To contact us, please send email to info@illuminatingwomen.com
If you would like to apply to speak, please send your photo, website, contact info, bio, and video of you speaking to our admin, Sharon North at admin@illuminatingwomen.com
We look forward to hearing from you!
By integrating theology, sociology, and psychology, Gigi Khanyezi is a trailblazer who challenges, heals, and equips Christian communities to be on the front lines of seeking racial equity. She has devoted her life to the facilitating, living, empowering of racial justice, (re)conciliation, and equity.
After 30 years in the US as a woman of color activist, she relocated to Soweto, South Africa for ten years, where she was considered white! Those years greatly impacted her ideas about “reconciliation” and justice. Also during these years she fostered and adopted two precious little souls whom she named Jericho and Judah. They are the light of her life!
Though her most important equipping and training came from the streets of E. Oakland and Soweto, she is also indebted to the formal institutions which bestowed her tertiary degrees:
Gigi is currently a Doctoral student at Howard University School of Divinity where she has a very interdisciplinary focus that integrates healing intergenerational racial trauma in the Black and Indigenous communities, theology, and resolving intergenerational implicit bias in the white community.
Kristin Bentley is the founder & CEO of Elisely, a media agency and publishing company that offers first-time author masterclasses to guide those looking to write their transformational stories. Having experience as a journalist, award-winning editor for the National Infantry Association’s official magazine, and marketing executive for a startup that provided services to companies such as Hilton and US Foods, she believes everyone has a story to tell.
Kristin is also the founder and executive director of NW Women of the Military Foundation, a fast-growing networking nonprofit that serves the military and veteran communities in the Pacific Northwest by providing weekend revival retreats to women affected by war, and co-founder of RAISE YOUR VOICE, a partnership that features thought leaders in bestselling book collaborations and provides mentorship to help them raise their voices through communication coaching.
Contact: kristin@northwestmilitarywomen.com
www.northwestmilitarywomen.com
www.elisely.com
I thrive in the role of relationship builder and equity educator. As a Principal Auditor, I lead teams where I support the needs of the Credit Union, the business unit, and the goals of the audit.
I earned my Bachelor’s of Arts in Paralegal Studies/Pre-law with an emphasis in Business from Virginia Intermont College. I completed my Masters in Business Administration from the Ken Blanchard College of Business at Grand Canyon University.
Equity became a clear value once I accepted the role of Professional Development Chair and Councilmember for BECU’s Women Leadership Group (WLG). This value grew in intensity when I was selected from over a hundred applicants to be a member of the first BILD (Belonging, Inclusion & Leveraging Differences) Council for BECU. I’m an advisory member of the Black Alliance Cooperative (B.A.C). In these roles, I have the opportunity to amplify the voices of the underrepresented. Equity education has come in the form of curating content, and instructional design focused on leadership with the lens of diversity and inclusion.
In the role of equity builder, I have developed a strategy that aligns with Employee Connection Group (ECG) goals and overall content. The past year has gifted me with the access to build relationships with talented individuals. Sourcing content and speakers, event planning, distribution of written assets, guiding cohort leads, and creating guidelines for future subcommittees are key activities I’m privileged to perform.
Stacy has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry as a registered dietitian.
At WebMD, Stacy managed Boeing’s onsite health coaching team at several locations throughout the United States.
Stacy’s unique approach to coaching incorporates both the training she received in formal coaching certification programs through ACE and Wellcoaches, as well as her extensive experience as a healthcare provider.
Interested in private lifestyle coaching? Let’s chat.
stacy@livingupp.com
Stacy@LivingUpp.com
www.LivingUpp.com
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LinkedIn
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Taryn Laakso provides individualized 1-on-1 coaching, group coaching programs, and resources designed to ignite creativity, stoke the flames of inspiration, and guide clients in developing their own inner wisdom. After years of working as an HR technology professional, she brings a consultative approach to her coaching and is passionate about working with leaders who possess an entrepreneurial mindset. To move from Corporatepeneur to Entrepreneur with confidence and courage so they can have a thriving and fulfilling business!
She is differentiated by her focus on mindset and weaves together a variety of coaching tools in her approach to transforming the lives of her clients. Taryn views herself as a “sherpa” whose role it is to guide her clients through their journey from a life of practicality and fear to a life of passion and purpose along with profit.
Taryn Laakso, CPCC | ACC
Leadership & Life Coach
Unlaaking Your Potential, LLC
206.310.9409
LinkedIn
Facebook
www.unlaakingyourpotential.com
You can schedule time with me here.
Nikki Gane-Butler is committed to creating an impactful and replicable approach to supporting women as they transition out of homelessness. Her focus on self-care as a way to restore self-worth was inspired by her own experience fleeing an abusive marriage and becoming homeless herself. Her mission to create a patheway to trusting your truth and honoring your survival strengths.
Dignity for Divas
www.dignityfordivas.org
Donna is naturally introverted and was once so terrified of people that she couldn’t even look someone in the eye and talk to them at the same time. Anything extroverted you may observe in her has been learned!
