MEET OUR Previous SPEAKERS
I Am Woman Conference has a rich history. Over the last seven years, we have had the honor of having these beautiful, powerful, and influential women grace us with their stories, wisdom, and success. Take the time to
As we begin to announce speakers for EMERGE, check back here to meet this year's cast of phenomenal women.
Michele Thornton Ghee
Ghee is a transformational leader that has generated over a billion $’s in revenue while working for some of the most powerful media companies in the world including WME, CNN, A&E, The History Channel and BET Networks.
Logan Rena
Rena helps women who feel stuck identify how they can start a business while having a full-time job. Featured on The Kelly Clarkson Show and Certified Life Purpose Coach.
Dr. Sunne-Ryse S. Smith
Smith is an inspirational trainer, author, speaker and mentor who is on a mission to live out her name by waking people up to their purpose.
Cynthia Williams
Cynthia has been instrumental in integrating human resources initiatives into the strategic goals of the organization while leading the global talent acquisition, leadership development, diversity and inclusion, organizational design and cultural development, change management, succession planning and employee education and development teams.
Melissa Hull
Who is Melissa Hull? At over 186 million screens per month, she is the host and founder of The Melissa Hull Show, formerly known as The Ripple Effect. Her show can be seen on Globex TV & E360 TV, which is distributed on multiple Over-The-Top Networks including: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon, HULU, and Chromecast! Melissa is on a mission to inspire the masses through her authentic content messaging on her engaging platforms.
Karen Pierce
Karen Pierce is a Senior Human Resources Professional with over twenty-five (25) years of experience. Her passion to be a life-long learner and belief that we are all connected and all matter, shows up in her personal and professional life.
Vanessa Coppes
As one of only five Latina women in the U.S. to helm an international magazine, BELLA Editor In Chief Vanessa Coppes, brings the full depth of her diverse background as an immigrant to running her magazine as well as her media company.
Raychelle LeBlanc
Being personable in her approach and relentless in her pursuant has always worked for Coach Raychelle. These attributes have proven to be very necessary assets for her as a networking and publicity maverick and professional in the world of entertainment for 20 years; they are just as effective in the world of healing.
Judi Townsend
Judi Townsend turned a side hustle that started in her backyard into a thriving award winning national business. She is the owner of Mannequin Madness, a niche business with a big impact. On the surface it seems like the company sells mannequins and store fixtures, but the company plays a key role in environmental advocacy and in the creative arts.
Vivian Anderson-Patterson
Anderson-Patterson is the Founder of EveryBlackGirl Inc., a nonprofit that creates opportunities for Black Girls to become leaders for justice and thrive while reducing the conditions leading Black Girls to being harmed, arrested, confined and jailed.
Charreah K. Jackson
Charreah K. Jackson (@Charreah) serves as a global coach, trainer and communications consultant with clients on five continents. She is the founder of Shine Army, serving leaders to be seen, heard and legendary.
Kelli Joy Richardson-Lawson
Kelli is an Emmy Award winning creative visionary and entrepreneurial business leader with 25 years of leadership experience in television & entertainment marketing, consumer packaged goods, book publishing, and technology.
Vallori Thomas
A recent Forbes Coaches Council inductee, Vallori Thomas is an ICF-certified Coach and CEO of The Institute at WOW Coaching and Consulting.
KiKi Orr
Orr has a podcast, Just Bloom.
The former Wall Street exec is a Speaker, Trainer and Blogger who empowers women to be fully self-expressed at every stage of life.
Raynae Taylor
After 25 years in management at several major corporations, Raynae decided to reinvent herself. She is broker and owner of Taylor Made Realty where she consults, coaches, and guides Consultants to become productive in their businesses.
Brigitte Eads
Brigitte Eads is a member of Toastmasters International, a Paparazzi Independent Consultant, and a Certified Home Health Care Agent. Brigitte loves to write and recite what she calls "POEMTRY."
Karmetria Burton
As a transformational leader, Dr. Burton has worked in various strategic management level positions with national and international responsibility involving diversity and inclusion for such companies as Xerox, AT&T and IHG (Intercontinental Hotels Group) where she served as manager of supplier diversity.
Dorinda Walker
Transformation is an "inside job"
with outward results. In sharing
her personal journey to success,
Dorinda has earned an
extraordinary reputation as a Motivating Empowerment Speaker, Inspirational Warrior, Change Agent and Walking Miracle.
Jessica Myers
Real Estate Developer and Investor, Jessica Myers is on a mission to assist working professionals rid themselves of corporate dependence through ground floor real estate
investing techniques to build family legacy.
