CAMPUSPEAK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder & CEO of the Women Empower X
Alexa Carlin is on a mission to make a difference in at least one persons life every single day. Through her authentic energy and impactful stories, Alexa empowers students to push through obstacles, develop a positive mindset, and build unwavering courage and confidence.
Alexa Carlin is a nationally-renowned public speaker, Founder & CEO of the Women Empower X, and author of the book Adaptable. Inspired by her own entrepreneurial pursuits, Alexa founded WEX with the mission to help more women pursue their passions and get to the next level in their career and life.
Alexa founded her first business in high school becoming the sole licensee to design jewelry for an L.A. based fashion company. This entrepreneurial spirit led her to starting a blog in college, Hello Perfect, which served the purpose of helping young women gain confidence in themselves and attracted the likes of Mark Cuban, Shaquille O'Neal, Steve Madden, Marc Jacobs and other influential celebrities.
In college, only months before graduation, Alexa found herself in a coma with a 1% chance of living. This near-death experience led to a number of health issues but today, Alexa sees this experience as something to be grateful for as it has been her prime motivation and inspiration to share her story authentically with audiences all over the world.
Alexa was featured on the cover of Meetings & Conventions Magazine as 1 of 15 "Young Millennial Go-Getters To Watch" and named one of the "Most Powerful Women In Fort Lauderdale" by Gold Coast's Fort Lauderdale Daily.
She has also been featured on Cheddar TV, FOX, ABC, CBS, OWN and in Entrepreneur, Glamour Magazine, Mashable, and TEDx among others. With a following that reaches over a million people on and offline, Alexa's mission is to make a difference in at least one person's life every day.
Alonzo Jones, or as most people call him AJ, believes everyone is always in a continuous process of growth. AJ motivates students to learn about their identities in order to move beyond the grey of self-perception, pressure, and ego into dynamic and fully engaged leaders.
Born to a French white mother and Creole African American military father, Alonzo Jones -also known simply as AJ- often says that he grew up and lived in the grey. As a bi-racial, first-generation, kid growing up in the 70's and 80's entering and exiting different educational institutions, communities, cultures, & countries, culture and identity became tremendously important in shaping and developing his professional pathway and research areas.
Andrea Mosby is a powerful speaker that truly believes in inspiring college students to navigate personal relationships and leadership positions with integrity.
Andrea Mosby's life changed dramatically at the age of sixteen when she discovered she was pregnant. The challenges she faced as a teen mother, the "adult" decisions she was forced to make and the strength she discovered within herself during these times changed her life outlook forever.
Andrea began speaking to students, businesses and community organizations about her life experiences and how they related to her personal development and success. With the right approach, Andrea believes that challenges become opportunities to build character. Since those days, Andrea has gone on to receive her Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Denver; and a Master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Colorado.
Andrea believes that all people should laugh as often as possible, share a smile with someone they don't know and live each day forgiving their past, looking forward to their future and enjoying the moment.
Andy Deaza has forged a non-traditional path to becoming a leader within the creative marketing industry. He now shares his story in hopes of empowering young leaders of tomorrow to creatively pursue their passions while obtaining tangible skills and lessons that ensure they thrive in any arena in life.
Andy Deaza is a Bronx native of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent who forwent a traditional education in marketing at 19 years old. He moved to South Beach to attend Miami Ad School, a creative marketing portfolio school with a concentration in Art Direction. After obtaining his certification Andy worked at some of the top advertising agencies in the world including JWT, BBDO, Mullen Lowe and FCB New York.
Acting on his love for diversity, he's been a part of ADCOLOR®; the premier organization that celebrates and advocates diversity in the creative and technology industries, for over a decade. Most notably he has worked for Spike Lee's Spike DDB and served as associate creative director at McCann New York.
Angela Gargano is a 5x American Ninja Warrior and founder of Pullup Revolution, which has helped 500+ women complete their first pull-up. She's a fierce athlete whose mission is to revolutionize how people feel about their bodies and helps them develop a winning mindset to overcome life obstacles and barriers with grit and determination.
Angela Gargano is a fierce athlete, coach, international fitness model, and speaker. Before becoming a full-time multi-passionate entrepreneur, Angela worked as a biochemist at Brown University. Since throwing in the lab coat and goggles in 2013 to open her own gym in Cranston, Rhode Island, Angela has truly lived multiple lives in the athletic and entrepreneurial space, defying odds and setbacks to become an authentic and relatable voice to the public eye.
Angela has now competed on American Ninja Warrior 5x, won the Title of Miss Fitness America 2016, and created an online fitness empire for women called Strong Feels Good, where she teaches women to ditch the scale and focus on strength and feeling as a way to measure progress. She has also helped over 500 women conquer their pull-ups with her online program, Pull-up Revolution. In the summer 2021, Angela appeared worldwide as the Oxygen Magazine Covergirl, where she spoke about tearing her ACL on the Ninja Warrior course and coming back 11 months later stronger than ever.
Angela Gargano has not only conquered physical obstacles on Ninja Warrior but also overcome personal challenges. Her resilience has shaped her belief in the limitless potential within each person. When Angela steps onto the stage, her intention is not only to inspire but also to instill a deep sense of belief in her audience. She hopes to share the tools and strategies that have helped her navigate hurdles and achieve success, so they you can too!
If you seek a speaker who inspires and equips individuals with the tools to overcome obstacles and reach their full potential, look no further than Angela Gargano. She will provide your audience with an unforgettable experience that empowers your participants to embrace their inner strength and conquer the impossible.
Angela Gargano's accomplishments may give the impression that she was born with unwavering self-confidence. However, beneath those impressive titles lies a profound journey of self-consciousness and personal growth. Angela's story unveils her struggles, battling with body image, self-worth, and the arduous process of learning to accept and love her body in the face of societal pressures. After tearing her ACL two times, including once on America Ninja Warrior, she was forced to look deep within her insecurities to re-identify who she was beyond looks & athleticism and find the deeper sense of self-worth she needed.
With her heartfelt speech, Angela Gargano delivers a profound message that resonates with students. She not only acknowledges the diverse range of emotions individuals experience regarding their self-image but also provides a source of understanding and empowerment. By sharing her own transformative experiences, Angela encourages listeners to shift their perspectives, dispelling any doubts they may harbor about themselves and their bodies Her mission is for students to start their journey towards self-acceptance, self-love, and unshakable confidence.
Archie Messersmith-Bunting is saving lives one high-energy, dynamic presentation at a time. He believes that self-care is selfless, your mental health matters, and that our feelings & emotions are not to be ignored.
