Alana M. Hill is an international change leadership expert, inspiring professionals to lead change in their lives and their organizations. She is a passionate energy industry veteran who has paved the way for women leaders behind her. Her experience as an engineer and certified Project Management Professional (PMP) in talent development provides real‐world insight into how people and teams can excel, even in the face of adversity. Throughout her career, Alana has led diverse teams and delivered high-impact workshops all over the world!

SPEAKER

She is an engaging and dynamic keynote speaker, appealing to audiences of various types and sizes. Alana makes a lasting impact at conferences, corporations, retreats, schools and churches, delivering high-energy, principle-based content. Her programs will move you to overcome adversity, build resilience, and convey empathy.

CONSULTANT

With her cross-functional leadership and training expertise, Alana helps individuals and organizations accomplish their goals by utilizing sharp analysis, strategic planning, and interpersonal skills development. She promotes behavior styles and conflict resolution techniques to improve team dynamics and performance. Alana provides her clients with a combination of critical thinking and compassionate leadership, which she labels “Leading Change the Ms. Engineer Way®”. Her clients have included Fortune 500 companies, small technology companies, churches, and non-profits. Her adaptability makes her an asset across the professional spectrum.

WHO IS ALANA?

Alana is an energetic, globetrotting wife, mother, and faithful servant. Born and raised in Texas, she received a bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University. Alana married her best friend, Rodney, and together they raised four handsome boys as part of a beautiful blended family. Family has always been Alana's highest priority, and prompted her to establish multiple home-based businesses. A passionate ministry leader and teacher, she has continued to pour God’s love into people she encounters, and offers encouragement to women, parents and married couples. Her faith, and desire to encourage others, led to her to become an author and speaker. Alana resides in Houston, TX, where you will find her running and serving in her community.

Sandra Long is an independent global LinkedIn consultant, speaker, and author. She has written 3 international best-selling books about LinkedIn. Her book "Jumpstart Your LinkedIn Profile" is a 2025 Goody Book Award winner in two categories.

Sandra was the first speaker to tackle the LinkedIn topic on the TEDx stage.

Her LinkedIn philosophy and mantra is “Be the Friend First.”

Sandra is a popular speaker, trainer, writer, and consultant. She readily shares her unique perspective and advice on personal branding, network building, sales, recruiting, and thought leadership with her readers, audiences, and clients.

She enjoys speaking at corporations, universities, and conferences, as well as for industry association events.

Dr. Micaela Herndon is a national speaker, trainer, author, entrepreneur, mom and professional bookworm. With a personality that has never met a stranger, Dr. Micaela uses her past experiences mixed with real life scenarios to plants seeds of inspiration in her audience with a splash of lightheartedness.

Growing up in Dallas, Texas with a single mother and incarcerated father, Dr. Micaela Herndon developed a keen sense of awareness, a highly developed mind for critical thinking, and mastered the power of perseverance. With storytelling as her core skill, she has built a strong reputation for motivating audiences in unforgettable ways.

Dr. Micaela has been featured on ABC, CBS, and Fox news, and she uses her personal and professional experiences to create a fresh perspective with her audience that encompasses visionary inspiration and plant seeds of change.

Stacy Bernal is the former first-ever Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager for the Utah Jazz, as well as a highly sought after TEDx speaker, author, and nonprofit strategist. She has a BA in Communication and will earn an MPA in Spring 2027. She’s the founder of Awesome Autistic Ogden, an annual autism appreciation event turned community resource. In September 2022 she was recognized by Utah Business and Living Color Utah as an Inspirational Leader and in November that same year, she won her election to the Ogden School Board, making her the first Filipina to serve in this role.

She’s an outspoken advocate for disability rights, inclusion, and representation and she’s known to challenge the status quo on occasion. In 2019 she published her first book, The Things We Don’t Talk About: A Memoir of Hardships, Healing, and Hope.

Stacy lives happily with her family and fur babies near the mountains, where she enjoys all the amazing outdoor recreation Ogden, UT has to offer like mountain biking, running, hiking and paddleboarding. She loves to read, travel, and enjoy many great adventures all over the world.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Bridgett McGowen is an award-winning international professional speaker; a 2019-2020 Forbes Coaches Council official member; the founder and owner of BMcTALKS Press, an independent publishing company; and the founder and owner of BMcTALKS Academy where she helps professional women be the most engaging, dynamic, incredible communicators ever!

