Meet Our Presenters

The workshop will include presentations by highly qualified professionals.

Financial Professionals

Jessica Garcia, CDFA® , CDC®️ 

Jessica brings a long and varied 20 plus year career in banking and financial services. It was during this time that she noticed a common thread, women of all ages and backgrounds could use help to better understand their finances; particularly at different stages of life.

She started BrainstormingWomen to put her experience, education, training, and aspirations to work by helping clients create a more proactive relationship with their money. As a result of her personal experience with divorce, she saw an opportunity to help individuals faced with it to better prepare for the process, make fact-based and fair-minded decisions, while regaining their footing in the process.

Jessica is adept at addressing clients’ specific financial and familial concerns so they may not only survive divorce but thrive and live their best life yet. Her warm and genuine manner puts them at ease and her experience and credentials give them the confidence that they have come to the right person. Each client experience is unique in that she builds a partnership based on where the client is in the journey and what is important them.

Jessica is a speaker at Second Saturday Divorce Workshops throughout North Carolina and is available to speak to groups on topics related to women and finances, divorce over 50, and more.

 

Divorce Attorneys

Jennifer P. Moore
Website

As the child of divorced parents, Jennifer has seen firsthand the stress the legal system can have on a family. She was fortunate in that her parents had a strong support system to include other family members and their respective attorneys, making the divorce process smoother and more manageable. More than twenty years later, Jennifer’s own children enjoy the benefits of having a large, blended, loving extended family comprised of grandparents, great-grandparents, multiple aunts and uncles, and numerous cousins. Many of these family members are “stepfamily”, but there is no longer a distinction. All these years later, it is evident to Jennifer how much happier and stronger her parents are because of their divorce and the lives they led thereafter. It is this background and experience that led Jennifer to law school and the practice of Family Law. Jennifer has found that her personal history bolsters her passion for Family Law and the compassion she feels towards her clients.

Jennifer is thrilled to practice an area of law that allows her to help others going through a difficult period in their lives come out stronger and happier on the other side, just as her family did. Jennifer dedicates her career to ensuring other families have a similar experience to her own. She provides not only strong advocacy for her clients, but also support, impeccable service, and a sympathetic ear. Jennifer is passionate about the needs of her clients and their families and fights hard for those needs both inside and outside the courtroom.

When not practicing Family Law, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband and children (Jack and James). Motherhood does not allow for much free time, but when she has it, Jennifer enjoys playing tennis and keeping up with her friends, both near and far.

Andria Marquez
Website

As the youngest of a blended family of five children, Andria understands the difficulties related to the separation and combining of families.  Originally from Miami, Florida, Andria moved to North Carolina to attend Wake Forest University knowing that she would one day practice family law.  While in law school, she took part in the Child Advocacy Clinic, where she acted as Guardian ad Litem for children involved in domestic violence and high-conflict custody cases.  She also engaged in numerous pro bono activities, such as the expungement clinic, wills clinic, and the Domestic Violence Awareness Coalition.  Upon graduation from law school, she was selected as her school’s recipient of the North Carolina Chapter Law Student Award from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

Andria practices family law at Marcellino & Tyson, PLLC, helping her clients navigate through issues related to child custody, child support, alimony, and equitable distribution.  She ensures that her clients are educated and fully prepared every step of the way.  When she is not working, Andria enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Lola.

 

Danielle Walle
Danielle’s passion to help others started at a young age. Growing up with a sister who was diagnosed with autism, she saw firsthand the difficulties a person can face in life when not able to use their voice. Danielle has always been a passionate advocate for those who feel unheard or who want another person to stand by their side. Danielle grew up in and around law firms and recognized early on that attorneys made great partners for people who needed powerful advocates.

Danielle’s dedication to championing the needs of others continues in her practice, which centers on high-conflict child custody cases. Danielle supports her clients with compassion as she helps them fight for justice through what is often a complicated and confusing legal system. Danielle uses her experience with parenting coordinators, family therapists, and other experts to help clients achieve the best outcome for their families. She also has extensive experience with complex financial matters, business valuations and working with financial experts. Danielle encourages clients to resolve cases through mediation and settlement, but knows that when a client has to fight, they fight to win.

Danielle obtained a bachelor’s degree in Food Science from the University of Georgia and went on to receive her Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law. While in law school, Danielle was a leader in numerous organizations and graduated with special honors in public service. Danielle’s dedication to learning and experiencing new things has never stopped. She is a graduate of the NITA Family Trial Advocacy Institute, which admits only 40 students each year. She sits on a number of committees for the North Carolina State Bar and Mecklenburg County Bar. She volunteers in the community, with her focus and passion being children and education.

When Danielle isn’t working, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her triplets. Together, they enjoy reading, playing games and playing outside.

Alexis Gadzinski

While attending the Elon University School of Law, Alexis had the opportunity to gain experience in many different areas of law. However, it wasn’t until towards the end of her law school career when she was exposed to family law and discovered a calling for the practice area. As a child of divorce and a large, blended family, Alexis understands the importance of having a dedicated legal team behind you every step of the way when dealing with the stress of separation and combining families.

As demonstrated by her undergraduate degree in English and her editorial position on the Elon Law Review during law school, Alexis’ strong background in writing and research gives her the ability to successfully create detailed and methodical approaches for each unique situation. Alexis believes properly educating and fully preparing her clients will ensure an effective resolution of the case at hand.

Professional Counselors

Sheila Maitland, LCMHCS, CSAT, CETII

Sheila has been working with individuals, couples, groups and families for more than 20 years. She owns a group practice Relationshipenrichmentcenter.com that relies heavily on family systems theory and experiential therapy. This means that a client won’t be asked to do anything that she and her staff haven’t done themselves. Sheila also facilitates workshops for individuals, couples and families through SteppingIntoWholeness.com.

Sheila also works with professionals providing training, continuing education and clinical supervision in North Carolina.  She obtained her “S” in 2013 and enjoys teaching, facilitating and guiding therapists in developing into their full potential, and full licensure. She provides both individual and group supervision for LCMHCAs which typically takes 2-3 years. She trains professionals, provisionally licensed and fully licensed therapists in treating trauma.

Sheila has been a consulting therapist,  supervisor and facilitator of the Experiential Training Institute with the nationally recognized Onsite Workshops, and has enjoyed being a part of their organization throughout her career. She is also a Certified Daring Way Facilitator which means she’s certified in Brene Brown’s work and leads groups dealing with shame, resilience, and worthiness.

Sheila’s group practice is in Matthews, NC. She lives in Matthews and  enjoys a rich marriage and family life with her husband, son and extended family.