Using dynamism and authenticity, Archie Messersmith-Bunting champions mental health awareness nationwide at universities and high schools. His vulnerability helps students rethink complicated and emotional topics like depression, suicide, alcohol, and drug addiction.
Archie reaches students personally as he openly and honestly shares his own struggle with addiction and clinical depression. He weaves research of top therapists and addiction specialists into his storytelling, allowing audiences to understand and feel the potential for loss and pain. He guides attendees to a place of self-reflection, encouraging them to find balance and reclaim the power of the emotional baggage that often controls their lives.
Austin Arias is a leadership expert who uses personal stories and experiences to help students have an impact on their communities, grow personally & ensure their organizations have a lasting legacy.
Austin Arias is an educator, speaker, facilitator, and consultant with a goal to help
A life you like doesn't happen by accident. We build it with hundreds of small choices. Leadership doesn't happen by accident either, it takes ethics, values, and personal conviction. Some time ago, Ben Hoyer began to live his life by a philosophy driven by meaning, impact and community.
Ben Hoyer is a social entrepreneur committed to improving quality of lives by cultivating networks of meaning, impact and community. That commitment has led him to founding roles in Downtown CREDO (a coffee Benefit Corporation), CREDO Conduit (and inter-disciplinary co-working space) , Rally (a social enterprise accelerator) and Orlando Together (an NPO working to undermine racial divisions).
Through those organizations Ben has traveled to remote regions of Central America to build direct-trade relationships with small scale coffee growers and learned to make great coffee. He has built diverse friendships in Orlando, advocated for the diminution of racial divides in his hometown, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for good causes, mentored social entrepreneurs to accelerate the growth of their businesses and learned the importance of leading from deep conviction.
Ben is gratefully married to Megan and the happy father of three great kids. They proudly live in Orlando Florida and root for the Gators.
Ben Hoyer is a storyteller. In this program, Ben tells the story of how he came to create his own personal CREDO and how it has changed his life and those around him. His journey led him to open four "name your price" coffee shops, Downtown CREDO, which were inspired by Ben's values and commitment to inspire others towards the pursuit of meaning, impact, and community.
Bobby Gordon believes through honest and open conversation we can educate students and give them the information they need to make better, informed decisions about alcohol and other drugs.
Bobby Gordon's award-winning career spans over 20 years in higher education as an instructor, advisor, marketing and branding specialist, consultant, and drug and alcohol counselor and educator. Bobby has partnered with communities, federal agencies, professional sports teams, professional organizations and associations, and local and state law enforcement to develop, create, advise, and assess a variety drug and alcohol prevention programs.
His expertise includes social normative media, federal grant projects, evidenced-based prevention, harm reduction, BASICS counseling/intervention, Motivational Interviewing, keynotes, small- and large-group training,, online program delivery, curriculum development. His unique insights into other drugs, including Fentanyl, opioids, Narcan/Naloxone, ecstasy/molly, cocaine, and other prescription drugs has earned him notoriety among the AOD prevention community. His recent work with Arizona State University's Center for Applied Behavioral Health Policy and at UCSD provides unique insight at the forefront of creating solutions to the nation's opioid crisis. And, he has worked with local San Diego agencies on prevention strategies with the growing Fentanyl crisis.
His work spans organizations like Major League Baseball (MLB); BACCHUS Network; Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors; U.S. Department of Justice; U.S. Department of Education, United States Navy; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA); National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA); National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH); National Institutes of Health (NIH); Arizona Diamondbacks; Indian Health Services (IHS); Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC), and the Greater Cleveland Club Drugs Task Force. Bobby proudly served higher education with the U.S. Department of Education on the Board of the Coalition of Higher Education Associations for Substance Abuse Prevention from 1997-2010 (formerly known as the Inter-Association Task Force (IATF) on Alcohol/Other Drug Abuse Prevention).
Bobby's specific expertise and education topics include Fentanyl, opioids, Narcan/Naloxone, alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy/molly, predatory drugs (roofies/rohypnol & GHB), amphetamines (Ritalin, Adderall, "study drugs"), and related prescription drug topics.
For Brady Gill, play is an essential part of life. As such, he has consistently immersed himself in play, both personally and professionally.
Brady Gill is passionate about inspiring people with his insights on the power of play. His expertise comes from his time at summer camp; he's been at summer camp 25 of his 33 summers. Starting as a summer camp counselor in 2002, Brady enthusiastically came back to camp, every summer, moving up through the ranks. Motivated to bring play back into grown ups lives, Brady helped create Camp Grounded: Summer Camp for Adults, and continues to be their Camp Director and Director of Play.
To date, Camp Grounded has hosted over 2,000 grown up campers not to mention a tidal wave of inspiration and transformation through play! Before opening up Camp Grounded, Brady worked as a recess consultant, traveling the country teaching schools how to promote safe and healthy recesses. He also completed the MFA program at ART/MXAT Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University at the age of 20-the youngest in history for the program.
Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs shines a light on what is not seen. As a black woman, she understands her experience as a sexual violence survivor is both different from others and far too common. Using a combination of storytelling, research data, and spoken word poetry, she highlights the unique challenges facing survivors of color that are passively overlooked, or actively ignored.
Cheyenne Tyler Jacobs is a writer and filmmaker from NJ who started breaking ground as @shewillspeak on Instagram. In 2018, Cheyenne released her own poetry book, "The Tragic Type of Beautiful," and curated three poetry anthologies that gathered hundreds of international submissions.
Cheyenne leads with an empathetic approach that she connects to research and literature. As a survivor of Sexual Assault, Cheyenne has been open with both her story and healing journey. With the purpose to spark change and remind others of their importance within the world.
Cheyenne has been featured on numerous platforms such as MeTOO, Girl Boss, Army of Survivors, Read Poetry, Black Love Page, and End Rape On Campus. In 2019, she founded the She Will Speak Series, created to work towards gender equity through activism and art. Additionally, Cheyenne gives back by providing educational scholarships for individuals looking to do social justice work within their community. Cheyenne was regarded as a social scholar by the GoTu and awarded the annual Crucial Point Award for her Transformational Educational Services.
She is a proud Board of Director Member for We Are HER and SafeBAE. Currently, Cheyenne resides in Atlanta, Georgia, and is continuing her work tackling the issues of racism, sexual violence, and trauma through her art and activism.
Chris Butsch studied happiness in 41 countries, interviewing hundreds of psychologists, CEOs, monks, millionaires, millennials, and of course, Gen Zs. Having discovered a link between money and mental health, Chris adopted a unique approach to helping college students that blends personal finance, happiness, and leadership into actionable and unforgettable learning experiences.
