ATHENA International Sails the 7 C’s: Just Added Another Powerhouse Speaker
Don’t Miss OUT!
Our extraordinary speakers will inspire, empower, and ignite your passion for leadership and personal growth.
Gavriella Schuster: Former Microsoft C-Level Executive, 2020 ATHENA Global ATHENA Award Recipient, Gavriella advocates for gender equity in tech, and founder of the Women in Cloud. Gavriella’s powerful message on allyship and action offers a roadmap for driving change in the tech industry.
Debbie Peterson: Certified NLP Trainer and CSP, Debbie shares her journey from corporate disillusionment to clarity and purpose. Debbie provides practical tools for career success and leadership development, leaving audiences motivated and engaged.
Hellena Pugh: Founder of Zahara Veterans Network, Inc., a distinguished leader and speaker with a rich background as a military officer, corporate leader, and national volunteer. She founded the Zahara Veterans Network to support women veterans, led a 30-person unit in the US Marine Corps, and forged international collaborations for Iola Marie Corp.
Tash Price: CVP, Deputy General Counsel, Global Ethics & Compliance - Blue Yonder. A distinguished leader in legal and compliance, with a proven track record in labor and employment law, ethics, and global governance. Her leadership roles at Walmart and Avnet, including Chief Ethics & Compliance Officer and Chief of Staff & Managing Counsel, showcase her expertise in shaping and implementing strategic global initiatives.
Michelle Massey: VP Community Outreach and Customer Support. Michelle is a leader in IT and community engagement, with accolades including the ATHENA Leadership Award. Michelle’s passion for empowering youth in STEM and women in leadership shines through her dynamic presentations.
Kimberli Green: Vice President at America First Credit Union. Kimberli and ATHENA Award Recipient, and recognized for her strong leadership, honed through managing teams across 5 states. By overseeing Chambers of Commerce, Military Affairs, and the Business Services Department, she drives significant growth while fostering an inclusive leadership culture.
Paula Farmer: President of pmfaith & Associates, Inc., With over two decades of experience, she is impactful as an executive coach, community leader, and speaker. Paula specializes in strategic HR consulting and coaching, and champions diversity, inclusivity, and belonging in the workplace.
Karen Bird: An Ojibwe woman and advocate for Indigenous inclusion, Karen offers a unique perspective on business and cultural leadership. As the first Indigenous ATHENA International Certified Facilitator, Karen’s work supports women in business and beyond. She has 26 years of experience in the business and financial industry, business plan writing, startup coaching, wealth management, and corporate cultural training.
Christine Bongard: President of The WIT Network, is a champion for women in technology. Christine leads a global community across 80 chapters in 40 countries. Her work focuses on creating inclusive environments and advancing women’s careers in tech, making her a powerful advocate for gender equity in the industry.
Kimberley Bates: Global Brand & Product Marketing - Executive Consulting, With over 15 years in brand and product marketing, Kimberley excels in storytelling and creative direction. Her expertise has driven significant engagement across industries.
JOIN US ON THIS INTIMATE AND TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY:
Mo Barrett and Katy Stevens: The duo behind Unforgettable Experiences, bring humor and insight to their transformative workshops. They blend storytelling and creativity to inspire audiences to navigate life's challenges with courage.
Nicole Noll-Williams: President and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority, a dynamic speaker and ATHENA Award Recipient, Nicole exemplifies leadership in aviation and community service. Her story of breaking barriers and mentoring women in her field is inspiring. Her strategic initiatives have successfully expanded air services, travel policies, and collaborative leadership.
Chef Kurt Kwiatkowski: Gordon Food Service Corporate Executive Chef, North America, Kurt, a culinary expert and former Senior Executive Chef at MSU, he is renowned for building strong teams and is committed to training future leaders. Kurt is known for his inclusive leadership and advocacy for diversity in leadership roles.
