Over the past decade we have had the chance to learn about so many incredible folks from a wide range of industries and backgrounds and our highlighter series is designed to give us an opportunity to go deeper into their stories with to goal of understanding them, their thought process, how their values formed and the foundations of their stories. Check out some incredible folks below – many of whom you may have read about already and a few new names as well.
Michelle Renee
For me, it’s less about being “wrong” and more about a lack of awareness. I used to believe that men didn’t feel as deeply as women, that they were meant to be providers, always strong, tough, and in control. I was naive about the unhealed trauma many men carry, and how much they’ve been conditioned to suppress their emotions. Read More>>
Marvin Montes
Being there for everyone measures your worth. This may have been the naivest concept that I held on to. Many times, people will value you as much as they need from you now and not necessarily how often you show up. You can average 90% helpfulness but the 10% where you lack will overshadow all the sacrifices and time invested. Read More>>
Angie Chiuzzi
I used to have the VERY harsh belief that talent should be the most important attribute in what you do, and that you either had it or you didn’t. And if you didn’t, you should just find something else to try until you found it. When I first started my career in floral design, it was purely a discovery process. Read More>>
Shannon Natasha Foreman
The phrase ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it’ is a well-known proverb, often attributed to King Solomon in the Bible. It articulates the crucial role of early guidance in character formation. Read More>>
Samantha Flunory
The cultural value I protect at all costs is hard work. Growing up with Guyanese and Jamaican roots, hard work means giving it your all. Nothing less than your full potential! It’s that grind, that hustle, that relentless push because at the end of the day, it’s you vs. you. Read More>>
Eugene Ofori Agyei
A cultural value I protect at all costs is communal care—looking out for each other and sharing in both struggles and joys. It keeps me grounded, shapes my art, and reminds me my work is always part of something bigger than myself. Read More>>
Wayne Flint
A cultural value I protect at all costs is *representation with integrity*. As a digital artist deeply rooted in Black culture, I’m committed to honoring the richness, resilience, and beauty of our stories without distortion or compromise. Every piece I create is designed to reflect truth, dignity, and pride—ensuring that the images we share about our culture are accurate, empowering, and deeply human. Read More>>
JenLyn (UNBN) Ford
A cultural value I protect at all costs? Human dignity. As a certified Human Rights Consultant, I hold the unwavering belief that human rights are not optional, they are foundational. They’re not a side note to my work; they are the core. Read More>>
Carlita Pitts
Authenticity—especially cultural authenticity—is a value I protect at all costs. Early in my career, I worked in a professional environment where people constantly made jokes about the way I spoke, the way I dressed, even the way I carried myself. It was subtle at times, but the message was clear: to succeed, I needed to assimilate. That experience left a lasting impact on me. Read More>>
Pei Ou
I deeply value resilience, a quiet and persistent strength I grew up witnessing. In my art, resilience means returning to the canvas again and again, embracing mistakes, and allowing uncertainty to shape the work. It is less about control and more about enduring, adapting, and continuing to create. Read More>>
Emily Wool
I have a bad habit of taking on too much, and there have been a few moments in the past few years where what may have looked like ‘success’ to some felt like a complete failure to me. Read More>>
Paula Rosero
I ran my first marathon this april 2025, I trained for months, 50 miles a week, nutrition, recovery, all of it. The week of the marathon, in Paris, I got food poisoned, I ran the marathon with pain and missed my time goal (by a lot) I learned that just by showing up, I already won! Read More>>
Emily Rouse
My senior fashion collection in college did not score high enough to make it into the annual runway showcase and that was so upsetting. I had worked all year on the collection and in that moment, it seemed like the most important thing in the world. Read More>>
Shante Parker
Something I’ve changed my mind about after failing hard is how I view the importance of time. There was a point in my career when all I cared about was becoming the next big artist. I’d wake up and go with the flow of the day with no real intentions or real plans. Read More>>
Mona Liu
The most surprising thing I’ve learned about my customers is the profound individuality each of them carries—every interaction teaches me something new. It’s fascinating how a single design detail can resonate differently, evoking appreciation or emotion in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Despite their diverse cultural and aesthetic backgrounds, there is a shared, almost universal, longing for beauty and meaningful expression. Read More>>
Amie Bennight
Time and time again, we are told by customers they ‘don’t like to shop’. It’s such an amazing opportunity to find someone that has come to shop but doesn’t necessarily like it. It’s as if they feel it’s necessary but uncomfortable. Our primary goal is to then change that experience into one they truly ENJOY. Read More>>
Bridget James Ling