Bridgett has been a professional speaker since 2001 and has spoken on programs alongside prominent figures such as former President Barack Obama, Deepak Chopra, Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod), Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Katie Couric, and Janelle Monae.

The prestigious University of Texas at Austin presented her with a Master Presenter Award; Canada-based One Woman has presented her with two Fearless Woman Awards; and she has facilitated hundreds of workshops, keynote and commencement addresses, conference sessions, trainings, and webinars to thousands of students and professionals who are positioned all around the globe.

Bridgett's expertise and presentations have been sought after by companies, post-secondary institutions, and organizations such as Vanguard Investments, LifeLock, Symantec, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McGraw-Hill Education, LinkedIn Local, Association for Talent Development, Doña Ana Community College, National Association of Women Sales Professionals, Independence University, Turnitin, National Association of Black Accountants, and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). She has been quoted by Transizion, has contributed to UpJourney, and has appeared as a guest on The Training and Learning Development Company's TLDCast as well as Phoenix Business Radio to showcase her expertise in the professional speaking industry. Her work in professional speaking and public speaking coaching has been highlighted by VoyagePhoenix Magazine; award-winning branding and consulting agency, Catalyst; The Startup Growth; and her alma mater, Prairie View A&M University, the second oldest institution of higher education in the state of Texas.

Bridgett has also taught for Prairie View A&M University, a part of the Texas A&M University System; Lone Star College System; and University of Phoenix. She has earned a bachelor's degree in communication and a master's degree; is a Forbes contributor; is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; and is the president of her local Toastmasters club.

Bridgett is also the author of Rise and Sizzle: Daily Communication and Presentation Strategies for Sales, Business, and Higher Ed Pros; Show Up and Show Out: 52 Communication Habits to Make You Unforgettable, which sold out at the 2020 Think Better Live Better event hosted by New York Times best-sellers Marc and Angel Chernoff; and REAL TALK: What Other Experts Won't Tell You About How to Make Presentations That Sizzle, which sold out within minutes of her presentation concluding at the 76th Annual Association for Talent Development's International Conference and Exposition in Washington, D.C.; and Own the Microphone: How 50 of the World's Best Professional Speakers Launched Their Careers (And How You Can, Too!), which is an amazing collaboration with 50 professional speakers from around the globe. Her next book, Revise Your 9-to-5, is an amazing collaboration with 50 business owners and entrepreneurs from around the globe and is slated for a mid- to late-2020 release.

Bridgett's mission now is to help as many professional women as possible get the tools and skills they need to master their messages so that they can turn their voices into powerhouses, inspire millions, and build serious skill sets and mindsets that will lead to more and more opportunities.

Bridgett lives with her family in the Phoenix, Arizona area, and she absolutely loves beautiful sunsets.

Happiness Catalyst, Life Alchemist & Empowerment Coach for Women

Kiala Givehand is a published poet, bookbinder, teacher & workshop leader, fountain pen collector, and radical nomad. She believes in surrounding herself with ordinary humans who live extraordinary lives, gathering with people who allow her to laugh and love uncontrollably, and living a life intent on cultivating happiness. Kiala is a double Capricorn and an ambivert who grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida where she learned to appreciate and respect hurricanes; humidity; and the transformational powers of the sun, the moon, and the ocean. She holds six academic degrees in various subjects from various universities, but the one she cherishes most is her Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and Poetry from Mills College where she fell in love with book art.

In her day-to-day life, Kiala empowers women to live more fully and intentionally. She guides women who want to liberate their creativity, explore deep inner work, experience radical transformation, and create a life filled with passion and purpose. In her professional speaking life, Kiala has delivered more than 500 talks, speeches, presentations, and trainings to thousands of people all around the world. Her signature talks include "Passion & Purpose: The Introverts Guide to Engagement;" "Strategize & Thrive: 12 Ways to Live a Life Radically Intent On Cultivating Happiness;" and "Creative Empowerment: The Power of Intuition and Intention."

