Dee Sanford has taken two college degrees, an interest in helping women, especially those of color, and a love of travel and turned them into a career she describes as always exciting.

A San Diego native, she opened Dee Sanford International, a consulting firm, a little more than eight years ago. Her business finds her speaking, conducting workshops and making television appearances, as well as organizing and participating in community events for clients ranging from Children’s Hospital to Lucent Technologies.

Sanford is a professional member of the National Speakers Association with 18 years of experience giving keynote addresses and workshop talks.

“I love what I’m doing,” Sanford says. Her lecture topics run the gamut from “Five Easy Steps to Power Networking” to “Presenting Yourself Flawlessly.” Sanford knows how to network and how to teach that skill to others. A 1963 Lincoln High School graduate, she started a networking group known as African American Business Women of Vision that meets every third Friday at Quality Resort.

Realizing the limitations of ethnicity in most networking arenas, Sanford started an offshoot event, the All Business Women’s Celebration of Women’s History Month. That event, celebrated in March, last year brought nearly 200 businesswomen and men together with representatives from 14 networking organizations and 27 vendors.

A longtime active member of Bayview Baptist Church, Sanford hosts “Christian Business Forum” and “Business to Business.” Both television interview programs are dedicated to strengthening business professionals by showcasing owners and subject matter experts on issues relating to small businesses.

Sanford’s enthusiasm for speaking has led her around the world to appearances at industry conferences in Brazil, Holland, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Africa and elsewhere.

“The fact we have a long life to lead, means we can be vital, active people for a long time,” says the single 57-year-old who is planning to travel back to Africa for the fourth time.

Sanford, a graduate of SDSU business school, remains active with her alma mater, speaking often on campus. She earned her master’s degree at the University of Phoenix in organizational management in 1998.

— Alexis Pasqua