INFORM. INSPIRE. IMPACT.

Anna Maria Chavez
Chief Strategy Officer, National Council on Aging, and Former CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA

Anna Maria Chávez is Chief Strategy Officer and Senior Vice President of External Affairs for the National Council on Aging, whose mission is to improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling.

Chávez developed the leadership skills growing up in Eloy, Arizona, that would propel her into a career of public service. Her desire to transform the world through servant leadership led her to Yale University, before pursuing a juris doctorate at the University of Arizona. She held numerous posts in President Bill Clinton’s administration and later returned to Arizona to serve then-governor Janet Napolitano.

Her success led to her appointment as CEO of Girl Scouts of the USA, where she served from 2011-2016 as the first woman of color to lead the 104-year group with 2.7 million members in over 90 countries and 59 million alumnae in America. In 2016, Anna was named as one of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders by Fortune magazine, cited for her vision and creativity in working to revitalize the Girl Scout brand for a new century.

Chávez has been named one of FORTUNE’s World’s Greatest Leaders of 2016 and was named number 22 by Fast Company in its annual list of the most creative people in business. She brings a wealth of experience from previous legal, public policy, nonprofit management, and brand management positions in Arizona, Texas, Washington, DC, and New York City.

Anna is one of the world’s top experts on women’s leadership and youth development and draws from her 25 years of public service and nonprofit leadership to teach teamwork, inclusion and diversity, resiliency, leadership, and self-motivation. Her keen insights and dynamic presentations have inspired thousands of individuals around the globe to lead authentically and has helped organizations work together more collaboratively and create dynamic impact. Anna has appeared on CBS News, NBC’s The Today Show, FOX News Channel, CNBC’s Squawk Box, CNN, Bloomberg Radio, NPR, and she’s a contributing writer on Huffington Post.

Erin Gavin
Hollywood Actress know for playing Marylin Monroe: The Last Investigation

At age seven, Erin landed the role of Molly in the theater production of Annie and her career was launched in the UK. She was still in high school when she landed her first television role in the popular television series, “Taggart.” Shortly after, Erin spent a year in New York City honing her craft through many and varied acting classes. She returned to Scotland to attend The Royal Academy to study media and the performing arts. Afterwards she then went on to study business studies.

Upon graduation, she moved to London and landed a role in the award winning hit television series, “Footballers’ Wives,” which led to the launch of her successful career within acting and modeling. Soon, by combining her many contacts in the entertainment and modeling worlds with her intelligence, wit and determination, she created the Erin Gavin Agency (EGA), which has become one of the United Kingdom’s leading providers of models, dancers and Film & television background artists. Erin’s career has had an eclectic career in motion pictures, television series, theatrical productions, print and live-action commercials.

She’s worked with a remarkable list of directors and actors, including David Schwimmer, Michelle Pfeiffer and Elijah Jordan Wood. Erin’s most recent credits include starring as Marilyn Monroe in hit U.S. play Marilyn My Secret, Valerie in the thriller, “Dread,” directed by Anthony DiBiasi, “Play On,” directed by David Story, Rola in the comedy, “Junk,” directed by Kevin Hamedani. She also starred and produced as Marilyn in Marilyn and Sinatra which toured the US and UK. Erin has recently received rave reviews for her performances as Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietrich.

Erin currently resides between Los Angeles, California and the United Kingdom. In addition to her acting career and owning a successful UK company, Erin negotiates successful investment deals for motion pictures. These negotiations include the Karl Urban comic book adaptation Dredd and a successful video game for Tweens. If Erin is not cultivating business deals then she is spends her time practicing her karate skills. Erin has a black belt in Shotokai k

James Lee Witt
Former Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency

James Lee Witt is a former White House cabinet member and director of FEMA. He currently serves as senior advisor to fortune 500 companies and government leaders around the world. He recently provided strategic counsel to the top European executives of a major multi-national corporation. He is recognized for his leadership and expertise in business continuity as well as crisis and emergency management.

He is held in high esteem by members of Congress on both sides of the isle, who often seek his guidance and counsel on major policy issues. He is known for his ability to plow through the haze and tension and bring people together to develop common sense solutions to the most complex issues.

He has advised many government leaders and chief executive officers for companies large and small around the world. When BP was sinking fast in a sea of discontent and distrust, the newly appointed CEO sought advice from James Lee above all other consultants working with the company during the crisis. He remained BP’s senior advisor as the public opinion slide began to turn.

James Lee is perhaps best known for the credit he received for turning FEMA from an unsuccessful bureaucratic agency to an internationally acclaimed all-hazards disaster management agency. His leadership abilities have been praised by such organizations as the Council for Excellence in Government, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and the National Association of Broadcasters.

Dr. Shruti Kapoor
‎Founder, Sayfty 

Dr. Shruti Kapoor is an award-winning gender equality activist, economist and social entrepreneur, passionate about girls and women’s safety. Shaken by the horrific gang rape in Delhi 2012 that caught the attention of the global news media, she founded her organization, Sayfty in June 2013 to educate and empower women and girls of India against violence. The organization aims at not only creating awareness of laws and legal rights around the issue of violence against women, but also uses digital media, tech-for-good and storytelling for women’s safety.

In 2016, The White House nominated Dr. Kapoor as a change maker for The United State Of Women Summit 2016. She is the winner of Barclay’s We Are The City 50 Rising Stars Award in 2016, India. Sayfty was awarded the People’s Choice Award by Femverstising (2015), and won a State recognition award by the UP government in India for the organization’s work on safety and education of girls. In 2015 also, Dr. Kapoor was awarded the Rex Karamveer fellowship, “to share impactful ideas for action and transform lives through projects and ideas of hope,” and was awarded “Woman of the Year (third prize)” by Regional Council, Aosta Valley, Italy.

Dr. Kapoor holds a PhD in Economics from University of CA, Riverside, and has consulted for International organizations like The World Bank in Washington DC and UN Women, NYC. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA. She is currently the co-chair of UN Women’s Task Force For Young Women’s Economic Empowerment. Dr. Kapoor is an active member of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development Working Group on Youth and Gender Equality Task Force and served on the core organizing committee of UN’s Youth Forum for the Commission on the Status of Women 2017.

Dr. Kapoor has addressed many public forums including Youth Assembly at the United Nations, UN Women Events, Merit 360 and Make Room India. She is an award-winning writer, Huffington Post contributor, World Pulse Digital Change maker and Impact Leader She is dedicated to media, digital and traditional, to raise awareness to make our cities safer for women and girls.

Linda Clemons
Global Body Language Expert

Linda Clemons from Indianapolis, Indiana is the CEO of Sisterpreneur ®Inc.  Linda is an award-winning the record setting sales producer as well as one of the top sales trainers in the world in the resort/timeshare industry where clients have generated over two billion in sales.A Body Language Expert trained and certified in Analytic Interviewing and Statement Analysis ™ a process used to detect deception.

Her clients and audiences to include Southwest Airlines, National Urban League, Nestle, MGM, Major League Baseball, Wells Fargo. Leo Burnett Worldwide, US Customs, FBI, Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, and Starwood.  Her client list includes celebrities, executives, politicians, and entrepreneurs.

Linda has opened for or shared the stage with such notables as Oprah Winfrey, President Obama, Steve Wozniak co-founder of Apple, Dr. Condoleezza Rice and Mary Jo White SEC Chair.

Awards to include but not limited to:

• Office Depot National Entrepreneur Award
• Women of Wealth Top Mentor Award
• A listing in the United States Congressional Records for community work.
• Sagamore of the Wabash the highest civilian award given by the governor in the State of Indiana.
• *Memberships-Rotary International
• *National Board member for the National Congress of Black Women

Dana Micucci
International Award-Winning Author and Journalist
Dana Micucci is an award-winning author, speaker, mentor, and healer. She has enjoyed a decades-long career as a widely published journalist and author writing about culture, travel, and spirituality for The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Chicago Tribune, Architectural Digest, Town & Country, Spirituality & Health, and many other well-known publications.

Dana’s new novel, The Third Muse, a metaphysical, time-travel mystery set in the international art world, celebrates divine feminine wisdom and the healing power of love. Her inspirational travel memoir, Sojourns of the Soul: One Woman’s Journey around the World and into Her Truth, was a gold winner in the 2013 Nautilus Book Awards. Both books offer a heart-centered message of peace for our time.

A dynamic speaker and teacher, Dana conducts transformational talks, workshops, and retreats worldwide. Her energy and words, whether written or spoken, carry a healing vibration that have led many to experience deep personal shifts in consciousness, expanded awareness, and a recognition of their soul’s purpose. Drawing on her lifelong spiritual inquiry and practice, she assists others in igniting and accelerating a fearless journey toward wholeness.

