Dr. Allen Lycka has been acknowledged as one of the leading cosmetic dermatologists globally for decades. A pioneer in cosmetic surgery, he helped develop laser-assisted tumescent liposuction, an advanced body sculpture technique and Mohs Micrographic Surgery, an advanced means of removing skin cancer. He has lived and practiced in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada since 1989. He’s written 17 books and hosted the number one internet radio show in the world on cosmetic surgery: Inside Cosmetic Surgery Today.
Mark M. Hanna grew up in Inglewood, California adjacent to the Hollywood Park horse track. This is where his love of horses began and he pursued his passion to become an Arabian horse breeder and imported horses from Europe. His compassion and spiritual bond with horses led him to become “The Horse Listener.” Hanna can help people with the fundamental and proper way to be with your horse, a lifetime partnership. Hanna shares his life story in “The Horse Listener,” the first book of an anticipated trilogy.
David W. Smith is a visiting scientist at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital of Neurosurgery. He founded commercial companies – Xennovate Medical LLC, TBI Innovations LLC, and Delta Chase LLC. He was a consultant to GENTEX Corp (manufacturer of USAF helmets) and Materials Modification Inc., nano materials and coating pioneer to the military complex. David also discovered “SLOSH Theory,” which represents the basis of the first and only FDA-cleared device for claims against Traumatic Brain Injury, The Q-Collar.
Laura Noel, as a Certified Proctor Gallagher Coach and 27-year military leader, helps high-performers live empowered, fulfilling lives all while achieving their highest potential. Knowing that leaders are being pulled in multiple directions with zero time left for themselves, she helps them focus on what really matters so they can stop feeling out-of-control, become more effective with their time, and spend more time discovering what they love doing.
Rachael Mann is the new Director of Career and Technical Education at Milton Hershey School. Rachael is well-known in the education community as a speaker, author, and thought leader—with expertise in STEM, classroom innovation, and CTE professional learning. She is a founding member of the Council on the Future of Education. Rachael will lead the CTE program at MHS, which combines tailor-made instruction and hands-on learning.
Kate Stone is an experienced, accredited college admissions consultant and essay coach, having transformed her passion for creative writing and storytelling into actionable strategies for the college admissions process, essays, and the application as a whole. Through her program she coaches students to develop and strategize their most powerful narratives based on their individual ideas and achievements. She received her B.S. in Communications and a minor in Creative Writing at New York University.
Dr. Troy Podell, Coordinator of Career Readiness of the Downingtown Area School District, is a disruptor and thought-leader in the education space. He creates innovative programs for career exploration and soft-skills education for the Downingtown Area School District, is the Academic Director of two rigorous pre-college summer programs, and serves on multiple non-profit boards. Dr. Podell is recognized as a leader in curriculum, instruction, and the application of people analytics to education.
Brian Morra has spent his career in intelligence and national security beginning with his time as a decorated Air Force Intelligence officer and through his many years as a senior executive in the aerospace and defense industry. He was encouraged to write the story of The Able Archers by many friends who convinced him that his unique, personal insight could bring the story to life of how humanity narrowly avoided extinction in the fall of 1983.
Jeffrey Madoff’s first career was as a fashion designer. He was chosen one of the top 10 designers in the U.S. Switching careers to film production, he has directed award winning commercials, documentaries and web content around the world for clients such as Ralph Lauren, Victoria’s Secret, and Tiffany. His book, “Creative Careers: Making a Living with Your Ideas,” is an Amazon Bestseller based on the class he teaches at Parsons School of Design in NYC. Madoff’s play, “Personality: The Lloyd Price Musical,” about the life of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Lloyd Price, had its world premiere in 2022.
Jess Stuart was raised by a Marine Corps pilot on a cattle operation in the mountains and learned the keys to running an entrepreneurial company from the ground up. Grit, hard work and getting things done the right way were infused in her. She started a software-based company from her kitchen table and learned how to assemble a company and leadership team that operated on world-class systems. Today, she brings tools and long-term resources to help leadership teams run better businesses and live better lives.
Dr. Cara Lee Barker is an international keynote speaker and visionary artist. She served as an Army nurse during the Vietnam era at Walter Reed Hospital. She has a Master’s degree in nursing and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Her post-doctoral work was completed in Zurich as an International Diplomat and a Jungian Analyst. She is the author of three books: World Weary Woman; The Love Project; and her latest release, Nightlight: My Soul Calling, Body Listening, Heart Speaking.
Jimmy Jenkins, before writing stories and books, earned his law degree and undertook a commitment to public service by becoming a NYC criminal prosecutor. He wrote Green Rush Fever because he felt a need to tell the story about how his family’s small farming operation entered the nascent Florida hemp industry in 2019. Aside from his analysis about growing hemp, in his book he also writes about his family’s strong conviction in their faith and a tenacious belief in the power of having the support of family.
Elizabeth Shick graduated summa cum laude from the University of Georgia with a degree in Scientific Illustration, then went on to study Medical Illustration at the Medical College of Georgia. She was the senior medical illustrator at MLI before opening her own company, Medical Visions, Inc., in 1991. She is one of the top medical legal illustrators in the country with extensive experience, personally producing over 15,000 exhibits. "You can't just have a degree in art to be a medical illustrator. You have to have half art and half science. And that's difficult because a lot of artists don't like math or science. We don't like the technical aspect of things. And a lot of scientists have problems with visual communication. So we're kind of a rare breed because we've got to be good at both."Elizabeth’s motto is: “Do what you love and delegate everything else.”