Rarebirds

Connect, Collaborate, Grow with our Rare Birds Around the World.

The women featured here are a part of our growing network of entrepreneurs who are open to building business collaborations and partnerships. They are based all over the world and are operating businesses’ which transcend both cultures and borders. They are founders of consultancies, publishing houses, tech firms, hospitality brands, multi-media agencies, agro businesses’ and more. They represent the religious, political and sexual diversity of our world.

Some are millennials traveling the globe, whilst others are baby boomers on their second or third career, some are single whilst others are wives; some are mothers, daughters and sisters whilst others are caretakers and volunteers.

What they share in common is ambition, passion, empathy and a desire to drive change.

Begin by reading their bios and exploring their social media links. If you would like to connect further send us an email here and we will support you in getting the conversation started.

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Africa
Asia
Caribbean
Central America
Europe
Middle East
North America
South America
UK

Rumana Sinha Sehgal, India

The pursuit of the undiscovered and the passion to present to the word various art forms and artistes with a keen sense of social entrepreneurship, are the driving forces behind Serendipity and Rumana Sinha Sehgal. This multi-talented mother of two young boys, is an Engineer and was a corporate professional with Fortune 500 companies like Oracle & ADP. Rumana turned into an entrepreneur when she started Serendipity in 2012. Rumana was also the Chairperson for the Young wing of Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India-Young COWE, supporting and mentoring young women entrepreneurs as they start off on their own. Additionally, she also served on the Executive Board for COWE – the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs. Rumana’s Serendipity specializes in Papier Mache, Furniture and articles made from recycled products like tyres, 3D art and sculptures made of varied materials like Plaster of Paris, Thermocol, Wood and Fibre Glass. Also interested in the performing arts, her maiden production, Hyderabad Shuffle – a fusion of Jazz Music and Contemporary dance performed in Hyderabad in the summer of 2012. Rumana also does event designing for Corporate, School and private events. The Papier Mache furniture line was showcased at the COWE Trade Carnival in June 2013. Her 3D sculptures are also installed in one of Mumbai’s largest play centres, “Play Around”. She was also a key supporter of the well renowned Dr. Bhaktiar Choudhary’s photography exhibition in aid of “Friends of Snakes Society” at the Muse Art Gallery in Marriott Hyderabad. She has actively contributed towards the social causes for ” Fight Against Rape” HIFW-season 4 and ” Save the Girl Child” at HIFW-2015 as part of their show to support the cause. Over the years, Rumana has focused more on Social Entrepreneurship combined with encouraging young and upcoming artistes as they start their own artistic journeys.

Sandhya and Sukanya Rao, India

Sandhya and Sukanya Rao are the Founders of Wikiwear. Sandhya Rao is an entrepreneur and founder of startup venture, Wikiwear™, that is developing a portfolio of branded apparel. She is also the co-founder of a connected health venture, RedMed Health Systems, with her husband, Jay Srinivasan. She is a qualified engineer from Bangalore University and has been in the apparel industry for over 20 years servicing both the export and domestic markets. Sandhya is one of the founder members of the Bangalore Chapter of ALL Ladies League, an international organisation of women and is the South India chairperson of the ALL Start-ups Support group. She is actively involved with NGOs such as Chiguru, which works for girl-child, and the India Literacy Project (ILP), a non-profit, volunteer organization, dedicated to spreading the cause of literacy in India. Sandhya is a classical Kathak dancer and a disciple of Guru Smt. Vijaya Marthanda, founder-director Layalasya. She is currently also learning to play the violin from Guru Shri. N Ventakesh, who is one of the few people who plays the seven stringed version of the instrument. In her spare time, when she manages to find it, she also dabbles with theater and costume styling for the movies. Sukanya Rao holds a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Bangalore University, a diploma in interior designing from Jenson & Nicolson ,a diploma in the Japanese rrt of Ikebana and training in entrepreneurship development from the Indian Institute of Management , Bangalore. She also has training in Early Childhood Education . While Sukanya started off in the field of healthcare in the late 1990s ,she quickly moved to interior designing where she spent around 3 years managing projects for clients in hospitality and healthcare before she diversified to the field of cost auditing working with her father in his accounting firm Rao , Murthy & Associates. She pursued auditing as a career for about 10 years during which she developed deep knowledge of costing practices and worked with clients in varied industries. Very inquisitive by nature and wanting to avoid run-of-the-mill career options, she later decided to set up her own venture to develop cereal protein bars during which time she worked closely with the Central Food Technology Research Institute for about 2 years. Subsequently, Sukanya to set up her own pre-school in 2009 as a franchisee to the Little Crest chain of Schools . After successfully running the institution for two years she sold her venture to the franchisers and focused on art with a Passion. She has since pursued advanced courses in art with painting as a specialization at the Ken School of Art, MTV Acharya School of Art and later at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad(KCKP). She has exhibited her work at KCKP and Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Bangalore. She is currently associated with Wikiwear Inc , in building their line of fashionable yoga wear and headgear.

Sindu Sreebhavan, India & Singapore

“Innovation does not start with an invention, it starts with a mindset.” Sindu works with this principle and spread the message and tools to adapt innovative mindset and practices in everything starting from education to philanthropy. Having worked in seven different countries and studied in universities in three different countries, Sindu has experienced the benefits and effects of diversity. She writes, speaks, consults and coaches on innovation, Design Thinking, growth mindset, entrepreneurship and education. She is the CEO of As Many Minds Pte Ltd, which spans its wings in education, publishing, book writing consulting, management consulting and corporate and executive coaching. As Many Minds’ education arm focuses on infusing innovation into education with its products, services and programs for educators, children and schools. Sindu is also the Chairperson and Founder of International Youth Leadership & Innovation Forum (IYLIF). She is the founding editor of The Kidz Parade edutainment magazine, which promotes creativity and growth mindset in children and education systems. She is the author of the book Infinite Possibilities – Unleash your potential with Growth Mindset and the co-author of Breakthrough – Secrets of growth, happiness and bounce backs from women around the world. Sindu holds a degree in Computer Science & Engineering, an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management and another MBA from National University of Singapore.

Ambar Pariddi, India

Ambar Pariddi aspires to make Indian Jewels more popular and wearable. Her label, Mine of Design is a luxury design firm dealing in Fine jewelry, Fashion accessories and Festive Favors. Catering to exclusive segment of market fulfilling the needs of the customer pertaining to adorning or gifting luxury. She specializes in well-constructed jewelley that makes a statement and tells the world about her client’s unique style. Her conceptualized designs are aimed at unveiling the mystical power in the stones and truly make her motivated to create jewelry. As the Creative Head of Mine of Design Ambar PariddiSahai credits her instinctive attraction to the universe of natural stones and elements which inspire her to create a range of lustrous impulse. Mine of Design jewelery is featured in Hindi feature film “Fashion”, music video by French artist Ana Belle and Jewellery for Mrs India 2008 Madhvi Awasthi for Mrs Globe Awards.

Sonny Mohanty, India & Singapore

Sonny Mohanty is a Graduate from University of Westminster London. After graduation she worked with Telco, IT, and Fintech companies in various roles. She is now an entrepreneur who helps companies scale up. Sonny is currently doing active sales for a translation and localization company called into23.com, based out of Singapore. Besides that, she is the solution director for a Cloud based company called DROOTOO. In her free time she likes doing Karate and holds an orange black belt.

Seema Haydon,India

Seema is the CEO and Founder of Varastraa, which stems from the little ethnic pockets found amidst the chaotic colour and diversity of India. She seeks inspiration by going back to our roots; using beautiful local textiles combined with skilled artistry and natural dyes.From sarees made of textured Matka silk, spun in the small districts of West Bengal to the lines of unique handmade block prints of Rajasthan, our products celebrate the vibrancy of ethnic design. Varastraa aims to be a dukaan that you can keep visiting, to find something new and beautiful to make your own!

Jigna Shah, India

Jigna Shah is a graduate from NIFT and a renowned fashion designer, her panorama meadows into Indo-Western and Western outfits. Her range offers a diffusion of unique & rich textiles, designs, colour combinations & embroideries – evolving heritage of the past to the present and future. She is the Founder of the High End Designer House, Reve located in Ahmedabad, India.

Dr. Kuiljeit Uppal, India

As the World’s First Image Scientist, Dr. Kuiljeit Uppaal has brought India on the global map in the Science of Persona and Image Management (PRIM). She has explored and determined diverse dimensions of the subject area, defined and created novel concepts, employed scientific research methodologies and empirical testing for the subject. Her scientific research and contribution has paved way for PRIM to be an integral part of Entrepreneurship Education and Management Training which shall eventually impact our economy. Dr. Kuiljeit has also introduced her invention as a gift to the world. The world’s first ever, scientifically driven new age quotient – PIQ, Persona & Image Quotient that helps to understand various elements of our image as individuals and identifies the scope for improvement, so that we can make a larger impact and become more effective to meet global challenges. PIQ is a great invention for the world in this digital era to help people evaluate, control and manage their in-person impressions and digital footprints. PIQ also emerges as a convenient way for employers to screen job applicants from any part of the world for their probable ability to build a personal brand and become an influencer in their area of expertise. She has also created a National Award winning innovative concept like D-PRIM that is very relevant and critical in today’s digital era and dynamism, for the growth and success of individuals and organizations.

Bhavini Mehta, India

Bhavini Mehta is founder and CEO of both Infinity Business Solutions and Publishbook.me. She is a contemporary entrepreneur who is building both endeavours by empowering and lifting people around her. Right out of college, with an undergraduate degree from Christ College and an MBA from AESPG Institute of Management Ahmedabad, she entered the corporate world with HDFC Bank Ltd. and quickly found it was not for her. Her first entrepreneurial ventures include a loan channel partner company with both HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Along with her entrepreneurial spirit is a strong belief that women are able to achieve at least everything a man can and much more. Incorporating a sense of realism into her beliefs is that in nearly every woman’s professional life comes a time to plan a family. Bhavini faced that situation herself. Thence came a motivating factor in her life to seeking to create a workspace conducive to all women in that special time of their lives. Her business focuses on employing work-from-home mothers and women students who need financial support to complete their education. “There is an opportunity for everyone, you must be vigilant to grab those” is her mantra for life and her advice for all. She has taken the outsourcing industry – which encompasses both of her current ventures – to employ people (now both women and men) from around the world to serve clients who, likewise, are from around the world. This concept took off for her when at the response to her presentation at a conference where she discussed her beliefs that people could well be free to work from home or anywhere else, move among departments, and learn to work on different projects. When she was finished, people flooded to her to ask for a business card and wanting to know more … people who became both clients and part of her workforce! Strong in her beliefs, she rejected funding to grow her business because with the investment would have come the requirement that her employees could not work from home and had to follow specific working hours. Infinity Business Solutions is a shared services outsourcing firm providing services such as bookkeeping, payroll process, Website Development, Integrated marketing, and other specialized IT services. Using today’s technology, such services may be provided by specialists who live half a world away from the client. Publishbook.me came about as one of Infinity’s services that grew to have its own needed set of specialists, such as writers, editors, designers, marketers, etc. Both firms are flourishing.

Sheila Kripalani, India

Mrs. Sheila Kripalani is the Director of Pijikay Group of Companies. Chair, Board of Trustees, Habitat for Humanity, India. Managing Trustee of Grace International. Board Member of Terry Fox (India) Committee. Vice Chair and Hon. Treasurer of Bombay Teen Challenge, an NGO that prevents trafficking and rescues sex workers and their children. Past President of Indian Merchants’ Chamber (Ladies Wing). Recipient of the Asia Pacific Nehemiah Award for volunteer service towards eradication of poverty housing. Sheila is an Honours Graduate with a major in English Literature.

Kavitha Murali Prakash, India

Mrs. Kavitha M.Prakash has made an enormous versatile transition, from being a content housewife to a freelance Corporate Trainer, as circumstances unfolded in the past 14 years. She was associated with UNICEF as a volunteer member for their child welfare projects, in addition to, being an Educational Consultant for World Book International, USA. She is a person who expands her horizon and takes to people like fish to water. She is a stickler to the adage - ‘ Minds are like umbrellas, they work only when they are open’. Her commitment is backed by the support garnered from her family and friends. She holds a Master degree in Mathematics and English. She started off her stint with children as the Secretary of Chinmaya Mission Balavihar (A lifeskills and culture platform for children) and moved on to become a soft skills trainer for companies like Infosys, Accenture, L nT, E&Y, RIIIT, Nestle, AT&S, Administrative Training Institute, Business establishments and Startups besides many reputed schools in Mysore and Bangalore. Her own outfit is called ‘OASIS’, which works towards ‘Redefining Transitions,’ provides consultancy and event management solutions. Apart from being on the Panel of Trainers of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s chapters based in several cities, also serves as a consistent guest faculty for the Institute of Company Secretaries of India, Mysore Chapter. She is also the Regional Coordinator and Master Trainer for MaRRS International Spelling Bee Competitions, which covers most reputed schools in India.

Dr. Ruby Bakshi Khurdi, India & Switzerland

Dr Ruby Bakshi Khurdi is TEDx International Award winning Speaker in Women Economic Forum, Professor, Social Entrepreneur, Global Goodwill Ambassador. She is the Founder of Réseau Inter Culturel des Femmes, Conseillére Communale Rennaz. She has received Exceptional Woman of Excellence Award at Women Economic Forum, Lisbon. She has been nominated Most Inspirational Female Entrepreneur of 2017 by Swiss Entrepreneur Magazine. She is a Role Model and Mentor to International students from Business and Hospitality Management Colleges. Her family and two kids have always been her first priority in life!!She firmly believes Education & Communication are strong pillars in developing a progressive nation. She has given various successful workshops & podcasts on topics related to Effective Communication, Human Values, Women Empowerment & Emotional Intelligence. Her objective for 2019 is to create more awareness about her social projects, organize inspiring educational sessions and train more like-minded people across the Globe!

Senela Jayasuriya-Abeynaike, Sri Lanka

Senela Jayasuriya-Abeynaike is the Founder & CEO of Women Empowered Global. She is a Transformation specialist, Leadership trainer and an Executive coach and has held many positions in leadership and strategy both in the corporate sector as well as in the service and advocacy domain. She is a Director at the McQuire Group of Companies and has trained teams for some of the biggest multinational and public listed companies in the country. Senela has always been an avid believer that women can make a unique social and economic impact and contribution to society and the world. Through her longtime dream Women Empowered®, she offers specially designed leadership grooming courses and services for women of all ages, in order to facilitate women to rise to board positions and positions of influence, where they can make a bigger and more meaningful impact for self, the business and society. Senela received the prestigious WEF17 Award of “Iconic Women Creating a Better World for All” at the Annual Women Economic Forum 2017. Senela was appointed as an Advisory Executive Council Member and session lead speaker and made a special address under the AEC plenary “Understanding the Century of Social Media and Personal Branding”. Her expertise are in Business, Marketing & Brand Communications, Strategy, Presentation & Public speaking, Personal branding & personality development, Executive coaching and Customer Service. Her greatest pride is that she is a mother to a beautiful six year old daughter. Senela has many versatile leisure interests and enjoys travelling, music and photography which she explores during her spare time.

Vayjayanti Pugalia, India

My name is Vayjayanti Pugalia, I am a Corporate Trainer for Etiquette and Fine Dining. My brand of work Sonali’s Cubo does vivid soft skills/Culinary /Speech Therapy workbench for children and women. SONALIS CUBO I have been working very closely with children over the last 15 year.I believe discipline is what makes the ground for success.I am very proud to share that i have my own tower of accomplishment when it comes to teaching soft skills and etiquettes to children.I have been very fortunate to work with children from ace schools and institutions towards imparting manners and fine dining techniques to make them into finer human beings. Besides working with children i have been able to share my expertise with women and corporates ,guiding them through finesse and perfection related to fine dining/ networking strengths/fine dining etc. TABLE TAILOR (TT) As a Founder of TT I emphasize on highlighting emotions on the table on festive occasions and more. I believe one tastes food with eyes then through the palette. Being a table stylist is my passion and my inclination towards ravishing food presentation. Brand Coordinator I am the Workshop and Guidance Coordinator for BOWTIE FORMALS, a brand of BOWTIE &CO. As A Philanthropist In the process of working with children what intrigued me was their innocence and the ability to receive knowledge and share gratitude. Hence Sonali’s Cubo came into working with philanthropic subjects with the motto being ‘children for children’.Children unite to raise funds for the much deserving souls. I take keen interest in working with children for Community Service because i believe this will pave a way wholesome development of a family ,a community ,a nation. At Sonalis Cubo besides catering to life style based workshops i encourage children to serve for the society in their own small way. These young souls aged 3 onwards have executed many projects to support education to deserving children and also raised funds for food and other utilities.

Harsha Garg, India

Harsha Garg is a speaker, trainer and a life-wealth coach. With her positive spirit and inspiring message, Harsha empowers audiences and readers to live wealth conscious life and develop mastery of holistic wealth. Harsha impacts a range of organisations in the corporate, government, education and non-proﬁt sectors. By adapting the mentality, discipline and rituals of gym workouts, she imparts her 3Ws of holistic wealth: Self-Wealth, People-Wealth and Financial-Wealth. She has a rich professional experience of 14 years in industries including retail banking, investment banking research, logistics, IT and life transformational trainings. She has received her B.Com (Hons.) from SRCC, Delhi University, and hold two post-graduation degrees, a master in commerce (Finance) and a post-graduate diploma in Insurance and Risk Management.

Anila Hussain, Pakistan & Switzerland

Driven by a strong business mindset since childhood, Anila, a national level gymnast, was raised in Karachi, the cosmopolitan fashion hub of the East. Her zest for knowledge led her to become a Pan American and AMI Montessori Educator, settled in Geneva for over 15 years with her family having three children.. Alongside her teaching role, Anila’s formative years were spent pursuing fashion styling consultancy in Switzerland. Her presence in the world of fashion and glamour in Europe led to SHENANNZ becoming an international brand, where she serves as the brand’s global Ambassador. Anila currently oversees the showcasing of SHENANNZ’s couture collection in Europe across fashion events and platforms such as Montreux Moda Switzerland, London Fashion week, House of iKons and Swiss Fashion week Manor, Vevey and Globus Geneva. Anila is committed to emancipation and empowerment of impoverished women, by fostering their creativity to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families. Her dream is to spread the message of gender equality through entrepreneurship and education, across the world.

Luvena Rangel, India

Luvena Rangel, founder of The Curvy Yogi, is a big, tall & curvy E-RYT Yoga instructor, with an academic background in medicine, Holistic Health as well as teaching certifications in Ayurvedic Lifestyle and Education & Meditation from Deepak Chopra’s Center for Wellbeing. As a Co-Active Coach and Professional Trainer, she blends her experience of over 15 years in the corporate space with a focus on Diversity and Inclusion through social, communal and Organizational Culture and is a Community Partner with Yoga and Body Image Coalition .