Donna’s original career was as a hairdresser. She was so afraid of people she says it was divine intervention that led her there – because there was no earthly reason she ever would have done that!
She was later drawn to teach and confronted her fear of public speaking, at first training other hairdressers. She later became a trainer in a personal training and development company and coached thousands of people to fulfill on what matters most to them.
Donna has also been in Toastmasters public speaking clubs for 10 years and is a current, active member. She is also a current and active member of the National Speakers Association.
She now speaks professionally, training entrepreneurs in public speaking, and what it really takes to show up, speak up and get what they want for their business and their life.
Described as a communicator and force of nature… Bettina Carey motivates and educates with her upfront, no holds barred, keeping’ it real persona, a formidable combination of the genius of Mark Burnett and the compassion of Oprah Winfrey. Born to Puerto Rican parents in 1958, Bettina is a well-known business savvy maven and servant leader that is well established and highly respected in the Seattle community. As an ardent supporter of women, she is simply known as, “the woman behind the women!”
As Founder of Women in Small Biz Shows and Events and the Producer of the Women’s EmPOWERment Summit, Bettina creates powerful, memorable experiences that open a Pandora’s box full of possibilities for attendees.
As both a motivational and inspirational speaker, she leaves a lasting impression. She deals with the hottest topics going in three key areas: business, leadership, and life. One of her favorite topics, “Getting What’s Close To Your Heart, Closer to The Money.”
As Chief EmPOWERment Officer of the Women’s EmPOWERment Marketplace, a global network committed to empowering women one business at a time, Bettina has BIG dreams to change the globe.
Founded in 2001, Bettina Carey Productions was built on a simple idea — help local businesses and non-profits re-defining and re-imagining their brands to reach their niche market. Her commitment and goal always are to “watch your back” while creating outstanding results that enhance and strengthen relationships with her clients.
As a successful entrepreneur of 27 years, Bettina herself boasts experience in marketing and branding, including the following areas: publishing, video/photo/event production, social media, promotions, research/surveys/data management, email marketing, among her many talents. Together, with a team of expert consultants who collaborate with her to deliver end-to-end project management results, the team has clients raving about the results that they are achieving.
She has held the roles of CMO, Project Manager, Senior Corporate Brand Strategist, VP of Sales, VP Business Development, Art Director, Publicist, as well as participating on numerous boards as President, Vice President, Chairperson, and Executive Director. Her strongest contribution is to champion others, including powerful individuals, companies, organizations, and their issues. Her key skills include adaptability, persuasion, emotional intelligence, collaboration.
Bettina’s book titled, “Breaking Through Your Own Glass Ceiling: Unlocking Your Hidden & Full Potential with Your Master Key” is being written during COVID-19.
Did you know that some of our ancestors had elders, wise women, mentors, seeresses, healers and mystics to support them through life’s major transitions? Whether becoming a woman, pregnancy and becoming a parent, and elder (not just ‘older’) they were not alone. I’ve been offered some of those titles, but in today’s world I typically work under the title of Life Coach. I support people through challenging life transitions, whether it is becoming pregnant and preparing for parenting, life after traumatic illness, or maximizing the gifts of ADD.
You could have: a gentle trusted ally, increased confidence and calm, wisdom (if you ask for it!), clarity on your purpose and often your new identity, reconnection your soul and community. Oh, and you get celebrated as well. Let’s reclaim the rites of life. You are SO not alone. Call now for a complimentary clarity session for Illuminating Women™; or just with your questions. Welcome home.
Soul Mentor
Holm.nc@gmail.com
Direct: 425-483-5811
Louise Sportelli has a M.Ed. in Adult Education and Training from Seattle University and is an International Coaching Federation Associate Certified Coach. She has over 20 years’ experience working with executives, mid-level managers, and teams to improve their performance. In recent years, her focus has been on leadership development including coaching executives and small businesspeople. She gets a real kick out of seeing her clients experience that “aha” moment when they realize a new approach is producing positive results.
Louise is the creator of Coach Your Team to Success©, a coaching skills program that pairs group learning with the observation of individual coaching sessions. The latter includes direct feedback and mentoring so new skills are implemented effectively. Program results are more confident leaders, more productive teams, increased motivation and engagement, and a deeper bench of future leaders. This program and a personalized Leadership Development Accelerator are offered virtually beginning in October 2020.
Louise has extensive experience working for and with government entities, multi-national corporations, non-profit groups, and small businesses. In addition to work as a subcontractor/ freelance facilitator and coach, she has successfully obtained and completed contracts valued at more than $250,000. She began her career in the international reinsurance field managing large international contracts and then moved on to roles in software development, finance, and outdoor recreation. She is a member of the Association for Talent Development, International Coach Federation, and Pacific Northwest Organizational Development Network.
Cell: 1-206-427-9041
Email: Sportellils@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/LouiseSportelliCoachingandTraining
https://www.linkedin.com/in/louisesportelli/
Aubrey’s been called a bold truth teller who takes a fierce, loving stand for you to step into your greatness, without apology. She’s leading a movement of empowered women, conscious couples, and companies to live fully expressed and is having a fabulously good time along the way!
