I was born in Latvia and raised near the Arctic Circle—one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth—a place that shaped my resilience and ambition from an early age. Over the years, I've built a multifaceted career spanning law, education, writing, entrepreneurship, and social impact, making it my mission to be a voice for women and immigrants around the world.

Before moving to the United States, I achieved what many would consider the pinnacle of success in my home country. I spent over a decade as a lawyer in the world's #1 corporation in mineral fertilizers. Specializing in constitutional law, in 2009, I defended my dissertation and earned my Ph.D. in Russian law, focusing on the effectiveness of constitutional rights in the Russian Federation. I'm an analyst and researcher at my core. But my thirst for knowledge and service didn't stop there. In 2020, I earned a Bachelor's Degree in teaching (pedagogy), Russian language and world literature and later worked as a teacher in the Russian public school system.

In 2019, my life took a bold and unexpected turn. At 35, with two young children in tow, I packed my life into three bags and moved to the United States. I had $300. I didn't know a word of English, and I saw America for the first time, not on a TV screen. The challenges I faced could have paralyzed anyone, but I chose to find strength in my dreams. Within a few short years, I built a thriving social media marketing business from scratch. Today, I specialize in creating powerful content systems for entrepreneurs, helping them amplify their visibility and profits online.

As an author, my words have reached thousands. My Russian bestselling novel Cahokia (2019) helped hundreds of Russian women heal from the trauma of domestic violence—a subject close to my heart as a survivor myself. My literary achievements led me to become a twice Amazon International bestselling author. I also had the honor of co-authoring a book alongside global thought leaders like James Redfield (The Celestine Prophecy) and Ken Honda (Happy Money). I've even spoken at incredible events, including Columbia University in New York City. In 2023, I was proud to be recognized as a member of the Who is Who list in America -  the anthology of professionalism in the USA.

Passionate about empowering women, I co-founded the Women Empowerment Club (WE Club) in 2020. This vibrant community of over 300 Russian-speaking women provides resources and support for personal growth, business development, and motherhood. Creating safe spaces for women has become one of the hallmarks of my work and one of my proudest achievements.

My advocacy also extends to my role as a social media strategist for Shelter House, a local organization that supports survivors of domestic violence and homelessness. I'm honored that my work was recognized with the Creating New Beginnings Award at the 10th Annual Volunteer Appreciation & Awards Celebration in 2024.

I've always believed in the power of sharing my story to inspire others. I recently contributed to Dare to Ignite Your Dreams (2024), where I shared my raw and uplifting perspective on starting over in a new country. And I'm just getting started—in 2025, I'll publish my new book Be Yourself, Grow, and Sell, a step-by-step guide to building a profitable personal brand and thriving on social media even if you are afraid, feeling lost or not enough.

I find joy in life's simplest pleasures. I live in Virginia with my two children and husband, and my greatest daily success is sitting down together for a homemade family dinner. I walk 11k steps every day, and I bake as a hobby.

Direct links:

• Instagram (the main one)
• LinkedIn
• Youtube
• Tiktok
• Pinterest
• Threads
• Facebook
• Website

Monica Kaufman is the Director of Financial Planning at Harmony Asset Management, where she empowers clients to heal their relationship with money and achieve financial independence. Her journey in finance took a transformational turn as she navigated her husband Jeff's severe clinical depression while raising their family. Through this experience, Monica came to understand that financial success isn't just about numbers—it's about mindset, resilience, and having the right tools to create lasting change.

With over two decades in financial planning, Monica integrates brain-based techniques with real-world financial strategies to help individuals and families gain clarity, confidence, and control over their wealth. She emphasizes the connection between responsibility and freedom, guiding clients to shift limiting beliefs and take intentional action toward financial well-being.

Monica's holistic approach aligns personal and professional growth, starting with spiritual principles that influence physical, emotional, social, and financial outcomes across generations. She is passionate about fostering financial resilience, ensuring that wealth builders not only grow and protect their assets but also transfer their wisdom and skills to the next generation.

Outside of work, Monica enjoys time with her rescue dogs, fitness, and women's learning and book clubs, continuously embracing growth and transformation.

Sue Donnellan is a military wife, mom of four (including triplets), entrepreneur, author, and reformed yeller turned parenting pioneer.

With over 20 years of experience, Sue has helped countless families worldwide break free from generational cycles of challenging parenting through her leadership-driven parenting methods.

She is the author of Secrets to Parenting Without Giving a F^ck and the creator of the Fight-Free Parenting™ course, which teaches her signature Parenting in Advance™ method. Through this approach, parents go beyond simply improving behavior - they also create accountability and develop skills to foster genuine, lasting relationships with their children.

Sue's method emphasizes unlearning outdated parenting patterns and building trust through respectful, cycle-breaking strategies. She believes true parenting success lies in raising children who not only feel valued but enjoy being around their parents for life.

With her no-nonsense, compassionate guidance, Sue inspires parents to transform their relationships and raise confident, happy kids.

