Co-founders · Women Building Access
Started by four women who know the work.
Our co-founders guide the network’s early strategy and activities together, with the goal of handing leadership to the women coming up behind them.
Michele Popelka
CFE
Co-Founder · Brand President, Next Day Access | Founder, MPact Strategies Consulting
Michele brings more than 30 years of experience in franchising, strategic partnerships, business development, and organizational leadership. Through Women Building Access, she supports mentorship, professional relationships, and opportunities for the next generation of women leaders.
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Michele Popelka is an accomplished business executive with more than 30 years of experience in franchising, strategic partnerships, business development, and organizational leadership. As Brand President of Next Day Access, she leads a growing national franchise network dedicated to improving accessibility and independence through residential and commercial mobility solutions.
Throughout her career, Michele has held senior leadership positions across multiple industries, with a focus on building high-performing organizations, developing talent, and creating opportunities for sustainable growth. She is also the founder of MPact Strategies Consulting, bringing her experience in business strategy, franchise development, and leadership to emerging and established organizations.
As a Co-Founder of Women Building Access, Michele is passionate about creating meaningful connections among women working throughout the accessibility industry. She believes that mentorship, professional relationships, and greater visibility into career opportunities are essential to developing the next generation of women leaders.
Through WBA, Michele hopes to help build a collaborative community where women can share experiences, support one another's professional growth, and expand their influence across the residential and commercial accessibility sectors.
Cindi Petito
OTR/L, ATP, CEAC, CAPS
Co-Founder · Director of Home Accessibility, VGM
Cindi brings more than 30 years of occupational therapy experience, including over 26 years dedicated to home accessibility, complex rehabilitation equipment, and assistive technology.
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Cindi Petito, OTR/L, ATP, CEAC, CAPS is a recognized leader in home access, serving as Director of Home Accessibility at VGM. With more than 30 years of experience as an occupational therapist, including over 26 years dedicated to home accessibility, complex rehabilitation equipment, and assistive technology solutions, she is committed to advancing industry best practices that empower individuals to live safely, independently, and confidently in their homes.
Throughout her career, Cindi has worked extensively with home access providers and with individuals living with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries, progressive neurological conditions, amputations, and age-related challenges. She brings a unique combination of clinical expertise, business leadership, and advocacy that improve quality of life for people of all ages and abilities.
A passionate champion for aging in place and community-based living, Cindi serves on the Board of Directors for the National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC). She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Health Science and an MBA in Healthcare Administration and continues to be a driving force in elevating professional standards, innovation, and leadership within the home accessibility industry.
Liz Morand
Co-Founder · CEO of North America, Human Care
Liz brings 20 years of healthcare experience across sales, operations, business development, and executive leadership. She leads Human Care’s North American business, focusing on growth, partnerships, and solutions that improve patient mobility, safety, and independence.
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Liz Morand is the CEO of North America for Human Care, bringing 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry across sales, operations, business development, and executive leadership. With a decade of experience leading Human Care's North American business, she is focused on driving growth, strengthening partnerships, and advancing solutions that improve patient mobility, safety, and independence.
Throughout her career, Liz has worked across a broad range of healthcare markets, including hospitals, surgery centers, long-term care facilities, and home care. Beginning her career in sales operations, she developed a strong foundation in inventory management, purchasing, and process improvement, including Lean Six Sigma initiatives. She later transitioned into sales, sales training, and regional leadership before taking on her current executive role. This diverse experience gives her a unique understanding of the healthcare industry from both the operational and commercial perspectives.
Liz holds a bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Wisconsin Parkside and a certificate in Conflict Resolution. Passionate about healthcare and the people it serves, she is committed to building strong relationships, developing teams, and advancing solutions that improve quality of care, independence, and quality of life.
Loralee Bronte
CAPS
Co-Founder · VP of Marketing & Operations, Next Day Access | Co-Founder, Blackthorn Strategy
Loralee connects marketing, operations, and the teams delivering accessibility solutions at Next Day Access, where she has worked since 2019. Through Women Building Access, she supports mentorship, professional connections, and leadership development across the industry.
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Loralee Bronte brings more than a decade of experience across agency work, brand leadership, and business operations. She is Vice President of Marketing and Operations at Next Day Access and serves as EOS Integrator on its executive leadership team, connecting company priorities with the people, processes, and accountability needed to carry them forward.
Loralee joined Next Day Access in 2019, when the franchise network had about 15 locations. As the network grew to more than 155 locations, her responsibilities expanded from search marketing into operations, training, planning, and performance reporting. Her work focuses on helping teams execute consistently, supporting franchise owners, and connecting marketing performance with business results.
Her earlier roles include Head of Digital at Salted Advertising and Creative Director at Cypress Magazine. Those experiences shaped her approach to connecting creative work, strategy, and execution. She is also a Co-Founder of Blackthorn Strategy, bringing her marketing and operational experience to the consulting business.
As a Co-Founder of Women Building Access, Loralee is committed to helping women build professional relationships, share practical knowledge, and find opportunities to grow within the accessibility industry. She supports the network’s focus on mentorship, industry awareness, professional networking, and leadership development, with the goal of preparing emerging leaders to guide its future.
Start small, create meaningful connections, and build a foundation that the next generation can carry forward.
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