Podcast: rEvolutionary Woman

Today’s guest is Kavita Tanna. Kavita is guided by the famous philosophy accredited to Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Her mission is to connect with like-minded individuals who wish to empower learners through inspiring, interconnected, and globally-minded holistic education.
Kavita is a master educator and creative designer of integrated curriculum units, weaving impactful learning experiences, wellbeing, curriculum standards/ learning outcomes (state, IB, Honors, AP) and UN Sustainable Development Goals into unified experiences that restore joy to learning and teaching. She co-facilitates Project-Based Learning workshops and coaching sessions, linking staff to learners, educators, and experts around the world.
As the cofounder of Educatio Rad School with Emily Post and Nick Salmon, Kavita helped launch Montana’s first project-based, experiential learning school built upon the values of kindness, acceptance and peace, uncovered through her listening process.
In webinars, workshops and long-term partnerships, Kavita co-designs learning experiences and coaches educators with the roles they play in shaping the identities, attitudes and behaviors of learners, offering practical ideas for supporting discovery, exploration and meaning-making; building the foundations for global and intercultural-mindedness. Through her work as a passionate advocate and mentor for social-emotional-ethical intelligence and wellbeing integration in learning at all age levels, including parents, educators and administrators, her vision is to see holistic wellbeing practices embedded into global competence education.
To learn more about Kavita:
Website: https://www.globallyreconnect.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kavita-t-985309153/

Today, Tes talks with Jeanee James. Jeanee is an award winning photographer, sculptor and potter. She’s also an adventurist, who has seen much of the world. She lives her life with passion and gratitude and believes we create and design each chapter in our life book. Her story is an extraordinary one that will inspire you to be proactive in creating more joy and going after that passion you put on hold because life took over.

Jeanee is an Alaskan, raised in the beautiful town of Homer, a place that is in her DNA and sculpted who she is. She says it gave her the foundation of her journey in art, adventure and travel.

Her love of art started in Alaska, receiving an art scholarship, but she changed paths and achieved a degree in Travel and Tourism.

She has backpacked all over Europe, lived on a kibbutz in Israel, was a deckhand, filleted huge halibut in Alaska, been a tour director through the Canadian Rockies, climbed the pyramids in Egypt, floated in the Dead Sea, scuba dived in the Red Sea, hiked in Australia, explored the Tahitian Islands and people, worked on luxury cruise ships traveling the world. She hiked 556 miles solo across Spain on the sacred pilgrimage called El Camino De Santiago.

She was named Woman Artist of the Year Brevard County central Florida 2008,

Best Photography studio/Photographer Readers Choice Florida 2016

Won National Honors in sculpting with Genius Women in the Arts 2020

She created, designed and leads Women’s Art Retreats she calls “Untethered”, a creative adventure for women to reboot, refill and feed women’s souls through art, hiking, music, food and inspiration.

Here is her story, with lessons of love, heartache, gratitude and ultimately following your dreams.

To learn more about Jeanee James and her custom private group, Untethered retreat:
Facebook: Jeanee Seljestad James
Email: jeanee@jeaneej.com
Website: www.jeaneej.com
YouTube: Alaskan Pilgrim

My guest today is Jessica Cox. Born without arms, Jessica drives cars, surfs, scuba dives, and otherwise lives a normal life using her feet as others use their hands. She believes that the way we think has a greater impact on our lives than our physical constraints. To prove her point while also overcoming her greatest fear, in 2008 Jessica became the first pilot in aviation history licensed to fly a plane with just her feet. Since then, she has visited 27 countries sharing her inspirational message as a keynote speaker.

