Meet our Voices of the 21st Century – Wise Women Bringing Light to the World
Gail Watson is the founder and CEO of Women Speakers Association, a global movement reaching 120+ countries. She is dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, creating lifelong visibility opportunities, and building communities where messages inspire change. Gail’s vision is a world where every woman’s voice influences, uplifts, and leaves a lasting legacy.
Dr. Desi is a quantum process practitioner who holds a doctoral degree in Spiritual Studies (SsD). She uplifts humanity as a spiritual thought leader. As we dive heart-first into the Age of Aquarius, Dr. Desi travels the world, delivering messages that cultivate love, harmony, and understanding.
DrDesi.us
Nicole Aissa is a CPT Transformation Specialist, real estate industry leader, and testament to resilience and reinvention. After a traumatic accident and health challenges, she rebuilt her body and mindset through bodybuilding. Now a decorated adaptive athlete, she proves it’s never too late to\ reclaim strength, embrace change, and rise.
Karen Anderson is the founder and CEO of Escape to Better Foundation, a charity dedicated to providing pre-crisis intervention for people experiencing domestic violence. Using her lived experience and ability to build supportive communities, Karen helps others stand strong and unstoppable as they escape abuse and rebuild their lives.
EscapeToBetter.org
Jackie Anderson, SHRM-CP, is a talent acquisition leader, mentor, and coach. She empowers individuals of all identities and backgrounds to rise beyond adversity. Through powerful storytelling, authenticity, and encouragement, Jackie inspires audiences to reclaim their confidence and step boldly into their purpose, one confident stride at a time.
JackieSpeaks.com
Alexandra André is a marathon coach, professional speaker, author, and founder of THE POWER OF POSSIBILITY®. She helps individuals and teams feel inspired and supported to dream bigger and untap their true potential—in running and in life. She is a seven-time marathoner, IRONMAN, and mother, based in Melbourne, Australia.ThePowerOfPossibility.com.au
Melissa Armstrong, LE, is the founder of The Enlightened Skincare Clinic near Chicago, IL, and a multi-award-winning, nineteen-year licensed esthetician. As an intuitive energy healer, she coaches anyone who is ready to clear their skin or their past emotional blockages to find inner happiness and relief using unique mindful energy healing techniques.EnlightenedSkinCareClinic.com
Annette Bacon is the founder of Transformation Studios, a leadership coach, TV host, speaker, and educator. She empowers women in leadership to transform their mindsets, reclaim their confidence, and become bold, unstoppable leaders. Her coaching blends emotional intelligence, resilience, and conscious leadership to create meaningful and lasting transformations in their careers and lives.
AnnetteBacon.com
Karen Barno iis the founder and CEO of Arizona ALFA, co-author of 21st Century Woman: Wise Women Bringing Light into the World, and author of Shadow Work and Prompts for Women Leaders, Blue Rose Bookstore: Sanctuary for Your Soul, and Find Your Blue Rose. She helps women live their best lives through her Blue Rose framework.
KarenBarno.com
Jennifer M.A. Bernardo, of Chamoru-Filipino descent, was born and raised in Guam and now resides in Northern California. She is a devoted single mother to Michael, Jasmine, and Angelina, has a Shih Tzu named Ozzie, and finds joy in writing, traveling, and reading. Inspired by her late mother’s memory and her family’s love, she remains ever thankful for God’s blessings.
suruhana@gmail.com
Dr. Renae Bjorg delightfully lights the path for all those who have not yet answered the call of their soul. Her passion is to help women awaken to their true nature and expand their consciousness. She empowers them to embrace and experience their exquisite beauty through love and creative self-expression.IAmRenae.com
Liz Booth is a buyer’s agent, former television producer, and storyteller. She inspires women through honest and powerful reflections on resilience, reinvention, and purpose. With decades of insight across the property and creative industries, she’s driven by purpose, legacy, and turning vision into impact. Quite simply, she is unstoppable!
