Deanna Ratnikova, founder of The GO Deck

Lynette Correa-Velez, M.Ed., is the Founder and CEO of Pagame Project, an AI/H.I.-powered CareerDevTech platform based in Chicago focused on closing the women’s wage gap. With over 20 years of experience as a Critical Career Coach, she brings a DEIAJ-centered lens to supporting professionals across industries. Lynette has received 18 awards for her advocacy work, including being named a 2024 “Latina to Watch” by ALPFA National, and is actively involved with organizations such as ALPFA, Techqueria, and Latinas in Tech. She holds a B.S. in Business and HR Management from Lesley University and an M.Ed. in e-Learning and HRD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she also completed doctoral coursework in DEI in Education. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lcorreavelez Website: www.PagameProject.com

Erin Giglia co-owns and founded Montage Legal Group, a nationwide freelance attorney company comprised of over 450 exceptionally trained freelance lawyers who handle substantive legal projects for law firms. Erin has been an attorney since 2001, but opted out of traditional legal practice in 2009 to create a flexible alternative for lawyers seeking career balance. Erin and Montage serve the community through philanthropic efforts, and were named the National Philanthropy Day Small Business of the Year in 2017 for their charitable leadership. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of WISEPlace, and the University of San Diego School of Law Alumni Board. Instagram: @montagelegal Facebook: http://facebook.com/montagelegal Website: montagelegal.com    

Kimia Talebian is the founder of Amara Insights, an AI-powered platform redefining what we expect from analytic and research software. With a passion for using technology to help operators, she is building a platform that proposes the types of analysis and research to run, does the work and uncovers the insights. When she’s not working on her startup, Kimia enjoys doing yoga and hosting group dinners to create meaningful connections with people in her community.

Kelly is an executive coach, team coach and strategic consultant, specializing in supporting employee-owned companies. She founded Elevate Coaching & Consulting to help transform organizational cultures by developing senior leaders who cultivate strength-based, human-centric environments where both individuals and businesses thrive. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kellywchewning Website: Elevate Coaching & Consulting

Kim is a sales coach who unsticks small business owners so they can sell their services comfortably and authentically without pressure, gimmicks, or compromise. She doesn’t teach a hard to remember system but focuses on developing the right kinds of questions for natural sales conversations that come from a place of service. Kim drills sales skills with you, just like your childhood soccer coach, so that you can help more people and earn more money. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kim-fredrich Books: If You Can Have a Conversation, You Can Sell: The Consultant’s Guide to Career Advancement

Sarah Mariano, known as The Stretch Therapist, is the founder of The Stretch Therapists Inc. and creator of the Performance Stretch System, a certification program with over 600 members worldwide. As a sought-after mobility expert, she has worked with high-profile clients, including Drake, Will Smith, and elite NFL and NBA athletes. Sarah’s mission is to help fitness and wellness professionals stand out, attract dream clients, and build thriving businesses on their own terms. Embracing a nomadic lifestyle, she runs her company remotely while traveling the world with her partner, Derrick.  Website: www.thestretchtherapists.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/thestretchtherapist

Brenda-Lee Smith, BSN, CSA, CDP, CADDT, empowers San Diego seniors through Oasis Senior Advisors, offering personalized aging services. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing focused on mental health care, she utilizes her extensive network to provide sustainable support solutions. Brenda-Lee’s personal relationships with clients ensure respectful life transitions. An expert in creative problem-solving, intuition, and communication, she excels in client satisfaction. A confident public speaker, she shares her expertise as a compassionate leader in senior care. Website: www.oasissenioradvisors.com/local-advisors/coastal-san-diego Social media handles: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brenda-lee-smith Facebook: www.facebook.com/OasisSanDiego

Deanna Ratnikova loves to get out and about with her friends and family. She believes time spent outdoors leads to a happier, healthier life. Deanna created The GO Deck to help people connect with one another, outdoors and on the go. Website: thegodeck.com Social media handles: Instagram: @TheGODeck Facebook: The GO Deck

Krystal Gillis, the founder and CEO of Tighties™ functional activewear, is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader. Krystal’s career trajectory has been a dynamic blend of entrepreneurial ventures and corporate experience from sales for a large payroll company to founding her first business in payroll software at the young age of 24. After successfully building and eventually selling her first venture, she transitioned to corporate roles in the medical devices sector, contributing her skills at Abbott and Stryker. In 2017, seeking a balance, she took on a consulting role, overseeing the launch of five companies, three products and a foundation before the inception of Tighties in 2022 during her work on a product launch for an orthopedic company in San Diego. As the driving force behind Tighties, Krystal is deeply involved in every aspect of the business from product development and project management to overseeing finances, sales and pipeline management. With a strong focus on injury prevention and longevity, she created Tighties for anyone committed to an active lifestyle. Despite the challenges, Krystal finds gratification in the small wins that accumulate to move mountains. Her favorite aspect of the job lies in the daily decisions that contribute to the company’s success. A firm believer in the adage “A rising tide lifts all boats,” Krystal brings not only her expertise but also a compassionate and visionary approach to the business landscape. With a strong educational foundation, Krystal earned her Bachelor of Arts from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. She currently resides in San Diego, California. Website: www.tighties.com Instagram: @gotighties

Renee Zau is the Co-founder and CEO of DonationMatch, a platform that has revolutionized how ticketed attractions and businesses–such as Six Flags Parks, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and Hera Hub–manage donation requests. Since its founding in 2010, DonationMatch has streamlined the process and reduced administrative burdens for both nonprofits and donor companies. Renee’s innovative system saves businesses hundreds of labor hours annually while amplifying their marketing visibility. Her commitment to charity fraud prevention through rigorous validation has made DonationMatch a trusted leader in secure, impactful giving. Website: www.donationmatch.com Social media handles: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reneezau LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/donationmatch Facebook: www.facebook.com/donationmatch Instagram: www.instagram.com/donationmatch