To learn more about Jessica:
Website: https://jessicacox.com/
Facebook: JessicaCox
IG: rightfooted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rightfooted/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF7Ogv-CKkU

Today, Tes talks with LaTasha Y. Benn. LaTasha is the founder of Love Your Beauty, LLC, a Beauty + Fitness brand. She began her professional beauty journey in 2005 in Chicago, IL, where she started doing makeup for friends and family. Since then, LaTasha has received training from celebrity makeup artists, as well as worked for MAC Cosmetics, Benefit Cosmetics and Laura Mercier. She has grown her makeup career by doing makeup for theatre productions, weddings and fashion shows, and obtained her Esthetician License in 2013. Once licensed, she started to offer skin care services in addition to her makeup services. After a successful career in Chicago, LaTasha packed up her tools and took her skills down south to Tampa, FL.
Formally known as LYBartistry, LaTasha has rebranded her business to Love Your Beauty, LLC, a Beauty & Wellness brand, in which she has expanded her services and now offers makeup services, skincare consultations, fitness products & apparel, and promotes self-care & mental wellness. LaTasha took her passion for fitness, wellness and beauty and made it her business, while shifting her focus from external beauty to internal beauty.
To learn more about LaTasha:
SOCIAL MEDIA:
IG: @loveyourbeauty_llc
Facebook: @loveyourbeautyllc

Today, Tes talks with Katherine Lucey. Katherine is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Solar Sister, a social enterprise investing in women entrepreneurs to bring clean energy access to off-grid communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Katherine is a Schwab Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year, an Ashoka Fellow,
and a Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation Entrepreneur. She has received recognition and
awards for her work with Solar Sister including Forbes “50 Over 50 Women of Impact”, Clinton
Global Initiative, Social Venture Network, C3E, and International Center for Research on
Women (ICRW) Champion of Change Award.

She holds an MBA from Georgia State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia. Prior to becoming a social entrepreneur, Katherine spent over 20 years as an investment banker on Wall Street providing structured finance solutions to the energy sector.

Social Media:
Twitter: @Solar_Sister and @KatherineHLucey
Instagram: @iamsolarister
Facebook: Solar Sister
Linkedin:
Katherine Lucey https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinelucey/
Solar Sister https://www.linkedin.com/company/solar

Today, Tes talks with Gae Polisner. Gae is the award-winning author of six novels including the multi-award winning THE MEMORY OF THINGS which is used in schools around the country. A family law attorney and mediator by trade, but a writer by calling, Gae lives on Long Island with her husband, two sons, and a suspiciously-fictional-looking small dog she swore she’d never own. She is an avid swimmer and, when not writing, can be found in the open waters of the Long Island Sound. Her next book is forthcoming from Henry Holt in 2022. You may follow her on twitter and Instagram @gaepol, on facebook at gaepolisnerauthor, and find her books wherever books are sold.

SEVEN CLUES TO HOME “… a modern-day Bridge to Terabithia.” – Booklist. Junior Library Guild selection, now available from Alfred A Knopf/RHC.

JACK KEROUAC IS DEAD TO ME “… consider her to be the best voice in the YA contemporary space.” – YA Books Central. Now available Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press. Also on audiobook!

IN SIGHT OF STARS, from Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press. Booklist, Starred Review. Winner, 2018 AudioFile Earphones Award; 2020 Keystone to Reading nominee; 2019 Wisconsin State “Just One More Page” selection; 2019 Teen Choice Book Award nominee.

THE MEMORY OF THINGS, Winner, 2019 Golden Archer Wisconsin’s Children’s Choice Book Award; 2017 Wisconsin State “Just One More Page” selection; repeat NYLA Three Apples Book Award finalist; Keystone to Reading Book Award finalist; Nerdy Book Club Best, 2016; New York Times, Huffington Post, and New York Daily News, reviews. Now out on audio!

Check out all my books here: http://gaepolisner.com/
Follow Gae Polisner:
IG: @gaepol
Twister: @gaepol
Facebook: https://www.gaepolisner.com/

Today, Tes speaks with Sema Başol. Sema, who is Turkish-American, is a global marketing and public relations executive with over 35 years of experience both in the U.S. and in Turkey.

Sema is the co-founder of Turkish-Women’s Initiative, a US-based non-profit, founded
in 2008, that promotes the advancement of women through innovative community-
based programs. She is also the founder of Change Leaders Association based in
Turkey that provides leadership skills training for university women through its Sparks
Program. Close to 500 young women have graduated from this program. The social
change projects they have created and implemented have touched the lives of
hundreds of thousands of people. The stories of the graduates are captured in Sema’s
first book “Sparks: transformational stories of young women who dream of a better
world” published in Turkey.

