Cynthia de Lorenzi founded Success in the City, an unconventional networking organization for senior executive businesswomen in the DC area. Success in the City hosts creative events and professional development discussions to foster meaningful relationships and connections among its members. More than 1,000 women have participated in Success in the City events. Ms. de Lorenzi is also passionate about empowering others and paying it forward through her work with Success in the City and other organizations.

2. Cynthia de Lorenzi likes to call herself a serial entrepreneur and
social commentator on the status of women in our world today. She
also encourages the label “open networker” and, just for fun, “Diva
Extraordinaire.” Washington Business Journal selected her as one of the top
25 “Women Who Mean Business” in 2006, SmartCEO magazine awarded
her the BRAVA award in 2009 and she was awarded SmartCEO’s Circle
of Excellence by her peers as well as being recognized by Enterprising
Women in 2010. Her organization, Success in the City has been featured
in the Business Section of the Washington Post, NPR, DC Modern Luxury
Magazine and Washington’s Finest.
As founder and chief executive officer of Success in the City, Ms. de Lorenzi
leads an unconventional business networking organization for senior level
executive businesswomen in the DC Metropolitan area. To help foster
meaningful peer relationships and friendships among members, Success
in the City’s format tosses creative and fun events as well as professional
development discussions into the menu of opportunities to connect. Ms. de
Lorenzi maintains that when given the opportunity to “really” connect on a
dynamic personal level, personal growth as well as consummating “deals-
on-heels” is assured. More than a thousand women have participated in
SITC events.
Cynthia de Lorenzi In conjunction with Success in the City she also launched Success in the
City TV, an Internet TV network for women’s groups and organizations
Founder & CEO, Success in the City and her recent partnership and endeavor Pink Collar LLC, a consulting
and creative company encompassing traditional, new, emerging and
futuristic media.
Ms. de Lorenzi is passionate about empowering others and the principle
of paying-it-forward. In addition to leading Success in the City, Ms. de
Lorenzi serves as a Board member of The Telework Coalition, Mingle360,
The Women’s Center and Community Business Partnership including The
Women’s Business Center, which provides training, assistance and support
to businesswomen in Northern Virginia.

3. Fran Dean Bishop is an award-winning CEO & business coach with an 18-year track record in the health, media and
communications industries. An accomplished speaker, business leader and health technology developer, Ms. Bishop
founded Aerobodies Inc. (www.Aerobodies.com) in 1994 as a provider of health management programs, products and
services for corporations, local, state and federal government agencies. Today that same company has evolved to become
AFC Management Services serving organizations from coast to coast providing solutions in health & wellness services,
project management and professional development services including leadership and business coaching. In response to
customer demand for scaleable innovative health promotion and technology, AFC launched two technology innovations:
MyEquilibriumCoach.com and MECKids.com. Both web-based platforms offer interactive health, behavior management and
wellness programming for employee groups and the K-12 education community. The latter MECKids.com also serves as an
interactive health & fitness social network for youths. AFC Management’s client base includes: The City of Alexandria, DOT,
Fran Dean Bishop OPM, SAIC & the USDA. Ms. Bishop earned her bachelor’s degree in communications & marketing from George Mason
Founder & CEO,
University. She also attended Georgetown University’s School of Professional Studies for Executive Leadership Coaching.
AFC Management Services
Ms. Bishop is a certified master coach and former track & field athlete.
Ms. Bishop has been a member of Success in the City for over three years. “I wish Success in the City had existed when I first started my company 15
years ago. Cynthia has put together a wonderful organization for women to come together, collaborate, learn and leverage the experiences of one another’s
businesses. Being an entrepreneur can be a truly lonely road filled with lots of potholes, hurdles and highlights. You need a place and space to share all of
that, with others who can truly understand and want to see you succeed. That’s what I’ve found in Success in the City.”
