Cheryl Patterson, RN, BSN, MSN, MBA, PhD has 50 years’ experience in healthcare-- as a clinical caregiver with expertise in Orthopaedics, Pain Management, & Physical Rehab. She also has experience in many healthcare management roles at all levels, from Orthopaedic Unit Manager to Chief Operating Officer in different healthcare systems. She was a recipient of the prestigious Commonwealth Fund Executive Nurse Fellowship Award. She has conducted and published research studies, authored peer-reviewed journal articles and academic book chapters, and has taught at the university level. Cheryl has been a consultant to medical practices and hospitals. She is now a Health & Life Coach for people with autoimmune diseases as she has lived for decades with 2 different autoimmune diseases herself. Thus, her coaching builds on her professional and personal experience, knowledge and wisdom. It is her passion and purpose in life.

Kimly Hoang-Nakata, M.Ed., is an award-winning educator, international keynote speaker, bestselling author, and educational innovator whose work is transforming how children learn, how educators teach, and how families support lifelong success. As the Founder and CEO of Achieve Education and the co-creator of MindSmart Learning®, Kimly has dedicated her career to helping children thrive by integrating brain science, emotional safety, executive functioning, and whole-child development into meaningful learning experiences. With more than two decades in education, Kimly has become an internationally respected voice in learning science, student engagement, executive functioning, and social-emotional development. Her work bridges neuroscience, education, and leadership, empowering children to build confidence, resilience, curiosity, and the lifelong skills needed to flourish both academically and personally. At the heart of her work is a simple yet powerful belief: Children learn best when they feel safe, seen, understood, and empowered. This philosophy inspired the development of MindSmart Learning®, an innovative whole-child framework that combines research-informed teaching practices with brain-based strategies to nurture confidence, strengthen executive functioning, and foster a genuine love of learning. Through partnerships with schools, educators, families, and community organizations, Kimly has helped countless children reconnect with learning, rebuild self-belief, and discover their unique potential. Building upon this vision, Kimly created CEO of Me™, a groundbreaking brain-based curriculum that teaches children the executive functioning and leadership skills essential for success in school and life. Kimly believes that every child has a CEO inside them. When children learn to lead their brain, emotions, choices, and actions, they develop the confidence to lead their learning—and ultimately, their future. Beyond her work in education, Kimly is an accomplished and internationally recognized author. Her award-winning bilingual children’s books celebrate language, culture, and identity while helping children develop pride in their heritage and appreciation for diverse communities. Her books have been recognized internationally for advancing literacy, multicultural understanding, and meaningful family connections, inspiring young readers to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. She is also the author of an award-winning book: The Glow: How to Lead with Light and Live with Purpose, an inspirational book that encourages readers to cultivate authentic leadership, resilience, and purpose. The book introduces The Glow Philosophy, Kimly’s signature message that true leadership is measured not by titles or achievements, but by the light we bring into the lives of others. Through this philosophy, she encourages individuals to pursue continual growth, serve with compassion, and create opportunities that positively influence future generations. The Glow book received Intetnational Impack Book Award and recognized on the New York Times Magazine. Kimly is also a co-author of the Amazon #1 bestselling anthology Impact Leaders alongside renowned entrepreneur and investor Kevin Harrington, the original Shark from Shark Tank, and other influential global leaders. The anthology highlights stories of perseverance, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership, reflecting Kimly’s unwavering commitment to empowering others through education and service. As an international keynote speaker, Kimly has inspired audiences across the United States and around the world, presenting to educators, school leaders, healthcare professionals, parents, nonprofit organizations, and business leaders. Her presentations combine compelling storytelling with practical, research-informed strategies rooted in neuroscience, leadership, and education, equipping audiences with actionable tools to create environments where children and adults alike can thrive. Committed to lifelong learning, Kimly continues to deepen her expertise through executive education at Harvard Medical School, studying brain science, resilience, emotional leadership, mindfulness, and leadership. This advanced learning continues to strengthen the MindSmart Learning® framework and reinforces her commitment to bringing evidence-informed practices into classrooms, homes, and organizations. Her work has been featured in national and international media, educational conferences, leadership summits, and global publications. Among her many recognitions, Kimly has received the NBC 7 Inspirational Teacher Award, numerous international literary honors, recognition as a bestselling author, and was named The Prime Today Magazine’s Most Influential Education Leader of 2026 for her transformative contributions to education and leadership. Whether speaking on global stages, mentoring educators, writing books, developing innovative curricula, or partnering directly with families, Kimly’s mission remains steadfast: To help every child discover their potential, every educator inspire meaningful learning, and every family experience the transformative power of education. Through Achieve Education, MindSmart Learning®, CEO of Me™, and The Glow Philosophy, Kimly Hoang-Nakata continues to shape the future of education—one child, one educator, one family, and one community at a time.

