Katie Driscoll is an advocate for inclusivity and the founder of Changing the Face of Beauty, a nonprofit organization aimed at promoting equal representation of people with disabilities in advertising and media. Inspired by her daughter Grace, who has Down syndrome, Katie has dedicated herself to changing societal perceptions and encouraging brands to include individuals with disabilities in their campaigns. Katie along with her daughter Grace and other family members also run a business selling candles and other goods in Southwest Michigan leading to collaborations with major companies and influencing industry standards for diversity and inclusion.

Christina Glickman is Co CEO + Founder, I’m not dead media company and a sought after TEDx speaker garnering over half a million views. Christina also launched a solo podcast and was the host of Xtra: Life & Style Unscripted making it in 2023 in the top 12 in fashion and beauty. Along with her international speaking Christina is a best selling author, Xtra: The Art of Being, named no 3 after Chanel and Tom Ford. She is also the creator of the six figure plus women’s movement, The Xtra Love Army. Continuing to be a champion in the woman’s space Christina is also an advocacy leader in the clean beauty world and was featured in Fast Company. Her favorite title continues to be mother of four, based in Chicago and is a style and lifestyle maven.

Snake Roth is a co-founder of KNOW NO, the impactful campaign that brought attention on the protest over sexual assault and shed light on the sexual assault of Chanel Miller by Brock Turner. In addition to using her film skills towards equal justice, Snake has become known far and wide as a person who always takes time to mentor young film producers and help them navigate a career in the film industry.

Shannon Downey, also known as "Badass Cross Stitch," merges activism with art, inspiring global movements. As a marketer and entrepreneur, she founded @badasscrossstitch, empowering individuals to engage in activism through creativity. Her viral campaigns and workshops champion social justice, proving that every stitch can spark meaningful conversations and drive positive impact.  Shannon is the author of the new book, Let's Move the Needle: An Activism Handbook for Artists, Crafters, Creatives, and Makers, providing a practical guide for using art as a tool for change. She also served as the former director of development at Asian American Advancing Justice and is an adjunct professor at DePaul University and Columbia College. 

Nicole Williams is a marine scientist, environmental justice advocate, as well as the former Co-Executive Director of 500 Women Scientists. With a deep commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in the scientific community, Nicole has been a driving force behind initiatives such as co-developing a workshop advising scientists how to leverage their skills to best support and uplift their communities, to co-leading the development and publication of an Inclusive Scientific Meeting Guide, to redeveloping the Union of Concerned Scientists Scientist-Community Partnership Guide. Her work focuses on creating spaces where underrepresented groups can thrive, offering mentorship, and advocating for systemic change within academic and professional settings.  During her free time, Nicole volunteers as a Crisis Counselor for the Trevor Project, which is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people.

Sheida Soleimani is an Iranian-American visionary artist and activist known for challenging societal norms and power structures. Through her bold artwork, she addresses politics, gender, and identity, sparking dialogue and provoking change. ✨ With a background in photography and sculpture, Sheida’s multimedia installations serve as platforms for social commentary and activism and have been recognized in Artforum, The New York Times, TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc., Interview Magazine and VICE Media Magazine. Her work, exhibited internationally, confronts uncomfortable truths and amplifies marginalized voices, making her a fearless force for social justice in contemporary art.

Kathy Dean, founder of Longhopes Donkey Shelter is working to give unwanted donkeys, often destined for slaughter a rare second chance. Along with her husband Alan Miller, Kathy purchased a 20-acre piece of property in Bennett Colorado and has dedicated the space and built a facility for their rehabilitation and training. It has been Kathy’s long-time mission to establish an equine shelter for the Rocky Mountain region.

Dèja Pocahontas Mays is an award-winning art director and co-founder of The Come Up, empowering the advertising community through resources and networking events. Dèja has used her creativity to celebrate black culture and expose people of color to the advertising industry through her TikTok content and to inspire social action from others. Her work has been recognized by Adweek’s profiles on Black Creativity.

Gina Fratarcangeli's passion for Next Generation Leadership, especially female empowerment, drives her efforts. Over a decade after the "Lean In" movement, Gina is challenging the next generation to shift from “leaning in” to “lifting up.” Her TED Talk, "Stop Climbing and Start Lifting," encapsulates this vision. Having mentored and sponsored dozens of future female leaders, Gina aims to inspire the women on top to create positive, inclusive cultures. The former IBM & Accenture executive and current Google exec also owns and runs an award-winning Surf Synergy surf camp in Costa Rica while spending time supporting a concept market called La Plaza - which operates as a startup incubator to over 100 small businesses - 50% women-owned.