Dina Al-Mashhari, Yemen

Dina is a Yemeni with a degree in Chemistry, a license in accounting and an international computer license. She is an innovator having created a natural cosmetics line, and plant compounds that are particularly effective in activating the cells of the immune system. She has also prepared vitamins for the use of cornial ulcers. Dina has received multiple awards from Yemen, Thailand, the Arab League, South Korea, Germany and the UNDP. Her current business is a natural inspired cosmetics line.

Maya Avidov, Israel/UK

I'm Maya Avidov, I'm an all-round filmmaker (I write/direct, shoot and produce) with over 9 years of experience. Before going to film school I went to art school (mostly practising Photography and Printmaking)- though something always felt missing. Then one day, whilst I was watching a film, I had the (somewhat simple) realization that what had been missing from my photographs was movement. And text. And from then on it was like a light turned on and I started my real work. I moved to London in 2012 and founded my production company Darling Pictures in 2014. I created Darling Pictures with the objective that it be a production home for unique content that pushes the boundaries of genre and method to create original, engaging entertainment. Our company motto is : Everything's interesting if your bold enough to engage. We create online content as well as short and long films (fictional & documentary). Amongst our clients are HTC, The British Library and Ministry of Stories. We are currently embarking on our first feature-length hybrid documentary about the classroom experience from the point of view of primary school children across the UK."

Ruqya Khan, UAE & India

Ruqya Khan, or RK as she is known, is a wordsmith. She works with words - delivering stories on stage and in print. She is a Master Practitioner of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming), Hypnosis and Time Line Therapy®. She is also proficient at the neuroscience techniques of mBraining. She started her career as a freelance writer in 2000 and has successfully grown into the field of coaching. Between then and now she has interviewed more than 3000 people from different walks of life. Her articles have covered the views and stories of many - right from celebrities and business owners to the office help! After many years of being a listener she has now chosen to speak and share stories with the world. Her words create shift and awareness to be better. Gratitude and acceptance are her key topics of focus - she believes that is where self-empowerment seeds from. RK is an internationally honoured change maker. She has spoken and been felicitated for her contribution at the Women Economic Forum in New Delhi. In 2016 she did a TEDx talk on "The Art of Possibility". Passion to express, complete trust in self and gratitude are her strengths. She is driven by the awareness that though her life is simple and her achievements still growing - each day she is an example to her children and the many who see her as she is. FaceBook:

Sana Afouiaz, Morocco

Sana Afouaiz is an award-winning, gender expert, women advocate, and public speaker on global feminism and women issues in the MENA region. She is the author of “Invisible Women of the Middle East”. She has spoken in 40 countries at universities, panel discussions and international events. For the past five years, Sana advised United Nations, European Commission, corporate institutions and other organisations on gender agenda. She was also heavily involved in SDGs discussions, she helped drafting several resolutions and recommendations on gender in New York, Bali, Geneva, and Paris and presented to UN representatives, including the former Secretary-General Ban-ki-Moon. In 2015, she established Womenpreneur Organisation, a network that supports more than 500 female entrepreneurs every year to grow their initiatives, leadership and their social impact. Through her work, Sana reached thousands of women and convened over 20 global events across different countries, to drive visibility, social impact, and resources for women in the ecosystem and beyond. She is also the co-founder of Womenquake, a global movement, that revisits and critically examines the beliefs, myths and ideas about gender in different cultures. She uses her platform to advance the equality agenda through story-telling, social campaigns, as well as sharing tools to empower women. These experiences led her to organise several campaigns including reforming a Moroccan law that allowed rapists to marry their victims to avoid jail. Sana is Advisor Mentor for Queen’s Young Leaders; an initiative of the Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust and The Royal Commonwealth Society, she assists this initiative on areas related to women empowerment and influencing policy. In recognition of her achievements, Sana was named among 10 top inspiring women in the MENA region by the World Bank. Sana was also nominated among SE100 most inspiring Social Innovators in the World by Social Enablers, she was awarded Ashoka Changemaker Award, and she was named Influential female entrepreneur by Knowing Arabia, Watching Arabia and among 5 most inspiring and talented women by Moustacho. In 2018, Sana was nominated by Ariane de Rothschild Foundation among 18 social entrepreneurs to become a Fellow and Ambassador of social impact and cross-cultural dialogue. She also appeared on various channels and media; at the Huffington post, Devex, PeopleTV, El Pais, NATO Association, Le Matin, Orange Magazine, Wada7, KAWA, Moustacho… Sana reaches thousands of women and young girls every year and is passionate about challenging societal norms, spark conversions surrounding social taboo and lift the cover on unspoken realities.

Maysoon Khaled, Jordan

Maysoon Khaled is a young Jordanian-Palestinian filmmaker, born in 1991. She started her career after participating in a filmmaking workshop held in 2011 in Talibia camp. She is interested in creating experimental documentaries. She is also the Founder of Falak, a female-only art space in Amman, Jordan.

Azza Taher, Egypt

My story with glass started in the third year at college when I had studied stained glass with lead, I became Fascinated with the designs of the Glass, this course was the light of inspiration. After I had graduated from Alexandria university with a bachelor degree of Fine Arts in 2008, I received my master degree in interior design in 2014. Then I decided to become an apprentice in Foustat Traditional Crafts Centre and I have learned at the hands of one of the most skilled masters in the craft of Arabian Stained glass with plaster . My apprenticeship period in Cairo lasted for three months, I studied fused glass at Egyptian Porcelain House. Always searching for new sources of inspiration and innovation that would shape my creations, I began exploring the artistic, intellectual and cultural history of Islamic design to keep our Islamic heritage . Combining my research with my love for architecture, I made a lot of pieces(Doors,Windows, Ceiling, Skylights, Domes, Mirror, Lighting units). I have successfully transformed the concept of Glass making from a craft to an art and have managed to add a new dimension to the glass art.

Imast-Bayzar Bulgan Turkey & Canada

I was born in Turkey. I am the middle child of our family. I was always part of an entrepreneurial family since my dad, my sister and brother all owned their own businesses. Back home in Turkey, I worked for a big retail & wholesale fashion business as an Accountant; however, I was always a part of various company fashion shows and was very involved in the decision making process for new fashion ideas. I came to Canada in 1983 to "take a break and visit relatives" not planning to stay. Well life had different plans for me, I have been in Canada since. I later had three children . My baby boy became our "guardian angel" on the 3rd day of his birth to heart failure. I am blessed to have two healthy, beautiful daughters Myda 26 and Tanya 20. My entire career was spent at a Canadian Tire Financial Services from 1984 to 2009. I worked in the Finance Division as an Accounting Coordinator, and then progressing into the role of Team Lead for the last 11 years. While working there, I studied Accounting , Management and graduated with a degree in General Art and Science studies. My passion for understanding human behaviour led me to take another program called Counseling for Human Services. The experience and education that I built during those years have helped me in different areas of my business today. When I opened my store in Port Dalhousie, I joined the Port Dalhousie Business Community. Currently I am serving as the Treasurer on the Port Dalhousie BIA Executive. I continue to study fashion and personal styling with a focus on energy profiling. I am the Founder and Owner of Your Boutique.

Frances McDaniel, USA

I am Frances McDaniel, 2016 Graduate of the Fox School of business Temple University Executive MBA Program. I was Inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society in 2015, mentor to 2 current MBA students, CEO of Get OnBoard Technologies, and Smart Skirts INC. I have traveled Internationally and collaborated in South Africa with Coca Cola, MTN South Africa, and many other organizations for profit and not for profit. Recognized as one of the top 20 new business Idea Concept recipients in 2015 for an Idea Competition at Temple University. Participated and Interviewed top investors to assist new business owners in gaining the attention of investors. Visionary Executive leading high level performance teams to enhance growth and profitability. Empowering people to succeed, through outreach, education, resources, is one of the greatest attributes that I am always willing to share in any sized organization locally and globally. Throughout my 20 plus years of hands on experience in leadership, management, training, in an economically diverse nation and my top executive level education I offer solutions using strategies, analytics, relationship building, innovations, and project management. I am a mother of 2 Children, a wife and professional who believes in creativity, innovations and opportunity for all. I focused my recent activities on entrepreneurial opportunities to help build and empower new leaders. With over 20 years of corporate experience, and leadership I know the importance of community involvement, and continuous education. As Past President of Rotary International (Springfield, PA) we built a new water system in Belize as well as raise funding for protoplast surgeries globally. I have been a speaker and volunteer at local top Universities such as Temple’s Fox school of business to assist recent graduates with career opportunities and Cheyney University for financial literacy and fraud protection.

Tonya Fitzpatrick, USA

Tonya Fitzpatrick loves talking about the transformative power of travel and she has done so on several stages including TEDx, the Women’s Economic Forum in India, the North American Travel Journalist Association (NATJA), and FestiGals conference in New Orleans. She has also served as moderator for the Environmental Film Festival and a film presentation at the National Press Club. Tonya is a lawyer by training but an intrepid traveler and global citizen by heart and the latter inspired her to create World Footprints Media where she producers and co-hosts the multi award-winning World Footprints podcast with her husband, Ian. World Footprints is the recipient of multiple awards including a prestigious Lowell Thomas award and African Community Service Award for journalistic excellence and socially conscious mission. Listeners have been inspired by World Footprints interviews with prominent figures like the late Dr. Maya Angelou, Ken Burns, Jack Hanna, Stefanie Powers, David Rockefeller, Jr., Robert Kennedy, Jr., and others. A published author, Tonya has contributed a chapter in a career inspiration book with Stephen Covey, co-created a Baltimore travel app and authored an e-itinerary guide for Washington, DC. Her professional career is diverse and ranges from a fundraising executive for a theatre to a politico. Under President George W. Bush, she received an appointment as a Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Education; she was placed as a federal contractor as Senior Legal Advisor in the Office of Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and, Tonya has served on Capitol Hill and other in other political positions. Tonya received a Masters degree from the London School of Economics and a law degree from Wayne State University. She has lived, studied or worked in England, Russia and China. She was recognized as a “Top Woman in Travel Media” by the Women in Travel & Tourism International and is a popular media personality who has appeared on public radio, the CBS and NBC networks and Retirement Living. Tonya has also been featured in Black Enterprise, USA News Report and several books including “This Is NOT The Career I Ordered”. Tonya is a member of the National Speakers Association, Society for American Travel Writers and NATJA. When she is not crossing the globe, Tonya lives in the metro Washington, DC area with her husband Ian and their cat, Irwin.

Anu Vittal, India & Canada

Anu Vittal is the CEO of AVC Inc and believes in empowering people to create, connect and celebrate. With over 23 years of corporate experience in the fields of marketing & supply chain she brings expertise in process improvement as a certified Six Sigma Specialist and ISO-9001 Auditor. Her greatest strength lies in being a successful entrepreneur who has built and sold businesses. As a practising artist and arts administrator she believes that artists directly benefit the eco-cultural balance of a country. As ALL Canada Chairperson for Social Change and Networks and a community leader she always inspires everyone to share their unique gift and contribute to the world. Lastly, Anu advocates the importance of volunteering and has worked and served on boards of non-profit organisations in North America. This work in the not-for-profit world won her the prestigious Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award in 2009. She is a loving humanitarian with a pure passion for the arts and an ARTepreneur with a purpose.

Vaneese Johnson, USA

Vaneese Johnson-The Boldness Coach™, is a Global Executive Coach and Certified Personal Brand Strategist. She helps business professionals to be bold in their approach to amplify their brand presence, grow their careers and make a purposeful impact in the world. She teaches and empowers high-performing and high potential professionals with her proprietary success fundamentals of Branding Out Loud (BOLD), Branding in their Innovated Gifts (BIG) and being Branded and Disruptive (BAD) to accentuate their professional presence with authenticity and authority.

Shenal Arimilli, USA

Shenal graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiology and went on to receive her Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy. After years of clinical practice, she climbed the corporate ladder in Healthcare Management and Administration as Hospital Director of Clinical Services which was then followed by her deep desire to follow her entrepreneurial spirit! Through her own journey of deep physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation, she has been able to experience the interconnectedness of science and spirituality. Her own personal healing allowed her to experience, first-hand, a multitude of healing modalities. These range from conventional to complementary to “alternative”. The list includes but is not limited to bio-dentistry, raw foods, detoxification, homeopathy, herbal medicine, Ayurveda, Chinese Medicine, Regression Therapy, Hypnosis, Germanic New Medicine, Emotional and Spiritual Healing, and multiple “Energy” healing modalities (ie. Bengston Method, Reiki). Coupling these with her formal clinical degrees, ongoing clinical education, and professional experience, Shenal pursued years of advanced training. She has transformed her profession to PASSION and her life into one she loves living. Shenal’s life has been filled with enriching experiences. Today, she cherishes her life with her loving husband and two beautiful children while finding tremendous inner joy and satisfaction in who she has become and in the work she does to help others to reclaim their power to transform their lives. She has lovingly created a unique approach to empower people to reclaim their ability to live with abundant health, wealth, love and joy. She shares her connectedness, intuition, wisdom and tremendous love for others and life itself with all those whose lives she touches. She is passionate about bringing this message and this approach to as many people as she can globally. In addition to enjoying her private consultation practice, she is a speaker, workshop trainer, facilitator, change maker and thought leader. She wants to make a positive difference in the world. Shenal empowers people to achieve their full potential in every aspect of life. She is a visionary and a true inspiration, aligning individuals with their meaningful purpose and creating a space for unique expression so that people can reach new heights of success.

Crystal D’Cunha, Canada

Crystal D’Cunha is an award-winning entrepreneur, accomplished Senior Executive, Consultant, Sales Professional and Customer Experience Thought Leader with more than 22 years of success in the retail, construction, non-profit, hospitality, and e-commerce industries. Leveraging extensive experience with strategic innovation, personnel issues, and employee engagement, Crystal is a valuable asset to companies seeking guidance on leadership development, talent management, creative recruitment and engaging spirited results. Her broad areas of expertise include sales, sales growth, management consulting, leadership training and development, coaching and executing company vision strategy, as well as journey mapping the employee and customer experience. Website: Twitter: FaceBook:

Margaret Vandergriff, USA

I’m Margaret, a certified coach, consultant, and empty nest mom who turned a moving disaster into an opportunity to help empty nesters like you find an amazing place to move that supports the life you want. I know what it’s like to leave the empty nest with hopes and dreams of moving someplace new and exciting, only to watch those hopes and dreams go up in smoke after making a costly and hard-to-fix moving mistake. I coach self-employed empty nest moms, like you, who want to have more fun. The only problem is you chose your house and neighborhood for your family and you have different needs now. You’re hungry for change and ready for a new adventure. But, you’re not sure where to move and don’t want to risk making an expensive mistake. I provide tools, resources and support to help you navigate your search and figure out your best places to move, so you can start your new adventure knowing you’ll be happy in the place you choose.

Bryn Bamber, Canada

I understand what it feels like to be sensitive, to feel like the world is overwhelming and to want more meaning and purpose in a world that often feels like people are just going through motions. Burnout to Brilliance: Coaching in the Forest teaches you how to make small shifts that will free up tons of energy for the things you really love. A life where you wake up to feeling a sense of purpose and easily pay the bills. I teach you how to approach making a career change in a way that is fun, easy and gets results. I understand what it feels when to be tired and feel like something’s not right in your career. And I love helping people like you make changes so your life to build a career that’s aligned with who you are and what you need to thrive. I help people like you get clear on where you want your life to be in 10 years and then take simple steps towards building a life that’s aligned with your purpose. So why did I start this? When I was 24, I made a big mistake while working with youth in custody. I was overcome with shame and wasn’t able to recover. I quit my job. I fell apart. The problem wasn’t that I made this mistake, mistakes happen, but the problem was that I wasn’t able to recover from it. I wasn’t able to recover because I wasn’t being myself. I was trying to be what I thought my boss, my family and friends wanted me to be instead of myself. And because I wasn’t being myself, I wasn’t very strong. I had a very low level of resilience and so with one mistake, I crumpled. I moved to a yoga ashram for 2 years to put myself back together. I studied yoga and meditation and connected deeply to the spiritual part of me. And I started to heal. I started become more of myself. Since then I’ve been on a path of healing and becoming more of myself. And I started to study a body centred therapy modality called Core Energetics to help myself heal and to support others on their healing journey.

Elaine Slatter, Canada

I am the founder of XL Consulting Group, a consultancy helping businesses with strategy, business and marketing plans as well as website design. We help many people who are setting up their businesses for the first time or businesses that require a new direction. After a 30 year career as a marketing executive and corporate CEO, I thought all this valuable business experience in a large international corporation could be used to help people start their own businesses or increase revenues in an existing business. It was after I started my consultancy that I realized many of my women clientele had similar questions about how to start a business and that led me to author “Fabulous Fempreneurship” a business startup book for women entrepreneurs. Before the book was published early in 2016 I understood it was important to give ongoing support to women entrepreneurs rather than just getting a book in print. From the book project a website was created for Fabulous Fempreneurship and also a mastermind on Facebook which has almost 500 members. Mentorship is extremely important to me, so I developed a mentorship program on the Fabulous Fempreneurship website to offer free help to women who are just getting started in the hopes of making their entrepreneurship dream a reality. More programs to help women entrepreneurs are in development and it’s exciting to be a part of this whole movement to change the business landscape for women.

Victoria Vetere, Canada

To better understand, to be of service, and to help enlighten, these have always been my passion it seems. The place where science and spirituality meet is where I am drawn to learn and to teach. My formal training is in social & clinical psychology, journalistic writing, and holistic health. I am a psychologist and currently serve in the role of life coach. Having been a psychotherapist for much of my career, I support clients with a deep understanding of behavioral science, while inspiring them to evolve their consciousness in alignment with their life purpose. The two key questions in life are “Who am I?” and “What am I here for?” This is what we explore in Enlightened Life Coaching. Enlightenment leads to a sense of freedom and peace. It opens both mind and heart. It releases us from our past, enlivens the present, and opens the future of possibilities. I was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, an only child raised by my mother in a working class family. I am a second generation American with maternal grandparents from Slovakia, and paternal grandparents from Italy. As a little girl I would often sit and read the dictionary, and I dreamed of one day having kitty cats and a garden. Today I have an online presence called ZenCat Gallery and am fundraising to create a cat café + art gallery here in Columbus, Ohio. We can learn so much from Mother Nature and the animals. I published my first book, Enlightenment Appetizers: A Taste of Enlightenment in Everyday Life. It is a unique full color, magazine style soft cover book with uplifting articles on many practical life topics. I hope it inspires and enchants my readers.