Based in Taos, NM, after many years in New York City, Dana is also trained in a variety of healing modalities and has a private healing and mentoring practice.

Sheila Robinson
KISS, MSW,LCSW Author & Speaker
The author of 5 books with nearly 20 years of clinical experience under her belt, Sheila taps into the soul and psyche of her audience by creating a long-lasting memorable experience. Sheila Robinson-Kiss is the new voice urging you to take control, take action and lift up your home and work life in today’s disconnected relationship state. Sheila is on a mission to give people the tools to adapt to the fast-paced, distraction filled climate we live in.

She provides the techniques to move forward with renewed compassion and balance. She moves beyond the “neat and tidy” relational paradigms of the past and offers relevant solutions for working and living today.

Sheila’s research was born out of the realization that the relationship and work environment has changed. In nearly two decades as a licensed clinical social worker, she witnessed a marked change in her clients. Reports of “casual cruelty” and the absence of deep, meaningful connections started to rise. People seemed more broken…busted…bruised…on edge. People’s work and relationships have suffered.

Sheila has provided keynote presentations and high impact programs for over 30 state and federal agencies, and for companies like, American Family Insurance, The Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Pfizer, The Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Wells Fargo Advisors and more.

Ceylan Rowe
CEO, Trendy Napkin
Ceylan Rowe, is the founder of Trendy Napkin and one of the Commissioners for the MetroWest Commission on the Status of Women (MWCSW). She is all about empowering women locally and globally.

Trendy Napkin began on International Women’s Day 2016. Trendy Napkin sells shirts with an inspiring message and donates a percent of profits to help refugee women overseas become self-sufficient. This year Trendy Napkin is focused on Syrian refugees and also has a Global BFF Collection where they sell products made from women in rural areas of the world.  Ceylan studied Political Science and International Affairs at Northeastern University.

After college she worked for the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants.  Following in her father’s footsteps she became an entrepreneur. She started Mommy’s Business BFF where she helped moms go back into the workforce or start their own business. Then after three years, she launched Trendy Napkin. Most recently she was a speaker at the Massachusetts Conference for Women’s Small Business Roundtable to teach women “How to go from a business idea to a business in 10 easy steps.”  She has also attended the United Nation’s Commission on the Status of Women’s 60th session and participated in the “How to Protect Women’s Human Rights Against Violent Extremism.”  On International Women’s Day 2017, she spoke at the Turkish Consulate General in Boston on “Empowering Women through Local Engagement.”

Dr. Shawne Duperon
6-Time EMMY® Winner Media Expert
With her PhD in gossip, numerous EMMY® awards and social media reach topping 120 million per month, Dr. Shawne Duperon is considered by many to be one of the most innovative consultants on communication today.

From London, to Athens, to Munich, to across North America, Dr. Shawne educates corporations, universities, governments and entrepreneurs, on how to effectively communicate resulting in increased retention, engagement and productivity in the workplace. Her popular and progressive conversations on forgiveness as a leadership tool, amplify inclusion and respect in the workplace.

Her case study is Project Forgive, a non-profit and non-religious educational foundation that reaches millions in social media and tens of thousands in her Facebook Live Broadcasts.

You’ve seen this Six-Time EMMY® winner featured in major media including: CNN, ABC, Inc. Magazine, and USA Today.

As a scholar, Dr. Shawne’s expertise is leading-edge. Applying gossip theory, she implemented strategies that caused Project Forgive to go viral, garnering an endorsement from Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the honor of a Nobel Peace Prize Nomination for her work on global forgiveness.

Cara Brookins
Best-Selling Author
Cara Brookins is the author of Rise, How a House Built a Family, the true story of her and her four children fleeing domestic violence and building a 3500 square foot house by watching YouTube tutorials. Her fiction novels include the adult suspense novel Little Boy Blu, the YA Timeshifters trilogy, Treasure Quest, and the middle grade Gadget Geeks and Doris Free novels. Cara is a professional speaker and believes everyone can build a bigger life.

Hope Brookins
Personal Branding Expert
Hope Brookins is a personal branding and publicity strategist who helps personalities transform their personal their message into a brand movement. Hope spearheaded her family’s publicity campaign positioning them to be recognized internationally for their story and, more importantly, their message. Her story has been featured on The Today Show, People, New York Times Women’s Edition, ABC News, CNN, Inside Edition, and USA Today.

Carol Sankar
Global Diversity Expert
Carol Sankar is an international high level R&D business advisor, leadership consultant & real estate investment expert who focuses on strategic implementation strategies to assist today’s established business owners and high level executives. Mrs. Sankars’ business and leadership tips have been featured in publications in Finland, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom and the USVI. Her international client-base are established executives and business owners who are seeking new and innovative methods to focus on productivity.

Carol has been featured in numerous magazines, articles and conferences; including a recent features in Forbes, Madame Noire, Essence, Entrepreneur.com, TEDx, The Steve Harvey Show, CNNMoney.com, Daily Worth, and Working Mother.

Carol holds a Degree in Political Science & International History from Hofstra University in New York. She served as a senior Paralegal and executive advisor for several leading general litigation firms and Fortune 100 corporations in New York City. She has earned several professional certifications; including but not limited to, NYS Notary Public, American Bar Association Intellectual Property Executive certification from Long Island University and American Political Science Fellow.

She took her experience out of the corporate world and began her entrepreneurial journey as a outsourced legal consultant with several boutique law firms and insurance agencies in the New York City area.

Carol began to take interest in real estate and subsequently relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina. Carol was relentless as one of the leading real estate investors in the Charlotte metro area. She founded Wholesaling 101™ to teach her techniques to other aspiring real estate investors. Carol has authored 5 best-selling books and the founder of The Confidence Factor for Women in Leadership global executive firm.

Dr. Michele R.Wright
Award Winning Success Expert
Michele R. Wright, Ph.D. is a multi-dimensional Senior Executive with experience providing dynamic leadership in diverse roles, including healthcare administration and business development to Fortune 100 companies and an international non-profit organization. With advanced degrees in engineering and public policy, she brings a
sensibility to executive roles, combining the ability to share and communicate a vision for meaningful change along with a practical approach to implementation and administration.

She is the Founder and Executive Director of the “My Water Buddy Foundation”, a 501(c)(3) non-profit enterprise that uses edutainment and creative, fun, relatable and aspirational characters fashioned as anthropomorphic organs to promote the health benefits of drinking the daily recommended intake of water to children and their families, so they can have a better and more fulfilling quality of life through a healthier body. Dr. Wright serves as the Senior Director of the National Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Association (NBPA).

She served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Pathology Partners and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Ozarks-Arkansas Region with the American Red Cross. She is also the past recipient of Sister Friends United, Inc. “Women of Excellence Business Award” as well as the organization’s inaugural “Five-Year

Service Award”.

She is a national and international multiple award-winning Corporate Leader who has worked with top ranked corporations including Genentech Biotech Company, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and the Procter and Gamble Company. She has a successful track record in increasing productivity, inventory accuracy, operational efficiency and cost reductions as an engineer and has top sales performance in food, pharmaceutical and biotechnology sales. She is a specialist in project, team and total quality management.

Dr. Wright holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, with a double specialization in Health and Leadership Policy; a Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI), where she chartered the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and was UTSI’s first full-time African-American student to earn a Master’s degree in Engineering Management/Industrial Engineering; and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Tuskegee University, where she was Miss Engineering and graduated with High Honors and Electrical Engineering Student of the Year.

Her extensive research of some of America’s most outstanding women achievers served as the inspiration for her book “DEAR SUCCESS SEEKER: Wisdom from Outstanding Women” (Atria/Simon & Schuster) which received the USA Book News “Best New Non-Fiction Award” and has allowed her to leverage what she has learned about success to benefit corporations, organizations and educational facilities. Dr. Wright and her husband Terry reside in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Elaine Orler
Founder and CEO, Talent Function

Considered the recruiting technology industry’s premier thought leader, Elaine Orler has been designing and implementing global HR solutions as a practitioner and a consultant for more than 20 years. A much sought-after industry expert, Orler’s hands-on approach has enabled multi-national organizations to transform and optimize complex recruiting processes through contemporary technology-driven talent acquisition practices.

She has presented her vision for the future of talent technology in the U.S. at SHRM Annual, the HR Tech Conference, the Talent Acquisition Technology Conference, and HRO Today Forum. She has been asked to present at major HR conferences in the U.K., Netherlands, Turkey, New Zealand and Australia; most recently at the Australasian Talent Conferences. Her expertise has been cited frequently in Wall Street Journal, Human Resource Executive magazine, Workforce magazine, Talent Management magazine and HR Magazine.

