In the United States, studies show that approximately 39-42% of all enterprise companies are women-owned and generate $2.7 to $3.3 trillion in annual revenue. Women-owned businesses are growing at a rapid rate and are making significant strides, however, still face challenges in all aspects of ownership.
Join Jessica Nickloy, Jennifer Crandall, Kristina Bagnoli and Membership Engagement Director Tori Harper Mercado for an honest discussion featuring women from diverse industries as they share their experiences navigating today’s complex landscape – shifting policies, economic uncertainty, and workforce conditions. Attendees can expect thoughtful insights, real-world stories, and an engaging dialogue centered on empowerment, innovation and moving forward together.
Jessica Nickloy, as President and CEO of The Etica Group, manages the relationship with key clients such as the Indianapolis Airport Authority, Citizens Energy Group and municipalities. Her passion for the clients success has led her to be involved with garnering public support whether at the State House or in the local community for projects.
Her dedication to the clients success is one aspect of what has led the firm to grow from approximately 10 employees to 70 since 2008 when she became CEO. Etica Group has been named one of IBJ’s FAST 25 for 2015, 2016, 2018 & 2019. Etica Group was also honored with being ranked #49 in 2019 on the WPO 50 Fastest-Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies and the only Indiana based company to make the list. Etica Group has been named one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana in 2020 and Jessica was named a Women of Influence by the IBJ in 2021 and NAWBO Women Business Owner of the Year in 2023.
Jessica obtained her formal education at Purdue University. She actively serves to promote and advance not just the profession, but other women business leaders and organizations.
This includes:
- National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) President 2018-2019 and 2020-2021
- Chair for GoRed for Women (2021-2022)
- Chair for Diversity and Inclusion (ACEC) 2010-2011, 2021-2022
- Chair of Make-A-Wish Board (2020-2022)
- Governance Board Member of Make-A-Wish Indiana, Kentucky & Ohio (2020-current)
- 2016 Women Inspiring Strength and Hope (W.I.S.H) woman
Jennifer Crandall is the founder and CEO of Safe Food En Route, LLC, a food safety consulting firm that specializes in Food Safety, Quality Assurance, and Supplier Verification. As a Certified Woman’s Business Enterprise focused on evening the playing field in the food industry; SFER’s mission is to make Reliable Corporate Level Food Safety Programs Accessible to all Companies using systems that are intentionally designed for their customers!
For 27 years, Jennifer has worked in both private and publicly held companies, balancing scientific and regulatory guidance while understanding crucial operational and manufacturing directives necessary for the success of a food business.
Jennifer’s experience includes 8 years in dairy and juice manufacturing and 12 years at Kroger Corporate in their Corporate Food Technology and Sourcing departments. She has worked in various roles exposing her from “farm to fork” which has helped her understand the many obstacles within the supply chain. Jennifer was the initial business lead for developing the software solution intended to ensure Kroger’s compliance to applicable FSMA regulations.
Jennifer also makes space for bridging industry to education by being a regular guest lecturer and alumni contact for Purdue University Food Science students, a guest lecturer for Fresno State University; and has served on the Curriculum Advisory Committee for Cincinnati State’s recently approved Culinary Arts and Applied Food Science Bachelor of Arts program. She is also an active Independent Director with Land Betterment Corporation.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Food Science from Purdue University and an Associate Degree in Agriculture from Vincennes University. Throughout her career, she has pursued extensive education and professional training to support her food safety, centered work across manufacturing, supply chains, and regulatory compliance. Her credentials include FSPCA Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI), Version 2.0; FSPCA Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP); FSPCA Intentional Adulteration Vulnerability Assessment (IA/VA); Produce Safety Alliance Produce Safety Rule training; SQF Practitioner; SQF Ethical Sourcing; EAS Food Labeling Compliance Training; and HACCP-based food safety systems. She has also completed professional development programs in 6-Step Strategic Sourcing through Kroger and Karrass Negotiation Training.
Jennifer is trained in the Run Like Clockwork® Methodology, applying structured operational principles to support scalable systems, role clarity, and accountability. In recognition of her contributions to the field, Jennifer was awarded the Purdue University Food Science Outstanding Alumni Award in 2023 and the Purdue University Distinguished Ag Alumni Award for Food Science and the College of Agriculture in 2024.
Stephanie Sponsel has nearly 13 years of experience at netlogx, and serves as Chief Operating Officer, leading and coordinating business development, IT, proposal, and consulting functions for a $10M+ professional services organization. She provides direction to 35+ team members, oversees 10+ active client engagements, and manages fiscal planning, accounting operations, and cash-flow forecasting. Under her leadership, netlogx has expanded into new markets, including Illinois and municipal contracts, while strengthening partner relationships and leveraging AI to drive profitability.
Stephanie's well-rounded expertise has positioned her as an invaluable asset to the netlogx team. As a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, she has assisted with Lean/Six Sigma training and certification for the Gannett Company, Inc. and regularly provides Lean/Six Sigma training to netlogx staff. She also completed the Bloombase Experience for Advanced Woman Leaders. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business/Supply Chain with a Minor in International Studies from Indiana University at Indianapolis.
Stephanie is deeply committed to giving back to the Indianapolis community. In 2018, she was both a finalist for Indy's Best and Brightest and a TechPoint Tech 25 award recipient. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Centers of Wellness for Urban Women, served as Treasurer of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Indianapolis Chapter from 2019 to 2025, and continues as Finance Chair for Our Lady of Lourdes School. She is also an active foster and adoptive parent and a dedicated advocate for autism awareness and ABA services expansion.
The event is FREE and exclusive to Women & Hi Tech members! Registration for ClickSide Chat is required in order to provide you with the final login instructions.
Women & Hi Tech’s ClickSide Chats are virtual discussions amongst our members to share ideas, resources, and perspectives about the professional and personal challenges we are facing and serve to build new connections with fellow members. One or more members serve as co-hosts and share their experiences, advice, talents, and resources for our greater good. ClickSide Chats are presented by the Membership Engagement Committee, led and facilitated by Women & Hi Tech Board Member Tori Harper-Mercado.
Tori Harper-Mercado is the Business Development Manager for Weddle Brothers Construction Companies, where she excels in her role as a relationship builder, networker and mentor. Prior to her pivot into construction, she devoted 4 years of her professional career in IT consulting, specializing in data analytics and AI best practices, which is also how she first got connected to Women & Hi Tech.
She holds a degree from the Kelley School of Business at IU Indianapolis and a sales certification from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Tori's diverse background includes experience in civil engineering, sports and entertainment and technology consulting sectors, where she has held various marketing and sales positions. In her spare time, she looks for new ways to develop her professional skills such as taking leadership training courses, attending local conferences, and working to become a master in her field of expertise.
Tori participates and involves herself in areas where she feels she can give back to her community such as coaching and mentoring athletes of her high school track and field team and being an active volunteer and committee member in various organizations.
Outside of work, she is a mom to two-under-two, a wife, and a new experience fanatic that thrives off of fun adventures, connectivity, and the love of animals (especially dogs).
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