Author Bios

Gail WatsonGail Watson

Gail Watson is president and founder of Women Speakers Association (WSA), the go-to place for innovative leaders, change-agents, and women with a message to connect, collaborate, and grow their visibility worldwide in order to fulfill their mission. As the first-ever global community for women speakers, WSA provides a platform for women to get seen, booked, and paid AND be part of a growing network reaching women in 120 countries.
WomenSpeakersAssociation.com

Melanie BensonMelanie Benson

Melanie Benson, host of Own Your Bold® Challenge, is a Success Amplifier. She hosts the Amplify Your Success Podcast, is author of Rewired for Wealth, co-author of Entrepreneur.com’s Start Up Guide to Starting an Information Marketing Business, and her success tips are featured in Bloomberg Business Week, Woman’s Day, and Parenting Magazine.
www.melaniebenson.com

Desiree Aragon

Desiree Aragon is a talent champion. She inspires women to discover what they do best and to maximize potential when it matters most. She is certified to train and facilitate top-rated leadership programs, and she assists her clients to deliver difficult messages and influence with the power of persuasion.
www.desireearagon.com/

Carol Ann Joy Arnim

Carol Ann Joy Arnim is an adventuresome free spirit who follows the voice of her soul. She has trained five service dog puppies and traveled extensively. She is passionate about animals and volunteerism. Through her speaking and books, she inspires people to embrace their highest truth.
www.carolannjoyarnim.com

Nasrin Barbic

Nasrin Barbic is a certified life coach, hypnotherapist, Reiki master, and founder of Pathway to Lasting Joy. Nasrin blends traditional coaching methods, scientifically proven techniques, and deep healing through hypnotherapy and Reiki to help clients release mental, physical, and spiritual blocks to success in all areas of their life.
www.pathwaytolastingjoy.combarrybasic.com

Ulrika Brattemark

Ulrika Brattemark is a Corporate Swede on a Soulful Mission. As a time management coach, speaker, and workshop leader, she supports busy professionals in living sane, joyful, and fulfilling lives. She encourages her clients to incorporate their dreams into their daily lives, ultimately actualizing a life that is truly theirs.
www.coachulrika.com

Natasha ClawsonNatasha Clawson

Natasha Clawson is a graphic designer and brand enthusiast. She helps businesses create visual brand identities with a sense of clarity and composure that poises them for growth. She’s a proud millennial and tireless champion of healthy workplace culture and mental health.
www.aspireenco.com

Deb ComanDeb Coman

Deb Coman is a content conversion strategist, copywriter, and speaker. Her copy is behind some of the big-name FacebookTM ads you see and her strategies power many blogs, social media sites, and email campaigns. By aligning with core values, Deb supports business owners to attract and convert through connection.
www.DebComan.com

Tracey Ehman

Tracey Ehman is a best-selling author of “The Silver Lining of Cancer” & a social media strategist who tripled her business while battling cancer. Her ability to concentrate on the positive, even in adversity, compelled her to bring together others to share their stories and inspire people to look for the silver lining.
www.thesilverliningofcancer.com

Grace Gapuz

Grace Gapuz, RN, CLNC, works as a certified legal nurse consultant and director of a dental practice. Grace holds a BS in Nursing and an MA in Organizational Management. She has authored a book, Medical Records Made Easy for Attorneys. Grace volunteers with her church’s spiritual ministries.
www.gracegapuzlnc.com

Verenice Gutierrez

Verenice Gutierrez, PhD, has engaged school districts nationally in creating systems that focus on educational equity. Her focus is on changing systems that disadvantage historically marginalized groups. She currently serves as the director of Educational Equity for the Salt Lake City School District and consults with various school districts across the country.
www.drverenicegutierrez.com

Charmaine Hammond

Charmaine Hammond is a highly sought-after business keynote and workshop speaker. She is a business owner who teaches the importance of developing trust, healthy relationships, and collaboration in the workplace. Charmaine has helped corporate clients build resilient, engaged teams, develop high trust/accountability relationships, and solve the tough people issues that impact success.
charmainehammond.com

Lucky Lauridsen

Lucky Lauridsen, RN, is an educator, speaker, and author. She is a heart-centered solutions provider that helps organizations create senior-friendly brands. As a champion for treating seniors right, she raises awareness to everyday challenges faced by many seniors, positioning companies to better serve and support them. She fosters winning situations for employers, employees, and seniors.
www.agewisebusiness.com