Orler is also a successful entrepreneur, having founded Talent Function, a talent acquisition consulting firm that guides successful outcomes for mid- to large enterprises, in 2009. Employing the best and brightest in the recruiting technology industry, under her guidance, Talent Function has transformed and optimized the recruiting processes of many industry leaders. Known for its commitment to the highest levels of customer satisfaction, Talent Function’s service offerings draw directly from Orler’s deep expertise in competitive talent strategy models, process consulting and HR data and analytics.

Having participated in the growth of the talent acquisition technology category since inception, Orler is passionate about its impact on job candidates. In 2011, she founded The Talent Board, a non-profit organization focused on illuminating and promoting a quality candidate experience. The organization, its research and its awards program have forever changed the conversation about how job candidates are treated, becoming the gold-standard followed by many organizations as they define their employer brands.

Orler is a graduate of University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in Education. An accomplished photographer, her hobbies include celebrating the successes of her children and traveling the world. She volunteers with the international charity, HOPE worldwide.

Linda Rowe Thomas
CEO, Romás by Linda

Linda Rowe Thomas is the founder, CEO and creative director of Romás by Linda. Thomas is an American fashion designer who is known for her haute couture evening wear. Thomas has appeared 5 times at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week and has been officially named the first and only burn survivor to showcase on the prestigious platform. Linda has over 20 years of management experience in Buying, Management, and design, Thomas’ celebrity clientele include actresses, singers, professional athletes and many more. With a number of accolades under her needle and thread, Linda was named “One to Watch by the New York Examiner and named on the top fashion designers of 2014, 2015, 2016 by the Examiner. Thomas’s designs have graced the red carpets of the Golden Globes, BET, The ESPY’s, STARZ and numerous others. At age two, Linda survived a house fire, which left her with facial scarring and without fingers on her left hand. Despite the surprising impairment, Linda maintains impeccable quality with each stitch and to this day still sews each garment by hand. As an author, inspirational keynote speaker and philanthropist, Linda has used her adversities to inspire other burn survivors. She is the founder and Executive Director of Designing Hope Foundation, 501c3 nonprofit benefitting burn survivors across the country. For her philanthropy service and design accomplishments, Linda’s honors include; •Soiree Magazine’s Women to Watch 2015 •The Pioneering Parent Award 2015 • Official gown designer for the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame •Induction into the Atlanta High School Hall of Fame •Proclamation of March 12th, officially “Linda Rowe Thomas Day” •Delta Regional Challenge Coin on behalf of President Barak Obama. •Proclamation of June 1st , officially “Romás by Linda Rowe Thomas Day” •2017 Woman of Excellence Award in Business.

Monica Singh
Youth Ambassador of UN Women

MoniCa Singh is a philanthropist and international Social Activist for Violence Against Women & Motivational Speaker. She inspires and motivates women around the world to help them reach their true potential. She is the Youth Ambassador of UN Women, Speaker at the United Nations representing Face of Resilience from India & United States of America.

She uses her story to motivate and spread the awareness about the crimes happening all over the world.

She founded Mahendra Singh Foundation that strives to provide women skills, counselling, guidance and connections to make them self efficient and empowered. Her foundation works on sustainable development goal of Quality Education, Economic Growth & Wellness and Gender Equality #5.

She is also working in fashion industry and helping break the imbalance and myths to empower and redefine beauty. She has a Fashion Design graduate from NIFT, New Delhi & Fashion Marketing graduate from Parsons School of Design, New York.

She also co-produced and was featured as the Super hero of world renowned comic book – Priya Shakti’s mirrors edition. The comic book works with augmented reality and is being incorporated into education system in India to engage the youth in social issues.

Princess Maria Amor
Princess of Philippines

Crown Princess Maria Amor has a noble heart. Love of humanity is the driving force in her life. She is truly humanity’s Traveling Princess. Born in the Philippines, an intelligent, extremely lovely girl became a beauty queen, model, keep-fit expert, natural leader and entrepreneur. Fame took her to the U. S. A., where she excelled in international charity work.

Her parents shaped her ideals and her love of humanity. Crown Princess Maria Amor’s mother, Nanay Erlinda Carasco Torres R. I. P. encouraged and supported Maria in her quest to help humanity. Maria’s mother taught her to be compassionate and loving to those in need. Now, Princess Maria Amor continues her work honoring the memory of Nanay Erlinda Carasco Torres, whose boundless love is deep in her heart.

Crown Princess Maria Amor realized that charities can benefit from learning from each other. She is the founder of We Care for Humanity, the illustrious Global Officials of Dignity Awards and the prestigious We Care for Humanity Humanitarian Summit which empowers humanitarians to enlighten the globe with their shared knowledge.

A non-political influencer of world affairs for peace, Traveling Princess Maria Amor works for the advancement of the people of the world, in peace, health, economic standards, democratic freedom and education. She is as distant from politics as the moon and the stars. The first Global Officials of Dignity Awards 2013 was held at The Academy of Television Arts & Science in Los Angeles. The annual Global Officials of Dignity Awards and Humanitarian Summits 2014/2015/2016 were held at the United Nations Headquarters New York with the [2 day] W. C. H. Humanitarian Summit. W. C. H. is registered at United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Princess Maria Amor continues to send Humanitarian Ambassadors of We Care for Humanity out across the Globe. Every year We Care for Humanity expands its network into new countries doing good from healthcare to Global Santa. Crown Princess Maria Amor understands that like-minded people working for the humanitarian cause can achieve more by coming together in knowledge and understanding. Everyone in the world needs be a team player for the good of humanity and the protection of our Earth.

Crown Princess Maria Amor speaks for those who can’t speak for themselves. She holds the plate for the hungry. Provides the cooker in the soup kitchen. No task is too lowly. A smile or a cuddle for a frightened child is the love the Princess gives. The great and the good join in her humanitarian quest.

Maria Amor Torres is a royal crown princess recognised across the world by her hands-on approach. She has the support of members of the U. S. A. Congress and Senate for her non-political humanitarian work. Princess Maria Amor uses her high royal status for the promotion of peace and humanitarian ideals. Her ideals unite countries and religions.

Money raised by We Care for Humanity goes to fund its work in many countries. Education, vaccinations, health, food, clothing and shelter are priorities. The tasks that We Care for Humanity supports continually grow in diversity, abandoned children, refugees, acid attack survivors and victims of natural disasters.

The Traveling Princess Global T. V. Show is broadcast internationally and raises the profile of the many charities and issues they address. Traveling Princess Maria has been welcomed by the lowly and the highest in all the countries of her royal visits.

In 2015 Crown Princess Maria Amor authored and published her first book We Care for Humanity Poetry with Maureen Brindle W. C. H. Official Poet. The book contains poetry and photographs associated with her Royal Tour 2014/2015 and it was launched at the 3rd Global Officials of Dignity Awards.

Later in 2015 Crown Princess Maria Amor published The Greatest Humanitarians of the World 2015, highlighting the 3rd Global Officials of Dignity Awards and opened her author’s page to the world.

Crown Princess Maria Amor is associated with promoting the arts and in 2016 published, with Maureen Brindle, We Care for Humanity Anthology featuring the writings of her supporters and her Royal Tour 2015/2016. It was launched by Crown Princess Maria Amor at the 4th G. O. D. Awards United Nations Headquarters N. Y.

Her global charity has spread from the U. S. A. to many parts of the world including United Kingdom, India; Pakistan; Sri Lanka; Morocco; Malaysia; Nepal; Philippines, Indonesia, Kenya and Egypt.

Crown Princess Maria Amor was honored with the first OSJ Medal of Merit for her profound service to Humanity.

Crown Princess Maria has never forgotten her roots and works for the needs of the children of the Philippines as she does for all children. She supports telemedicine as an exceptionally efficient method of healthcare provision and education, with many social benefits.

Crown Princess Maria works tirelessly for economic progress and international trade, which is the important factor in linking the interests of countries, to provide stable, lasting, peace and stability.

The Traveling Princess stands for peace between nations, uniting faiths with the love of humanity to improve conditions for the needy. Peace begins with one word humanity.

A truly noble crown princess in touch with progressing humanitarian aims in a changing world. She walks in love and humility addressing needs, the founder-leader of We Care for Humanity’s a world team addressing world problems.

The peace of the world is the supreme objective in these changing times and it is only by cooperation at a human level that peace and humanitarian aims will be achieved. The Traveling Princess is a beacon of light. Her work is respected all over the world.

Kathy Webb
Vice Mayor of Little Rock.