To learn more about Sema Basol:
Website: www.thetwi.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/turkishwomensinitiative
IG: https://www.instagram.com/turkishwomensinitiative/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thetwi/

Today, Tes talks with Valerie Bennis. Valerie is an award winning aromatherapist who created the Essence of Vali line of therapeutic products. She recently started a new chapter with the launch of her company, Fragrant Notes, a lifestyle blog for women over 50. Her mission is to inspire women to love and appreciate ALL that they are through all the phases of their life with purpose, self-care, passion and creativity.

To learn more about Valerie Bennis:
For Fragrant Notes:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefragrantnote
Website: www.fragrantnotes.com

For Essence of Vali:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essenceofvali
Website: www.essenceofvali.com

Today, Tes speaks with Chef Liz Thompson. Liz, a native New Yorker, started her first career in Advertising and Product Management after receiving her MBA in Marketing and Finance from Fordham University before she switched gears and attended the French Culinary Institute to become a pastry chef which has been her career path for the last 25 years. She worked in restaurants in New York for a few years before moving to Los Angeles to do an internship with Michelle Richard at restaurant Citrus.

After that, Liz did a quick stint with Food & Wines from France doing wine and food pairings, worked at Tryst Restaurant then moved to Checkers Hotel, a 5-star hotel, as pastry chef, for 5 years. She then went out on her own and opened “The Pig, Memphis Style BBQ” in West L.A. and Universal City Walk as co-owner which received accolades in The New York Times, Newsweek, Bon Appetit, Gourmet and was named “Best BBQ in Los Angeles” by Los Angeles Magazine 3 years in a row.

Liz then taught pastry and restaurant management at The Art Institute of California for 4 years
before moving on to Recipe Formulation and New Product Development, which has become her
passion. She loves to hyper focus on one ingredient and create countless different recipes
which allows her head to spin out creatively which is another area of her expertise.

Baking with Herbs
Liz is passionate about Baking with the natural flavor of fresh herbs from her garden which creates a unique taste experience. She takes any of her recipes, be it pastry or custards and infuses them through sugars, dairy and simple syrups to even make cocktails.

Imagine going into your garden and grabbing a handful of fresh basil, lemongrass, lavender and
even rose petals to transform your already fabulous crème brulee, into something even more
fabulous. The same goes for ice cream, cookies, chocolates and of course cocktails. How about
a Rose Petal and Lime Cosmopolitan in a glass rimmed with Rose Sugar?

Dive into the world of Baking with Herbs with us that has been in existence going back 2000
years ago to the Spice Trade when herbs were more valuable than gold. You will learn which
ingredient in to infuse depending on recipe, be it heavy cream, sugar or butter and the
differences in the methods of doing so.

We will create the following simple recipes that will awaken both your sense of taste and smell!

To learn more about Chef Liz Thompson:
IG: Realdesserts
FB: Chef Liz Thompson
Website: https://www.lizthompsonmarketing.com/

My guest today is Ewa Kuc. Ewa was born and raised in Poland. In 2007, after obtaining a master’s degree in Childhood Development with a specialization in Mass Media Education, she left Poland to become an AuPair in California, where she has settled, married and had her two daughters.

In 2012 she opened her first business, Ewa Samples Photography, recently rebranded into May The Art Be With You.

In January of 2022, Ewa joined Acton Academy, a network of independent owners of nontraditional schools and has since become the co-founder of Soaring – an Acton Academy – a non-profit private school in Morgan Hill, California.

She also hosts an annual event for kids, Children’s Business Fair, where for one day kids can become entrepreneurs and sell their products and services in person to the public.

Ewa is certified:
– Therapeutic Art Life Coach
– Life Story Coach.

She’s in the process of obtaining a license for Be Body Positive Facilitator Training and Mindfulness Life Coaching certification.

Her next life goal is to become a Body Image Life Coach for pre-teens, teens, and moms!