Kiala's writing has appeared in Brush Magazine, Mabel Magazine, Calyx: A Journal of Literature by Women, Cave Canem Anthology XIII, Eleven Eleven, Jacket 2, the Bella Vista Art Gallery, and in the Campanil. She is a SoulCollage® facilitator, a Cave Canem fellow, a Voices of Our Nations (VONA) alum, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Kiala obsessively studies astrology, sacred geometry, mandalas, and other ancient intuitive systems as a way to know herself more fully and compassionately. Through online courses and in-person retreats/workshops, she teaches women all over the world how to find what makes them happy and pursue it without regrets.

Jeannie Moravits Smith, Chief Energy Officer and America’s Leadership Advisor, who creates breakthrough experiences from the inside out, allowing her clients to increase positive intent and productivity, energy, alignment, connection, and engagement with themselves and others.

Jeannie is the founder of DYNAMISM, formerly HR-Rx, a Leadership Coaching and Consulting firm established in 2005. She partners with leaders to build their dream team and earn massive profits. Now with over three decades of experience, Jeannie has helped thousands of leaders learn how to take charge of the catabolic thoughts and feelings that control their mindset and replace them with anabolic energy. Prior to establishing her own firm, she held Executive Leadership roles at a variety of organizations. Jeannie holds certifications in Leadership Coaching, Energy Leadership, & Human Management, as well as a Master of Science degree in Human Resources.

Damon Givehand (born 1971) is a Cancer/Sun, Aries/Moon, and Aquarius/Rising who embraces the title Califloridian, having lived most of his life in Florida (all over the state) with eight of his most momentous years residing in Oakland, CA between 2008 - 2016. The birthmark on his neck looks just like a hickey, which led to wild rumors when he was younger, teaching him an early lesson -- to never judge books by their covers -- now his wife Kiala gets the funny looks. Before filling shoes as a nationally sought after trainer for college and university professors, Damon taught math to high schoolers and college students for almost a decade, always infusing “HOW to be and WHY to be healthy” in his classroom conversations (as that’s the most important variable in the equation of Life and Happiness). His final curtain in “education” was a culminating ACBSP keynote address to an international audience of educational leadership from nearly 50 countries worldwide called -- HAPPINESS: The Fuel & The Fire That Leads The Way to Greater Returns. Beyond traditional education, Damon’s growing interest and enthusiasm for yoga, since his initial introduction around 2001, has led him to completing multiple certifications over the years: 200-hr Ashtanga Yoga/Vinyasa Flow, 500-hr Viniyoga, and at the time of this writing he’s on his way to completing an Advanced 1000-hr Yoga Therapist Certification. He’s been studying the profound practical philosophy of Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras deeply since 2010 and today loves teaching yoga enthusiasts the word-for-word translations and how to chant them in the original Sanskrit. In addition to all that, Damon and Kiala teach the 12 Radical Intentions™️ for living The R.I.C.H. Life™️, a surefire approach for realizing the fruits of a life Radically Intent on Cultivating Happiness™️. You can find Damon at HealingArtsCreativeStudio.com, DamonGivehand.com, Instagram.com/damongivehand, and/or LinkedIn.com/in/damongivehand.

Rachael Mann is passionate about all things related to education, technology, and science. She is an “edufuturist” who believes in the importance of shaping the educational philosophies and spaces of today by looking toward the innovations of tomorrow. Rachael is a frequent keynote speaker at CTE and STEM-related events, and she speaks and writes about disruptive technology, education, and careers. She is the author of the children’s books, The Things You’ll Grow and The Spaces You Will Go, and coauthor of The Martians in Your Classroom, an educational title about integrating STEM into the classroom utilizing space-related initiatives.

Rachael holds an MA in educational leadership and has 14 years of classroom teaching experience in a range of subjects, including child development, science, technology, and culinary courses. Ms. Mann’s experience includes her work as the Network to Transform Teaching State Director, the Professional Learning Director of STEM, and the Arizona State Director for Educators Rising.  She is a founding member of the Council on the Future of Education and serves on a number of national boards that are dedicated to ensuring that kids are future ready.

From professional growth to motivational talks to workshops, Rachael loves to inspire audiences to think bigger and dream beyond. Connect with Rachael on social media @RachaelEdu to learn more about her work.