Maurisa Potts is the Founder/CEO of Spotted MP (Marketing + Public Relations) – a boutique marketing, public relations
and event strategy firm which provides distinctively tailored and integrated marketing solutions exclusively to small
businesses, non-profits, and entrepreneurs in the Washington, D.C. area. Maurisa Potts has 16+ years of executive-level
marketing, communications and events experience. Her skill and expertise encompass a variety of sectors such as economic
development, hospitality, technology, telecommunications, accounting, fashion, and legal services.
Prior to starting her own business, Maurisa was the Director of Marketing for the Crystal City Business Improvement
District (BID), located in Arlington, VA. There she played an integral role in enhancing the image and perception of Crystal
City by promoting the destination and urban appeal of the area. She was responsible for building and leading the marketing,
branding, public relations, community partnerships and events for Arlington County’s largest downtown. Previous employers
include Wickwire Gavin, P.C., Reed Smith LLP, Arent Fox, Arthur Andersen, Microstrategy, and Platinum Technology (now
known as Computer Associates).
Maurisa potts
Maurisa serves on the Executive Committee for Success in the City Professional Women’s Organization serving as
Founder & CEO of Spotted MP
Marketing Chairman. She is a past Executive Board Member of the DC Chapter of the Board of the American Marketing
Association where she held the position of Vice President of Branding & Marketing Communications. She is a former Executive Board Member for the
Greater Washington Fashion Chamber of Commerce. Maurisa enjoys memberships in Success in the City, Ladies Who Launch, Washington Women in Public
Relations, and the Virginia Tech Alumni Association (National Capital Region).
A Northern Virginia native (from Vienna,VA), Maurisa is a graduate of Virginia Tech University. She resides in Alexandria, VA with her husband and son.
Judy Bradt is one of America’s top strategists for government contract success. Over 23 years, she’s guided more than
6000 clients who credit her advice for winning over $300 million in government business. Expert consultant, award-winning
speaker and author, she loves to open minds and then open doors for those who want to reach the world’s biggest buyer: the
U.S. government.
Confused and frustrated by what’s supposed to be a straightforward “process?” You’re not alone. Judy brings her clients
the keys to government contracting success. “So often, Focus makes all the difference -- but there are seven steps that
winning companies take,” said Judy. She shares those insider tips in her new book, Government Contracts Made Easier.
Her firm offers private executive consulting services, small group programs and public workshops.
“Alexandria is a great base to connect with government buyers, vendors, and my clients in the Capital region, the mid-
Atlantic government contractor community and beyond,” she explained.
JuDy BraDt She inspires generosity in others, too. Her latest workshop, “Government Contracts Made Easier: Strategy In A Day,”
CEO, Summit Insight raised $5,400 for Wounded Warrior Project and helped 20 business leaders chart their course for contracting success.
Lillian Chao-Quinlan is President for Sportrock Climbing Centers. Sportrock is a state of the art indoor rock climbing
facility with locations in Sterling and Alexandria, VA and is one of the largest climbing facilities on the east coast. Opened
in 1994, Sportrock provides nationally recognized classes and programs to include comprehensive kids’ and corporate
offerings, walk-up, and memberships to climbers of all ages and abilities.
Lillian is committed to giving back to the community and using climbing as a vehicle to empower people to realize their
potential. Sportrock is a key partner for HERA Climb4Life Metro DC, an annual event that raises money and awareness for
ovarian cancer research and providing direct funding to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. Sportrock is also partners
with Walter Reed Hospital and The Wounded Soldiers Project. Quadriplegics, amputees, vision impaired soldiers and other
wounded soldiers gather at Sportrock to climb. Sportrock hosts a variety of events for children’s groups to include at risk
students and learning disabled children. Donations to schools fundraisers amount to over $20,000 annually.
LiLLian Chao-QuinLan
President, Sportrock Lillian has been an avid rock climber since 1999, climbing competitively as well as recreationally all over the country and
Climbing Centers in Europe. She has been featured in Smart CEO and received the Washington SmartCEO 2010 BRAVA! Women Business
Achievement Award, which recognizes 25 female CEOs for achievements in business, building community and leadership.