Stand Up and Speak Up

Ming Shelby has dedicated her career to inspiring students, teachers, and administrators through positive learning experiences. She believes that courage is the most critical ingredient for personal transformation. She is now building a community of courage beyond the classroom to support kids and adults. You can catch her sharing stories of courage on the podcast Courage Up!

Sandi Small is an accent coach. She trains American actors to British up their accent and their role.

Sandi noticed that American actors were confused about the numerous British accents and many coaches are too generic in accent training: they teach all of the accents, but do not specialize in one. She decided to specialize in the standard British accent, otherwise known as ‘received pronunciation’ or RP.

Sandi observed that American actors wishing to train in the British accent would need much more than a change in the phonetic sounds. They would be learning a different language in many respects, because British and American English differ in so many areas, such as vocabulary, grammar, word stresses, and voice intonation.

She also noted a lack of cultural awareness from the American actors wishing to train in the British voice. Language and culture are interlinked. She decided to train American actors in inter-cultural awareness. Her holistic approach allows for a full immersion into the British accent.

Sandi has a background in applied linguistics and has been a film buff for years, as well as a fan of classical theatre and literature. She has been in the teaching and training industry for 20 years, including schools, colleges, universities, and training centers.

Since starting in the backroom of a comedy club in 2014, he and his writing have appeared on NBC Sports, The Jimmy Dore Show, TYT, and KPFK. He has also co-written and appeared in videos with Joe Hanson of Joe Goes receiving upwards of 5 million views.

As the Founder of www.GetSpeakingGigsNow.com, Leisa Reid mentors business professionals and entrepreneurs who want to make an impact and ultimately attract their ideal clients through speaking.

As a speaker herself, Leisa has successfully booked and delivered over 500 speaking engagements. In her book, Get Speaking Gigs Now, she shares her 7 Step System to Getting Booked, Staying Booked, and Attracting Your Ideal Clients Through Speaking.

Deanna Blair is the founder of Spot the DOTS (Developing. Optimal. Talents. Soulfully - Connecting minds, bodies, and souls for a healthier lifestyle.) Deanna helps people understand that MENTAL ILLNESS can be overcome by creating healthier lifestyles and by changing our environment.

By creating healthier lifestyles and eliminating hazardous toxins in our lives, we connect brighter minds and better bodies. We change the world one dot at a time, leading to living our most abundant life.

She does this using Science-Based Evidence. The results are a much happier, healthier life with less stress.

For over 30 years, Deanna has had first-hand experience. A series of life events, including living with her mom with mental illness, has led her to write her first book to be published in April of 2020.

Deanna is also a member of the NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), where she facilitates a family mental health class and serves as a volunteer for Mental Health of America greater Dallas.

Deanna is certified in Mental Health First Aid Youth and Adults, and in NAMI Homefront – A family program designed for military service members and veterans with PTSD, and other mental health conditions.

Deanna's passion is helping others who need relief from anxiety, fears, health issues, or living a purposeful life.

Megan holds degrees and certifications from Harvard University, Northwestern University, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. She also has a Masters in Holistic Nutrition and is Board Certified as a Holistic Nutritionist. Megan lectures widely at hospitals, corporations, and organizations. When she’s not health coaching, you can find her working out, teaching fitness classes, cooking, reading, traveling, and cheering on the Dallas Mavericks. She currently lives in Dallas with her husband, Kevin, and adorable dogs, Maverick and Riley.

He left comedy for corporate America, and immediately found failure in the business world... until he added the skill of connecting through comedy to the business world. He became a decorated leader in several large companies and wound up as the sales manager of America's most award-winning small business.

Ray has testified before a presidential task force, and appeared on MSNBC, as The Voice of Small Business in America.

After reading a London Business School study on the value of humor and storytelling in the workplace, Ray went back and uncovered the processes he had used to create more productivity, increased sales with increased staff retention, and a faster training program. He reverse-engineered his success and uncovered a repeatable business success formula.

Today he gives workshops around the country teaching America's business leaders how to create better, happier, more productive workers through humorous storytelling in the workplace, with his program, Leadership Through Laughter.

Ray Engan is an award-winning motivational speaker, coach, and storyteller. He is the current President and CEO of Leadership Through Laughter.

Ever since she was a small child, Angel Marie has been a beacon of light. She always brought people together, making them laugh and smile. Since that time, she has immersed herself in learning about energy, light, and healing.

As a Reiki Master, Empowerment Coach, Master Speaker, author of a National Best-Selling Book, and creator of the Elite Reiki Certification System and the Shine On! MovementTM, Angel has been influential in Phoenix and the healing arts community for over 20 years.

Her passion is teaching others how to energize their lives, be more joyous, have more confidence, and experience freedom to live your fullest happiest life.

With Shine, her awesome Australian Cattle dog by her side, you’ll find Angel's positive energy overflowing from her business into her life as she spends time with friends, dancing, singing, traveling and watching movies.

Don’t be afraid of those roadblocks, and don’t worry if you haven’t finished your journey. Ultimately you will still get to the place you are supposed to be. It just might be different than what you had originally imagined—perhaps even better. And you will arrive at your destination a stronger person than you would have been had you never encountered those hardships.

Dr. Erin L. Kelley is a professor, speaker, author, and advocate for women’s rights. Erin enjoys writing and speaking to groups about a variety of topics, including finding success through sorrow, overcoming fears and struggles, transforming blame into bravery, and becoming your best self. Her TEDx Talk, “How Law Stigmatizes Rape Victims,” also embodies Erin’s specialty topics such as sexual assault awareness, violence against women, and gender equality. For more, please visit her website: www.drerinkelley.com