Crystal Kadakia is a valued organization transformation consultant, two-time TEDx speaker, and author. She has keynoted around the world, challenging audiences to consider the possibilities of differences from the status quo in a wide range of workplace topics. She began by challenging the thinking around generations and Millennials, with her work "The Millennial Myth: Transforming Misunderstanding into Workplace Breakthroughs". She continued by challenging the learning industry with "Designing for Modern Learning". In her latest book, she empowers STEM professionals to build their capability to navigate social dynamics so their ideas move beyond themselves and take shape out in the world.

Crystal began her professional career in Chemical Engineering and later, completed her Masters in Organization Development from Pepperdine University.

In her consulting work, she works with leadership and project teams to identify their strategy, design the process, help make sense, and drive collective decision making for priority culture & effectiveness initiatives. Her primary clientele is for-good organizations, including nonprofits, b-corps, and foundations.

She also is the founder of the LCD Group, leading a movement to change learning in the workplace from one and done to multiple learning assets that surround learners.

Rather than feeling demotivated by change, Crystal sparks large shifts for organizations through inspiring a reimagination of their community and discovering what’s possible with different changes that are inevitable in today’s environment.

Camille R. Wallace, the Culture Queen, is the founder and Principal Consultant of The Culture Company. The Culture Company is your #1 choice for workforce development and company culture transformation, specializing in empowering leadership one touch point at a time.

Camille holds a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development and Bachelor’s Degree in Legal Studies. With over 10 years experience, Camille combines training, experience, and extensive people development skills to transform professionals into the best versions of themselves.

Her complex roles in corporate sales, professional development, diversity and inclusion provided support in the areas of executive leadership, talent development, new hire experience, career development and coaching.

Camille is certified as a Leadership Coach through Harvard University and a skilled facilitator and organizational development consultant- passionate about helping people and organizations develop in a meaningful way that reveals their potential.

Indie Award winning and best-selling author Clinton Harris is the author of books that bring you intrigue, mystery, nostalgia, inspiration and romance. His writing style immerses you in every story to a point where you lose yourself within each book. A professional by day, and a novelist by night, he has integrated his charm and appeal into each story to the point where each story pierces your mind, thoughts and emotions. Keep an eye out for prior books, and those on the horizon!

Whether she’s hosting satellite broadcasts with Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank, giving career advice in magazines like Ebony and Cosmo, or landing in the top three percent of finalists for a show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, Isha’s mission is to help you build the career of your dreams.

Isha is the founder of Epiphany Institute – a personal development firm that helps people connect their purpose and passion to their profession. She specializes in helping coaches, consultants and other experts build their platforms and personal brands so they can make a bigger impact on the world. She’s the author of personal branding primer, 5 Rules to Win Being You, On Purpose: Practical Strategies to Live Your Best Life and a contributing author to Own the Microphone.

Tried by fire, Isha operates with resilience birthed from being a teenage mother on welfare, corporate layoffs and a bout of homelessness after a failed business venture. Determined to find purpose in her struggles, Isha founded Startup Life Support in 2017 to help entrepreneurs overcome the fear, frustration and isolation of starting a business.

You can connect with Isha on your favorite social media networks and subscribe to her podcast, On Purpose with Isha Cogborn wherever you listen.

Hello Readers,

My name is Simone E. Morris and I'm a speaker, coach, trainer and author. I love inspiring others to win in life. As such, I'm passionate about several things:

1. Setting Goals and taking actions to achieve those goals

2. Taking ownership in our careers

3. Sharing the need for inclusion

4. Family

5. Learning

I've a long tenure in Corporate America, specifically Information Technology. My life changed when I got introduced to an employee resource group and then Diversity and Inclusion. I embraced the work and switched my career to Human Resources. I then switched to being an Entrepreneur. Today, I'm a woman in business since 2015. I learn something new everyday. I have always been passionate about reading and writing. My first job was at a local library filing cards.

I completed my first book when I became a mother. The Achievement Unlocked: Strategies to Set Goals and Manifest Them was a labor of love about setting and achieving goals.

