Sister Stories

I just love women who are changing the world for good! What a super blessing to meet on my Sydney adventure Anabelle Chancy and learn about her gift to the world...School for Life Foundation. Two Australian entrepreneurs Annabelle and her partner David Everett founded the School for Life in 2008. Annabelle believes that education changes everything! Annabelle and her Foundation work in rural Uganda building schools and communities that provide quality education, vocational training and services such as employment and healthcare. Her communities become sustainable places where people can enjoy a healthy, happy and more prosperous life. Anabelle is a ROCK STAR and won The Medal of the Order of Australia in 2015 along with numerous other awards. You will see why when you meet my Sister Annabelle Chauncy.

On my visit to Sydney, I feel like I was on the brilliant women tour! That's what happens when you put out a call to the International Women's Federation and have the pleasure of interviewing Kristen Hansen. Kristen is a friend our our dear Sister Gretchen Gagel and is the Director and founder of EnHansen Performance who specializes leadership, sales and performance coaching using neuroscience. When I met her she has a new book Traction The Neuroscience of Leadership and Performance, how to Think, Regualte, Engage, Adopt and Develop with the brain in mind. She is AMAZING! Meet my Sister Kristin Hansen.

Ali Oswald worked in my friend's chocolate shop in Littleton, Colorado. When I was planning my Sydney adventure and looking for amazing women, Julie immediately connected me to the amazing Ali! WOWOWOW it was so fun to see youth and enthusiasm in this adventure-seeking, super smart young lady. Ali's love for the ocean and sea animals took her from her job as a mermaid swimming with the fish at the Aquarium in Denver, Colorado, to a study in Sydney to become a marine biologist. You can appreciate the courage it takes to follow your dream around the world and you will love this time with my Sister Ali Oswald.

I think Christina Slade quite possibly could be the smartest most accomplished women I have ever met! Her list story is fascinating as an Australian diplomat's wife and lifelong learner who is passionate about changing the role of education to really serve students with the tools they need tomorrow. Christina retired as Vice-Chancellor of Bath Spa University in the UK after being Dean at the City University of London. When I met her was joining the School of Literature, Art and Media as an adjunct professor at Sydney University. I just loved our time together and hope to connect with her friends in London from some more amazing interviews. Meet my Sister Christina Slade.

On my wild Sydney, Australia adventure I was blessed by meeting so many amazing women. Marina was a bright light as she told about growing up and experiencing the pressures of fitting in. I wish we had her program for teens when my daughter was navigating those tough years! Marina is a qualified mental health trainer, author, suicide prevention educator and creator of Beautiful Minds. Her team delivers workshops to thousands of Australian teens and adults this year and over 3 million households benefit from her online school diary. She is brand to be Australia's leading brand for mental fitness for kids age 8-17. I loved my time with the spectacular Sister Marina Passalaris.

I know Gretchen from her years leading the Denver community and she was a contributor to our book The STEW: Smart Talk Exceptional Women. Gretchen has dedicated her career to helping leaders, teams and organizations achieve greatness and sustainable change that drives higher levels of performance. Gretchen’s PhD studies in leadership and organization agility inform both her work with clients and her post-graduate teaching at the University of Denver Daniels College of Business and the Australian National University (ANU) College of Business and Economics. I love her world adventure moving from Denver to Australia and her passion for her global charity. Enjoy my Sister Gretchen Gagel.

One thanksgiving changed everything. Sue Lee, with her friend Phillis Shimamoto, started the Sock It To Em Campaign. In 2011 the started the grassroots campaign to help aid the millions of Americans who face the harsh realities of living on the streets. Socks are the #1 clothing need by those experiencing homelessness. Today they have donated over 650,000 socks in the Denver, Colorado area, and are expanding throughout the nation.

Sr. Stella Sabina founded Shifting Ideas Through Education for African Women, Inc. (SITEAW, INC), an organization that raises money to sponsor girls who, if not in school would be subjected to genital mutilation, premature marriage, and trafficking.  She believes empowering girls and women with education is the most effective way to raise them up to human dignity.

Bestselling Children’s Book Author and Speaker, Intuitive Artist and Connector. Marianne Richmond is an author and artist who helps you share your heart and connect with those you love. She likes to say she writes for the “unique everybody.” She believes “people are different but united by how deeply we love our kids, how sincerely we celebrate a brave and beautiful friend, and how truly we mourn a family’s loss.” She believes “we’re all striving to live with meaning and hear the whispers of our soul. “