The most surprising and powerful thing I’ve learned about the women inside Freedom Queen is that they’re not just looking for business strategies. They’re seeking identity transformation. When women come into my world, they’re high-performers, coaches, CEOs, creatives, but what they crave isn’t just more money. They want to become the version of themselves who dominates the internet, scales a movement, and is unapologetically seen. Read More>>
Paige Weber
The most significant shift I made recently was about four or five years ago when I completely changed the trajectory of my art career. I had been pursuing design and illustration work, putting in long hours but feeling increasingly disillusioned. The joy had gone out of the work, and my husband and I had many long conversations about what was missing. Read More>>
Dr. Bonnie Cohen-Greenberg
When did I change my mind about something important? One of the most significant shifts in my career came when I moved from being a solo practitioner to building a team. Read More>>
Rebecca Pearl
The moment I’ve felt most loved wasn’t in a relationship or from people—I found it in the presence of God. I used to believe that love and security would come from things like having a husband and a family. Read More>>
Dante Chak
My earliest and warmest memories in my life are standing in my lola’s (grandmother) kitchen and watching her cutting mangoes to feed me. It’s just a fruit, but it was her way of saying she loved me unconditionally and I’ve never felt more taken care of. Read More>>
Daniel Ginsberg
One of the biggest moments we had to bet on Utrain’s future was choosing to invest heavily in AI innovation that would push the basketball industry forward. We committed to building real solutions that make life easier for trainers, parents, and athletes — not just by improving booking and payments, but by leading with technology and the use of natural language (voice chat or text). Read More>>
Dr. Josh Funk
The biggest bet we’ve made was during the pandemic — when the world hit pause, we hit the gas. While many businesses were scaling back, retrenching, or even shutting their doors, we made the decision to double down on our vision for Rehab 2 Perform. It wasn’t an easy call — uncertainty was everywhere. Read More>>
Alise Morales
Joy is essential to my daily life – after all, how can I create joyful jewelry if I myself am not seeking it out? Recently, I have been finding joy on walks around our neighborhood in the PNW. The hills are killer, but the views of the Cascades are worth it! Read More>>
Frans Stiene
Today I felt so much joy. Each day I try to remember my inner joy, my inner playfulness, and express it in my daily life as much as possible. We often look for joy out side of ourselves, but the more we look within, beyond the clouds of our pain and suffering the more we start to see our inner sunlight of joy and playfulness. Read More>>
Leslie Forde
So many ‘smart people’ believe that setting and keeping personal boundaries is ‘the answer’ to being overworked or exhausted. The reality is, boundary setting is important but very contextual. Having a certain amount of social power or positional power in the workplace, often defines whether or not your boundaries are accepted. Read More>>
Ms. Marcia N. Armstrong
Many smart people are getting it wrong by assuming that success or intelligence in one area of life automatically means they have everything figured out—especially when it comes to money. I’ve worked with professionals who are brilliant in their fields. They are leading teams, running businesses, and making significant income, yet their personal finances are in disarray. Read More>>
Imani McCray
Right now, I’m learning the most from my classmates at Hyper Island in the Content Developer program. We come from different ages, cultures, and backgrounds, but what connects us is creativity. That shared drive makes us genuinely curious about one another and creates an environment where we can all take turns leading, sharing our strengths, and just as importantly, stepping back to listen and learn. Read More>>
John Petrocelli
I am learning a great deal about ecommerce right now. It’s been fascinating to discover how consumer behavior is shifting so rapidly across our economy both in the US and around the world. The year 2.77 billion people, over 1/3 of the global population, will buy something online. Read More>>
Christi Workman
Dolores Cannon (1931 – 2014), American author, hypnotherapist, and publisher. She was the leader of the New Age movement. Dolores Cannon specialized in past life regression for over 50 years. Her journey in this field began in the 1960’s devolping the Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique™ (QHHT®), followed by her teaching the technique in 2002 throught the Quantum Healing Hypnosis Academy (QHHA). Read More>>
VFC
I learn from everyone. We’re always learning and we should always be willing to learn more. From everywhere and everyone. Every time I take a trip, even to places I’ve already been, there’s always something new to learn, about the people, about the culture. Read More>>
Zhang Yu
These days, I find myself most inspired by people who are very different from me. It’s their unfamiliar experiences, their unexpected ways of seeing and thinking, that expand the edges of how I understand the world. I’m always moved by those quiet moments of realization— “oh, so this is another way to understand.” Maybe that’s why I love theater so deeply. Read More>>
Jackie O’Brien