Awaken Your Greatness – Prosperity Coach
Aubrey@AwakenYourGreatness.guru
Direct: 206-489-0569
Mirjam is the Career Success Coach who is joining us from Europe. She is living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
She is a coach and business owner for 18 years now and specialized in Leadership development and Personal Coaching.
Within that field female power and mindset are her focus points. She is a Master in NLP, a Master in Timeline Therapy and a Master in Hypnotherapy.
Over 3000 international participants have joined her programs by now.
Within her programs she empowers women to get to know themselves, step up, become authentic leaders, know how to play the game in the masculine world and apply all their beautiful qualities.
She is helping women to become the new role models with femininity and grace, so the future generation can see all the different types of leadership there can be.
Her main mission is to let you become the best version of YOU!
Besides being a successful business woman, she is also a single mom to a 21 year old daughter and a 18 year old son, an animal lover, a ballet dancer and you can always make her happy with a cup of herbal tea.
Mirjam den Dunnen
Career Success Coach
mirjam@mirjam.biz
https://mirjam.biz/
https://www.facebook.com/mirjam2206/
Kat Kim is an international spiritual teacher, speaker, and founder of The School of Divine Confidence, an online school that offers spiritual training and confidence coaching to rising women leaders and change-makers across the world. As a former crack addict and convicted drug offender facing three years in state prison, Kat battled addiction, abuse, and depression to come out on the other side. Her inspiring transformation and work with real people worldwide has landed her on set with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a contributing coach on his motivational reality TV show called “Wake Up Call” that aired nationally on TNT. Today, Kat continues to impact thousands of people using her bold and unconventional presence to help them build unshakeable confidence in knowing who they are and what they’re here to do.
For free training and support you can find Kat here:
“The Confident Leadership Community” FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2347530258803220
Website: https://www.katkim.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/katkimofficial/
Elan Bailey is a Leadership Coach and Founder of the UpLevel Leadership Academy. As a black woman, entrepreneur, and leader in male-dominated industries for over 25 years she’s learned how to navigate the intersection of age, gender and race with power, love, and grace.
She coaches women professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs to develop the inner power and go “all in” on their vision. She challenges and supports women to show-up fully and powerfully regardless of setbacks or circumstances, communicate clearly, and make decisions with confidence, so they can finally make the impact they’re here to make.
She also helps organizations develop adaptive leaders and cultures where people of diverse backgrounds and cultures can co-create and thrive.
You can learn more online at uplevelmyleadership.com or connect with elan directly on LinkedIn.
elan@uplevelmyleadership.com
uplevelmyleadership.com
www.linkedin.com/in/elanbailey/
Hello, and hola! My name is Zuleika ‘Z’ Deciga. I was born and raised in Mexico City. I moved to Seattle permanently in 2000. Back then, my English was very basic. I’ve spent four hours buying groceries and it took me around 30 minutes to get gas because I didn’t understand how to do it. I dreaded drive-thrus because they didn’t understand my accented English. I had trouble communicating with people and ironically my degree is in Communications.
I’ve worked in media (radio, TV, newspaper, internet) in Mexico City and Seattle. In the last 16 years I have focused on the voice-over world. You might recognize me if you try the Spanish language GPS for established brands such as BMW, Renault, Nissan, and Toyota. I also had the opportunity to be the first generation of Siri for Mexican Spanish.
My voice has been used in television, radio & internet spots for clients including Amazon, Microsoft, Expedia, Zulily, the Mariners, McDonald’s, and Starbucks among others.
I believe God’s plan for me is to be a bridge between two cultures and I believe that is what I’m doing with my work. I’m passionate about helping my clients expand their reach to the Hispanic community with an authentic voice. For this reason, six years ago I extended my services to their marketing campaigns. I also bring them voice-over artists from all over Latin America and Spain to record their TV, radio or internet commercials.
I want to be an inspiration to my girls. I want them to see their momma hitting different goals and achieving them through consistency, discipline and focus. I am constantly growing and striving in all aspects of my life. I attribute this to my dynamic and competitive lifestyle; the more challenging the task, the better. At 45 I’m an “ambassador” for the Canadian company Knix. I do polar plunges in December, play competitive tennis, compete in cross fit tournaments, run half marathons and do crazy races like Ragnar. My next adventure will be learning how to rock climb per the request of my two daughters Leilani (14) and Mila (10). However, all of that is irrelevant in comparison to my beloved family. My husband, the biggest pillar in my life, keeps me grounded with his unconditional love. This year is our 20th anniversary! My girls are the constant fuel to inspire me to show them how to deal with life when bad situations happen. I try hard to show them my faith and my love of the Lord.