To learn more about Ewa:
IG: @ewa_samples
FB for Soaring Acton Academy: https://www.facebook.com/SoaringActonAcademy
FB for Morgan Hill Children’s Business Fair: https://www.facebook.com/MHChildrensBusinessFair
FB for May The Art Be With You: https://www.facebook.com/MaytheartbewithyouEwaSamples

Today, Tes speaks with Cheryl Thomas. Cheryl is the founding Director of Global Rights for Women. Since 1993, Cheryl has worked with partners around the world to promote women’s human rights and achieve effective legal reform to end gender based violence She has participated in the drafting of new laws on violence against women and girls, and trained legal and community professionals to enforce such laws in dozens of countries. She has worked closely with the United Nations to develop model standards on legal reform on gender based violence. Cheryl has participated in numerous UN Expert Group Meetings on violence against women including in 2008 when she co-chaired the meeting to draft UN Handbook for Legislation on Violence against Women. In 2011, she was recognized by Newsweek magazine as one of 150 “Women Who Shake the World”. In 2021, the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) awarded her Arabella Babb Mansfield Award for her professional achievements for women in the law.

Today, Tes talks with Kim L. Hunt. Kim is a lifelong learner who continues to hone and invest her passion in organizational leadership, Black and LGBTQ+ liberation and storytelling. For over 25 years Ms. Hunt has used her platforms in storytelling, public speaking and civic engagement to curate brave, inclusive spaces for social change. She is currently the executive director of the Pride Action Tank (PAT), a project of AIDS Foundation Chicago, where she also serves as the senior director of Policy & Advocacy Operations. PAT is a multi-issue project incubator and think tank that focuses on action that leads to improved opportunities and outcomes for LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized groups. Kim was previously the executive director of Affinity Community Services, a 25-year-old social justice organization that focuses on Black LGBTQ+ people. Prior to her work in LGBTQ+ communities, Kim’s work focused on urban planning and community and economic development. She is the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including induction into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame and being named a Crain’s Chicago Notable LGBTQ Executive. She serves on the boards of Brave Space Alliance and One Roof Chicago, the OUT at CHM Planning Committee, the advisory boards of OTV and Wille’s Warriors. She is a founding co-host of OUTSpoken LGBTQ Storytelling, a monthly show in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago, and a published author. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Iowa State University, a Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Master’s in Public Policy Studies from the University of Chicago. Kim lives in Chicago with her wife and has three adult children and a dog.

To learn more about Kim Hunt:
Twitter: @chikimhunt62
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.l.hunt.14/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-l-hunt-7028674/

Photo credit: Rebecca Parrish of Interchange Productions

When one asks Pilar how she sees herself within the context of the community, she will immediately respond, “I am a Mother, a Sister, a Healer. I am a soldier on the front lines who creates safe spaces for my people to heal and grow.” As a Veteran of the United States Navy where she served as an Operations Specialist, her love of details and process, systems and strategy led her to the social service aspect of the human/health sciences.

For seven years Pilar worked for the Chicago Department of Public health/CDC
as an Infectious Disease Community Epidemiologist. Desiring to have a more hands on healing impact within the community, the next decade took Pilar on a magical journey through entrepreneurship; opening a healing shop featured on ABC7’s 190 North and HGTV which led to her being selected to represent Dove Soap in the international “Real Women, Real Beauty” Campaign.

Her signature Gele, or headwrap, was so inspiring to women across the globe that a movement was formed launching Gele Day, an annual celebration of Healing for women of color, which led to the launching of Pilar’s non-profit organization, Wrap Your beYOUty Movement (WYBM). Now in its 10thYear, WYBM is committed to unearthing the most innovative and creative ways to address the current state of violence in Chicago and is committed to addressing the many forms of trauma that adversely impact the south and west sides of Chicago – especially as a result of the pandemic.

Through Ancient indigenous artforms and healing practices, WYBM assists the women of the
community in their journey to better engaging their children and their men. By facilitating safe spaces for Black people to share experiences, learn and build, healing takes place in the most profound way. WYBM empowers Black people to take what they learn back to their respective families, with an emphasis on training their own children.

Pilar is also a former Arts Vendor for Chicago Public Schools, a 2021 Chicago Peace Fellow and Associate Director at Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation Greater
Chicago (TRHT).