Marissa McTasney, Canada

Marissa McTasney is the Pink Work Boot Lady in her footwear circles and known in the business world as a woman with moxie. She is the Founder and President of Moxie Trades Ltd. Moxie Trades is now a multi-million dollar threat in the safety footwear industry and the most recognized brand of women’s safety footwear in Canada. Moxie Trades safety footwear can be found in over five hundred retail outlets across North America. With the birth of her children, Carter and Frankie she wrote a book for them based on her philosophical hopes for their futures that included a powerful mantra. Marissa decided to pursue her mantra and ditched her high heels in her corporate job for work boots in the trades’ industry. She returned to school to study the skilled trades. On the first day of the program, all twenty two women bought men’s work boots. This marked Marissa’s “aha moment.”

Her entrepreneurial instincts kicked into high gear and she made it her personal mission to fill this gap in the market and to inspire women to have moxie along the way. In 2008, Marissa pitched her business on the CBC’s, Dragons’ Den and partnered with oil and gas tycoon, investment banker and philanthropist; W. Brett Wilson. Website:

Hilary Strobel, USA

I am a content single mother, fierce learner and teacher, ardent lover of life, and President/CEO of a Social Enterprise, The Flyways, Inc. After a long and varied career in just about every kind of Liberal Arts field imaginable, and in every type of job position- volunteer, employee, entrepreneur, non-profit worker, and freelancer- I've decided to put my money where my mouth is and marry my two deepest passions: storytelling and social justice. The results have surpassed my wildest expectations. The Flyways, Inc. is a registered benefit corporation holding company. We envision a dignified and inclusive economic ecosystem that unites, fulfills and empowers people in communities around the world. Ultimately, the Flyways network will represent a wholly innovative approach to social justice. I also coach businesses and organizations to meaningfully build their social impact programs from the ground up. This includes: designing outcomes and developing goals, measuring impact and creating a universal metric, and quantifying results to the public. To this end, I have also written several books on Social Impact and Innovation.

Lanise James, USA

Lanise is a teacher, writer and self-love advocate from Michigan (USA). She loves encouraging and inspiring others. She created a self-love community for women to help them learn to love themselves mentally, spiritually and physically.

Julie Hwang, South Korea

Julie believes in the power of experiences and challenges, always in a constant state of wanderlust. Continuously striving for self-development and accomplishing goals, she has been able to manifest intangible assets into her life in both professional and personal capacities. She is a progressive thinker and result-oriented individual who has a culturally diverse background, being educated and working in 10 different countries throughout the world - she is truly a global citizen! Julie has managed international sales & marketing teams throughout Europe, and has worked as the Head of Business Development for Korean corporates, representing the EMEA markets. She became a key deal maker in multiple large projects in the B2B, B2C, and public tender space, generating significant development for her companies, not only through revenue, but also through brand awareness. Understanding different cultures, trend flows, and business operations, together with her MBA studies, Julie was inspired to create Delegant in Hong Kong, to bring fashion tech and beauty innovations to the global market. As an Entrepreneur, she understands the risk/reward profile of such ventures, and has always had the confidence to go into every situation with a positive attitude. Displaying a passion for connecting people in professional setting, sharing knowledge and information, and inspiring and supporting others to achieve their desires, Julie’s role with FEW as Director of Business Development is a natural fit. She places an emphasis on a healthy work/live balance, and looks forward to sharing her positive outlook, practical experience, and creating new relationships and strengthening old ones with fellow entrepreneurs.

Liping Ren, China

I founded my company ten years ago. My company started in the printing business. Gradually I found that my customers’ needs were changing and I began to reduce their workload for them. For example, I helped them to do PowerPoint, wrote materials, did marketing, promoted their events, supported their operations with WeChat, made training manuals and designed brochures etc. Gradually, many customers were getting used to my services. With them I was not only a supplier anymore. With many of them we became friends. So now my company should be regarded more of a full service customer service company!

Stephany Zoo, China & USA

I am obsessed with making things happen. I am a brand builder, an aggressive project manager and a passionate network architect. After 6 years in China cross-pollinating between design, agency, fintech, and corporate tech, I recently moved to Kenya to pursue my vision of building China-Africa tech ecosystems. I am Head of Marketing at BitPesa, a digital foreign exchange and payment platform for frontier markets. I'm deeply passionate about women's spiritual and professional empowerment. Currently, I am the executive director for Phoenix Risen, a platform to help combat sexual assault globally and a WeDu Mentor. Previously, I founded the League of Extraordinary Women, a cross cultural women's networking group, and Buzz & Bloom, a WeChat platform to teach college age Chinese women about sex education. I am the 2016 Curator for the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Shanghai II Hub. I was also elected to sit on the GSC Advisory Council for Hub Engagement.I believe that curiosity in large doses is the most important trait anyone can have. With curiosity comes passion, resourcefulness, and bravery. With curiosity comes innovation. Website: Instagram: FaceBook:

Harriet Khataba, Kenya

Founder of Her Story Matters Harriet is a global change agent, media influencer, an avid writer and the founder of Her Story Matters organization, whose mission is to empower women and offer visibility through events and various media outlets. Her organization offers business coaching to amazing leaders in the areas of startup and leadership. Harriet Khataba is an award-winning Business Development Consultant whose expertise is in Business and Financial Management. Her specialty is with startups and small businesses. Ms. Khataba’s client base consists of UK Government and the Department for International Development (DFID). Her consultancy work involves Project Management, where she worked on both national and international events, such as Nigeria Arise, which is hosted by global governmental officials in London. Ms. Khataba is a regular contributor for various publications and Chief Editor for Her Story magazine, she helps individuals write proposals and edit books. She is a speaker who specializes in topics such as, overcoming your fears, leadership in a changing world and how to use your voice to grow your influence. She has received awards from various organizations, for Inspirational Entrepreneur and Emerging Leader. She also mentors many emerging young leaders and pioneering entrepreneurs.

Kitawa Wemo, Kenya

Kitawa Wemo is a result driven and solutions oriented woman. She is the Founder & Executive Director of MAMA Ventures. She started this venture to work with start-ups in Africa to assist them to become profitable and remain sustainable while thinking global. She has designed an entrepreneurship toolkit that helps businesses transition to growth and co-currently runs a social enterprise that educates young people and women in self help groups from rural Kenya on how to access opportunities. She successfully runs a dedicated B2B meet-up and platform for business lovers and owners in Kenya and Sri Lanka called the Mingle to create structures towards the goal of poverty alleviation in Africa. At 26, she is also developing and building strategy for SSA in big data analytics, fintech and artificial intelligence through business intelligence.

Alice Gbelia, Ivory Coast & France

Alice was born in Chad and raised in Abidjan and Lille. She has lived and worked in London and currently resides in Zurich. She is the Founder and CEO of Ayoka Deco, a platform designed to make the work of young black artists around the world available to everyone.

Evelyn Kasina, Kenya

Evelyn Kasina is driven by a passion to ensure your home and work online space is free of threats. As a parent she understands the dangers that lurk online for minors and is able to balance the need for them to use the Internet to their benefit. As a business woman she keeps up with what is necessary for your maximum output. She is the Founder & CEO if Eveminet, an African-based social enterprise that specializes in providing ICT solutions tailored for families and educational organisations. She believes that in order for the world to fully capitalize and successfully undertake the Fourth Industrial Revolution, digital skills are compulsory. Her digital learning services provide both children and parents with vital digital skills and knowledge that enables them to effectively live through this digital age.

Charlotte Nalubega Luzuka, South Africa

Charlotte is the CoFounder of OYA Venture. She has a background in accounting and completed her MBA at The Gordon Institute of Business Science at the University of Pretoria in 2015. She is a problem solver with the ability to connect people, ideas and processes to achieve success. Oya aims to broaden the imprint of African female entrepreneurs by facilitating the growth of female-owned businesses that empower others.

Vumile Msweli, South Africa

Vumile Msweli is CEO of Hesed Consulting, a firm specializing in the African market. She has previously worked for reputable institutions such as Barclays, Investec, Nedbank and Vodafone and successfully led global teams in Africa and Europe. She currently serves as a non-executive director at the South African Association for Youth Clubs (SAAYC) and Diabetes South Africa. Vumile is a coach, conference speaker and media contributor on leadership; women empowerment; finance and business in Africa. She is an entrepreneur having commenced her first venture at 22 years old and now has business interests spanning property; retail; logistics and consulting. Vumile has won several awards including Mail and Guardian Top 200 most influential Young South Africans (2016) and Gauteng Premier Award for Excellence in Leadership (2017).

Marian Karina Nanorki Darlington, Ghana

Marian Karina Nanorki Darlington is is the founder and executive director of Reproductive Justice Agenda, an NGO in Ghana which aims at advocating and protecting reproductive health and rights in Ghana. She is the Director in charge of programmes at the League of young Female Leaders, where girl child education is the focus. She is a mentor at Empower Women, a UN Women initiative and also a Global Champion for Women’s economic empowerment. She is the current Chairperson for ALL, Ghana Chapter.

Sophie Kruijsdijk, The Netherlands

I'm Sophie Charlotte - Confidence Coach for Women on a Mission. I'm highly committed to living my life to the fullest and becoming the best version of myself so I can die a happy woman. I don't believe in regrets, I believe in taking life into my owns hands and turning it into a frikkin' masterpiece. Helping you do the same is my greatest joy!

Roxana Radulescu, Romania

As the founder of All Personal, I help individuals (re)discover and work-out their personal skills ‘muscles’, so they increase their self-awareness and improve their confidence, impact, relationships and, ultimately, quality of life. I train and coach professionals and teams on practical techniques that they can easily apply in any area of their life, with a strong focus on communication (verbal and non-verbal), change, feedback, presenting & speaking, team & self management, teamwork, leadership, coaching & mentoring. My podcast series, All Personal, turns the good old saying ‘nothing personal, just business’ upside down, and proves that, in fact, it’s all personal, nothing is just business. Because it’s all about those personal skills that we bring to the table every day, and which can make the difference between us feeling successful or maybe not very much so. I am also a Mentoring Coach with George Brown College in Toronto, a TEDx speaker, a certified coach and trainer, and a Learning & Development professional. I hold a diploma in Learning & Development and a certificate in Human Resources from the Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development in the UK, as well as a Master of Arts in Knowledge, Information and Project Management from the University of Bucharest, Romania.

Rachel Smets, The Netherlands

As a coach, TEDx speaker, and author, Rachel is dedicated to help ambitious people who live abroad to gain clarity, find connections so that they can feel in control and energized to succeed abroad, and enjoy their new surroundings. In 2003, Rachel started her expat life in Spain. Learning about other people and experiencing different cultures is her passion, and she is thrilled to be living the life she has chosen for herself and deeply enjoys helping others by sharing her experiences. Striving, sure, social and sportive, she keeps her mind & body in balance by exercising daily, either running outside or lifting weights at the gym. Rachel enjoys motivating and inspiring people to become the person they want to be. Website: Twitter: FaceBook: Instagram:

Iva Schubart, The Netherlands & Czech Republic

Iva loves life and personal growth. Her mission is to impact, inspire and help passionate ambitious women and visionary leading men to change their dreams into reality and teach them how to use the law of attraction in their life to achieve their personal, professional and financial goals and most important to love themselves to live the lives of their dreams! Iva motivates and inspires by sharing her story in a straightforward style together with reflections and exercises. She experienced that the Law of Attraction really exists and that it operates in every moment of our lives. Most importantly, she knows how it works and how to apply it, the steps that are needed. As a result, she finally created the life of her dreams. She is mother of two daughters, born in Egypt, of Czech origin and has been living in the Netherlands for more than 24 years. She worked in different management areas such as sales, export and procurement. She is an example of a single mother living abroad who has achieved a career in higher management in a masculine technical world. She studied mechanical engineering and after many challenges in her life she finally found her purpose in life, to help and inspire people all over the world. Her first book called Sanguine-love shows how you can overcome life´s challenges and how you can find your true sanguine-love. She is also an author of e-book ” Love your life, love yourself ” and co-author of the best selling book, The voices of 21st century.

Anna Letitia Cook, France

Anna is an author, speaker and radio presenter. She is passionate about mentoring women to find clarity and fulfilment in their life choices. She created and became CEO of her first company in the entertainment industry at age 32. Midlife approaching, hungry for a dynamic change, she refocused her experience, founding WomenUP Ltd to help women shape their own future. She is the creator of the 'SCOPE' and '4Fs' processes for career, fulfilment and holistic success. Author of ‘Unstoppable Goddess: Every Women’s Guide to Freedom, Fulfilment and Success’. She is also a UN Women's 2016-2017 Global Champion for Change.

Chiara Condi, France

In 2008 I graduated magna cum laude with highest honors from Harvard, where I studied French literature and sixteenth-century history. I thought I would be doing that for my entire life. But I was also really passionate about making a difference in my community. So while studying, I started a program to provide the homeless with direct access to resources in the only student-run shelter in the country. I won the Houston and Ames awards at Harvard for individual leadership and change to the community. It changed my ideas about the impact I wanted to have on the world. To complete my studies, I went on to receive my Masters in International Political Economy from Sciences Po and the London School of Economics because I thought the value of my work would be maximized by working for an international organization. My work on gender and equality started at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, where I learned that no investment project was gender neutral. I became convinced of the fact we lived in a crucial era in which we had to create proactive measures to create equality or else it would never emerge itself. It was the experience that gave me the impulse to do more, but in my own way. I later created the non-profit organization Led By HER which empowers women who have suffered from violence through entrepreneurship. Creating Led By HER was a way to give different forms of entrepreneurship a voice, and to raise a new form of awareness about gender based violence.

Margaux Pastor, France

If you want to wish me my birthday, I was born November 3, 1987 in Montpellier. Yes, I am a girl from the south, do not rely on the tan (or the obvious lack of tanning). I wanted to be a florist, then a magician, then a psychologist, then an ethnologist, then a stylist ... to say that my professional project was not very clear. I graduated from Political Science in Lyon and then moved to Sydney, where I lived and worked for a year. I went back to the university in Strasbourg where I did a master's degree in international relations and European studies.I have never worked in this field, nor in any of the above. I had the opportunity during my years of study and job search to be administrative assistant, hostess, waitress in weddings (aha!), Communication assistant, saleswoman in a French pastry shop -German, to distribute flyers (sometimes disguised as a Christmas tree) and even condoms, to make organic smoothies and to give French lessons to German and Spanish. These jobs, often underpaid, taught me to overcome my shyness and although I was not always happy during these times, I finally realized that the ideal job would not fall on me but that I had to build it myself. At that moment, at the end of 2013, I won a photography contest, and little by little I considered this activity as something other than a hobby. I had for a long time compacts and film cameras. I started to spend my days training ... Even when I was bored at work. And then as I evolved, I left my job as an hostess in a company, I had a project for myself finally. To summarize, I am 30 years old, I have some tattoos and I am always ready for a new trip.I'm addicted to Netflix, chocolate and social networks like many people of my generation. I love all places invaded by nature, but I'm afraid it's also a counter-blow of the Parisian lifestyle, or the old age, I do not know. I love cinema and I love images, I watch the work of other creatives for hours, on the internet or in museums. I like to use photography to express a lot of things, not just about marriage! I like traveling more than anything.I am involved, especially for women's rights, and I am interested in all social issues (except sport), which can be useful during family meals. And I have a sense of humor, well, I think. FaceBook: Instagram: Website:

Pat Duckworth, UK

I’m Pat Duckworth, the Founder of Smarter Menopause. I am a Women’s Health Strategist specialising in working with women, and their employers, to manage the changes that occur at menopause. From research and from my experience I understand that when women receive appropriate support in the workplace they are able to work more efficiently and effectively. Women who feel they can speak openly to their managers about what they are experiencing are likely to have less sick absence, better relationships with colleagues and improved morale. That process starts with giving leaders and managers the information and knowledge they need to understand how menopause can affect their female colleagues. My menopause journey led me to take a very different career path. After over 30 years working in Civil Service at senior management levels, I decided to pursue my interest in complementary approaches to health and well being. I trained with the Internationally recognised Quest Institute founded by Trevor Silvester. Since then I have worked with hundreds of clients, helping them to take back control of symptoms they are experiencing. In 2012 I published my first Award-winning book ‘Hot Women, Cool Solutions; How to control menopause symptoms using mind/body techniques’.

Melanie Mackie, UK

As a Transformational Mentor I offer soulful guidance and mentoring to empower women in business to create a life and business you love on your own terms. I've worked with petite businesses, female entrepreneurs and creative souls all over the globe since 2009. So there's plenty of life and business expertise included within my own pot of wisdom. During our thought provoking 1-1 sessions we focus on you in your entirety and do the inner work to discover who you really are, what you're here to do and who you're here to be. We make you a priority in your life and work, so that you begin to reconnect more deeply with yourself and live life and work with intention. You'll find clarity to work smarter not harder, feel empowered to step forward with courage and conviction and authentically lead others with your own unique wisdom and expertise.

Andrea Campbell, UK & Jamaica

Andrea is a social entrepreneur with a passion for empowering vulnerable people, she co-founded in 2006 ACT Training Services, a London-based social enterprise to provide employability skills to people who were out of work and seeking to secure sustainable employment. Over the years our company has trained some 6,000 people free at the point of delivery, enabling them to gain marketable qualifications and develop competencies that position them to move into employment or start their own business. In 2013 Andrea co-founded Camptys Foundation: a not-for-profit organisation that supports front-line organisations working with disabled people across the world - enhancing their learning, play and health. With the help of people in the community and sporadic pots of funding we have managed for many years to send gifts of books, toys, clothing and accessories to disabled children and their families residing in developing countries. Andrea is a published author of two books as well as the inventor of the Pocket Learner, an educational development system geared primarily towards the support of children deemed slow learners and those with special educational needs. This invention has gained many accolades and has provided a launchpad for Andrea’s professional speaking career as she seeks to empower those families who are caring for a child with cognitive disabilities like she does. Andrea has a flair for languages and is a professional Spanish-English interpreter and translator.

Jemma Phibbs, UK

I work as co-Director of School Space, a social-enterprise I co-founded in 2011. We work with schools to rent out their facilities in evenings, weekends, and holidays, thereby raising income to invest in children's learning, and linking state schools with their local community. We also aim to raise companies' awareness of facilities schools have to offer, increasing private potential to give back and aid their own CSR aims.