Ty Heath
Ty is Director, Market Engagement, The B2B Institute @LinkedIn, the former President of LinkedIn's Black Inclusion Group (BIG) and Co-Founder of TransformHER. Ty is passionate about connecting people with information needed to make intelligent decisions, scaling educational content to help marketers be more productive and successful with a bit of humor.
Cynthia Evett Vail Lowe
Cynthia Evett Vail Lowe is the President of the newly formed company VAILOWE SOLUTIONS. The overall goal of this company is to connect clients to resources that give them results required to resolve the problem at hand. The client is then left with answers to challenges that leave them with inner peace and security.
Teneshia Jackson Warner
Teneshia Jackson Warner’s life story has been one of perseverance, risk-taking and inspiration. Her motto, “It’s not enough to follow your dreams. We must chase them," is a theme that is woven not only throughout her impressive career, but also throughout her expansive life.
Marcenae Lynette
Marcenae Lynette, is a vibrant, energetic, and phenomenal entertainer. She specializes in theatre, film, and television, where she has been pursuing her dream with passion, trust in God, immovable faith, hard work, and support from her family and friends.
Kathy Boswell
Kathy Boswell is one of the most energetic and authentic people you will meet. Her energy radiates whenever she facilitates, teaches, presents and speaks. She currently serves as the Vice President of Community Engagement with The World Games 2021 Birmingham. In this role, she leads the community engagement initiatives.
Tamara Lynn
Tamara Lynn is a Facilitator and Coach for Momentum Education. She has expanded the reach of the organizations Teen Program from New York to Seattle to Los Angeles and has worked with thousands of people. Tamara Lynn has over 15 years of experience teaching and coaching.
Sheila P. Coates
Be Your Own Brand is the culmination of Sheila Coates’ two decades of experience as a marketing executive specializing in artist development, branding and imaging. Coates understands the importance of creating and maintaining a consistent visual presentation that is authentic and generates a sense of confidence and character in order to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace.
Cecilia Nelson-Hurt
As Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion for L’Oréal USA, Cecilia Nelson-Hurt is responsible for shaping diversity efforts through innovative initiatives that underscore the company’s commitment to ensuring that L’Oréal USA is an equal opportunity workplace. At the intersection of Passion, Purpose and Profession, Cecilia combines her commitment to diversity and passion for advancing inclusion as the lead for L’Oreal USA’s Diversity & Inclusion Education pillar.
Stephanie D. Rolle
Vibrant, Energetic, Smart and Excited about Life! That’s our Pastor, Visionary and Chief Executive Officer. With more than 30 years of professional and diverse experience she embraces our changing world with innovative ideas, a fresh approach and a vast base of knowledge.
Renita Bryant
Renita Bryant is an author, publisher, and business leader with a proven record of results. Renita owns and operates Mynd Matters Publishing, a hybrid publishing company with notable authors spanning an array of industries.
Lucille Farrell-Scott
Dr. Lucille P. Farrell-Scott “By no means can any acceptable ideas for the future be manifested by the person who is not willing to take the chance and live fully in the now.” This statement introduces bestselling author, world renown lecturer and transformational spiritual coach Dr. Lucille Farrell-Scott. She inspires, empowers and challenges men and women to live their lives with purpose, passion, power, peace, and prosperity.
Sheereen M. Russell
Sheereen M. Russell is a seasoned media executive and currently Vice President of Advertising Sales and Partner Solutions for both OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network and Oprah.com. In her current role, Ms. Russell is responsible for driving sales, educating marketers, and developing content and data-based solutions to engage brands and consumers across OWN’s portfolio of cable, social and digital platforms.
Robin J.
Beginning her career as an editor and brand strategist focused on developing artists, Robin J. has spent over a decade embedded inside of creative organizations forecasting talent. She commits herself to being an advocate for creatives and entrepreneurs online, while being a change agent pushing for equality and scaling diversity inside the walls of world famous enterprises.
Anita Ross
Anita Ross is an author, speaker, facilitator, and advocate for women. She is coined the Self-Love Expert because she’s on a mission to empower millions of women to love themselves fully, awaken to their worth and ultimately, live the life of their dreams. She teaches the breakthrough principles and practices that she used to rescue herself from low self-esteem and catapult herself to total self-acceptance and unconditional self-love.
Orlena Nwokah Blanchard
Orlena Nwokah Blanchard is an entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and innovative leader behind social impact movements and marketing programs for brands. She has more than 26 years of experience building value for Fortune 500 companies and startups.