To conquer depression, Chris Butsch quit his job and traveled the world, studying happiness and the human condition. Visiting over 41 countries and counting, Chris has interviewed hundreds of psychologists, swamis, monks, billionaires, and millennials. He's made snow angels with CEOs in Sweden, sang karaoke with Chinese business moguls, and studied mindfulness with Buddhist monks in rural Mississippi.
Chris is the author of The Millennial's Guide to Making Happiness and has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, and on TEDx. Chris's high-energy, no-nonsense, and BS-free approach to the delicate subject of "organizational happiness". Chris wants to help you improve your mental health, make meaningful connections, and accelerate your path to happiness.
Danielle Green is a former college athlete and US Army veteran who while on duty in Iraq was injured by a rocket-propelled grenade causing her to lose her dominant left arm. Through storytelling, she inspires audiences to lead with tenacity, find purpose amidst adversity, and leave their mark on the world.
Danielle Green is a Chicago Southside native and former Notre Dame scholarship basketball player. Shortly after college, she enlisted in the U.S. Army and deployed to Iraq. In 2004, while patrolling on a 115-degree rooftop in Baghdad, Iraq, she was injured by a rocket-propelled grenade causing her to lose her dominant left arm. She was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. She had to re-learn how to do almost everything, reinvent herself, and find a new purpose.
After eight months of occupational therapy, Danielle returned to Chicago to complete a master's degree in counseling from Saint Xavier University. She embarked on a career with the Chicago Board of Education and continued with a career with the Department of Veterans Affairs. She has counseled warriors in mental health, aided in veterans' transition to civilian life, and now travels the country to share her powerful story as a spokesperson with the Wounded Warrior Project in the hope that more veterans will reach out for the help they need.
Danielle was recognized for her service when she received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2015 ESPY Awards. Danielle has also been the featured speaker on multiple occasions at the U.S. White House.
David Stetter is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University where he earned his B.S. in Psychology and Communication. After undergrad, he began his journey with higher education earning his master's degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami University. Throughout his career in higher education, he has worked in leadership development and fraternity/sorority life. Stetter is a founding father of his home chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, an experience that sparked his passion for higher education. He is currently pursuing his MBA with a focus on Marketing & Change Management.
In David's free time you can find him training for his next Marathon, exploring a National Park (or smaller state parks), and being a fur-father to his terrier, Molly. He serves on the National Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign where he advocates for equality and justice for the LGBTQ+ community.
David has been called many things - blunt, honest and funny are his favorites. He is an educator, a trainer, a keynote speaker and an entrepreneur. David is passionate, fiercely loyal and irrationally biased toward the things he loves. Philadelphia is the greatest city in the world. The University of Maryland is the most beautiful campus of all 600 he's visited. And, the Phillies WILL win the World Series… someday.
David believes in the inherent dignity of all people, except for those that think Whataburger is better than In-n-Out Burger. (Those people need professional help.) David believes in the power of personal stories, and that leaders have the ability to change the world.
Over the last 20 years, he has won lots of awards from all sorts of cool organizations for his work with college students and the advancement of the college fraternal communities. David has spoken in Canada, and 49 of the 50 states - and that will sound MUCH cooler once the University of Alaska gets it together!
Most importantly, he is a husband, and father of the three most adorable children in the world.
After serving on the staff of the North-American Interfraternity Conference for two years, David continued working with fraternities by speaking on campuses around the country. He has facilitated workshops on over 500 campuses and has also served on the faculty of numerous university and fraternal leadership conventions.
David has been an active volunteer of his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, serving in the roles of a chapter counselor, District Governor, Balanced Man Steward, and Member of the Educational Foundation's Board of Governors. He's also worked with Sig Ep, for ten years David served the NYU chapter of the Alpha Sigma Tau sorority as a chapter advisor.
In addition to co-founding CAMPUSPEAK, David created Recruitment Boot Camp. In the last 10 years, RBC has helped over ten thousand fraternity and sorority chapters, as well as hundreds of communities across North America to recruit better and more members. He was a co-founder of HazingPrevention.Org and was named an emeritus member of their board after serving as their Treasurer for four terms.
He has served three terms on the Association of Fraternity & Sorority Advisor's Foundation Board of Directors. David is the 2004 recipient of the prestigious Anson Award from the Association of Fraternity Advisors for his work advancing the fraternal movement. Sigma Phi Epsilon and the University of Maryland have both recognized David as a distinguished alumnus. He is also a Crown Degree recipient from the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority; designating him as a trusted patron for his service and educational support. David was also honored by Phi Mu Delta Fraternity with their highest recognition for a non-member, the Ron Jury award, as well as the Alpha Sigma Tau McCrory Order of Interfraternity Excellence for "exemplifying the finest tradition of fraternal service."
A proud Maryland Terrapin, receiving degrees in both Government and Communications, David still calls Philadelphia home, but now lives in South Florida with his wife and his three kids.
Dr. Jamison Keller believes in the power of the fraternal experience. He also believes in the power of risky behaviors, poor leadership, and bystander behavior. He confronts the intersections these realities create through powerful programs that address the problems facing communities.
Dr. Jamison Keller earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino where he was involved in many aspects of student life including new student orientation, student government, university ambassadors, Interfraternity Council, and within his own fraternity serving in many capacities including president. He went on to earn his Master of Education in College Student Affairs from Azusa Pacific University and his Doctor of Education in Higher Education Administration from the University of Southern California. He has spent 25 years working within higher education as a faculty member, consultant, student affairs generalist, and fraternity and sorority specialist. Professionally, Jamison has also served on the executive boards for the Western Regional Greek Association (now Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values), the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors (AFA), the Gamma Sigma Alpha National Greek Academic Honor Society, and currently, the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association.
Jamison travels the country consulting and educating fraternity and sorority communities with a focus on health and safety as the number one priority. His approach is based on his leadership as a front-line administrator guiding students, chapters, and campuses through many risk challenges.
The following are past entries Dr. Keller has written for the CAMPUSPEAK Speaker's Voice Blog
Job Titles:
- Professionals
- Recovery Expert and Lifetime Researcher
Dr. Kate Steiner believes it is impossible to avoid burnout. She helps students and professionals embrace burnout in order to become more resourceful and resilient, so they can live happier, healthier lives.
Dr. Kate Steiner is a burnout recovery expert and lifetime researcher in wellness and burnout. As a professional mental health counselor, her practice helps and supports clients walking through the burnout recovery process for a happier and healthier life. By developing a self-reflective plan that identifies and prepares for burn events, her mission is to end the burnout cycles. Holding a Master's of Counseling and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, her practice is grounded in the research-based Steiner Self-Reflective Sustainability and Wellness (SSRSW) model, developed by herself.