Kathy Webb is the Executive Director of the AR Hunger Relief Alliance and the Vice Mayor of Little Rock.  The Alliance is the statewide umbrella organization for Feeding America food banks, food pantries and agencies, and hunger activists, the lead partner for the AR No Kid Hungry Campaign, and the education and advocacy clearinghouse on hunger issues in Arkansas.  Webb was elected to the Little Rock City Board in 2014, and was elected to serve as Vice Mayor by her colleagues in January, 2017.

Until January, 2013, Webb represented District 37 in the Arkansas House of Representatives, comprised of much of mid-town Little Rock.  She served as Co-Chair of Joint Budget Committee, the first woman in Arkansas history to hold that position.

In 2007, Webb received the Rising Champion Award from Arkansas Kids Count Coalition, followed by the Champion Award in 2009, 2010 Elected Public Official of the Year from the Arkansas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, Imagine Justice Award from the Black Methodists for Social Renewal and the Steel-Millar Award from Hendrix College for Religion and Social Awareness.  In 2011, Webb received the First Branch Award from the Arkansas Judicial Council, the Humanitarian of the Year Award from JCA (formerly NCCJ),and the Mental Health Council of Arkansas Legislator of the Year. TALK BUSINESS rated Webb as the most effective member of the Arkansas House in the 88^th General Assembly.

Webb became Executive Director of the Alliance in 2012.  Webb has long been active in the fight against hunger, working with the Alliance and the Legislative Hunger Caucus.  The mission of the Alliance allows Webb to pursue her passion of providing immediate support for those in need as well as fighting for systemic change. In 2013, she received the National Advocate of the Year Leadership Award from Share Our Strength. The competitive award was given to Webb based on her tireless efforts on Share Our Strength’s behalf, in the fight to end childhood hunger.  She also received the Brownie Ledbetter Civic Engagement Award from the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas in 2013.

Prior to becoming Executive Director of the Alliance, Webb co-owned of Lilly’s Dim Sum, Then Some.  She received the Arkansas Hospitality Association’s Restaurateur of the Year Award in 2011.

She graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with a BA in Political Science.  In 2007, Webb attended Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, Webb served as Honorary Survivor Chair of the 2015 Arkansas Race for the Cure.

Webb represents Ward 3 on the Little Rock City Board, and is the liaison to the Arts and Culture Commission, the Midtown Redevelopment Commission, and the Children, Youth and Families Commission.She is Vice-Chair of the Capital City Crime Prevention Task Force.  She is an active member of First United Methodist Church and President of the Board of the Arkansas Cinema Society.

Webb’s favorite title is “aunt” to her nieces and nephews.  She is a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan (with the Cubs a close second), loves classic rock, opera, and country. Webb is a popcorn aficionado (Garrett) and lover of all the foods she prepared in her restaurants. Webb lives with Maggie, her rescue dog, and Carl and Dash, her Katrina cats.

Samantha Marquard, APRN, FNP-C, MPH
Global Health Policy Expert

Samantha is originally from Little Rock, but headed to Saint Louis University to study nursing and has never left.Since graduating from Saint Louis U’s undergraduate nursing program, Mrs. Marquard has provided care to vulnerable populations across the St. Louis metropolitan area, a city where 1 in 3 children live below the poverty line, making home visits to pregnant and parenting low-income women and their families; educating and case managing families with lead poisoned children, and monitoring high-risk children.  Beginning in 2009, after completing a Family Nurse Practitioner program and a dual master’s degree in nursing and public health, she was hired by the Institute for Family Medicine, where she worked at several clinics offering free health care to refugee and immigrant clients, developed two clinics based in refugee and immigrant schools: a school-based health center at the International Welcome School and another within the Youth in Need Headstart Preschool.  Each of these sites serve “high-risk” urban populations who are marginalized by poverty, and the intertwining factors of substandard housing, mass incarceration, inferior schools, racial discrimination, and widening income inequities. By creating clinics in the places and spaces where the vulnerable feel safe and cared for, Samantha and The Institute for Family Medicine were able to decrease the list of children without medical services in those to programs from almost 450 children down to almost zero.

In 2012, she became an instructor at Saint Louis University School of Nursing where she teaches public health nursing, health promotion, and health policy to undergraduate nursing students.  Her classes are designed to help students to appreciate the upstream factors that contribute to health disparities by participating in practicum sites in collaboration with the Little Bit Foundation, and many others.  She and the SLU students serve children attending the 23 highest need schools in St. Louis metro, by providing medical, mental health, violence, adverse childhood events, and food security screenings. She and her students have screened more than 1000 children each year since 2013, 1,098 this year to be exact.

She is mid-way through her Doctorate of Nursing Practice studies, and is focusing on adapting the traditional well-child exam for a high-risk school-based setting.

She and her husband have 3 great children crammed into a tiny house full of a lot of adventure!

Heather Hansen
Award-winning Attorney & Host-LawNewz

Heather Hansen has defended medical malpractice cases for 20 years. She’s seen the catastrophic impact lawsuits have on patients, providers and caregivers and she knows there’s a better way. Heather has won numerous honors for her work as an attorney, including consistently being named one of the Top 50 Female Lawyers in Pennsylvania. She’s spoken internationally to medical academies, industry leaders, risk managers and patient advocacy groups on how to build better relationships, improve outcomes and increase satisfaction in healthcare. She’s also used her communication skills on television, providing analysis for CNN, Fox News Channel, HLN, CBS, and Fox Business. She is a host at Lawnewz.com, and has written for Global Grind and Thrive Global. Heather developed H2Spark to show patients, providers and caregivers how to achieve their highest potential.

Lynnette Watts
⁠⁠⁠Community Leader

Lynnette grew up in Forrest City, AR and attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, graduating with a degree in Studio Art.   She has an extensive background in philanthropy, having worked in various non-profits for over 20 years.  In this capacity, she worked at the Diocese of Little Rock, Mount St. Mary Academy, Heifer International and The Nature Conservancy/AR.  She has also served as Mayor, Army Community Housing in Gouverneur, NY; Director, Catholic Campaign for Human Development; Affiliate Coordinator for the Arkansas Community Foundation; and retired as Executive Director of the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas in October 2015. /AR

Darieth Chisolm
Emmy Award-winning television personality, former NBC News Anchor & Entrepreneur

Darieth is an Emmy Award-winning television personality, former NBC News Anchor, entrepreneur, author, speaker and life and business coach. Darieth is also a cyber harassment victim turned advocate and founder of 50 Shades of Silence: A Global Movement Giving a Voice and Dignity to Victims of Cyber Harassment and Online Crimes. It is Darieth’s mission to give a voice to online harassment and cyberbullying issues and help bring about education and reform to an archaic legal and law enforcement system that should be protecting us from crimes such as these.

Britt Adams
Founder & CEO, Whitby Handbags

Britt Adams is the founder and designer of Whitby Handbags, a socially conscious luxury accessories line dedicated to empowering women to carry justice as a means to prevent the exploitation of girls worldwide.

Founded in 2014, Whitby has been featured in both local and national publications for their program in Haiti. Whitby partners with five nonprofits across Haiti, Iraq, Thailand, and Peru to fund the expansion of prevention programs for girls who are at-risk of sexual exploitation, bonded labor, and child marriage.

Part social justice mission and part awareness campaign, Whitby is the first luxury brand with an integrated social mission.

Coining the term ‘missional luxury,’ Adams seeks to reach a new demographic of women who might not already be engaged in the conversation around modern slavery. Adams encourages women to think differently about activism by incorporating awareness in their everyday lives – the clothing they wear, the products they buy, and the conversations they have.

Adams is a passionate speaker with an easy and sincere delivery. Her aim is to inspire women to do something, anything, to live on mission, not just on purpose.

James Lee Witt
Former Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency

James Lee Witt is a former White House cabinet member and director of FEMA. He currently serves as senior advisor to fortune 500 companies and government leaders around the world. He recently provided strategic counsel to the top European executives of a major multi-national corporation. He is recognized for his leadership and expertise in business continuity as well as crisis and emergency management.

He is held in high esteem by members of Congress on both sides of the isle, who often seek his guidance and counsel on major policy issues. He is known for his ability to plow through the haze and tension and bring people together to develop common sense solutions to the most complex issues.

He has advised many government leaders and chief executive officers for companies large and small around the world. When BP was sinking fast in a sea of discontent and distrust, the newly appointed CEO sought advice from James Lee above all other consultants working with the company during the crisis. He remained BP’s senior advisor as the public opinion slide began to turn.

James Lee is perhaps best known for the credit he received for turning FEMA from an unsuccessful bureaucratic agency to an internationally acclaimed all-hazards disaster management agency. His leadership abilities have been praised by such organizations as the Council for Excellence in Government, Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and the National Association of Broadcasters.

