Sowing the Seeds of Sisterhood

Sowing the Seeds of Sisterhood is the beautiful collaboration between the talented Artist and Graphic Designer, Gina Benson and the gifted Healer and Transformation Life Coach, Misty Blakesley. 

As Gina and Misty traveled the path of Solopreneurship, they realized just how lonely and difficult starting a business can be. And as they worked together towards their individual goals, something amazing emerged as they realized that they were better together than alone.  

And that is how Sowing the Seeds of Sisterhood was born. Together Gina and Misty have launched a Podcast with the mission to encourage and support women as they strive to serve with greatness as entrepreneurs or employees, daughters, sisters, wives, mothers, friends, mentors and more. Gina and Misty also wanted to create an opportunity for everyone to access coaching regardless of where you may be in your journey, budget, or time zone. So Misty and Gina have also launched multiple ways for their audience to participate via the podcast and memberships which include digital library of courses, live groups, and 1:1 sessions.

Co-Founder

Lemonade with Love

I started coaching because I know we are all powerful enough to create the life we want. I am living my dream and now I help people like you find and live your dream as well. Sometimes we just need someone else to help break down the barriers.

Founder

relode

In my most recent position, I was tasked with developing and building processes and systems to support Relode’s first Customer Success Organization, hiring and developing a client success and delivery team. In more detail, I sourced and ramped up a team of 10 (4 Client Success Managers, 4 Job Managers, and 2 Candidate Success Associates) during a high growth year of 84% YOY revenue growth and 4X customer logo increase.  I also implemented and documented scalable processes for all roles including Customer Success Managers and Job Managers, rejuvenating client kick off and on-boarding. In addition, I performed monthly ROI calls, and QBR’s with client senior leaders and decision makers, tracking performance and coaching for improvement and career growth. I authored and executed upselling and cross-selling processes, increasing sales. Moreover, I created accountability for Customer Success Managers tied to net & gross logo and revenue retention. I also designed a job intake PowerPoint and process, optimizing the Job Manager process, slashing candidate wait time in funnel. In a few measurables, I skyrocketed the crowd client NPS score from -11 to +64 and improved crowd client engagement $2M to $3.1M, with a predicted $1.2M in Q3 of 2022.  I also created processes and procedures, leveraging Salesforce and Power BI, exceeding all objectives in less than 8 months. Finally, I created an inspirational culture with zero team turnover as well as phenomenal client experience leading to client retention.

VP of Client Success

Apex HCM

For these three years, I was charges with New Sales, Account Management, Implementation and Onboarding, and the Marketing departments. I managed and motivated a team with a $1.2M team quota. In more detail, I :
•	Achieved a $1M pipeline during the Pandemic while recovering from an extreme 2019 ransomware attack. 
•	Focused on retaining the $10.5M client base and converted 1300 EINS and 87,000 EEs to the Apex Platform.
•	Achieved $850K in new sales and retained a $11.5M client base while growing ancillary and partnership revenue $600K.
•	Rejuvenated processes, implemented a sales funnel, and redefined sales opportunities escalating closing ratios from 18% to 35%.
•	Developed the Client Success Program, expanding recognized revenue from 72% to 89%.
I also completed an in-depth analysis of the conversion back log and recurring revenue, partnering with the CFO. In addition, I analyzed TAM and determined the market, understanding the competitive landscape and refining the value proposition.  I also identified new product requirements and prioritization for quarterly planning for the development team (Agile). I carefully created a new Sales Playbook, reducing the sales process time by half. Finally, I improved cross functional communication and escalated the new client on-boarding experience.

VP of Sales

Heartland Payment Systems

Here, I lead the charge of increasing sales in payroll and HR services and referrals to merchant services, e-commerce, and lending. I recruited, hired, trained, and developed sales professionals and sales leaders, conducted weekly team calls, 1:1s, and team building events. I supported the team with on-going mentoring and coaching, leading to promotions. Behind the scenes, I inspected the pipeline, managed forecasting and division budgets and produced production and forecasting reports for the Regional VP. Finally, I created 55% of the Diamond level performers in the top 25% of revenue producers in the enterprise.

Payroll Division Manager

As the Global Ancillary Sales Manager, I managed a team charged with increasing sales in consumer health spending account services, absence management services, dependent verification audits, total reward statements and custom communications in a dual hunter and partnership role. I profiled, prospected, and executed marketing and sales campaigns gaining top prospects and accounts in GA, FL, SC and NC, creating 25 opportunities in 9 months. I also repaired cross functional upper manager relationships in 9 months’ time, leading to better collaboration and a positive impact on results.