Julie Reby Waas is a Certified High Performance Coach, motivational author, speaker, and dedicated advocate for women navigating midlife transformation. Drawing on decades of experience as a successful attorney, accomplished artist, and mother of three adult sons — including one with autism — she brings a unique blend of professional expertise, resilience, and personal insight to her work. Committed to empowering women through life’s transitions, Julie helps individuals move beyond limiting expectations, reconnect with their authentic values, and rediscover purpose, passion, and confidence. Through her coaching, speaking, and writing, she inspires women to embrace midlife as a powerful season of growth, reinvention, creativity, and meaningful transformation.

Jennifer A Parker is a heart transplant survivor, and former healthcare leader. Her life’s work now centers on empowering others to speak up for themselves and their loved ones. A more than 20 year stage IV breast cancer survivor, Jennifer’s journey has included chemotherapy induced congestive heart failure and a lifesaving heart transplant in 2023. These experiences have shaped her mission to champion compassionate, patient centered care. Before becoming an Patient Advocate, Jennifer spent over two decades in healthcare with West Tennessee Healthcare, serving in various clinical and leadership positions. Before she retired, she served as Laboratory Operations Manager managing multiple departments, teams, and system wide initiatives. She also brings years of experience as an elementary school teacher and as the owner and lead floral designer of Southern Sparkle Florals, with work featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Southern Bride, Green Wedding Shoes, and June Bug Weddings. Her story is one of resilience and active living. Within months of her transplant, Jennifer completed multiple 5Ks, won gold and silver medals at the Tennessee Senior Olympics, and competed in the Transplant Games of America. Today, she serves as an ambassador for Legacy of Hope in Birmingham, Alabama, honoring her donor by advocating for organ and tissue donation and encouraging others to take an active role in their healthcare. Jennifer’s message is simple and powerful: advocacy saves lives, and every patient deserves to be heard.

Tracy Kyler is a speaker, coach, and former human-services professional who spent years working with children and families navigating crisis and generational trauma. Her personal story — from childhood abuse and teenage motherhood to rebuilding her life after a devastating car accident — gives her a uniquely compassionate and insightful perspective on emotional resilience and the hidden ways trauma passes from one person to another. Tracy’s work focuses on helping adults recognize the emotional patterns they’ve inherited, understand how those patterns shape the people they love, and learn how to interrupt the ripple effect with awareness and courage. Her message combines relatable storytelling, trauma-informed research, and bold humor that makes even difficult truths feel empowering and hopeful.

Anna Geagea is a mindset and identity coach, speaker, and creator of the Identity Architecture™ framework. She supports purpose-driven women entrepreneurs in releasing internal patterns that hold them back and creating meaningful, flexible success without guilt or burnout. Anna’s work is shaped by lived experience, including multiple immigrations, rebuilding life from scratch, personal loss, an infertility journey, and the premature birth of her son. These experiences led her into deep self-awareness, neuroscience-based inner work, and grounded spirituality focused on integration rather than escape. Based in Boston, MA, Anna combines psychology, nervous system regulation, and embodied spiritual insight to help women shift identity at the root level—so growth becomes natural, sustainable, and aligned with both ambition and family

