2011 Faciltators

Billie Dragoo

President & CEO, RepuCare

An entrepreneurial executive with 23 years in the medical staffing industry, Billie founded RepuCare in 1995 with the mission of providing staffing of allied health professionals to hospitals, clinics and nursing homes in Indiana. Today, RepuCare’s business has expanded to include healthcare staffing for municipal and corporate clients including the City of Indianapolis, Indianapolis Airport, WellPoint, ConAgra Foods and Correctional Medical Services.

In 2009, she was appointed to the National Board of Directors of NAWBO in Washington DC. She also is Past President and current board advisor Emeritus of the Indianapolis Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and is Chairman and Founder of the Indiana Business Women Owner’s PAC (IWBO) Political Action Committee.

Melissa Proffitt Reese

Partner, Ice Miller LLP

Melissa chairs the agribusiness initiative, co-chairs the Employee Benefits Practice Group, and is responsible for business development initiatives. She concentrates her practice in employee benefits with a focus on welfare benefit plans and qualified plans. She counsels regional and international clients on benefit issues, including plan formation and design.

Her practice as chair of the Agribusiness Group involves representation of numerous agriculture-related clients with regard to all legal needs. She is involved in economic development initiatives and coordinates with state and federal agencies focused on agricultural and energy initiatives. She is active in the Indiana Governor’s and Lieutenant Governor’s agricultural trade missions and initiatives.

Myra Selby

Partner, Ice Miller LLP

Myra, former associate justice of the Indiana Supreme Court, has a broad-based practice with a focus in the areas of appellate law, compliance counseling, business planning, complex litigation, risk management, strategic and other legal advice, based upon an understanding of the related business objectives, across various industry sectors including health care, insurance and public administration.

Selby has the distinction of being both the first woman and the first African American to serve as an associate justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. While on the Court from January 1995-1999, she participated in several landmark decisions involving state property taxes, insurance and tort law reform. She authored more than 100 majority opinions receiving national recognition. Selby spearheaded efforts to increase the Court’s accessibility to the public by expanding education and outreach activities. In 1999, the Indiana Supreme Court appointed Selby to chair its Commission on Race and Gender Fairness.

Mary Weiss

Founder, President and CEO of Weiss Communications, Inc.

Mary directs the publishing of Indianapolis Woman and St. Louis Woman magazines, and Publisher Weiss Custom Publishing as well as former owner and General Manager WXTZ 93.9 FM. She is a leading advocate for women and children’s health. She serves on the board of directors for the Indiana Office of Women’s Health and Advisory Board Member, Indiana State Department of Health. Mary serves on the Board of Directors of Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce, as well as on the Indianapolis Civic Theatre Board of Trustees, the Board of Directors of Ambassadors for Children, on the Advisory Board of Directors for Regions Bank, Indiana, and is a Life Member of St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild.

Her past service to the community includes serving on the Board of Directors at Girl’s Inc., Honorary Chair 2006 Komen Indianapolis Race for the Cure; Honorary Chair, Pink Panache breast cancer survivor event, Board of Directors, American Red Cross, Hamilton County Board of Directors, HealthNet Foundation, Member of the Founding Board of Directors Fashion Group International, Indianapolis Chapter, Board of Trustees Women’s Hospital of Indianapolis, the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau of Indiana, Advisory Board of Directors Small Business Development Center, President, Indiana Chapter American Women in Radio & Television; and the Cystic Fibrosis Advisory Council.

Sally Tassani

President, The Strategy Forums

Sally leads The Strategy Forums, facilitated peer groups for senior level professionals. Each Forum is tailored to a specific business discipline so members with similar backgrounds and goals share experiences, learn from one another, and grow as business leaders. Currently there are Forums for CEO/Presidents and business owners, key executives, financial, and human resource professionals.

Tassani has served on a number of not-for-profit boards such as the Northwestern’s Entrepreneurship Advisory Board for the Kellogg School for Management and the National Board for Girl’s Inc. She also served on the public board of Paul Harris Stores. While at Paul Harris—and with Board approval—she restructured senior management and provided leadership and stability during the transition. Tassani also influenced the acquisition, retention, and divestiture of over 300 real estate sites and led the effort to obtain the assets of The J. Peterman Company, a $10 million acquisition.