Becoming Your Best Version

Kathryn K. Abdul-Baki was born in Washington D.C. to an Arab father and an American mother. She grew up in Iran, Kuwait, Beirut and Jerusalem where she attended Arabic, British and American schools. She attended the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, has a BA in journalism from George Washington University in Washington D.C., and an MA in creative writing from George Mason University, Virginia. As an astute observer of two distinct cultures, she has published five works of fiction, some of which have been taught at universities in multicultural literature, women’s studies and Arab studies departments.

Kathryn worked as a journalist and features writer for an English weekly newspaper in Bahrain before devoting her time to writing fiction. Her published works include a collection of short stories, Fields of Fig and Olive: Ameera and Other Stories of the Middle East, and four novels, Tower of Dreams, Ghost Songs, Sands of Zulaika and A Marriage in Four Seasons. She won the Mary Roberts Rinehart award for short fiction, and her novel, Sands of Zulaika was a finalist for the Ariadne Prize. (She has also published in journals such as Confrontation, Shenandoah Review, Phoebe, Union Street Review and WorldVision). Her books are taught at universities in Multicultural Literature and Arab Studies departments and she is a frequent lecturer at universities and schools on these subjects. Universities where she has lectured include Georgetown University, Mary Washington University, University of Virginia, Sarah Lawrence University, Tufts University, New York University, Grand Rapids Community College, University of Southern Maryland and St. Mary’s College, Maryland.

Kathyrn released in September a new memoir that reflects on love, loss, renewal and overcoming devastating early trauma through music, dancing and the devotion of the strong American and Arab women in her life, called Dancing Into the Light: An Arab-American Girlhood in the Middle East. Kathryn’s new book weaves together stories about her bicultural upbringing with an American mother and a Muslim father from Jerusalem (Her family moved from Washington, D.C., to the Middle East when she was very young). Set against the backdrop of the early American presence in Iran under the Shah, and the burgeoning years of Kuwait’s early oil boom, Dancing into the Light is Kathryn’s memoir of a life disrupted by tragedy. But instead of derailing her life, her mother’s death opened the door to deeper love and support from other places within her family. Kathryn discusses:

Ms. Magazine said of Kathryn’s work: “Her politics are feminist, her theme is human ethics, and her writing is finely honed.”

She has three children and resides with her husband in McLean, Virginia. She loves to dance and teaches and performs Argentine tango in the Washington, DC area.

Dr. Gala Gorman is a licensed Acupuncturist, Naturopath and Author who offers practical advice and programs for people who are experiencing health issues resulting from chronic stress. She helps women relieve their symptoms, restore their energy and reclaim their "Super Woman" status. Dr. Gala advocates for getting to the root cause of the health issue and treating it naturally. She focuses on helping people learn to be their own health advocates. In her latest book, What's Your Kryptonite? Manage the Toxic Stressors Threatening Your Super Woman Status, she encourages readers to become their own PCP - Primary Care Person. Her advanced techniques "reverse the clock" on aging. She provides concrete steps for alleviating stress (check out her website, as well. to sign up for her newsletter that explains her suggested methods and provides tips for healthy living).

Dr. Gorman speaks on issues that affect the health and well-being of high-achieving "super women." She touches on how stress turns toxic, common sources of what she refers to as "Kryptonite," mistakes women make managing health symptoms, why detoxification is important but also risky, and easy ways to manage toxic stressors. She says that dis-ease escalates into disease, so we must pay attention to it.

To learn more:

WEBSITE    https://drgala.com/            
FACEBOOK    https://www.facebook.com/drgalagorman/            
LINKEDIN    https://www.linkedin.com/in/galagorman/            
YOUTUBE    https://www.youtube.com/@DrGalaGorman            
INSTAGRAM    https://www.instagram.com/drgalagorman/            
TWITTER    https://twitter.com/DrGalaGorman            
TIKTOK    https://www.tiktok.com/@drgalagorman 

Kelly Robinson is a senior real estate broker and founder of The Kelly Robinson Team. She has been selling residential real estate in New York City since 2005 and will be expanding to Miami in 2023. 

