EMPOWER 2022 SPEAKERS

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

On Saturday, January 22, 2022, join Soulivity Magazine and Beyond Words Publishing for another inspirational and rejuvenating New Year, New You virtual event. For the year 2022, we’re challenging you to climb new heights, move into a life of empowerment, and revitalize your mind-body-spirit.

In this intimate online setting, we’re bringing together handpicked speakers to share their gifts and expertise on how to close out 2021 and welcome in 2022 with light, love, and power.

Lynn Andrews is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of the Medicine Woman series, which chronicles her three decades of study and work with shaman healers on four continents. Her study of the way of the sacred feminine began with Agnes Whistling Elk and Ruby Plenty Chiefs, Native American healers in northern Canada. Her quest for spiritual discovery continued with a Shaman Curendera of the Mayan Yucatan, an Aboriginal woman of high degree in the Australian Outback, and a Nepalese healer in the foothills of the Himalayas. Today, she is recognized worldwide as a leader in the fields of spiritual healing and personal empowerment. A shaman healer and mystic, Andrews is widely acknowledged as a major link between the ancient world of shamanism and modern society’s thirst for profound personal healing and a deeper understanding of the pathway to enlightenment. Her latest publication Acts of Power: Daily Teachings for Inspired Living is available by Beyond Words Publishing. For more about Lynn and her work, visit: lynnandrews.com.

Sheila Applegate, MSW, is a Manifestation Coach, Presenter, and Best Selling Author of Enchanted One: The Portal To Love. Sheila’s Consciously Awesome, group coaching program provides a blueprint to release personal roadblocks, ignite the imagination, and embrace an abundant life of joy and passion that is available to everyone. Sheila’s Conscious Meditation™ technique incorporates a unique formula that fosters instant integration for Conscious Living.  Beyond the services Sheila offers the world, she has diligently mastered the ability to live in conscious oneness throughout her daily experiences. Sheila believes it is the natural ability of all human beings to navigate Conscious Oneness and to have unlimited communication with energies beyond the physical. She has dedicated her life to guiding people to attain this level of conscious living.  Meet her now at: www.sheilaapplegate.com.

Teresa Greco is a happiness expert and the TV and radio host of a weekly show called “The Steps to Happiness Show With Teresa Greco.” She is the author of the book Steps to True Happiness, and the co-author of the best-selling books The Decision to Heal: Pathways from Suffering to Love, and Business, Life and the Universe: Vol 4. She is an educator and educational technologies consultant with a master’s degree from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  She is the editor and senior writer at two Canadian lifestyle magazines. As a coach and reiki master, she does public speaking, holds workshops, and mentors others about embracing, honouring, loving, and celebrating their true authentic self and achieving their own personal happiness and fulfillment.  You can follow Teresa on her Instagram page @teresagreco_stepstohappiness and Facebook page, Steps to True Happiness with Teresa Greco.  You can also connect with Teresa by visiting her website, www.teresagreco.ca about speaking engagements, workshops, and services.

Rachel B. Kaplan is a native New Yorker who thrives on helping people. She’s Bikram Yoga Certified and has been teaching yoga and breath work for over 12 years.. Although yoga can most certainly help transform a person’s health, Rachel saw a need in her yoga community to coach her students about how they were fueling their bodies to gain maximum results on their mat. She decided to go back to school and earn her 2nd degree in Food and Nutrition Sciences. In 2017 she graduated from University of Alabama and has chosen the path of Holistic Health Coach. Currently, she works with professionals, all over the world, to explore what’s holding them back from living their version of good health and helping them shed light on what action steps they can take that will bring about positive change. Meet her now by visiting: www.higherhealthnow.com.

Marie Antoinette Kelley is an award-winning artist who has done hundreds of portraits and whose work is well known throughout Montana. Her art has been featured in local magazines and newspapers, such as the Billings Gazette, Rural Montana, The Bozone, and the Montana Pioneer. In 2019, the Delaware North general stores began selling her artwork in the form of woven blankets throughout Yellowstone National Park. Learn more about Marie Antoinette and her work, including her art in the Angel Quest Oracle card deck (available by Beyond Words Publishing), by visiting: makfineart.com.