To learn more about Pilar Audain:
Facebook: TRinigyal Pilar Audain
IG: Pilar Sango Queen

Today, Tes talks with Sara Knizhnik. Sara holds a BA from Northwestern University and an MA from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. She served as a university-level English-as-a-Second-Language Instructor at various universities in the Chicago area for 17 years before becoming first a volunteer, part-time gun violence prevention (GVP) advocate with Moms Demand Action and then a full-time, professional GVP advocate with the Newtown Action Alliance (NAA). Sara is the Director of Community Engagement for NAA, a national gun violence prevention (GVP) organization founded in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, CT in December 2012. Sara is also one of the Principals and founders of Purpose Storytellers, a clever public affairs firm dedicated to helping nonprofits get to the next level of policy influence and thought leadership. Sara spends her time, as both a professional and a volunteer, educating the public about how they can become active in the movements in support of gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform. She is also a Vernon Township Trustee. Sara lives in Vernon Hills, Illinois with her husband and two children.

To learn more about Sara Knizhnik:
Follow Me Everywhere via Linktree – Please click here.

Today, Tes speaks with Joni Pursell. Joni is a native Idahoan and began her financial career in 1984. She is an Investment Advisor Representative and Registered Representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.
Joni assists clients in Wealth Management Solutions, Asset Allocation, Retirement Planning, Education Planning, Insurance and Annuities and Legacy Planning. She is passionate about her clients and helping them achieve THEIR goals.
She is active in civic, business and mentoring programs throughout the Treasure Valley.
She is the past president of the Women’s Business Center.
She served on the Board of Directors for Walkin The Talk, a non-profit organization which enhances the esteem of kids and is delivered through the school system.
She is a past member of International Toastmasters
She also mentors business owners
Joni lives in Eagle, Idaho. She has 2 children, Shea and Chase and loves being grandma (‘YAYA’) to Tegan, Langlei, Mason, Mila & Madeline (They are the cutest grandkids in the world!) She loves to ride her Harley and looks forward to one day riding cross country to Maine and eating some of that famous Maine lobster. Currently she is riding a 2020 Road Glide, fulfilling this dream.
To learn more about Joni:
Website: www.raymondjames.com/JoniPursell
Website: www.nextlevelfinancialplanners.com
Broker check: http://www.finra.org.brokercheck/

To find out about Joni’s cross country ride to raise funds for Parkinson’s disease:
https://www.motorcyclepowersportsnews.com/woman-embarks-34-day-ride-support-drive-cure-parkinsons/

Mae Flores is an award-winning Filipina-American actress turned speaker and advocate. She is well-known for her role in the sci-Fi cult classic, “Atlantis Down” and her philanthropy-focused, independent music show, “Mae Flores Presents.”

Mae fervently advocates for women’s rights and gender equality because she is also a two-time survivor of sexual assault. She has received multiple awards like the UN Global Goals Ambassador Award for her work with Gender Equality and the WNBA Redefine Women Award for her work in the sexual assault advocacy space. In 2017, she spoke on the importance of moving past the trauma of her assaults in a TEDx talk titled, “I’m Still Here”. She is the founder of “Light Me Up”, a program which uses the power of movement, voice and music to show survivors how to use tools that they already have within themselves to find their own paths to healing. Currently she is the producer of various projects that focus on storytelling and healing, like the podcast, “So, Tell Me About Your Dad”.

Follow Mae Flores:
Email: maeflores111@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missmaeflores
IG: @officialmaeflores
Mae Flores’ TEDx Talk, “I’m Still Here”: https://youtu.be/__K65pyMM64
Coming Soon: www.maeflores.com

Today, Tes speaks with Marisa Zeppieri. Marisa is a former journalist and Mrs. New York, and today is a speaker, the founder of NY nonprofit LupusChick, and the author of the memoir and cookbook, Chronically Fabulous. She is also a lupus patient and started LupusChick in 2007 as a way to provide resources, inspiration and encouragement to people living with autoimmune disease. In her free time, she loves to paint, road trip, cook, and spend time with her family and rescued terrier.