Lisa Pino
⁠⁠⁠Counsel, Mayer Brown, LLP and Former USDA Deputy Administrator (SNAP) under President Barack Obama

Lisa J. Pino is counsel in Mayer Brown’s Washington DC office and a member of the Employment & Benefits group who focuses on global mobility and immigration. As a former Obama presidential appointee and senior counselor to the secretary at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Lisa brings critical government experience on homeland security, immigration and administrative procedural matters. At DHS, she advised the secretary and other senior leaders on legal and policy issues, including management administration, employment, cybersecurity, national security, data, information technology, budget, procurement and real estate matters. Additionally, she managed the implementation of immigration priorities for the secretary and played an integral role as a liaison to the White House on executive actions. Her crisis management of complex, challenging issues includes solving federal cyber breach protocols, upholding the president’s executive actions, revising procurement standards for hundreds of vendors and increasing employee engagement for 240,000 DHS employees across 22 component agencies.

Prior to her time at DHS, Lisa served the administration at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) as the deputy administrator of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the deputy assistant secretary at the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

As deputy assistant secretary, Lisa resolved long-standing civil rights complaints and ensured the fair and equal treatment of USDA employees and program clients around the United States. In this role, she directed 135 staff and managed more than 1,000 program complaints daily while overseeing USDA compliance under Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Under her leadership, USDA resolved class-action settlements with minority and women farmers, issued its first Limited English Proficiency guidance, developed a gender identity regulatory amendment to protect LGBT program clients from discrimination and resolved more than 5,000 program complaints exceeding the statute of limitations.

As deputy administrator of SNAP, Lisa managed a $72 billion program providing 46 million Americans, including children, with nutritional assistance. During SNAP’s highest growth period in history, she: established immigrant policy guidance; improved program access and state compliance; championed civil rights; developed a new technology platform for state partners; expanded SNAP at farmers’ markets by 250 percent; strategized USDA’s MyPlate/MiPlato public engagement; represented First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative to end childhood obesity; established hundreds of new community partnerships; and conducted numerous presentations on hunger and obesity around the country.

Prior to entering government service, Lisa, fluent in Spanish, advised low-income clients in Phoenix and at the Arizona border on immigration, farm worker, agricultural, housing and employment issues for the Florence Immigrant Rights and Refugee Project and Community Legal Services. Her background included clerkships with a global law firm serving high-tech corporate clients, the US Government Accountability Office, the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Library of Congress.

A New York native, Lisa received her BA, MA and JD from Arizona State University with honors and completed Harvard University’s Public Leadership program as a National Hispana Leadership Institute fellow. Her recent awards include the US-Spain Council Young Leader award, induction into the Hispanic Scholarship Fund’s Hall of Fame and Arizona State University’s Horquilla award. Lisa also participated in President Obama’s Leadership Workshop program at the White House.

Dr. Tionna Jenkins, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Founder/Blogger, Plate It Healthy, Senior Advisor, Health Equity & Regional Director, Clinton Foundation

Dr. Tionna Jenkins is a public health policy practitioner with over 15 years of diverse experience in the field of public health through the private, public and philanthropic sectors. Dr. Jenkins is well versed and knowledgeable on the health-care system and addressing public health challenges.

During her tenure, she has convened and brokered relationships for Fortune 500 companies, governments, policy makers, NGO’s, individuals and directly worked with communities to improve global health and wellness, resulting in $41.3 million in prevention investments.

Some of Dr. Jenkins notable achievements include: supporting the expansion of 7 domestic health care initiative sites in the United States addressing prevention investments on both the local and national level; supporting various components of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Initiative; including developmental guidance, recruitment from the philanthropic field network; and increased awareness of participatory opportunities.

A strong advocate for both personal health and systemic change, Dr. Jenkins launched a healthy eating & wellness blog called Plate It Healthy, primarily focused on the promotion of whole food plant-based lifestyle, supporting local farmers, and investing in the local economy.

Additional achievements include the following:
Dissemination of information and mobilization of support toward passage of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which improved child nutrition and set new nutrition standards for schools. $4.5 billion was allocated toward this federal policy and the implementation of new standards.

Appointed and also served on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities with a primary focus of initiating action, implementing goals and advancing the agenda to eliminate health disparities through partnerships, strategies and collective action.

Spearhead all aspects and overseeing the development, review, implementation and research on improving the equity portfolio, cultural and linguistic competencies and work as the primary liaison for both regional and national external partnerships.

Dr. Jenkins earned a Ph.D. in public policy from the University of Arkansas, an M.P.H from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and a B.S. from Philander Smith College. She also holds a non-profit graduate certification from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and has earned a plant-based nutrition certificate from the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies and Cornell University (e-Cornell).

Stephanie F. Gardner, Pharm.D., Ed.D.
Interim Chancellor, Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Dr. Stephanie Gardner is interim chancellor of UAMS, leading Arkansas’ only academic health sciences center, which encompasses patient care, education, research and outreach resources at locations across the state. She has served in that role since Aug. 1 and will continue until the arrival of a new chancellor.

She also is the senior vice chancellor for academic affairs and provost for UAMS. In this role, she provides leadership and coordinates resources for the UAMS education mission that includes five colleges and a graduate school, 73 degree and certificate programs, 1,522 faculty members, 3,021 students, 789 resident physicians and six dental residents.

She’s been at UAMS for 25 years, serving 12 years as dean for the UAMS College of Pharmacy before becoming provost in 2015.

Martin Thoma
Principal, Thoma Thoma

Martin Thoma is a principal and co-founder of Thoma Thoma, a recognized brand strategy and marketing communications firm in Little Rock. Thoma Thoma’s growing reputation as experts in brand leadership has attracted opportunities from as far away as Taiwan, Tanzania and Jamaica.

Martin writes a monthly column called “Brand Inciter” for Talk Business and Politics/The Citywire and authored Branding Like the Big Boys: Grab Market Share, Improve Margins and Increase Loyalty. He is also frequently sought out for comment on brands and branding by publications like Arkansas Business, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Vice Sports and The Boston Globe.

Martin and his partner Melissa created the proprietary brand development process known as The Brand Navigator™ to help executive leadership unleash the power of their brands to attract customers, engage and retain employees and drive revenues.

As principals of Thoma Thoma, Melissa and Martin established a company culture of giving to the community. Their firm has provided pro bono design work and they have chaired committees and boards for non-profits since their first year in business. In its nearly 30-year history, the firm has provided well over $1.5 million in in-kind support to non-profits across the state.

Melissa has served as the president of the board of directors for Wildwood Park. Martin serves the Wildwood board as well, and is past chairman and current board member for the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. The Thomas co-chair the Arkansas District Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Melissa also serves on the board of the Mid-America Arts Alliance, UALR Friends of the Arts and Arkansas Tumor Foundation.

Melissa Thoma
Principal, Thoma Thoma

Melissa Thoma is co founder and principal with Little Rock, Arkansas-based brand strategy and marketing communications firm Thoma Thoma. Since starting the firm in 1998, Melissa has worn many hats as an entrepreneur: business leader, speech and presentation coach, graphic designer, human resource manager, creative director and brand strategist.

Melissa created a special practice area focused on marketing to women, wrote a regular column title “The Business of Marriage” for Women Entrepreneur.com and led development of numerous agency consultative services, including The Brand Navigator™, The Creativity Catalyst™, The Media Coach™ and The Presentation Coach™. Today she provides senior strategic counsel to both clients and agency personnel.

Prior to co-founding Thoma Thoma, Melissa owned two graphic design firms. Melissa also has a strong background in publishing as an art director for Arkansas Business, the Arkansas Times, and the Quapaw Chronicle newspaper. Melissa is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Tatyana Kanzaveli
CEO, Open Health Network

Tatyana Kanzaveli has gone from a programmer to senior executive at Big 5 to founder and CEO of a startup company along her 20 year career, recognized as a thought leader, mentor for her ability to guide Fortune 500 and startup companies through business challenges.

She’s worked for major companies like PricewaterhouseCoopers and Fujitsu and startups in the early days of the Web.
Tatyana has personally helped companies jump from 0 to millions in revenue even during the toughest economic times. She opened new verticals and markets.

Today she is the founder and CEO of Open Health Network, the startup in a AI/Big Data/Healthcare space. She is a mentor at 500Startups and Richard Branson Entrepreneurs Centre and serves on boards for private companies. She also is licensee and organizer of highly notable TEDxBayArea conferences, she is a frequent speaker at US and International conferences on innovation, entrepreneurship and digital health.

Tatyana has been featured in the White House blog , spoke at the United Nations, presented at the first White House Demo Day hosted by the President Obama.Tatyana has been recognized as one of the top 10 Influential Women in Healthcare IT in 2015.