My second book, The Power of Owning Your Career, was because I felt I had something to say on the topic of careers. I wanted to inspire others about taking control of their careers. No more passenger behavior. Get in the driver seat and go after the career you want. I interview 14 other diverse leaders and they share their winning strategies as well.

My third book, 52 Tips for Owning Your Career is about specific actions you can take to soar in your career. It's entirely from my perspective and experiences in life. Plus some bonus advice from guests on The Power of Owning Your Career Podcast. The nice thing about this book is that you can implement a weekly tip for you guessed it, an entire year. The book has free templates to support you and a list of actions to take for each part of the formula for owning your career.

I hope you'll check out all of my books and leave reviews.

You can find out more about me via www.simonemorrisenterprises.org.

You can also find me on LinkedIn via www.linkedin.com/in/simonemorris.

You can always email me at smorris@simonemorrisenterprises.org

TeLisa Daughtry is an Award-Winning Serial Social Entrepreneur, Conscious Technologist, STEM / DEI+B Advocate, Gender Equality Champion, and Author recognized for her impactful contributions to the technology sector.

As an entrepreneur, technologist, investor, advisor, international speaker, and ambassador, TeLisa leverages her technical expertise and voice to proactively address societal challenges aligned with the United Nations (Sustainable Development Goals) and UN Women (Women's Empowerment Principles). Through her commitment to empowering women, youth, and underrepresented groups to thrive in lucrative 21st-century opportunities; she actively promotes and facilitates their engagement in STEM education, emerging technologies, and entrepreneurship as an educator and mentor.

As an author and distinguished speaker at prestigious institutions including the US Department of State Bureau of Education & Cultural Affairs and the United Nations, TeLisa utilizes her voice and visibility to educate, advocate, and elevate important and relevant topics in technology, entrepreneurship, gender equality, and societal progress globally. She has been recognized and awarded by numerous government agencies, institutions, community organizations, and media publications; for her work, achievements, and advocacy in STEM education, gender equality, entrepreneurship, and diversity in technology.

ABOUT ELIZABETH DILLON, SHRM-CP

With her public speaking passion growing, she created a consulting company called Revolutionary HR where she is CEO, Lead Consultant, and Public Speaker. In her free time, she has done pro bono resume, interview, and LinkedIn consulting for veterans and the unemployed.

This book is an exciting new path that she is expanding upon while pursuing her love of public speaking. She is thankful to be a part of such a phenomenal book with so many other inspiring speakers. All of the contributors operate in different industries with varying paths and stories, but one thing that we have in common is our passion for speaking. We get to share our stories to inspire and lead others. Bridgett McGowen is an extraordinary mentor and I'm lucky to be included in the Own The Microphone and Redesign Your 9 to 5 projects.

She is currently the Michiana SHRM vice president of membership. Starting in 2020, Beth will be working for the HR Indiana State Council. They have created a position that will allow her to work with the Membership and Workforce Readiness Committees. Beth will be traveling throughout the state to educate others on the HR Indiana and SHRM Foundation’s initiative to reintegrate veterans back into the civilian workforce.

Bridgett McGowen is an award-winning international professional speaker, author, and publisher who knows how to ignite audiences and transform how people show up in their work and lives. With an energetic and authentic presence, she has shared stages with the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Brené Brown, Deepak Chopra, and Shonda Rhimes, delivering powerful, practical messages that inspire professionals to own their voices and stand out.

Bridgett has spent over two decades captivating audiences across the United States, the UK, and beyond, equipping leaders, executives, entrepreneurs, and everyday professionals with the skills to command attention and connect with confidence. She is the author of multiple nonfiction books, including the award-winning "Show Up and Show Out: 52 Communication Habits to Make You Even More Unforgettable, 2e," and the founder of Press 49, an award-winning hybrid publishing company dedicated to amplifying diverse voices.

Whether she’s moving executives to elevate their expertise in the form of published books, empowering women to embrace adversity as an advantage, or showing organizations how to build cultures of confident communication, Bridgett blends humor, storytelling, and actionable strategies to leave audiences motivated and ready to act.

Her expertise has been featured by Forbes, Medium, and global media outlets. With a signature style and work ethic that are equal parts engaging and empowering, Bridgett doesn’t just speak and publish. She promotes and sparks transformation.