Facebook: Zuleika Deciga
Instagram: zuleikadeciga1
LinkedIn: Zuleika Deciga
www.zuleikadeciga.com
z@zuleikadeciga.com
425-785-1897
Dawn Torres
Yoga & Meditation Teacher
Sound, Energy & Spiritual Healer
Dawn has been passionate about health, wellness and the body, mind, spirit connection for over twenty years. Through overcoming her own health challenges and personal losses in life, Dawn found her passion and purpose in helping others to find true joy in their own healing and transformation. She is the Mother to four, mostly grown, young men and truly loves balancing her time between family and the varied aspects of her career.
Dawn has traveled the world studying with some of the greatest teachers, healers and mentors in the fields of yoga, meditation, and various healing modalities such as Reiki, Sound Healing, Emotion Code, Shamanic and spiritual healing. She currently offers private healing sessions, workshops, events, and sacred ceremonies, local and international retreats and lives her intention of sprinkling a bit of magic and soul shine in all that she shares in the world.
Working with clients one on one, Dawn draws upon techniques from many modalities, years of study and training, as well as life experience to support clients in healing physical, emotional and spiritual imbalances and reconnects them to the inner light and joy that has always been within them. She believes that these practices are the bridge to true healing and transformation, as they touch all dimensions of our being, going beyond surface and temporary change.
You can find Dawn at DakiniHealing.com
Insta and FB at Dakini Healing and Yoga.
Isabelle Banville, PhD is a servant leader and critical thinker who leverages diverse perspectives and creativity to the management of business objectives and data-driven teams. She is passionate about applying research and design principles for the creation of strategy and solutions aimed at achieving world-class user experience.
With a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, she has worked in the medical device industry on resuscitation devices, defibrillators, and ultrasound systems. She has over 15 years of experience within male-dominated R&D organizations. As an innovator and inventor, she holds several dozen patents. Now a leader at User Research International, she supports a team of researchers and designers seeking to enable customers get the maximum benefit from their products through insightful research and optimized user experiences.
Throughout her career, she has led technical education and workplace philanthropy programs. She has received awards for innovation, leadership, and performance from Physio-Control, Medtronic, and United Way of King County. She is engaged with women initiatives inside and outside the workplace and is passionate about serving as a volunteer and supporting STEM and girls education. She also serves on board of directors for non-profit organizations. Isabelle and her husband Johnny are raising two multi-racial girls.
Building Your Ideal Lioness Pride – Resisting the urge to bite back, freeze or flee… how to handle feeling under attack by one of your own.
BIO:
Debra Trappen is an empowerment firebrand, women in leadership consultant, published author, podcaster, and professional keynote speaker.
She is focused on serving growth-minded leaders – with a passion for sparking women in leadership (especially GenX’ers) building their slice of the kingdom from the couch, carpool, cubicle, or corner office.
When she is not igniting an audience across the globe or creating in her studio, you will find her walking her pups, editing photos, watching sci-fi or 80’s flix, or traveling, hiking, and wine tasting with her husband and besties.
Her first book, Fire Up! Taking Your Life and Business to 11 and the Fire Up! Podcast are both accessible on debratrappen.com.
Don’t miss the opportunity to have her signature truth, wrapped in grace, with sides of sass, moxie, and fire delivered to your inbox: debratrappen.com/moxieaffirmations
Connect with Debra online:
instagram.com/debra11
facebook.com/debra11
twitter.com/debra11
Dr. Franca Baroni’s mission is to create space for Lady Justice in our democracies, inspiring heart-intelligent governance and law through feminine wisdom. As the founder of The Public HeartTM, she offers art entertainment, trainings & playshops, consulting and inspirational speaking events to foster conscious leadership, citizenry and a broadened understanding of governance & law.
She is an award-winning author, actress, intuitive, trainer and practicing immigration attorney. She holds a doctorate and master of laws and is admitted to the Bar in New York, Washington State and Switzerland and is a certified family law mediator in Florida. As a contributor in the 2017 ABA Publication “Lawyers as Changemakers”, she is recognized as an innovator in her field. She is also a certified Heart Math® trainer and frequent speaker at conferences. Her acclaimed one-woman show Act In The Public Heart: A Lawyer’s Journey (2017-present) is a personal story and a call to action for a broader understanding of justice and for coherent leadership & citizenry.
Nikkie Achartz, CEO of SNAP Savvy Strategies LLC, is a well-known Branding Consultant, Business Growth Strategist, transformational speaker and workshop facilitator who has extensive experience in marketing strategy, sales psychology and image based branding. Her portfolio features professional industry leaders, authors, speakers, coaches, and some of the top names in social media.
Highly connected and engaged in multiple women’s organizations and networking groups as an image based branding consultant and photographer, Nikkie noticed an alarming trend in female founded businesses. Very few female entrepreneurs had replicable systems or processes in place which made consistent income difficult and growing and scaling nearly impossible.
Exploring, researching and observing the trials and opportunities facing female entrepreneurs today in growing and scaling businesses led Nikkie to expand SNAP Savvy Strategies service offerings to meet this emerging need. Using the foundational elements of the C-Suite model, Nikkie developed the See Suite Experience geared specifically for female entrepreneurs to address their unique needs and goals.