She and her team are consistently ranked in the top 1.5% of real estate agents and teams nationwide by the WSJ.

Ms. Robinson’s unique approach is supported by an extensive background that spans multiple sectors of the industry including resales, new development projects, investor, and buyer representation.

This multifaceted knowledge continues to foster her sharp negotiation skills, consistently leading to record-breaking prices and loyalty amongst clientele. She specializes in working with high-profile individuals across the sports and entertainment sectors and is very protective of the need for discretion. Ms. Robinson is a part of Compass’ selective Sports and Entertainment Division as well as REALM Global - an invitation only network of the top .5% of residential real estate professionals worldwide.

Other niches include rebranding previously unsold properties, consulting on layouts and finishes for both new construction and private home renovations, and staging, and advising cooperative boards on how to increase value in a market that favors condominiums.

Kelly holds a BFA from Rutgers University’s highly selective Mason Gross School of the Arts and furthered her education at NYU. She has won numerous awards, are NYRS and CNE designated. She is also co-founder of the EJR Scholarship Fund.

Her video podcast, Kelly Minds Her Manors can be watched on YouTube or listened to on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you like to listen to podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kelly-minds-her-manors/id1670324552

An entrepreneur at heart, she is also in the process of launching her first e-commerce start-up in the pet products industry. In her free time, Kelly enjoys staying active, traveling, and spending time with her two rescue dogs, Seamus and Fiona.

Kelly can be found on Instagram at @kellyrobinsonnewyork and @kellymindshermanors. Also, check out her website, kellyrobinsonnewyork.com.

Kim Hancher, has a blog, 1:1 services and a digital course dedicated to teaching women 50+ how to regain their unique style and dress their body type so that they get noticed and remembered at work and beyond.  She begins her coaching with having her clients set intentions about how they want to look and feel. She offers free tips via her website and social media.

Kim resides in the San Francisco Bay area with her husband, twin daughters and white fluff ball, Bruno. She loves the color green, anything to do with healthy living (she’s also a certified Health Coach), vegetarian food and a great purse.

To learn more, visit the links below.

Website: ⁠www.kimhancher.com

⁠IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kimhancher/

⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-amatore-hancher-8797241/⁠

FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/kimberly.a.hancher/⁠

Katie Bramlett started WeShape with the intention of advocating for women to stop focusing on the number on the scale and instead put their energy and efforts towards a more meaningful intention such as movement, rest and a deeper connection with self. Her entire company is rooted in intention, movement, community and beliefs. Katie has a passion for bringing awareness to the toxic expectations placed on women in the fitness industry, as well as the often overshadowed, yet pivotal roles women play in business and entrepreneurship. Katie's goal is to create awareness through meaningful conversation and curiosity so that women can gain the support of men rather than gaining dominance. "It's all about leveling the playing field, not about overly shifting the power in the other direction." ~Katie

The WeShape program is based on self-acceptance. It includes support, like daily calls, a podcast and more. It is like having a personal trainer in your living room.

Katie's message is one of self-kindness. Her self-awareness has helped her recognize her inner critic and how it was harming her.

Learn more:

www.weshape.com

To get a two-week free trial, go to:

https://www.weshape.com/yourbestversion

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-bramlett-b5664a123/

https://www.facebook.com/WeShape/

https://www.tiktok.com/@weshape

https://www.youtube.com/channel/ UCZjFDJI4B4l16uujibduMFA

https://www.instagram.com/weshape.wellness/?hl=en

Melissa Giberson is a native New Yorker who identifies as a late bloomer, a highly sensitive introvert, and proud mama bear to two children. An occupational therapist and writer, she has published articles in Kveller, Dorothy Parker’s Ashes, and Highly Sensitive Refuge. She received an Honorable Mention in the Memoirs/Personal Essays category of the 91st Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and her essay, “Art is the Antidote,” appears in the anthology, Art in The Time of Unbearable Crisis (June, 2022). Melissa’s debut book, Late Bloomer: Finding My Authentic Self at Midlife (She Writes Press) came out August, 2023, and has received much advance praise. It was named one of LQBTQ-Read's top books for Jewish American Heritage Month. Melissa is living her authentic life with her partner and their two cats. Together, they split their time between New Jersey and Provincetown, Massachusetts.