Tatyana was USSR chess champion, played in the same team with Gary Kasparov, she loves to cook and kayak.

Christian O’Neal Bio
Vice Chancellor for University Advancement UA Little Rock

Christian O’Neal lives and breathes the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. As Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at UA Little Rock, he is on a mission with Chancellor Andrew Rogerson and his cabinet to advance the state’s only metropolitan research university in a supportive relationship with the community, business, state and local government to thrive in the 21st century.

A native of Hot Springs, AR Christian is a 2001 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock College of Business. With support of the region’s leadership, O’Neal is leading the university’s effort to embark on its second capital fundraising campaign with emphasis being placed on providing research and creative experiences, as well as internship opportunities for students to learn to apply knowledge and develop the soft skills for success in employment.

Prior to serving as vice chancellor, O’Neal supervised corporate and foundation relations for the University helping it realize private funding for important initiatives such as addressing the state’s critical nursing shortage, and was selected to lead the UA Little Rock Alumni Association to record-breaking heights in the role of executive director.

O’Neal serves on the board of directors of the Downtown Little Rock Rotary Club – Club 99, the Little Rock Ambulance Authority, and the Central Arkansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In 2015, he was recognized by Club 99 as a Paul Harris Fellow. He has served on the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District IV Board of Directors and as chair for the state of Arkansas.

O’Neal and his wife Julie are the parents to three children: Mason 12, McKinley 7, and Beckett 6. In his spare time, he enjoys studying the rich history and politics of Arkansas, including his hometown of Hot Springs; cheering on the Little Rock Trojans; and traveling with his young family.

Dr. Shruti Kapoor
‎Founder, Sayfty 

Dr. Shruti Kapoor is an award-winning gender equality activist, economist and social entrepreneur, passionate about girls and women’s safety. Shaken by the horrific gang rape in Delhi 2012 that caught the attention of the global news media, she founded her organization, Sayfty in June 2013 to educate and empower women and girls of India against violence. The organization aims at not only creating awareness of laws and legal rights around the issue of violence against women, but also uses digital media, tech-for-good and storytelling for women’s safety.

In 2016, The White House nominated Dr. Kapoor as a change maker for The United State Of Women Summit 2016. She is the winner of Barclay’s We Are The City 50 Rising Stars Award in 2016, India. Sayfty was awarded the People’s Choice Award by Femverstising (2015), and won a State recognition award by the UP government in India for the organization’s work on safety and education of girls. In 2015 also, Dr. Kapoor was awarded the Rex Karamveer fellowship, “to share impactful ideas for action and transform lives through projects and ideas of hope,” and was awarded “Woman of the Year (third prize)” by Regional Council, Aosta Valley, Italy.

Dr. Kapoor holds a PhD in Economics from University of CA, Riverside, and has consulted for International organizations like The World Bank in Washington DC and UN Women, NYC. She has also served as an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Occidental College in Los Angeles, CA. She is currently the co-chair of UN Women’s Task Force For Young Women’s Economic Empowerment. Dr. Kapoor is an active member of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development Working Group on Youth and Gender Equality Task Force and served on the core organizing committee of UN’s Youth Forum for the Commission on the Status of Women 2017.

Dr. Kapoor has addressed many public forums including Youth Assembly at the United Nations, UN Women Events, Merit 360 and Make Room India. She is an award-winning writer, Huffington Post contributor, World Pulse Digital Change maker and Impact Leader She is dedicated to media, digital and traditional, to raise awareness to make our cities safer for women and girls.

Linda Clemons
Global Body Language Expert

Linda Clemons from Indianapolis, Indiana is the CEO of Sisterpreneur ®Inc.  Linda is an award-winning the record setting sales producer as well as one of the top sales trainers in the world in the resort/timeshare industry where clients have generated over two billion in sales.A Body Language Expert trained and certified in Analytic Interviewing and Statement Analysis ™ a process used to detect deception.

Her clients and audiences to include Southwest Airlines, National Urban League, Nestle, MGM, Major League Baseball, Wells Fargo. Leo Burnett Worldwide, US Customs, FBI, Marriott, Hilton, Wyndham, and Starwood.  Her client list includes celebrities, executives, politicians, and entrepreneurs.

Linda has opened for or shared the stage with such notables as Oprah Winfrey, President Obama, Steve Wozniak co-founder of Apple, Dr. Condoleezza Rice and Mary Jo White SEC Chair.

Awards to include but not limited to:

• Office Depot National Entrepreneur Award
• Women of Wealth Top Mentor Award
• A listing in the United States Congressional Records for community work.
• Sagamore of the Wabash the highest civilian award given by the governor in the State of Indiana.
• *Memberships-Rotary International
• *National Board member for the National Congress of Black Women

Kim Meyer Webb
Anyone who knows her will agree – she has a flair for performance and considers the world a stage. She experienced the power of volunteerism through her commitment to Arkansas Festival Ballet and Junior League of Little Rock. Now, as editor of Inviting Arkansas, she places the performance spotlight on organizations and their missions and the countless volunteers that make it all possible. When she’s not behind the camera at events around town, you’ll most likely find her out & about in Hillcrest with her dog Ray.

Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter
Professor of Applied Communication at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock
Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter is a Professor of Applied Communication at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she also serves as Department Chair of the Department of Applied Communication. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate classes in support of the department’s mission “to foster the co-creation of better social worlds through positive communication.” Previous to coming to UA Little Rock, she served as Professor of Communication Studies and the Interim Associate Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Graduate College at the University of Northern Iowa. In her various roles, she has participated and overseen many student success initiatives. She has received many teaching and service awards, such as the Liberal Arts Core Teaching Excellence Award, the Regents Award for Faculty Excellence, and the NISG Above & Beyond Service Award. Her administrative and teaching experience, as well as her research on women’s issues and the importance of communication for women’s well-being, provides her with a unique perspective on women’s issues.

Sandy Wright, M.A.
Founder, Brave Women

Sandy and her therapy dog, Jack, traveled in a small RV over six states in the Midwest and Southwest to date video interviewing survivors of domestic violence and other forms of abuse.  The insights, wisdom, successes and challenges of survivors ignite new thinking, fuel creative solutions to stopping violence, and have the ingredients to shift systems. She founded the nonprofit Brave Woman (www.bravewoman.org) to bring these voices to the forefront of the national conversation and address the isolation and lack of support experienced by an estimated 60% of women going through domestic violence in their lifetime.  Sandy is, herself, a childhood survivor of abuse.

A career as a successful entrepreneur, coach, consultant, author and facilitator for over 40 years, her work with individuals, corporations, universities and nonprofit organizations is hallmarked by a dedication to issues affecting women, children and families. She is insatiably curious and uncontrollably passionate about life, family, community and fostering lasting, positive change.

Donna Terrell
Anchor, Fox16 News

Donna Terrell anchors FOX16 News weekdays at 5:30PM and 9PM. She joined FOX16 in February of 2004.

Donna arrived in Little Rock from Detroit, Michigan, where she served as Anchor for WKBD-TV and WWJ-TV. Before moving to Detroit, she worked at WKYC-TV in Cleveland, Ohio. She also held anchoring and reporting positions in South Bend, Indiana and Battle Creek, Michigan.

Throughout her broadcast career, Donna has been honored with several awards. Most recently earning a Regional Emmy Award for her work as a News Anchor. She also won the National American Legion Fourth Estate Award and an Associated Press Award for her special reports on Grieving a Child. She garnered two more Emmy Awards for her work bringing light to cosmetic surgery and breast cancer issues. She has been nominated for many other Emmy Awards including a a story she did involving Arkansas’ Little Rock 9, a story she covered on her daughter’s battle with colon cancer and for her work as an Anchor. Donna also earned an Associated Press Award for her story on the controversial patients’ Right To Die.

Ms. Terrell is fully committed to community service. She created Donna Terrell’s Yoga Warriors Fighting Colon Cancer, a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that raises money for liquid nutrition for survivors of colon and other cancers currently in treatment and needing financial assistance. Yoga Warriors is in memory of her daughter Queah (pronounced: Quaya) who died from colon cancer but during her battle found benefits from yoga.  Yoga Warriors has at least one free community-wide yoga fundraising event each year. In addition, Donna is a current board member for Women and Children First, a domestic violence facility. She is a former board member for Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House.  She has also served as an Ambassador for the American Cancer Society.

Donna has a Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University. She is a member of the National Association of Television Arts and Sciences, the National Association of Black Journalists and the Little Rock Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

Donna enjoys being active. You’ll find her making many appearances at events around the community. She tells everyone Arkansas is a beautiful state and the Little Rock area is a well-kept secret.