Jennifer Beaumont-Whyte, UK & Jamaica

Jennifer has been in business and management since the age of 18, bringing a wealth of experience and intuition to her work with inspired entrepreneurs. She has been known for turning struggling businesses around to achieve multi-million pound turnover and has secured high end contracts with government for one particular company. She has the ability to see where changes can be made to improve the bottom line by putting people before profit and seeing profit actually increase. Jennifer is passionate about building a thriving community of inspired business owners who are awakening to the gift and power that they have to cause change in the world by doing what they love. Her role is to help them stop any struggle or overwhelm and to find clarity and direction on their business vision. She offers coaching services that will give them the tools and inspiration to take action right away to develop a love-based business that supports their lifestyle and celebrates their life purpose, while they do their valuable work. Jennifer also runs Business Love – London, a highly popular, monthly networking and mastermind club. She is the founder of The Business Love Conference held yearly in the spring. Jennifer is a divorcee/widow who loves music, cooking, reading, going to the movies. She adores her two amazing children, who are now young men, living the dream on the West coast of the US. She currently lives in London and has fabulous clients all over the world. Website: Twitter:

Denize Ledeatte, UK

The objective of enriching society through ideas and action faintly echoes in its own way across my career trajectory through a background in regeneration particularly business development and employment. That journey encompasses, Economic Development but also includes Human Resources, Recruitment, Management Consultancy, Security and Construction as well as over 25 years of Third sector experience. Past Companies include: Wandsworth Borough Council, Tesco, British Airways- Peach Personnel, Paragon Training-United Nations and The Women’s’ Design Service. Past Countries include: Greece, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Italy and Kosovo as the project management of a series of transnational programmes. My current focus is Peach Mango Maverick (PMM) a “Creative Brokerage,” which partners in the strategic development of innovative creative industry business projects. PMM has a think tank comprised of an eclectic mix of multi-industry experience and expertise; as principal artist I am also contributing to a groundswell of a developing body of work on the genesis of de-colonial pedagogy led by Queen Mary London University and I am a Fellow of the RSA. My current project African Violet...Hybrid of Circumstance – (a painting in a book) is developing an Artistic dialogue of Colonial Experience.

Vanessa Sanyauke, UK & Zimbabwe

Vanessa Sanyauke is the Founder and CEO of Girls Talk London, an award winning organisation that has engaged half a million women around the world and directly impacted 1,500 women & girls in the UK. Vanessa is also a speaker, presenter and writer based in London. Vanessa has over a decade of experience advising FTSE 100 businesses on Diversity, Inclusion and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and policy. Vanessa has worked with over 50 businesses that include The Bank of England, UK Parliament, Facebook, O2, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Barclays, State Street, Salesforce, Vodafone, BT, Ericsson, Allen and Overy, Lloyds Bank, Bauer Media, UBS, RBS Legal, Rabobank, Reed Smith and CMS Cameron McKenna. Vanessa has also been an adviser on Youth Policy to the former UK Prime Minister David Cameron and The former Mayor of London Boris Johnson. In 2018 Vanessa was listed on the 2018 EMpower 50 Ethnic Minority Future Leaders List, presented by the Financial Times and as a Changemaker on the 2018 Evening Standard 1000 most influential Londoners list. That same year she won an award at the 2018 European Diversity Awards for Best Community Project for setting up the pan-industry project, Step into STEM. Her speaking engagements have taken her across the globe at institutions such as The Southbank Centre, Glitz Africa She Summit, UN Women UK, Cosmopolitan Self-Made Summit, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Google UK, City Hall, Institute of Directors and Women in Research UK. Vanessa is a regular visiting lecturer and speaker on Social Entrepreneurship, Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity and Inclusion for London School of Economics, City University London, Kent Business School, Brunel University and Kings College London. Vanessa has written and featured in publications such as The Guardian, Stylist, The Telegraph, LOOK Magazine, virgin.com, Confederation of British Industry and Entrepreneur Country. The 16th April 2017 Edition of The Style Magazine Sunday Times Supplement listed Vanessa as one of 10 people changing the workplace for women in the UK.

Lorlett Hudson, UK & Jamaica

Lorlett Hudson is a multi-award winning Entrepreneur, Inventor, Motivational Teacher, Seminar Leader, and Executive Leadership Coach; with excellent development, innovative, planning, strategic thinking, training and facilitating initiating abilities. Lorlett is passionate about helping people to strategically navigate uncertainties and to build confidence in themselves and others. She set up One Hand Cant Clap in 2000 as a Highly Focused Learning and Development Enterprise serving leaders; drawing on the rich philosophical significance of culture and Jamaican proverbs in her training. Lorlett is also commonly known as The ‘What Next’’ Coach and the inventor of the critically acclaimed multi-award winning “Things Mama Used To Say”, a 52 card box set of Jamaican proverbs to develop creative people, deliver diversity training, build creative cultures, facilitate culture change and develop high performing teams. Exploiting many creative angles to support the continued development of Britain’s rich cultural heritage and enterprise infused with that of the Caribbean, Lorlett has developed and designed a series of leadership development workshops, seminars, road-shows, Black History events, residential learning retreats, and proverb parties. In delivering to delegates, Lorlett has succeeded in bridging cultures, nurturing ties between different generations, and trained many individuals to generate new businesses and make a difference. Her pioneering approach has resulted in her winning the Silver Award of the prestigious British Female Inventors & Innovators Awards 2005, Wavemakers National Award 2006, twice runner up in the National Training Awards 2008/2010.She is a Cherie Blair Foundation Business Mentor and also a Member of Courvoisier The Future 500 top talents in the UK. A member of The 100black plus Achievers in the UK, Listed in ‘’Profile of Excellence Book’’ – Strategies for Extraordinary Achievement from 25 years of Interviewing Remarkable People People – Ian Boyne and Glenford Smith, Jamaica 2013.

Lorna Phillip, UK

My name is Lorna, I’m the Founder of Birmingham Doula and Live & Learn Homestays. I am mom to 2 children born in 1989 and 1993. I had 2 very different births and, single-handedly raised 2 amazingly wonderful young people. I am easy to get along with, practical, organised and a good listener. Parents tell me that I bring a special calmness and warmth to their births; I can also bring a wealth of experience to support you and your family through the tricky days and weeks of early parenting. I strongly believe that every birthing mother should have access to a nurturing doula. This is such a special time and, as a doula, I feel honoured to be able to share these precious moments with you and your partner/family. When we meet for the first time I will listen to you and do my utmost to understand your needs and we’ll decide, together, how best I can support you. I am on hand to support you with your birthing choices and will do all that I can to ensure that your experience is a positive one; it’s your birthing experience and I can be as hands on or hands off as suits you and your situation. I can provide emotional and practical support once baby has arrived; I will support you with your feeding choice and help to create some space/time for yourself so that you’re not too frazzled!

Christine Hale, UK

I love what I do I make people smile. I came to being an Image & Style Consultant late in life but it has always been part of me, in my genes/jeans! I had always been the one that friends would ask to go shopping when they had a 'do' to go to. I now have clients who will not go clothes shopping without me! I worked for 30 years in the Food Flavouring industry so was used to finding the things people liked. It meant driving lots of miles and nights away from home and eventually quite tiring. I decided to change into full time styling two & a half years ago after training with London's ASTON + HAYES. Since then I have been building my business when my health allowed it. I love helping people find the styles which suit and make them feel amazing. It is a skilled process with the defining of colours, body shape and proportion. Plus discovering their style preference and that's before we get to searching and trying on clothes. What I do helps people to find their sense of self and build confidence, in their personal and business life.

Roxanne Lynch, UK

I am the proud Founder of Creations by Roxy; a beautiful small greeting cards business. I am delighted to say that I have reached the one year anniversary. Creating beautiful cards whether it is bespoke or cards that let my imagination and ideas run wild allows me to enter a therapeutic and enjoyable creative place. I love creating, I love the great feedback and I love when people want more! Although I enjoyed some aspects of craft as a youngster; I wasn’t really aware that I had a creative ‘flair’ until maybe a few years ago or perhaps I wasn’t too fussed then with the idea of creating. I have been working in John Lewis for 4 years and every now and then I embark on some merchandising duties where I have been told on the odd occasion that I have ‘the eye’- the creative eye, I guess. I would say that I do enjoy merchandising and making things look pretty. What’s better is that I have full control over my creations and where to put what where, what colour matches best with the other and so forth.

Nicola Rae-Wickham, UK

I hold space for women to create the ideas that are on their hearts & in their minds. A Life More Inspired is a lifestyle brand created to help you cultivate everyday joy and go from dreaming to doing. Through coaching, community and merchandise, I help you take the small steps that lead to the big life changes. Tell me your dream and we'll build it together.

Natalie Costa, UK & South Africa

Power Thoughts is a teaching, coaching and mindfulness based service aimed at empowering children to tap into the ‘power’ of their minds. Through our sessions, children as young as five are taught how to become confident, resilient and robust, developing a ‘can-do’ attitude that allows them to flourish both at home and in the classroom. Created and delivered by me, Natalie Costa, the underlying theme of the programme is to encourage children to develop a growth mindset so they are able to regulate their own thoughts and emotions and know that they have the ‘power’ to choose an alternative state. A state that is positive, allowing for learning and growth - where they are ultimately moving toward fulfilling their potential.

Ifeyinwa Frederick, UK, Nigeria & Grenada

Ifeyinwa Frederick is the Co-founder of Chuku’s, the Nigerian tapas lounge. With the aim of putting Nigerian cuisine on the UK foodie map, she launched Chuku’s with her older brother Emeka in the summer of 2015. An avid dancer and lover of the performing arts, her first company was a dance school which she set up when she was just sixteen. She is also the Founder of mental health blog, Grey Matters, a space for those with lived experience of mental illness to share their stories. She is a writer and playwright, with her debut feature The Hoes featuring at the Hampstead Theatre in London.

Liv Little, UK

Liv Little is the Founder and Editor-In-Chief of gal-dem. She is a politics and sociology graduate from the University of Bristol and has a passion for documentaries, clothes, and women’s rights. gal-dem.com is a creative online magazine comprised of almost 50 women of colour. Most of the team are based in the UK, but they do have a few from farther afield including the States and South America. The aim of gal-dem is to open up their take on the world to a wider audience. They want people of different shapes, sizes, genders and ethnic backgrounds to engage with the work they are doing. It is no secret that the mainstream media doesn’t represent or reflect them, so they are doing it for themselves.

Jane Whitgift, UK

Whitgift Security Ltd was established in 2014 and is operated by Jane Whitgift, a recognized authority within the information security profession. Jane has over 35 years’ experience in the IT industry with nearly 20 years focusing on Business Information Security and Risk Management. She spent most of her corporate career as an employee of FTSE 100 companies. She has served as a Chief Information Security Officer, creating information security programs, directing comprehensive risk assessments, managing multi-faceted compliance initiatives and coordinating several data breach investigations. Whitgift Security is dedicated exclusively to cyber security and the practical management of cyber security risks. Having established Whitgift Security, she now works with companies of all sizes, from SME to FTSE100, providing practical, affordable IT security solutions to protect their businesses online.

Siana Bangura, UK & Sierra Leone

Siana Bangura is a writer, blogger, public speaker and freelance journalist hailing from South East London. She is an award-winning poet and performer: her debut collection of poetry, ‘Elephant’, was published in May 2016 by the Haus of Liberated Reading. Siana is a producer, working across film and theatre and is currently producing the upcoming film, ‘1500 & Counting’, investigating police brutality and deaths in custody in the UK. Siana is also the founder and editor of Black Feminist platform, No Fly on the WALL. Having worked with an eclectic array or organisations over the last five years, Siana’s portfolio of work focuses on bringing underrepresented voices from the margins to the centre. Her creative work, extensive writing, and community organising focus on highlighting and centring marginalised voices – like hers – empowering them to take up space and be visible on their own terms. Siana has been recognised by MOBO, The Bookseller, VICE, Dazed, Elle, NU People Magazine, Hustle and Heels, The Voice, True Africa, Buzzfeed, and the BBC, among others, for her powerful voice, conviction, and commitment to working towards meaningful inclusivity and positive change in Britain and beyond. She was nominated for the 2016 Nu People x Hustle and Heels Inspire Award and holds a History degree from the University of Cambridge. Siana is an international public speaker, performing and presenting papers most recently in Germany, Finland, and the Netherlands.

Philippa Main, UK

Philippa Main is a young and ambitious entrepreneur, whose passion for childcare and her local community inspired her to found Oscar & Owl. During her 10 years of experience in the sector, Philippa witnessed many parents struggling to find reliable local babysitters; although many sitters were available to assist. She designed Oscar & Owl to connect this community, build local relationships and provide quality childcare for busy families. Philippa has a wide range of entrepreneurial experience. Whilst studying for her BA in Economics and Philosophy from the University of Nottingham, she was the Vice President of the Nottingham Entrepreneurs society. She was also an Ambassador for The European Innovation Academy, the 2014 winner of the European Youth Awards and more recently managed the development of a healthtec app “Digital Clipboard”.

Nicola Binder, UK

I'm Nicola, a busy mum to Harry (3yrs), Chloe (2yrs) and the founder of KiddyCompare - a new price comparison site for all things baby and child related. Featuring all of the favourite leading retailers, users can quickly and easily compare the prices on items such as breast pumps, car seats, prams, toys, bikes etc. I have no amazing CV or portfolio to show you guys. The truth is that I spent alot of my life fighting against myself with only a pipe dream of being my own boss. It's only over the past few years that I've finally started following my dreams. As much as they drive me nuts, I thank my children for giving me that courage.

Daniella Blechner, UK

Hello, my name is Daniella, Founder of Conscious Dreams Publishing and I will also be your Book Journey Mentor. I am passionate about inspiring and empowering authors to transform their stories, messages and powerful journeys into books of impact and influence. Publishing a book is not so much about the physical process of publishing but the journey you have planned for your book’s life. Almost anyone can publish a book, however my mission and vision is to coach and publish authors with stories and books that empower, educate and inspire. In 2014, I accomplished my biggest achievement to date, next to climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in 2000 and getting to the top with the flu!!) and published my debut book Mr Wrong. Mr Wrong hit 3 Bestseller Lists rising above The Joy of Sex and the infamous Steve Harvey’s Think Like a Man, Act Like a Lady within hours of being published. I can share with you strategies that boost your chances of getting that sought after Bestseller status too! I have since gone on to publish over 35 books from authors with powerful messages and stories to share with the world of which, 10 have become Bestsellers. My belief is that we all have a unique story and that we can use our stories and experiences to engage, ignite and empower others. My clients have found that having a Book Journey Mentor has allowed them to achieve a greater understanding of the publishing process, accelerated their growth as an author and raised their profile within their chosen fields.

Candice Bryan, UK

Candice Bryan is the founder and creative director of Noire Wellness which was established in 2015 and joins a growing number of wellness companies that focus on the health and well-being of African and African-Caribbean communities living in the UK. After receiving her BA(Hons) in Leisure Management from the University of Wolverhampton in 2004, where she would later review degree modules as an industry advisor for programmes content, she returned to London to lead a successful community sports development programme increasing physical activity amongst children with disabilities and managing a health and fitness community centre. With memories of dancing in Notting Hill Carnival as a child and growing up in Harlesden, having three older brothers and heritage in Jamaica (mother) and Barbados (father), Candice has been proud of her rich cultural identity. Coupled with a relentless pursuit for new adventures and experiences, Candice is determined to advance her research into understanding the black British leisure experience. More recently, Candice coordinated a multi-award winning project that enabled disabled adults to become qualified fitness instructors, creating partnerships with a vast number of leisure operators across London and South-East and supporting professionals to help make the fitness industry more inclusive. Her spare time activities include dance fitness classes, volunteering for community events, and imbibing copious amounts of hot chocolate while taking her two young children on the many new experiences and adventures! Candice has also completed 2 bungee jumps, a 10ft sky dive, walked on glass and fire, and soon embark on yet another challenge for charity. Website: http://noirewellness.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/noirewellness FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/noirewellness

Jo Duncombe, UK

Jo is a film programmer & curator. Currently she is the Curator & Creative Producer at Birds’ Eye View Film – an agency that advocates for the female perspective on film. Before that, she was a film programmer at the Independent Cinema Office in London – the UK’s leading organisation for the development and support of independent film and exhibition in the UK. At the ICO, Jo programmed multiple independent cinemas and curates touring seasons in collaboration with the BFI – most recently an India on Film programme. She is a curatorial consultant for the London Short Film Festival, where she was programme Director from 2014 – 2016, and the UK film programmer for the Victoria International Film Festival in Canada. Website: http://thequarterclub.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheQuarterClub FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/TheQuarterClubNetwork Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.quarter.club/

Saskia Roddick, UK

Saskia completed her BA from Warwick University in 2009 and went onto study Acting at Drama Centre London, graduating in 2011. Having worked across theatre/tv/film since, she set up The Quarter Club with Jo when the woes of freelance life came to a head in 2015. This was coupled with a desperate need to spark creativity (continually being type cast and the ‘resting jobs’ of dog sitting, asset management & general office BS never quite cut it) and basically hang with her best pal, under the guise of ‘bizness’. She is currently working with the exciting tech start-up Mush (the number one app for parents in the UK), managing the Community and Marketing programmes around the UK- connecting mums together to combat the staggering statistics on loneliness in motherhood.

Charla Harris, UK, Jamaica & Cuba

My name is Charla and I am the founder and owner of a culinary website called That Girl Cooks Healthy. In Early 2014 I decided to make the plunge to set up my very own website. Since I was a little girl I was always obsessed with cooking, often helping my mother and grandmother in the kitchen - a curious child I was. As I transitioned into womanhood I started become more aware of diet and nutrition. Coming from an African-Caribbean heritage where diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and renal ailments are rife, I wanted to revamp the whole concept of Caribbean cuisine. Many people seem to believe that Island cooking has to be traditional even the unhealthy aspects of it. Nowadays many people are suffering from food intolerance which often comprises the cultural upbringing leaving them to feel limited with options. My website is exclusively gluten and dairy free recipes (Caribbean and otherwise) where I teach people how to cook recipes omitting gluten and with using plant based milk. Ultimately the aim is to transfer my skills to others in order to empower them to cook with confidence in the kitchen. Website: FaceBook: Twitter: Instagram:

Galyna Nitsetska, UK & Russia

I left my finance job in 2015 to launch Silkarmour, an online platform created to cater to every possible fashion need of the modern career woman. At Silkarmour, we believe that the process of dressing for work should become like a morning ritual that prepares you to become the best possible version of yourself for the day ahead. In retrospect, having spent my childhood moving between many different countries (my parents travelled for business) and being exposed to new situations, definitely helped in the jump from a stable job to starting a business; it is not much unlike having to learn a new language in a foreign country. Although the company is still very young, the support from our customers has been so encouraging. I think now more than ever (especially after the election of Trump), women are recognising the need to rebalance the scales in the corporate world and beyond. We need to take our seats at the table, but on our terms - simply becoming copies of men would defeat the point. To do this, we need the women who are out there breaking the glass ceiling to be able to do so with confidence and ease, whilst unapologetically being their already powerful and beautiful selves. I also recently also founded Empress Mimi, a subscription lingerie box celebrating self-love by delivering a personalised experience every month straight to your door. I speak 5 languages and holds a degree from UCL. I am passionate about empowering women through mentorship.