Dr. Steiner's work has been published in a wide range of industry-leading outlets, including, The LIST, Authority Magazine, Thrive Global, Daytime Blue Ridge (NBC), WTTA (NBC) Bloom TV, FOX Good Day Washington, and myfitnesspal, and industry publications, Essentials, and Perspectives Magazine.
She is the author of "Feeling Crispy? A Guide to Burnout Recovery. Hosting the podcast From Burnout to Recovery Show with Dr. Kate, she became a reference in burnout recovery coaching and consulting.
A burnout recoveree herself, Dr. Steiner understands the emotional and physical impacts of suffering from this condition on both personal and professional lives. She helps others to break through the state of anger, self-doubt, lack of motivation, and feeling helpless and defeated; while supporting them through the process of finding the way back to a joyous version of themselves.
Dr. Kate's program introduces students to a self-reflective process designed to formulate personalized sustainability and wellness plans. The emphasis is on acknowledging the significant impact that school and work have on students' lives and overall happiness. Rather than promoting a quest for balance, the program focuses on creating a plan that enables students to monitor their wellness, anticipate burnout events, and recover in a manner tailored to their individual needs. By participating in this program, students not only cultivate greater resilience but also establish a proactive approach to addressing burnout events in their lives.
The following are past entries Dr. Steiner has written for the CAMPUSPEAK Speaker's Voice Blog
Empower your students to become more motivated, more engaged and more committed to taking action by bringing Kevin to campus! Kevin has over 20 years of professional speaking experience and has designed several high-energy keynote presentations that will entertain and inspire any size audience with a powerful call-to-action.
Kevin Snyder holds a doctorate degree in Student Affairs and has served several institutions working in positions such as Dean of Students, Greek Advisor, Student Activities Director, Orientation Coordinator, Residence Hall Director, and Academic Advisor. His passions for both student development and motivational speaking inspired him to launch into full-time professional speaking.
Now, Kevin travels the world presenting not only to collegiate groups, but also corporate organizations and high schools. To date, he has presented to over 1,150 audiences in all 50 states and numerous countries. In addition to being a superstar speaker, Kevin is also the author of several books, a former staff member aboard Semester at Sea, and a member of Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. He volunteers for his fraternity at the international level and is the Chapter Advisor at Duke University.
Kevin recently sold his house to live on a 40-foot sailboat that he named "Why Knot?" docked in Wilmington, North Carolina. He serves as the Curator for TEDxRaleigh and has his own TEDx talk titled "The Ripple Effect."
In all his presentations, Kevin integrates music, activities, videos, and dynamic content to engage and inspire audiences. He has become one of the nation's most engaging motivational speakers because his programs are not only entertaining and high-energy but also comprised of powerful content and takeaways for audiences. Kevin also makes himself available all day for multiple groups and keynote/workshop presentations.
Job Titles:
- Clinical Psychologist
- Social Justice Oriented Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Lauren Cook helps students fight the stigma of mental illness and teaches communities how to implement wellness. She shares how students can create a life of purpose by identifying and implementing individual and group values.
Dr. Lauren Cook is a multiculturally minded and social justice oriented licensed clinical psychologist, speaker, and author. She travels around the country sharing how we can cultivate a life in accordance with our values. Lauren is passionate about bringing mental health to people of all different identities as she recognizes that wellness is meant for each of us. Lauren integrates positive psychology, gratitude, and neuroscience into her work to inform her evidence-based teachings. She specifically practices third wave tenets (CBT, ACT, and DBT) with a feminist lens to help her clients apply mindfulness and cognitive flexibility for intentional living.
Dr. Lauren Cook began her training at UCLA, where she majored in Psychology and Communication Studies. She then earned her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Southern California where she was trained specifically in supporting communities of color in underserved settings. It was during this time that Lauren became trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy and learned how to help marginalized families and couples integrate healthy communication strategies while building greater emotional closeness.
Dr. Cook then completed her doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University. During her doctoral training, Lauren developed a specialty assessing for prodromal symptoms (or early-onset development) of various serious mental illnesses. She is passionate about lessening the stigma associated with mental illness and implements a recovery model and strengths-based approach for her clients and their families. Lauren is an affirming therapist and is trained as an undocu-ally as she identifies as a social justice advocate, both onstage and in the therapy room. She believes that any person, no matter what symptoms they are experiencing, and what identities they hold, deserves to live a meaningful and enriching life. Stigma and discrimination should never get in the way.
Dr. Lauren Cook, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in treating Millennials and Gen Z clients, and a Millennial who also lives with anxiety, understands the many nuanced reasons why these two groups are struggling in different ways than their predecessors. Taking a feminist and intersectional lens, Dr. Cook shares her own struggles with anxiety and provides easy, actionable steps to help readers ride the waves of anxiety rather than constantly swimming against them. This relatable, honest, and information-packed book incorporates thorough, evidence-backed psychological research and diverse client experiences to illustrate a broad range of presentations of anxiety to help readers gain insight into their own stressors and combat anxiety.
Dr. Nichole S. Prescott is a fierce believer that culture is a powerful force for change. Through vivid storytelling and grounded in her cultural identity as an Indigenous woman, Nichole inspires students to look at leadership, culture, and belonging in new and innovative ways while reminding them that they too are more than an asterisk.
Dr. Nichole S. Prescott is a proud citizen of the Miami Nation of Oklahoma (Myaamia) and actively participates in the culture and language revitalization efforts of her people. Born in an Indian Hospital in Oklahoma, Dr. Prescott was raised on the Texas/Mexico border before she moved to Austin to pursue a college degree at The University of Texas as a first-generation college student. While Austin is her home, Dr. Prescott has maintained a strong engagement with the broader Native American community, currently serving on the Governing Council of the National Institute for Native Leadership in Higher Education and as a Director, Secretary, and Vice-Chair of the Miami University Foundation Board (a university situated on lands historically occupied by Myaamiaki), and formerly serving on the Board of Directors of the American Indians of Texas. She is a fierce supporter of the Myaamia Center, a tribally-driven language and culture research center situated at Miami University, one of her alma maters. Dr. Prescott currently serves as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas System. Equity-minded in her work, she targets historic inequities and systemic racism, including opportunity and achievement gaps for historically minoritized student populations.
Nichole Prescott's traditional Myaamia name is Neehweeta, meaning She Speaks. Her approach to public speaking is much like her approach to life: Be passionate. Be engaging. Be bold but not overbearing. Be authentic, wherever that may take you. Take your mission, but not yourself (too), seriously. Interject humor when and where you can, but do so with sensitivity. Say something worth remembering and say it with energy and style.
Through sharing personal stories, Edward G Young III empowers students to challenge the rituals and traditions that dominate their organizations. He inspires them to become the best versions of themselves through his bold, brilliant, cultured approach.
