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2011 Speakers

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2011 Speakers

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Martha Beck

Psychology Today, USA Today and NPR have all referred to Martha Beck as one of the best-known life coaches in America. She is a columnist for O, the Oprah Magazine … Read Full Bio

Mika Brzezinski

Mika Brzezinski

Mika Brzezinski is the co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” Her memoir “All Things At Once became a New York Times bestseller in January 2010. Brzezinski’s second book”… Read Full Bio

Samantha Ettus

Maria Ebrahimji

Maria Ebrahimji is the director and executive editorial producer for network booking at CNN Worldwide. In this position, she …. Read Full Bio

Tory Johnson

Tory Johnson

Tory Johnson is all about spark and hustle at work, dating back to high school in Miami Beach where she joined her all-male debate team—and became the first girl … Read Full Bio

Marion Jones

Marion Jones

Marion Jones is one of the world’s most celebrated athletes. As a college basketball star for the North Carolina Tar Heels, U.S. Olympic track athlete and now a … Read Full Bio

Betsy Myers

Betsy Myers

Betsy Myers is currently speaking and leading workshops around the world on the changing nature of leadership. In addition, she is currently working to finalize her… Read Full Bio

Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin is the author of the #1 New York Times and international bestseller, “The Happiness Project”—an account of the year she spent test-driving the wisdom of the ages… Read Full Bio

Joe Scarborough

Joe Scarborough

Former Congressman Joe Scarborough (R-Fla.) is the host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe, “the show Time Magazine calls “revolutionary” and The New York TimesRead Full Bio

Special Guest Speakers

Anne Finucane

Anne Finucane

Anne M. Finucane is global strategy and marketing officer at Bank of America, and is also a member of the company’s executive management team. During her 16 years as a senior… Read Full Bio

Diane Patrick

Diane Patrick

First Lady Diane Patrick has her own record of excellence and distinguished professional and public service. She is a lawyer…. Read Full Bio

Breakout Session Speakers

James Beckerman

James Beckerman

Cardiologist James Beckerman, M.D. was moved by his wife’s family experiences with heart disease to retool his own message into a flexible system for…. Read Full Bio

Lisa Bender

Lisa Bender

Dr. Lisa Bender is vice president and chief human resources officer for The MITRE Corporation. In this role, Dr. Bender is responsible for strategic planning and direction of… Read Full Bio

Joanne Bockmiller

Joanne Bockmiller

Joanne Bockmiller is vice president of human resources and security for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). In this role, she is responsible for leading IDS’ global HR… Read Full Bio

Caitlin Boyle

Caitlin Boyle discovered purpose through battling negative self-talk. Tired of hearing her own inner voice telling her she wasn’t good enough, the blogger scribbled… Read Full Bio

Dr. Brené Brown

Dr. Brené Brown

Dr. Brené Brown is a writer and research professor at the University Of Houston Graduate College Of Social Work. Her groundbreaking research on vulnerability, courage, and shame… Read Full Bio

Wendy Capland

Wendy Capland

Wendy Capland is a pioneer and leader in the fields of leadership and executive coaching. She is the founder and CEO of Vision Quest Consulting founded… Read Full Bio

Linda Driscoll

Linda Driscoll

Linda Driscoll is the founder and CEO of Dream Big! After 24 years in the non-profit and sports management world, Driscoll launched Dream Big! in 2010 to provide … Read Full Bio

Samantha Ettus

Maria Ebrahimji

Maria Ebrahimji is the director and executive editorial producer for network booking at CNN Worldwide. In this position, she leads a team of editorial producers ,…. Read Full Bio

Samantha Ettus

Samantha Ettus

Samantha Ettus is a personal branding expert, bestselling author and TV personality. As a contributor to Forbes, Ettus writes “Personahood,” a blog focused on … Read Full Bio

Moira Forbes

Moira Forbes

Moira Forbes is the president and publisher of ForbesWoman, a multi-media platform dedicated to successful women in business and leadership. She … Read Full Bio

Linda Dorcena Forry

Linda Dorcena Forry

Born and raised in Dorchester, State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry has dedicated her professional life to a career in public service…Read Full Bio