Kelechi Okafor, UK & Nigeria

Kelechi is the Co-founder Kelechnekoff Studio, Actor, Director, Creator of Say Your Mind Podcast and Multi-Award Winner.

Tracey Jenkins, UK

My name is Tracy Jenkins. My background is Administration Management and I have a degree in Business with Marketing, but spent most of my time working with IT, processes, systems and managing resources along with plenty of change. I always enjoyed the creativity behind marketing but never had the opportunity to work in this field as I had no prior experience upon completion of my degree, so I returned to admin and worked my way up the career ladder. I had followed the path my parents had recommended, (go to school, get a degree, get a good job) yet I didn’t feel fulfilled in the contribution I was making to the life of others or my own. After many years of doing what others had told me was right for me. One day I said to myself “There has to be more to life than this?” Well that’s where my journey began because there are always opportunities everywhere if you are looking for them. And the best changes can be made when you ask the right questions. By then my biggest motivation was the birth of my second child. There are 14 years between my children because I had decided to work so hard building a career when my daughter was young. I missed a lot of her important formative years. I joined a network marketing company and my journey of real business education began.

Nuria Fernandez, Spain & UK

Nuria Fernandez is the founder of VALady, a Bilingual Virtual Assistant offering online business support including Inbound Marketing to business owners and small companies. Born in London but raised in Barcelona, she moved back to London in 1991. After achieving a degree on BA (Hons) Business Studies, she began her professional career working for Blue Chip companies alongside with top executives and gaining a great deal of knowledge, experience, dedication as well as the personality needed to be able to provide the level of expertise required to start her own business. Her clients include phycologists, music organisers, business coaches and artists. Thanks to her bilingual skills, some of these clients are based in Europe. Nuria credits the success of her company to the fact that as a business person herself, she understands the pressures and multiple demands her clients need. As she believes she is an entrepreneur just like her own clients. Nuria is married to a music producer and has one son. When she is not working on her business (which is rarely) she loves going out with her family and friends to have fun as well as meeting other entrepreneurs to exchange experiences and ideas. Website: Twitter: FaceBook:

Elsie Igbinadolor, UK & Nigeria

I am a property investor and developer operating in London and the South East. I have been investing in property since 2005. My portfolio consists of high value Central London apartments, HMO’s and single lets. By way of background I am a Chartered Accountant having qualified with KPMG and I have worked for a number of prestigious banks in the city of London and Canary Wharf including UBS, JP Morgan and Barclays. My journey has been hard but the lessons I have learnt along the way have made me into the person I am today. My journey into property was not an easy one as my family lost their home when I was very young. Watching my mother struggle to get back on her feet as a single mother of 4 children and fend for her family was remarkable. Her entrepreneurship drive was impressive – and she instil in me a hard working ethic. I was brought up to work hard, go to university and get a good job – which I did – sound familiar? However something was missing and when a pay check is not enough to keep you in a job and the lull of my passion for property forever in my heart I started at turning my property hobby into a business. Website: https://elsie-property.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elsie_property/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/elsie_property FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/elsie.igbinadolor

Nadene Clark, UK

My name is Nadene Clarke and mum to two boys, aged 10 and 16. My eldest child was diagnosed with Autism when he was 11 years old. When my son was diagnosed, there was very little assistance out there and felt that I had to dig deep in order to find any information relating to Autism and also the support network was very slim. I was unable to find activities suitable for him and even families in my local area was not equipped with the knowledge about Autism so that my son could feel included in events, even his education would begin to suffer as a consequence. It was time to take matters into my own hands. The struggles for me was that there was nothing readily available for us to get involved in, my son was a teenager so there was either a handful of activities that he could get involved in and had to join a waiting list OR he was too old. In 2015 I faced redundancy at work and was weighing up what could keep me busy should I fail to find employment immediately. I toyed with the idea of hosting coffee mornings to meet other families who care for a young person living with Autism in London. I was keen to get something happening in and around my local area with a view to extend to other parts of the country later on. I had many conversations with my immediate family who championed the idea. I also done some research in my area and beyond to see what was available, when, costs etc. Next was focusing on the need for what we were about to do and why families would come to us as opposed to going to the big charities etc. I used my own experience as a driving mechanism, what would I want to do? Why does my story need to be heard? What change can I bring? Once I documented all of this information as well as choosing an appropriate name (with the help of my children). Things became more visual and Voices for Autism was born in October 2015. Website: FaceBook:

Yvonne Roberts, UK

I make and retail handmade skincare products using organic and fair trade ingredients. Ni-Ka Deluxe Organic Body Butters all contain fair trade organic Shea butter and coconut oil. Coconut oil is an emollient that softens and moisturises the skin. Shea butter is intensely moisturising and healing as it contains essential fatty acids that are used in cell regeneration. Ni-Ka Deluxe Organic Lip Balm contains organic cocoa butter, organic sweet almond oil and fair trade organic beeswax. It does not contain mineral oil which can take moisture away from the skin when it dries. Ni-Ka Deluxe Organic Handmade Soap is made with a blend of 5 different oils to produce a gentle cleansing bar that moisturises the skin and is perfumed with essential oils. For babies there is Ni-Ka Deluxe Soothing Baby Balm with soothing calendula oil and sweet almond oil. And for hair Ni-Ka Deluxe Golden Hair Pomade with organic castor oil and organic jojoba oil to add lustre and body to the hair, being suitable for all hair types. None contain animal products and none of the ingredients have been tested on animals.

Collette Philip, UK

I run an award-winning brand and strategy consultancy called Brand by Me. Everything I do is about putting strategy at the heart of brands, or unlocking brands to drive strategy and achieve transformation. As you can tell, I love brands. I'm fascinated by them. And what I really love to do is help organisations and individuals build brands that drive social change and impact. I believe in creating win win wins - for organisations, for customers/clients and for the world around us. And I strongly believe that bigger the challenge, the greater the opportunity.

Reyhana Jano, UK & South Africa

I grew up in South Africa during apartheid and my passion in working with businesses to find the right talent and develop them, stemmed from there. Having gone through the experience of having people believe in me and give me the opportunity to grow, develop and shine; made me realise that businesses are filled with roles that need to be done and it is finding the right talent to fill those roles and creating a culture of retaining them that will help businesses grow. I hold an M.Comm degree in Organisational Psychology and throughout my career, have specialised in and covered roles in global recruitment and selection, global mobility, restructuring and HR business partner roles across various levels. My experience span across corporates to emerging businesses. I set up Constantia Consulting as I want to help business owners strategically grow their business through their people. I am aware that small businesses do not have the big budgets of corporates and want to give them a feasible option to overcome the hurdles that might be the stumbling blocks to their success. My approach is one of pragmatism and is looking to help small business owners become proactive around their people management issues and empower them with tools which will free up their time to focus on their business to grow their sales.

Jacqueline A. Hinds, UK

Jacqueline is Chair, Society of Emotional Intelligence UK & Board Chair & International Liaison for International Society of Emotional Intelligence, USA. A certified Emotional Intelligence Coach (CEIC) and Leadership Consultant. She has worked within the National Healthcare Service for over 10 years; in two of the largest merged healthcare organisations in UK and Europe (Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Barts Health NHS Trust). She is a published author, having written a paper on Transformation in Healthcare and role of Emotional Intelligence; and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise within the Human Resource Development arena (HRD), working with people at all levels, establishing and enabling them to be emotionally intelligent during mergers and organisational changes. She is now an independent consultant working on various training initiatives and coaching assignments, around Emotional & Cultural Intelligence, also in collaboration with Culture Dementia UK on training projects within healthcare and the community.

Lenise Brothers, UK & Canada

I’m Le’Nise Brothers, a registered nutritional therapist, women’s health, hormone and wellbeing coach and yoga teacher. I work with women who want to get control of sugar cravings, mood swings and hormonal acne, bloating and headaches. I’ve helped many women who want help with hormonal issues ranging from PMS, PCOS, fibroids, endometriosis, heavy, painful, missing & irregular periods, post-natal depletion, perimenopause and menopause. My mission is for you to feel your healthiest, live your life to the fullest and enjoy each day. I love seeing my clients regain their spark, improve their health and boost their energy.

Ashanti Bentil-Dhue, UK, Jamaica & Ghana

Ashanti Bentil-Dhue worked in finance for 5 years before becoming a food business consultant. She is now a Food Business Podcast host and Virgin Start Up Mentor. Ashanti thoroughly enjoys connecting women in the food business by hosting networking events for food entrepreneurs and welcoming them into the global facebook community. You can can get food business tips by listening to Ashanti's Women In Food Podcast show on itunes and soundcloud. Website: https://foodpreneur-collective.teachable.com/

Rumbi Makanga, UK & Zimbabwe

In December 2013, I was a fresh young undergraduate, pondering my connection to my homeland, Zimbabwe, and feeling frustrated at the level of hopelessness that I was observing among young people. I remember wishing that there were more creative and constructive outlets for the myriad feelings that young people had: the frustrations about their situations, fearfulness about the future, anger at the state of affairs and a simmering, quiet conviction that we, the youth, were the best hope our country had for turning the corner. I founded The 1980 Alliance, a youth network and platform. The name was the result of coming to a dead end in my creative thinking, so I went for something straightforward; at the time of our launch, our target group was people who were born in 1980 and afterwards. And thus, The 1980 Alliance was born. In December 2016, I feel it more keenly than ever - we, the youth, are the best hope our country has for turning the corner. Much has improved over the last three years, but unfortunately many of those positive developments, including a growing and thriving youth scene across a wide range of fields, will be overshadowed by political and economic failings in our country. There is a profound political crisis, as there always has been, and there is a deepening economic crisis. There are severe cash shortages, many young people are still unemployed and underemployed, industry has all but collapsed, our government is broke and the future is very uncertain.

Aline Duriaud, UK

I am trained to Masters Level as a Fine Artist in London and New York City, where I exhibited my artwork in various galleries, wrote freelance art criticism and designed websites plus many other gigs too numerous to list. I also worked in retail and as an advocate for vulnerable adults. In 2013, when my Pomeranian passed away, I took a business course and decided to combine my lifelong love of animals with my creative skills by starting Chacharocks. I am also a trained animal communicator and I live with Ronnie my adopted greyhound.

Roz Thornton, UK

Roz was brought up in a disempowered household with domestic violence. As an adult she worked for 20 years in Local Government supporting some of Britain’s poorest communities. After spending six years as a broke single mum with no work/life balance, Roz turned her life around taking inspiration from strong female coaches and role models. Roz is now a life coach, trainer, speaker and property investor and uses her experience to inspire and empower women around the subjects of: confidence, careers and money. Roz is the founder of the Amazing Women Awards, has recently appeared on ITV’s the Chopping Block and is the current winner of the Business Woman of the year 2016 at the Regional Entrepreneurs Empowerment Business Awards. Roz is London based and will often speak at: corporate organisations, women’s charities & networks, schools, universities, non-profits & professional associations.

Olivia Ayorinde John UK

Olivia has been a project and change management consultant for almost 20 years. She now shares her experience and expertise as an empowerment speaker to empower people at all levels to pursue their dreams

Janet Brown, UK & Jamaica

Janet Brown is a life coach for women in business who want to pursue their health and well being goals. She is really passionate about health, as it’s a dream ticket to living life at optimum levels. She has made transformation changes in her own well being and continues to do so. She encourages women to take charge of their goals and give themselves self love.

Jasmine Agyeman-duah, UK & Ghana

I’m Jasmine a 28 year old female from London. Although I was born and bred in North London, my roots stem from the heart of West Africa, Ghana. During my spare time I enjoy writing, listening to music and reading motivational books. My outdoor hobbies include bike riding and drinking cheeky cocktails on nights out with friends. I have a 5 year old who definitely keeps me active and is my sole motivation. I’m currently juggling motherhood with work, studies, and my budding entrepreneurship and I’m having a blast to say the least. I definitely think that 2016 is my year! Website:

Sandra Garcia-Lowery, USA & Honduras

Sandra is a Sales and Marketing professional with over 10 years of industry experience, during 4 of which she managed her own event planning agency simultaneously. Today, she manages her own Marketing Agency, Encounter Marketing & Public Relations (EMPR) where develops and executes strategies and partnerships to help elevate the presence of small to mid-size businesses and non-profits. Prior to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, Sandra was part of the Marketing Solutions team at Clear Channel Outdoor where she helped with the strategic development of marketing programs that merchandised data driven products for use by sales to grow revenue. Before Clear Channel, she held a Product Marketing and Digital role at Time Warner Cable Media where she implemented digital strategies and go-to-market plans that differentiated the brand from the competition as a Product Marketing expert for all digital products: Online, Mobile, Social, Search, Addressable, and Video On Demand. Prior to returning to TWC Media, she spent time at PEOPLE.com where she worked on long-term marketing plans for advertisers, integrated deals with PEOPLE Magazine and PEOPLE Stylewatch Magazine. Before PEOPLE.com, she worked at CNNMoney.com, the financial website for CNN and the online destination for FORTUNE Magazine and Money Magazine. Identifying as an Afro-Latina from Honduras and cognizant of the group’s underrepresentation and the impact it had on her self-identification process growing up, Sandra birthed a passion project, Afro-LatinaBeauty.com. An online destination for stories of other Afro-Latinas, and a place to see and hear from others sharing the same intercultural experience. Sandra is the current NY Chapter President of N.A.M.I.C (National Association of Multi-ethnicity In Communications), sits on the Board of Influencers for Digital Diversity Network (DDN), and the Young Leaders Board for America Needs You. Sandra was a Forbes 30 Under 30 2016 finalist, and in 2012 was awarded by Latino Leaders Magazine, a Top 25 Future Latino Leader (ages 25-35). Website: https://www.encountermpr.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandragarcialowery Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandy_garlow/?hl=en

Tasha Morris, USA & Panama

As a brand strategist, Tasha strives to highlight her client's unique features online (website copy + social media) and offline, through events. She started her marketing career serving as social media and community manager for several organizations including nonprofit Empowering Youth Towards Excellence and the Temple University Alumni Association in LA. Tasha is a Temple University graduate that leverages her solid skills in the television, film and theater industries. She's lent her expertise in production roles for major networks (NBC, ABC, Travel Channel and Food Network), as well as short and feature films. She understands how a strong social media presence enhances a brand's awareness and their event. She is a marketer by heart, with a strong love for events and technology. Website: https://www.benchmarkcreativegroup.com/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/thebcgnyc Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebcgnyc/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thebcgnyc

Yvette Mazariegos, Belize

I was born an entrepreneur with an internal locus pushing me forward to start a business, even as a child I dreamed of starting up a small business venture. I used to come up with some ideas on how to convince my friends and neighbourhood kids to buy my slightly used toys, comic books and chips. After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1993 and marrying my husband who is an engineer, I decided to take the plunge and all the risks that go with it, and I started a small importing and distribution business in 1995/1996. My firm imports and distributes paper, printing products and equipment, medical supplies, chemicals and textile materials. There are 2 employees and my husband and I primarily manage the assets. My market is the private sector and government. The use of computer technology has helped to make the company more efficient in terms of quick communication and response time to orders or inquiries. With the support of my husband and family, I have been able to establish and maintain an extensive network of customers to reach our market. In the first few years the challenges involved how to use formal scientific and management processes to bring about innovation. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvette-mazariegos-543b74112

Johanna Salgado Lizcano, Colombia

A recognized Colombian, young entrepreneur, in the areas of sustainability, renewable energy and peace. She works as Competency Coordinator at Rosario University (Bogotá, Colombia) developing programs for the promotion of entrepreneurial skills. She is among the seventy social entrepreneurs at the World Bank. Cofounder of the Crispy Fruits Company, recognized by President Barack Obama as a company with the greatest impact on the quality of life for rural farmers. She is a member of the Foundation MET (Women Business and Technology) mentoring women and networking and is responsible for outreach and communication strategies in Andean Community and Brazil for the Zayed Future Energy Prize (UAE). She participated as a juror in qualifying renewable and sustainable energy projects for the Program Hondas for the Colombian government. She was at the eighth summit of ORU Fugar and invited as a sustainability leader by Cusco, Peru.

Alize Utteryn, French Guiana

Born in French Guiana and raised in Paris, I came to the USA in 2009 to take up a new challenge leaving everything behind me to live my American Dream. Not because I didn't have a good life in France rather say all the contrary. Therefore, I began from scratch quite difficult at the beginning but I didn't give up despite all the obstacles. As the CEO & Founder of Alize La Vie Media, my objective is to become one of the most powerful media & entertainment international platforms, to help people achieve their goal through my contributions, report and introduce to the world diversity of culture, talents and be an inspiration for young people. Website: Twitter: https://twitter.com/alizeutteryn

Ann Davis, USA & Colombia

Ann Davis graduate from Tulane and immediately joined Teach for America where she taught in New Orleans. About a year into her teaching assignment, Ann was out running with some friends when she experienced a jolting feeling in her leg. She felt to the ground and suffered a seizure. Two weeks later, she was diagnosed with brain cancer. At this point her priorities shifted and she eventually created Venture With Impact, a coworking retreat that engages professionals on a 30-day skills-based volunteering project while they work remotely for their jobs, allowing them to develop professionally, rediscover purpose, and in the process, provide a positive social impact.

Juliette Gedeomme, French Guiana

Juliette is passionate about entrepreneurship and the Caribbean. Her interests lie in tourism, marketing and communications. She also believes in the potential of her country and unlike her peers has decided to not migrate.

Perla Curbelo, Puerto Rico

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Perla Sofía is the founder of Agrochic.com, a blog in Spanish, about gardening and urban agriculture. A well known journalist and media contributor in the Island, she found her niche, since 2009, to promote wellness and a healthy lifestyle through sharing trends, ideas and references on what to garden in your home and patio. She is an educator, mentor, mediapreneur and a hip stepmom of two young ladies. Website: https://linktr.ee/agrochic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agrochic/

Carey Lee Dixon, Jamaica

Carey-Lee Dixon describes herself as ‘The Girl With a Knack for Life’ who enjoys working on being the best version of herself and helping others to grow while living purposefully. Carey-Lee, who isn’t afraid to DREAM BIG and believes in living a life without limits has a passion for living a purposeful life where personal growth, career advancement and women empowerment is a passion of hers. In 2012, Carey-Lee founded and introduced For Women to Women which is grew from being a blog into a community designed for purpose-driven, career-oriented and entrepreneurial 20-30-something-year-old women, who want to continually elevate themselves both in their personal and professional lives. Having seen and experienced the benefits of bonding aligning herself with powerful and like-minded women, Carey-Lee hopes women will glean from the mission of For Women to Women as she fosters a culture for women to enhance the lives of each other – by exposing women to tools for growth while presenting refreshingly, raw and honest conversations; and shared life experiences and lessons. She has been named Women’s Entrepreneur Day, Jamaica Youth Ambassador for 2015.