Infusing her educational background in psychology and behavioral profiling, Nikkie coaches and supports female entrepreneurs in operating their businesses through the lens of a CEO to grow, scale and profit in business. As a highly respected and sought after strategic business coach and consultant, Nikkie firmly guides female entrepreneurs in stepping into their power as BOSS and turning their passion into a profitable, manageable, scalable, successful business.
Whether speaking from the stage, facilitating interactive workshops, or consulting one-on-one,Nikkie’s influential leadership style combined with her exuberant mince-no-words approach motivates her clients to step confidently into their role as a Savvy BOSS in business.
CEO SNAP Savvy Strategies, LLC
Business Growth Strategist
Pricing & Profitability Consulting
Workshops & Training
Branding Photographer
619-203-4879
nikkie@snapsavvystrategies.com
Lisa Fischer is a Certified Wardrobe Stylist. Speaker, and Author with over 16 years in the image industry. Lisa’s interest in fashion began while modeling for clothing boutiques in high school then later went on to compete in the Miss Washington USA pageant system. After college, Lisa worked many years in the Human Resources field where she learned and taught the importance of personal development, first impressions, customer service and polished professional branding. Her love for the image industry grew as she transitioned in 2001 to teaching and leading etiquette and manners programs throughout Western Washington for Final Touch Finishing School, a premiere etiquette, civility and protocol school. Growing up as an only child in a poor single family unit, there was a lot to learn. Today Lisa focuses on helping professional women achieve confidence by building an image strong personal brand through image mastery strategies.
Lisa Fischer
Personal Wardrobe Stylist
www.lisafischerstyling.com
lisa@lisafischerstyling.com
206.255.1296
Joanne Harrell, Senior Director for U.S. Citizenship, has worked at Microsoft, since 2001where she’s led teams in the Sales, Marketing and Services disciplines focused on Enterprise, Public Sector and Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) customers and partners.
Ms. Harrell’s pre-Microsoft work history is extensive and encompasses executive roles within the high-tech, telecommunications and non-profit sectors.
Joanne has completed Marketing Management programs at Columbia University and Stanford in addition to the Stanford Advanced Management College and a non-profit management program at The Harvard Business School. Her B.A. and M.B.A. are from the University of Washington. In 2014, she completed the Corporate Citizenship Leadership Academy at the Boston College Carroll School of Management.
A Regent for the University of Washington since 2009, Joanne founded and chairs the Board’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. Ms. Harrell also serves on the Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program Strategy Council and the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship Advisory Board.
Joanne was inducted into the University of Washington School of Communication “Hall of Fame” in 2009 and was the school’s 2013 Distinguished Alumna. She was recognized in November 2016, as a “Woman of Influence” by the Puget Sound Business Journal and as a “Woman of Impact” in November 2017, by the International Women’s Forum (IWF). In January 2019, Joanne was presented the MLK “Vision of the Mountaintop” Award by a coalition of Seattle business, civic and spiritual leaders.
In May 2017, Joanne and her spouse, Bruce Harrell (President, Seattle City Council), were co-recipients of the University of Washington Charles E. Odegaard Award for outstanding community service and Diversity on behalf of the citizens of the State of Washington. This is the UW’s only University and community selected award and is regarded as its highest achievement in community impact.
The author of “Forgive Yourself” and “Journey to Your Heart Space”, Brenda Reiss truly walks her talk. She discovered the power of self-forgiveness when a series of life events put her in a very dark place. Failed marriages, abuse, and severe health issues were just a few of the challenges she faced.
Determined to rewrite her story, Brenda sought answers – and found them in the concept of “radical forgiveness”. What she learned changed her life forever and she knew she had to share this simple 5 step process with anyone who was ready to take their power back and create the life they were ready to live.
A sought-after keynote speaker, Brenda has been seen sharing about this fantastic process on The Money Hour, CUTV, The Nancy Ferrari Show, Bizchix Live, the Wisdom Soup Summit, Dr. Misty Funk show, the LivingUpp show and King 5 New Day NW.
Not only is she passionate about forgiveness and how it has truly changed hers and others lives, she also loves to spend time with her husband and 8 grandchildren, playing Pickle Ball, having water fights, playing hide and seek and hiking.
Brenda is highly skilled at helping people find peace in their personal and professional lives. Coupling teachable techniques with forgiveness theory, this certified Radical Forgiveness© Master coach creates an environment which allows clients to release anger, shame, and guilt. The result? An opportunity to live with joy in the present and the future.
La Dama de las Estrategias
Speaker
Mission
Teach the entrepreneurs to be their own strategist in their project
Who is the Strategy Woman?
La Dama de las Estrategias is speaker, advisor, business strategy and your ally, with more than 13 years of experience in public sector companies, private internationally.
She is a Latina Women from Dominican Republic, an industrial engineer, expert in logistics and supply chain, MBA, family business consultant, passionate about speech and communication, expert in Leadership, Innovation and Logistics.
