The L.A. Leggers_sm Inc.
In 1990, this innovative marathon training program almost disappeared for wont of an effective succession plan and long-term growth strategy. Today, the organization has achieved unprecedented membership levels, sustained corporate continuity, and -- twice   -- has been recognized as LA's Best Marathon Training Program.

Elizabeth Ghaffari, President of Technology Place Inc., established the non-profit corporation, L.A. Leggers_sm as a membership organization in order to ensure the long-term goals and objectives of its original founder, Bob Scott. She named and served with the initial board of directors; was the first president and chairman of the board of directors; served on the board of directors after implementing a long-term succession plan; designed and implemented the core committee structure for the initial 75 member runner-based organization; and obtained the service mark for the name and logo of the L.A. Leggers_sm.

What worked for the L.A. Leggers_sm Inc. was:

• creation of a board of directors renewed annually from the runner-based membership
• a leadership succession plan that fostered continuity of responsibility and authority
• establishment of an operational committee structure and
• a focus on the long-term interests of its primary constituency -- its runners and walkers.

The L.A. Leggers_sm represent a unique balance of a health-oriented program that motivates and trains 1,500-plus people to run 26.2 miles together with a financial and logistical program that delivers well-managed support services to the membership over a very focused 32 week training period.

The board and committee structures were designed to be flexible enough to adapt to changes and challenges that would arise, inevitably, over time. The continuity of the board and its support organization has survived the tests of time, even as individual leadership, sponsorship, and supporters/organizers have moved on -- as inevitably they must.

During its first year of corporate life, the L.A. Leggers_sm grew to over 750 members; since incorporation, the organization has survived increased competition and, after more than a dozen years of successful continuity, reached over 1,500 registered, paying members plus an even larger pool of "graduate" members. The L.A. Leggers_sm were recognized as "LA's Best Running Group" by LA Magazine in 1999 and again in December 2003 by Competitor Magazine's Reader's Poll.

In 2003, Ms. Ghaffari organized and conducted, on behalf of the current President of the L.A. Leggers_sm, a plenary planning session involving Past Presidents of the corporation to review strategic financial and organizational priorities for the 2003-2004 training program.

The Prudential - Jon Douglas Realty

In the late 1990s, the traditional real estate business model was challenged by Internet innovations such as Web-based listing services and rapid-response financing alternatives. Not only did the firm's real estate brokers find them were behind their customers in almost every area of new technology, but also the board leadership realized they had to quickly get up to speed on a wide array of technology issues if they were to chart new strategic directions for the firm.

The CEO and Board Chairman hired Elizabeth Ghaffari and Technology Place Inc. to provide Information Technology "immersion" for the key board and management leadership. The charter covered the spectrum of Web-based applications and emerging technologies that potentially could help or harm the firm's competitive position.

Board and executive officers developed techniques and perspectives that enabled them to sift through the "technology hype" and move toward selecting viable alternative customer products. Planning sessions also focused on helping the board leadership redefine new corporate structure to better serve their customers in the online marketplace.

Other Governance Experience

• Member of the Board of Directors of Women in Business/Los Angeles since July 2004

• Member of the Steering Committee, NAWBO-LA Enterprise Institute Forum: "Women: on Board Opportunities". October 2004

• Member of the Advisory Committee of the Entrepreneurial Training Institute of Pacific Coast Regional SBDC, providing strategic marketing and operational guidance through quarterly meetings. She has served in this capacity since 1999.

• Served as a Business Plan Judge for the Knapp Business Plan Competition semi-final round, UCLA Anderson School of Management, The Harold Price Center for Entrepreneurial Studies - April 22, 2004

• Previously, Member of the Board of Directors of the Women's Economic Development Corporation. Contributions include analysis of micro-lending financing alternatives for women's enterprise banks, including the Bangladesh Grameen Bank model (now ACCION International) and the South Shore Bank of Chicago.

• Served as a Member of the City of Los Angeles, Cost of Living Council (under Mayor Tom Bradley), 1973-1974.

Education/Training

• National Corporate Governance and Equity Offerings Conference: The Galef Symposium - February 26 & 27, 2004
• Springboard Enterprises Growth Capital Workshop - December 9, 2003
• Inaugural Corporate Governance Program at Stanford University Graduate School of Business, Executive Education Program, May 2003.
• Master of Science, Management, with a specialty in Urban Land Economics, 1973 cum laude -- University of California, Los Angeles, Graduate School of Management.