Deb Hart: iRest Meditation Teacher and trauma-sensitive yoga instructor, Deb, a dynamic public speaker and former rock radio morning show personality, leads sessions designed to promote peace and calm. Her unique blend of entertainment and mindfulness creates engaging and impactful experiences. As a co-host of the Morning Blend on WSYM FOX 47 in Lansing, MI, Deb brings her expertise to the stage, delivering compelling talks that captivate and inspire.
Isadora "Isa" Maria Mendes de Souza: Program Manager at Microsoft AI Cloud and the first Brazilian ATHENA Certified Facilitator. Isa's work in technology and community leadership highlights her commitment to diversity and empowerment. Additionally, she is playing a pivotal role in supporting ATHENA International’s efforts in getting the ATHENA Leadership Institute translated into multiple languages.
Carlene Kanellis: Founder of Soulography®️, combines photography, shamanic practices, and energy work to help women heal and transform. Carlene’s holistic approach to personal growth encourages women to embrace their authentic selves.
Nina Grae: Talented singer-songwriter, captivates audiences with her soulful voice and meaningful lyrics. Nina's music and storytelling are inspired by her journey of self-discovery and healing, making her performances deeply moving and inspiring.
Mindwire Predictive Index Workshops: Facilitated by Predictive Index (PI) experts, these workshops provide valuable insights into behavioral assessment and talent optimization. Attendees will learn how to leverage the PI for improved team dynamics and leadership effectiveness.
Keith Williams: Former Michigan State University Alumni Association Director, his extensive experience in leadership includes serving as Associate Vice Chancellor at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, showcasing his ability to effectively manage complex programs and lead diverse teams. A skilled public speaker, Keith's infectious enthusiasm and dedication to fostering inclusive leadership make him a valuable ally.
Carrie Harbinson: Strategic Partnerships and Accelerator Program Director - SAS, With 17 years of expertise in business development, sales leadership, strategic partnerships, and program management, Carrie is currently at SAS, contributing to the future of analytics alongside leading companies and brands.
Michele Reister: Vice President of Global Marketing at Anecdotes, brings 25 years of leadership experience. She excels in building scalable teams, strategies, and achieving aggressive revenue goals. Her success stems from strong collaboration across teams, a deep commitment to the voice-of-the-customer, and a relentless focus on metrics and optimization.
Traci Costa: President/CEO - ATHENA International. With 35+ years of leadership experience, and known for her innovative, agile, and passionate leadership style. Focused on energizing the ATHENA base, building stronger community relationships, highlighting local success stories, and furthering ATHENA’s mission to accelerate gender parity and leadership diversity.
Meet our Newest Speaker
Cari Kenzie
Cari Kenzie, a survivor of the Boston Marathon bombing, is a successful entrepreneur and renowned keynote speaker. After successfully selling her multi-million dollar marketing agency, Skyline Dynovia, she co-founded iShft, a company dedicated to revolutionizing leadership and personal empowerment. Her compelling journey through adversity and her mastery in transforming challenges into strategic opportunities have made her a sought-after speaker on resilience, leadership, and personal growth. Today, Cari inspires audiences around the world to embrace their challenges with courage and to craft their own paths to success.
Cari has transformed her experience as a Boston Marathon bombing survivor into a thriving career as a keynote speaker, coach, and strategist. She has also co-founded iShft, a leadership and personal empowerment company dedicated to disrupting traditional approaches to how we live, love, and lead. Her keynotes skillfully combine personal experiences with extensive business acumen, inspiring audiences to embrace challenges as catalysts for growth. Cari's engaging presentations delve into strategies that individuals and organizations can use to navigate change, enhance leadership skills, and improve overall well-being. Through iShft and the Ripples of Change Foundation, Cari advances new paradigms in personal and professional development. Her workshops and coaching sessions provide powerful tools for empowerment, helping people build resilience and achieve their full potential. Cari’s insights as a successful entrepreneur and resilience expert make her a compelling presence on stage, offering actionable solutions and motivating stories that resonate with all audiences.