Notary Academy Arizona
My Advisor
Lisa Mach
Lisa Mach became a notary in 2001 and is the owner of Mach Notary, LLC. Lisa became a Certified Loan Signing Agent in 2020 and has completed over 2300 loan signings. Lisa spent the last few years signing the majority of her business inside a title company and has learned all the ins and outs of the industry from the top leaders.
Lisa has been an active member of the NNA since 2020. Lisa enjoys sharing her knowledge to help other notaries learn their craft and succeed in business, so joining Notary Academy felt like the perfect fit. Lisa believes being a notary isn’t just watching people sign documents so she looks forward to helping Arizona educate notaries on their laws and responsibilities.
Lisa runs another business side by side with her mother called Adult Assisted Living Referral and Placement Service, Inc which assists seniors in finding their perfect forever home in an assisted living facility or private care home. For the last 15 years Lisa has run a 501 C3 charity along side her mother as well called Twilight Wish Foundation and has granted hundreds of wishes to Arizona Veterans and Seniors. Lisa is the very proud mother of one beautiful 17 year old daughter. In Lisa’s private time she is a cyclist and brand Ambassador who enjoys finding new trails to explore and camping with her husband Lionel and Goldendoodle Teddy.
Kimberly Sennett
Co-founder
Kimberly Sennett is an EXPERT and LEADER in everything notary! She is the owner and co-founder of Notary Academy. She co-founded the business in 2020 after she saw a growing need for training for California Notaries. Kim is a mentor for the California Notary Society group as well as all Notary Society states. She also advocates for notaries, and has a passion in teaching state specific quality education. She truly has goals to change the notary world, to have stringent oversight, and for notaries across the nation to be viewed as a very professional profession. Additionally, Kim through her private signing business and her National signing service, Seal the Deal, LLC, has completed over 10,000 loan signings. Kim has a passion for helping others and through Notary Academy, she loves to pay it forward and see signing agents and notaries achieve excellence in all they do.
Lara Tessadri
Co-founder
TOP INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL Lara Tessadri has been a leader in the industry for over 20 years.
Lara got her start as a Mortgage Loan Processor and Loan Originator in 2001 and has subsequently emerged as one of Northern California’s most detailed and sought-after Loan Signing Agent.
Lara owns and operates a highly successful nationwide signing service, NotaryZoom Signings and co-owns the groundbreaking Notary Academy. Additionally, Lara has been a member of the National Notary Association and has held a California Notary Commission since 2008.
Phil Wilson
Phil Wilson, the esteemed owner of Freedom Mobile Notary & Colorado Apostille Services LLC, has garnered over 500 five-star reviews. He stepped into his notary career in 2020, propelled by a strong desire to serve and enhance his community. His fondness for worldwide travel and assisting others harmonized perfectly with his profession, enabling him to build connections with individuals, attorneys, large businesses, and even secure endorsements from VIPs.
When not engrossed in notarizing documents, Phil cherishes quality moments with his friends and family. A devoted fan of the outdoors, he takes pleasure in activities like hiking in the mountains, camping, fishing, cold immersion therapy, and snowboarding.
Beyond his notary duties, Phil juggles multiple roles. He is a mentor to other notaries, a retired truck driver, and a knowledgeable consultant in marketing and SEO education. His profound understanding of notary work and its essential role in legal proceedings have made him a trusted authority in the field. Defined by his diverse expertise and dedication to service, Phil is hoping to leave an impact helping one notary at a time.
Donyale Mills
Donyale Mills has held her Notary Commission in 3 states, Maryland, Virginia and now Florida and is certified as a Notary Signing Agent from the National Notary Association. As the previous Ambassador for the DMV area (Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia) to the Loan Signing System, she mentored thousands of notaries drawing on her own training and experience as a Notary and Loan Signing Agent.
Donyale owns and operates the nationwide signing service, Charter Ink Signings. She also holds a Real Estate license in the state of Maryland, was one of Redfin’s top producing transaction coordinators during her tenure there and has industry experience as a residential property manager, commercial property manager and residential sales and marketing assistant.
