The Importance of Strong Partnerships

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In launching the Total Engagement Consulting by Kimer practice, I learned very early on that to maximize success, I needed to have a strong and diverse set of partners to assist in the many aspects of business start up and on-going operations. And these partners could include service providers, business partners, and even successful business people who simply provide encouragement and inspiration.

Therefore in this blog I would like to highlight and thank the following partners and encouragers: (and use the included links to check them out for yourself)

First, during this entire journey, Vickie Bevenour, the executive career coach and herself a successful entrepreneur, who was assigned to me by Right Management to lead me through a structured approach to maximize my success. Also to Kim Mills, an account manager for Right Management, who first recommended I engage Right Management’s services to assist with the business start up.

Jim Manchester of IYI Creative Services who not only designed, built and maintains my website, and set up my newsletter process, but also provides invaluable and creative advice of how to better utilize the web pages for selling and promoting my business.

Lorana Price and Dan Poindexter at Holy Cow Branding, who providing superb strategic branding consulting services and handled my business launch press release.

Former IBM colleague Sharon Hill, who encouraged and inspired me early in the process with her example of founding her own thriving speaking, writing and educational business Sharon Hill International.com. She also connected me with Holy Cow Branding.

Important in any venture is excellent banking services, and my Wachovia personal banker Patricia Madden-Renouard provided for all my business banking needs.

Experienced industry consultant Val Boston III of Boston and Associates, who welcomed me into the industry with his sage advice and also brought me in as a partner in a potential consulting engagement.

Pat Baillie, Associate Director of Training, at Out and Equal Workplace Advocates, the country’s leading organization for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) workplace equality, has been providing excellent training materials so can further enhance my skills.

The partnership between Global Roots and the Kamba Tribe in Kenya included a communal meal.

Any worthwhile venture needs to include a host of competent and successful associates, and the linking and intersecting with other successful professionals can help all us reach our highest potential.

Public Speaking Availability and Recent Television Interview

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In addition to offering my consulting services in the areas of diversity management, career mapping / skills development and organizational effectiveness, I also offer my services as a public speaker for your business, organization, network or educational function. I can speak for any length of time you require on my topics of expertise that include:

• The business case for and importance of diversity (overall or LGBT–Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) in a corporate or non-profit setting

• The criticallity of career and skills development either at the person or corporate level

• Leadership focusing on the intersection of elements, talents, and style as well as an depth review of those areas

• On my experience as the new president of the North Carolina Council of Churches

Click here for details on my speaking topics.

If you want to see me in action, you can view the recordings of my recent television interview on Byline with Donn Ansell broadcast January 23, 2011 on CBS-WILM Channel 10 in Wilmington, North Carolina. The recordings come in three segments. They are available on YouTube.


SEGMENT 1: Introduction to the North Carolina Council of Churches and the newsworthiness of my election.


SEGMENT 2: More on my election and long time involvement with the Council, my own faith and coming out journey, my role at IBM and its diversity practices, and discussion of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy.


SEGMENT 3: Discussing gay bullying, my agenda for the Council, the gay marriage issue, me as a role model, my new consulting practice and my vocational center in Africa with Global Roots.

Thank you for watching. I look forward to you contacting me.