#GetGrit: Meet Our Speakers

Join NAWMBA Houston and Tulane University Freeman School of Business for an evening of inspiration and empowerment as women from diverse industries, backgrounds, and career stages discuss their challenges and how they were able to overcome in the face of adversity.

Keynote and Moderator

Kimberlin Sturgis, Ph.D.
Founder and CEO of Canji Consulting
Former Manager of Curriculum, Children’s Museum of Houston

The founder and CEO of Canji Consulting, LLC. The purpose of Canji is to connect companies with the communities they serve through workforce development and educational opportunities. She started her firm with 17+ years in formal and informal K-12 education experience. Prior to starting her company, Kim was the Manager of Curriculum and Evaluation at the Children’s Museum of Houston (CMH). Before joining CMH Kim held various positions in the Houston Independent School District including chemistry teacher, content specialist, and principal. Additionally, she served in the Air Force Reserves and worked as an Environmental Chemist. Kimberlin holds degrees from Alcorn State University (BS in Chemistry) and Prairie View A&M University (MEd in Curriculum and Instruction and PhD in Educational Leadership).

Panelists

Kim Denney
Managing Director, Newport Board Group
Former President, Air Liquide America

In over 10 years as a Director, Kim has developed a keen understanding of board governance and the unique role of a board member from both a fiduciary’s and a strategist’s perspective. Kim’s passionate commitment to educational, non-profit organizations is evident in her board service through difficult transitions and the breadth of her support of universities, business- and community-centered organizations. She frequently speaks on leadership topics at professional events. Her global perspective, engineering background, and financial acumen shaped a record of solving top-level problems as an executive with broad responsibilities in the Petrochemical, Energy, and Manufacturing industries. Her P&L experience included accelerating organic growth, successful acquisitions and achieving millions in savings through cost-cutting, divestitures, integrations and efficiency projects.

Kristine Klavers
Senior Vice President, Argus Consulting Services

A native of Oslo, Norway she earned her master’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Twente, Netherlands.  She completed her thesis on the development of a catalyst for methane coupling at Tokyo Institute of Technology, which was patented by a Japanese multinational.

Kristine is the senior vice president at Argus Media Inc., Kristine manages their consulting team, with focus on the Americas. Prior to joining Argus she was in charge of Hart Energy’s Research & Consulting division.  She built their entire global consulting practice and was a member of their board for four years. Prior to joining Hart Energy in 1996, Ms. Klavers worked for ARCO Chemicals Inc. in the U.K. and as process engineer for Japanese Gasoline Co. (JGC) in Japan.

Erin McClarty
Social Impact Attorney

A native from Southwest Houston, Erin started her legal career as counsel for international Fortune rated companies.  Currently, she has her own practice working with startup corporate, charitable and social impact organizations on strategic planning, revenue modeling and compliance. Erin also manages a blog on legal issues for mission-related organizations, and is working on a how-to book for charities.

Pat Pratt
President, Creative Consumer Research

Pat Pratt is president of Creative Consumer Research, a 40-year-old marketing research firm and the most respected public opinion source, providing accurate and actionable information in order to develop strategic solutions.

She was the first female MBA at the University of Tennessee and her storied career spans five decades.