Megan Colleen McGlynn, a freelance copywriter and Nancy Hill award winner,  founded Our Place, formally Girlsday, a thriving Facebook community of over 5,000 women in advertising. It’s been a vital platform for women to share job opportunities, advice, discuss challenges, and support each other, especially in addressing sexism and harassment in the industry. 

Originating from a simple lunch, Girlsday expanded from a local network to a global community. It thrives on collaboration, welcoming women of all backgrounds and creating an inclusive environment. Megan has taken on this momentous task, reshaping the advertising landscape for women and has asked for nothing in return but honesty and transparency, fostering a culture of mutual support and empowerment.

Tenaya Britton’s commitment to maternal mental health is professional and deeply personal. She advises the maternal mental health tech startup @previaalliance_ and frequently speaks on panels advocating for perinatal and postpartum mental health support. Motivated by her own experience with a postpartum mental health crisis, she works to raise awareness and improve treatment options for women who may suffer in silence. Last month, she led a campaign to destigmatize perinatal mood disorders and highlight their impact on families and communities. Tenaya also co-founded a monthly event series in Portland, Maine, aimed at helping women form deep connections and inspire each other. Professionally, she has dedicated herself to purpose-driven marketing. As the founder of BeMinded, a marketing studio, she believes that brands prioritizing people and the planet create deeper emotional connections, fostering company growth and success.

Meghan Morgan is the Executive Director for Girls in the Game, whose mission is to use sports as a tool to foster positive outcomes in girls’ lives. Emphasizing social and emotional development over athletic achievement through Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD), Meghan helps equip girls with essential life skills through carefully curated curriculum and coach training. Her vision ensures that girls grow up happy, healthy, and strong, with sport as the vehicle for their empowerment. 

Luma Mulfleh is an activist, twice-published author, entrepreneur, coach, and thought leader in refugee and English Language Learner Education. As an asylee as well as daughter and granddaughter of Syrian refugees, Luma continues to draw on her personal experiences to fuel her passion for empowering refugees and immigrant children through education. In 2006, she founded Fugees Family, the only network of schools in the U.S. dedicated to refugee and immigrant education. Luma’s work is not only changing the lives of children and families, but also shifting the narrative around refugees from one of fear to one of courage and resilience. Her TED Talk on educational justice has been viewed more than 1.8 million times. She is the author of 2022’s Learning America: One Woman’s Fight for Educational Justice for Refugee Children and the recently released memoir From Here.

Ja'lyn McElroy is a lifelong community advocate and the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the P.U.P.A Project. She is doing everything in her power to end period poverty. The P.U.P.A Project’s goal is to provide unlimited period aid to girls and women globally, along with educational resources to help them along the way. Ja'lyn’s mission is to break the stigma of periods around the world while providing and facilitating lessons to educate young girls on transitioning to young women. Ja’lyn and her organization have committed efforts on a global scale and promise continued and unwavering support. 

Soraya Chemaly, a fierce feminist, writer, and satirist, is a beacon for gender equality and the liberation of women's voices. In her book "Rage Becomes Her," she reveals how society stifles girls' anger, urging women to embrace their fury and challenge masculine entitlement and "benevolent sexism." Her follow-up book, "The Resilience Myth," deconstructs the idea of individual resilience, emphasizing collective care, interdependence, and shared vulnerability. Both works critique societal norms and advocate for reimagining strength through community and collective action. As co-founder and director of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project, she champions women's expression and fights online harassment. Soraya's unwavering advocacy echoes in a world that often demands women's silence, making her a potent force for change.

Alexandria Adle spends many days and evenings working with the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote)-Michigan organization, or APIAVote-MI. 🌟 She holds the role of Director of Communications, which includes managing their digital platforms, event coordination, and building relationships to help educate and support the community. She has been instrumental in helping the AAPI community to become registered to vote. APIAVote-Michigan is dedicated to grassroots mobilization 🌱, civic engagement, leadership development, and coalition building, and Alex's commitment to these efforts is truly inspiring.

Diane Carazas believes that human capacity is limitless!  She has worked in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Southern and Western Africa leading people and programs that provide opportunities for people, especially women, to access quality health care, education, and leadership opportunities.. Diane has served as the Director of the Peace Corps in Panama and Botswana and was a volunteer herself in Paraguay. She has held leadership roles in Bolivia,Paraguay, Ecuador, and Ghana.  She has more than 25 years of building human resource capacity. She has made a commitment to train volunteers emphasizing cross-cultural and emotional intelligence as well as Inclusion, Equity and Diversity.  Currently, she works as an international leadership coach, inviting leaders confronting unprecedented challenges to stand in their strength.   Diane continues to make an enormous impact across the globe as a consultant and coach with the private sector, government agencies, and local civil society organizations. 

