Eric Alva is an author, LGBTQ rights activist, and veteran who was the first Marine that was severely injured in the Iraq War. Alva was born in San Antonio, Texas, and after graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a gay man knowing that the military excluded all gays and lesbians from service. Throughout most of his... read full bio
Will Strickland is a hip-hop industry veteran who has served as co-principal of Keikwalk Consulting, which is an entertainment marketing, promotions, and consulting firm in Toronto. Strickland is also known for being a educator that educates client on hip-hop culture. He has been the producer of the first ever online concert in black music history which he produced while working... read full bio
Jewel Allison is a poet, author, public speaker, former model, actress, and music educator who is best known for her book “Stealing Peace.” Allison was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and she began writing poetry at a young age and knew she always wanted a career in writing. Growing up, Allison often wrote in the dark as her... read full bio
Dale Reitzer graduated from Johnson and Wales University, later to become Chef of Alexander’s in Norfolk, VA. Working his way through the culinary world, Reitzer worked short-term jobs at nationally-acclaimed restaurants like Patina in Los Angeles. He honed in on his chef skills, and once finished with his education, Reitzer opened the restaurant Acacia. Reitzer has been named one of... read full bio
From an early age, Donald Barickman had a passion for food. Growing up in Charleston, West Virginia, Barickman developed his food interests with his family, specifically his grandparents. After enrolling at the Culinary Institute several decades ago, Barickman began working his way through restaurants including the Wine Cellar and Charleston’s popular Carolina. When the owners of Carolina opened a second... read full bio
Diane Forley is a leading chef and chef consultant in New American Cuisine. She is the chef and owner of Verbena Restaurant and Courtyard Garden in New York City. Her food is inspired by the seasons, incorporating locally grown produce from Union Square Greenmarket. In addition, she is the developer of Verbena Foods, a take-out branch of her original restaurant.... read full bio
With over 25 years of experience in professional kitchens, Donna Dooher is a food expert and local food supporter. Dooher has pioneered hands-on cooking instruction with her involvement in The Cookworks Cooking Studio. The studio offered classes and workshops on practical cuisine. Dooher also had a popular Food Network show titled The Cookworks. The chef later appeared on national and... read full bio
Dave Eckert is an expert in television broadcasting, food, and dining. Best known for his television show, Culinary Travels with Dave Eckert, the host has an apparent passion for food, wine, and spirits. Apart from his work in the food industry, Eckert has also held positions as a news reporter, sportscaster, weatherman, producer, and writer. He began his career in... read full bio
Jackie Gingrich Cushman is the Chief Business Development Officer at VOC Health and is also a speaker, consultant, author, and columnist for Learning Makes a Difference. Cushman has earned her B.S. in Business at Presbyterian College and went on to earn her MBA in Finance from Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business. Cushman began her career working... read full bio
Bryan Dodge is a business consultant, speaker, executive coach, and author who is a professor speaker and President of Dodge Development. Dodge has earned his B.A. in Animal Science, Production Option from the University of Nebraska and later began working as the President and owner of Results, Inc. Through his first company, Dodge worked to promote Tom Hopkins’ Seminars all... read full bio
Don Blohowiak is a top executive coach and founder of Lead Well Institute, an award-winning journalist, and author, who is best known for being one of the world’s top 150 business thought-leaders. Blohowiak has earned his Ph.D. in Human Development from Fielding Graduate University and has earned his Leadership Coaching certificate from Georgetown University. Blohowiak began his career working as... read full bio
Peter Keen is an IT specialist and author who also works as a professor and advisor for senior management in business. Through his work as an educator, Keen has been on the faculty for schools and universities which include Duke, Stanford, Harvard, The London Business School, and many more. As a writer, Keen has published nearly 30 books over the... read full bio
James Kynge is the Global China Editor at Financial Times and Editor of the Tech Scroll Asia newsletter. Kynge is currently based out of Hong Kong where he writes on China and their interactions with the rest of the world. Through his writings, he also writes on news and analysis for Asian technology. Kynge has previously earned his MA with... read full bio
Scott Waddle is an author, motivational speaker, and former Commanding Officer of USS Greeneville. Waddle is from Austin, Texas, and he has previously graduated from the Naval Academy of Annapolis. Waddle gained attention after becoming the Commanding Officer of USS Greeneville as it was a ship that had low morale and an unacceptably high turnover. Waddle saw the challenge as... read full bio
Paula Boggs is founder of Boggs Media, LLC, a business where she manages her own work which includes music, speaker, and other business activities. Boggs is a musician, public speaker, writer, and lawyer who has served as a board member for numerous organizations. Boggs grew up moving all over the world as her mother would take teaching positions with the... read full bio
Zack Gottsagen is an up-and-coming actor who has gained attention playing Zak in the film “The Peanut Butter Falcon.” His role in the film led him to win awards which include the Special Jury Prize at the Crested Butte Film Festival, the Rising Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, and the Newcomer Award from the Hollywood Critics... read full bio
Alencia Johnson is a renowned communication strategist and brand engagement from Virginia. Johnson works primarily through media content with political and corporate experience. She acted as Chief Impact Officer and Founder of 1063 West Broad, which is a social impact agency that specializes in culture and influence. Politically, Alencia previously was a Senior Advisor to Vice President Joe Biden's... read full bio
A passionate Republican, Rachel Campos-Duffy rose to prominence as a cast member on the MTV reality series The Real World: San Francisco. Following the show, Campos became a television host, most popularly on The View. Since then, she has moved on to Fox News where she has been a commentator on shows such as Outnumbered. She has been recognized on... read full bio
Jamie MoCrazy has always had a sense of adventures. As a kid, she loved all manner of physical activities: skiing, soccer, gymnastics, climbing, etc. It’s only natural that she grew up to be one of the most adored freestyle skiers in the world. By the age of 18, she had already won multiple Junior World Championships. After enduring a terrible... read full bio
Thom Shea is a decorated retired Navy SEAL who served the U.S. for more than two decades. In that time, he learned the value of good leadership and how to become the best version of yourself for others. He’s become an author, penning the bestselling “Unbreakable: A Navy SEAL’s Way of Life” along with “Three Simple Things: Leading During Chaos”.... read full bio
