Screen Shot 2018 10 30 at 2.28.40 PM Four times a year, The Fayetteville Ladies Power Lunch brings local women together to inspire, educate and empower one another. Wednesday, Nov. 7, is the final power lunch of the year, featuring keynote speaker Lisa Saleeby-Powell.

Now the president of Future Unlimited, Inc., Saleeby-Powell started working at the business’s first McDonald’s franchise restaurant in 1982 when her parents switched from building restaurants to owning one. After attending a meeting and seeing the energy in a room filled with entrepreneurs, she decided she wanted to own a McDonald’s and worked toward that goal for 10 years.

Now the company owns six McDonalds restaurants here in Cumberland County and employes more than 300 people.

Lisa has won several civic and business awards as well as the Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur of the Year from Methodist University’s Reeves School of Business. She serves on the board of a number of local organizations and is involved with numerous charitable organizations.

The power lunch starts at 10 a.m. with a shopportunity, which includes vendors as well as a wine bar and tasting. The luncheon and Saleeby-Powell’s talk follow from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. After the meal, attendees are invited to stay and shop until 3 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation. The Kidsville News Literacy and Education Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that offers funding assistance for reading and educational resources that are provided at no charge to children grades K-6. Since 1998, Kidsville News! has been distributed to all elementary school children in Cumberland and Hoke Counties.

The luncheon takes place at the Ramada Plaza at Bordeaux. Visit www.fayettevilleladiespowerlunch.com or call 910-273-2820 to make your reservation. Tickets cost $35.

Photo: Lisa Saleeby-Powell