Nayshunda O. Burke
Nayshunda O. Burke, prides herself in being a Georgia native. You will often hear her say ” All Things Decent and In Order” no matter if she is wearing the hat of daughter, mother, wife, sister, friend, mentor or independent contractor. She believes that honing your craft and providing excellent customer service is essential to success.
Nay, as most people call her, holds membership and affiliation in several professional organizations and is a lifelong learner. She brings years of entrepreneurial experience along with the ability to accommodate a diverse group of individuals in both English and ASL.
Currently she is owner of Notary NeedZ (mobile) where she provides a plethora of services to metro Atlanta and surrounding areas. She was awarded Alignable’s 2023 Local Business Person of the year for Southwest Atlanta and recognized as one of Nextdoor Neighbor’s Fave in 2023 for Best Go-to service provider. Notary NeedZ mobile has hosted several meet-n-greets in the city where newbies and seasoned notaries have come together to network and learn through live interactive sessions from others who are passionate about what they do.
She is passionate about the notary public industry and wants to change the mindset that it is a side hustle, instead advocating for it to be a licensed profession in Georgia. With every opportunity of networking and mentoring, she hopes to elevate small business owners in both personal and professional growth.
I look forward to working and growing with you all!
Gail Gentry
Gail Gentry is a seasoned notary professional with an impressive 15-year career dedicated to transforming notary services into a thriving mobile business that goes far beyond conventional loan signings. With an unwavering commitment to empowering aspiring notaries, Gail is on a mission to help students build successful mobile notary businesses with annual earnings exceeding $100,000.
As a trailblazer in the field, Gail equips her students with the confidence and expertise needed to excel in marketing both in person and through digital channels, such as email and phone calls. Her personalized guidance and proven strategies enable her students to connect with clients effectively, fostering lasting relationships and sustainable growth.
What sets Gail apart is her unique focus on developing specialty skills essential for handling a diverse range of notarial documents, including trust documents, power of attorney (POA), funeral documents, jailhouse notarizations, and more. Her comprehensive training ensures that her students become experts in these specialized areas, gaining a competitive edge in the notary industry.
Gail’s vision extends far beyond the traditional boundaries of notarial services. She envisions a mobile notary business that encompasses a wide spectrum of related offerings, such as officiating weddings, live scan fingerprinting, and more. Her goal is to help her students create mobile services that exceed their wildest dreams, providing clients with convenient, one-stop solutions for their notarial needs.
With a wealth of knowledge and a track record of success, Gail Gentry is not just a mentor but a driving force behind the evolution of mobile notary services. Her dedication to excellence and innovation continues to inspire and shape the future of the industry.
Lisa Piwcio
Lisa, a professional with a passion for creating engaging learning environments, initially embarked on a career in early childhood education. Her journey began with a remarkable talent for crafting spaces that fostered effective and enjoyable learning experiences. During her seven years in the education field, Lisa demonstrated unwavering enthusiasm and dedication to shaping young minds.
Transitioning to the realm of notary public services, Lisa effortlessly utilized the organizational skills she developed during her teaching career.
Her in-depth knowledge of notary public guidelines became a cornerstone of her professional identity. This seamless transition showcased Lisa’s versatility and commitment to excellence.
Since 2020, Lisa has been the proud owner of Access Notary Services. In this role, she has established herself as a trusted and highly skilled professional in the field. Lisa’s legacy is characterized by dedication, expertise, and a profound impact on both education and notary public services.
Beyond her notary services, Lisa is contributing significantly to the field by creating a Massachusetts statewide accepted training program. This program stands as a testament to her commitment to raising the standards of notary public services and ensuring the next generation of professionals is well-equipped.
Lisa’s commitment to excellence, as well as her passion for education and notary public services, continues to leave a lasting mark. Her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a genuine desire to make a positive impact on those she serves.
Gretchen Jackman
Gretchen Jackman is an individual who is passionate about empowering others and helping them reach their personal and professional goals. She began her journey and quickly realized the potential of this opportunity. She founded PROFormance Signings LLC, a national signing service, and is dedicated to bringing quality ongoing training to Ohio notaries. Gretchen is also actively involved in coaching and mentoring notaries whenever possible.