Edward G. Young III is a cross-cultural communication expert that also specializes in the topics of diversity, leadership, and hazing. At age 22, he suffered a broken neck from an incident involving his fraternity. Following the injury, Edward battled the depression of having his physical abilities taken away from him and he fell into a dark place. As a former Division I college athlete, Edward used the grit gained through years of training on the gridiron and baseball diamond to find his way out of that darkness. Against all odds, he made a full recovery from his injury and ultimately returned to the playing field in Japan and South Korea, which also introduced him to the world of living abroad.
In addition to athletics, over the past 15 years, Edward has lived in seven international cities and traveled to over 50 nations. His accomplishments during that period have awarded him opportunities that range from international television appearances, to being a university professor, to working with and briefing high-ranking military officials as a defense contractor in Saudi Arabia, to private consulting in Bogota, Colombia; among several other endeavors-one of which being his first TEDx Talk, Change Yourself and Change The World Through Travel.
With topics ranging from mental toughness to communication and inclusion to hazing prevention, Edward is fueled by his desire to inspire, while also encouraging his audiences to openly embrace and overcome the many challenges life brings.
Ethan Zohn is a humanitarian, inspirational speaker, and television host; former professional soccer player; cancer survivor, and advocate; three time contestant of the hit reality television show, CBS's Survivor and winner of Survivor: Africa. So, what would you do if you won a million dollars? What Ethan Zohn did might surprise you.
Ethan Zohn is a humanitarian, inspirational speaker and television host; former professional soccer player; cancer survivor and advocate; winner of the hit reality television show, CBS's Survivor: Africa; contestant on season 40 of Survivor: Winners at War, author and inventor; and co-founder of the global non-profit, Grassroot Soccer. He has found purpose through his humanitarian work and community involvement and believes that a better and healthier world can be achieved through education, advocacy, and inspiration.
In 2002, Ethan used a portion of his Survivor: Africa winnings to help found Grassroot Soccer (GRS), an adolescent health organization that leverages the power of soccer to educate, inspire, and mobilize at-risk youth in developing countries to overcome their greatest health challenges, live healthier, more productive lives, and be agents for change in their communities. To date, the organization has reached over 13 million youth in over 60 countries with critical health information, access to health services, and mentorship. Ever the tireless and creative promoter, in 2008, Ethan embarked on a record-breaking 550-mile journey on foot, from Boston, MA to Washington, D.C., dribbling a soccer ball the entire route, to raise money and build awareness for GRS.
In 2009, as a fit, active, 35-year-old former professional soccer player who had traveled the world on behalf of the international health community through Grassroot Soccer, Ethan became an unlikely face of cancer. Diagnosed not once but twice with CD20+ Hodgkin's Lymphoma in the span of several years, Ethan endured years of aggressive treatment, including two stem cell transplants. Never losing optimism, spirit, or humor despite extraordinary rigors and setbacks, Ethan used his journey and considerable platform to connect with others - young adults in particular - and offer much-needed inspiration, advice, and comfort.
Jared Sampson sparks impactful conversations about resilience and self-acceptance, inspiring individuals to triumph over adversity and find strength in their unique identity.
Jared Sampson epitomizes unwavering resilience, unyielding authenticity, and an indomitable spirit in the face of adversity. Hailing from a small Louisiana town, he embarked on a journey of self-discovery at the age of 16, accelerating his high school graduation by a year, poised to conquer the world and pursue his dreams. Jared's life journey serves as a profound testament to the transcendence of self-worth beyond societal constraints and limitations.
His story is a powerful illustration of the transformative force of determination. Throughout his life, Jared has confronted persistent discrimination and bias. Remarkably, these challenges have only deepened his unwavering commitment to the cause of equality. With remarkable courage, he has fearlessly shared his experiences as a gay Black man on "Southern Charm New Orleans," underscoring the immense power of authenticity and contributing to vital conversations on these pivotal subjects. In recognition of his passionate advocacy, Jared was honored with the Human Rights Equality Award in 2018.
At present, Jared holds the prestigious position of Director of Pride Events with JJLA, a Los Angeles-based experiential event company. In this role, he has orchestrated groundbreaking LGBTQ+ events, including WeHo Pride, Outloud Music Festival at WeHo Pride, San Francisco Pride, and the OUTFEST Film Festival Opening Night.
Jared's career encompasses a range of influential roles, including positions at esteemed organizations such as the YMCA of Greater New Orleans, Radio Disney New Orleans, Feld Entertainment, and the New Orleans Saints. His dedication to education is equally impressive, as he has imparted his knowledge of Marketing, Business, and Management to students at numerous colleges and universities throughout his career. His relentless pursuit of knowledge and growth is evident in his achievement of an MBA with a Marketing concentration in 2007 and his ongoing pursuit of an MS in Digital Marketing.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jared actively engages in the positive change he envisions. He has served as a member of the Steering Committee for the Human Rights Campaign and constantly seeks ways to advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Jared Sampson is a testament to the power of this journey. By sharing his experiences as a Black gay man, he reminds us all to challenge limitations imposed by societal norms and expectations. Jared's story is a shining example of how embracing one's uniqueness and being unapologetically true to oneself can lead to empowerment and triumph. It's a reminder that our differences are not weaknesses but sources of strength, resilience, and authenticity.
Jared Sampson's combined celebration of Black History and LGBTQ History is both bold and purposeful. He proudly acknowledges and pays tribute to the Black LGBTQ+ trailblazers who paved the way in the fight for justice for all. As he honors those who created the conditions for him and countless others to find pride in being both Black and gay, Jared courageously shares his own story of fully embracing his identity with pride; inspired by those he pays tribute to.
Throughout his life, Jared Sampson has been courageously breaking free from the constraints imposed by society to embrace his authentic identity; triumphing over stereotypes. Jared's narrative serves as a poignant reminder of the formidable challenges many individuals confront due to the harmful grip of stereotypes. He calls upon us to step into the ongoing battle for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and his inspiring journey inspires us all to help demolish the barriers that unfairly hinder some from realizing their full potential.
The following are past entries Jared has written for the CAMPUSPEAK Speaker's Voice Blog
Jitesh Jaggi is a Moth award-winning storyteller who believes that by harnessing our personal stories we can communicate effectively across barriers. Having traveled the world Jitesh Jaggi teaches how despite our backgrounds, our fears and hopes are surprisingly common!
Jitesh Jaggi has lived several lives: an investment banker, a teacher, a writer, and an award-winning performer. Apart from these professional capacities, Jitesh immersed himself in storytelling where he won back-to-back The Moth Slams and was featured on public radio all over the country. This myriad of experiences gives him a unique vantage point to understand the fears, beliefs, aspirations, goals, and hurdles that people grapple with daily.