Johnnie Lloyd

Johnnie Lloyd, chief visionary officer for JB Lloyd and Associates, specializes in transformational development. Johnnie is an international speaker, bestselling author, and financial guru servicing profit and nonprofit organizations. As a keynote or breakout session speaker, she provides insight for greater levels of productivity and profitability and supports transformation to next-level success.
www.johnnielloyd.com

Renée Lucky

Renée Lucky was born and raised in Vancouver, BC, Canada. As a teenager she taught gymnastics and group fitness classes. After winning several titles as a competitive natural bodybuilder, Renée became a personal trainer and yoga instructor. Now, at age fifty-one, she plans to share her strategies for aging gracefully.
www.reneelucky.com

Melani Luedtke-TaylorMelani Luedtke-Taylor

Melani Luedtke-Taylor is on a mission to encourage resilience through acceptance, preparation and coping (#APC). She is a TEDx speaker, MBA graduate, certified coach, teacher, and marketing strategist, but as a wife, mother and professional battling an impending disability, she focuses on creating new experiences while helping others realize their potential. Our world needs more empathy and less judgement as everyone is struggling with an invisible personal challenge. Visit her website and tell Melani your #APC story.
www.melanietaylor.com

Yvette McQueen, MD

Yvette McQueen, MD is a global physician on a mission to educate about health, travel wellness, and disease prevention. She is an Emergency Medicine physician and Travel Doctor. Dr. McQueen offers a lifestyle modifications course, and she is an international travel group physician. She is also a speaker, author, consultant, and provides international medical teaching.
www.yvettemcqueenmd.com

Lakichay Nadira Muhammad

Affectionately known as “The Queen of Self-Improvement,” Lakichay Nadira Muhammad  is a wholistic health practitioner and mental health therapist. As a speaker, maternal health and parent advocate, womb wellness savant, and indigenous baby catcher, she believes that every woman is uniquely endowed with her own special gifts, just waiting to be unwrapped.
www.thecenterforselfimprovement.com

Lisa Jean Nielson

Lisa Jean Nielson is the founder of Art And Soul Girls, a movement of ritualistic self-compassion through creativity, service and artistic expression. Lisa is a certified esthetician and makeup artist with over twenty years of experience and is also a confidence coach and speaker.
www.artandsoulgirls.com

Cheryl PeltekisCheryl Peltekis, RN

Cheryl Peltekis, RN, is an infectious leader in the home health and hospice industry as well as a mother of five children. A bestselling author, she has been seen on TV shows around the world. Cheryl’s nickname is “The Solutionist” – and she knows how to lead a winning team!
www.homecaresales.com

Jill Perla

Internationally collected, award-winning artist, former vice president of finance, former manager of a large scientific meeting, experienced high-tech sales executive, board member, and vice president of a networking organization, Jill Perla brings a unique perspective and shows how to have creative wins in all aspects of life.
www.jillperlaart.com

Michela Quilici

Michela Quilici is a business navigator, award-winning business growth coach and marketing strategist, speaker, bestselling author, Forbes Coaches Council member, and creator and host of the Q Your Business podcast. She works with CEOs and business owners so they can get noticed, get clients, and get profitable using strategy, systems, and self-leadership.
www.michelaquilici.com

Vivien Rayam

Vivien Rayam is the general manager and co-owner of Code Ninjas Snellville in Georgia. She works with youth to help them develop a love of computer programming and foster an interest in STEM careers. Her mission is to share the path of STEM as a viable option for all kids.
www.vivienrayam.com

Jeannine Rivers

Jeannine Rivers is an author, motivator, and musician who enjoys inspiring people with her heartfelt stories, life lessons, and music of hope. As an inspirational speaker and confidence coach, she facilitates workshops that assist her clients in building their confidence and forming a new creative outlook on life.
www.jeanninerivers.com

Laura RubinsteinLaura Rubinstein

Laura Rubinstein, CHt, Social Buzz Club founder, is an award-winning digital media and marketing strategist, certified hypnotherapist, speaker, and author of the Feminine Power Cards and bestselling book Social Media Myths BUSTED. Laura also serves on the Leadership Team for Women Speakers Association and hosts the WSA-TV Premier Show. Look for her upcoming book on feminine power.
TransformToday.com

Dr. Janet J. Sawyer

Janet. J. Sawyer, EdD, is an educator, leadership development coach, personality styles specialist, and a published author. She is the CEO and founder of JJ Sawyer Consulting, LLC, where she specializes in coaching her clients how to apply strategies that will help them move forward when seeing personal and professional goals.
jjsawyerconsulting.com