Claire LaChance serves as the CEO of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, leading a team of world-renowned scientists and experiential program professionals located in Northern California. Prior to joining IONS in 2016, Claire was founder and president of Inspiration Quest, Inc. where she led the delivery of comprehensive management consulting services to hundreds of nonprofit organizations, foundations, public agencies, and social entrepreneurs. Earlier in her career, Claire held executive positions at Pacific Bell and MetLife. She earned an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA (magna cum laude) in Economics from Tufts University.

Helene Lerner is the founder of WomenWorking.com. She’s a television host, Emmy award-winning executive producer, workplace consultant, and prolific author of thirteen books—including The Confidence Myth: Why Women Undervalue Their Skills and How to Get Over It, In Her Power: Reclaiming Your Authentic Self, and the Soulful Wisdom card deck.

She began her career as a teacher, later working her way up through the management ranks of The New York Times. As CEO of Creative Expansions, Inc., a multimedia company, her mission is to empower women and girls.

Dr. Tonya M. Matthews is a thought-leader in institutionalized equity and inclusion frameworks, social entrepreneurship, and the intersectionality of formal and informal education. Her background as both poet and engineer have made her a highly sought-after visioning partner on boards and community building projects, as well as a frequent public speaker and presenter for communities across all ages and venues.

A non-profit executive leadership veteran, Dr. Matthews is currently Chief Executive Officer of the International African American Museum (IAAM) located in Charleston, SC at the historically sacred site of Gadsden’s Wharf. IAAM is a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of American history and thus, one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as America continues the walk toward “a more perfect union.”

Dr. Matthews has storied career in leadership. Most recently, she served as Associate Provost for Inclusive Workforce Development & Director of the STEM Innovation Learning Center for Wayne State University and, prior to that, as the President & CEO of the Michigan Science Center – flexing her science and tech educational equity chops in both roles. Dr. Matthews credits her time at Wayne State University for a deeper understanding of the intersectionality of education, career, community agency, and self-efficacy which she refers to as the “pre-K through Gray” pipeline. While at the Michigan Science Center, she founded The STEMinista Project, a movement to engage girls in their future with STEM careers and tools. She continues this work today through STEMinista Rising, supporting professional women in STEM – and the colleagues who champion them – with an inclusive emphasis on women of color.

Dr. Matthews’ dedication to community and her accomplishments is widely recognized. She was noted as one of the Most Influential Women in Michigan (Crain’s Business, 2016) and honored as Trailblazer by Career Mastered Magazine (2017). She is a member of the National Academy of Sciences Board on Science Education and was appointed by both Democratic and Republican administrations to the National Assessment Governing Board. Dr. Matthews is a published poet, included in 100 Best African-American Poems (2010) edited by Nikki Giovanni, and has written several articles and book chapters on inclusive governance, non-profit management, and fundraising.

Dr. Matthews received her Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and her B.S.E. in biomedical and electrical engineering from Duke University, alongside a certificate in African/African-American Studies. She is a member of Delta Sigma Sorority, Inc. and The Links, Inc. Dr. Matthews a native of Washington, D.C. and, in each community she has settled, is known for planting roots on the side of town best for keeping an eye on progress.

Learn more about Dr. Matthews here: www.iaamuseum.org/iaam-names-new-ceo.

Jude Morrow is an autistic entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, consultant, philanthropist, and the founder of Neurodiversity Training International, the world’s premier neurodiversity-led training and consulting firm (neurodiversity-training.com). In 2001, Jude was diagnosed autistic at the age of eleven, after having been viewed as having communication and social difficulties. Jude’s journey to becoming a proud autistic adult is chronicled in his first book Why Does Daddy Always Look So Sad?, which also follows Jude’s experience of being an autistic dad to his non-autistic son, Ethan. Jude graduated with an honors degree in social work in 2012 and brings his personal and professional experiences to all the work he does. Jude’s latest book release Loving Your Place on the Spectrum: A Neurodiversity Blueprint is available by Beyond Words Publishing.