Living in two different countries (Jitesh was born and brought up in Mumbai, India) and traveling all over the world during these years made him realize that despite a person's background, these fears and hopes are surprisingly common! Jitesh Jaggi has since made it his mission to help students and would-be professionals navigate the world by breaking down complex interactions by focusing on their personal stories.
Our stories are something we carry with us everyday, we just need a reminder to bring them forth and put them to use. Jitesh uses humor and interpersonal connection to empower college students with this simple tool that they will use to start dialogues and get their point across about topics as varied as race, sexuality, social issues, mental health, and personal goals. He shows students how to open new doors for themselves by turning talking points into compelling and persuasive narratives through storytelling.
Job Titles:
- Director of Educational Programs
Julia is originally from New York City, specifically the Bronx. With a background in film and theatre arts, as well as over 8 years of experience in business administration, she strives to elevate her team and community by creating authentic experiences and building lasting relationships. She has worked closely with the artistic community in NYC and moved to Florida in 2013, where she began her professional career in the field of Property Management. She loves to laugh and inspire those around her. In her free time, you can find her cozying up with a good book, painting her new masterpiece, or making precious memories with her husband and three dogs.
Job Titles:
- Director of Educational Programs
Karissa Davis is a graduate of Grand Valley State University where she earned a B.S. in Advertising/PR and a B.S. in Hospitality Tourism Management. She earned her M.Ed. in Student Affairs in Higher Education. Karissa has held positions at Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University, in roles within residential life, housing operations, new student programs, and community relations. In her free time, Karissa enjoys baking, reading, DIY home projects, and spending time with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Founder of Colvin Coaching
Kipp Colvin believes that each one of us can impact our communities by becoming confident, caring, and courageous leaders in our everyday lives. At the heart of Kipp's work is empowering individuals to build relationships grounded in equity, intersectionality, and value-based leadership.
Kipp Colvin helps students become confident, caring, and courageous leaders
Kipp Colvin is an empowerment coach and motivator who uses his superpowers as a listener and connector to coach individuals and teams to achieve their goals. His work centers on utilizing every interaction to build relationships grounded in equity, intersectionality, and value-based leadership.
Kipp is the founder of Colvin Coaching, a client-centered space that allows people to discover their values, purpose, and dreams. He envisions a community (especially the most marginalized) having access to human development resources to become their most authentic selves.
Before Colvin Coaching, Kipp Colvin served as the Director of Communities and Volunteer Relations at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). As Director, he created an inclusive volunteer experience for over 6,000 volunteer leaders for the most and was influential in establishing the HRC as the most prominent LGBTQ+ organization in the country. His early career include working in higher education, focusing on student affairs, leadership development, diversity, equity, and inclusion engagement. Kipp is a native of Ohio and currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland.
Lorin Phillips believes prevention education must be approachable in order to make an impact. Whether having a critical conversation about hazing prevention or alcohol misuse, at the core she helps students and communities confidently confront and discuss harm reduction and safety.
Lorin received her Bachelor of Science in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University (JMU) in 2002. She traveled for her sorority, Tri Sigma, as a Leadership Consultant. She has continued to work for Tri Sigma for the last 21 years as the Director of Chapter Services, Assistant Executive Director responsible for strategic planning, assessment, and prevention education, and is now the Associate Executive Director of Enablement. Lorin obtained a Master of Education in Adult Learning and Human Resource Development from James Madison University in 2007. In addition to her staff responsibilities, she has volunteered with HazingPrevention.org, is a member of the Association of Fraternity Advisors, volunteers as a local chapter advisor, and serves on JMU's Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Lorin has collaborated with over 300 different communities and facilitated prevention education to over 90,000 students, volunteers, and professionals. During her time with Tri Sigma she has conducted over 200 risk management investigations, 40 membership reviews, created and implemented a membership experience assessment, refreshed the member development framework, assists with strategic planning and data tracking, revised the chapter accountability process (STRIDES), and implemented the Tri Sigma Prevention Institute. STRIDES is a collaborative approach to working with chapters held responsible for policy violations. The Prevention Institute focuses on partnerships in prevention and helps students reduce high-risk behaviors in their chapters by providing chapter-specific data to create an annual chapter prevention plan. In 2020, both programs were recognized by the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA). STRIDES received the 2020 Outstanding Change Initiative Awards and the Prevention Institute was recognized as the AFA/CoHEASAP Award for Outstanding Alcohol/Other Drug Prevention Program.
Lorin Phillips believes in approachable prevention education. Working with Fraternity/Sorority Life Communities and other campus organizations, Lorin looks to start critical conversations about hazing, alcohol misuse, confronting with confidence, and, above all, the importance of harm reduction and safety.
She has been involved with Fraternity and Sorority Life since college. Lorin is an educator invested in helping students talk about the tough stuff. Her goal is to help students/communities recognize and confront harmful behaviors with confidence. In her 20+ years in the field, she has seen firsthand what is possible when people find their voice, and realize that safety and harm reduction is less about rules and more about caring about your own well-being and about those around you.
Mary Maker is a South Sudanese refugee activist who inspires audience to value education and change their world. Through the craft of theatrical storytelling, Mary Maker shares her refugee journey to create a ripple effect of impact to develop a world of globally educated individuals that are empathetic and community driven
South Sudanese refugee Mary Maker is a refugee education activist working with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an actor, a fashion lover, and a writer. After fleeing her war-torn country as a child, she found security and hope in attending school in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. She has since become a teacher of young refugees in her community and sees education as an essential tool for rebuilding lives and empowering a generation of girls who are too often denied entrance into the classroom. Mary is currently pursuing Theater as part of the MasterCard Foundation scholarship program at St. Olaf College Minnesota.
Mary has said: "For the child of war, an education can turn their tears of loss into a passion for peace".
In 2018, Mary gave an impassioned speech at TEDxKakumaCamp entitled ‘Why I Fight for the Education of Refugee Girls (like me)'. In collaboration with the UNHCR, she has advocated on behalf of refugees on multiple global platforms, including Sky News and ABC News. Mary has spoken at international events, including Global GoalsCast, and the Girl Up Summit, and supported the launch of UNHCR's annual Education Report. This year, Mary wrote the educational report alongside Lewis Hamilton. She has been featured in social media films and briefings outlining the importance of education. By highlighting her own personal story, she points out the resilience, talents, and ambitions of the forcibly displaced. She is playing an active role in response to the global refugee crisis and the global coronavirus pandemic.
