Columbian Business Network

Karla Bledsoe is a journalist from Brazil and a partner at OneWorld International Partners, with extensive experience in global networks. Her main focus is to guide her clients towards implementing international solutions, identifying and attracting international investment opportunities. She was born in Belo Horizonte, in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and graduated in Communication / Journalism from the Higher Education Institute of Brasilia (IESB). She worked in Brazil as a TV reporter for two years before immigrating to the United States in 2003. Before becoming a partner, she worked in International Intellectual Property Investigations, Immigration and the import and export business. Karla is responsive to Portuguese, English and Spanish speaking customers, which is essential for acting as the bridge between clients and international agencies. " I am excited to be part of the CBN and I hope to bring International value to our committee and members of the club". Karla Bledsoe  

 
Irem Cigdemoglu Rashidfarokhi is the Chief Executive Officer for DIMA Investments, which is a real estate investment and development company constructs and designs residential properties in Indianapolis and surrounding areas.

Irem had a passion for real estate development since she was a little girl. She was born and raised in Adana Turkey until the age of 18 years old. She is a true believer of a philosophy “Everything Happens for a Reason”. At the age of 17, her father, who owns more than 40 years of family-owned business, had an open-heart surgery, and her life changed from that point. Her parents decided to send Irem to the United States to get a better education and to learn how to be a strong businesswoman who can stand on her feet without any direct help from her parents, families, or friends. She got accepted to Butler University and graduated with Finance and Accounting degree.

After spending, nearly 15 years in Finance and Accounting field, Irem was ready to start a new chapter in her life and changed her field to Real Estate. With the support of her husband, in 2019, she started her own firm DIMA Investments.

Outside of her professional role, Irem is a wife and mother of her twins, Dilara Eliz & Mason Deniz. She loves traveling, reading, playing tennis and golf, and volunteering in community organizations. She is a true believer of relationships, and she is deeply passionate about serving and giving back to the community. Irem is a member of National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and the Columbia Club. She is excited to be part of Columbian Business Network (CBN) to build relationships and serve back to the community with members and other business leaders.
 

Theresa Goodwin is the founder and CEO of Boldthink, a strategic brand advisory and consulting firm in Indianapolis. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Theresa has developed a keen eye for identifying market opportunities, crafting compelling messages, and executing effective marketing campaigns across multiple channels.

Throughout her career, Theresa has worked with a diverse range of clients and organizations, from leading corporate institutions to cutting-edge technology companies. Her ability to understand her client's unique needs and develop tailored brand strategies has earned her a reputation as a trusted advisor and partner.

Her strategic approach to brand building is based on a deep understanding of the customer journey. She understands that building a successful brand requires more than just catchy slogans and eye-catching logos. It requires a deep understanding of the customer's needs, motivations, and pain points, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape.

Theresa is well-versed in conducting market research and using data-driven insights to inform her brand strategies. She knows how to distill complex data into actionable insights that drive results and help her clients achieve their business objectives.