LizBoothBuyersAgent.com.au
Carmel Brown has the unique ability to blend practical strategy with intuitive insight in modern leadership, helping leaders shift from constant doing to conscious being, and creating more connected workplaces where both people and performance thrive. Through soul and self-alignment, she transforms disconnection into deep connection, performance into purpose, and burnout into balance.
CarmelBrown.com
Angel Cottrell is a best-selling author, speaker, executive coach, and strategic consultant. As CEO of Apollo Consultancy Group, she empowers entrepreneurs to embody purpose and lead transformative change. Through Embody the Royal You, leaders crown their calling, reignite their vision, and boldly create the greatest version of their grandest vision.
ApolloConsultancyGroup.com
Josette Diaz is a self-awareness coach, helping high-achieving women reconnect with their soul-level desires. Through her signature system, Seasons of the Soul®, she blends creative inquiry, energy work, and deep awareness practices to break patterns, awaken truth, and guide women to lead with soul rather than survival.
GuidanceToWellness.com
Tasha Doucas lives and leads with radical resilience. A coach, caregiver consultant, and wellness advocate, she empowers others to navigate life’s challenges with strength and balance. Through sport, business, and caregiving, she helps individuals rise with purpose on and off the court. Her mantra: Live life fully.
RadicallyResilient.ca
Tracey Ehman is an organic marketing strategist and creator of The Heart of Social Media, helping passion-driven entrepreneurs amplify their messages, grow authentic connections, and be found online. As an author and podcast host, she empowers others to lead with heart, expand their reach, and grow their impact without sacrificing authenticity.
TheHeartofSocialMedia.com
Lynn Gavia believes that every number has a story, every process has a hidden rhythm, and every system has a secret narrative waiting to be revealed. She is known for her storytelling—don’t ask her to get to the point. Her chapter may tell one story, but her story as a writer is just beginning.
LinkedIn.com/in/LynnGavia
Kelli Rynae Jackson established KRynae Design Co in 2023. She is a creative force whose designs include customized images, personalized clothing, and memorabilia for nonprofits. She has two published book covers to her credit. A wife and mother of three, Jackson nurtures creativity in her children and their peers.
KRynaeDesignCo.etsy.com
Zan Johns is the world-class author of Poetic Forecast, After the Rainbow, Encore, Voices of the 21st Century (2021-2025), and What Matters Journal. She’s also co-editor of four poetry anthologies and an editor of Fine Lines. Her expressions appear in numerous publications. Johns is WSA poet laureate.ZanExpressions.com
Kashaun Parker is a widowed single mother of three, a professional speaker, a two-time bestselling author, and an executive coach pursuing her doctorate in Business Administration. As founder of Next Step Forward Coaching & Consulting and a Toastmasters leader, she equips leaders to speak and lead with authority and confidence.
NextStepForwardCoach.com
Marsha Lake is a visual presentation and transcription expert with four decades of experience who operates a successful secretarial and administration business. Her honest, down-to-earth, hard-working, confidential, and professional approach has gained repeated testimonials, trust, and friendships from clients she has had the privilege of working with over the years.
MLSS.com.au
Cynth’ya Lewis Reed is a wife, mother, author, and mentor, whose faith and resilience shine through decades of service, healing, and empowerment. From integrating schools to inspiring others through wellness, writing, and community work, she uplifts with purpose and heart. Her life motto: “If you can look up, you can rise up.”
AuthorsDen.com/Cynthya
Violet H. Mwandenga is a life coach, entrepreneur, author, and speaker with 18+ years of experience empowering others to live authentically. A former anti-corruption officer in Tanzania, she moved to the U.S. in 2019, overcoming personal trials to inspire resilience. She now leads Unique Journey Life Coach, guiding visionaries toward their dreams with unique maps.
UJCoaching.com
Fonda Neal is a higher education professional, international best-selling author, and natural health practitioner whose passion is to inspire and educate health-conscious adults in using natural approaches to wellness. She is a neurodivergent woman who is a huge advocate for greater awareness and understanding of invisible disabilities.
