Richard Maddox was working 16-hour days–often seven days a week– marketing Silicon Valley start-ups. But through it all he did one thing consistently every day since 1975, which gave him a story to tell hard-charging Westerners about finding enlightenment. His 9-part novel, “Remembering Eternity” and “The Whisper of a Saint” are double international Amazon bestselling enlightenment novels.
Greg Centineo has followed the entrepreneurial path for three decades, mastering the art and psychology of what moves people to believe in an idea, invest in it and commit their time and energy to help create the idea. His ground-breaking animation project, “Legends of Oz, Dorothy Returns,” illustrated his skills to raise $122 million through 1,300 investors in the midst of a recession, and to engage thousands of people to believe in and invest their energy in creating the dream.
Laura Sandefer had no plans to start a school, much less turn education on its head. But as she looks back, she has vivid memories of a pre-dawn chat with her father on the morning she left for college. His advice, “Be curious,” has become a consistent thread in her life’s journey. As co-founder of Acton Academy, her school has sparked a global awakening in education. Her book, "Courage to Grow,” documents the journey to pursue the big questions around learning and unleashing human potential.
Jake Carlson was in a career that was mostly satisfying. When his tightly scheduled life made him miss his daughter’s gymnastic tournament, he realized he and his career were not in sync. After 11 years as a tax attorney, he took his three kids out of school for the adventure of a lifetime. They spent a year living in 12 countries. What he had not expected was to observe the need for strong leadership everywhere he went.
Joel Solomon believes that although financial success and power can have great value, it is most important to learn to be successful as human beings. Solomon chairs Renewal Funds, a $98 million mission venture capital firm, delivering above market returns while catalyzing positive social and environmental change. He is also the author of the book, “The Clean Money Revolution: Reinventing Power, Purpose, and Capitalism.”
Emily Pereira played by the rules, giving her highly competitive job 110%. She had proven to others that she could excel in whatever she put her mind to. But when a personal crisis began to crush her, she needed a more radical way to be responsible for herself. A women’s love coach, yoga teacher and international retreat leader, she lives at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica with her beloved and baby girl. Together they are building the Spirit Nature Retreat and Wellness Center.
Arnie Herz knew he was heading to law school, but he took an indirect path that surprised everyone. A brush with his own mortality in college turned his life upside down and sent him on a global search for meaning that changed everything. As a lawyer, mediator and speaker, he often speaks on negotiation, conflict resolution, work-life balance and the attorney-client relationship. Covered in numerous publications, Arnie has received a host of acknowledgements and awards from his colleagues.
Dustin Peterson is the author of "RESET: How to Get Paid and Love What You Do," founder and CEO at Proof Leadership Group, and a career coach. After working an unfulfilling job in public relations, he set out to find his passion and live it, learning along the way the steps to identify purpose and articulate talents. He now dedicates his time to helping others discover their best-fit career.
Julie Young was implementing a half-million-dollar technology program in her school, and loving it. Then, her husband got a promotion and transfer. Starting over in a bare-bones country school, she asked for a computer, a decision she never regretted. Today, she is a leading voice for revolutionizing K-12 online education on the global stage. She is deputy vice-president of education outreach and student services for Arizona State University, and the CEO of ASU Prep Digital High School.
David demonstrated his talent again and again in challenging sales and sales management jobs. But as much as he loved sales, he finally admitted to himself he was not very good at working for others. So, he quit–with no plan whatsoever on what to do next.
As a speaker, coach and best-selling author, he builds on 20 years’ experience as an entrepreneur and sales professional to combine nuanced strategy and real-world tactics. His goal: to help professionals become more effective, efficient, and happy.
Cindy Ashton is CEO of Speaker Stardom Booking Agency, an elite-level presentation strategist, speaker, singer, and national TV host of Cindy Uncorked! She’s an authority on presentation, voice, body language, delivery, and leadership presence. Canadian-born, Cindy lives in the USA, with a green card for a person of “extraordinary ability.” In the top 1% in her field of training, speaking, and performing, she has received awards from former President Obama and Queen Elizabeth II.
Catherine Rains realized, after a particularly overwhelming day at work, she must find a new way to relieve stress. She was convinced she did not have an artistic bone in her body, but she decided to take on collage as a hobby. “Who can't rip up paper and put it back together!” In 2015, Catherine decided to integrate her job with her art and set up an art studio in every hotel where her job took her, and created a ton of art as she traveled. In January 2018, she returned full time to her greatest passion—ART.
Tony Guerra struggled to pay attention in school. His test scores were high, but his grades lagged behind. He felt misunderstood. Understanding those feelings from his youth was a prescription for being happy in his job today as a community college professor of pharmacology and chemistry. He’s also a pharmacist, entrepreneur, host of the Pharmacy Leaders Podcast and father of triplet 6-year-old girls. His book, “Memorizing Pharmacology: A Relaxed Approach,” has sold over 10,000 copies on Audible.com.