Nedgine Paul Deroly, Haiti

Nedgine is the co-founder and CEO of Anseye Pou Ayiti, which seeks to raise education outcomes in rural Haiti by promoting teacher excellence and student success—rooted in Haitian culture, customs, and community. She has experience in the non-profit sector with an emphasis on promoting equal educational opportunities for all children. Nedgine earned a B.A. in History from Yale College and an Ed.M. in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. In 2014, she was named among the top global social innovators by Echoing Green. She is passionate about joining forces with others to continue pursuing her deep commitment to the expansion of high-quality educational opportunity in Haiti.

Nerissa Golden, Montserrat

Nerissa Golden is an award-winning media strategist, business coach and author. She is the Founder and CEO of Golden Media. Her days are spent creating content for multiple platforms and/or teaching clients how to make the most of digital spaces to tell their story.

Nydia Norville, St. Lucia

As a young model in New York City, Nydia Norville quickly discovered the toll that urban living can take on our skin - and spirit. Seeking a solution to chronically dry and troubled skin, brought on by the frantic pace of city dwelling, she found that the remedies recommended to her featured lengthy lists of synthetic ingredients and chemicals not found in nature and only seemed to exacerbate her concerns. At the other end of the spectrum, the more natural “ back to the earth” alternatives left much to be desired, aesthetically speaking, and didn’t appeal to her modern sensibilities and appreciation for understated elegance. Thus began her journey of discovery into the potent powers of natural botanicals and a passion for formulating nature based skincare solutions that were, at once, effective, aesthetically pleasing and elegantly packaged.

Taribba do Nascimento, St. Lucia

St Lucian entrepreneur Taribba do Nascimento started her bag design business ‘Meme Bete’ as a side project while working in Ethiopia and drawing inspiration from the colour and vibrancy of Africa and African prints. The company currently operates out of a small workshop in St. Lucia in the Caribbean where lunch hours are typically spent on the beach. The purpose: même bête..., aims to put St. Lucia on the map as a viable contributor to the global fashion industry.

Crystal Benjamin, Trinidad & Tobago

Dr. Crystal Benjamin is the witty relationship educator and CEO of Enriched Life Limited, the premier relationship education company in the Caribbean. Dr. Benjamin has been working with individuals, couples, families and groups for over 8 years and has a profound understanding of family science and the skills needed to foster healthy relationships. Through facilitating workshops, coaching and counselling clients she has witnessed lives being transformed in as little as one session; her clients have been able to successfully overcome negative relationship cycles, implement personal boundaries, identify unique skills, take steps to improve their marriage and pursue happiness.

Simone Blackwood, Trinidad & Tobago

Generontologist and Managing Director of the Global Senior Care Institute, Simone has a combined experience of nursing, training and leadership. She has a diploma in gerontology from the London School.of Science & Management, a BSc in Nursing and holds multiple certificates. Global Senior Care Institute offers Home Care Services, Geriatric Training and Mental Health Counselling. They equip their clients, family members and caregivers with the necessary knowledge and skills to optimise healthcare for the ageing.

Abi Begho, St. Kitts & Nevis

Abi Begho (nee Ajose-Adeogun) is the Director and Public Health Project Manager here at Lake Health and Wellbeing. She manages all our projects and the day-to-day running of this small not-for-profit company. She holds a BSc. in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Birmingham, a MSc. in Clinical Biochemistry with Molecular Biology from the University of Surrey and a Masters in Public Health from King’s College. She started her career in the pharmaceutical industry working firstly for the biotech company, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and after four years at Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Abi accepted a position at the multinational Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis where she worked as a Scientific Associate at the Novartis Horsham Research Centre in West Sussex. After five years of working in the pharmaceutical industry Abi decided to explore a different side of research by becoming a Scientific Programme Manager at the National Cancer Research Institute based at Cancer Research UK and then after the project came to an end, Abi worked for Ovarian Cancer Action as a Healthcare Project Manager, has acted as a consultant for charities such as Paul’s Cancer Support Centre and returned to Cancer Research UK to work on their Health Professional Engagement Facilitator programme. Abi founded The Lake Foundation in 2013 to address the health inequalities that exist in the UK. She relocated to the beautiful twin island state of St Kitts and Nevis (where her mother is from) at the end of 2017 and reformed The Lake Foundation as Lake Health and Wellbeing in St Kitts in February 2018.

Monique Mayers, Barbados & Canada

Monique is no stranger to launching brands. She’s a serial entrepreneur with a passion for empowering others to start their own businesses. With nearly a decade of experience under her belt, Monique is who business owners call when they need a step-by-step game plan to transform their ideas into services that customers are eager to buy. She works exclusively with bright, driven, talented service providers who need to know how to connect with prospects, convert conversations into dollars and deliver exceptional work that makes people refer their services like crazy. Her ability to quickly develop strategies to monetise ideas is why she’s known as the Idea Alchemist. Monique’s business portfolio includes an Award Winning Spa Brand, the first 100% offline tourist guide app in the Eastern Caribbean, a Top Rated Dessert Restaurant and a highly sought after business consulting practice. Monique is the author of Start Your Thing: A Guide for Introverts Who Want to Start A Service-Based Business and has been featured in two other best selling books on Amazon. When she’s not working on a business idea, mapping out a user experience design or working on marketing campaigns, you’ll likely find Monique enjoying the outdoors or making vegan desserts.

Ameniki Omotola, Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad Mogulista, Ameniki Omotola is a Creative Entrepreneur with the vision and goal to help other “Moguls” and “Mogulistas” realize their business potential and thrive in the small business market through her online TrinidadMogulista.com platform. Her creative pursuits have always been an integral part of her personality from a very young age and have driven her to follow a successful career in the Creative Entrepreneur field career since 2007. She has also been working as a professional blogger since 2012, giving advice to others on small business branding and promoting aspects. Armed with an enthusiastic approach for work and a “go-get-it” professional attitude, Ameniki is able to offer her clients one-of-a-kind services and advice that covers all aspects of small business development online—from the development of their own corporate brand and identity to attracting more leads and conversions, contributing that way to a richly rewarding online presence. Ameniki is determined to help Small Creative Business owners from Trinidad & Tobago and all corners of the globe overcome their small business social media challenges like she has successfully managed to overcome herself over the years and come up together with real solutions concerning her clients’ online creative business social media strategies–from the moment they launch their business to being mentioned in the prestigious Forbes list.

Leslie Ferraty, Martinique

I am from Martinique. I have spent 5 years in Paris for both my studies and my first job. I have a diploma from a business school with a specialty in International Management. Few years after my diploma, I went back to school to gain another diploma in financial analysis. My last job was as a financial analysis manager. But I didn't appreciate it and the way my life was. Since a young age I have always wanted to have my own company. I am passionate about travel. So I found an idea for people like me who love traveling and learning about new cultures to discover my own island but with locals! Now for the 1st time in my career I love what I do, even if I work alot!

Psyche Southwell. St. Kitts & Nevis

Psyche Southwell, creator and editor of Economy of Style, produces narratives and visual content on fashion and style on a budget. She has appeared in several publications, including Redbook, Cosmopolitan, and Refinery29. She has appeared as a media personality in TV segments on NBC and CBS. She has been named the best budget blogger in St. Louis, a top 5 black budget fashion blogger in the US, and a winner of Redbook's Real Women Style Awards.

Loretta Green-Williams, USA & Jamaica

Loretta’s love of research and writing established her academic presentations in postcolonial feminism, ethnomusicology, and her theoretical construct called socio spiritualism. She has been recognized by the 2017 New Jersey Historical Commission regarding her current research on South Jersey's soul music routes during the Civil Right Era entitled “From Raw Blues to Silky Soul: South Jersey’s Chitlin Circuit Route (1948-1978)”. She has since authored “Killing Me Softly With His Words: A Child of God’s Response to Domestic Violence,” ( ASIN: B074FK3RL8) and a hobby-novella "In the Case of E.M.H." ( ASIN: B01M6VEX7E) with Amazon Kindle. Loretta sits on a special counsel as Public Relations for CACCI, and writer and Executive Producer for CaribME: New Yorkers of the Caribbean Diaspora, a documentary of Caribbean New Yorkers, that was featured during Caribbean American Heritage Month Luncheon at Brooklyn Borough Hall. Loretta is founder/Editor in Chief for Caribeme Magazine that will launch January 2018, as fashion-forward lifestyle magazine from the Caribbean diaspora woman's perspective. Loretta is host-producer for Sumatra Blog Talk Radio; CCO/Founder of Women of Concern Professionals & Strategic Conscious Networking (WOCPSCN).

Corinne Joachim-Sanon Symietz, Haiti

This entrepreneur grew up in Port-au- Prince, Haiti, well into her high school years. Post her high school graduation in 2002, Joachim–Sanon-Symietz moved to New-Orleans Louisiana, where she completed her first two years of college. Seeking a more challenging and rigorous engineering program, she transferred to the University of Michigan (UMich), Ann-Arbor. There she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Operations Engineering in April 2006. After working across several industries, including beauty, pharmaceutical, financial services and telecommunications; in North America, Asia and the Caribbean, she went on to earn a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania in 2011. Fast forward to 2015, motivated by the need to create jobs in Haiti, she achieved a long- term goal. Joachim- Sanon-Symietz co-founded Les Chocolateries Askanya in Ouanaminthe, a small town in the Northern Eastern part of the Caribbean Island. She’s an avid traveller, having visited 60 countries and counting. She’s committed to mentoring high-school students in Haiti to develop relevant skills to succeed in college and developing Haiti’s next great entrepreneurs. Website: https://askanya.ht/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askanyachocolate/ FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/askanyachocolate/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/askanyachocolat/

Adanna Austin, Trinidad & Tobago

ADANNA AUSTIN is a renowned Caribbean Business Coach, Strategist and Consultant, based in Trinidad and Tobago, she has also been operating across the English-speaking Caribbean Region for the past two years. Adanna has supported more than 500 entrepreneurs across three key markets to develop a winning mindset, with clients reporting as much as 25% in new business growth, 50% increase in profitability and 35% in new sales and clients. Adanna works one on one with entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level, she is highly sought after because of her wealth of experience, her dynamic approach and genuine interest in seeing her clients grow the business of their dreams. Adanna is also an avid Writer having contributed to many regional publications including Caribbean Beat (Trinidad & Tobago), Maco Magazine (Barbados/Trinidad & Tobago), SHE Caribbean (St. Lucia) and Shabeau (Barbados). In January 2016 she started a Blog and has written 42 articles educating her readership on how to set SMART goals, identify ideal clients, boost productivity and performance, and develop strategies to generate increased revenue. Having worked across a wide array of Sectors, Adanna has held several senior positions in finance, banking, education, publishing, advertising, FMCG and recruitment. She has also worked in the United Kingdom and most recently across Government in Trinidad & Tobago at the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago, and the Office of the Financial Services Ombudsman. As the Business Owner and Founder of Marketing Dynamics Business Solutions, Adanna provides business coaching and support to small and medium-sized firms covering marketing plans, advertising, strategic partnerships, media schedules, event planning, social media and branding. Her clients say that she is accessible, connected, willing to share, has a love of teaching, and holds them accountable. (Testimonials are attached.) Managing one of the most active business mentoring Facebook groups in the Caribbean Region, Dynamic Business Strategist, Adanna provides a platform for over 1,000 entrepreneurs from across the globe to network, test business ideas and work together to develop their growth strategies. She provides daily motivation and inspiration to this group of micro, small, medium and large enterprises in a highly competitive and challenging global business environment. She also organises several mastermind eventsproviding a forum for entrepreneurs to network and build their confidence, knowledge and expertise. Adanna is also an active volunteer, mentoring youth entrepreneurs involved in start-ups across all sectors from technology to food and beverage. In 2016, she became a mentor with Women Innovators of the Caribbean Acceleration Program (WINCAP TT) 2016 as well as Youth Business Trinidad & Tobago (YBTT).

Tisha C. Jack, Trinidad & Tobago

TISHA JACK is an experienced Caribbean event planner and consultant based in Trinidad and Tobago, who has been in operation officially over the last two years but has been in managing events for over ten years. Tisha has worked with and organized events for over 10 top international brands based in Trinidad and Tobago, with clients reporting that events have increased walk in traffic by 50% and sales by 70%. Tisha works with each organisation to create a unique and individual event, which easily translates their mission and vision because of her wealth of experience, her keen eye for detail and her acute sense of the needs of each client. Courts, SuperPharm, Prestige Holdings, and the Trinidad Express are just some of her clients. Tisha is also an experienced wedding coordinator and travel consultant helping individuals create dream events and destination holidays. She holds an MSc (Distinction) in International Event Management from Surrey University (UK), and a BSc in Hotel Management from the University of the West Indies. Tisha’s work experience has allowed her to transfer her vast knowledge into her thriving business. She spent five years at the Telecommunication Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) where she produced signature events like the bsquare concert series and product launches for Samsung, BLU, and Huawei. In addition, her portfolio included retail branding, merchandising, and special marketing projects. Prior to this, as Events Coordinator at the Tourism Development Company, she helped to manage international events like the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, Florida Caribbean Cruise Conference and the Summit of the Americas. As the Managing Director at her own company – TCJ Management Co. Ltd, she strategically created a brand that answers the needs of medium to large organizations with a mandate to increase their visibility, sales and customer/staff retention. Her clients sing her praises for the level of professionalism and detail she puts into every job she manages. She has successfully created 2 other brands under her management company- TCJ Events and TCJ Travel which all work together to bring her vision of creating unique experiences together under one roof. Tisha is also an active volunteer and is always ready to provide motivational support and inspiration to young persons and other aspiring entrepreneurs. Website: https://www.tcjmanagement.com/ FaceBook: www.facebook.com/tcjevents Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcjevents/

Daniella Wade, Trinidad & Tobago

Like you , Leadership Coach and Business Owner Daniella Wade has seen and experienced effective leadership in numerous ways, over the years. What qualifies as a good leader? Is it the way the person dresses, walks or talks? Is it only required in specific situations? Is Leadership a natural born quality, can it be learned? Or is it just something that only a few people will ever truly understand, and capitalize upon? With over 10 years experience, in a range of Leadership roles including Entrepreneurship, Insurance Sales, Network Marketing, Coaching, Speaking and most importantly, real life experience, her view has been refined after seeing the transformation of persons under the right circumstances. Daniella appreciates and shares with her current team that we all have a leader within us, it is a continuous decision, and we should strive to ensure that we develop this important quality to live our lives fully. Her successes include being recognised at top levels for her outstanding achievements in the Insurance Sales industry. More recently, she has created duplicable success in two Network Marketing companies, to grow significant teams, achieve top ranks, with no prior experience in this industry, and both mainly built online and through social media. Daniella Wade is the first and only person in Trinidad & Tobago to be an Ambassador in her current company, and she is also the first and only female in the Caribbean region to achieve this title. She is one of three women at this top level, in a company of over seven thousand representatives, a title which was achieved within her first 30 days of business. Daniella Wade is an Independent Coach, Teacher and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team, and continues to work with persons from different levels, to develop their leadership genius. It is her greatest desire and plan to help everyone reach their true potential, and live the quality of life they deserve, by first understanding and then developing the leader within themselves.

Candace Thompson-Zachary, USA & Trinidad & Tobago

Candace Thompson, a Trinidad and Tobago native, is a dancer, choreographer and certified fitness professional specializing in personal training and corrective exercise. She is the beauty and brains behind CanDanceFit, Artistic Director of ContempoCaribe and Founding Executive Director of Dance Caribbean COLLECTIVE. Her dance training is extensive, beginning in Trinidad and Tobago, where she received instruction in modern dance and ballet, at La Danse Caraibe under Heather Henderson-Gordon. She is a graduate of Adelphi University's BFA in Dance with the Ruth St. Denis Award for excellence from the dance department, and has gone on to work in various dance styles including Afro-Caribbean, Classical Modern, Modern/Contemporary, Contemporary Floor Technique, Jazz, Soca and West African. Candace produces her own dance work under two umbrellas: ContempoCaribe and Dance Caribbean COLLECTIVE.

ContempoCaribe is a choreography and performance project creating art that embodies the plurality of experiences within the Caribbean Diaspora. ContempoCaribe's work has been performed at Dance Caribbean Collective's New Traditions Festival, COCO Dance Festival (Trinidad), Dancing While Black:jumpin fences, Dance Enthusiast's Moving Caribbean in NYC among others. Dance Caribbean COLLECTIVE is a collaborative and organising body, creating platforms for artists developing work from a Caribbean perspective, to show their work within the local diaspora community in NYC. DCC produces a season of events leading up to the annual New Traditions Festival. CanDanceFit, a personal training, corrective exercise and movement instruction entity, serves clients and studios in Manhattan and Brooklyn, conveniently bringing holistic fitness, exercise, dance and movement programs to fitness enthusiasts short on time, but big on quality and studios delivering high quality training. CanDanceFit merges the benefits of dance training with fitness and personal training strategies to serve both the average individual and the budding to professional performer.

Terrieann Charles, Grenada

I am Terrieann Charles- I am an ordinary and everyday woman with a passion to uplift and motivate women to be the best they can be by standing against the odds of life. I am a content creator, an influencer, personal stylist and event planner of motivational and empowerment social events and the founder of Tailored by Terrieann, a fashion and lifestyle empowerment platform I have created for women just like you, to help you live your life fashionably on a budget without going to the extreme and to live your dreams to the fullest.

Ain Earle, Trinidad & Tobago

Ain Earle introduces the brand, The Fashion Arch to the fashion fraternity. The Fashion Arch is a brand consulting entity aimed at assisting designers with branding, quality control, promotions as well as ensuring their work is well-known and accepted by clients, buyers and retailers. The brand will also assist boutique owners with new products, store design and quality control. Ain aims to be the leading and most reliable provider of branding services to fashion designers and creatives. Her passion and upbringing in learning to support and appreciate products and services created and sold by her fellow men have given her the right tools to get her on her way. An avid supporter and advocate of Trinidad and Caribbean fashion coupled with her educational background in Tourism and Hospitality Management, she thrives on attaining quality service, awareness and acceptance of local talents and products. Because of this passion and being introduced to the local fashion scene some years ago she always thought that more could be done to raise awareness of and respect for the designers around her. Hence she and two other colleagues started Racked – The Fashion Market, an inclusive shopping experience, exposing fashion and accessories designers and their unique, quality products, all 100% designed and made right here in Trinidad & Tobago, or by a Trinbagonian living abroad. This event has solidified her interest in assisting with producing new experiences for networking with clients and buyers and guaranteeing that there is continued brand profitability through her committed service. She has served on the board of the Fashion Association of Trinidad and Tobago and is currently a board member of the Caribbean Fashion Arts Feature Festival. FA curates, creates and promotes a brand story that produces a connection between each piece/product/service and its customer. The Fashion Arch prides itself in bridging a gap for designers by enhancing their marketing and branding foothold while assisting with opportunities for new business and partnerships.

