A resource for members interested in continuous learning and stretching the boundaries of their professional knowledge
The Varied Interests of Our Membership
Kettering Special Interest Groups (SIGs) represent the varied interests of our membership. Members are encouraged to attend, participate and contribute to one or more SIGs that align with his or her interests and expertise. SIG meetings may be held either in-person or virtually at the discretion of the SIG leader.
Special Interest Groups
Click on a category below to learn more
Consultants and Fractional Executives
The Consultants and Fractional Executives SIG exists to help those operating in – or considering – these “Gig Economy” roles and business ownership to be successful. Learn how to evaluate your talent and skills to develop a method to package what you know into an offering your target audience can purchase. Meetings are typically held the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
Frequency: 3rd Wednesday of the Month
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:30 AM
Leaders: Martin Schmidler and Joe Farach
Sales & Marketing
The Sales & Marketing SIG brings well known speakers / experts together with Kettering professionals to discuss Best Practices being used by Sales & Marketing executives. The meetings are intended for those with a Sales and Marketing background or those who want to learn more about the topics. Meetings are typically held the second Tuesday of each month
Frequency: 2nd Tuesday of the Month
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:30 AM
Leaders: Craig Lewis, Cory Cox, and Amy Walker Barrs
Digital Transformation
The Digital Transformation SIG facilitates discussion, information sharing and learning among those who are responsible for managing information technology, developing technology products, delivering technology services, using technology to improve their business processes, or interested in staying current with Digital Transformation developments. Meetings are typically held the 4th Tuesday of each month.
Frequency: 4th Tuesday of the Month
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:30 to 9:00 am
Leader: John Harris
Women
The Women SIG brings together executives who genuinely support one another in achieving professional and personal goals. The Women SIG members are positive, caring leaders who consistently pay it forward and they provide a forum for members to:
- Increase their opportunity to network across a set of multi-functional, multi-industry women executives
- Raise awareness about women’s career management and development issues
- Discuss career approaches and challenges
- Celebrate the diversity of women in community-related activities
Frequency: 4th Monday of the Month – Meeting / 2nd Saturday of the month – Outdoor Hike
Location: In-person and Virtual
Time: 5:30 PM
Leaders: Donna Moore
International
Connecting Kettering to the World through international education, development, and global partnership programs. Meetings are typically held in the evening the fourth Thursday of each month
Continuous Learning – Enhance your understanding of international issues and make yourself more relevant in today’s global work environment
Active Engagement – Drive economic, political and business discussions around current events while networking with the international community
Connecting – Partner with and support global organizations in metro Atlanta
Frequency: 1st Wednesday of the month (quarterly or bi-monthly to start)
Location: Virtual and In-person
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 am
Leaders: Philippe Harousseau, Juan Carlos Sanchez, Martin Valkysers, and Arnald Capriles
Finance, Banking and Investments (FBI)
The FBI SIG focuses on small group networking, engaging speakers, learning and discussion on topics of interest to Finance Professionals and others interested in the area of finance.
Frequency: TBD
Location: TBD
Time: TBD
Leaders: Open
Executive Development SIG
From solving operational problems to improving a business’s market position to building relationships, this SIG is the trusted community needed for lasting Executive excellence. Meetings are typically held on the first Tuesday evening of each month.
Frequency: 1st Tuesday of each month
Location: Virtual
Time: 5:30 pm
Leaders: Ed Ciechoski and Solomon Shields
Business Lab
The objective is to help fellow Kettering members enhance, advance and grow their business whether they own their own company or work for a corporation. Feedback is given to ideas and issues presented during an open forum. Meetings are typically held the third Tuesday of each month.
Frequency: 3rd Tuesday of each month
Location: Virtual
Time: 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Leader: Ace Edwards, Artie Rudeman and Keith Mozena
Kettering Coffee Connections
The Kettering Coffee Connections (KCC) is an informal, facilitated, ninety-minute career development conversation in a small group. Think of it as a multi-person coffee meeting where one can get the kind of robust networking experience that you get from a one-on-one coffee meeting, the depth of which is tough to achieve at a Friday Meeting or First Monday Social. Topics are generally set by those attending so that the group can help attendees address current challenges at work, in transition or elsewhere. Unlike other Kettering SIGs, the Kettering Coffee Connections are geographically located in the Atlanta area and Athens offering additional access.
Perimeter Coffee Connections
Frequency: 1st & 3rd Thursdays
Location: 1st – In Person, La Madeline – 1165 Perimeter Center W, Atlanta / 3rd – Virtual
Time: 7:30 AM
Leaders: Bob White and Steve Deboe
East Cobb Coffee Connections
Frequency: 2nd & 4th Thursdays
Location: 2nd Virtual, / 4th – In Person, Panera Bread 4475 Roswell Road, Marietta
Time: 7:30 AM
Leaders: John Harris
Athens Coffee Connections
Frequency: 4th Wednesday of the month
Location: Jittery Joe’s on Epps Bridge Pkwy in Athens, GA
Time: 7:30 AM
Leader: Paul Ghesquiere
North Atlanta Coffee Connections
Frequency: Monthly, Second Wednesday of the month
Location: Panera Bread, 11715 Medlock Bridge Rd, Duluth, GA 30097
Time: 7:30 AM
Leader: Sandeep Kharidhi
Kettering is the type of organization that attracts like-minded individuals who are dedicated to serve and to help. The adage of “Never let a taker into a giver’s circle” is alive and well here!
Kettering has provided me a platform for strategic learning and a priceless connection with people who are not only business savvy but are also like family.
Kettering has impressed me with the caliber of senior-level leaders who happen to hold a pay-it-forward world view, a commitment to lifelong learning, and an ‘always available’ attitude.
Kettering is the only executive networking organization in Atlanta that embodies a ‘pay-it-forward’ mission throughout every aspect. These are the people with whom I want to be associated.
As a servant -leader, Kettering gives me the opportunity connect with likeminded leaders. It has been priceless in growing my network.
As a member of about a dozen years, I see Kettering as a true family of professionals always striving to find ways to serve each other and their community
I have been a member of Kettering for over 10 years, I don’t know of another executive networking group that enables members to connect with executives from across so many different industries. More importantly the willingness of members to share information, insights and truly live by the pay it forward spirit
Kettering was instrumental in my transition from corporate life at IBM to starting my own consultancy, Storyminers; the group gave me direction, feedback, confidence, and even a couple of clients!
I joined Kettering for the network but remain with Kettering for the business and personal relationships. Leveraging the Kettering network led me to a business partner and together we are delivering digital transformation solutions and technology innovations to our clients. It’s so rewarding to work alongside successful, talented, and collaborative Kettering executives.