Josiah Brown
(Delhi, New York) "Could Tourists Save Your Town?"
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Josiah Brown, or the New York Sherpa as he is know, is a frequent speaker and advocate for New York State's Visitor Economy. After driving nearly 800,000 miles across New York State and America his work is deploying strategies that make small and rural communities thriving places to live, work and play for generations to come.
Keneea Linton-George
(New York, New York) "The Paradox of Ethical Fashion”
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Jamaican born fashion designer, television executive producer, and social entrepreneur. Studied Philosophy at The University Of The West Indies Mona; and fashion design courses at The University Of London – Central St. Martins.
Jean Tien
(Great Neck, New York) "Hard Work Doesn't Have to be Hard”
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Jean Tien is a best-selling author and creator of The S.U.C.C.E.S.S.™ Method, a proprietary 7-step program that helps her clients break through their success barriers. Having overcome the corporate struggle, Jean now helps others have more success with less hustle and overwhelm.
Julianne Kirkand
(Bishop, Georgia) “Managing Multiple Identities”
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Julianne Kirkland is a wife of one and a mom of six. As an international best-selling author, former Mastery Trainer for Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi, and speaker and life coach, Julianne uses her expertise as an Overcomer Strategist to help turn life’s stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
Noemie Florant
(Port Jervis, New York) "Painting a Diverse Future: Inspiring Young Minds to Erase Algorithmic Bias in AI”
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Noemie Florant is a visionary high school rising senior and aspiring founder of FutureAI Scholars, a nonprofit bridging children from underrepresented communities to AI. With a deep passion for computer science, Noemie has pursued independent study for four years. Noemie strives to empower underrepresented youth for an inclusive AI future.
Juan Montenegro
(Bellflower, California) "Unleashing Human Potential through Volunteerism: A Dyslexic's Journey to Self-Discovery”
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Juan Carlos Montenegro has dedicated the last 20 years of his life to working with and for young people. He was born in Quito, Ecuador, in 1976 and upon finishing high school he opted for a year of volunteer service in Achuar communities (Ecuadorian Amazon).
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He is a commercial engineer, master's degree in business administration, master's degree in youth ministry, certificate in coordination of youth ministry, and doctor in "individuals, family and society, a multidisciplinary vision" from the University of Comillas, Spain. He currently resides in Los Angeles, United States, and is dedicated to offering support to people and organizations in their processes of self-knowledge and in the discovery of their abilities to achieve their freedom and success.
Rosalia Rivera
(Timmins, Ontario, Canada) “Ending Rape Culture One Word at a Time”
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Rosalia Rivera is a passionate consent educator, sexual literacy advocate, speaker, change agent, and survivor turned thriver. She is the host of AboutCONSENT™, a podcast for survivors and those who support survivors. Rosalia is also the founder of CONSENTparenting™, an online platform for survivor parents to learn how to protect their families from abuse. And she is soon launching CONSENTwear™, a clothing brand for kids, teens and adults to create consent culture.
Lisa Powell Graham
Lisa Powell Graham, MPA is a women's leadership coach, keynote & inspirational speaker, and political trainer whose passion is helping others tap into their own secret superpowers. Lisa was part of Hillary Clinton's campaign staff in 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. She has worked on numerous local, state, and presidential campaigns, starting at age 8. Lisa has traveled to 30+ countries, and has studied yoga and meditation since 2005. She is a Certified Martha Beck Life Coach and meditation instructor. Lisa earned her Master in Public Administration degree at Harvard Kennedy School in 2005.
Lisa Meschutt
Lisa Meschutt is a NYS STEM Master Teacher, Vice President of Super Heroes in Ripped Jeans Humane Society, Event Director for TEDxOneonta, and founder of Oneonta Adventure Club. She has been the recipient of many awards of excellence in education and most recently received an award for excellence in community service from the Oneonta Chapter DAR.
Anne Therese Gennari
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Anne Therese is a speaker, educator, and environmental activist, and the founder of The Climate Optimist, Role Models Management, and Hey Change Podcast. As an educator and consultant, she helps shift the narrative around climate change so that we can act from courage and excitement, not fear.
Micah Wonjoon Kessel
Micah Wonjoon Kessel designs for human flourishing. He is CEO of Empathable, Design Lead at a top emotions research neuroscience lab, IASLab, and for the implicit bias lab of Dr. Mahzarin Banaji at Harvard Psychology. Micah has designed experiences for Google, Disney, Microsoft, and founded the world’s top escape room.