LEARN MORE:

•  Book a FREE Discovery Call
• FREE Parenting Resources
• Join the Yell-Free Parenting For Exhausted Moms Facebook Group
•  Get the Book

Ed Rahill's fascination with endurance road racing was sparked as a young boy when he tuned in to the iconic 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans. Born and bred in Western New York and an alumnus of the University of Notre Dame, Rahill carved out a successful career in the energy sector. As CFO of ITC Holdings and later as the Founder, President, and CEO of GridLiance, a Blackstone Company sold in 2021, Rahill showcased his leadership and innovation. Yet, ever faithful to his philosophy of life, upon completing this book, Rahill already has his sights set on his next exciting venture.

Ed Rahill holds a place in the annals of history as the cross-continental endurance road race record holder, boasting the fastest time in a competitive road race stretching from Boston to San Diego. His debut novel,  One Mile at a Time, is more than a chronicle of this thrilling feat. It's a tribute to a promise made to his grandmother — that his children's generation would finally shatter the cycle of broken dreams. With its publication, Rahill's commitment has beautifully come to life.

Currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia, Rahill is a record holder, a successful businessman, and a proud father of four adult children. His story is one of grit, endurance, and the power of dreaming big — his story leaves readers captivated and inspired.

Social and Website

• Website
• FB/IG/LinkedIn/TikTok: @‌authoredwardrahill
• X: @‌authoredrahill

I’m the founder of Tami’s Take On…Pilates. Rehab. Nutrition. It’s my passion to help people do the things they love…better and without pain! My many years as a dancer and busy working actor & model (Starship Troopers, In The House, General Hospital, 50+ National Commercials) meant I needed to be in peak physical condition. Since my initial Pilates certification more than 30 years ago, I’ve had the opportunities to learn from Master Level Pilates Instructors, trained under top Physical Therapists, and incorporated my many fields of study to help my clients achieve their fitness goals. I’ve worked with everyone from CEOs to nationally-competing athletes, from weekend warriors to fitness fraidy-cats, from little kids to grandparents. It’s about so much more than the exercises…It’s about laughing, learning and celebrating! Then we can talk about those 6pack abs.

Tami-Adrian GEORGE's Website

Chris Hood, a distinguished keynote speaker, strategist, and author, has become a pivotal thought leader in integrating customer success with digital strategy. With over 30 years of experience in business development, Chris has built a reputation for fostering customer-centric cultures. He is the author of ‘Customer Transformation,’ offering deep insights into aligning businesses with evolving customer needs.

In 2024, he was recognized as one of the Top 30 Customer Experience Gurus by Global Gurus. His expertise is rooted in his tenure at Google, leading digital strategy initiatives, and his pioneering work in storytelling technologies at major companies like Fox, Disney, Universal, and Electronic Arts. Currently, Chris is advancing his impact by helping small and medium businesses transform through his fractional CxO practice, where he advises in AI, Marketing, CX and Gaming. Additionally, he teaches at Southern New Hampshire University, emphasizing the intersection of business strategies and technology for customer-centric success.

Chris Hood's Website

LinkedIn

Jody “J.D.” Rasch is a writer, artist, social activist, and author. His debut fantasy series, The Wanderer, incorporates social issues including politics, religion and how we are influenced in our lives.

Jody is also a painter, whose art explores the mysteries of our world. Jody worked in finance for many years but managed to use it for good by helping banks that gave loans to the poor. Jody now serves on not-for-profit boards that seek to make the world a better place.

A native New Yorker who was forced to move to the burbs, Jody now lives just outside New York City.

J.D. Rasch's Website

LinkedIn

Hailing from Maryland (and now relocated to North Carolina), Aurielle Chelayne is a multi-faceted creative whose talents span filmmaking, music, and writing. As a filmmaker, Aurielle is known for crafting visually stunning, emotionally resonant, and raw  narratives that explore identity, community, and the human experience. As a writer, Aurielle brings the same raw emotion and intricate storytelling to the page. Her written work spans fiction, poetry, and screenplays, showcasing a versatility and depth that speaks to her innate ability to connect with audiences across mediums. Both her directorial feature film, "Saving Savanna" and her book, "Tin Man: Introspection of a Beating Heart" can be found on Amazon.

Links:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Youtube

Ryan DeLena is a professional mountaineer and mental health advocate. He is a graduate of Vermont State University and is working toward becoming a professional ski guide. Ryan has climbed and skied throughout the world including Svalbard, Antarctica, and Baffin Island, and is nearing his goal of skiing every possible line in the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. He is also a skilled rock climber who guides professionally, and an avid hiker. As a child, Ryan was restrained hundreds of times in therapeutic schools before his passion for skiing led his parents to question the pathway laid by doctors and educators. Ryan’s memoir, Without Restraint (Falcon Press, 2023), and his social media platform, encourage outdoor activity, fitness, and healthy life choices to combat trauma and mental illness.

Website

Philip Guenaga is a spiritual author and speaker based in East Texas, born in Mexico and raised in the U.S. from infancy. His life is a testimony of transformation through divine encounters, beginning with a profound spiritual experience at the age of 19 that shaped his understanding of faith and identity. Driven by a deep hunger for truth, Philip has dedicated his life to uncovering biblical insights that challenge traditional religious teachings. He has experienced visions, miraculous healings—including praying for the sick and even the dead—and a personal friendship with God that guides his purpose. Philip’s work, including his recent book, invites readers to rediscover scripture with fresh eyes and deepen their relationship with God beyond denominational boundaries.