FondaNealNaturalHealth.com
Rachel Pietsch is a multi-award-winning vocal coach, a voice teacher for over thirty years, and accredited in voice function. She works with the mechanics of voices, bringing better ease, projection, and longevity to both speakers and singers, helping them to elevate their careers and impact.
NowYoureTalking.com.au
Candace Plattor, M.A., is an Addictions Therapist specializing in working with the families of those who are struggling with addiction. With over 38 years clean and sober, she teaches that enabled addicts don’t recover and need to be loved with healthy boundaries instead. Candace received the AgeCare Senior of Distinction Award for Leadership in 2025.
LoveWithBoundaries.com
Valerie Priester is a mindset and strategy catalyst, best-selling author, and motivational speaker. She is CEO of Victorious Life Coaching, where she guides high-achieving women entrepreneurs from inner doubt to clear, confident growth. Her mission is to empower women to lead victorious lives filled with success and fulfillment.
ValeriePriester.com
Meng Quah-Shepherd is a cosmetic dentist and the founder of Boutique Dental Care in Chatswood, Sydney. She creates life-changing smiles that empower individuals to reach new heights in their lives. Meng is committed to redefining dental care to be fear-free, stress-free, and even pleasant.
BoutiqueDentalCare.com.au
Laura Reale runs Lifestyle Optical in Sydney, Australia, helping people see clearly and stylishly with quality frames, sunglasses, and contact lenses. She aims to reduce preventable blindness through holistic eye care, ensuring lifelong clear and comfortable vision. Her personalized approach ensures each patient receives tailored care and solutions for vision.
LifeStyleOptical.com.au
Laura Rubinstein is an award-winning marketing strategist, hypnotherapist, bestselling author of Social Media Myths Busted, creator of Feminine Power Cards, companion book Journey to Feminine Power, and Ignite Your Feminine Soul retreats for women leaders. She has consulted with 1500+ entrepreneurs to magnetize clients, grow their businesses, and transform their relationships.
TransformToday.com
Samantha SAvvy is a dynamic speaker, coach, and founder of SAvvy, a brand dedicated to empowering individuals to live with confidence and authenticity. Drawing from her journey as an international DJ, dancer, and entrepreneur, Samantha inspires others to step into their power and live life unapologetically.
SamanthaSAvvy.com
Carolyn E. Sawyer is a native of Colorado and a proud mother of three accomplished adults. She looks forward to her next chapter as a writer and author. Carolyn has recently been featured in the publication Canvas Rebel in an article entitled “Risk and Stories of Triumph and Failure.”CeeSaw712@gmail.com
Dr. Janet J. Sawyer (Dr. JJ), is a leadership coach, certified in the PeopleSmart DISC Interpretation Method, a bestselling author, and an international bestselling author. She specializes in coaching clients on how to implement leadership strategies when applying the Personality Styles. Dr. Sawyer currently lives in Carlsbad, California.
PeopleSmartEducation.com
Brigitte Stills, LREA JP, is the visionary behind Stills Properties, an independent boutique real estate agency. She has established herself as a distinguished leader in the real estate industry over
the course of her four-decade-long career. Renowned for her exceptional communication skills and mentoring abilities, Stills has coached and mentored numerous real estate agents, earning her many high-achievement awards throughout her professional journey.
StillsProperties.com.au
Kelli Y. Stonework is the creator of Permission Granted to S.T.A.Y. #StartThinkingAboutYOU®, a communication strategist, and an award-winning author. She is passionate about providing strategies to enhance speaking and listening skills. Kelli is a firm believer that how YOU speak impacts how I listen, and how I listen impacts how YOU speak.
KYSSolutions.com
Cynthia Sweeney, ACC (she/her), is a speaker, coach, and award-winning advocate for trans inclusion, founder of Simply Good Form, and author of The Pink Balloon, she brings lived experience to stages, boardrooms, and communities, helping leaders create inclusive spaces where everyone belongs and inspiring leadership rooted in love and authenticity.
SimplyGoodForm.com