Danielle Brown, USA & Trinidad & Tobago

Danielle Brown, Ph.D. is the founder and owner of My People Tell Stories, LLC (MPTS), a company that she founded in 2014. Based on the premise that people of color in particular, and marginalized people in general, need to tell and interpret their own stories, MPTS provides educational, cultural, and performance-based services that center on the people of the African diaspora with a specific focus on the Caribbean region. Brown received her Ph.D. in Music from New York University with a concentration in ethnomusicology, and a specialization in the music of Latin America and the Caribbean. Her research has focused mostly on parang/parranda music in Trinidad and, more recently, the intersection of music, spirituality, and healing. Before starting MPTS, Brown served for two years as an Assistant Professor of Music History and Cultures at Syracuse University. She has lectured at various colleges and universities, and has also worked with elementary, middle, and high school students; she is certified in the Kodály method of music education. Brown is an active vocalist and cuatro player, and she composes and performs jazz and Latin American and Caribbean-based music. She is author of the ground-breaking ethnographic memoir, East of Flatbush, North of Love: An Ethnography of Home.

Glenisha McGillivary, Grenada

I am Glenisha Mc Gillivary a creative and a dreamer based in Grenada. Writing for me is a medium of expressing myself. I created my website to share with others my life stories, fashion and beauty tips and travel stories. The aim is to inspire and be inspired. You’re free to become whatever you want and do what makes you happy. Life is your canvas so express yourself.

Victoria Percival, St. Lucia & USA

My name is Victoria and I am originally from St. Lucia. I currently reside in New York. I started Nu Luna, a personal styling business in August of 2013. I chose not to go the "boutique" route as many persons were already doing so. I created a program called Wardrobe Builder and send monthly packages to persons who enroll in the program. Although the business was geared towards Caribbean nationals, I also have clients in the U.S, Canada and one in France. I trained a team of Independent Consultants on each island to service my clients out there. Recently I started coaching small business owners in the Region as my way of paying it forward. I am currently working with a young lady in Barbados in getting her soap making business off the ground. I will be sponsoring her website and other marketing materials. The goal is to sponsor a woman every quarter. I also created a blog The Business Weekender and a Women Business Community on Whatsapp. And finally I am completing my first book that should be available this month on Amazon.

Georgie-Ann Getton McKoy, Jamaica & USA

Georgie-Ann Getton-Mckoy is an Execution strategist, serial entrepreneur, community builder, speaker, author, & Diversity in Tech Enthusiast. She loves learning as well as teaching new and creative ways to find solutions to problems. She is here to help others become more productive, execute on their ideas, & go from being a dreamer to being doer.

Ruthie Thomas, Dominica & USVI

After several years at a national, award-winning public affairs agency, and working client-side at a top 15 global law firm, Ruthie Thomas made the leap into entrepreneurship with the launch of Birds of Paradise Public Relations. By combining her passion for public relations with her love for her culture and heritage, she created a communications agency to help businesses, organizations and individuals throughout the Caribbean, and within the diaspora, reach beyond their boundaries and create open dialogues with their audiences. Her personable approach to media relations and astute intuition has allowed her the opportunity to develop strong relationships with an eclectic group of media professionals and earned a prestigious SABRE Award for top-notch client service. Ruthie recently relocated to Los Angeles after living in New York City for over a decade. In her free time, she enjoys cooking her favorite Caribbean dishes, spending time with family and friends, and exploring her new city.

Cassia Henry, Trinidad & Tobago

Cassia Henry is a Digital Brand Stylist with almost a decade of experience in graphics, design and branding. She lives by the motto: “Branding is my passion and passion is my brand” which is evidenced by dedication and keen eye for detail. Based in the picturesque city of San Fernando in Trinidad and Tobago, Cassia uses her intuition, knowledge and her natural flair for the creative to ‘breathe new life’ into businesses and brands who need to reveal their true self and connect with their customers in an authentic way. Her gifts and talents can be seen with brands such as Marketing. Marketing Dynamic Business Solutions, Carli Communications. TCJ Management Company Limited, SheCasa to name a few. Her experience at various advertising agencies had led her to work with multinational companies such as Bank of Baroda, Repsol, Lensyl Products Limited and the Guardian Group of Companies which have served to help her develop her natural skills and talents. Later, after founding House of CDB Limited she has chosen to service both entrepreneurs and business owners with CDB Design studio as well as delve into bridal invitations with CDB Luxe Invitations.

Melissa Noel, USA & Guyana

Melissa Noel is an award winning multimedia journalist. She produces television as well as print and online stories for several notable media outlets including NBC News, Voices of NY, Huffpost.com and Caribbean Beat Magazine. Recognizing the absence of regular Caribbean/Caribbean Diaspora coverage in mainstream U.S. news media, Melissa regularly travels to the region as well as to cities with large Caribbean populations throughout the U.S., to report stories on mental health, entrepreneurship, immigration policies and practices, tourism, culinary arts and several other topics as related to the Caribbean region and its diaspora. Both domestically and internationally, she is dedicated to researching, writing, producing, and editing news stories that center on the experiences and critical issues impacting communities of color. It’s a journey she began over a decade ago as co-host of the Island Hoppin show on WHBC 830M, Howard University Radio and as a news writer for WHUR 96.3FM where she reported on news stories from the Caribbean region and West Africa. Recently, Ms. Noel was named a 2017 International Center For Journalists, Bringing Home The World International Reporting Fellow and a USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism National Fellow. She also received the CUNY Graduate School Of Journalism alumni award for Best National Story for her piece, Black and Undocumented: Caribbean Immigrant's Long Fight For Citizenship, one story in a series which shed light on issues facing black immigrants in America. Ms. Noel’s commitment to bringing attention to underreported stories earned her the 2016 International Labour Organization's Global Media Competition for her piece, Migration and Separation: Stories of "Barrel Children" discussing issues of parental separation due to migration in the Caribbean and the diaspora. Her dynamic global diaspora coverage was also recognized by Congresswoman Yvette Clarke when she was honored as a 2016 Shining Star Journalism Awardee and by former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as a 2009- 2010 White House Correspondents’ Association journalism award recipient. A proud first generation Guyanese American, Melissa Noel is committed to providing holistic stories of the Caribbean and Caribbean diaspora through her news coverage. She is a summa cum laude graduate of Howard University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism and holds a Master of Arts degree in journalism from The City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School of Journalism.

Sian Cuffy-Young, Trinidad & Tobago

Mrs. Sian Cuffy-Young has been involved in the environmental field for over twelve (12) years. She is no stranger to challenge as her experience stems from the waste and mining sectors – two fields many shy away from. She also has a wealth of experience in environmental management systems and education and has received training in behaviour change through the method of community-based social marketing with the University of Tennessee. She is a Colorado Certified Environmental Educator, Speaker and Principal Consultant of Siel Environmental Services Limited. One of our honoured accomplishments was when she was selected to be a Fulbright Hubert Humphrey Fellow placed at Cornell University, one of the United States’ top academic institutions. There she specialised in the areas of quarry land reclamation, community relations, policy development and environmental planning; a first for any fellow from the Caribbean. Her academic qualifications include a B Sc (Hons) degree Double major in Physics and Masters in Environmental Engineering from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Campus. She is driven by her passion and truly takes her journey of social entrepreneurship to heart. A sentence which truly puts her work in perspective is “Remember it is not always about doing things better but sometimes we simply need to do better things”. She now works with organisations to put environmental programmes and campaigns together focused on behaviour change and works with land developers as the bridge to acquiring the necessary environmental applications they would need from the Environmental Authority. She is from Trinidad and Tobago.

Kizzy Rennie, Grenada

Seven years ago, Kizzy moved to China to attain a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science but left with a couple other things including a renewed faith in God, deeper understanding of culture tolerance and a love for food blogging. In 2015, she combined her passion for scientific research and creative arts to start Isle of Bites, a food blog which highlights the Grenadian food scene and fosters an appreciation for local cuisine ‘from garden to tabletop’. Life as a food scientist includes regulating food quality and safety as well as product development and processing, all of which she has dabbled in. Currently she is employed as a Mandarin translator which affords her the opportunity to utilize this difficult yet beautiful language and become a more effective communicator. However, food science remains her first love. In addition to Isle of Bites, she remains active in the field by assisting and supporting local agro-processors and other food entities.

Carla Williams, Trinidad & Tobago

Carla Williams Johnson is a Media Marketing Specialist based in Trinidad & Tobago. Her 13+ years of experience in creating innovative advertising campaigns, developing creative media executions and advising global, regional and international corporations on where to adequately invest their funds to ensure significant returns, has produced millions of dollars in revenue for companies like Caribbean Bottlers, Unilever, Moo! Milk, Angostura and other innovative start-ups. She is also a passionate writer having contributed pieces to The Catholic News, Youth Voices Trinidad & Tobago, ET&T Magazine and Abstract Magazine. In 2014, she started a blog, which she has since renamed ‘Carli Speaks’ on her website, where she offers advertising and marketing advice to entrepreneurs and business owners who are interested in promoting themselves in the real world focusing mainly on methods to identify ideal clients, online and offline approaches to boosting visibility and the creation of marketing campaigns designed to increase revenue. Her philosophy is to help you M.A.P out your business through (M)arketing, (A)dvertising and (P)romotion in order to A.M.P up your business through (A)ction, (M)otivation, (P)rogress.

Axelle Kaulanjan, Guadeloupe

Axelle Kaulanjan was first a professor of Philosophy and a journalist. She has also held the positions of Director of Communications at the Ministry of Trade and Industry of Haiti, and Consultant in Political Communication for the Inter-American Development Bank in Haiti. Co-founder of a pan-Caribbean information website, in 2008, she also collaborates in the columns of "Le Progrès Social", Guadeloupean newspaper. She is also co-author, with Mylène Colmar, the journalistic book Abécédaire LKP. Analytical keys and criticism of the movement (Editions Ibis Rouge, 2012). Axelle Kaulanjan is today director of Axelle Kaulanjan Consulting, specializing in political communication, crisis management and Caribbean cooperation and diplomacy, and founder of Caribbean Boss Lady.

Gandra Thomas-White, Dominica & Virgin Islands

With a background in social work; an uncanny sense of people; and the holistic perspective on the business world that could only be developed through a rigorous MBA program, Gandra Thomas-White has the battle-tested skill set and experience to oversee the daily operations of Birds of Paradise Public Relations. A natural-born leader with solid business acumen, she encouraged her sister to follow her dream to open a boutique PR shop and made it a priority to help her see it come to fruition, by signing on as her business partner. Her No.1 goal is to eventually expand the services provided by Birds of Paradise Public Relations beyond the communications industry. Gandra lives in Miami,FL with her husband and is a self-proclaimed fashionista with a knack for finding the best deals. She enjoys relaxing on South Beach and indulging in all the fun her city has to offer.

Zahra Gordon, Trinidad & Tobago

Zahra Gordon is a Caribbean-American poet and writer with more than 10 years of experience. Her love for literature inspired her to found Speakeasy Solutions, a social enterprise providing culturally sensitive private tuition and writing workshops. Gordon is an alumna of Howard University where she majored in English with a minor in Caribbean Studies. She also holds a Certificate in the Teaching of Reading from the University of the West Indies and has studied teaching at ROYTEC. Gordon tied for first place in the 2010 Furious Flower Poetry Competition and in 2015, her work was longlisted for the Hollick Arvon Prize for Caribbean Writers.

Shinese Braithwaite, Guyana & USA

Shinese Brathwaite is the creator and owner of Bk Girls Night out LLC, a lifestyle and event planning brand. Shinese B is an immigrant to the Borough of Brooklyn, similar to countless others. She received her schooling from the age of five years old, residing in crown heights, Flatbush, and currently Bushwick. She is the mother of a first generation Brooklyn girl, who is mixed with several cultures, similar to her birth place of Brooklyn. While completing her Master’s Degree in Organizational Management, Shinese felt there was a need to use her degree in a way that told the story of her borough, bring women together, and celebrate all things Brooklyn. Her years in fashion, retail, sales, and marketing made her knowledgeable enough to launch her business BK Girls Night Out in 2014. Since then she has been able to work with over 100 and counting female businesses from Brooklyn, outer boroughs, the DMV area, and Delaware. The line-up consists of women seeking an environment to promote their brand, whether hair or skin products, makeup, food, jewelry etc, all things women would want to shop, and see with their girlfriends. She is also passionate about parties with a purpose always seeking a way to educate, enlighten or inform women about diseases or causes which affect them. Her annual Think Pink Event celebrates survivors or those working toward decreasing/eradicating breast cancer. BKGNO has drawn out crowds of five plus hundred women annually. Most recently the BKGNO “Let’s Meet Up” Series an after-work event which focuses on connecting women through various intimate conversations. In addition, the event partners with small business locations such as restaurants and lounges to promote their location within Brooklyn. Her work has been featured in local blogs such as OurBKSocial, I Don’t Do Clubs, Leading with Lee magazine, Women’s Empire, and a few others. Most notably she received an Appreciation award from the Tallom Foundation located in Brownsville after she raised money toward the organization's scholarship fund for their graduating girls. Shinese is passionate about working with the youth to ensure they are aware of the various options. Most recently signed on as a board member for Tallom Foundation located in Brownsville Brooklyn. Being a single mother, and teen mom from a culture that believes in marriage first, then family, she wants to ensure young women know that even though it may be the best, if they end up differently it does not mean they are failures. There can be a path to success, regardless of one’s setback. In the near future her plan is to open her own restaurant/lounge in the Brooklyn area where she can work with other starts up, and coordinate events for others. Continue to watch as this tree grows in Brooklyn.

Chantal Ross, Trinidad & Tobago

Owner & CEO, The Firecracker Group of Companies: Fire Fitness Women’s Fitness Studio, Fire Fitness Road Running, FC Sport Management Group. Chantal Ross-Thomas, holds a MSc and BSc in Sports Management, magna cum laude, with a Minor in Business from Barry University, Florida. She is also an ISSA Certified Personal trainer, Specialist in Fitness Nutrition, Specialist in Sports Conditioning and a NASM Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist. Chantal has over 11 years of experience as a sport administrator. She has held the post of 2nd Vice President of the Amateur Swimming Association of Trinidad and Tobago, headed various committees on the 2010 Local Organizing Committee for the FIFA Women’s Under 17 World Cup, UWI SPEC, and continues to do work with the Ministry of Sport. Additionally, she is an experienced sport educator, having lectured in the Sport Studies undergraduate program at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT). Outside the realm of sport, she has worked in purchasing, accounting and communications for organizations such as Courts Trinidad Limited, Pharmaco Industries and the University of Trinidad respectively. Ross-Thomas is a former national swimmer of Trinidad and Tobago, and the recipient of the Arima Female Sports Personality award, 1994 (the youngest recipient, male or female, to date). She still holds 4 Trinidad and Tobago national records.

Raquel Leid, Grenada

Raquel "Quelle" Leid is a self-taught fashion designer, stylist and creative director hailing from the picturesque island of Grenada. In 2014, she launched her business Always Leid because she wanted to create a reputable brand renowned for encouraging individuality, non conformity and self expression through fashion. "Always Leid" is a play on the her last name "Leid" (pronounced ‘lead’). The brand name within itself is a subtle, yet powerful reminder to our clients to unapologetically set trends and stand out. Raquel functions as head of the Always Leid creative team directly overseeing the day to day operations of the business and creative direction. In January 2018,Raquel began pursuing her formal fashion education at the University of the Arts London, focusing on the areas of Fashion Styling and Fashion Product Development.

Rohanne Persaud, Grenada

I’m from an island…Grenada. It’s my favorite place in the world because I feel at peace. I’m a Hospitality and Tourism student from 2012 to now. I’ve gone to college at Centennial College in Canada and returned to complete my program at Ryerson University. I love creating cocktails, meals, sharing anything I know, telling very short stories and loving genuine and kind humans. I just wanted to create a positive page filled with the laughter, fun and mistakes I make most days. Somewhere I can share my ideas and you can share your thoughts. I think we’re going to have fun here

Dominique Lescott, UK & Nevis

Dominique is a lifestyle blogger of Melanin, Mind & Soul who has a passion for writing, travelling, reading. She is inspired by meeting inspirational people, particularly black women who are breaking glass ceilings. She is also the Founder of Hair Popp is an online collection of services that connect hair enthusiasts with brands, products, and education.

Michelle Ford, Guyana

I’m Michelle, a 20 something Guyanese blogger living in the Tampa Bay area. I moved to the Bay area long enough ago to acquire my Masters of Architecture degree. I now work for an architectural design firm. This blog was born as a way for my family to keep track of my journey through architecture school. It has since morphed into my little space on the interwebs that has become a home to musings. I use this space to share my fashion, jewelry, interior finds as well as the artists and designers I happen upon. When I’m not designing homes or perusing the internet for inspiration, you may find me out on a paddle board or sewing. You can find tales of a few sewing projects here, reviews on the occasional book I read, and an outfit post or two. I hope you enjoy the blog as much as I enjoy finding inspiration, perusing Pinterest, and trying not to feel awkward in front of a camera. I started learning to sew because I would love to eventually launch a line of my own. I have a multitude of ideas in my head that I would like to take from just being a concept into something I can don, except I can’t seem to sew fast enough for how quickly the ideas pop up. I think it’s necessary to understand the intricacies of how fabric works and elements of construction. The learning process has given me a greater appreciation for designers and handmade pieces. One day, I would love to teach a college studio at an art school that allows for a cross design field collaboration as I think the products of a studio that combines architecture, fashion, and interior design would be mind blowing.

Divya Amarnani Noel, Grenada

Divya Amarnani Noel was born and raised on the Caribbean island of Grenada and is of East Indian descent. Her parents are from Chennai and Delhi. Her upbringing was heavily influenced by her Indian culture but she strongly identifies with her Caribbean culture as well. Divya currently manages her parents’ retail/wholesale business located in the heart of the city in St. George’s, Grenada. This is her full time job. Divya is also a blogger/content creator and her blog, Amarnani XO is filled with personal stories, skincare advice and travel diaries."