You can follow Marisa on instagram @lupuschickofficial and on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/lupuschick – Her website is LupusChick.com

Today, Tes talks with Jennifer Burden. Jennifer hails from the USA and is the Founder and CEO of World Moms Network, an award-winning online media organization and website promoting a world of peace through the common bonds of motherhood. Jennifer has been nominated Global Influencer Fellow and Social Media Fellow by the UN Foundation, invited to the White House, spoken at the World Bank for the right of a universal education for all children, and her writing has been featured on Impatient Optimists, The Huffington Post, ONE.org and BabyCenter. She is currently at Columbia University in NYC, where she is working toward her Executive Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in global policy studies. She is the mother of two girls and practices Heartfulness meditation.

To learn more about Jennifer Burden:
worldmomsblog@gmail.com

To learn more about World Moms Network:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/worldmomsnetwork
www.worldmomsnetwork.com
Twitter: @WorldMomsNetwk
IG: worldmomsnetwk

June Millington “one of the hottest female guitarists in the industry”(Guitar Player Magazine) has been making music since she was a child playing ukulele in her native Philippines. Having moved from Manila to California in the early sixties, she and her sister, bassist Jean, turned in their folk guitars for electric guitar and bass and formed a succession of all-girl bands. By 1969 they were in Hollywood with their band Fanny, one of the first all women’s rock bands to be signed to a major label (Reprise). Through five successful albums and extensive touring of Europe and North America, Fanny served notice that women could do more than simply sing, they could write and play passionate rock ‘n roll. As David Bowie said of the group in an interview with Rolling Stone:“ They were one of the finest f***ing rock bands of their time … They were extraordinary: They wrote everything, they played like motherf***ers … They are as important as anyone else who’s ever been, ever …” (RS, January 2000). In 1975 June played on Cris Wiliamson’s “The Changer and the Changed” which launched her involvement in the genre of women’s music, and which led to being a co-founder and Artistic Director of the Institute for the Musical Arts [IMA], a non-profit organization for women and girls. IMA [www.ima.org] has been hosting Rock ‘n Roll Girls Camps each summer since 2002, and has grown into an internationally known teaching, performing and recording facility supporting women in music and music-related business. The founding board included activist/writer Angela Davis and acclaimed engineer/producer Roma Baran (Laurie Anderson, Rosalie Sorrels). June released her autobiography “Land of a Thousand Bridges: Island Girl in a Rock ‘n Roll World” in 2015; Bobbi Jo Hart’s documentary, “Fanny: The Right to Rock” is currently being released amid much excitement.

June’s latest album, Snapshots was just released via IMA on her label Fabulous Records (all proceeds support programming). Available at https://www.ima.org/snapshots/

To learn more about June Millington:
www.ima.org
https://www.facebook.com/june.millington.1/
and of course, the fundraiser for Jean,
www.gofundme.com/jean-millington-go

Photo credit:
Marita Madeloni

Today, Tes speaks with Pranaadhika Sinha Devburman. Pranaadhika is the Founder of One Million against Abuse, a public charitable trust * which focuses on advocacy around issues relating to personal safety education. She began her work on Child Sexual Abuse at the age of 10, founding the NGO Elaan in 2007. Her petition on change.org …

Pranaadhika Sinha Devburman – Founder of One Million Against Abuse Read More »

Laureen A. Kelley founded LA Kelley Communications, Inc., in 1990, after her child with hemophilia was born. She wanted to provide practical educational materials for families with bleeding disorders. Laurie is the author of 10 books on bleeding disorders, including Raising a Child with Hemophilia and Success as a Hemophilia Leader. She was founder and publisher of the Parent Empowerment Newsletter (PEN) for 31 years, and PEN’s Insurance Pulse for 11 years. Laurie also founded Project SHARE, a humanitarian program that donates millions of dollars’ worth of blood-clotting medicine annually to impoverished patients in developing countries. She is founder and president of Save One Life, a nonprofit child sponsorship agency for children with bleeding disorders in developing countries.

Laurie was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, and received her bachelor’s degree in child psychology from Regis College. She worked as a psychologist with handicapped children and adults for four years before earning her master’s degree in international economics and business from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Laurie worked for six years as an economic consultant at DRI/McGraw-Hill, before devoting her life to helping patients with bleeding disorders.

