Brendalyn Carpenter Player brings over 20 years of experience as an Army Civilian communications strategist to her work as an author, speaker, and coach. She spent her career leading in environments that often reward extroversion—masking her introspective nature until a personal health scare prompted a powerful mindset shift. Today, as founder of Unapologetic Introvert, she helps professionals transform how their authentic leadership looks, sounds, and feels in the workplace. Her debut book, The Unapologetic Introvert: It's Time to Unlock Your Quiet Power and Thrive (November 2024), is a guide to self-awareness, self-acceptance, and authentic success in work and life. Whether one-on-one or in group workshops, Brendalyn invites individuals into deeper conversations—offering a new lens to embrace quiet power and lead with purpose.

Cara is mom to three girls, a Vermont-based Early Childhood Educator, Collaborative Parenting Coach, and the founder of Core4Parenting™. Cara has Bachelor degrees in American Sign Language (ASL) and Linguistics and a Master’s degree in Education. She is the passionate mastermind behind the Collaborative Parenting Methodology™ and Collaborative Classroom Curriculum, a birth-to-five, soul and science-based framework that empowers parents and educators to turn tantrums into teachable moments while raising emotionally intelligent kids who find success in school and life.

Through keynotes, ECE teacher training, and her top ranking podcast, Transforming the Toddler Years, she’s teaching the 5 Executive Functioning Skills kids need to navigate our ever-changing world.

Dr. Darrin Theriault is a retired U.S. Army officer with 23 years of leadership
experience, ranging from small teams to large organizational units. He is currently a visiting assistant professor of management at University of North Georgia and the founder of OrgFit360, a consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations create a healthier, less toxic workplace. Dr. Theriault holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration with a concentration in management (organizational behavior) from Kennesaw State University. He blends real-world leadership experience with academic insight to drive meaningful, data-driven change in workplace culture and performance.

Deana Chukwuemeka is a Career Empowerment coach who transforms complexity into clarity. Through her signature ARISE™ methodology, she equips high-potential professionals to articulate their value, navigate career transitions, and lead with conviction, without losing themselves in the process. Her work blends strategy with deep self-awareness, helping clients move from stuck to seen, from overlooked to owning their lane. Deana is more than a coach, she’s a catalyst. Her approach is rooted in rhythm, resilience, and results, drawing from years of corporate experience across sectors and a life lived attuned to purpose. Whether speaking to a room or coaching one-on-one, she reminds professionals that the most powerful growth isn’t just about getting ahead, it’s about getting aligned. Whether in boardrooms or quiet reflections, her message is the same: meaningful success starts from within.

Dr. Cashuna Huddleston is a licensed clinical psychologist, educator, credentialed mediator, and advocate committed to promoting mental health, resilience, and cultural responsiveness in therapy. She is the founder and owner of New Way Psychological Services, PLLC, where she provides evidence-based assessment, therapy, and supervision for emerging mental health professionals. Dr. Huddleston also serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Texas Southern University, where she teaches, mentors, and inspires future psychologists. Her clinical expertise includes trauma, mood disorders, and multicultural psychology, which she integrates to offer compassionate, client-centered care. Actively involved in professional leadership, she is President-Elect of APA Division 35 – Society for the Psychology of Women, and is dedicated to advancing the field through scholarship, advocacy, and mentorship.

Dr. Joel Pérez is an executive and leadership coach, speaker, and consultant who helps leaders and organizations achieve their goals through cultural humility and inclusive practices. As the founder of Apoyo Coaching and Consulting, LLC and a Professional Certified Coach with the ICF, he specializes in career transitions, identity-conscious leadership, and cultural humility. With over 20 years of experience in higher education and certifications in Gallup Strengths and the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), Joel brings deep insight and practical tools to every engagement. He is also the author of Dear White Leader, which received the Silver Award for Best New Voice – Nonfiction from the Independent Book Publishers Association.

Dr. Paul M. Brown, who is currently an Associate Professor of French at Clark Atlanta University, developed the Office of International Education/Study Abroad (OIE/SA) and served as its director for 17 years.   He integrated his Peace Corps experience and expanded the significance of the Office by providing additional opportunities for students to develop international careers.  Students were encouraged to participate in programs such as the Institute for International Public Policy (sponsored by the UNCF), the Middlebury College Summer Language Program and the Washington Semester Program (sponsored by American University).  He is presently working on a certificate program that prepares graduating students to be moral and ethical bilingual professionals with practical international work experience.

Hussein Hallak is a founder, entrepreneur, and strategist dedicated to helping people and organizations find clarity in complexity and build lasting impact. As CEO of Next Decentrum, he guides teams and leaders worldwide through digital transformation, innovation, and values-driven growth. He is the author of The Dark Art of Life Mastery, a guide for living fearlessly, second-guessing less, and embracing true purpose.

James Bumpas leverages 30+ years as an IT expert and founder of a tech consulting firm providing mentoring and coaching rooted in emotional intelligence to improve business processes and guide software programs. A veteran and community leader who delights in people, his servant leadership style drives collaborative wins while he facilitates continuous improvement methodologies.

In a world where far too many women struggle with self-doubt, Jay stands as both guide and testament to the power of authentic Confidence. As a Leadership Coach with over two decades of Talent Development expertise, Jay creates magic with women who are ready to venture forth with Curiosity, Courage, and Commitment, so they can confidently lead others to their own potential. Her coaching creates a space where clients find full Acceptance and Compassion, offered with warm candor and playful humor. Jay's approach is equal parts heart and science, drawing from her advanced education in Psychology and certifications in Coaching, Leadership, Resilience, and yes, even Laughter Yoga - because transformation should be fun! 

