Love Under Threat: The Rise of Romance Scams
Love Under Threat: The Rise of Romance Scams
Romance scams are on the rise, exploiting trust and emotional connection. Join us to learn how these scams operate, why they’re increasing, practical tips to recognize red flags, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming a target.
Panelists
Moderator
Donna Lowry is an award-winning journalist who combines a passion for storytelling and a desire to empower others with communication and critical thinking skills surrounding political, educational, and financial issues.
Through her firm, Donna Lowry Communications, she provides consulting, writing, and producing services for educational, media, professional, and business outlets.
Donna serves as host/producer for several programs, including Lawmakers on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
Donna is an eight-time Emmy award winner, a three-time national Gabriel Award recipient, and has garnered honors from countless organizations, including the National Association of Black Journalists, Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, Georgia Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists, Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), and the Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE).
Her media peers inducted Donna into the prestigious NATAS Southeast Silver Circle to recognize her lasting contributions to the broadcast industry.
Donna has a master's in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Bachelor's in Mass Communications and Administration and Management from Chatham University.
Her professional affiliations include the Atlanta Press Club, the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Southeastern Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS SE).
In her 15th year as a Girl Scout Leader, Donna has led girls ranging in age from kindergarten through 12th grade. Her community service affiliations also include Magnolia (GA) Chapter of Links, Inc., and Nu Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Donna and her husband, Army Major (Ret) Bennet W. Reid, Jr., are the parents of three daughters.
Communications and Outreach Coordinator, Office of the Attorney General Chris Carr, Consumer Protection Division
Shawn Conroy has been serving the public at the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, formerly the Governor’s Office of Consumer Protection, for over 25 years. Currently, he acts as Communications and Outreach Coordinator and is involved in the enforcement of numerous civil statutes. Shawn provides educational presentations to consumers, is a media spokesperson for the Division, tracks legislation impacting consumers at the General Assembly and serves as a resource for its members. He holds an undergraduate degree from Kennesaw State University.
Special Agent, Office of Commissioner John F. King
Mark Strickland is a veteran law enforcement professional with a diverse background in criminal justice, juvenile corrections, and public safety. He currently serves as a Special Agent for the Office of Insurance Commissioner and Fire Safety, investigating insurance fraud and fire-related incidents to protect communities across Georgia.
President, FINRA Investor Education Foundation, Senior Vice President, Investor Education
Gerri Walsh is Senior Vice President of Investor Education at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). In this capacity, she is responsible for the development and operations of FINRA’s investor education program. She is also President of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, where she manages the Foundation’s strategic initiatives to educate and protect investors and to benchmark and foster financial capability for all Americans, especially underserved audiences. Ms. Walsh was the founding executive sponsor of FINRA’s Military Community Employee Resource Group. She represents FINRA on the Federal Trade Commission’s Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group, IOSCO’s standing policy committee on retail investor education, the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, NASAA’s Senior Investor Advisory Council and the Wharton Pension Research Council.
Prior to joining FINRA in May 2006, Ms. Walsh was Deputy Director of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Office of Investor Education and Assistance (OIEA) and, before that, Special Counsel to the Director of OIEA. She also served as a senior attorney in the SEC’s Division of Enforcement, investigating and prosecuting violators of the federal securities laws. Before that, she practiced law as an associate with Hogan Lovells in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Walsh received her J.D. from N.Y.U. School of Law and her B.A., magna cum laude, from Amherst College. She is a member of the New York and District of Columbia bars.
Assistant Commissioner of Securities, Division Director Securities & Charities Division Georgia Secretary of State
Noula Zaharis is the Assistant Commissioner of Securities and the Director of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Securities & Charities Division. Her experience includes serving as a regulatory compliance analyst at Ekonomou, Atkisson & Lambros Law Firm, which served as the Investigative Agent for the Georgia Securities Division. She also served as Director of Compliance at Investment Law Group, managing the registrations and compliance support for state and federal registered investment advisers and private investment funds. She also held the position of Vice-President of Compliance at a publicly traded oil and gas company located in Texas. Ms. Zaharis is a former English and Latin teacher with Atlanta Public Schools and was an associate professor of English at Georgia State University. She serves on the Board of Directors of the National Association on State Charities Officials (NASCO) and on various committees for the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA). She received her undergraduate degree (BA) in English Language and Literature/Letters from Furman University and Master of Arts, English/Language Arts Teacher Education from Emory University. She holds the Investment Adviser Certified Compliance Professional (IACCP) designation.