Laura Petrolino

Laura is Client Services Director at Arment Dietrich, a Chicago-based integrated marketing communications firm.

Petrolino has spearheaded communications and development programs for U.S. Senators, leading consumer brands and national non-profit organizations ranging from healthcare to the fine arts.

Her ability to help brands and organizations successfully tell their story, develop vibrant and engaged brand ambassadors and communities, create effective and far reaching communications str

ategies and resolve complex business challenges has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the branding, digital marketing and communications arenas.

Nicole Fende

Nicole is The Numbers Whisperer® and President of Small Business Finance Forum. As an author, speaker, accomplished air guitar player, and tamer of finance fears, Nicole enjoys helping small business owners reach multi-platinum profits.

While Nicole’s credentials may impress (Actuary, Chief Financial Officer before 30, Investment Banker in Asia, Black Belt), her true claim to fame is her ability to make finance fun. Her secret weapon in achieving this mission? The most infectious laugh you’ll ever hear.

Nicole has mastered the art of entertaining entrepreneurs while boosting their bottom line. From the villainous Number Muncher, to the endearing mascot Fluffy the Finance Feline, Nicole takes finance into uncharted territory. The entire cast of characters can be found on her blog, as well as in her book How to be a Finance Rock Star: The Small Business Owner’s Ticket to Multi-Platinum Profits . You can also catch her hosting Finance Rock Star Radio online.

This definitely isn’t the finance you slept through in college.