Sign up at www.ThrivingLife.com for Jay's 7-day Confidence Kickstart email challenge and discover fun, action-packed tools to grow sustainable Confidence! 

Jeremy Akin is the founder of Profectus Jiu-Jitsu, a network of gyms built to be more than just a place to train. After finding Jiu-Jitsu during a tough season in life, he used it to build a sense of direction—and now helps others do the same. Profectus was created as a space for personal growth, real community, and long-term opportunity. The goal: to give students not just a place to belong, but a path to lead and grow into the best version of themselves—on and off the mats. Known for its honest culture and clean, intentional design, Profectus reflects Jeremy’s role as a coach and mentor—not just as a founder.

With 20+ years of experience in functional nutrition and wellness, Jessica Lasisch helps individuals restore balance, improve gut health, and reconnect with their bodies and minds. Through personalized nutrition, orthomolecular medicine, and detoxification, she empowers clients to achieve sustainable well-being, renewed energy, and lasting transformation.

Jessica takes a root-cause approach, focusing on gut health, inflammation, and metabolic balance to support the body's natural healing. Using functional nutrition, targeted supplementation, and detox strategies, she helps clients optimize digestion, balance hormones, and enhance overall well-being.

Specializing in nutrient imbalances and toxic overload, Jessica delivers science-backed, results-driven solutions—no fad diets, no quick fixes.

Lila Raouf is a humanitarian and emergency management professional and current Fulbright Scholar at University College London, where she’s earning her MA in Education and International Development: Conflict, Emergencies, and Peace. With over a decade of experience in refugee resettlement, emergency management, and international development, Lila has led programs across FEMA, the Peace Corps, and community organizations. Lila's work and research focuses on community-driven education responses in humanitarian settings.

Michael will always have your best interest in mind and that he knows real estate. He is not just simply an agent or an affiliate broker and he has gone through the highest level of education in order to serve his clients in the best way possible. This local market is pretty crazy, with about more than eighty people a day moving here, so you want an expert negotiator that can advise you on every step of the transaction and that knows this area. MIchael had closed more than a hundred
properties for both buyer and seller in the past fifteen months and this by working very hard and giving hundred percent every single time. His team is composed by several hand picked agents that give it all for their clients, once you work with them you will soon realize the difference, starting with their constant communication to the care, excellence and professionalism that you deserve.

Renard Hirsch is a stand-up comedian known for his laid-back, observational style, sharp storytelling, and spot-on character impressions. His comedy blends urban and religious themes, self-deprecation, and clever contrasts, making it both relatable and unique. He has performed at major venues like The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, Zanies, The Improv, and the Apollo Theater. His TV credits include BET’s A Time to Laugh, Standup Nashville, Nateland Presents, and the Drybar special You Gotta Be Smarter Than That. Renard has shared the stage with Kevin Hart, Bruce Bruce, J.B. Smoove, Sommore, Colin Jost, and more. His film appearances include The Green Mile, Drumline, Hancock, Hannah Montana: The Movie, and Lifetime’s Love at the Christmas Table. Whether in clubs, arenas, or churches, Renard can connect with every audience.

Ric Stewart is a DJ, award-winning filmmaker, music historian, and longtime radio host preserving roots music heritage for over four decades. He’s programmed at WAIF (Cincinnati), KALX (Berkeley), and WTUL (New Orleans), and was a pioneer in multimedia roots music publishing in the '90s. A media producer for Apple, EMI, Movielink, and more, he also taught marketing at Tulane and holds a JD-MBA/MSc in media marketing. In 2019, he launched Soul Country, blending Stax, Muscle Shoals, Delta blues, rockabilly, outlaw country, and modern Americana. The Soul Country podcast, launched in 2022, features icons like Bobby Rush, Ivan Neville, and Charlie McCoy. His origin story doc Blues Rock Hits Soul Country showcases rare performances and interviews with legends like Allen Toussaint and Tony Joe White. 

Steve Afra is a nationally recognized real estate finance expert, private lender, and investor with over 30 years of experience and more than $10 billion in funded and traded loans. As Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Nvestor Funding, he leads capital strategy across fix-and-flip, ground-up construction, and DSCR financing, offering creative, no-hype solutions for serious investors.

A former Partner at LuxeBanc, one of the nation’s top non-QM originators, Steve has structured billions in mortgage-backed securities and spearheaded national production efforts. 

A self-made investor with degrees in Marketing, Finance, and Law, who flipped his first house at 16, Steve is known for his straight talk, deep insight, and relentless drive. He shares unfiltered lessons through his podcast Game of Loans, helping investors cut through trends and build real wealth with clarity and conviction.

Based in Los Angeles, CA, Victoria Kayo is a dynamic and passionate style consultant with expertise in curating timeless capsule wardrobes, bespoke bridal and formal designs, and stylish looks for events, vacations, and photoshoots. Combining in-person and virtual shopping services, she provides flexible, personalized solutions tailored to each client’s unique aesthetic.

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With a background in Sales, Wardrobe Styling, Merchandising, and Design, her self-taught design skills, from creative director to product development, have led to one-of-a-kind creations inspired by life’s many facets and the elegance of simplicity.

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A champion for inclusivity and representation, Victoria believes every woman deserves a wardrobe that reflects their individuality while fostering confidence and empowerment. Through exceptional service and a keen eye for fashion trends, she transforms her clients’ style journeys into empowering and unforgettable experiences.