President

Audra Whitelock

Audra is a cabi Stylist. cabi is an innovative boutique fashion brand that brings style and beauty to women through personalized styling experiences. She works with women 1 to 1 or in small groups helping them find their perfect style within the cabi brand. She has a Bachelor’s from the University of Maryland, College Park in Fashion Merchandising and joined the cabi team in 2015.

She also works as Finance Manager for Frisco Tap House and Reckless Shepherd Brewing Company located in Columbia, MD. She has been a resident of Ellicott City for 17 years where she lives with her husband Keith. She has two sons, Sean who lives in Baltimore working for CMS and Chad who lives in Mountain View, CA working for Tesla. www.audrawhitelock.cabionline.com

Secretary

Terri Schad

Terri Schad’s background includes a little bit of everything. Four years in the Army as a trained Interrogator, Receptionist, Administrative Assistant, Waterbed store owner and operator, Single Mom, Financial Planning Assistant, Retail – from LL Bean to Edible Arrangements, The Columbia Mall Secret Shop Manager, Companion Care for family and friends.

Currently Terri is the Owner of Time Saver Advantage and learning all about small business ownership. They provide extra hands to help clients tackle whatever task they are facing, from events to organizing. Her past experiences have allowed her to be ready for just about anything.

If you’re looking for Terri she’ll be in the background making things run more efficiently.

Treasurer

Laura Betz

Laura has been helping small businesses with their bookkeeping and accounting needs for over 20 years, branching out on her own in 2016, with her remote bookkeeping business, Breakaway Bookkeeping Services.  She thoroughly enjoys helping business owners organize and understand their numbers, and ultimately, increase their profit margin.  “Bookkeeping is an area that so many business owners dislike or don’t understand so end up putting it off as long as possible or doing it incorrectly.  With my degree and experience, and desire to help business owners succeed, I genuinely love what I do.”

When not crunching numbers, Laura can be found face painting at birthday parties and festivals, singing off key to her favorite bands songs, or cheering on the Boston Bruins.

Member-at-Large

Grace-Lynn Castro

Grace-Lynn Castro is a Project Manager and head of the Interiors Department at Transforming Architecture, where she has been helping clients bring their dream homes to life since 2017. A proud third-generation graduate of the University of Maryland, Grace earned her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation and holds a LEED Green Associate credential.

Throughout her career, Grace has worked on a wide range of residential projects, developing a particular passion for kitchens and gathering spaces that foster connection, community, and everyday living. She enjoys guiding clients through the design process and helping transform their vision into functional, beautiful spaces.

As a member of an all-female firm, Grace values building meaningful relationships, supporting women in business, and creating opportunities for collaboration and growth. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and spending time reading with her two cats and dog.

Membership & Hospitality Co-Chair

Carole Suser

Carole Suser is a local publisher and market manager in Howard County. Her role includes partnering with the best businesses and services in the area, showcasing them and building their brands affinity with community. Her mission is to bring people together through a positive, relevant, family-friendly magazine. In Carole’s 30+ years as an entrepreneurial business owner she has opened new businesses from scratch and grown them to success.

Her success has been rewarded both financially and as recipient of numerous awards from contemporaries and community members. Knowing what it takes to start, nurture and grow your business is the key. Today Carole shares tips with her business partners helping them put the best marketing practices in place easily and effectively. Carole lives in Clarksville with her husband, daughter, two cats and dog Shasta. When she is not working, Carole enjoys the outdoors, taking Shasta on her doggie playdates and her role as chauffeur for her teen daughter.

Membership & Hospitality Co-Chair

Michelle Dean

Growing up in Maryland, raising four children in the D.C. area and working with my husband in our Commerical & Residential Contracting Company for over 15 years, I have a unique and comprehensive perspective of the real estate market. I will use this knowledge of the building industry and community associations to better serve my clients. With determination and enthusiasm, I will ensure each client’s goals are achieved while guiding them through the buying and selling process. I approach each real estate connection with integrity, strong work ethic and resolve to offer a personal touch to each client.

Scholarship Chair

Sue Bullock

Sue Bullock is the owner of Celebrate Awards and Gifts in Ellicott City. She designs and creates recognition awards for organizations, schools, and local businesses, as well as personalized gifts for customers who want to celebrate special occasions. In 2019, Sue retired after 39 years of teaching high school in Howard County. While owning a business was never part of her plan, she is proud to stay connected with the community in a new way.

Sue has been a 4-H volunteer for nearly 30 years and presently serves on the Maryland 4-H Foundation Board of Directors.

Programs Chair

Linda Ostovitz

Linda Ostovitz is a Principal attorney with the law firm Offit Kurman. Having recently engaged in Executive Management at the firm, Linda oversaw the capacity, skills, and financial management of 280 attorneys in 10 states and 19 offices in all areas of practice.

For 20 years before joining Offit Kurman, Linda was a partner at Silverstein & Ostovitz, a boutique firm that handled exclusively Family Law matters, and for 10 years prior, she ran her own law firm. Linda’s 43-year legal career began at the State’s Attorney’s Office for Howard County. While attending law school at The University of Baltimore, she became the first Director of a newly created Victim Witness Program. Following graduation, Linda was hired as an Assistant State’s Attorney, working mostly in the district courts. She was then promoted to Senior Assistant State’s Attorney, prosecuting serious felonies in the circuit court.

Linda is certified in divorce mediation, collaborative law, arbitration, and is a graduate of the Rotary Leadership Institute and the Chesapeake Basic Economic Development Course. She has been affiliated with the Professionalism Commission of the Court of Appeals, the Judicial Nominating Commission, the Maryland State and Howard County Bar Associations, the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Association, and the Howard County Collaborative Professionals. Linda has regularly spoken to a number of professional groups, including the Maryland State Police, National Family Resiliency Center, Seminars on Divorce Options in Maryland, Financial Professionals Association, and now hosts a monthly Breakfast Bar Series providing valuable information on many legal
subject matters.

She actively engages with her community, holding the position of Immediate Past Chair of the Board of the Howard County Chamber of Commerce and serving as President of the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Additionally, Linda contributes her time and expertise to various organizations, including the Rotary Club of Columbia Patuxent and Respite Retreats at which she serves on the boards. Moreover, Linda is a dedicated advocate for Gilchrist Hospice, offering her steadfast support. She was formerly the president of the Business Women’s Network of Howard County (twice!)

Marketing Chair

Marci Brand

Marci Brand is a speaker, coach, and entrepreneur who helps individuals — particularly those navigating complex roles and life transitions — rethink productivity, leadership, and how they use their time.

In 1990, Marci founded Creative Marketing Concepts, Inc., an all-female company, building it into a trusted marketing consultancy for over 35 years before selling the company in 2025. Today, through Marci Brand Marketing Coaching & Consulting, she works with clients who are navigating growth, change, and reinvention.

Marci has been recognized as an Emerging Leader by the SBA and nominated for the Forbes 50 Over 50. She has served on the Leadership Council of the National Small Business Association and as President of the Business Women’s Network, and currently serves on several nonprofit and advisory boards.

Logistics Chair

Kristin Jarrell

Kristin Jarrell is the owner of Moments Made Simple, an event planning, design, coordination, and creative event concierge specializing in personalized and custom experiences for business and social events.

She is based out of Ellicott City, Maryland and services the greater DMV area and beyond. Kristin is a master certified Wedding and Event Planner and Designer through the Certified Wedding Planner Society. She has years of experience planning a diverse range of events including; meetings, conferences, sporting events, social events, weddings, and more. www.momentsmadesimple.com.