Makisa Lewis Lockiby, Trinidad & Tobago

I'm Makisa, the Owner and Creative Director of JoVew by MAKISA. I've forever had a love for art and romance for as long as I can remember, and also dreaming the unimaginable. This enthusiasm for creation ventured me down the part of design. I obtained my BA of Fashion Design in Fine Arts from the Caribbean Academy of Fashion Design in 2012, feeling like I was on top of the world. Then a couple months later my mother passed away and my world stopped. My love for romance, my ability to dream the unimaginable came to a standstill. It was not until over a year later my world began to turn again, and now I can create my love story between my brand and myself through the JoVew handbags which I'm so honoured to share with you. JoVew by Makisa was unofficially launched in 2014 while I was an assistant designer at a Fashion clothing company. The passion and commitment I place into creating a love story between you and your handbag is what the brand is about. Since graduating, I've been featured in local newspapers, magazines, fashion blogs and also on the regional television series Mission Catwalk. Currently, the JoVew brand is dedicated to creating the ideal online shopping experience for you, the best in the Caribbean. Each handbag is handmade with love and with great quality by Me, and all artwork is handpainted by my amazing team. #madeintrinidad The response to all the products thus far has been simply amazing, and the JoVew team is constantly working towards improving the product and the shopping experience.

Jahna Agard, Barbados

Jahna Agard is the founder and creative director of the Mary Agatha Group. This creative entrepreneur was born and raised in Barbados to hard-working, dedicated parents. She is a graduate of The Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology and The Erdiston Teachers' Training College. She has completed several workshops, gaining knowledge and training in marketing, business start-up, family and peer-to-peer counseling. Jahna has worked extensively in the community through volunteer and mentorship work with the youth for the last 12 years. An advocate for mental health awareness, she actively pursues this by educating and bringing awareness to the cause. In her continued efforts to serve and help others, Jahna has implemented a food program, aimed towards helping young mothers. This initiative is only the beginning of other programs to come, as she seeks to create a better community. A mother of triplets, Jahna enjoys spending time with her children and instilling the values and morals that were past unto her. Living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a priority, for this health enthusiast. Jahna enjoys writing, drawing and, the occasional binge watching of tv series, where possible. Her ultimate comfort spot is in the kitchen, where she be found whipping up healthy and tasty meals for her family.

Shari Stiel Quashie, USA & Grenada

Shari Stiell-Quashie is the co-founder of Shuga N’ Spice Magazine. Growing up in Brooklyn, NY of Grenadian parentage, Shari witnessed the experiences of Caribbean immigrants and first-generation West Indians in the large Caribbean community of Brooklyn. In many instances, Shari was the sole representative of the Caribbean perspective. With that in mind and her Bachelor Degree in Literature from Bard College in tow, Shari teamed up with Alissa to create Shuga N’ Spice to empower the Caribbean voice and put our culture on the map. Currently, Shari is a first-generation Masters student at Strategic Communications at Columbia University and seeks to apply her learnings to the business.

Allisa Jacques, USA, Jamaica & Guyana

Alissa Jacques is the co-founder of Shuga N’ Spice Magazine. She grew up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn born to Jamaican/Guyanese parents. After leaving Brooklyn, Alissa saw that Caribbean culture were often misrepresented and most depictions of the Caribbean referred to poverty and tourism. After graduating from New York University with a Bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship, Education Policy, and Narrative Studies, Alissa realized the Caribbean narrative needed an interdisciplinary approach that replaced how others interacted with Caribbean culture and how the region presented itself to others. Her experience growing startups through storytelling and design theory led to the inception of Shuga N’ Spice Magazine. Alissa is a graduating student at Teachers College, Columbia University earning her Masters of Arts in Sociology of Education.

Danica David, St. Croix, Virgin Islands

Danica M. David, M. A. A. Ed, is a St. Croix-born contemporary artist, educator, author, graphic designer, and the mother of two sons, Alex and Kaylan. She is the owner of Danica Art Studio, and the director of Creative Adventure Summer Art Program. Danica teaches art at the St. Croix Educational Complex High School and is an adjunct professor at the University of the Virgin Islands. She has owned Danica Art Studio since 2001. Danica is motivated by the Bible verse Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye...“ She believes in praying for direction before every venture. Danica stated, “I delight in creating and inspiring others in the arts. I have the opportunity to live out my passion. It’s an amazing blessing.” Her awards include the Crucian Cultural Heritage Award and The Teacher of the Year Award. Danica’s artwork has graced the walls of patrons in the Caribbean, Europe, and the mainland. Her artwork has been featured in several publications such as the University of the Virgin Islands’ The Caribbean Writer 15th Anniversary Issue and Volume 19, Carol Mitchell’s book ’Round My Christmas Tree, Opal Palmer Adisa’s publication Interviewing the Caribbean (2015), and Apple Gidley’s novel Fireburn. Danica’s first book Creative Callaloo: Art, Poems, and Recipes Inspired by the Virgin Islands will be released later this year. Visit www.danicaartvi.com for updates and events.

Laureen Redhead, Grenada

Laureen Redhead, creator of the lifestyle blog, JesuisLaureen is a small island girl hailing from beautiful Grenada. She migrated to the United States in 2002 to attend the prestigious Medgar Evers College. While at Medgar Evers, she earned a degree in Applied Business Management and is excited to pursue her entrepreneurial endeavors. Laureen is a lover of life who is always seeking adventure, experiences, and ways she can make a difference to others. One of her blogs’ goals is to destroy limiting beliefs that most Caribbean people hold, hindering them from fully enjoying their island. These socialized beliefs denote barriers to what they can and cannot partake in, within their own country. Currently, she is working on ways to eliminate the obstructive barriers that keep Caribbean’s local and abroad from living their best lives. She is also focused on self-love and maintaining good health, and fitness.

Regine Theodat, Haiti

Régine Théodat left Haiti with her parents at the age of two to live in Cambridge, Massachusetts, only to return more than 20 years later as a fully qualified lawyer, galvanized into action – like so many other Haitian expats – by the human toll of the 2010 earthquake. Theodat began by providing advice about their rights and entitlements to shell-shocked survivors. What struck her from the very start, however, was that uppermost in the minds of everyone she met was where they could find work to support themselves and their families. That realisation, she recalls, switched her focus from human rights to development. She began working with aid organizations, but what the change underlined for her once again was the lack of entrepreneurial input which could help create life-changing sustainable employment. So she decided to lead by example, opening MyaBèl restaurant and cocktail bar in 2013 as the first step in a disruptive strategy to launch a range of branded foods, supported by a farm to grow its produce. It was an innovative plan and also a huge success. Theodat completed her FDA certification. The restaurant, with a distinctive menu of all-natural Haitian ingredients in its food and drink – including the cocktails – became a popular eaterie. And it used that popularity to launch its own brand of 14 gourmet sauces, artisanal tea, and bottled cocktails, along with packaged portions of its signature dishes.

Yentyl Williams, Trinidad & UK

Yentyl is a social entrepreneur and Founder of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Young Professionals' Network (ACP YPN). The ACP YPN aims to give a voice to ACP youth - young professionals and diaspora - and bridges the gap between technical policy-making and future ACP leaders in EU and international affairs. She is also a Commonwealth Champion, a life title awarded by The Commonwealth for her contributions to creating a Commonwealth that is mutually respectful, resilient, peaceful and prosperous and that cherishes, quality, diversity and shared values.

Kerry-Ann Reid Brown, Jamaica, USA

Kerry-Ann Reid-Brown is a Jamaican born New York City based career and entrepreneur development expert, Caribbean influencer and founder of Carry On Friends. She has over 15 years’ experience in a variety of roles resulting in a unique blend of project management, operations, talent development and marketing experiences. Throughout her career, Kerry-Ann has developed a reputation for being an analytical, strategic and creative problem solver with strong organization skills. Her accomplishments include development and optimization of departments through the creation of systems and processes that improved efficiency and reduce cost; improved internal professional development training via on-demand and in person sessions.

Kerry-Ann’s extensive experience also includes leading teams through mentorship, feedback and coaching to maximize performance. Through Carry On Friends, Kerry-Ann created a platform where she combines her extensive knowledge, expertise and life experiences, to equip the Caribbean community with content and resources on career development and entrepreneurship. One such resource is the Carry On Friends Podcast, one of the first podcast to solely feature Caribbean American entrepreneurs and business professionals. The podcast has been featured as an editor's choice in iTunes’ under the category Black Voices in Business. Kerry-Ann was also accepted into the 2016 inaugural Caribbean Digital Startup and made it as a top 10 finalist.

Monique Kennedy, Jamaica

Monique R. Kennedy is the creator of Thrive House, a community for entrepreneurs in the creative industries. Through the Thrive House, she hosts The Thriving Artist dinner an intimate networking event that allows entrepreneurs to mingle with industry experts and other like-minded individuals. She also, hosts a podcast where she has interviewed guests such as Sandra Glasgow, Award-Winning Director Storm Saulter, Digital Media mogul Nathan Chan and 7 time New York Times Best-Selling Author Lisa Nichols.

In June 2016, Monique became the leader of the Kingston chapter of TuesdaysTogether, a monthly meet-up that happens in over 300 cities globally with entrepreneurs who believe in community over competition. Monique was formally trained as a Graphic Designer at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She has worked with companies such Barnes & Noble, Twentieth Century Fox, Digicel Jamaica, American Greetings and Red Stripe. In February 2016, she was selected by the Ministry of Science Energy and Technology to be a Design Consultant at the KingstOOn Animation Festival. Her journey to entrepreneurship started with her fascination with blogging. Her first blog M*RKologie, was awarded the Best Fashion & Beauty blog in the 2011 Jamaica Blog Awards and birthed the Generation G Empowerment Camp for Girls. She also received Best Lifestyle blog for her blog Orange Street in the 2014 Caribbean Blog Awards.

Istra Bell, Grenada

Istra Bell is a creative, loves ice cream, chocolate and has a passion for entrepreneurship and small business management. Istra was born and raised on the tri-island state of Grenada, located in the Southeastern Caribbean Sea. The other two islands which make up the trio are Carriacou and Petite Martinique which lies north of Grenada. Istra’s passion for entrepreneurship started while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology at St. George’s University (SGU). She did a required final year project at SGU where she chose to build a system which focused on promoting small businesses from Grenada.

It was through this project that she developed a desire to see island entrepreneurs from Grenada and the Caribbean succeed, with their products and services appearing on international markets or being featured in international magazines and media outlets. One year after graduating from SGU, her blog, Islepreneur.com, was founded and has been growing since. The platform has been used to promote small businesses and encourage entrepreneurship in Grenada. Islepreneur is also used to highlight benefits of entrepreneurship and to show islanders that it can be done regardless of circumstances and the size of their island. Islepreneur is being recognized in other parts of the Caribbean region, U.K. and Canada.

Tamara Douge, Haiti

Gemma believes that great meals always start with simple ingredients. Better known as Tamara Douge, Gemma is the Caribbean food and lifestyle blogger behind Caribbean Green Living, the website where she shares her culinary creations and promotes healthy living while bringing awareness about the Caribbean Culture. Through her website, Gemma is connecting and educating people with helpful resources to improve their cooking and lifestyle, while increasing their confidence to a happy and sustainable happy life. Born in Haiti, Gemma started cooking at the age of 8 under the watchful eye of her aunty Jeanne because she refused to let her cook in peace. Gemma’s creativity and eagerness to learn about ingredients, spices etc.… proved to her parents that she would be the one entertaining and catering all family events. After achieving her graduate degrees, Gemma felt her heart was empty. She found that working in the corporate world did not provide the happiness she craved. She started to devote her creativity to exploring different cuisines and foods, and recipe development Because of her free spirited and adventurous mind, culinary school was not on her goals’ list. Gemma started blogging in December 2012 as a hobby to share her creations and culinary expertise. In early 2014, after one of her “motherly chats” with her mom, she realized that the canvas of Caribbean Green Living needed to be extended. By allowing family, friends, and strangers to help her with her venture, Gemma has created a successful website that has been enjoyed by thousands of people around the globe Gemma often daydreams about new recipes and to all who knows her best, quiet mornings are the best time for her creativeness to flourish. After Gemma perfected the art of being a great helper in the kitchen, her first real cooking lesson with aunty Jeanne was to learn how to make rice and beans and meat with creole sauce. This was the beginning of her relationship with pots and pans.

Mylene Colmar, Guadeloupe

Guadeloupean, Mylène Colmar is an independent journalist and editorial consultant. Passionate about the news and potential of the Greater Caribbean, her region, she launched Mylène Colmar's blog in February 2015 to highlight them, otherwise. She has established herself over the years as a Caribbean influencer. Mylène Colmar wants to be a journalist since the age of six. She continued her studies for this unique purpose. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in Guadeloupe, she went to Paris to do a preparatory class of letters (hypokhâgne and khâgne) at the Lycée Hélène Boucher. Then she studied at the Sorbonne University (Paris IV), where she obtained a Diploma of Advanced Studies (equivalent of the Master) of French literature and civilization. Subsequently, to improve her English, she spent time in London and Portsmouth in England. Then she moved to Canada to study journalism at the Université de Montréal. A year later, in 2008, she graduated. Journalist of written press and web, Mylène Colmar was notably general secretary of the writing of a general weekly in Guadeloupe. In recent years, she has been working as an independent. His favorite exercise is the report on the ground, source of meetings and significant discoveries. In addition, she co-authored with Axelle Kaulanjan a journalistic book titled Abécédaire LKP.

Alicia Nichols, Barbados

Miss Alicia Nicholls, B.Sc., M.Sc., LL.B. is a trade and development consultant and founder of Caribbean Trade Law & Development, a consulting firm specialising in international trade and development consulting. She is also a Consulting Legal Researcher with FRANHENDY Attorneys. Alicia is passionate about issues dealing with the development of Caribbean and other small states. Her professional career includes extensive trade research and consulting for private individuals, NGOs, and international organisations. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Political Science (First Class Honours), a Masters of Science (M.Sc.) in International Trade Policy with distinction and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) with Upper Second Class Honours. She also holds the FITT Certificate in International Trade credential. Alicia is a member of the Ottawa-based Forum for International Trade Training (FITT), the Michigan-based Academy for International Business and the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA). She is also the CARIFORUM Representative/Trade Expert with the Brussels-based African, Caribbean & Pacific Young Professionals Network (ACP-YPN). Alicia is multilingual and is conversational in French, Spanish and Portuguese. When she is not hard at work, she is spending time with her loved ones, reading, exploring other cultures or travelling the world!

Stennette Dariah, St. Croix, Virgin Islands

Energetic. Optimistic. Progressive. My philosophy is to ‘focus on big impact opportunities with a learning, forward thinking and pragmatic perspective. It is not surprise that I thrive on program and project management opportunities as well as interpersonal development facets. While I have obtained experience working with several companies that include Merrill Lynch, St. Croix Insurance and Jacobs Engineering Groups, the bulk of my expertise can be attributed to my economic development and community revitalization work with the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development as a Community Development Program Officer & Property Manager, as well as the Virgin Islands Next Generation Network as a lead Program Manager. It is within these capacities that I was able to manage millions of dollars in federal grants, redesign Digital Literacy Programs and revitalize over $700,000 worth of local properties in the historic St. Croix districts. I have coupled my accomplishments within the non-profit arena with my experience in Life Coaching to fulfill my passion for the Virgin Islands and our community by forming my own company, Virgin Islands Coaching and Consulting. Through this avenue, I intend to take project management to a new level by helping individuals and organizations better manage themselves and maximize their potential!

Mechi Estevez-Cruz, Dominican Republic

Mechi Annaís Estévez Cruz is an Afro-Indigenous queer language teacher, cultural guide, activist, and writer. Her work highlights sustainable and socially responsible tourism with the aim to decolonize travel and examine privilege. Through the D.R.–based Una Vaina Bien Spanish, she fuses language instruction and ethical tourism.

Melisa Boutin, St. Kitts & Nevis

Melisa Boutin is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), Money Coach and Founder of YourMoneyWorth.com, a platform that provides resources for Millennials, in the Caribbean region and United States, to dump debt, save, invest and build lasting wealth. Melisa is passionate about helping Caribbean Millennials do better with money, starting with tackling student loan debt. In January 2016, after making the final payment on her international student loan from a Caribbean bank, she launched a Student Loan Question & Answers workshop at the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas, U. S. Virgin Islands. After resounding positive feedback and praise for the workshop, Melisa created Yourmoneyworth.com to provide accessible and practical financial education resources to Millennials in the Eastern Caribbean and the Caribbean-American Diaspora.

Rashida Geddes, Canada & Jamaica

Rashida Geddes is on a mission to help women create a career and business that leverages their unique talents & gifts, empowering them to stand in their truth with confidence! As a Leadership Coach, Talent Recruitment Partner at BMO and Speaker, Rashida is passionate about teaching purpose driven Millennials how to value themselves and unapologetically own the brilliance they bring to the workplace. Tired of waiting for permission from everyone but herself, Rashida started owning her talents, leveraged her more than 10 years of corporate experience and became the CEO of her career success. Trained by best selling author Valorie Burton of the CaPP Institute in Coaching, Rashida utilizes the power of positive psychology in her business, career & life! When she isn't helping Millennials find their voice, Rashida is a mother, wife and advocate for women's advancement. She is a graduate of Concordia University. A voice for the next generation of women leaders through her speaking, coaching, and training, Rashida is helping Millennials claim the power they bring to life!

Mikelah Rose, USA & Jamaica

Mikelah Rose is a Caribbean Culture aficionado, curating the bridge between the Caribbean and its diaspora through her blog Style & Vibes. The first generation Jamaican-American holds a BBA in Marketing with previous experience with Caribbean lifestyle brands such as VP Records, Tempo TV, JAMROCK Magazine and Triple the Focus Magazine. Currently serving as a digital marketing maven by day, while continuing to collaborate with Caribbean brands and diaspora bloggers.

Mirielle Liong, Suriname

Mireille Liong-A-Kong, a Suriname native, graduated with a Master Degree in Computer Science from the University of Amsterdam and relocated from Holland for Brooklyn New York in 2003. Motivated by the hair and scalp issues that a majority of Black women face, Liong started writing with the purpose to redeem the beauty of natural hair with hopes to solve this problem. Her debut, also the first Dutch book about African hair care, was sold out within two months. Going Natural, How to Fall in Love with Nappy hair, her American book, tops Amazon’s list on the subject of natural hair.

Isake Tom, Canada/Trinidad

Isake is the Founder and Content Director of Island Muse which she launched in 2014. The platform features some of the Caribbean and the diaspora’s best and brightest female entrepreneurs and personalities. She founded Island Muse because she wanted to showcase Caribbean women in a different light. She wanted the world to know that apart from its physical beauty, The Caribbean has successful, intelligent and sophisticated women.