Originally from Pennsylvania, Gretchen has been living in Columbus, OH for almost 14 years. She has a background in tailoring and worked for Nordstrom, Men’s Wearhouse, and Dublin Cleaners before opening her own tailor shop in 2009. In 2018, she was looking for another business to open that would allow her to make more money without requiring a significant investment or a steep learning curve. That’s when she came across the idea of becoming a Notary Signing Agent and decided to pursue it.
Gretchen became a notary and worked part-time her first year, learning everything she could about the industry. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in April 2020, she discovered that notarial services were considered essential, and her business took off. In two months, she doubled what she was making as a tailor, and by the end of the year, she had more business than she could handle. She opened her own signing service and has been a full-time working notary ever since.
Gretchen’s commitment to providing quality notarial services and her desire to become a notary trainer led her to Notary Academy. She is excited to connect with others who share her passion for this industry. Gretchen is determined to provide the best possible training and support to notaries in Ohio and beyond.
Pamela Knight
Pamela Knight, founder and CEO of Urban Knight Enterprises (UKE) since 1999, has transformed her company from a real estate investment and property management firm into a versatile provider of notary and other field services.
Her expertise is vast, encompassing nearly every aspect of real estate, from mortgage processing and title work to property investment, loan settlements, and more.
Proven Qualifications: She holds a range of licenses and certifications, demonstrating her expertise in various areas:
- Mortgage: Loan Application & Signer Specialist, Reverse Mortgage Signing Professional, Mortgage Loan Processor, Title Abstractor, Settlement Clerk
- Notary Services: Notary Public, Notary Signing Agent, RON, I-Pen
- Attorney Assistance: Notary Delivery Trust Agent
- Field Inspection: Field Agent, Residential/Building Inspector, Business Legitimacy Inspector
- Mystery Shopping: Certified Mystery Shopper Inspector
- Disaster Relief: FEMA Housing Disaster Inspector
- Research Auditor, Manual and Livescan Technician (Fingerprinting), Trusted Observer (Fingerprinting), Exam Proctor
Mentoring and Public Service:
Pamela has mentored countless notaries, sharing her knowledge and experience to empower others. Additionally, her public service roles at local, state, and national levels showcase her commitment to the community.
Focused on the transformative power of education:
“As a Pennsylvania notary for 20 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the important role we play in our communities. I’ve witnessed the transformative power of notary education and seen the sparks when a notary grasps the power of knowledge. Now, I’m honored to join Notary Academy as an Advisor and share my expertise with the next generation of notaries. Educating and inspiring students is a true privilege, and I’m ready to help them build successful careers in this vital profession.” ~ Pamela Knight
Michele Smith
I am a born and raised Texan. Although I have lived in other states, my heart has always drawn me back.
Like many, my career took a hard hit during the pandemic and I was faced with some difficult decisions. I decided to take my fate into my own hands and start my own national signing service business. I am the proud owner of Confidence Signing Service.
From the beginning, it has been my priority to build relationships and network with my fellow notaries. Not only to help by giving guidance but to be their support system.
I am excited for the challenge and opportunity of Notary Academy of Texas. I endeavor to educate both new and seasoned notaries as well as to encourage, guide and help them grow.
Dana Scharf
Dana started her Notarial career in 2020 after having spent 20+ years in corporate leadership roles. She quickly built a successful career as a signing agent with Signing Services and Direct Client business. In late 2021 she launched her nationwide signing service while continuing her work as an independent notary and signing agent. During her first year as a Signing Agent, Dana quickly identified a huge opportunity for a higher level of professionalism, partnership, and education between Notaries Public and their Real Estate/Attorney/Escrow partners. It is now her mission to continue to raise the bar by helping others learn and develop their own Notarial and Signing Agent skillsets. Ask any Signing Agent that has been led or coached by her, or any that has worked with her signing service and they will tell you that together we are BETTER!