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Rosalia Rivera
(Timmins, Ontario, Canada) “Ending Rape Culture One Word at a Time”
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Rosalia Rivera is a passionate consent educator, sexual literacy advocate, speaker, change agent, and survivor turned thriver. She is the host of AboutCONSENT™, a podcast for survivors and those who support survivors. Rosalia is also the founder of CONSENTparenting™, an online platform for survivor parents to learn how to protect their families from abuse. And she is soon launching CONSENTwear™, a clothing brand for kids, teens and adults to create consent culture.
Rebecca Ahmed
(Washington, DC) "How to Build a Motivational Workplace Culture: Reinventing Compensation”
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Rebecca Ahmed is an award-winning human resources expert. Ahmed’s experience stems from 10+ years in the hospitality industry, overseeing HR through major mergers and acquisitions, including Pinnacle Entertainment, Allegiant Travel Company, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. She most recently leveraged her expertise to join Savills, an international commercial real estate advisory firm. Additionally, she is CEO of Laugh Thru Life, a professional coaching organization. Ahmed serves as a Board Member for Suited for Change.
GOHAR PETROSSIAN
(New York, NY) “Why Justice for Wildlife Affects You”
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Gohar Petrossian is an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, and the Director of the International Crime and Justice Masters Program at John Jay College. Her research interests include crimes against wildlife, with a particular interest in Illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; spatial and temporal analysis of crime and GIS mapping; environmental criminology and opportunity theories; and crime prevention. She is the author of the book Last Fish Swimming: The Global Crime of Illegal Fishing (Global Crime and Justice Series. ABC-CLIO, LLC, Praeger Imprint), published in 2019.
Rachel Kornhauser
(Oneonta, NY) "Climate Change and Sustainability in the Age of COVID”
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Rachel Kornhauser is an enthusiastic environmental educator who has spent the past 15 years bringing environmental and outdoor learning opportunities to students around the world. Rachel currently works as the Director of the Office of Sustainability at SUNY Oneonta. Rachel has taught outdoor field studies to students in Brooklyn, NY, taught undergraduate Education students how to include hands-on science in their future classrooms, and produced live-stream webcasts from rural Tanzania to highlight the issues associated with water scarcity.
Phoebe Schreiner
(Oneonta, NY), "Why America needs a new foodshed"​
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Phoebe Schreiner is Executive Director of the Center for Agricultural Development and Entrepreneurship (Oneonta NY) dedicated to building a vibrant food system in which locally owned agricultural businesses thrive and consumers are nourished by healthy sustainably produced food.
Schreiner brings 20 years experience leading social and economic development programs around the world--from the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Asia, to NY.
Schreiner is 8th generation on her family’s homestead in Schoharie County, NY.
Getrude Matshe
(Wellington, New Zealand), "Ubuntu 2.0: Humanity's Operating System"​
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Getrude Matshe is an inspirational speaker who has been described as a vibrant bundle of African energy whose zest and passion for life inspires everyone she meets. She is passionate about helping people achieve their full potential and find their individual life purpose. She is passionate about individuals’ success. This makes her an energetic, inspirational and enlightening speaker. Her speaking career started in Norway in 1989 and for 12 years she has worked in the IT industry.
Cait Scudder
(Scarborough, ME), "Rising is a Risk. Do it Anyway."
Cait Scudder is an international speaker, business coach, and success catalyst for entrepreneurs. She moved to Bali and built a multiple six-figure business in under two years empowering women to lead powerful lives and create impact-driven, profitable businesses. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Influencing Entrepreneur Magazine, and Thrive Global.
Raised in Glens Falls, New York, Cait holds a Bachelor’s from Amherst College and a Master’s in Teaching from Smith College.
Matt Episcopo
(Cohoes, NY), "Personal Power: Establishing Connections For Success"
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Matt Episcopo knows that the real way to become effective is to build credibility, trust and relationships while retaining your personal power.
Matt is widely recognized as an energizing and engaging presenter. He is author of the book "How To Gain The Upper Hand, P.O.W.E.R. Tactics That Get Leaders Results".
A Medal of Honor recipient with more than 21 years of law enforcement experience, Matt will teach you how to engage with virtually anyone.
Abby Medcalf
(Berkeley, CA), "The Real Reason Relationships Fail"
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Abby Medcalf is a psychologist, author, and speaker. She has spent the last 30 years helping thousands of people create lasting change in their relationships, in a short amount of time, by applying her background in business and psychology. She is also the Best Selling Author of “Be Happily Married, Even if Your Partner Won’t Do A Thing” and host of the 5-star rated “Relationships Made Easy” Podcast.”
