Real Talk With Ru

Athena Gilbraith- a mom, wife, lover of small dogs and a fan of big goals and big wins. Biggest goal is to officially achieve equality for women and other marginalized groups in Iowa and the rest of the United States. It is her personal pursuit and something she sees as her responsibility as a citizen. As a Black woman, Athena has seen her unfair share of racism and discrimination up close and is committed to a future where all of our children are free from the binds of prejudice.

Her podcast, Black, White, and Grey is dedicated to educating and defining racism and stereotypes so our generation is equipped with all the inflation they need to help end hate.

Tia Pearl is a 30 year old Professional Women's WCMX  (wheelchair motorcross) athlete who is preparing to also compete in Adaptive Skateboarding. She has been an entrepreneur for 25 years with strong beliefs in the pursuit of happiness through work.   In 2019 she announced the start of her farm of the future, "Golden Prairie Organics," to not only grow organic food for the community but also do it at a minimal cost with maximum sustainability. 

Happy 2020!  How do you feel?  Any different?  Have you been killing it with your goals?  Are you still on that emotional high of changes that you are promising yourself?

Here's the thing, I want you to succeed!  I TRULY do.  So let me ask you, what is different about you today?  What are the changes that you are making in your daily life to help you get to where you want to go? 

I've got some ways for you to set yourself up for getting in the drivers seat and being your own champion in 2020!

 

Denise Hnytka is a news anchor for WQAD News 8 in the Quad Cities. Denise got her first broadcasting job in 2006, after graduating from Western Illinois University. She started as a reporter for KMEG in Sioux City, Iowa, then moved to Wichita, Kansas to be the weekend anchor at KWCH in 2008.

Denise came to the Quad Cities in 2011 with her husband Turner. They now have 2 boys, Abram and Everett.

Denise is a member of the Western Illinois University Alumni Council and the host of a parenting podcast called "On A Mother Level".

Caitlin Russell is the Senior Vice President at Russell Construction.  She joined the Russell team in 2009 as a Project Engineer and became a Project Manager shortly after.  In the last few years, she has transitioned from construction operations to real estate development leadership, and Vice President of the company.   Caitlin graduated from Arizona State University with a Construction Management degree and later earned an MBA from the University of Iowa.  Along with this, she holds an Iowa Real Estate Broker license and is an accredited Certified Commercial Investment Manager (CCIM).  In January of 2018, she was honored as one the YWCA's 100 Years Top 100 Honorees due to her significant contributions to the community through empowerment and economic advancement. She proudly serves on the board of directors of United Way, Junior Achievement of the Heartland, The Quad Cities Chamber, Quad City Bank & Trust Company, and the Genesis Foundation.   Caitlin and her husband Nic Brandt enjoy being the proud parents of   Theo (3), Eden (2), and Otis (7 mos).  Three under three!

Caitlin Russell is the Senior Vice President at Russell Construction.  She joined the Russell team in 2009 as a Project Engineer and became a Project Manager shortly after.  In the last few years, she has transitioned from construction operations to real estate development leadership, and Vice President of the company.   Caitlin graduated from Arizona State University with a Construction Management degree and later earned an MBA from the University of Iowa.  Along with this, she holds an Iowa Real Estate Broker license and is an accredited Certified Commercial Investment Manager (CCIM).  In January of 2018, she was honored as one the YWCA's 100 Years Top 100 Honorees due to her significant contributions to the community through empowerment and economic advancement. She proudly serves on the board of directors of United Way, Junior Achievement of the Heartland, The Quad Cities Chamber, Quad City Bank & Trust Company, and the Genesis Foundation.   Caitlin and her husband Nic Brandt enjoy being the proud parents of   Theo (3), Eden (2), and Otis (7 mos).  Three under three!

As an aspiring dancer, Nurjahan Boulden was shot with an assault rifle in a random attack when she was 21 years old. She struggled with the physical and emotional impact of the shooting for years, believing that her dreams had been destroyed. She didn't realize that the one night she thought had ruined her future would eventually lead her to live a life beyond her wildest dreams.   She went on a quest to learn from other survivors, thought-leaders, experts, and mentors along the way. Over a decade later, she now dances with more joy and freedom than ever before, and gets to share her experience and resources with survivors around the world.   Known as America's leading coach for survivors of gun violence, Nurjahan Boulden travels the country inspiring audiences of all ages through public speaking and community resilience workshops. Online, I host Feel Safe Again™ 6-Week Programs, support groups, free live webinars, and more.  

Brandon Carleton is the author of the book titled, "Meaningful Again:  How One Pastor Questioned Everything & Found Comfort in Uncertainty."

He is a community organizer from Rock Island, IL, where he lives with his wife and son. He leads Connection Quad Cities, is the co-host the Ode to the Underdog podcast, and helps people find their faith meaningful again through his blog at meaningfulagain.com. 

After growing up religious and then leaving his faith behind, Pastor Brandon Carleton started to feel like he was throwing the baby out with the bathwater. After years of deconstructing, then reconstructing his beliefs, he began to ask questions like: Is there a way to cut through religious dogma and create authentic community? What would it look like to lead from a position of not having all the answers? This contemplative book offers hope to anyone who has felt excommunicated from a traditional faith system. Through stories of trial and error, Brandon Carleton presents a different approach to faith, pastoring, and ultimately, how to find religion

Andrea Ranae is a coach, facilitator and a writer.  

She is deeply committed to supporting others in making a unique impact in one's life + the communities you call home.

Much of Andrea's life has been about two questions: "Why is the world the way it is?" "How can I grow/heal?" In her pursuit to answer these questions, she come to another question: "How can I live, work and grow in a way that supports and contributes to social change?"

Finding her own answers to these questions has become her life's journey as she loves partnering with others who are also in these questions to support them in finding their own answers when it comes to oppression and injustice on all levels.  

www.andrearanae.com/

Rachelle Karstens serves as the President at Briar Cliff University.  A compassionate and proven leader with a background in higher education, law and fundraising. 

An Iowa native and one of nine children, Rachelle graduated from Clinton High School in Clinton, Iowa, where she was involved in vocal music, band and mock trial. She then went on to receive a B.A. degree from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, after which she continued her education and received a law degree from the University of Iowa.  Rachelle is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy in Education degree from Drake University in Des Moines. A lifelong learner, Ms. Karstens is proud to be a first generation college student in her family, as well as the first to receive an advanced degree.

Rachelle began her career as an assistant prosecutor and associate attorney before establishing her own legal practice in Montezuma, Iowa. During this time she also served on the Wartburg College Board of Regents and participated in their presidential search. Being a part of this process helped her determine that she wanted to work in higher education in a leadership role.

This new passion for higher education eventually led Rachelle to philanthropy roles at the University of Iowa Foundation and Indian Hills Community College, where she served as executive director for philanthropy and alumni relations in charge of the college's endowment and administration of scholarships. In addition to her success as a lawyer, business owner and university executive, Rachelle is also a lifelong believer in and practitioner of, volunteerism.