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Edie Fraser
Edie is President & CEO of Business Women's Network, a part of the Working Women Network that works with corporations, government, and women’s organizations and communications firms that reach more than 40 million women. Edie is also president of the Public Affairs Group, a founding member of the Committee of 200 and past president of he National Association of Women Business Owners. Edie is on the boards of the Women’s Business Center, Delphi International, the Women’s Center in Nigeria, and Count-Me-In. Edie received a BA with honors from Duke University and has studied at Harvard and the US Department of Agriculture.
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Pattie Garrahy
Pattie Garrahy is CEO and founder of PGR Media, a full service media agency with over 70mm in media billings, and twice recognized as an “INC 500” Company. PRG’s clients include such well-known brands as Tommy Hilfiger, Bertucci’s, Saucony, Stride Rite, Johnston & Murphy, Tom’s of Maine, and Steinway & Sons. Previously Pattie served as Advertising Director at Faberge, and following an acquisition, managed Elizabeth Arden’s media activities. Pattie began her career at Creamer, Inc. followed by agency experience with Leonard Monahan Saabye and was a member of the executive team that led the agency to explosive growth.
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Nely Galan
Nely Galàn is the creator of “The Swan” – a highly successful hit reality television show that has aired in over 250 countries. Currently Nely is in negotiations for a new TV show and has signed a landmark deal to create English language novellas for the Telemundo Network. Named the “Tropical Tycoon” by the New York Times, Nely’s successes have included deals with HBO, Fox, ESPN, MGM, Sony, and TCI, and many companies targeting the Latino market. Nely is an alumni board member of the Smithsonian Institute, the Center for the Advancement of Women, and Count-Me-In.
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Marianne Spraggins
Marianne is President of Buy Hold America, dedicated to introducing AIC Ltd. (Canada’s largest privately held mutual fund money management company) into the US institutional money management market. She was CEO of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company Investment Advisors. Marianne’s previous 20 years experience included Salomon Brothers, Smith Barney Shearson (named first African American female managing director), Prudential Securities, and W.R. Lazard. Marianne was appointed by President Clinton as a Director of S.I.P.C. and has served on many government commissions. Marianne received an LLM from Harvard Law School, a JD from New York Law School, a BA from Boston University.
