Matilda Raffa Cuomo’s life has been dedicated to service. She has been a respected and distinguished advocate on behalf of women, children and families. As the former First Lady of New York State, she diligently worked as a volunteer with state and elected officials and community leaders, to establish programs to prevent child abuse, strengthen families, promote adoptions for foster... read full bio
Cathrine Ann was homeless, unemployed, penniless, and on probation with no formal education, but she was determined to turn her life around. At age 40, instead of continuing on the path of hopeless despair, she chose to take a massive risk. It was then that Cathrine Ann combined her street smarts, raw ambition and a lot of creativity to launch... read full bio
Edwards powerful messages have always captured the attention of cities, states, national foundations, the youth service community, and hundreds of thousands of young adults throughout the United States of America. Edward DeJesus is a recognized authority on youth engagement, a premier speaker on the topic. Often referred to as Mr. Youth Cultural Competence (YCC), Edward has delivered this message to... read full bio
Kimberly Clarice Aiken was Miss America 1994. Aiken was 18 years old when she won the coveted title, and was only the third woman of African descent to get the crown. Aiken used the plight of the homeless as her platform. Her year of service as Miss America helped generate public awareness about homelessness and brought a better public understanding... read full bio
It has been difficult and fulfilling for Dr. Williams to go from being an orphan and foster child to being a doctor of education, creator of a nonprofit, and author. Dr. Williams has demonstrated that ethics, perseverance, and devotion are necessary for success. He has worked as a direct care provider, foster parent, house parent, entrepreneur, founder of nonprofit and... read full bio
Stories help us examine and shape the world we live in. Stories give us hopeful answers and insights to questions no one person can answer on their own -- stories help us share our lives. This is what I love about being a writer. Jerdine Nolen received a B.A. in special education from Northeastern Illinois University and an M.Ed. in... read full bio
Ann M. Martin is the author of the popular teen series of books Babysitters Club. The wildly popular book series has sold over 125 million copies in print. The successful writer gets the ideas for her books from many different places. Some are based on personal experiences, while others are based on childhood memories and feelings. Since ending the BSC... read full bio
A speaker, writer, mother, comedian and actress, Kate Davis has the unique ability to find humour in any situation and to offer creative solutions to defuse the frustrations in the home and workplace. Kates generous insight and outspoken character, provides a powerful combination to help organizations empower their staff with effective tools for managing stress and sustaining motivation. An engaging... read full bio
Former model Denise Brown is now an activist who ardently speaks out against domestic violence; Ms. Brown has worked tirelessly to help pass a variety of legislative solutions for domestic violence, and she has traveled across the U.S. to speak on the issue. After her sister Nicole was tragically murdered and Nicole’s ex-husband O.J. Simpson was famously charged with her... read full bio
Psychologist, author and leading expert in family violence and legal domestic abuse, Dr. Jeanne King helps people break the cycle of abuse before it spirals out of control. In turning her own nightmare into a mission, she has devoted her life to being the voice for all those who have been silenced by abuse and by our legal system. King... read full bio
Bruce Degen has written and illustrated numerous award-winning books for children, among them Shirley's Wonderful Baby, Daddy Is a Doodlebug, and Jamberry. He has illustrated the highly acclaimed The Magic School Bus series by Joanna Cole, the ever-popular Jesse Bear books by Nancy White Carlstrom, and Jane Yolen's Commander Toad series. In addition to his career in children's books, he... read full bio
Mike Rucker is a former American football player who played in the NFL for eight seasons. Rucker’s football career began at the University of Nebraska. During his time on the Cornhuskers football team he was apart of the national championship teams of 1995 and 1997. Rucker finished his college career with 40 stops and was the fourth all-time tackler. During... read full bio
When I was young, I loved to draw and paint in my spare time. While studying art at the Rhode Island School of Design, I decided that I wanted to illustrate children's books someday. I began illustrating educational books and materials. A few years later, I was given my first picture book to illustrate. I was very excited! That book,... read full bio
Susan Rook brings more than 20 years of journalism and public advocacy to her work in photography. Her news background includes CNN and local news in New Orleans and Florida. She is a public speaker and workshop presenter specializing in media relations, public advocacy and health care issues. Her professional awards include: Panelist, 1992 Third Presidential Debate; 1992 National Student... read full bio
For more than 25 years, Renée Loux has been a pioneer in the plant-based food movement and the natural product industry. She has been a prominent specialist in the fields of multi-media communication to a large and diverse audience as a chef, author, restaurant, natural goods entrepreneur, culinary nutrition expert and educator, program and curriculum developer, TV host, journalist, consultant,... read full bio
Mark W. Chauppetta is a prominent and highly sought after investigator known for his tireless work ethic and relentless effort. He performs private investigations in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and across New England. Author of Happens All the Time - Cheating In The Good Ol' USA, cheating husband investigations is one of his specialties. Mark brings to the speaker's platform his... read full bio
Dr. Sheperd uses a humorous, non-traditional approach to focusing on stress. He challenges audiences to accept responsibility for their own lives, and gives them strategies to improve the quality of those lives. When it comes to working with issues around loss and grief and serious illness, Dr. Sheperd draws on his over twenty five years experience working with people in... read full bio
Michele Borba, Ed.D., the author of Building Moral Intelligence: The Seven Essential Virtues that Teach Kids to Do the Right Thing, is an internationally renowned consultant and educator who has focused primarily on strengthening children's character, self-esteem and achievement. A dynamic and highly sought-after speaker, she has presented keynote addresses and workshops to over half a million people around the... read full bio
Confidence, Communication, Conflict, Change, Sabotage in the Workplace, Gender Issues and Personal Finance are topics that Dr. Judith Briles presents from her thirty years of business and entrepreneurial experiences. She is an award winning author of twenty books, and and international motivational speaker who delivers her programs with content and humor. Recognized as an expert on workplace issues within the... read full bio
Niki McCuistion is the President/CEO of the Foundation For Responsible Television, a foundation which focuses on issues – oriented educational television programs that illuminate the concerns that touch peoples’ lives, socially, politically and economically. She is the executive producer and producer of the award winning McCUISTION television program with KERA, Dallas, and syndicated on PBS in several cities around the... read full bio