To learn about Laurie Kelley:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurie.kelley.5
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LaurieKelley2
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laureen-kelley-31bb3b6/

To learn about Save One Life:
https://saveonelife.net
IG: saveonelife
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaveOneLifeOrg/
Twitter: @SaveOneLifeInc

Today, Tes talks with Purnima Ramakrishnan. Purnima is a Heartfulness Trainer and the Host of GLOW by Heartfulness Webinar which is a webinar series for women to teach heart-based meditation. She is also a UN awarded journalist, the recipient of the fellowship in Journalism by International Reporting Project, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, and recipient of the BlogHer International Activist Award. She is the Chief Strategy Officer at World Moms Network, a Forbes Top 100 Website for Women, uniting women from 30+ countries and 6 continents. She finds joy in meditation and writing, and writes passionately about parenting, womanhood, spirituality, climate, and social change.

To learn more about Purnima:
Facebook: purnima.ramakrishnan.7
Instagram: purnima.ramakrishnan
Twitter: puma_vinod
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/purnimaramakrishnan/

Today, Tes talks with Heather Rogue. Heather is a stand-up comedian based out of Sacramento, California. Formerly a traveling street performer and homeless activist, Heather settled in Sacramento in order to facilitate her gender transition. She worked as a journalist and writing tutor before discovering her true calling in stand-up comedy. She currently hosts shows at Sacramento’s oldest comedy club, Laugh’s Unlimited. She’s also a spoken-word poet and has published two poetry chapbooks. On top of hosting a news-comedy show during the Pandemic, she’s a two-time MC for the Sacramento Women’s March, served as board-member for the Trans and Non-binary housing alliance, and currently works as a barista at Starbucks.

To learn more about Heather Rogue:
IG: @heather_comedy_rogue

Mandy Sanghera is an award-winning philanthropist, community consultant and global campaigner, often referred to as a global catalyst from the UK.

She is an international human rights activist and motivational TEDx speaker who travels all over the world, empowering & motivating others. With over three decades of experience, Mandy is an expert in various development-related fields. She has been driving innovation, building strategic partnerships, promoting advocacy & programming in the areas of human rights, gender equality, accountability and social justice globally.

Mandy has helped hundreds of individuals and now reaches thousands through social media, worldwide TV appearances and public speaking engagements. This past November, she spoke at the US House of Representatives for the 3rd year in a row. She recently appeared at the World Economic Forum and supports AI for Social Good. In addition, she was celebrated among public figures such as Jacinda Ardern, Oprah Winfrey, Kamala Harris, as part of the GDL (Global Diversity List) 2020 for her tireless work in diversity and inclusion.

For information on Mandy Sanghera:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007188226296
Twitter: @Mandy_Sanghera1
YouTube: https://youtu.be/uy0Nhf51J4U – #ALDHack2020 – Gender Equality Challenge – Ada Lovelace Day
https://www.globaldiversitylist.org/public-life?fbclid=IwAR1SDYhRb6cKQbBCPiPmAJz_iYvt4NbckU4q8F3Q5JEt31KLu9t4u951S78

Tes speaks with Dr. Ada Cheng. Ada is a professor-turned-storyteller, solo performer, and storytelling show producer. She was a tenured professor in sociology at DePaul University from 2001-2016 when she resigned to pursue storytelling and performance full time. She has been featured at storytelling shows and done her two solo performances all over the country. Ada is the producer and the host of five storytelling shows, including Pour One Out, Am I Man Enough?, Talk Stories: An Asian American / Asian Diaspora Storytelling Show, Speaking Truths Series, and This Is America: Truths through My Body. She creates platforms for people to tell difficult and vulnerable stories as well as for communities who may not have the opportunities otherwise. She is an adjunct faculty at Dominican University and a speaker for Illinois Humanities Speakers Bureau Program. She works full time as the Education and Outreach Specialist with Women’s Leadership and Resource Center at UIC. Her motto: Make your life the best story you tell.

