Rachel Currie Triska is a passionate, forward-thinking leader who finds joy in listening to and building consensus with diverse partners. Well known for her advocacy in areas of justice and equity, Rachel was recently named Champion for the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas. In 2021, She became Vice President, External Affairs for CitySquare, the most comprehensive and effective poverty fighting organization in Dallas.

Michele Bobadilla is an educator, advocate, and mentor who uses her voice and seat at the table to serve as a catalyst for change. Her outreach and community engagement partnerships have been recognized as transforming the North Texas educational landscape for first- and second- generation students and their families. Michele is a distinguished state and national Latina educational leader in the student access and success space. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and English with a secondary teacher certification; a master’s degree in elementary education with a bilingual/ESL endorsement; a CMBA in business; and was awarded a D.Litt. (hc) for her life’s work in higher education. Michele served as chair of the USHCCF University Partnerships Initiative; appointed as a Board of Director to the USHCC Educational Fund; chairs a recognized THECB P-16; is a Texas delegate appointee to the CHCI Education Advisory Council; and is a member of the HSF Regional Advisory Board. She was honored as the National LULAC Woman of the year; Immigrant Journey Advocacy Award Honoree; Latino Leaders Maestro Award Honoree; H100 Latina Living Legend; USHCC Outstanding Education Leadership Award; Governor Rick Perry’s Outstanding Woman in Texas Government Award; SWRCB Martha Salmon Leadership Award. Currently, Michele serves as Assistant provost for Hispanic Student Success and as Senior Associate Vice President for Outreach Services and Community Engagement.

In 2015, Meme Styles founded MEASURE to promote the use of evidence-based projects and tools to tell real-life stories behind the numbers. As a catalyst for systems change, MEASURE has grown to a fully operational nonprofit social enterprise that provides free data support to Powerful Black and Brown-led communities. So far the organization has provided over 3000 free data support hours to Black and Brown - led organizations. They are also responsible for strategic partnerships with the University of Texas, Texas Southern University and more with a goal of disrupting traditional research in exchange for Black and Brown-led lived-experience protocols. Jameila "Meme" Styles is an AARO Fellow, past- Chairwoman of Miss Juneteenth, SXSW Innovative Nonprofit Of the Year, Austin Police Chief’s Award of Excellence recipient, Austin 40 under 40 WINNER 2019, past-Chairwoman of African TV5 (AFTV5) and the Austin Black Chambers 2017 Community Leader of the Year and a current MIT fellow solving for anti-racist technology. Mrs. Styles holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications, Masters Of Public Administration with a concentration on National Security, was certified in Performance Measurement through George Washington University College of Professional Studies and has a certification in Diversity, Equity + Inclusion from Cornell. She is also the wife of a US Veteran and the mother of 4.

Aimee Cunningham is the President and CEO of The Boone Family Foundation and a highly experienced principal in the progressive movement with significant fundraising, strategic planning, and management expertise. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Aimee worked as a campus organizer for the Feminist Majority Foundation for three years before returning to Texas to work for a variety of progressive causes and campaigns. From 2011 to 2012, Aimee served as the Vice President of Development for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, where she led the affiliate’s fundraising efforts through a significant merger and in the face of major government funding cuts. In 2015, Aimee received the Robbie & Tom Ausley Leadership Award from Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas in recognition of her work on behalf of Planned Parenthood and its patients in Texas.

Over the last 20 years, Aimee has led work on the politics and policies that impact women and families, particularly around access to sexual and reproductive health care. Aimee is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Planned Parenthood Federation of America; from 2019 to 2021, she served as the Chair of the Board. the Chair of the Board of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Aimee has also founded several organizations designed to empower women to engage in politics and to fight for the right of all people to access affordable, high quality healthcare. Aimee has also served on the boards of a number of national progressive organizations, including the Center for Reproductive Rights, and EMILY’s List. Today, Aimee leads The Boone Family Foundation in charting its mission to create equity for women and girls; to drive innovation and justice for students in public schools; and to steward and create accessible green spaces.

Dr. Kay Taylor Oliver is an educator and writer; she delivers a powerful message on developing and sustaining meaningful relationships for children and adults. Her presentation style is full of new and relevant information given in simple sound bites that are easily applied to everyday living. Her moto is, Rise Above Expected Limitations.

Kay Taylor Oliver has served as Executive Director for Professional Development for Detroit Public Schools; Associate Superintendent for Philadelphia Public Schools; and Associate Professor in the College of Education at Temple University in Philadelphia. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University; a Master of Science from the University of Detroit; and a Doctor of Education from Wayne State University. Kay served as president of the Board of Directors for the George Washington Carver Museum in Phoenix, Arizona; on the National Advisory Boards for Michigan State University’s College of Education; and on “The Learning Classroom” presented by Mort Crim Communications and Stanford University. Kay has served as president of The Phoenix Chapter of the Links, Incorporated; she is a Golden Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; a Lifetime member of the NAACP; Founder of the H. LeBaron Taylor $10,000 Scholarship distributed biennially to a student who has overcome difficulties; and she is a member of the African American Women’s Giving Circle, a philanthropic organization dedicated to providing grants to minority startup businesses. Kay is also a Board Member of the Be Kind People Project, an organization designed to provide students with comprehensive programming using a positive approach to social, emotional, and academic learning and she is a Board Member of the Arizona Theatre Company.

