People-to-People through the Web

As Workplace Answers’ COO, Mary directs the day-to-day business and all strategic operations of the Company. Additionally, she takes a leading role in consulting with Workplace Answers customers to develop long-term compliance training strategies. Mary has a wealth of experience consulting with clients, having led numerous strategic management and software service engagements at Fortune 100 firms and large public institutions across the U.S. and Europe.

Mary’s passion for Web-based service offerings began in the early 1990s, when she developed corporate Intranet applications for Ford Motor Company. Notably, she worked on the FordStar Dealer Communications Network, a satellite-based interactive distance learning (IDL) network dedicated to training all U.S. dealership personnel.  

Mary has a proven record of achievement in building and leading software firms, including co-founding an application service provider specializing in Web-based HR and benefits administration. Mary also helped to launch the San Francisco office of the Mitchell Madison Group, an international strategic management consulting firm. In addition, Mary has held a variety of technology and operations positions at DotDeliver, Ford Motor Company, US/Web, Hewlett-Packard and New World Systems.  

Mary has been quoted in a variety of publications on the benefits of Web-based services and speaks regularly before human resources audiences and business leaders. She is a member of the Society of Applied Learning Technology and the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Mary earned her B.A. from Smith College and her M.B.A. from Yale University’s School of Management.  

Tony Dawson, Sr. Vice President of Sales

Tony leads the Workplace Answers Sales Team and brings a track-record of growing sales for Software-as-a-Service organizations. He has an in-depth understanding of the Human Capital Management (HCM) space. Prior to joining Workplace Answers, Tony was a Vice President at SuccessFactors, a preeminent HCM company, leading their fast-growing Latin America and Caribbean market. He served as Director of Sales at Instill, Vice President of Sales and General Manager at Wokup! Inc. and Vice President of Channel Sales and Business Development at Brience. Tony began his career in software sales with Netscape Communications where he was Director of Worldwide Service Sales.  

Along with his accomplishments in the business world, Tony is an officer in the United States Army Reserve. An active volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Tony also dedicates time to the CASA program for at-risk youth. Tony graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and holds a B.S. in Business Economics.  

Sondra Solovay, Esq., Director of Content Development

Sondra is the attorney leading the outstanding Content Team of researchers, writers and designers who create Workplace Answers’ award-winning course content. She is the nation’s leading researcher on weight-based legal issues and her book, Tipping the Scales of Justice, was the first published on this issue. She is co-editor of The Fat Studies Reader published in 2009 by NYU Press. She is frequently quoted by the media on discrimination and bias issues, and has written for a variety of publications including the Harvard Business Review. In addition to her contributions at Workplace Answers, she also serves as an adjunct Professor of Law at the John F. Kennedy School of Law.  

Sondra has been honored with several awards for her legal work and advocacy and has been profiled by San Francisco Attorney Magazine. Sondra has provided training for the San Francisco Board of Supervisors as well as the San Francisco Human Rights Commissioners and their staffs, and was the first attorney to successfully resolve a complaint under San Francisco’s “height/weight” law. She has appeared as a commentator on CNN's Burden of Proof, Good Morning America and Canada A.M., as well as other local and national programs. Sondra graduated from Brown University and her law degree is from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law. 

Gary Fusco, Sr. Director of Marketing

Gary is a versatile marketer with a track-record of leading business, creative and technical teams on high-profile Web services projects. He brings over 25 years of experience to Workplace Answers, including corporate communications, direct mail programs, event marketing, direct sales and email, search and interactive marketing. As Director of Marketing Services at Shaklee Corporation, Gary was instrumental in the development of the Company’s first generation consumer eCommerce, B2B Web services and email marketing initiatives. He also implemented a sophisticated sales and marketing platform for Web start-up FoundValue.com.  

Gary attended U.C. Berkeley where he received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and also earned an M.A. in Multimedia Communications from San Francisco State University.

Burke Ferrari, Sr. Director of Finance

As Workplace Answers' chief financial authority, Burke Ferrari is responsible for all aspects of the company's fiscal health and well-being. Before joining Workplace Answers, Burke held several senior finance positions at both private and public high-tech companies. He served as the Director of Finance for The Simpata Group. Prior to that, Burke was the Controller of Hybrid Networks, Inc., a manufacturer of Internet connectivity hardware products.  

Burke's areas of expertise include cash management, budgeting and forecasting, as well as accounting and their related reporting functions at a senior level. He's also an expert in insurance negotiation. Burke holds B.A. and M.B.A. degrees from Santa Clara University.