Sister Joan Chittister, a renowned Benedictine nun and one of the most influential religious and social leaders of our time, is deeply committed to social justice and human dignity. Among her many initiatives, the Fund for Prisoners stands out as a beacon of her compassion. The program provides education, support, and resources to incarcerated individuals, aiming to transform lives and offer hope within the prison system as well as highlight the urgent need for rehabilitation and reintegration. Sister Joan advocates for restorative justice, emphasizing healing and community over punishment. With decades of experience in activism and spirituality, Sister Joan Chittister continues to inspire and lead efforts to challenge systemic injustices. She is a national and international speaker and the author of more than 60 books on spirituality, justice, peace, and equality, especially for women in church and society.

Pattijean McCahill, the Development and Marketing Director for Feeding America West Michigan, is a transformative force in the fight against hunger and serves 40 out of 83 Michigan counties. Through her innovative efforts, Pattijean has implemented solutions like mobile food pantries to ensure that nourishing food reaches communities in need. Her strategic efforts and passion for the cause recently secured 9.6 million dollars through donors and grants. This substantial funding is being used to renovate the food bank's warehouse space, a project that will significantly increase its capacity to serve more people across West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Driven by the philosophy that hunger is unacceptable and all people in the communities they serve should have equitable access to nourishing food, Pattijean's relentless dedication and visionary leadership are making a profound impact, ensuring that more families have access to the food they need.

Rayshauna Gray is the creator of the Heart Work experience, a framework and workshop designed to address personal and societal power dynamics through transparent conversations and storytelling. Developed in 2015 and expanded while she worked at Harvard Business School, The Heart Work helps participants confront challenges like imposter syndrome, anxiety, and systemic inequities. It gained significant recognition when the Obama Foundation’s Community Leadership Corps adopted the framework in 2019.

Gray has mapped 400 years of African American history as a member of Tufts University’s Center for the Study of Race & Democracy research team and is also one of the researchers delving into Harvard’s Legacy of Slavery at the Longfellow House and George Washington Headquarters in Cambridge, MA. The National Park Service and the National Council on Public History spearhead this project. She also contributes to research and commemoration efforts with History Cambridge and the New England Museum Association. 

Bonnie J. Morris, Ph.D., is a history professor and author. She stands as a towering figure in the field of women’s history, wielding her pen as a powerful instrument of change. With 19 books 📖 under her belt, Bonnie has become a relentless advocate for women’s history, ensuring that women’s voices and experiences are not only heard but celebrated. 

Bonnie’s work goes beyond mere documentation; she has made significant contributions to chronicling the women's music movement and preserving lesbian culture. Through her writings, she captures the essence of these movements, immortalizing their struggles, triumphs, and invaluable contributions to society. Her scholarly endeavors have brought to light the often-overlooked narratives of women's contributions, shining a spotlight on their resilience, creativity, and enduring impact on society. 

Ellen Snortland is a lawyer, author, filmmaker, and writing teacher, as well as a self-defense advocate and instructor. She has been a prominent figure in gender justice and personal safety. Her groundbreaking book, Beauty Bites Beast, now in its third edition, and its award-winning documentary adaptation have garnered international acclaim and were featured on Dateline NBC.  

Ellen's TEDxPasadena talk, “The Personal Safety Paradox,” encapsulates her decades of advocacy, emphasizing that self-defense is a birthright for all women. A longtime women’s rights advocate, Ellen has attended several United Nations world conferences and annual UN meetings as an NGO delegate, self-defense advocate, and journalist, passionately advocating for women's rights.

Dana Murphy, Vice President for Learning and Community Engagement at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo, is on a mission to connect people from all walks of life with the natural world. She leads talented teams of educators to design innovative programs that demystify and provide equitable access to science and conservation, turning curiosity into action. 

With educational leadership roles at Lincoln Park Zoo, Denver Zoo, and Brookfield Zoo, Dana has led the co-creation of impactful community initiatives that connect people to their local environment in culturally responsive ways. She works tirelessly to develop novel ways to equip and motivate people to become passionate stewards of the environment. Through her work, Dana is shaping a new cadre of conservation leaders, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to make a difference for our planet.

Eriko Kojima dedicates herself full-time to restoring the ecosystem in northeast Illinois. As a volunteer with the North Branch Restoration Project in the Cook County Forest Preserves, she leads by example, working in the field as a biodiversity conservation steward, accompanying others who lead in this endeavor, and engaging in collaborative learning essential for effective ecological restoration. She works to connect a community of hundreds of people who volunteer as stewardship volunteers at her home site, the Somme Preserves of Northbrook, Illinois. Her efforts, alongside those of others, are improving air quality, wildlife survival, and land health. She helped found the Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves and serves on its board of directors and as a mentor for its field staff.

