Angela Legh: Using Trauma As A Catalyst for Change

As a child, California-born Angela Legh knew tragedy, uncertainty, and messy emotions. She was six when her family home burned down, then after moving from place to place, her parents divorced. Four years ago, tragedy struck her again as family’s home was destroyed once again by the Tubbs Fire.

Like a phoenix rising through the ashes, Legh used these incidents as a catalyst for change and growth. She is a development coach and the author of a children’s fairy tale series: The Bella Santini Chronicles. These books were written to help guide pre-teens through the emotions she felt as a young girl. The text acts as a tool to help children process and work through feelings of abandonment, bullying, and a host of other situations. Given that NPR cites suicide is a leading cause of death for individuals aged 10 to 24, Legh is dedicated to saving children’s lives.

Samantha Demers: Imposter Syndrome

For many years, Samantha Demers worked at the seat of power with the Government of Canada. She had her finger on the public pulse as an events coordinator, security and promotions officer, among other very cool positions. Today, she is a Sherpa for those who have trouble getting out of their own way. A host on Twitter Spaces, Demers isn’t a stranger to the things she writes about. She creates a safe space for other creators who are afraid to start, whose limiting beliefs are holding them back, and who are afraid to open themselves publicly to share what they know that others might need to hear.

Wajeeh Lion: Helping Those At Risk for Living Their Truth

His story is heartbreaking, breathtaking, and empowering. Wajeeh Amir Lion is the first openly gay man from Saudi Arabia to obtain political asylum in the United States.

Once his parents confirmed he was gay, they took away all of Lion’s freedoms, and he was under direct threat of the Saudi government. He sought help from his alma mater, Kansas City University, where the head of LGBTQ services ushered him to safety and found him legal help.

Because homosexuality is illegal in his Saudi Arabia homeland, Lion was granted asylum in 2018. He has since been committed to international advocacy for human rights, anti-violence, and LGBTQ rights.

You can find Lion hosting regular Twitter Spaces where he champions discussions to bring people together. He is living proof that not all superheroes wear capes.

Madalyn Sklar: The A-Side of A Digital Setlist

She’s one of Twitter’s most recognizable frontwomen. If you are not following Madalyn Sklar, it’s not too late. She is one of the most giving, and successful digital marketers you will ever meet. A sift through just a few of her tweets will make your Twitter space smarter by at least 20%.

While Sklar knows how to riff a tweet, she is also a champion of indie music artists. Her GoGirls Music has empowered numerous musicians with a community that embraces and helps them grow and get better gigs.

A music coach, social media consultant and strategist, founder of the GoGirls Music Fest, Invasion of the GoGirls, and TwitterSmarter, the Huffington Post has named Sklar as one of 50 Women Entrepreneurs to Follow. She is also ranked as the number one Social Media Power Influencer in Houston, Texas.

Marques Ogden: It’s About How You Rise

Imagine being at the top of your game. You’ve been blessed with enough talent to enjoy the fruits of professional football and make it work for you in the business world. You are educated in finance and responsible with your money. Then one wrong move, and boom! It all disappears. All. Of. It.

Marques Ogden’s National Football League career as an offensive lineman stemmed for five years with four teams. His rookie salary set him up nicely for his future. He retired from the game, operated a successful construction company, then found himself bankrupt, foreclosed on, and spiraling into the abyss.

At rock bottom, Ogden took his life back, and used his story to inspire others into learning from his mistakes. Today, he is a successful business and leadership coach, cohost of the rising podcast, The Lev and Marques Show, alongside ESPN broadcaster, Leverett Ball.

J Haleem Washington: From Surviving To Thriving

J Haleem Washington is a nationally-published and award-winning commercial photographer, serial entrepreneur, business coach, motivational speaker, corporate trainer, and author of three books.

He pushed through a precarious youth to attend college. He struggled to make ends meet, so engaged in white-collar crimes to survive, thus became a convicted felon. This felony amplified the disparities in judicial system, and also kept J Haleem from securing the corporate job his college degree qualified him for. He was recently pardoned for those crimes, almost 18 years to the date.

After years of failing to get a job, J Haleem became an entrepreneur and started his own businesses. His non-profit organization, I Won’t Starve Academy, provides education and training for entrepreneurs and career development focused on creating successful intrapreneurs.

Ryan Walter on Transitioning from the National Hockey League to Leadership Coaching

He played over 1,100 games in the National Hockey League. In his second professional season, he was made captain of the Washington Capitals. He broke his ankle in 1986, missing the balance of the regular season, yet returned in the playoffs to anchor the Montreal Canadiens to their 23rd Stanley Cup.

Ryan Walter’s hockey resume is long and storied. He was drafted second overall in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft by Washington, played out the bulk of his career in Montreal, then retired in Vancouver. An All Star, Man of the Year, players’ association president, Walter also played and coached with Hockey Canada. Today he is a leadership development coach, alongside his wife, Jenny.

Jennifer Buchanan, Using Music to Heal the Masses

Imagine being able to improve your breathing, lower your blood pressure, improve your heart health, and relax muscle tension just by listening and singing along with your favorite tune.

Jennifer Buchanan was 14 years old when she discovered the healing powers of music. She witnessed it transform her hospitalized grandfather. Of course, there is also a science behind music therapy, too.

Buchanan has spent 30 years working with people of all ages, from individuals, non-profit organizations, corporations, to prisons. She has authored two books: Tune In and Wellness Incorporated. Today, her services are even more in demand as music is used to rebuild those disconnected from the pandemic.

She is the Executive Director (and past President) of the Canadian Association of Music Therapists. Her new book, Wellness, Well Played: The Power of a Playlist launches October 10, 2021 on World Mental Health Day.

Kim Zayotti, CEO & Founder, Blue Sky Sports & Entertainment on Pro Sports Representation

She’s worked with some of the biggest names in sports and business. Her firm, Blue Sky Sports & Entertainment, is the only woman-owned company to represent National Hockey League coaches and team executives. She was the youngest member of (Bob) Woolf Associates before founding her own agency in 2003.

Kim Zayotti, the woman who created Flutie Flakes, is the go-to person for endorsements, media representation, event planning, and more. Her client list is long and storied. She has worked with Cam Neely, Carlton Fisk, Dennis Eckersley, Doug Flutie, Carl Lewis, Brad Marchand, and many more. Her key staff members are gifted multi-taskers, in other words, female.

https://www.blueskyse.com/

linkedin.com/in/kimzayotti

https://twitter.com/kimzayotti

https://www.facebook.com/blueskyse

Tonya McKenzie on Public Relations, Athletes, Mistakes, and How to Get Out of a PR Crisis

Tonya McKenzie is a leader in the public relations field and the host of a very popular and must-have Twitter Spaces called #PRLunchHour. She is the owner of the PR and leadership consulting firm Sand & Shores; Vice President of the Black PR Society, sits on the Police Engagement Board, and is the Los Angeles County Commissioner of Human Resources. She has two podcasts, is an author and co-author.

linkedin.com/in/tonyamckenzie

bio.link/tonyamckenzie

sandandshores.com/

@TonyaMcKenziePR