Leigh Hurst

Leigh Hurst

Leigh Hurst is the president and founder of the Feel Your Boobies Foundation as well as president of Say Something Big. Read Full Bio

Shama Kabani

Shama Kabani

Shama Kabani is a Web and TV personality, bestselling author, international speaker and award winning CEO of The Marketing Zen Group – a global digital marketing firm… Read Full Bio

Karen Kirkwood

Karen Kirkwood

Karen A. Kirkwood serves as vice president of corporate communications for Thermo Fisher Scientific. Kirkwood joined the company in 1985 when it was Thermo Electron,…Read Full Bio

Kimberly Kissam

Kimberly Kissam

Kimberly Kissam and her sister, Alexis are the proud co-owners of Isabel Harvey, a trendy jewelry and unique home accessories company with a boutique feel. Keeping it all in the family,… Read Full Bio

Kyla LaPierre

Kyla LaPierre

Kyla LaPierre started with State Street in February 1994 working as a trade processor. At the same time, LaPierre worked nights managing staff for Osco Drug in Canton, MA…Read Full Bio

Cynthia Lariviere

Cynthia Lariviere

Cynthia Lariviere is a consumer market executive at Bank of America, responsible for Banking Center operations and building community …Read Full Bio

Elisabeth Leamy

Elisabeth Leamy

Elisabeth Leamy is the consumer correspondent for ABC News’ “Good Morning America.” Her specialties are stories on how to save money, keep your family safe and avoid scams … Read Full Bio

Barbara Lynch

Barbara Lynch

James Beard Award-winner Barbara Lynch is regarded as one the country’s leading chefs and restaurateurs- and you can find her… Read Full Bio

Juliette Mayers

Juliette Mayers

Juliette Mayers is executive director, multicultural marketing at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. She is an award-winning executive, business strategist… Read Full Bio

Johanna McChesney

Johanna McChesney

Johanna McChesney founded Isis Parenting in 2003 with a devoted group of experts and baby fanatics united by the deep desire to help families through one of the… Read Full Bio

Betsy Myers

Betsy Myers

Betsy Myers is currently speaking and leading workshops around the world on the changing nature of leadership. In addition, she is currently working to finalize her… Read Full Bio

Lida Orzeck

Lida Orzeck

Lida Orzeck is CEO and co-founder of Hanky Panky, a popular women’s lingerie brand with 34 years under its garter belt. Orzeck, along with creative director and co-founder,…Read Full Bio

Gina Otto

Gina Otto

An award-winning author, international speaker, producer, social entrepreneur and children’s advocate,Gina Otto is currently…Read Full Bio

Babette Pepaj

Babette Pepaj

Babette Pepaj is the founder and CEO of BakeSpace.com(2010 and 2009 Webby Award Nominee for “Best Social Network”) and the founder and producer of TECHmunch…Read Full Bio

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins

Mel Robbins is a working mother of three and America’s Life Coach. She’s a relationship exert, syndicated radio host, author, columnist, lawyer and co-founder of … Read Full Bio

Flora Sah

Flora Sah

Flora Sah is a senior vice president at State Street Corporation and is the head of Enterprise Solutions IT division for State Street Global Markets. She has over 18 years of strategy… Read Full Bio

Carole Simpson

Carole Simpson

After 24 years, three-time Emmy-award winning anchor and senior correspondent, Carole Simpson retired from ABC News in 2006…Read Full Bio

Jane Swift

Jane Swift

Jane Swift earned her place in history as the first woman to serve as Governor of Massachusetts and as the first governor in the United States to give birth while in office,… Read Full Bio

Tammy Tibbetts

Tammy Tibbetts

Tammy Tibbetts passionately advocates the power of social media to create social change. She is the founder and president of She’s the First, a not-for-profit that sponsors …Read Full Bio

Farnoosh Torabi

Farnoosh Torabi

Farnoosh Torabi is a personal finance journalist, author and TV personality. The New York Times calls her advice “perfectly practical.” She is the author of the new book… Read Full Bio

Bobbie Weiner

Bobbie Weiner

At 46 years old, Bobbie Weiner, a.k.a. “Bloody Mary,” started a new career by going to makeup school in 1993 for the film and TV industry. After her first horror film, …. Read Full Bio

