Women in the Golf Industry Announces National Speakers Bureau


Women in the Golf Industry (WIGI), a networking group for women in golf, will unveil the formation of the WIGI Speakers Bureau at the 2015 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla. The organization will offer corporations and allied golf groups a way to access experts in various disciplines relating to business and golf.

"Our members are extremely knowledgeable and are available to share their knowledge with others by serving as keynotes speakers, panelists and workshop presenters at industry trade shows, forums, and corporate events throughout the year," said Kathy Bissell, co-chair of the WIGI Speakers Bureau. "We serve as a resource center for those in need of experienced speakers on pertinent topics that help golf facilities and related companies grow and thrive."

The WIGI Speakers Bureau includes a variety of qualified presenters:

• Jan Bel Jan, ASGCA, is owner of Jan Bel Jan Golf Course Design and one of the select few female members of the American Society of Golf Course Architects. Bel Jan began her design career with Tom Fazio and has more than 20 years of experience at a senior level in golf course design, construction and project management. She is a board member of the National Alliance for Accessible Golf and a managing partner in the National Women's Golf Alliance. Twice, Bel Jan ranked within the Sports Illustrated Plus list of Top Ten Most Influential Women in the Game of Golf. She also serves on the WIGI board of director and is recipient of the coveted 2014 WIGI Presidents Award.

• Kathy Bissell is a real estate executive with a specialization in selling golf course properties. She is an expert in golf writing, public relations and television production and has produced more than 250 nationally-syndicated TV programs for the Golf Show. Bissell authored a compelling book about fan-favorite tour player Fred Couples and is co-author of "Venus on the Fairway," a book which focuses on the differences between teaching golf to men and to women. She is a long-time member of the Golf Writer's Association of America and a founding member of Women in the Golf Industry (WIGI).

• Susan Fornoff started her career as a trailblazing sportswriter who helped open locker rooms and career paths for women journalist. A former columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, Fornoff is a three-time author whose work includes a golf travel guide, golf memoir and a third book entitled "Lady in the Locker Room," which is now being developed into a movie format by CBS Films. She is co-founder of the Association for Women in Sports Media (AWSM) and recipient of its prestigious Pioneer Award. Fornoff is publisher and operator of GottaGoGolf.com, where she continues to blaze trails with an inspiring editorial voice on behalf of women and golf. In addition to being a popular writer and requested speaker, Fornoff is an expert advisor in social media.

• Kay McMahon, a PGA Member and LPGA T&CP Hall of Famer, is one of the nation's top female golf instructors, evidenced by her recognition as a Top 50 Women Teacher by Golf Digest. McMahon, a past national president of the LPGA's T&CP Division, has extensive knowledge about golf-swing mechanics that she shares passionately with her students - spanning from beginners to advanced including tour players. McMahon knows how to cultivate a successful teaching business and often serves as a speaker for major golf and coaching associations.

• Donna Orender, CEO of Orender Unlimited, assists companies and individuals in making transformational impact in their lives and in the marketplace. She served six years as president of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and prior, was an executive at the PGA Tour who oversaw global television, production and digital media. She is a sought-after speaker and highly knowledgeable on topics relating to gender/diversity, leadership, and business development. Orender has been recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports and one of Newsweek's 100 Most Influential People in Sports.

• Katherine Roberts, President of Yoga for Golfers and Yoga for Baseball, is an expert in sports fitness. Her company has Yoga for Golfers instructors in 30 countries around the globe. A Nike Golf Swoosh Elite athlete and a Fellow with NG360 Conditioning Program, Roberts' approach to sports conditioning has increased performance for both serious and casual golfers as well as for MLB players. She has produced seven DVDs and is author of two ground-breaking books on golf performance and fitness.

• Debbie Waitkus, founder and CEO of Golf for Cause, is a motivational speaker and golf/business author. Her company, Arizona-based Golf for Cause, manages golf tournaments, corporate outings and business-related educational conferences. Waitkus is a past-president of Women in the Golf Industry (WIGI) and is a managing partner of the National Women's Golf Alliance. On numerous occasions she has served as a keynote speaker as well as a moderator and/or panelist on topics surrounding golf, business development through sports, tournament planning and execution.

"Today, women are represented in nearly all aspects of the golf business and have keen expertise to share with the industry. We hope more groups will utilize the talent of our members at future meetings and seminars," said WIGI President Elizabeth Noblitt.