Harvesting Happiness

An Emmy Award winning composer and writer, Patricia Lee Stotter lends her tremendous talents in TV, film and social media to furthering awareness of PTSD and Veteran reintegration struggles. Stotter first became interested in Veteran issues while working on a theatre testimonial project that discussed suicide rates among Vietnam Veterans. She has since worked to bring awareness to Veteran issues through True Rep, a repertory company that explores trauma and resilience through testimonial theatre and film, and fosters collaboration among actors, writers and humane service organizations. Her recent documentary, Service: When Women Come Marching Home, highlights challenges facing female Veterans as they transition from active duty to civilian life. For more, visit http://servicethefilm.com/index.php.

Known as The Sherpa of Happiness, Valerie Rene Sheppard is Founder and CEO of Source Power, a boutique leadership, business strategy and branding consultant agency in Southern California. Through her work as a speaker, author, consultant and host, Valerie shares her diverse business and marketing background with nonprofits, major businesses such as Proctor & Gamble, and the students she instructs as a guest lecturer at the Merage School of Business at the University of California Irvine.

The acclaimed author of 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire and Change Your Life, Linda Cohen writes, speaks and consults around the country on the topics of volunteerism, parenting, mitzvahs and happiness. She serves on the Board of Directors for Willowbrook, a nonprofit summer arts program for children. Originally from the east coast, Cohen resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband, two children and their dog. Visit her at www.1000mitzvahs.com.

An internationally renowned speaker on self-awareness and human potential, Amir Zoghi uses his modern age philosophies to teach others how to embody transformation, discover truth, and experience their inner freedom. Amir shares his wisdom through writing, teaching, and speaking platforms, and is critically acclaimed for his ability to deliver a strong, impactful message with simplicity and clarity that resonates with people from all walks of life. Learn more about Amir at www.myintuitivewarrior.com.

Noted Austrian filmmaker Alexander Vesely strives to produce films that have depth, meaning and substance. He brings this philosophical approach to the U.S. with his American directorial debut, Viktor & I. Chronicling the life of Alexander's grandfather, Viktor & I gives the viewer complete subjectivity as the film moves from family members to friends and others who were close to Viktor Frankl. Alexander Vesely resides in Vienna and recently opened Noetic Films, Inc., in Southern California. For more information about the film, visit http://www.viktorandimovie.com/

An Olympic Medal winner, five-time world champion, competitive diving legend Greg Louganis has long been celebrated for his spirit of sportsmanship and community service. Greg serves as an advocate for many organizations, including youth's clubs, drug and alcohol rehabilitation groups, and organizations for the dyslexic. Since shedding light on his struggle with HIV in his best-selling autobiography, Breaking the Surface, Greg's inspirational message has reached a whole new audience.

As both the CEO of MilitaryConnection.com and the founder of the Veteran and Military Business Owners Association (VAMBOA), Debbie Gregory covers all the bases when it comes to serving the needs of Military and Veteran Communities. Named Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners - Ventura County, Debbie Gregory uses www.MilitaryConnection.com as a platform for doing the work that means most to her: assisting veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families, and a number of nonprofits.

Douglas W. Kmiec is an American legal scholar, author, and former U.S. ambassador. He is the Caruso Family Chair and Professor of Constitutional Law at Pepperdine University School of Law. Kmiec came to prominence during the United States presidential election, 2008 when, although a Republican, he endorsed Democrat Barack Obama. In July 2009, he was nominated by President Obama to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Malta.

Dr. Robert Biswas-Diener is widely known as the "Indiana Jones of Positive Psychology" because his research on happiness has taken him to such far-flung places as Greenland, India, Kenya and Israel. Dr. Biswas-Diener is a leading authority on strengths, culture, courage, and happiness. He has published dozens of scholarly articles and multiple books, most recently The Courage Quotient. He is managing director of Positive Acorn (www.positiveacorn.com) and lives in Portland, Oregon.

Jenn Lim is the CEO and Chief Happiness Officer of Delivering Happiness, a company she and Tony Hsieh ,CEO of Zappos, co-created to inspire happiness in work, community, and everyday life.

She created the first Culture Book for Zappos - now on its 7th edition .The Culture Book has become a global symbol of how companies can successfully create cultures based on happiness and be profitable at the same time. Jenn also led the launch and management of Tony's first book, Delivering Happiness, which sold over 220,000 copies internationally and hit #1 on numerous bestsellers list (including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today). Today, she's dedicated to growing the social venture of Delivering Happiness to spread and inspire happiness, day by day.