Dr. Connie Bell is a transformational executive and scholar-practitioner known for her ability to lead with both vision and compassion. A native Californian now residing in Texas, Dr. Bell brings over 30 years of dynamic leadership experience in corporate, academic, and global spaces. She currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Security Risk, Global Incident Response, and Fraud Detection & Analytics at Teleperformance, where she leads strategic governance initiatives across security, ethics, and operational resilience. In addition to her corporate leadership, Dr. Bell is a respected doctoral professor and dissertation chair at the University of Phoenix, where she mentors emerging scholars in business and leadership disciplines. Her scholarly research explores the intersection of ethical leadership, systemic equity, and high-risk organizational environments. As a breast cancer survivor, Dr. Bell brings a deep personal understanding of the importance of wellbeing, self-advocacy, and resilience. She speaks candidly about how ignoring early signs of illness nearly cost her everything and how her recovery redefined her leadership philosophy. This experience fuels her current work in promoting trauma-informed leadership and well-being-centered organizational cultures. Known for her mantra, “Lift as you climb,” Dr. Bell is committed to opening doors for others, mentoring future leaders, and advocating for environments where high performance and human dignity are not in conflict. Her mission is to transform systems from the inside out, bridging governance, innovation, and wellbeing to foster sustainable change for people, communities, and institutions. Credentials: • Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) • SVP of Global Security Risk & Incident Response • Professor & Dissertation Chair, University of Phoenix • Conference Speaker | Research Mentor | Survivor Advocate Contact: Email: connie.bell@teleperformance.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/connie-bell

Cynthia Encinas-Concordia is a transformational life coach, published author, podcaster, a mother and a grandma. As a Human Resource practitioner at the World Bank (retired, Headquarters, Washington, DC) her job involved dealing with diverse groups of people. This professional knowledge, experience, skills coupled with her personal life journey led her to share and work with others to create the life they would like to live … “I had the best opportunity—through my life journey, to see the value of making a positive impact on others' lives. I felt a calling to make a difference by inspiring others and creating awareness to empower people to unlock their full potential and create a life they love. I am results-oriented and passionate about personal growth and mindset mastery. With me fulfilling my purpose, I am now leaving my footprints so the young generation may be inspired and continue what we are doing – making an impact in this world. Join me on this incredible journey of self-discovery and let's create the life you've always dreamed of. I want you to live your dreams and welcome each day full of gratitude, saying, Life is great!” Cynthia is the proud founder of Dream to Rise, LLC. Her books include My Journey Into Becoming, Overcoming Self-Sabotage and Dream to Rise Anthology.

Dr. Debra Mrock is a Leadership Performance Strategist, speaker, and founder of Lead & Speak Without Permission™. She holds a Doctorate in Transformational Leadership, a Master’s degree in Education, and a Bachelor’s degree in Speech and Communication. Her work integrates leadership psychology, performance science, and executive communication to train leaders to perform decisively in high-stakes, high-visibility environments. On the She Roars Boldly podcast, she spotlights women entrepreneurs who have built bold platforms, navigated visibility, and stepped forward without waiting for permission. A certified IAPO coach, Distinguished Speaker, and recipient of the Distinguished Speaker Excellence Award (WEL–UJWEL), Golden Talk Award (Euro-American), Dr. Mrock also serves as an Assistant Editor at UJWEL Magazine. She has delivered more than 30 professional speaking engagements across the United States and internationally, including presentations at Harvard University, King’s College, Cambridge, the University of Oxford, and conferences in six additional countries. Dr. Mrock works with executives, professionals, athletes, and emerging leaders who navigate moments when visibility, scrutiny, and consequences are high. She specializes in closing the gap between preparation and participation—equipping capable individuals to manage cognitive load, accelerate decision-making, and communicate with clarity and visible authority. Her methodology emphasizes behavioral performance rather than motivational confidence. Through structured regulation strategies, decisiveness training, and executive presence development, she addresses hesitation patterns that quietly erode influence. She teaches leaders to move before certainty, speak before comfort, and demonstrate authority without waiting for validation or invitation. She is the author of four books, including From Ordinary to Extraordinary: Mastering the Art of Dramatic Speaking, She Roars Boldly, Brave, Bold and Built to Roar, and Lead and Speak Without Permission. Her signature philosophy is clear: Lead and Speak Without Permission — before certainty, before comfort, before invitation.