Holly Fish
Founder, Women in Networking

Holly Fish, Director of Marketing and Human Resources for EGP, PLLC Certified Public Accountants & Consultants. She has been an advocate and thought leader for women in business for many years.  As an original board member of WIN (Women in Networking) of Northwest Arkansas, she played a vital role creating the look and feel of WIN which is now the largest educational women’s networking organization in Arkansas.  She joined EGP in 2007 and quickly founded WIN- Women in Networking of Central Arkansas. The organization is made up of women from all walks of life that share a passion for smart, strong female leaders and mentors who are working to change the climate of women in the work place.  Holly speaks to women groups locally and nationally on understanding that truly supporting female business leaders ensures that if “she” is winning, you W I N as well. She was voted “Most Powerful Woman in Volunteerism” by AY Magazine in 2014; in 2010 she was named “Women in Business Champion of the Year” by the U.S. Small Business Administration Arkansas District. Her work empowering and uplifting women is never ending and she proved this once more as a champion and current Chair of the first Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame Museum. Holly was also a local 2016 TEDx speaker for the TEDx Markam Street series in Little Rock.

Holly has also held many committee and board seats including years of service in bringing awareness to the Argenta Historic Art District where she is currently Chair of the Argenta Downtown Council. Holly is originally from Louisiana, built her career in Dallas, Austin and Chicago, and proudly calls Arkansas her home.

Jessica DeLoach
Political Commentator

Jessica DeLoach is a political and communications strategist who provides regular political analysis and commentary on national and statewide programs. She also currently serves as the Senior Advisor and Director of Communications for the Democratic Party of Arkansas.

Recently, the Huffington Post highlighted Jessica as one of the “top young television pundits” in the country, dubbing her the “most seasoned millennial Democrat in American broadcast punditry.”

For the last five years, Jessica has served as one of Arkansas’s leading progressive voices. She is a regular contributor to Talk Business & Politics and her written work has appeared in various publications throughout the state. In 2015, she earned her first award from the Arkansas Press Association for her editorial work on campaign finance titled “Negative Spending,” which was featured in the Southwest Arkansas News.

As the co-contributor to KARK Channel 4’s Political Plays, Jessica provides a weekly analysis of local, state, and national issues and serves as a regular roundtable contributor to KARK 4’s Sunday morning show, Capitol View.

In 2015, Jessica was named to AY Magazine’s Class of Powerful Women in commemoration of Women’s History Month. Her work in political journalism and campaigns has also been recognized by the Democratic Committee of Pulaski County and the Democratic Party of Arkansas, who named her the 2013 Jeffrey Ledbetter Young Democrat of the Year. Jessica was also named by Soiree Magazine as one of 2012’s Women to Watch, and by the Arkansas Times in 2011, where she was profiled as one of eight young Arkansans under 35 doing extraordinary work for their state and nation in a feature titled “Who Cares Now.”

Jessica earned a triple major in Political Science, Theater Arts, and Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and a Masters in Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service.

Dr Nicholas Zaller (Ph.D) .
Director Global Health, UAMS

Dr. Nickolas Zaller is an associate professor in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education of the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health. He joined the UAMS faculty in 2014. His research focus has been on the overlap between behavioral health disorders, including addiction and mental illness, infectious diseases and incarceration both in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Zaller earned his bachelor’s degree in microbiology and East Asian Studies from Kansas University in 1999. After graduation, he lived in China for a year as a Fulbright Scholar before completing a doctorate in public health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2004.

Dawn Prasifka
CEO of Girl Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

Dawn Prasifka is CEO of Girl Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. She has more than 25 years of experience with nonprofit organizations, including senior leadership roles in larger organizations as well as start-up entities. Dawn joined Girl Scouts–Diamonds in August 2013.

Dawn is a global thinker who can motivate others into action, qualities that make for an outstanding leader and mentor. She demonstrates the ability to have vision for the future and to put that vision into daily practice.Dawn is a true champion for girls through her work at Girl Scouts – Diamonds.

Michele Towne
Owner / Publisher Inviting Arkansas

Michele Towne reflects the character of her magazine Inviting Arkansas. She’s gracious, generous and independent with undeniable Southern hospitality that creates instant friends. She established Inviting Arkansas in 2002 with a vision to bring social, fashion and entertaining topics to interested Arkansans. For more than a decade, Inviting Arkansas remains the premier social magazine dedicated to showcasing the nonprofit community in Central Arkansas and the civic leadership that helps make it successful.

Throughout her tenure, Michele has enjoyed the privilege of meeting incredibly interesting and generous individuals. Inviting Arkansas continues its steadfast commitment of showcasing and celebrating the personal stories of our philanthropic community.

As a small business owner, she shares her live + love LOCAL philosophy with clients and friends and believes we’re stronger together rather than divided by differences. A generous heart is certainly something we can all share.

Mallory Brooks
Morning News Anchor, KARK Channel 4

Mallory Brooks is a morning news anchor for KARK Channel 4 in Little Rock. She grew up in the Natural State and loves being able to help Arkansans start their day.

She came to the station in September of 2007 as a general assignment reporter, covering everything from the presidential election to protecting homes from criminals.

Mallory has always had a passion for journalism. After graduating from the University of Central Arkansas with a major in Mass Communications, she began her career in front of the camera as a general assignment reporter at KFSM Channel 5 in Fayetteville. While in Northwest Arkansas, Mallory covered a wide range of events, from Razorback football to a visit from President George Bush.

A Russellville native, Mallory loves the southern charm of the people and the beauty of the Natural State. Now calling Little Rock home, she loves meeting new people and telling their stories.

In her free time, Mallory can be found spending time with her husband and 3-year-old daughter, Grace Anne and rescue dog, Ellie. She enjoys baking, traveling, running or volunteering as a coach for the Miracle League. You can catch Mallory every weekday morning from 5-7am!

Michael B. Johnson
Michael has practiced law in Arkansas for over three decades as a general practitioner with specialties in the areas of general corporate, business, real estate and securities law. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Arkansas (Inactive). He is the owner of and solo practitioner in Johnson Law Firm PLLC in Northwest Arkansas, a firm specializing in general corporate, business and securities law, estate planning, probate, intellectual property law, firearms law and firearms trusts. His career has spanned numerous general counsel positions with Arkansas companies, including serving nearly a decade as Vice President and Associate General Counsel with what was formerly the largest private investment banking firm off Wall Street. He also proudly served as Arkansas’ Securities Commissioner from 2001 to 2007. His practice experience is extensive and spans the full range of business, securities and transactional law, intellectual property law, estate planning, probate and firearms law and firearms trusts.

Prior to attending law school, Michael worked as a registered professional engineer in the telecommunications industry and a research and design engineer designing automatic pilot flight control systems for the general aviation industry.

Education

University of Arkansas School of Law Juris
Doctorate, cum laude (1986)
Arkansas Law Review, Executive Editor

University of Arkansas School of Engineering
Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering (1978)
President of Student Branch of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Recognition, Awards and Honors
For over a decade, Michael has maintained an AV ethics rating by Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating attainable for a lawyer’s legal ability and professional ethics.

Community Service and Activities
In the past, Michael has served as adjunct professor of Securities Law at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law, and adjunct professor of Business Law and Ethics at John Brown University.

Kim Meyer Webb
Anyone who knows her will agree – she has a flair for performance and considers the world a stage. She experienced the power of volunteerism through her commitment to Arkansas Festival Ballet and Junior League of Little Rock. Now, as editor of Inviting Arkansas, she places the performance spotlight on organizations and their missions and the countless volunteers that make it all possible. When she’s not behind the camera at events around town, you’ll most likely find her out & about in Hillcrest with her dog Ray.

Warwick Sabin
Arkansas House of Representatives, District 33
Rep. Sabin is serving his second term in the Arkansas House of Representatives. He represents district 33 which includes a portion of Pulaski County.

For the 90th General Assembly, he serves on the committee on Education, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, the committee on City, County and Local Affairs, and is the 2nd Caucus District Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore.

Rep. Sabin is the Executive Director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub.  He graduated as Valedictorian from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He earned his Master’s in philosophy, politics, and economics from the University of Oxford. His academic achievements include being named a Marshall Scholar, Truman Scholar, and Sturgis Fellow.

He was named in Arkansas Business 40 under 40,  a list of intriguing business and political leaders under 40 years old. He was also listed in FOLIO:40, a national list of some of the most distinguished magazine and media professionals

Jerry B. Adams
President & CEO, Arkansas Research Alliance
Jerry retired from Acxiom Corporation in October 2007 after 34 years serving in a variety of senior leadership roles. He began his career with Arkansas Research Alliance in April of the following year.