Maya Angelou’s teachings on inspiration emphasize resilience, courage, and the power of human connection. She encouraged embracing life’s challenges with a positive attitude, striving to be the best version of oneself, and making a positive impact on others through kindness and compassion. Read More>>
Alyssa Banks
I admire her mom, Klaudia more than words can say. Not for any title or power, but for the way she shows up for her daughter every single day — with love, with grace, and with a strength that I’m not sure she even realizes she has. Read More>>
Kelly Sarri
Would I hire me? Absolutely! I know how to charm a room with my native energy, so I’ll make sure the work shines, and most importantly, everyone will feel cared for during the process. But honestly, who wouldn’t want a collaborator who works like a cosmic alignment in human form?! Read More>>
Urmi Hossain
I would love to hire people who are creative and imaginative, responsible for their actions, and serious about what they want from life. I believe creativity is fundamental in today’s world—it drives innovation and a forward-looking mindset. The biggest companies out there are built by some of the smartest and most creative people on the planet. Read More>>
Takisha Carter
Yes, I would because move with intention, and I bring heart into every space I enter. I listen deeply, I honor people’s stories, and I know how to hold space without rushing the process. Whether I’m creating an experience, teaching, or blending herbs by hand, I treat it as sacred. I would hire me because I don’t just do the work, I embody it. Read More>>
Penny Slinger
I would hire me because I am an incredibly creative spirit who sees and understands new ways to do anything. I can bring that spirit to anything I may tackle, which would make me a valuable asset to any project. I think outside the box and have spent a lifetime breaking boxes, through my art and through the nature of my being. Read More>>
Julia Chebotar
I take a thoughtful, organized, and deeply intentional approach to everything I do. As a trained chef and certified health coach, I’ve built a business around creating clean, elevated meals that are both nourishing and craveable. I’m not just passionate about food—I’m passionate about how food supports well-being, and I bring that lens to every recipe, menu, and client experience. I’m reliable, solutions-oriented, and collaborative. Read More>>
Angela Zancanaro
As a self made entrepreneur, I joke that my boss is an absolute tyrant! Always making me work weekends, take on last-minute ideas, and juggle way too many tasks at once. I bring a nonstop creative engine, a get-it-done attitude, and a willingness to wear every hat when needed. Read More>>
Eyoälha
What am I most proud of? Myself. I’m most proud of my dedication to the intentional evolution of myself. This journey has been by far my most complex, challenging, confronting, exciting and liberating art project. For over 2 decades, I’ve been dedicated to expanding my capacity to experience deeper joy, love, peace and wholeness (regardless of my current circumstances). Read More>>
Sonia Hou
As a mother of two, my day begins at 6:30 a.m., preparing my children for school, packing their lunches, and driving them to drop-off. I then dedicate my morning and afternoon to managing both my jewelry brand and my work as a food content creator. In the afternoon, I pick up my children, prepare dinner, and handle their evening routine. Read More>>
Yang Zhou
During a recent 16-day rail journey through Xinjiang—China’s vast northwestern frontier—a serendipitous moment redefined my relationship with movement. While visiting a Tajik family’s home outside Kashgar, I experienced something extraordinary: my first true dance. The opportunity arose during one of three intimate homestays curated for our Chengdu-to-Urumqi tourist train. To deepen our immersion, we were invited to don resplendent traditional Tajik attire. Read More>>
Olivia Hajek
One of the things I’m most proud of building (though it’s not something most people outside the company ever see) is the team and culture behind our customer experience. In the agency world, it’s common to see high churn rates, but we’ve been able to consistently retain about 98% of our clients month-to-month. That doesn’t happen by accident. Read More>>
LaKesa McGraw
One truth that’s so foundational to my life that I rarely speak on it is this: my peace is non-negotiable, and solitude is sacred. I’ve always been what I call a “popular loner.” I’m known, loved, and often surrounded by people, but I deeply value my space, my quiet, and my time to recharge. Read More>>
Tricshone Jiles
My purpose found me through pain—and turned it into power. After being diagnosed with breast cancer not once, but twice, I realized that my journey wasn’t just about survival—it was about service. As I navigated treatments, fear, and uncertainty, I saw firsthand how many women, especially in underserved communities, lacked access to resources, support, and education. Read More>>
Julie Alsaker
So, how did I overcome imposter syndrome? I stopped trying to prove my worth through credentials and started measuring it through transformation. When you consistently help people change their lives, you don’t need permission to know you belong…you simply do. Read More>>
Floetic Dre
I’m a Christian artist and producer who’s been creating music for over 13 years. Beyond my artistry, I’m passionate about helping up-and-coming artists jumpstart their music careers by putting together personalized kits that give them the tools, resources, and guidance they need to get started. What excites me most is the balance between serving others and challenging myself creatively. Read More>>