In 2021- Mary Started a non-profit, Elimisha Kakuma, a Swahili word for Educate Kakuma. Within one year, Mary and her team have been able to partner with Virginia Tech, UNHCR, and Duolingo, from where Elimisha was awarded Best of Student Advocacy. In 2023, she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR.
In her spare time, Mary enjoys creating new plays, devising new stories, and researching ancient stories on the African continent.
Mary Maker's journey has taken many paths, from South Sudan to the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya to work towards getting an education in the United States. Through powerful stories, Mary shares the challenges of integrating into her new world as her mother and her move from one country to another, learning new languages, the uncertainty of finding a home, and coming to terms with the new title, "the refugee."
Throughout Mary's journey, she learned the importance of education. Mary started a school to teach other women at her camp in hopes it would give her and others the persistence to succeed.
Mary Maker's mother found herself forced into marriage at the age of 13 in 1992. Working through the realities of the community she was born into, Mary struggled to set a new tone for herself and the generations to come. With her mother condemned and shunned by the community, Mary learned to develop her voice, which her mother taught her yet couldn't do.
After watching her mother try to please a community that does not see her as a woman enough unless she gives birth to a girl, Mary decided to start defying the community by teaching girls to set new expectations in the community. From teaching sex ed in the refugee camp, a taboo in her community, Mary ventures into theater, music, and dance, a profession is seen to be problematic. In this program, Mary will also talk about the challenges she faced growing up being a girl and the intersectionality of being a refugee, South Sudanese, and a woman. She started to redefine womanhood for herself and how she lives by her norms.
Monica Bebie has been working in student affairs and with fraternities and sororities for over 15 years. Throughout her career, she has worked at both private and public institutions including the University of the Pacific, Marquette University, Carnegie Mellon University and Arizona State University. She joined Gamma Phi Beta while attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and majoring in Criminal Justice, and she earned her master's degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Monica truly believes in fraternity, and she believes that when fraternity is done right, it can be by far the richest and most impactful experience a college student can have. In 2011 Monica was recognized as the Campus Professional of the Year by Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and in 2012 Monica received the Outstanding Campus Professional Award by the Association of Fraternity Advisors and the Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group.
Outside of work Monica loves to be active, running, working out, and hiking. She volunteers at her church and enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves watching college and professional sports cheering on the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers.
Samantha Ramirez-Herrera is more than a DREAMer she is a DOer. Her family journeyed to America at the age of 7 in search and pursuit of the American Dream. Although growing up undocumented felt like a nightmare, she refused to be stopped from fulfilling her dreams and inspiring others to do the same.
Samantha "Sam" Ramirez-Herrera is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, creative director, writer, mother, feminist, and civil rights activist. While she wears many hats, at her core, Sam is a storyteller.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Leadership & Learning at the University of Delaware
Sara Lowery believes in the power of happiness. She brings a fresh perspective, high energy, and passion to her work as she inspires students to be values-driven leaders, ask difficult questions, and embrace their happiness in their daily lives.
Sara Lowery is a professional speaker and Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Leadership & Learning at the University of Delaware. She speaks to audiences about authentic leadership, staying mentally healthy, and promoting real love is SELF LOVE. As a speaker, she is doing the two things she loves the most: encouraging audiences to think critically about their leadership journeys and inspiring people to be their best even if they think their walk is a mess! She has shared her messages with many colleges and institutions nationwide.
As a campus-based professional for over 15 years she works to develop student leaders in supporting them navigate through their collegiate experience(s) as well as professionals in inspiring them to continue to think about crafting up-to-date WHYs, how to reach their goals, and learning how to celebrate the results which all make and encourage stronger leaders. She enjoys every opportunity which she has to interact with, teach, and learn from students.
She has received many awards and accolades but that is not the most important thing that she wants you to know. She wants her audiences to know that she has a sense of urgency to see students be the absolute best version of themselves. Mentoring has a special place in Sara's heart because she admits daily that if there was no one to help support and show her a better way, she would have been on a much longer road of discovering her true self as discovering true success.
Along with working in higher education she also works for her personal company and brand EMPOWERING U, which was created to be in different venues to work with young girls and younger adult women in motivating themselves to be motivating and inspiring to themselves even in the dark moments.
Originally from everywhere but nowhere, this military brat currently resides in Salisbury, Maryland, identifying a combination of Maryland, North Carolina, and Philadelphia as home. Sara received her undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Salisbury University and her Masters of Education degree from Texas Tech University.
Be Better, Not Bitter. Suzan Nguyen passionately supports students in growing from bitter to better. She empowers them to identify & embrace their scars to tell their stories.
Suzan Nguyen is a Happiness Coach, 2x TedX Speaker, Published Author of ‘One Arm but Not Unarmed', Instructor and Entrepreneur.
Suzan experienced a life altering event after a traumatic car accident. In waking up from this near- death experience, she was introduced to her new self, with the loss of her dominant arm. While re-learning how to accomplish basic life tasks, she also experienced re-learning to live life. Emotionally, she ventured into a very dark place, one that left her hopeless, bitter and vulnerable.
Until one day- she decided to take her life experience and #bebetter instead of bitter.
With the help of those around her, Suzan coached herself out of that bitter place. She learned how to create joy from within and began helping others do the same. Her mission in life became clear- to help others turn adversities into advantages. To empower others to be better, not bitter.
Suzan has completed coaching classes at Institute of Excellence in Professional Coaching and continues to stay educated about her passion- Positive Psychology.
Suzan was crowned Mrs. Universal Empire Queen in London. A pageant that celebrates, diversity, and women empowerment.
Suzan has also launched Be Better Life Academy; a global online course helping others overcome adversity. The content has been curated from her personal experiences and will empower those to recognize, confront and embrace their pain when faced with misfortune. Suzan is confident the course will change lives and potentially save lives.
Suzan was involved in a traumatic car accident at the age of 22, and as a result of that, her right arm was amputated. She was in the worst place she had ever known. She wasn't sure if she was going to recover and there were many moments where she wasn't sure if she would make it out alive. Suzan had to retrain her brain to be positive, to remain resilient and to persevere. It wasn't easy but giving up and giving in to the negativity was not an option.
Learning to live as an amputee while facing significant life changes and navigating endless challenges put Suzan in her darkest moments.
The following are past entries Suzan has written for the CAMPUSPEAK Speaker's Voice Blog
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Health and Empowerment Coach
With a healthy dose of high energy and humor, Talia Pollock is determined to strengthen students' ability to live boldly and reach their highest potential by building their confidence to act bravely - even when it's uncomfortable.
