Your Past Doesn’t Dictate Your Future E39
What a treat! We skipped over the pleasantries and interview-style questions and dove straight into real talk! This episode of Collaborative Connections Radio Show and Podcast was chock full of advice, lessons learned, motivational quotes, mindset tips, and inspiring stories.
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 who is who? Check out this episode to find out! 
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.
As the leader of IDEA Analytics, Jessica believes the best path for change and transformation includes meaningful collaboration with stakeholders. She implements these values throughout IDEA’s four-phased approach to help organizations Identify their current and desired objectives, Develop sustainable changes and responses, Educate staff and community on new approaches, and Assess progress toward organizational goals.
Jessica’s career has spanned government, public, and private industry. She began her path as a law enforcement officer in Fairfax County (VA) where her analytical and investigative skills supported multi-year investigations for the Northern Virginia Violent Crime and Firearm Taskforce, a collaboration among Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Fairfax Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), United States Secret Service (USSS), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
In this capacity, Jessica supported interstate and international investigations regarding firearm, human, and drug trafficking, money laundering, and other complex crimes. 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.
During this time, she also held a teaching position with George Mason University (GMU) Criminology, Law and Society Department on topics of Homeland Security, Intelligence Analysis, and Policing. She also sponsored GMU’s student-led Intelligence Community Group, developing events to engage with Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Department of Defense (DoD) leaders for intelligence simulations and exercises.
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. Her expertise has been leveraged within national crime reduction initiatives such as the Office of Justice Programs’ (OJP) Diagnostic Center, the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Violent Reduction Network(VRN)/National Public Safety Partnership (PSP), Crime Analysis on Demand and Technology Initiatives, and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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. Her multi-system and collaborative work approaches resulted in sustainable, long-term strategies to support organizational shifts and enhance data-driven responses to community needs.
Jessica’s individualized and pragmatic approach to every project has earned her awards and commendations from local government leaders, United States Attorney’s Office, the ATF, and community members. These successes are informed by her past work in over 80 cities, focusing on strategic decision making for local governments of all sizes. Jessica’s ability to help clients quickly assess and articulate their needs and develop a path through implementation has made her a sought-after strategic partner.
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.
Her research interests focus on organizational behaviors and capacity building for public safety and communities to support change, which she is always excited to talk about with others. 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 and favorite charities together to meet each other, connect and collaborate in life and business.
She hopes to build a stronger community one show at a time.
About Our Sponsor
KLM is a one-stop support shop for small business owners who are starting, growing, or trying to sustain. Our purpose is to foster the growth and prosperity of small businesses in our community.
Entrepreneurs & small business owners come to KLM for support in all areas of business. KLM clients think of us as a concierge, business snuggy, another arm, or duplicate for the business owner; They call us when they need us. Business owners can continue to do what they love while having the support they need when they need it.
About Your Host
Kelly Lorenzen, CEO of KLM, is an award-winning entrepreneur with over 15 years of business-ownership experience. She is also a certified project management professional.
Kelly’s expertise is in business development, customer service, marketing, and sales.
Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn, and follow KLM Consulting on Facebook.
