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.
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.”
Pamela Gold is a Yale University graduate, so she knows her way around books and learning. But it was a book that literally fell at her feet off a bookstore shelf that set her on a different path in life, a Path With Heart. In her current life's work, she teaches inner peace as the key to our greatest evolution and ultimately, world peace. She founded Gold Evolution and released her first book, “Find More Strength: 5 Pillars to Unlock Unlimited Power and Happiness” in 2017.
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.
Court Creeden has seen the impact of social media, societal pressures, and the need to keep up with “The Joneses” in working in finance for over a decade. This led him to write his book “Blue Goat.” Court now uses his background in finance and love of personal connection to help people design a life they want to be living. He was recognized as one of the top 40 under 40 Business Leaders in Charlotte. He has been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, MSN Money, Dow Jones, and many others.
Marie Incontrera is a speaker, marketing consultant, author, avant-garde musician and fitness enthusiast. Her consulting services include: social media and online branding services, media bookings and book launch services. Her speaker clients have booked TEDx conferences across the country. Her media clients have been booked on popular podcasts and radio stations such as The World’s Most Amazing People and more. She is the author of the Amazon best seller, “Social Your Book Launch.”
Diego Corzo is a 28-year-old entrepreneur, born in Peru and now living in Austin, TX. He started working in corporate America and soon discovered that he was destined for more. He decided to pursue a career in real estate. Now, he is a realtor for Keller Williams alongside an incredible team, and currently owns 12 rental properties. Diego is on a path to financial freedom and aspires to help others, especially millennials, become financially free and reach their full potential.
Melanie Curtis is the life coach for people who don't like life coaches. She went from investment banking to professional skydiving to life coaching. Now she helps people overcome fear while actually making the torture of that growth fun and funny. Working with Melanie is not for the faint of heart, but the skills you learn change everything.
Virginia Brown, LCSW, is a therapist in private practice serving individuals and families addressing healthy family dynamics. Following the death of her daughter at a self-help retreat in 2009, she founded SEEK SAFELY Inc., a 501©3 charity to educate the public about self-help and promote safe and ethical practices in the self-help industry. As a result of this tragedy that created international coverage, she has been involved in numerous interviews and media productions in the US and UK.
Wade Lightheart, 3-Time Canadian Natural Bodybuilding Champion, is one of the world's premier authorities on Natural Nutrition and Training Methods. Having majored in Sports Science at the University of New Brunswick, he has authored numerous books on health, nutrition and exercise, which have sold in over 80 countries. Wade is sought out by athletes and high-performance- oriented individuals worldwide for his advice on how to optimize their health and fitness levels.
John Mitchell's 12-minutes-a-day technique is recognized today as the "Top Practical Application in the World" of the legendary book “Think & Grow Rich.” "Today the differentiator between the mega-successful and the moderately successful is control of self and focus, says John Mitchell. His technique gives that to you. John currently teaches his 12-minute-a-day technique at the University of Texas at Austin, and to entrepreneurs tired of making 6 figures a year, who want to make over $1 million a year.
Thomas M. Hewlett grew up in Los Angeles reading science fiction, fantasy, and all things paranormal. His plan was always to be a writer, but he strayed from the path and into drugs and alcohol addiction. In 2011 he hit rock bottom and ended up in rehab. He rediscovered the power of writing and started his first novel; “One Death at a Time." Writing saved Thomas’s life and became his way of telling a new story about himself.
Angela Ferrari is an a painter, children's book author/illustrator based in Portland Maine. Her picture book titles include: “Digger’s Daily Routine,” “An Extraordinary Book,” “The Shape Escape,” “What Do You See?” and “Lawrence the Lighthouse.” Most recently Angela has launched “Story Spectacular,” a children’s story podcast. The show features original stories and classic retellings.