Today, Tes talks with Sarah Dayan Mueller. Sarah is a native of Brooklyn, New York. She is the author of two novels, including Home in a Hundred Places and Greater than the Still.
Sarah received her B.A. in Communications and B.A. in Psychology from SUNY Buffalo. She went on to Brooklyn College to receive her Master of Science in Education with a focus on School Counseling, as well as her Master of Arts in Human Resource Management from Trident University.
Aside from writing her next novel, Sarah enjoys playing piano, ukulele, photography, and traveling the world. She lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband, son, and mother.
To learn more about Sara Dayan Mueller:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahdayanmueller
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahdayanmueller
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahdayanmueller

Today, Tes speaks with Leilanie Marianetti. Leilanie is a wife, mother of three and caregiver to her husband for the last 24 years.

As a child she used to write stories. Being creative always seemed to spark joy for her. She continues to write today, only now, they’re stories about what she knows best: her life, sharing the joys and struggles of caregiving, and how God’s amazing grace has had its hand through all of it.

Her hope is that by sharing her story she can raise awareness on caregiving and shed light on God’s glory.

To learn more about Leilanie:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lavishedingrace
Tiktok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM8VU44kY/
Mobile website: beacons.ai/lavishedingrace

Today, Tes talks with Lyn St. James. Named one of the “Top 100 Female Athletes of the 20th Century” by Sports Illustrated, Lyn St. James has set 21 national and international speed records. As a seven-time competitor in the world’s largest sporting event – the Indianapolis 500 – St. James earned Rookie of the Year Honors in 1992 and competed in 15 IndyCar races. She has competed all over the world, including twice at the 24 Hours of LeMans (1989, 91) with victories in the IMSA Series at Watkins Glen, Road America, Daytona, and Sebring.

As recipient of the prestigious “Spirit of Ford” award, the “Guiding Woman in Sports Award”, the “Office Depot Visionary Sportswoman of the Year” and named on Automotive News list of the
Top 100 Women in the Automotive Industry, she is an ideal speaker on women’s issues, gender
and diversity. She serves on the board of ACCUS (Automobile Competition Committee of the
United States) and on their Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, and represents North America on the FIA Women in Motorsports Commission. Lyn is passionate about mentoring young people in racing as well as women in automotive fields.

To learn more about Lyn St. James:
www.lynstjames.com
lsjracing@aol.com

Today, Tes talks with Sara Knizhnik. Sara holds a BA from Northwestern University and an MA from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. She served as a university-level English-as-a-Second-Language Instructor at various universities in the Chicago area for 17 years before becoming first a volunteer, part-time gun violence prevention (GVP) advocate with Moms Demand Action and then a full-time, professional GVP advocate with the Newtown Action Alliance (NAA). Sara is the Director of Community Engagement for NAA, a national gun violence prevention (GVP) organization founded in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting in Newtown, CT in December 2012. Sara is also one of the Principals and founders of Purpose Storytellers, a clever public affairs firm dedicated to helping nonprofits get to the next level of policy influence and thought leadership. Sara spends her time, as both a professional and a volunteer, educating the public about how they can become active in the movements in support of gun violence prevention and criminal justice reform. She is also a Vernon Township Trustee. Sara lives in Vernon Hills, Illinois with her husband and two children.

To learn more about Sara Knizhnik:
Follow Me Everywhere via Linktree – Please click here.

Today, Tes talks with Ilina Ewen. Ilina has been called many things. She is a writer, marketing and brand strategist, communicator, advocate, and ally for equity and representation. With over 25 years of marketing and communications experience in the corporate, government, and non-profit sectors, Ilina specializes in translating consumer insights into profitable ideas.

In 2003, Ilina started her own consulting firm helping clients identify their brand and create effective communications and marketing strategies. In addition to her firm, she has worked as a communications and brand strategist, Chief of Staff to the former First Lady of North Carolina, and Communications Director for several organizations. Ilina currently serves as the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samet, a commercial construction management company in the Southeastern United States.

Working Mothers Magazine named Ilina one of the top working mom bloggers in America. She uses her voice literally and figuratively as a public speaker and writer and has been known as an “accidental activist” who dedicates her time and talent to advocate for myriad issues. Specifically, she works towards social justice, community building, child and family resources, and women’s rights.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Ilina loved to travel. Nowadays her spare time is spent watching mindless, guilty pleasure TV shows or reading. Yet no matter the climate, Ilina is driven by food. She loves to cook, eat, travel, and read all things food-related. She has two teenage sons and has been married for 21 years.