Dr. May Li is an international speaker and author who helps individuals navigate defining moments in business and career. Raised in a family that valued education as the primary predictor of success, she pursued it relentlessly, earning degrees from three Ivy League institutions and a PhD in science. Despite her academic achievements, wealth did not follow readily. She researched further and discovered it was not a lack of knowledge or strategy holding people back, but internal patterns that impede decisions at critical moments. With this insight, her approach shifted, and so did the outcomes. As new opportunities emerged, she began evaluating and selecting those that truly resonated, laying the foundation for her platform, Millionaire Mindset for Women. Dr. Li subsequently developed the Power on the Edge™ framework, which examines why capable people hesitate when called to expand and how to sustain momentum when higher levels of performance are required. Today, her program supports corporate women and entrepreneurs at all stages of expansion and wealth creation.

Mayumi Pachkoski is a respected beauty industry expert with more than 20 years of experience in holistic anti-aging skincare and transformative energy healing. As an immigrant to the United States with no local family or support network, she successfully built her Maryland-based salon into a thriving six-figure business. Her expertise has been recognized by more than 22 media outlets, including AP News, Yahoo! Finance, Morningstar, and affiliates of ABC, NBC, and Fox News. A former aesthetics instructor, Mayumi integrates the best of Asian and Western skincare practices with energy healing to deliver a holistic approach to wellness. Today, she mentors energy healers and wellness professionals, helping them establish credible, sustainable businesses while creating lasting impact and long-term growth.

Terry Earthwind Nichols is a globally respected behavioral strategist, speaker, and the Father of Repetitive Behavior Cellular Regression® (RBCR)—a groundbreaking technique that reveals a hidden early childhood memory influencing adult trauma and self-sabotage. A Top 10 Global Thought Leader, LinkedIn Top Voice & Business Influencer, Terry ranks among the Top 20 Marketers in Business Strategy. He is the author of 11 books, a former UN Peace Ambassador at Large, and Chair of Evolutionary Healer, LLC a transformational performance improvement company serving clients in 17 countries and 27 U.S. states. Terry’s signature talks blend neuroscience, leadership, and human behavior, providing audiences with powerful insights and tools to break through limiting patterns and achieve high-performance results. His latest book, Cellular Memory and It’s Use in Science Today: Repetitive Behavior Cellular Regression® & The CR Process™, serves as his international keynote. Known for his presence, storytelling, and authenticity, Terry commands the room—whether on global stages, in corporate boardrooms, or virtually around the world. Through his own journey and while helping others, Terry discovered that self-sabotage doesn’t come from conscious thought - it comes from an unresolved memory stored outside of awareness. That realization became Repetitive Behavior Cellular Regression® (RBCR). Instead of forcing memory recall, the process works with the body’s natural responses - allowing change without re-triggering trauma. All without years of talk therapy or reliving the past. Over the years, this work has helped leaders regain: clarity, confidence, emotional freedom, and follow-through. RBCR helps identify and neutralize the original imprint behind self-sabotage, imposter syndrome, repeating negative business or relationship patterns, chronic hesitation, fear, and/or burnout. Terry figured out how to disconnect the conscious and subconscious synchronization for memory recall, thus changing the behavioral health industry forever.

Dr. Anne Katona Linn is an educational consultant, coach, speaker, and author who helps women leaders and school communities move from crisis mode to greater safety, resilience, and effectiveness. With more than 20 years of experience in education, behavior support, and leadership development, she equips women with practical tools to lead with courage, clarity, and compassion. Dr. Anne is a Doctor of Educational Psychology, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, university instructor, and creator of the Building Resilient Classrooms coaching program. Drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience, she speaks on resilience, trauma, adaptive leadership, and the power of creating spaces where people feel safe, seen, and heard. Her work empowers women to lead meaningful change in their organizations, communities, and lives.