Eriko’s passion for volunteering transformed her life, providing her with a sense of purpose and joy. This joy inspires her to help fellow community members find their passion in helping the local ecosystem. Eriko’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that nature cannot thrive today without many community members giving of their time and talents. She understands that fragmented natural areas are vulnerable to degradation and require all of us to get involved in their care and to advocate for them.

Shamira Brown is a multifaceted professional and founder of National Gender Diversity in Music Month (NGDiMM) in collaboration with Girls Behind The Rock Show. Created in 2023, the initiative addresses the critical need for gender diversity and intentional inclusivity in the music industry, challenging its long-standing male dominance. 

With a BA in Advertising and Public Relations, Shamira leverages her advertising expertise to bring innovative perspectives to her advocacy work. Her dedication to promoting inclusivity drives her efforts to empower underrepresented genders, provide educational resources, and boost visibility for the gender-diverse community. In late 2023, Shamira was appointed Executive Director of Girls Behind The Rock Show, where she continues her mission to create opportunities for aspiring musicians, foster a supportive community, and drive transformative change in the industry. 

Christy Hiler is CEO/owner of Lexington KY based Cornett advertising agency and co-founder of OWN IT, a transformative initiative aimed at increasing female and non-binary ownership in advertising agencies. Under Christy’s leadership, OWN IT addresses the stark reality that less than 1% of advertising agencies are female-owned or non-binary-owned. Through a dynamic combination of podcasts, events, and advocacy, OWN IT has become a movement that champions women and non-binary individuals, fostering leadership and ownership in the industry.

Since its launch, OWN IT has made significant strides, identifying and supporting 600 female agency owners, with more joining the ranks every day. 

Christy's vision and efforts through OWN IT have created a supportive community that encourages respectful cooperation and collective growth. Her work continues to make a profound impact, paving the way for more inclusive and diverse leadership in the advertising world.

Angela Carron spent 21 years as a pediatrician specializing in child abuse. When the science of trauma revealed that children and their foster parents needed more support than the child welfare system could provide, she co-founded Fostering Hope. This organization recruits volunteers to act as "aunts, uncles, and grandparents" to foster families and former foster youth, also providing housing for those who have aged out of the system.

Driven by the belief that "love and belonging are fundamental to human flourishing," Angela hung up her lab coat and spent the next 18 years dedicated to this work, without taking a salary. Her leadership seamlessly blends goal-oriented achievements with deep compassion and a servant's heart. Her efforts have transformed the lives of hundreds of children and foster parents, offering them essential support and a sense of belonging.

Rose Mary Sanchez-Guzman has served as a pastor for over 26 years at Cristo Rey congregation in El Paso, Texas. Rose Mary leads and inspires a community that embodies generosity and compassion. Her commitment to walking alongside the poor and marginalized is evident in her tireless work with refugees and asylum seekers. Despite the challenges, she has served over 8,000 migrants since 2017, offering not just shelter and meals, but also dignity and respect. 

Her church started receiving refugees in January 2017, and she has volunteered in many shelters in El Paso and Juarez. She is well connected with over 20 other shelters in the area and provides meals to about 150 asylum seekers at the most congested migrant shelter in El Paso. She also provides meals for other shelters in El Paso and Juarez as needed. Today, she currently finds migrants on the streets who have been timed out of other shelters, locates a place for them to stay, and helps them truly integrate into the community. She has also been instrumental in finding sponsors for refugees who have stayed long-term in her church. Beyond direct aid, Rose Mary is a leader in education and advocacy through the Border Immersion Program, providing transformative experiences for groups nationwide. Through her example, she teaches the importance of justice, kindness, and humility, leaving a lasting impact on those she encounters.

Dr. Aina Puce is a neuroscientist renowned for her research on non-verbal human interactions and best practices in EEG and MEG. Recently, she has merged her passion for science and art by moving her social neuroscience studies into the Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University. Utilizing portable EEG/ExG and eye-tracking systems, Dr. Puce has started to investigate the relationship between art experiences and empathy. As a photographer and docent at the museum, she enriches her “Art & the Brain” course by providing students with direct access to the museum's collections and expertise. Dr. Puce's work exemplifies her deep commitment to unraveling the profound connections between art and science.