According to Melissa: "My motivation for writing Late Bloomer was born of the many times someone told me that my story was helpful to them. Early in my journey, women who were on the other side of their own journey showed up to help me and I want to do that for others as well. Writing a book enables me to reach more people. I hope readers come away from reading my book with the knowledge that they’re not alone – whether they’re just starting their journey or on the other side and hearing a story that resonates and validates their experience. I want people to know that there is an 'other' side."

Find out more at her website, https://melissagiberson.com/

Facebook: @MelissaGiberson Twitter: @LateBloomer823  Instagram: @Melissagiberson031 Linkedin: Melissa Giberson

Kym Wootton is 42 and living in Boulder, Colorado, with her husband and two teenage boys. After 20 years in corporate America, she is taking a midlife gap year to figure out what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Wouldn't it be fun--and productive-- if we all did that? She spends her days geocaching with her sons, writing her fiction novel, going to hot yoga and discovering what she wants out of the rest of her life. Go, Kym!

Website: https://kymwootton.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kymmersfullofsunshine/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kymmersfullofsunshine

Emmy Rousseau, Visionary Educator, is the founder of Trinity Transformations and the Holistic Healing Hub. She empowers changemakers, especially educators, to go from feeling flat to in flow, so that they can create the change in the world they were born to make. 

Emmy is passionate about helping others realize that putting themselves first is selfless, not selfish. She is here to help us see how filling ourselves up first helps us serve not only ourselves, but also the world best. She does that through a combination of movement and mindset.

Her accolades include: Bestselling author, Speaker Slam Certified Gold Inspirational Speaker and 2021 Grand Slam finalist. She co-created and co-hosted Amplifying Voices: Mental Well-th and the Never Give Up Summit. Emmy was the winner of the 2022 PARO Pitch competition, was awarded Top 3 in the She Did It! Pitch Fest, Top 100 in the 2022 Total Mom Pitch, and was a finalist for the Universal Women’s Network™ 2022 Women of Inspiration™ Awards. 

Emmy is a certified teacher of 22 years turned educational consultant, transformational speaker, activist, fitness instructor and co-author of the book, Our Yellow Brick Road: An Anthology of Humans Who Believe in the Impact of Storytelling (Life to Paper Publishing (2022).

Emmy loves speaking to educators and other changemakers at schools, conferences, summits, retreats, and on podcasts like this, to share her teachings and learnings. 

Emmy’s pillars in life and business are joy, gratitude and love. Learn more and follow Emmy:

https://www.trinitytransformations.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/transformwithemmy/

https://www.youtube.com/@transformwithemmy

https://www.instagram.com/transformwithemmy/

https://www.facebook.com/transformwithemmy

https://www.tiktok.com/@transformwithemmy

Christine Jacobsen believes in the power of reinvention. Her first job was as a nurse at Sloan Kettering Institute in NYC.  Within a few years, she embraced her passion of performing and switched jobs to appear in the original Broadway production of “42nd Street.” She also appeared in several movies, including "Endless Love." However, despite eight years on stage, the unpredictable income of a performing artist inspired her next career change. Christine obtained a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling working the next two decades in public education.

Recently, Christine discovered she is a biracial woman. A DNA test revealed that her biological father was Black, which engaged her to write Dancing Around the Truth, the memoir chronicling how she adapted to her new ethnicity and misattributed parentage. Christine appears completely white, and has had to grapple with exploring her own racism and to continue to grow as a result of her DNA discovery. Her healing journey includes writing, sharing her experiences, dancing and being in nature.

She has been featured on multiple podcasts, YouTube videos, the Wall Street Journal, WLRN- The Public Storyteller and Insider.com regarding her DNA surprise. Her blog covers areas, such as racism and identity.

Learn more at http://Christinefromqueens.com

Instagram: @dancing_around_truth

Facebook: Dancing_Around_Truth