Board of Directors

Laura M. Labovich, CEO of The Career Strategy Group, a
boutique outplacement firm based in Washington D.C., collaborates with more than 120 companies, nonprofits, and associations across the nation helping them nurture their workforce through the inclusion of personalized outplacement services, career management services, and resilience and workplace training solutions.

In addition, The Career Strategy Group has helped thousands
of job seekers around the globe manage their careers and land meaningful jobs they love. Before founding The Career Strategy Group, Laura recruited nationwide for Walt Disney World, and developed the first college internship program at America Online. She is currently an adjunct professor at the Smith School of Business at University of Maryland where she teaches Career Search Strategies in Business.

Laura’s advice has been featured broadly in national outlets including The Washington Post, Washingtonian Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, Sirius XM Radio, Chicago Tribune, NBC 6 (Miami), along with dozens of others.

Laura is the co-author of 100 Conversations for Career Success: Learn to Network, Cold-Call, and Tweet Your Way to Your Dream Job, a 2013 top career book selection by FORBES.com.

Laura is so proud to be the President of Women Business Owners of Montgomery County.

Maya Nadeem is a strategic advisor, organizational architect, and the visionary force behind reCollaborate, a boutique knowledge advisory firm supporting founders, entrepreneurs, and small business leaders turn ideas into action and chaos into clarity. Known for her unique ability to cut through complexity, Maya blends strategic foresight with operational precision to help businesses grow with purpose and structure.

With more than two decades of experience building high-performing teams and designing human-centered organizations across both entrepreneurial ventures and complex corporate environments, Maya specializes in aligning strategy, structure, talent, and leadership, often stepping in as a fractional COO or strategic partner to help clients bring their boldest visions to life.

At the core of Maya’s work is a belief that there is no future without a strong foundation. Through reCollaborate, she offers on-demand advisory, expert execution, and fractional C-suite partnerships to those navigating growth, reinvention, or operational “dumpster fires.” From solopreneurs refining their foundations to scaling teams preparing for the next big leap, Maya brings heart, rigor, and an unwavering commitment to collaboration.

As President-Elect of WBO, Maya brings a deep commitment to what is possible when women business owners come together with purpose. She is passionate about creating a space where members feel supported, respected, and seen. This is a community where knowledge is shared freely, purposeful conversations lead to real progress, and business growth is fueled by clarity, connection, and meaningful collaboration.

Suzanne Scheer, J.D., CLTC ® is a financial advisor specializing in long-term care insurance.  
Suzanne was born in Washington DC and grew up in Rockville.  She graduated from Emory University and George Mason University School of Law. She practiced family law in Northern Virginia then took a
long career break to raise her son and help her parents during their extended illnesses.  Suzanne joined The Meakem Group in 2015 and became a financial advisor.  Her experience with her late parents fuels her passion for helping people plan for long-term care.

Philippa Channer is a seasoned communications manager with over 14 years of experience. She has recently embarked on a new journey as a marketing business owner, leveraging her expertise to help small business owners take charge of their marketing efforts. Philippa’s approach focuses on creating customized marketing plans with content marketing strategies that deliver measurable results. In addition to her marketing expertise, Philippa is also a passionate advocate for time management and productivity. She has authored a daily planner for women entrepreneurs that provides a holistic approach to managing their busy lives. As a wife and mother of three, Philippa understands the importance of balancing work and family. In her spare time, she enjoys meditating and playing video games with her family. You can often find her sharing her experiences and insights on social media. With her friendly and approachable demeanor, Philippa is committed to helping her clients achieve their marketing goals while also prioritizing their personal lives.

As founder and owner of Kharis Lavender Fields, Claudia Tsas is dedicated to cultivating lavender and building a vibrant community around this unique industry. Her journey began with a passion for mental health, finding balance in life, and fostering meaningful human connections. This led to the creation of her lavender farm, which produces high-quality lavender products, including culinary lavender and essential oils, known for their calming properties and therapeutic benefits.

In addition to her focus on lavender products, Claudia has created a special place for the community with the Lavender Barn, a serene and enchanting venue for events. The Lavender Barn specializes in hosting lavender-themed bridal and baby showers, offering guests an unforgettable experience in a natural, aromatic setting. By blending the beauty of lavender with these celebrations, the venue enhances relaxation and connection, creating a truly unique experience for attendees. Claudia’s vision is to offer more than just a product line—she seeks to create memorable moments centered around lavender, its wellness benefits, and the community it fosters.

As an advocate for innovative and sustainable practices, Claudia continues to promote lavender’s versatility, both as an economic asset and for its mental health benefits. “Lavender is not only the number one aromatherapy essential oil,” she says, “but there is also a growing body of medical research supporting its use for anxiety and stress relief. By promoting these benefits, we can enhance both the economic and emotional well-being of our communities.”

Claudia is also an active member of the United States Lavender Growers Association (USLGA), where she collaborates with fellow growers and participates in industry events and workshops. Her goal is to elevate the lavender industry while encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, ensuring lavender’s place not only in Maryland but beyond. Through the Lavender Barn and her products, Claudia continues to inspire others to incorporate lavender into their daily lives, fostering both community and well-being.

Dr. Lopez began her career as a public-school teacher and then administrator in Texas, her home state. She found her way into correctional education as the Superintendent of Education for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and was later recruited to initiate education reforms for the students in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice by the Windham School District. In 2016, Obama-era Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates recruited Dr. Lopez to build a school district within the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Dr. Lopez then served as the Deputy Director of College and Career Readiness and Professional Development for the DC Department of Corrections where she designed and implemented innovative academic and workforce development programs for incarcerated students and a post-release employment program for justice-involved individuals returning to the community.

She is currently the CEO of Past the Edges Consulting and the Executive Director of Operations for Hand2Heart DC, a nonprofit serving incarcerated students and returning citizens in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. Dr. Lopez is also a professorial lecturer at George Washington University.

Heather has lived and worked in Montgomery County, MD for 15 years.  She began working for MedImmune in the Kentlands and then launched her training company, Training de Jour, in 2017. 

Heather presents education workshops all over the US; because of her frequent business travel, her first years with WBO were as a frequent guest but not yet a member. The shift that Covid caused in her business landscape allowed her to finally become a member. Quickly she jumped  into the role of Secretary and then Vice-President.

Now serving as President gives her the opportunity to help rebuild the organization back to its pre-Covid strength.