Lauren Parsons
Talk Title: Snack on Exercise- Boost Your Brain, Body & Mood
Lauren Parsons grew up in New Zealand as the non-sporty kid who lacked all confidence in herself physically. Then as an adult, went from being a workaholic gym manager with 'no time to train' to completely shifting her paradigms around exercise. She is passionate about helping others discover the easiest and most fun way to fit exercise into their own lives.
Lauren is an award-winning Wellbeing Specialist, with 18 years’ experience in health and wellbeing. Founder of Get Fit Feel Fabulous, the Snack on Exercise movement and author of Real Food Less Fuss, and 7 Health and Fitness Myths To Overcome. Lauren is a sought-after keynote speaker and thought leader who helps people and organizations boost their health, energy, and productivity. ​
Ricardo Sierra
Talk Title: Saving the iGen Children: Why Grandparents Might Be Our Best Chance to Solve the Digital Age Crisis
Ricardo founded the Hawk Circle Wilderness Education Summer Camp Program in 1989, then formed the nonprofit Earth Mentoring Institute in 1999, to give children and teens the benefits of a deep connection to nature. His work has included professional trainings and program development for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Delaware County, the Creating Rural Opportunities Partnership After School Program, the Chatt Hill Charter School, Madrone Audubon Society, Waldorf School of Baltimore, The Berkshire Mountain Search and Rescue and many others.
His wilderness skills training and youth mentoring experience has included The Tom Brown Jr Tracking and Wilderness Survival School, John Stokes Tracking Project, The California Conservation Corps, Backcountry Trails and American Red Cross. He also has spent extensive time in wilderness and natural areas across the country, where he put the skills he teaches to the test. He lives in Cherry Valley, NY.
Maja Kazazic
Talk Title: Genocide and Happiness: The Power of You
Maja (My-a) Kazazic is an internationally recognized motivational speaker.
Originally from former Yugoslavia, Maja’s home was destroyed by genocide that killed 250,000 people and injured millions. When she was only 16 years old, while sitting with 5 of her friends a rocket propelled grenade exploded killing all 5 of her friends. Maja was severely injured.
This event set off decades-long journey filled with obstacles Maja had to face on a daily basis. From having her leg amputated without anesthesia and surviving without food or running water to re-learning how to walk and run, and learning English by watching TV. And even though she left her home without her parents to get medical treatment, with only a teddy bear, t-shirt and rock, Maja was able to build a new life. She finished high school and college and eventually started a very successful software company whose regular clients were Fortune 500 companies. The systems, strategies, and innovative action plans she developed have helped companies significantly increase profitability and productivity.
She has taken the lessons of a life forever altered by what could have been catastrophic wounds of war and parlayed them into a vision and passion for providing the solutions and insights people and organizations need to create positive, inspired change in their personal and professional lives.
Laverne Berry and Steve Miller
Talk Title: How to Effect Change With A Couple of Friends
Laverne Berry and Steve Miller have worked as volunteer Voter Protection lawyers in each of the past three presidential elections (2008 and 2016 in North Carolina, 2012 in Virginia). Laverne is an entertainment attorney representing independent film and TV creators, distribution companies, authors and media companies. Steve is an international business executive, based in the US and Europe, with over 25 years of experience developing and managing a broad range of businesses and educational and social justice projects.
Deborah Koetzle
Talk Title: What works? Addressing crime and drug use through community-based interventions
Deborah Koetzle is an Associate Professor and the Executive Officer of the Doctoral Program in Criminal Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice/The Graduate Center, CUNY and a fellow with the University of Cincinnati Corrections Institute.
Her research centers around correctional rehabilitation with a focus on identifying effective interventions for offenders, problem-solving courts, risk/need assessment, and cross-cultural comparisons of prison-based programs and practices. Current projects include evaluating a specialized probation unit for the supervision of 16-24 year-olds, examining access to medically assisted treatment for criminal justice involved individuals, and providing assistance aimed at reducing prison crowding in El Salvador.
She has served as a consultant to local, state, and federal agencies on the topic of assessment, treatment, and program fidelity within both institutional and community-based programs, and helped to develop the National Association of Drug Court Professionals’ Adult Drug Court Best Practice Standards.
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Dawn Herscher
Talk Title: Words Wisely--Move them or lose them
Dawn is an award-winning speechwriter, speaker and communications director with 15 years experience supporting CEO’s, C-level executives, and Fortune 100 companies. She provides speechwriting, thought leadership, and coaching services to high profile clients, companies, foundations, and associations. Dawn specializes in helping senior executives become recognized as Thought Leaders who are influential in their industries.
Born in Los Angeles, California, Dawn was known for her creative writing talent, and attended UCLA where she earned her degree in Psychology. Dawn has written for some of the world’s most influential venues including TEDx, the Council for the Homeless, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.