Services
Areas
Her Expertise
Innovative Strategies or Today’s Entrepreneur
La Dama de las Estrategias
She is the author of the book in Spanish Innovative Strategies for the Entrepreneur of Today. In this book, he helps with practical examples of how to improve the strategies of being a better entrepreneur in the 21st century.
Maresa Friedman’s history in technology dates back to the early days when browsing the web was only text based. She has partnered with organizations like NFL and Tory Burch to create impactful marketing strategies. Her audiences say she has a knack for being able to take highly technical concepts and translate them into digestible snippets.
Maresa has presented to Google audiences for several years, where she focuses on simplifying the complex and ever-changing digital landscape. She helps business leaders take tangible steps to improve their marketing today.
Maresa received her education at San Jose State and Western Governors University. Additionally, she has received advanced certifications in Digital Marketing; Strategic Organizational Leadership; and Diversity and Inclusion from ESSEC Business School and Northwestern. A TEDx Speaker, named in the top 1% of Social Sellers on LinkedIn, Maresa’s goal is simple- inspire action, create conversation, and leave audiences with the desire to take the next step. When she’s not on the road, she is known by her other two titles- wife & mom. She also traveled the world as a Salsa Dance Performer and enjoys Taco Bell.
The Executive Cat Herder
Maresa Friedman
Strategist | The Executive Cat Herder
phone: 424-284-8916
mobile: 917-558-0776
site: www.ExecutiveCatHerder.com
email: maresa@ExecutiveCatHerder.com
Skype: maresafriedman
Two-time Emmy award winning journalist with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry. Storyteller and content creator for television and social media. Skilled in Breaking News, Journalism, Television, Broadcast Television, and Storytelling. Strong media and communication professional with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused in Broadcast Journalism from University of Southern California. She is also a Rodan & Fields Consultant.
Wellness Entrepreneur, Best-Selling Author, and Founder of the Powerhouse Women
Graduate of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire BA in Marketing 2006
Lindsey Schwartz is an entrepreneur, top podcast host, and best-selling author. As a sought after speaker, Lindsey travels around the world inspiring women to get out of their own way and into action around their big ideas, and helping them create the careers they’ve always dreamed of.
After seeing numerous women in her life stop short of pursuing their own entrepreneurial dreams because of fear and self-doubt, she saw the need for more honest conversations about the ups & downs of entrepreneurship in order to show women that they don’t have to have it all together to get started. From there, the Powerhouse Women community, annual event, and podcast were born, with the motto that we’re not meant to do business (or life) alone!
Writer/Editor
When you’re at a loss for words, I will help you find them.
Ursa Minor Media, Inc.
206-499-6427 – cell
bjbbaker@ursaminormedia.com
After graduating with a BFA in Theatre from the University of Detroit, Beáta moved to New York and spent 11 happy years working on Off- and Off-Off-Broadway stages, landing the occasional film and daytime drama role, and working the cabaret circuit. Favorite stage experiences include The Insect Comedy for Soho Rep, Twelfth Night for The Riverside Shakespeare Company, the world premiere of Richard Benner’s Crystal Blaze, and spending a year in the divine Charles Busch’s Vampire Lesbians of Sodom at the historic Provincetown Playhouse. As a member of The Outcasts cabaret group, performing original comedy and music, she garnered an award nomination from the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs. Her time in New York was interrupted for one year when she moved to Atlanta to star in David Bell’s Crazy Horse Revue at the Manhattan Yellow Pages cabaret company, where her acting and writing earned her nominations from the Atlanta Circle of Drama Critics for Best Actress and Best Original Script. Legendary playwright Tennessee Williams came to see that show, telling her that, next to Bette Midler, she was the funniest woman he had ever seen on stage. That was a good day.
Beáta moved to the Seattle area in 1988; she lives in Sammamish with her husband, Steven. In addition to extensive voiceover and industrial work in the Seattle market, she was closely associated with Microsoft for 10 years as a presentation specialist and script writer, writing the Office97 product launch script for Bill Gates and Bob Costas. Shifting full-time into her writing life in 2002, Beáta enjoyed a five-year stint as senior editor and head writer for Wyndham Destinations, collecting a FOLIO: Ozzie Silver Award during her tenure. Presently writing and editing on a contract basis, Beáta is enjoying the luxury of more time to work on personal creative writing projects. She also volunteers with and champions the work of LifeWire, Eastside Friends of Seniors, and Plateaupians for Peace. She does not serve on boards, preferring to be a catalytic agent rather than a diplomat. And she is a liberal progressive practicing Catholic who fully expects to be excommunicated someday.
Offering Decades of Expertise ~ Guiding trusted Supplement & Wellness Choices
Twin Peaks Nutrition and Wellness
The Community Hub of Health and Wholeness
CH, CNWC, Hypnotist, Reiki Master, Energy Healing Practitioner, Fitness Instructor
Sharon Hockenbury navigates life with innovative wisdom, powerful resourcefulness and wit. She has decades of expertise guiding individuals in optimizing their well-being and body, mind and Spirit. She is an enthusiastic entrepreneur which has culminated in the establishment of the business she presently owns, Twin Peaks Nutrition and Wellness. She holds certifications as a CBD coach, Herbalist, Reiki Master, Fitness and Zumba instructor and Nutrition and Wellness Consultant. With this solid foundation, she continues to be passionate about learning and growing as an individual.