Ancillary Sales Manager

Becker Professional Education

SENIOR ACCOUNT MANAGER, 2014 – 2015

For this fast-paced year, I mentored and coached 55, with clients including Price Waterhouse, KPMG, Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), and Grant Thornton, underpinning company growth of 12-14% YOY.

ACCOUNT MANAGER, ATLANTA METRO, 2010 – 2014

I managed 70+ accounts producing $3.5M+ in revenue.  I was honored as a member of the Growth Initiative Counsel propelling new growth by developing targeted tools for online classes.

Sr. Account Manager

Helping people transform their life through healing | Intuitive | CPO | CHO (Chief Happiness Officer) | Boy Mom | My Husband's Biggest Fan

I work with individuals by leveraging my passion to help people transform their lives by guiding them to self-healing of their trauma and wounds allowing happiness, abundance, and love to flow. I am passionate about the potential living within each of us and activating that potential so every person can the life they dream of!  

I also partner with Founders and CEOs to support his or her vision by optimizing individuals and teams through coaching, providing valuable insights and best practices to create a culture of highly engaged and energized employees . I lead through example and inspire through my passion. 

Lemonade with Love: As I received my calling to transform people and businesses through healing, I founded Lemonade with Love. I merged my spiritual gifts with the science of meta cognitive programming to help people transform their lives through consulting, group/community sessions, and one-on-one sessions. I would love to help you unleash your potential and find happiness today. Message me to get started. 

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CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

LEADERSHIP WITH LOVE
"Misty was a spark of courage that I needed personally. Having a leader that pours into you and points out your strengths while acknowledging the weakness is what I needed. Most leadership I have experienced were not so uplifting, they only pointed out the bad and basically stated "Do better". You made me feel like I could definitely do well and go far in this position and any position I set my mind to. You have provided me vision. I greatly appreciate that."  - Joseph Smith

FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH TRAUMA 
"Misty is without a doubt one of the most gifted souls that I have had the luck to encounter and know in my life. Her counseling and guidance have been vital to my personal healing from childhood trauma and relationship trauma. She is patient, nonjudgmental and genuine. She has a unique ability to give the right messages at the right time, and coupled with that she suggests practices for everyday life that further you along your path. I can honestly say, that I would not be the same person, mother, parter, friend and employee without the divine guidance I have received through Misty." -Dara Vaughan Peck

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Find out more at www.lemonadewithlove.com. 

For daily personal development tips and motivational guidance, FOLLOW ME on LinkedIn.

Misty Blakesley

Lucia Kanter St. Amour

Under the Sisterhood

UTS is a social impact company that addresses the critical gaps in women’s health education, diagnosis, and treatment. As CLO, I'm responsible for: legal guidance on general business operations, partnerships, and organizational practices; contract review and negotiation with vendors and partners; policy development ensuring legal, ethical, and privacy compliance; risk awareness and mitigation; recommending practical strategies that project the organization’s integrity and vision; addressing potential legal issues related to employment and board members; liaising and supervising outside counsel; partnering with cross-functional teams to effectively communicate the organization’s mission, support its programs, and amplify its social justice initiatives.

Chief Legal Officer

Pactum Factum

Chief Legal/Negotiation Officer for various corporations, NCAA athletes, and organizations; U.S. mediation liaison to Supreme Court of India 2022-2023; have mediated/negotiated 1000+ cases; host of "Forces of Good" podcast. Seasoned employment law and negotiation expert. Pactum Factum Press publishing.

Attorney | CLO | Publisher

UN Women

VP, San Francisco  - the birthplace of the United Nations in 1945. UN Women USA is the official, membership-based non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness for UN Women, the United Nations agency that advances gender equality and female empowerment globally.  Events and projects include: Cities for CEDAW a nationwide, grassroots effort to encourage local governments to become more gender equitable; EVAW - an effort to End Violence Against Women; The Gender Equal Pay coalition; HeForShe, a social movement campaign providing a systematic approach and targeted platform through which men and boys become agents of change for the achievement of gender equality; Women In Climate Change Gender Action Plan; Bi-annual Global Voices Film Festival

Vice President - UN Women USA

Spectrum Strategies for Autism

501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing sibling programming; and rescue dog matching, placement and training to families with children with Autism and other special needs.

University of California, College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly UC Hastings)

Teaching:  Negotiation / Mediation Clinic / Mediation Certification for Professionals / Special Education  Law. 2003-2012 taught regular course(s) on-site each semester. I tried to retire, but noooooo. They wouldn't let me 😂 2013-present continue on faculty as hybrid (remote and on-site) coach and instructor

Law Professor (Adj.)

