Community & Guest List

Thad started making balloon animals with a bag of balloons, a pump and a book of instructions as a fun hobby. Soon the balloon sculptures got better and people hired him for parties. That was twenty years ago. SAMMY J Balloon Creations has grown into a full-line entertainment and decoration company creating unique memories for corporate events, receptions and company parties. Thad has concentrated his efforts into learning the intricacies of building a buisiness. This includes marketing, SEO optimization, bookkeeping, and building a network of referral agents and business partners.

Wholistic Health Coach Tiffany Parker is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Psychology, a Certified Natural Health Consultant, and a Certified Spiritual Life Coach. The Healthy Entrepreneur Podcast addresses the health concerns of the entrepreneur and introduce them to alternative approaches to health care which are natural and holistic. The Podcast focuses on how to heal the whole person (mind, body and soul) teaching them to connect to their inner healer which is a permanent part of our DNA and help them to see they already possess the power to be healed. Coach Parker helps her clients to develop a healing plan that will allow them to live whole the rest of their life. She passionately seeks to serve her community and help them one by one to walk in their Best Version!!!

Natalie Rizzo, MS, RD is a NYC-based media Dietitian, food and nutrition writer, national spokesperson and owner of Greenletes, a successful plant-based sports nutrition blog. Natalie has bylines in many national publications, such as NBC News, SHAPE, Runner’s World, Bicycling, Diabetic Living and Prevention. In her work as a nutrition spokesperson, she frequently appears in television segments and is quoted as the nutrition expert in top tier national publications. Natalie is passionate about simplifying complicated sports nutrition information for everyday athletes, and she’s dedicated to teaching them how eat more plants. 

Kara Simon founded Loving Heart Holistic Wellness in 2016 in Bedford, Indiana. Currently located in Arlington, VA, Loving Heart Holistic Wellness practices Mindfulness, Meditation, Reiki, personalized Yoga and weekly Yoga classes, Emotional Freedom Technique, Sound Healing, and other healing services. Kara believes in compassion and sustainability, and provides classes and services that are trauma informed, and accessible to all. She is passionate about promoting resilience, nourishment, and enrichment for your Mind, Body, and Spirit.

T.W. Shannon is an accomplished leader with diverse experience in business, public service and community engagement. Today he leads one of the most unique banks in the country. As the CEO of Chickasaw Community Bank based in Oklahoma City, he leads a remarkably successful enterprise that is wholly owned by the Chickasaw Nation. Under Shannon’s leadership, Chickasaw Community Bank completed the year 2020 with net income more than six-fold the projections – an incredible year of growth amid unprecedented volatility in the market and economy. Prior to leading the bank, T.W. made history by becoming the youngest Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, as well as being the first Chickasaw and first African American to hold the post.