As a speaker she is honest and raw, vulnerable, brave and witty, sharing of her transformation and resilience through life’s challenging and rewarding journey. As the mother if 9 and a marriage of 39 years she has learned the value of laughter, forgiveness, kindness and a fiery soul. Through music and movement she sets the stage to have fun and do soul work.
Jill is very passionate about women’s needs and issue believing in the importance of health and wellness for physical, spiritual, and mental self-care; helping to strengthen women. Born and raised in Walla Walla Washington, a graduate from Western Washington University, Jill has for many years been active in the communities she lived in advocating for social justice, special needs children, animal rescue, and environmental concerns. In 2014 she had a vision to bring women together building a community for connection, education, and empowerment helping women have more illuminated lives by encouraging, learning, and supporting each other. Illuminating Women was born and with the help of many women, I. W. continued to grow throughout the Puget Sound area providing quality programming, supportive community, and fun engagement.
Jill loves to travel, especially Italy with her husband, have dinner parties, hike with her Great Dane, read, and serve her faith community at St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Bellevue. She has two adult children, and many “sisters” who she loves to inspire and lift up.
Jill Nichols-Hicks grew up in Walla Walla, Washington surrounded by wheat fields that have now been exchanged for grape vines. She graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Speech/Communications with a minor in Anthropology. Her goal was to continue on to seminary to become a Lutheran Pastor. However, her life direction changed when she met her husband, who was studying to be an archaeologist. While raising her 2 children, Jill worked in the funeral industry supporting families dealing with loss, then as an Isagenix and PawTree wellness representative helping people and their animals to claim their best health.
In 2014, Jill started Illuminating Women with a vision of gathering heart-centered women together to learn more about each other, their work and passions, while deepening friendships and connections. In September of 2017, she transformed Illuminating Women to Illuminating Women, LLC expanding further into the Puget Sound providing a greater reach for enrichment and educational events. With passion, Jill continues her mission to empower, encourage, educate, and support women to improve their personal and professional lives, so they can shine their lights authentically and strengthen their families and communities.
Tracy Klinkroth is an entrepreneur at heart. In 1995, after being laid off from one of Seattle’s largest ad agencies, she threw caution to the wind and opened Epiphany Research, her own marketing research firm. In 2005 she spun-off ChickChat – a female-forward Marketing Research & Events firm. One of ChickChat’s main goals is to de-mystify Marketing Research and uncover real consumer insights; thus, ChickChat takes the focus group out of the stuffy conference room and into women’s homes. A few of Tracy’s research clients include: New Balance, Starbucks, Frito Lay, Best Buy, UW Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Swedish Hospital, The Washington Wine Commission and Capital One.
Never one to rest on her laurels, Tracy launched ThePowerOfShe.com in January 2018; an initiative to give more exposure and consumer $$$ to women-owned businesses. Its creation was most certainly a nod to addressing and improving the gender wage and VC funding gender gap. ThePowerOfSheDirectory.com also was founded; which allows women-owned businesses to list their companies for FREE – providing a much-needed resource for those who want to be more intentional in their spending, and support women. Tracy shares with her audiences the enormous amount of POWER that women wield in today’s marketplace and beyond. Learn more at www.chickchat.net and www.thepowerofshe.com.
Judge Rachel Bell’s mission is to focus on preventive, rehabilitative and restorative justice initiatives to move the needle for marginalized people in her community and beyond.
Judge Rachel graduated from the prestigious Cecil D. Humphreys School of Law and says, “the desire for fairness and the ability to represent the other” is what kept her on her journey for judgeship. She is the Founder of Ring the BELL Foundation, offering internships and support for promising high school students, and one of the creators behind the #iamjusthuman campaign, a project that fuels the mission to promote love and acceptance amongst all humanity.
In 2017, Judge Rachel married her wife, Dr. Dorsha, an Emergency Medicine Physician, becoming the first openly gay Judge in Nashville, TN. Backed by her strong faith, a love for education and a desire for fairness and justice across all socio-economic, racial, sexual orientations, professional and cultural backgrounds, Judge Rachel will leave you expecting more from humanity.
Dr. Brenda Butterfield has over 30 years of experience working with people in the US and internationally. As a compassionate mental health therapist, professional development trainer, and instructor in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), she helps individuals, families, and caregivers to better cope with life’s challenges.
Dr. Butterfield specializes in working with clients who are struggling with depression, anxiety, chronic pain, ADHD, substance abuse disorders, and more. In her therapy practice, professional development trainings, and MBSR classes, she applies a holistic approach to best meet each client’s needs, with the goal of achieving optimal functioning of the mind, body, and soul.
MBSR is a scientifically proven program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD over 30 years to improve stress resilience and chronic pain management. MBSR is taught in clinics and hospitals worldwide. Dr. Butterfield offers an 8-week MBSR course in Redmond 3x/year, each January, April & September. Learn more at www.ournewexperience.org.