Alexis Schomer

Alexis Schomer is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for solving problems through innovation. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she co-founded her first tech start-up while still in college. She is a frequent speaker at educational and motivational events, publishes, and is a consultant in addition to running her current company.
alexisschomer.com

Crystal-Marie Sealy

Crystal-Marie Sealy, MBA, dedicated mom, keynote speaker, author, and strategy consultant, speaks on authenticity and mindful entrepreneurship – pricing, process, and feasible schedules. Crystal-Marie’s strategy framework is based on nineteen years of service, with BMO and the Ontario government as past clients. Today she serves premium service professionals.
www.crystalmariesealy.com

Alicia Smith

Alicia Smith is an inspirational speaker, author, dance and music teacher, wife, and mother. She works to help others that have faced tragedy by speaking and sharing her personal story of survival and accomplishment after being shot with an AK-47. Alicia believes that adversity can always be a catalyst for growth. You can read the full story of Alicia’s struggle in her autobiography Thread.
www.aliciasmithspeaks.com

Cornelia Steinberg

Editors’ Note: As this book was ready to go to print, Cornelia passed away. She leaves behind a powerful, inspiring message of strength and hope….

Cornelia Steinberg (1962—2020) was born and raised in Germany and taught self-development for thirty-plus years. When she was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016, her life came to a screeching halt and would never be the same. Through that journey she learned to accept and love herself for who she is. As a speaker and author, Cornelia shared her story to instill a spark of hope with her audience.
www.corneliasteinberg.com

Karen Strauss

Karen Strauss has worked in publishing for more than thirty years and has held management and marketing positions at major publishing houses, including The Free Press, Crown, Random House, and Avon. Karen founded Hybrid Global Publishing in 2011 to help authors, speakers, and entrepreneurs get their message out by writing and publishing, distribution, and marketing services for organizations and individual authors.
www.hybridglobalpublishing.com

Cate Tuitt

Cate Tuitt is a motivational speaker, trainer, and consultant. She studied law at university in London and worked for over twenty-five years in justice and law. She was also the CEO of a women’s shelter in London. Her experience with clients gave Cate insight into the power of art, painting, and nutrition to use as a resource to overcome trauma.
www.catetuittbooks.com

Lois Wagner

Lois Wagner is a curious traveler, thriver, inspirational speaker, executive business coach, leadership consultant, and mentor. As a certified Conversational Intelligence (C-IQ) coach, she facilitates individual and group coaching interactions and immersion workshops. Her stories motivate the audience to develop a growth mindset, to build their resilience and grit, to energize their mojo, and to achieve their personal best.
www.loiswagnercoaching.com

Karyn Wiles

Karyn Wiles is the chief style officer of the Signature Image Group, a Division of Styled by Wiles. As a corporate image consultant and personal brand strategist, Karyn helps clients develop a signature style that is uniquely their own.
www.karynwiles.com

Jennifer S. Wilkov

Jennifer S. Wilkov’s passion for communication has led to her being a media personality and producer, a #1 international bestselling author, an international speaker, an award-winning freelance writer, a successful book business consultant, and an entrepreneurial mentor. She knows what it takes to live the life you love in the face of any challenge. Using simple techniques and engaging exercises, Jennifer loves to inspire people everywhere with the insights, knowledge, and wisdom to live the lives they imagine.
www.jenniferswilkov.com

Benita Williams

Benita Williams empowers women to live the life they truly desire. Benita is an award-winning author, speaker, and coach who thrives on personal optimization. She believes the key to success is knowing how to regiment yourself for the success you desire. Benita is married to Coach A.M. Williams, and they reside in North Carolina.
www.benitawilliams.com

Mary WongMary Wong

Mary Wong is an author, speaker, mentor, and the founder of Optimal Life Solutions. An experienced coach, counselor, and corporate trainer, she assists her clients to bring their hidden voices to light so they can speak out, step up, and create a legacy of lasting change that will positively impact the world.
www.optimalcoaching.com.au

Kamini WoodKamini Wood

Kamini Wood is a certified life, wellness, and teen life coach. She also is board-certified through the AADP. She works with teen girls and women of all ages, leading them on their own journey toward inner confidence, authenticity, and self-leadership so they can become leaders in personal and business matters.
www.itsauthenticme.com