Talia Pollock is an award-winning podcast host, health and empowerment coach, comedian, author, and proud founder of the nationally celebrated wellness platform, Party in My Plants, where she empowers real, busy, everyday people improve their wellness so they can have an abundance of energy to take on the world in any way they wish.
For the first quarter of her life Talia struggled with her well-being. She had debilitating digestive issues, depression, a negligible amount of confidence, and out of control anxiety. Thankfully in college, while on a lunch break during her internship for Adam Sandler's production company, she happened upon a creamy coconut smoothie that gave her a plant-eating epiphany and set her on the path to resolving her health issues which for eight trying years prior, doctors could not. With the newfound vibrance she gained by taking control of her life, she watched as her daily panic attacks and depression slide into the compost bin, and her goals and dreams turned into her reality, and soon she had become the happiest and bravest person she knew.
She decided to take her personal experience, blend it with her comedy background, and tack on years of professional training to bring laughter, love, and levity to the often way-too-serious topic of self-development and success. She quickly became a leader in personal growth, amassing a passionate audience of over 200,000 across social media. Her refreshingly spunky lifestyle advice has been featured repeatedly on The Doctor Oz Show, The Huffington Post, Her Campus, Bustle, Thrillist, Buzzfeed, and Success Magazine. Talia released her first book, Party in Your Plants: 100+ Plant-Based Recipes and Problem-Solving Strategies to Help You Eat Healthier in April of 2020, which was featured on Good Morning America and PEOPLE Magazine.
Tianna Faye Soto is a Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese storyteller who empowers students to care for their mental health and wellness and confidently face the college journey. Her work is heart-centered, service-driven, culturally informed, and rooted in empathy.
Tianna is a keynote speaker and journalist based in New York City. With expertise in mental health and wellness, Tianna is dedicated to empowering college students to face their journey with clarity and confidence. Her work has been featured by The United Nations Foundation, Cosmopolitan, and Elite Daily. She currently is the Associate Health & Wellness Editor at Women's Health.
Through her work, Tianna shares practical guidance for mental health and wellness and encourages audiences to honor and embrace their personal stories. Her work is heart-centered, service-driven, culturally informed, and rooted in empathy.
Tianna holds a Master of Arts in Clinical & Counseling Psychology from Columbia University and degrees in Psychology and Spanish from NC State University. Additionally, she is a certified yoga and meditation instructor and wellness consultant who works with clients to help them achieve their personal and professional goals.
As a Puerto Rican, Jamaican-Chinese woman, Tianna understands what it's like to exist between worlds. She encourages students to celebrate and embrace their backgrounds and be proud of their unique stories. Her work is heart-centered, service-driven, culturally informed, and rooted in empathy.
Tianna holds a Master of Arts in Psychology in Education from Columbia University, where she graduated from the Spirituality Mind Body Institute (SMBI). She holds a BA in Psychology and BA in Spanish Language & Literature from North Carolina State University. Additionally, she is a 200-Hour certified yoga teacher and mindfulness facilitator who supports diverse clients through coaching and mentorship.
Tianna's wellness journey began in college when she learned to overcome stress, anxiety, and burnout through practices like yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. Over the years, she has supported countless women in their journey to self-confidence and empowerment. If your campus or organization is looking for a speaker to make an impact on college women, this program is for you.
The following are past entries Tianna has written for the CAMPUSPEAK Speaker's Voice Blog
Tom Healy helps people achieve their Peak Potential so they can change the world. He believes we each have incredible potential inside of us… but it's worthless unless we discover it and use it.
Tom Healy has a passion for helping people and organizations reach their full potential. As an undergraduate, Tom was a leader in his fraternity and Greek community. Because those experiences were so life changing for Tom, he has dedicated the past 15+ years to helping students. He has spoken on over 100 campuses, developed online learning that has impacted hundreds of thousands of students and personally mentored many students along the way. This work is deeply personal to Tom and he loves helping people get better faster.
Tom Healy believes that we each have incredible potential inside of us… but it is worthless unless we discover it and use it. In this program, Tom helps students to process their personal origin story, identify the biggest themes in their lives, and learn how to channel this in order to reach their Peak Potential as a leader.
Tom Healy is passionate about helping fraternities win the recruitment game. He has started 30 chapters from scratch, coached hundreds of chapters and taught fraternity recruitment to tens of thousands of men on campuses across the country. In this program, he will walk through a proven formula to recruit more of the right men.
After being hit by a car, Tricia Downing went from being a competitive cyclist to a paraplegic requiring a wheelchair for mobility. Now she is a dynamic disability advocate who is passionate about building communities, creating a sense of belonging, and empowering organizations to include disability in the diversity conversation.
After being hit by a car, Tricia Downing went from being a competitive cyclist to a paraplegic requiring a wheelchair for mobility. However, sixteen years after this pivotal moment, her unwavering resilience and fierce competitive spirit propelled her to remarkable achievements. She not only secured a spot on the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Team but also made history as the first female paraplegic to conquer an Ironman triathlon.
She is the author of the book, Cycle of Hope-A Journey from Paralysis to Possibility and is now recognized as a pioneer in the sport of women's paratriathlon as well as an advocate for disability awareness. Tricia believes we all have the power to create environments that are not disabling but enabling.
As a speaker, Tricia's strength is authenticity. She speaks from the heart and uses her personal experiences to talk about resilience and belonging, diversity and hope. She balances heavy messages with moments of humor, reflection and an upbeat takeaway so her audiences can leave in a better mindset than when they came, and leave with lessons that resonate.
Tricia's purpose is held in this short phrase: Each day I strive to build and strengthen diverse communities because I believe we all achieve more through authentic connection.
Tricia Downing was in the best shape of her life. An avid cyclist, Tricia traveled across the country for what amounted to eighteen races in twenty-three days. She returned from her adventure to a fresh start: a new job awaited her, and, determined to make the next summer the year she would make her mark on the world of cycling, she began a rigorous training strategy.
But Tricia Downing's life took a detour. While training on her bicycle one sunny Colorado afternoon, Tricia collided with a car that turned directly in her path and instantly became paralyzed from the chest down. As she re-learned to do everything from sitting straight up to navigating through her house in a wheelchair to returning to work, her grueling recovery took her to the very core. Her inner strength helped her to not only learn how to live life as a paraplegic-a label that took time to grow accustomed to-but to have the courage to return to the competitive sport she loved and almost lost. Determined to live life on her terms, Tricia turned her misfortune into opportunity and is now a wheelchair athlete, competing regularly in events around the globe.
In her signature program, Redefining Able, Tricia Downing encourages students to look within to define what they are capable of as leaders. By reframing challenges as opportunities, students will learn the skills to build resilience and be inspired to overcome their obstacles. We each have the ability to define our life. How will you redefine able?