Debrena Jackson Gandy is a Master Coach with over 20 years of transformational coaching experience. She is known for producing powerful and permanent results with clients, and is passionate about empowering women to design and live juicy and bountiful lives. Her personal mission is to awaken, inspire and empower others to create the lives they desire and deserve.
She is a nationally published best-selling author, successful business owner, international speaker, transformational success coach, thought-leader, outside the box thinker, nationally recognized relationships coach, award-winning leader and speaker, wife, mother, former TV show host, Huff Post Contributor, personal mentor to women across the country, and a creative, JUICY and joy-full woman that is living her dreams.
Debrena is passionate about empowering her clients to design and live juicy, “flow-ductive” and bountiful lives. “Yes, it is possible to ‘have it all’ with ease and grace, but not from our current paradigm of non-stop busy-ness and stress,” she asserts. “Instead, it first requires a paradigm shift in our thinking, acting and being.” Her specialty is showing clients the way to make this shift and create a more rewarding life experience. Learn more at www.milliondollarmentor.net.
Sharon Hockenbury has been passionate about supporting individuals in their health and wellness for over 30 years. She is a Certified Nutrition and Wellness Consultant, Fitness/TRX/Zumba instructor, herbalist, and energy/Reiki practitioner. Sharon can be found often in “downtime” hiking in nature, developing Zumba routines, or finding music for her students to inspire and encourage them.
Sharon and her husband are the owners of Twin Peaks Nutrition and Wellness – The Community Hub of Health and Wholeness – in North Bend, Washington. Twin Peaks serves as a cornerstone of the community for Sharon to serve with her innovative wisdom, powerful resourcefulness, and sense of humor. She loves to laugh and uses her wit to “lighten the load” that can sometimes get heavy for those struggling with life challenges. Sharon loves to help individuals draw forth the strength, wisdom, and authenticity of body, mind, and spirit that lies within. Learn more at www.twinpeaksnutritionandwellness.com.
Justice Mary Yu is the first Asian, the first Latina, and the first member of the LGBTQ community to serve on the Washington State Supreme Court. She was raised in Chicago by immigrant parents; her mother came from Mexico and her father from China. She was the first in her family to graduate from college. After more than 14 years as an accomplished trial court judge and an extensive record of service both on and off the bench, Justice Yu was appointed to the Washington State Supreme Court in 2014. She wants women to feel comfortable with diversity and with who they are, and to know they do not have to become someone else in order to have a voice and presence in the world. See more about Justice Mary Yu.
Bettina Carey is an accomplished business consultant, advisor, coach and publicist that boasts 25+ years of marketing and branding experience. As a servant leader, Bettina’s commitment and goal is to create outstanding results that enhance and strengthen relationships with her clients. Her authenticity, energy and passion are cornerstones to her success.
As a life-long advocate of women, spanning decades, Bettina has served countless women through her hard work and determination to resource whatever business owners need to start and run their small businesses. She is best known for instilling empowerment in women from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds that she mentors, supports and encourages to succeed. A true role model in her community, Bettina, the diminutive 4’9 1/2″ Latina, is a force to be sure. Learn more at www.bettinacarey.com.
Beata Baker is a Writer & Media Producer at Ursa Minor Media. She has enjoyed a portfolio career in the arts, including work upon the stage, behind the scenes, on the printed page, and online. In Seattle, she worked for Microsoft as a trade show presentation specialist and scriptwriter, including writing the Office 97 launch script for Bill Gates and Bob Costas, as well as producing other signature events for the company.
Beata has served as Senior Editor for Destinations magazine for Wyndham Vacation Ownership, collecting a FOLIO: Ozzie Silver Award for the publication during her tenure. Along with the magazine, she created content for corporate videos, ad campaigns, websites and marketing collateral, and produced WorldMark by Wyndham’s Annual Owner’s Meeting for multiple years. As a “theatrical Swiss Army knife,” Beata prides herself on successfully meeting any work or life challenge in a fast, fun, and fearless manner. Learn more at www.ursaminormedia.com.
Kelly McNelis is the founder of Women For One, a global community that empowers women to embrace their voices and make life happen, on their own terms. With over 20 years of experience as a nonprofit and small-business consultant, Kelly empowers generations of women around the world to build the relationships, community, and confidence they need to achieve their wildest dreams.
She travels the world as a speaker, teacher, and facilitator of workshops, helping others tap into lives powered by truth. Kelly’s dedication to truthtelling helps women and men share their powerful stories with the world. She is a bestselling author whose first book, Your Messy Brilliance: 7 Tools for the Perfectly Imperfect Woman, was released in Fall 2017 by Enrealment Press.
Kelly has appeared in numerous national and international publications, as well as on radio and television; she will be featured in the April 2019 issues of Entrepreneur and O! Magazine. She finds daily inspiration in spending time with her husband and children in her home outside of Seattle. Learn more at www.womenforone.com.