Take Up Space

Michelle is a strategic leader who is deft at implementing change management strategies necessary for a comprehensive and effective diversity and inclusion and professional development program. Previously, Michelle practiced law for 14 years, where she handled all aspects of employment litigation while serving as an equity partner at a Kansas City-based firm. She focused on matters involving employment discrimination, harassment, and civil rights issues.

Craig Forman is a Senior People Scientist at Culture Amp and a community builder of the Culture First community. His mission is to help the world work better by improving the places we work.

Michelle Kosmacek has been in the leadership, culture and diversity space for over 10 years. She's a disruptive thinker and builds cultures that allow for authenticity, transparency and creativity.

Ajia is dedicated to empowering disenfranchised populations. As an attorney she served in several roles, including legal counsel for small businesses at various stages of growth. As a non-profit exec, she led organizations responsible for workforce development and created programming to better prepare marginalized populations to earn a livable wage. As Co-Founder and CEO of The Greenline Initiative, she redirects wealth back into the urban core. That is her greatest joy.

Dr. Shalini Nag, president and people strategist at EvidaSolve, brings 20+ years of experience in business management consulting, scientific research and evidence-based teaching and learning methods, to a range of topics on business management and organizational culture. An advocate for equity and justice, she is committed to equipping individuals, teams, and organizations to create inclusive, high-development environments to achieve their desired outcomes.

Dr. Paul Fitzgerald served a non-profit for 16 years in international pensions and benefits administration. He has earned the Doctor of Ministry with research in internalized shame. For over 20 years he and his wife, Susanna, have assisted people in wholehearted, authentic living through HeartConnexion Seminars. His professional training includes Inner Relationship Focusing and BioSpiritual Focusing. He is a member of the International Focusing Institute and BioSpiritual Focusing Institute.

Thalia Cherry, a collegiate multi-sport female All-American athlete, founded CHERRY in 2012. As an athlete who purchased hundreds of sports related products, Cherry recognized the absence of products that captured innovation and fashion-forward styles for, not only female athletes but, women in general. A true competitor, Thalia also noticed the absence of women across the sports industry; hence the creation of CHERRY. CHERRY strives to be a brand that exemplifies sports, fashion and fun.

Andrew Dowis was drafted by Pro Athlete in 2009 and after several years with the curious role of "no title," he was named the e-commerce company's CEO and is eager to help write Pro Athlete's next chapter.

The Shack and Cross Roads will tell you much more about me than a few facts ever could, but a writer is always more, intentionally illusive behind the curtain of words. For me as a human being, everything is about Jesus and Father and Holy Spirit, about relationships, and to live is to participate in an adventure of faith which can only be experienced inside one day's worth of grace at a time.