Kay is a founding member of the National Staff Development Council’s Coaching for Results. She is the author of Teacher Behavior in the Context of a Continuum of Teacher Improvement; Through Their Eyes: A Strategic Response to the National Achievement Gap; Princess Aisha and the Cave of Judgment; Princess Aisha and the Arrow of Truth; and Winter’s Love. 

Creating a Personal Network for Transformation

June Holley has been weaving networks - and helping other learn to weave networks – for over 40 years. Much that she learned is included in The Network Weaver Handbook, 400 pages of simple activities and resources for Network Weavers. She also created www.networkweaver.com, a site with many free resources and a blog authored by over 40 network weavers. She also writes at https://medium.com/@juneholley. She is currently writing a book called Transformation: co-creating a world that is good for all of us. In addition, she is convening people from around the world to develop an ecosystem to support transformation. 

Branding a Business and Your Life

Bio: Stylishly overcoming adversities is nothing new for Jasmin Brand. As an award-winning marketer, serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Her Texas, the first statewide organization and platform for women that live, work and do business in the state of Texas, Jasmin’s journey towards success has not been a perfect one. However, her ability to continuously rise above life’s obstacles and fail forward has equipped her with the big wins, bold ideas and innovative tools needed to help other businesswomen build sustainable brands in challenging times too. Jasmin is also the co-founder of The Start, a creative agency specializing in culturally rich content and experiential events. She brings close to a decade of executive experience in tech-driven, marketing strategy and digital publishing. Passionate about creating opportunities for others, Jasmin’s community service includes: Executive Board: Southern Methodist University, Dedman College; Vice President, Executive Board: 24HourDallas; Board of Directors: Per Scholas

Some of Jasmin’s professional accolades include: Minority Business Leader of the Year Award presented by the Dallas Business Journal; First recipient of the Young Professional Leadership; ATHENA Award presented by the Dallas Regional Chamber and KPMG; Techweek 100 Talent Cultivator Award; Best of the Best in PR/Marketing by Examiner.com; 10 Texas Women To Watch In Media, Houston Urban Media

Jasmin recently released her first book, Pretty Girls Have Options: The Ultimate Guide to Building a Hot Brand in Unpredictable Times; a modern blueprint to personal branding for professional women.

Stylishly overcoming adversities is nothing new for Jasmin Brand. As an award-winning marketer, serial entrepreneur and the CEO of Her Texas, the first statewide organization and platform for women that live, work and do business in the state of Texas, Jasmin’s journey towards success has not been a perfect one. However, her ability to continuously rise above life’s obstacles and fail forward has equipped her with the big wins, bold ideas and innovative tools needed to help other businesswomen build sustainable brands in challenging times too. Jasmin is also the co-founder of The Start, a creative agency specializing in culturally rich content and experiential events. She brings close to a decade of executive experience in tech-driven, marketing strategy and digital publishing. Passionate about creating opportunities for others, Jasmin’s community service includes: Executive Board: Southern Methodist University, Dedman College; Vice President, Executive Board: 24HourDallas; Board of Directors: Per Scholas

Some of Jasmin’s professional accolades include: Minority Business Leader of the Year Award presented by the Dallas Business Journal

Curious, adventurous, intuitive. Sandy Stamato is not afraid to go out on a limb, because if you are a “limb dweller” like she is, where you live your most fulfilling life. A limb dweller is someone who marches to the beat of an entirely different drum. By forging her own path and not prescribing to the norm, Sandy knows what an amazing perspective can be gained from this sometimes lonely, but more often exhilarating outlook. A heart-centered transition and business coach, Sandy has firsthand experience feeling like she wasn’t the typical, corporate 9-5 woman. In her 20s, she learned that as a limb dweller, of course she didn’t fit in. This knowledge was the foundation for her success both in the corporate world and as an entrepreneur. Sandy’s coaching offers a haven for finding clarity, possibility, hope, and vision. If you have ever had that longing in your chest asking “what if?” then Sandy is the guide for you.

Angela Owen hails from East Texas, where at an early age she discovered a love for being the center of attention. 

For decades she has shared her spotlight with her husband, children and grandchildren…now enough is enough!

On stage Angela delivers endless opinonation, fearless sass and irreverent reflection. 

When not on stage she enjoys trophy wife activities like brunch, nails and tattoos.

Angela Owen produces Deep Fried Comedy at The State Fair of Texas and performs at Dallas comedy clubs: The Addison Improv, Hyenas, Four Day Weekend East, The Plano House of Comedy, The Backdoor and The Comedy Arena.