Jess Weiner

Jess Weiner

Considered this generation’s “Go to Girl” for self-esteem, Jess Weiner inspires audiences worldwide with her authentic take on living a confident life. Read Full Bio

Chrissy Wellington

Chrissy Wellington

Chrissy Wellington, being a Division I athlete, knows first-hand how to balance a busy schedule with a healthy lifestyle and strives to help guests maintain a similar balance…Read Full Bio

lena-west

Lena West

Lena L. West is an award-winning social media consultant, blogger, speaker, journalist, technologist and the founder of InfluenceExpansion.com, …. Read Full Bio

Megan Wherry

Megan Wherry

Megan Wherry joined EMD Serono in October of 2007 as vice president of human resources. In this role, she is responsible for managing all human resource functions…. Read Full Bio

Nicole Williams

Nicole Williams

Nicole Williams is the bestselling author of three books, the latest of which, “Girl on Top: Your Guide to Turning Dating Rules into Career Success, …. Read Full Bio

Yifan Zhang

Yifan Zhang

co-founder and president of development for Gym-Pact, an online fitness commitment keeper
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Expert Exchange

Beth Carlson

Beth Carlson

Beth Carlson is vice president of global talent development and learning for Raytheon Company. She brings more than 30 years of experience to this role… Read Full Bio

Beth Carlson

Lisa DeSisto

is the chief advertising officer for Boston Globe Media and the general manager for Boston.com. She joined the Boston Globe in 1995 as marketing manager for the newly created Boston.com… Read Full Bio

Denise Kaigler

Denise Kaigler is the senior vice president of corporate communications for Boston Scientific and is responsible for all company communications, including internal and external communications, media relations,…Read Full Bio

Julie Haskell

Julie Haskell

Julie Haskell is the vice president of WorkLife and Global Inclusion for State Street. In this role, she is responsible for supporting the company’s North American commitment to inclusion…Read Full Bio

Joan Luise Hill

Joan Luise Hill

has been accused of doubling as the energizer bunny. Her recent radio, television and personal appearances surrounding her new book, “The Miracle Chase” …Read Full Bio

Katie Mahon

Katie Mahon

describes stepping away from her fast-tracked career in senior management in banking to be as uncomfortable as it was liberating. In retrospect, it was a defining moment… Read Full Bio

Mary Mullin

Mary Mullin

Mary Mullin has been with Merrill Lynch for 29 years; she currently works with affluent families and business owners providing a comprehensive approach to financial planning… Read Full Bio

Maria Murnane

Maria Murnane

Maria Murnane had a successful career in public relations for nearly 10 years before deciding she needed a change. She left for Argentina for what was supposed to be a … Read Full Bio

Pam Paton

Pam Paton

Pamela Paton is a senior vice president of State Street Corporation and chief administration officer for the company’s Corporate Development …Read Full Bio

Meb Phillips

Meb Phillips

started to believe in miracles when her baby daughter, shaken and blinded by a neighbor’s nanny survived, then thrived, against unbeatable odds. The tragedy … Read Full Bio

Gretchen Rubin

Marcy L. Reed

Marcy L. Reed is president of National Grid in Massachusetts. She is responsible for the financial, operational, and customer service performance of the business in Massachusetts… Read Full Bio

Stacy Schaeffer

Stacy Schaeffer

Stacy Schaeffer joined EMC in 2005 as a director of Lean Six Sigma. She led a number of cross-functional initiatives as part of the Field Productivity Program…Read Full Bio

Stephanie Sonnabend

Stephanie Sonnabend

Stephanie Sonnabend is chief executive officer and president of Sonesta International Hotels Corporation, the hotel business her grandfather, A.M. Sonnabend, founded…Read Full Bio

Local Leaders

Josefina Bonilla

Josefina Bonilla

Josefina Bonilla is the managing director of Color Media Group, LLC and publisher of its flagship publication, Color Magazine. She is responsible for creating business … Read Full Bio

Sonia Chang-Diaz

Sonia Chang-Diaz

Sonia Chang-Díaz is the first Latina elected to the Massachusetts State Senate. She is serving her second term on behalf of the Second Suffolk District, which is … Read Full Bio

Renee Connolly

Renee Connolly

Renee Connolly joined EMD Serono, Inc. in June 2004 as vice president of US Communications, where she is responsible for all external and internal communications, including… Read Full Bio