Cat Bohannon, dedicated researcher, scholar, and writer, holds a Ph.D. from Columbia University in the evolution of narrative and cognition. Her debut book, Eve: How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution, published in 2023, became an instant New York Times bestseller.  In Eve, Cat delves into the profound impact of the female body on human evolution, unearthing surprising revelations that challenge conventional scientific narratives. She highlights women's extraordinary endurance, the unique physiological traits some girls possess, and the broader implications of these findings. 

​

Cat is passionate about ensuring that her work contributes to a better understanding of women's roles in science and society. She is acutely aware of the potential for science to be misused against marginalized groups and strives to present her research in a way that is inclusive and empowering. Her commitment to scientific integrity and social justice shines through in her writing, making Eve a significant and thought-provoking contribution to the discourse on gender and evolution.

Nok Sangdee demonstrated her commitment to equality through her impactful campaign for The Equality Act. She created a "reality flag" that displayed stars only for states with equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. This campaign resulted in a 1,300% increase in web traffic to the Human Rights Campaign site, reached 96% of senators on the issue, and inspired President Biden to speak out in favor of the act.

​

In an industry often marked by narcissism and self-importance, Nok understands the power of teamwork.  She is a staunch advocate for team spirit and the development of junior talent, consistently uplifting others as she advances in her career. Beyond her groundbreaking advertising work, Nok considers herself a safe space for anyone to rely on for any reason. She serves as a mentor, offering guidance and protection at critical moments, encouraging career changes, and providing growth opportunities within the advertising industry. Nok's dedication to fostering a collaborative environment and championing equality sets a powerful example in the advertising industry and beyond. 

Kathy Groob is a dedicated advocate for women in politics, co-founding the ElectWomen movement to advance gender parity in governance. Starting her political journey in 2000 on the Ft. Mitchell City Council, Kathy later ran for the Kentucky Senate, earning recognition despite contentious election results. She authored "PINK POLITICS, The Woman's Practical Guide to Winning Elections," and is a respected consultant and champion for women's leadership in workplaces.

She has served as a mentor to several women in the workplace and was a finalist in the Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky award program. Kathy's initiatives include mentoring programs and community board service, emphasizing her commitment to empowering women in politics and encouraging voter participation among women.

Zakiya Thomas, President and CEO of the ERA Coalition and ERA Coalition Forward, is a dedicated advocate for justice and equality. With a rich background in political strategy and nonprofit management, she leads a coalition of over 300 partner organizations representing 80 million people. Her work spans gender, racial, and reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and more, emphasizing the interconnectedness of these issues to foster collaboration. 

An Adjunct Professor at Georgetown Law, Zakiya teaches aspiring leaders how to run for political office and serves on several nonprofit boards, championing causes from reproductive rights to financial empowerment.  Daily, Zakiya and her team strive to build support for the Equal Rights Amendment in Congress, advancing the mission that “Equality of Rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.” 

Temple Grandin improved the treatment of livestock by designing more humane equipment for slaughterhouses. She also developed a simple, effective assessment tool for auditing animal behavior. Temple Leveraged her own autism to relate to animals in a profoundly intuitive way. She attributes her success to her visual thinking ability, which allowed her to see the world from an animal's perspective. 

Her pioneering work has also helped demystify autism, showing the world that it can be a source of unique strengths rather than limitations. As a scientist, author, and professor of animal science at Colorado State University she has become a prominent advocate and speaker, reshaping our understanding of both animal welfare and autism.

Megan Ehlert advocates for dogs, helping place them into forever, loving homes through her work as a Volunteer Adoption Coordinator with Underdog Rescue MN in Minnesota. Megan has become a bulldog advocate and facilitates the rescuing of hundreds of bulldogs each year.  Bulldogs, although wildly popular, often end up being surrendered due to the high cost of care associated with managing breathing problems specific to the breed.

Underdog Rescue considers the needs of each dog, often spending thousands of dollars on corrective breathing surgery and other veterinary costs.  Underdog partners with volunteer foster families, veterinary partners, and the community to work together to save the bulldogs. Rescuing dogs from overcrowded shelters, owner surrenders, and commercial breeding releases and providing them with foster homes where they receive crucial socialization, training, and tailored placements ensures they thrive in their new lives. 

Savannah Lovelace is the co-founder of Pedal the Pacific, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about child sex trafficking and supporting women affected. By organizing teams of college-aged women to cycle down the West Coast the organization has raised over one million dollars and earned recognition from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).  

Pedal the Pacific uses cycling to educate the public, fundraise for leading nonprofits, and develop young leaders, with a strong focus on the heightened risks faced by unhoused LGBTQ+ youth, BIPOC women, and immigrants. Collaborating with local grassroots organizations, the team works tirelessly to combat domestic trafficking through advocacy, grants, and community engagement.