Community & Guest List
Mary is a former Award-Winning Hotel Conference & Catering Director who then pursued Corporate Event Planning with several large defense contracting corporations. Her creativity, attention to detail and negotiation skills resulted in savings of over $250k for one company. As an entrepreneur, one of Mary's most memorable events was planning the Nelson Mandela Statue Unveiling for the South African Embassy in Washington, DC. Afterward, South African Ambassador Rasool declared Mary an "Honorary South African" as a result of her planning efforts at that prestigious event.
Jean Paul Paulynice, a small business strategist, motivational coach and bestselling author. Jean Paul is one of the country’s foremost speakers and writers with three books on leadership skills, purpose identification, and small business growth. He guides business owners on everything from operations, to financing, to marketing. His latest book is From Idea to Reality: An Entrepreneur's Guide to Meaningful Business Growth, which helps entrepreneurs with all elements of running a business.
Dawn LaFontaine makes cats happy.
Kat Arias is a Venezuelan born dancer who came to the United States at the age of six. Kat created the Ferocity Dance Company in May of 2012, where she is currently the Owner and Managing Director. Ferocity houses multiple bachata focused competitive and performing teams, and has won various accolades throughout the years. Her vision was to have a company where anyone who wanted to be family, could be.
Nancy Fox is the founder of The Business Fox, a career and business acceleration coaching & training company and the founder of Leap Forward Women's Initiatives, empowering high-caliber professional and executive women in the new world of work. She is a former senior executive who has coached and trained Fortune 500 companies and leaders across the country, is a national keynote speaker on networking and peak performance and the author of the acclaimed book on business networking, Network Like A Fox: A Targeted Approach To Building Successful Business Relationships In Person & Online.
Melissa Gruhin is the Founder of Two Halves, a custom-tailored strategic marketing agency for both brands and freelancers. Melissa has a decade of experience in branded, scripted, stand-up entertainment and digital media marketing. Her past roles have been at Buzzfeed, FOX, and Netflix, among others. After almost three years as a Brand + Content Strategy Consultant, Melissa experienced firsthand just how difficult it can be on your own in the world of freelancing and sought out every community and collective she could to support her on her journey to success as a solopreneur. Honing her skills in strategic storytelling and combining her mission of creating space where both clients and freelancers feel seen, heard, and most importantly, supported, Two Halves was born.
I provide healthcare interaction services lending my 12+ years as an RN to guide my clients from a managed care mindset to preventative care.
One of the best in the world at delivering on his promise of supercharging the energy, focus, and productivity of small, women, and minority-owned businesses Coach Powell creates consistent winners all over the world! As the founder and creator of the world-famous VisionQuest90(TM) Program, Coach Powell has helped thousands of entrepreneurs for more than 30 years to realize and actualize their highest aspirations. As a master networker Coach Powell is proud to share the best tips and strategies to help anyone create an amazing network of people that stand at the ready to help provide the information and contacts to ensure your success. So sit back, relax, and get ready for Coach Marvin Powell!!
Dr. Alexis Moreno is a consulting psychologist and founder of Wit & Reason. Passionate about the interplay between media, culture, and human behavior, she has decided to dedicate her consulting services to enhance media corporations and the creative workforce.
Sydney is a badass young female entrepreneur who focuses her work on personal development coaching. After leaving her successful career as a Buyer in Corporate America due to severe burn out, anxiety and lack of fulfillment, she began her own Coaching Business full time. She now focuses on helping young professionals find clarity and purpose in their lives, navigate overwhelm, connect to their authentic selves, and take the next step towards success in their lives and careers. She has a unique perspective on coaching work that makes yogic philosophy, spirituality, and personal development accessible and applicable to high-achieving young professionals in Corporate America.