Leigh-Ann Durant

Leigh-Ann Durant

Attorney Leigh-Ann Patterson Durantserves as associate general counsel at EMD Serono, Inc., a leading international biopharmaceutical company…Read Full Bio

Linda Dorcena Forry

Linda Dorcena Forry

Born and raised in Dorchester, State Representative Linda Dorcena Forry has dedicated her professional life to a career in public service…Read Full Bio

Mary Beth Hawkins

Mary Beth Hawkins

Mary Beth Hawkins is responsible for a team of over 300 retail employees and all of AT&T’s retail locations in Western Massachusetts,Read Full Bio

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly is a saxophonist, vocalist, composer, lyricist and arranger. At only 19 years old, this talented young woman …Read Full Bio

Dottie Lessard- Brownsberger

Dottie Lessard- Brownsberger

Dottie Lessard-Brownsberger is one of the most inspirational examples of what the human spirit and mind can accomplish. At six weeks…Read Full Bio

Candy O'Terry

Candy O’Terry

Candy O’Terry is a multi-media broadcaster heard daily on Magic 106.7 and 96.9 Boston Talks and seen weekly on the Emmy-award winning talent show Community Auditions… Read Full Bio

Small Business Boot Camp

Michael Alter

Michael Alter

Michael Alter, president of SurePayroll is responsible for the overall business model development, strategic planning Read Full Bio

Meryl Weinsaft Cooper

Meryl Weinsaft Cooper

Jessica Kleiman and Meryl Weinsaft Cooper are co-authors of “Be Your Own Best Publicist: How to Use PR Techniques to Get Noticed, Hired and Rewarded at Work”
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Samantha Ettus

Samantha Ettus

personal branding expert, bestselling author and TV personality
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Laura Fitton

Laura Fitton

founder and CEO, OneForty.com
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Ross Kimbarovsky

Ross Kimbarovsky

co-founder, crowdSPRING and leading small business expert
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Jessica Kleiman

Jessica Kleiman

Jessica Kleiman and Meryl Weinsaft Cooper are co-authors of “Be Your Own Best Publicist: How to Use PR Techniques to Get Noticed, Hired and Rewarded at Work”
Read Full Bio

Marley Majcher

Marley Majcher

CEO, The Party Goddess! And author, “But Are You Making Any Money?”
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Danae Ringelmann

co-founded IndieGoGo in 2008 with the goal of leveling the playing field.
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Kathryn Rose

Kathryn Rose

social media strategist and co-founder of Social Buzz Club
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Lena West

Lena West

social media strategist and co-founder of Social Buzz Club
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Paula White

Paula White

Paula and her husband Chris White founded 600 lb gorillas, Inc, maker of premium all natural frozen cookie dough and ice cream sandwiches in 1999
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Vanessa Wilson

Vanessa Wilson

founder and proprietor, Crafty Gemini, LLC
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Yifan Zhang

Yifan Zhang

co-founder and president of development for Gym-Pact, an online fitness commitment keeper
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Susan Zimmerman

serial entrepreneur with the ability to read a changing market and create revenue opportunities that leverage emerging consumer trends
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Health & Wellness Pavilion Speakers

Dottie Lessard- Brownsberger

Dottie Lessard- Brownsberger

Dottie Lessard-Brownsberger is one of the most inspirational examples of what the human spirit and mind can accomplish. At six weeks…Read Full Bio

Noreeen Nugent

Noreeen Nugent

is director of US research operations for EMD Serono, Inc., in this capacity she spearheaded collaborative efforts between scientists and architects in creating…Read Full Bio

Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker

Ryan Parker is a wellness club chef for Whole Foods Market. He has a diverse background of culinary experiences including teaching culinary arts in Tianjin, China, serving…Read Full Bio

Julie Silver

Julie Silver

Julie Silver, MD is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation and the chief …Read Full Bio

AndySmith

Dr. Andy Smith

is the vice president of imaging science for Hologic, Inc. He has been involved in medical imaging research and development for over 20 years, with a current focus…Read Full Bio

2012 keynote and workshop/panel speakers will be announced soon. Please join our email list for the latest announcements!