International Chamber of Commerce

Serving as judge and mediator for ICC mediation competition in Paris, France

Mediator and Judge

University of California, Berkeley - School of Law

Teaching Negotiation practical skills course and supervising independent studies

Lecturer

EEOC

One of the small team of original designers of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s pilot mediation program in 1996 for the San Francisco Regional Office, and later mediated EEOC cases from San Jose to Sacramento

Mediator

Judicial Council of California

In-house employment law attorney for the Judicial Council of California, Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), the policymaking body for the entire California court system for 58 counties and the Supreme Court of California. I advised the Judicial Council, the Chief Justice of California, and trial and appellate court judges and court officers, contributing to major policy and legal decisions on employment and labor issues that affect the entire judicial branch of California. During that time, I was also selected by the California Division for Judicial Education and Research (CJER) as a representative attorney for the judicial branch to conduct ongoing discrimination and harassment training through live, televised, satellite broadcast programming to court employees statewide. The target 20,000-member audience consisted of judges, human resources professionals, court directors and court staff. Broadcasting live with a studio audience, I also co-hosted CJER’s production of “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:  A Celebration of Justice,” as part of the Division’s Continuing The Dialogue television series. The content of many of the broadcasts drew upon expertise in the field of Civil Rights and various discrimination and fair employment laws.

Attorney - Office of the General Counsel

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Upon dissolution of boutique labor & employment firm in San Francisco, joined Orrick's Employment Law group and handled all aspects of litigation and client counseling. Closest clients I worked with included Gap, Apple, Oracle, Electronic Arts

Employment Litigation Attorney

VP Emerita UN Women | Attorney Action Figure 🦸🏻‍♀️ | Arresting Author | Chief Negotiation Officer | Plucky Podcast Host | Irreverent Int'l Keynote | "What Box?" Bellwether

📚 World domination through literary seduction. Elegant. Defiant. Irresistibly true. Are you ready for what's next (October 13, 2025)? MY WRITING IS ORGANIC USING REAL INTELLIGENCE (AI wishes it could write like me)

I'm not bossy. I'm BOSS. A UN Women VP, provocatrice, attorney/law professor turned negotiation GOAT . . .

(Buckle up. This is ..."a lot")

🦸🏻‍♀️ I help women harness the power of everyday negotiation—from conning a toddler into eating peas to running the boardroom. I authored the Little Black Dress of negotiation books. Why?

Because negotiation isn’t just for business. It’s everybody’s business 🧐

(But you don’t need me to “empower” you. Nor do I sell a “masterclass” or certification from my own “institute”)

🌍 World Mediation Peace Activist. Benevolent & incurable explorer (dubbed “creative savant”—you know who you are). A bit wild at ❤️‍🔥, I struggle with purpose and disrupt with goodwill—through advocacy, teaching, writing, broadcasting, philanthropy, art & sports.

🗣️ Polyglot. Passionate about people & social progress. JEDI agent (not a Star Wars ref). I’ve practiced law in private, public & non-profit sectors; have taught internationally, including over two decades as faculty at two University of California law schools.

I get that people are messy multitudes—and how they actually behave in conflict & decision-making.
What makes me next-level? Decades of deep experience in negotiation, behavioral economics, game theory, plus dope training in:

✔️ Emotional micro-expressions
✔️ Lie detection
✔️ Neuroscience & decision analysis

Oh, and I know the #1 most stealth negotiation skill. 😎

(Kinda like x-ray vision. Hint: it’s NOT “speaking your truth.”)

WHAT I’M NOT:

❌ A sales/marketing bro who built my expertise off a “masterclass”
❌ A brand
❌ Your income stream
❌ After your 💰 or approval
❌ One to trademark words. Ahem™ 🙄 (you know the type)

Special needs parent & dog whisperer—chaos doesn’t faze me, and persistence is my default setting. CEO of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing dogs & sibling support for families with special needs kids.

🫶 Turn-ons: Cake, shoes, pour-over coffee, decent literature
🤢 Turn-offs: NIMBYism, vapid buzzwords, elitism, posers

💡 Meyers-Briggs type? ENFJ-A (same 2% club as Obama & Oprah).

🕸️See more on pactumfactum.com, but TLDR: 
I’m 95% human Labrador (begs the question: what’s the other 5%?). Find it endearing or annoying. That's on you. Either way, I’ll be me because, as Oscar Wilde said, “Everyone else is taken.”

P.S.
❌ I don’t do casual Zoom coffee chats
✅ I’ve already overpaid it forward

taplio

The Battle

Misty Blakesley

S. Lucia Kanter St. Amour

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