John J. Murphy is the founder and CEO of Venture Management Consultants, Inc., a firm specializing in creating lean, high-performance work environments. As a business consultant, John has worked with some of the world’s leading organizations, including ADP, BMW, Chase, the Michigan State Senate, the CIA, and the US Navy. He is the author of more than nineteen books, including Miracle Minded Manager (available by Beyond Words Publishing), and has trained thousands of people from more than fifty countries. He lives in Palm Beach, Florida.  Learn more about John J. Murphy by visiting his website: https://www.johnjmurphy.org/.

Karen Noé is a renowned psychic medium, spiritual counselor, and healer with a two-year waiting list for appointments and consultations. She is the author of several books. The Angel Quest Oracle is her first oracle deck. Karen is also the founder of the Angel Quest Center in Waldwick, New Jersey, where she teaches classes, gives readings, and practices alternative healing. You can listen to Karen on The Angel Quest Radio Show by going to hudsonriverradio.com. Learn more about Karen and her work by visiting: karennoe.com.

Kerstin Sjoquist is the Director of Experience & Engagement at the Institute of Noetic Sciences (IONS). IONS is a research organization that bridges scientific exploration and experiential discover to better understand a timeless truth: that humanity is deeply interconnected.  Previously Kerstin was the founder and CEO of Consciousness Arts, Inc., specializing in psycho-spiritual products, classes, and services to assist people in expanding and enhancing their lives. Blending the imaginative dexterity gained from her time as a Juilliard-trained actor with spiritual dimensions gleaned from decades of personal study she created the Bliss Trips line of guided meditation journeys. Kerstin holds a masters degree in East-West Psychology from the California Institute for Integral Studies (CIIS).

D’angelo Thompson is a three-time Daytime Emmy Nominated Hair and Makeup Artist, “Guest Hair” Daytime Emmy Award winner for the Wendy Williams Show, an accomplished Author, and Podcast Host. His most recent credits include: “Law & Order SVU” (Season 21); MTV/VH-1/LOGO (Viacom); Amy Trask (CBS Sports); Food Network (USA); Joy Mangano; Amber Stevens West/Andrea DeBordeaux for “Run the World” (Starz); and, author, James Patterson. His expertise extends to bridal, editorial, commercial, film, and television. Additionally, for over 20 years, D’angelo has been a consultant and educator in partnerships with Il Makiage, Glamour Dolls Makeup, Chic Studios, Makeup For Ever, Calvin Klein Cosmetics, LORAC, and others. As an author, D’angelo penned and published Enhanced Beauty, Enhanced Beauty for Teens, Enhanced Beauty: Men’s Grooming, and A 100 Days of Gratitude. He is also the host of “Gratitude Is A Journey,” available on Anchor.fm/dangelo-thompson, and “Beauty & Gratitude,” a series on Soulivity Magazine’s Soulivity TV. Learn more about D’angelo by visiting https://www.dangelothompson.art/

Sherice Torres is an inspirational leader with over 25 years of experience in marketing, brand management, strategic planning, and change management. Sherice is a Chief Marketing Officer, board member, and change agent with experience across the tech, media and entertainment industries, and a foundation in change management and organizational design from her time at Deloitte Consulting.  A mother of two boys, Sherice has a passion for revolutionizing the public education system and advancing academic and professional opportunities for women and people of color. She serves on the board of Advance Auto Parts, and the sustainability advisory board of Allbirds. Sherice is a nonprofit board member for Breakthrough Silicon Valley and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. She also serves on the advisory board of The Colorwave and the Director’s Council for the VCU Brandcenter. Sherice graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University and earned her MBA at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is also a graduate of the Stanford Law School Directors’ College, the nation’s premier executive education program for directors and senior executives of publicly traded firms.

Christy Whitman is a New York Times bestselling author and transformational leader. She has appeared on The Today Show, The Morning Show, TedX, and The Hallmark Channel, and her work has been featured in numerous publications and magazines. Christy teaches the Law of Attraction, energy mastery, and personal development classes, meditations, and private sessions to help clients feel more aligned with the Divine Design of well-being, abundance, and success. Her latest book The Desire Factor is available by Beyond Words Publishing. She currently lives in sunny Arizona with her husband and two boys. Meet her at www.christywhitman.com.