Jerry served as the chair and continues to serve on the executive committee of Accelerate Arkansas, a statewide volunteer group of leaders focused on building a knowledge-based economy in Arkansas. Active in the startup community, Jerry serves on the management committee of Funds for Arkansas’ Future, the state’s first angel fund. Jerry also serves on the advisory board of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub, chairs the board of BioVentures, the incubator at UAMS and serves on the board of VIC Technology Venture Development, a Fayetteville-based for-profit incubator.

Jerry is also involved with education reform having served on the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Committee for Higher Education. He is currently serving on the Board of Visitors at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and is a past board member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of Arkansas’ Walton School of Business, the University of Central Arkansas Advisory Board for the College of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the University of Central Arkansas Regional Advisory Board for the College of Fine Arts & Communication.

Jerry was a founding member of the STEM Coalition and served as chair of the EAST Initiative, a secondary school technology-based project learning initiative active in over 200 schools in Arkansas and six other states. Jerry also serves as board chair of the Arkansas Initiative for Math & Science (AAIMS), an organization focused on advanced placement of math and science in Arkansas high schools.

He is the founding board chair for the Conway Interfaith Clinic, a clinic focused on providing medical and dental services to segments of the community who are underserved. And also serves on the board of the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI).

Jerry was the founding board chair for the Faulkner County Community Foundation and served as chair of the state board of the Arkansas Community Foundation. He serves as the vice chair of the Conway Development Corporation, Conway’s economic development organization, in addition to serving in a board capacity for the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation. Jerry has recently joined the board of the Interfaith Center, a statewide institution located in Little Rock.

He is married with two sons and four grandchildren. Jerry and his wife, Madelyn, reside in Conway, Arkansas.

Melissa Thoma
Co-Founder & Principal, Thoma Thoma
Melissa Thoma co-founded Thoma Thoma in 1988, following her experience as a graphic designer. While her focus has evolved to mostly high-level strategy for Thoma clients, she is still not afraid to get her hands dirty and her right brain engaged as the constant creative catalyst of the firm. Melissa Thoma and her husband, Martin Thoma, founded the firm 22 years ago, they’ve expanded their philanthropic efforts while holding one tradition in place, that of donating $1,000 to a charity, then creating a holiday card in that charity’s honor. Nonprofit paying clients also receive a 25 percent discount from the agency, and Thoma Thoma annually devotes some 5 percent of its annual revenue — anywhere from $50,000 to $80,000 — to a pro bono budget for Arkansas charities and nonprofits, a cumulative donation that the firm estimates at more than $1 million.

Rupa Dash
Co-Founder & CEO
World Woman Foundation and Dash Global Media

Dash is an entertainment entrepreneur based in Los Angeles. She is the Co-Founder & CEO Dash Global Media, a leading entertainment company in Los Angeles focused in film packaging for world cinema. She is also the CEO of World Woman Foundation spree heading a global mentorship program for Women in Film and their influence on global issues.

Dash has extensive Film Marketing experience in development and implementation of global brand strategies for Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers for theatrical releases. She has managed multi-million dollar development of all brand and marketing activities to meet strategic objectives and box office goals for major studios in India. She is also associated with Brillstein Entertainment Partners, an organization regarded as the premier entertainment management group in Hollywood.

An ardent advocate for social entrepreneurship and leadership development for women in business and entertainment Rupa is involved with UN Women, Harvard Business School, International, Davos Forum and Hollywood Film Festival advocating Gender Equality in Film and Entertainment Industry.

She is the first Indian American Managing Director of the World’s Largest Women Entrepreneurship Network recognized by White House and the first women to receive the International Telecom Union Award from United Nation. Rupa attended the Anderson School of management at UCLA, Los Angeles and focused on Entrepreneurship and MBA from University of Arkansas, Little Rock.

Dr. Upendra Kar
Co-Founder & COO
Dr Kar is an international award winning scientific professional with more than a decade of scientific contribution at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute (JHMI) and University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has been actively leading, and collaborating with thought leaders and world’s leading research scientists in cancer and stem cell biology. He has written original research articles, review articles and delivered presentations in international conferences.

Dr. Kar graduated in business administration from University of California, Los Angeles in 2010. He served as a Board of Director at University Cooperating Housing Association (non-profit) for 5 years. He has the experience of managing the non-profit organization in appointed of Executive Director and developed comprehensive programs to enhance transparency in financial operations.

He served as the Vice President, Entrepreneurship Committee Co-Chair and External Affairs Officer for Society of Postdoctoral Scholars at UCLA (2007-2010). He initiated and collaborated with Business Science Center at UCLA (UCLA BSC) and eagerly pursued key initiatives for connecting the graduate student and postdoctoral fellows and increase their awareness to the University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He also served as a chairman of the Post-Doctoral Journal club at Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institute, Baltimore, USA.

His entrepreneurial acumen reflected through his numerous enterprises i.e. MBioScience, ApnaHealth and is an investor in Dash Global Media.

It is his deep love for philanthropy that has led him to new vistas and far reaching projects like the World Woman Foundation. Dr Kar’s life mission is to empower people, mobilize resources and transform the lives of people by helping them adapt to change.

Arlene Krantz
Business Coach & Host Amazing Women In Action
Arlene Krantz is an author, speaker, mentor, business coach and an adventurous woman. She started her first business and went from zero to 7 figures even when everyone said she couldn’t. Arlene is the host and founder of “Amazing Women in Action” on World Woman Foundation.com where she interviews amazing women who share their stories.

Arlene has been fighting for women’s rights all her life and her goal is to have more women find their voice, step into their power and make their dream come true. As a mother of two daughters and a grandmother of six granddaughters and one grandson, her legacy is to empower women to go deep inside their soul, touch their heart and find that deep voice that wants to come out and declare “I’m here”. Arlene is the author of “The Business Within You” and co-author of “Woman Entrepreneur Extraordinaire and “So, What Do You Do?”

Lisa Armstrong
Digital Content Producer
Lisa Armstrong was raised on regular doses of fairytales, folk songs, and 19th century novels. It’s not surprising that she grew up to be a hopeless idealist! A long-time freelance writer, her work has been featured in print and online publications, and as part of an international award-winning women’s website.

She has also been active in sustainability and women’s causes- helping to bring Mme. Jehan Sadat to Little Rock, creating a permaculture discussion group, and initiating a women’s empowerment circle.

Her newest role as a grandmother has reintroduced the importance of women’s concerns in an era of increasing change. With an eye to the future, she intends to awaken women to their true power and to their rightful place in our world.

Lori Ducey
Nonprofit Management Consultant

Having never met a stranger, her love of people keeps her busy connecting people, promoting partnerships that can spark positive change within communities.  She is passionate about bringing diverse people together to find solutions, using her expertise in capacity building, training, program evaluation, organizational integration and strategic partnerships to assist organizations exceed targets and expectations.  Ducey has worked in various positions in higher education, domestic and international nonprofits and is a Peace Corps Response alumna.

Sarah Richman
Director Strategic Partnership

Sarah Richman is a versatile entrepreneur for the past 25 years. She is the Executive Managing Director, eWomen Network, Los Angeles, the leading women’s entrepreneur network globally. She began as a Chanel Market Specialist and expanded her passion by starting her own marketing and image company “Aesthtic Imagery”. She created the “Dress for Success” workshop teaching professionals how to put the total image together. Her success was highlighted in the public media as she has been published in books such as “Get a Grip”, featured in magazines and articles “Women on Top” and spoke on the “O’riley Factor” and “Travel Station” TV shows.

Sarah’s mission at Richman Business Concierge Group is to provide professionals the opportunity to build a career in marketing, financial, beauty and spirituality services where they can learn how to save time & money but expand business with the help of key experts for their business. She is also a philanthropist advocating for women voices to be heard all over the world. Sarah is actively involved in two charities eWomen Network Foundation and World Woman Foundation working closely with women in developing countries to step into their power for economic sustainability.

This opportunity allows people to start their own business so they can live their dreams in the future. Richman Group hopes that through this process, anyone with a dream can reach their goal to a point where they too will educate and influence others.

Ha Tran
Global internship Fellow

Ha has a bachelors degree in Finance from Danang University of Economics in Vietnam and currently, she is pursuing MBA at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is passionate about doing great things for our magnificent life and beautiful planet both professionally and personally. She was the Vice President of AIESEC Danang in Vietnam where she was able to strive, learn, and grow to achieve sustainable goals with other inspiring teammates. Her expertise includes managing community development projects and coordinating global networks. She has experience working with millennials, company executives and young talented leaders across the globe. She calls herself a feminist, an environmentalist, and a writer. Writing is her passion, Environment is her love and Business is her freedom.