Corporate Profile:  Valerie’s corporate career spans over 40 years in Sales with leading technology firms such as IBM, Oracle, and CDW Corporation.   Her last position before retirement was Director, Supplier Diversity, at CDW Corporation with goals to drive more spending toward minority and female-owned businesses.

Full Time Profession: Personal Trainer and Founder of VTFit, Inc.

Certifications/Awards/Medals:

• Core Power Yoga Sculpt Certified – Lifetime Yogi
• 33 Marathons Completed – 4 Boston Qualifiers
• Ultramarathon Completed
• 1 Ironman Completed and Placed #2 in Age Group
• (3) ½ Ironman Triathlons Completed
• Multiple Olympic and Sprint Triathlons Completed – Placed Top 3 in Age Group consistently

Yoga Philosophy: The intention of this yoga practice is to cultivate strength, stillness and endurance in the physical body, intelligence in the mind, and kindness and generosity in the spirit.  The practice will focus on the power of the breath as you incorporate yoga flow movements, yoga relaxation poses, and yoga resistance training.   Yoga provides the benefits of flexibility, toned muscles and endurance to improve overall health conditioning.  Valerie’s approach to Yoga is to challenge more experience Yoga students while educating, encouraging and motivating new Yoga students.  Your Yoga experience will prepare you to absorb all the wonderful and enlightening experiences during your time at I Am That Woman Retreat.   Valerie looks forward to helping you Escape, Explore and Evolve.

Poolside Swimming Lessons

Valerie Tyler, a swim coach and certified life guard, has completed multiple open water swim competitions over the last 20 years.  She will guide you through a series of swim techniques that will build the following foundational skills:

1. Breath Control in the Water
2. Balancing on Back
3. Strong and Efficient Kicking
4. Streamlining thru Water
5. Time Permitting – Free Style Stroke

We do not expect you to master swimming in this one short hour, however, you will leave with more tools that provide water comfort and survival skills.   Hopefully this swim orientation experience will encourage you to continue your journey to EVOLVE your swimming skills and embrace the water!

Like most of us, Dr. Portia has experienced a few traumatic episodes in her life, but through the grace, the favor of God, and self-determination, she pulled herself up and kept it moving forward each time. From the loss of her father right after graduating from college, surviving a divorce from her childhood sweetheart,  diagnosed with sarcoidosis, the cancerous cell in her uterus while pregnant, foreclosure, bankruptcy, the car being reposed, and being unemployed.

Lockett is the co-author of Anointed Moments meditational CD and Amazons # 1 seller Delayed But Not Denied 2, featured lyric writer and psalmist of Happy Birthday Jesus. She’s been featured on CNN, National Geographic, BET, The Michigan Chronicle, The Detroit News, and Radio One. One of her most memorable moments other than giving birth to her three amazing sons was spending time talking with Dorothy Height, Maya Angelou, and Michelle Obama while being the guest of our beloved Natalie Cole at Oprah’s Legends Ball.

Inger Burnett-Zeigler, PhD the founder/chief consultant at BecomingOne Wellness, LLC, which provides education, training and consultation to individuals and organizations looking to manage stress and improve mind and body wellness. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and a certified yoga instructor. Dr. Burnett-Zeigler has over 15 years of experience providing psychological interventions to help clients with mood and anxiety disorders, stress management, and interpersonal relationships. She has consulted with industries including business, law, non-profit, government and top-tier academic institutions to provide mental health and wellness workshops and lectures to their constituents.

Dr. Burnett-Zeigler is passionate about eliminating mental illness stigma and assuring that all individuals have access to high-quality, evidence based mental health care. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, TIME magazine, The Hill and Chicago Tribune. She gave the TEDx talk “Lessons from Yoga on Living a Life with Intention” and she was a featured speaker at the inaugural United States of Women Galvanize summit. She is on the board of directors for several large healthcare non-profits including Heartland Alliance Health and Thresholds. She is currently writing the book “Unbreakable: Trauma, Love and the Emotional Lives of Black Women (Amistad Press, an imprint of Harper Collins, expected release date 2020).

Mikki Taylor, is the country’s leading authority on “inner and outer beauty” for women of color and a highly sought-after empowerment speaker, who inspires women everywhere in her mission to embolden them to own their lives, celebrate their beauty and master their purpose with distinction. An effective communicator, she empowers multigenerational women from the main stages of the world to executive coaching sessions, sharing insights and solutions about that which can impact their purpose — from the lack of treasuring their vision space, knowing their value and taking time to “self nurture,” to toxic relationships and behaviors that devalue and defeat them and ultimately compromise their leadership.

Taylor understands that empowerment is the new management and has authored the critically acclaimed Self-Seduction: Your Ultimate Path to Inner and Outer Beauty (Ballantine Random House);Commander-in-Chic: Every Woman’s Guide to Managing Her Style Like a First Lady (Simon and Schuster) and Editor in Chic, How to Style and Be Your Most Empowered Self (Simon and Schuster) which debuted at booksellers nationwide May 1, 2018.

As the former Beauty & Cover Director at ESSENCE magazine, she casted and produced over 500 covers as well as its signature beauty pages to affirm the culture’s definition of beauty. Today Taylor serves as Editor-at-Large for the publication, hosting its audience at live events directed at empowering multigenerational women. Taylor is also President of Satin Doll Productions, Inc., a strategic branding, consulting, and communications company that helps companies carve out effective marketing initiatives in the beauty space, increase consumer engagement and products that resonate with “Beauty Enthusiasts.” She also guides national retailers in their desire to understand women of color and their purchasing drive and establish brand advocates among them with relevancy.

Taylor, who has over 30 years experience in media, has appeared on The Insider, Good Morning America, NBC’S Today with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, The View, Steve Harvey Show and such networks as CNN, CBS and BET.  She’s worked with some of the world’s most fascinating and influential people including Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Oprah Winfrey and more.  Among Taylor’s most treasured experiences was the joy of serving as an instructor at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa at the special invitation of Oprah Winfrey, and speaking at the 2018 De Beers Global Women’s Summit in Botswana to entrepreneurs on consumer engagement.

Linda Johnson Rice is chairman and CEO of Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), owner of the global beauty brand for women of color Fashion Fair Cosmetics and more than seven decades of archival images and videos chronicling the African American experience through the pages of Ebony and Jet magazines. As chairman emeritus and co-owner of Ebony Media Operations and Ebony Media Holdings, her influence spans business and editorial, from planning the strategic direction of the global beauty brand to setting the tone of the heritage magazines.

Her resilience got her here. The daughter of JPC founders John H. and Eunice W. Johnson was a constant presence at the Ebony/Jet headquarters while growing up and tapped as the company’s future leader. She studied journalism at the University of Southern California, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, then returned to Chicago to work at JPC during the day and earn her master’s degree at night. Lessons in the classroom were fortified by her unique co-pilot’s view of the day-to-day operations of major publishing and cosmetics businesses. She worked closely with her father to learn the editorial, advertising and circulation aspects of Ebony and Jet, and alongside her mother on the beauty brands, including the traveling Ebony Fashion Fair charitable events. On the Monday after she earned her MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management, she became president of Johnson Publishing Company.

After her father’s death in 2005, then her mother’s in 2010, and faced with industry freefall, Johnson Rice had to adapt to new realities and make some tough choices, including the sale of the iconic Ebony/Jet building on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile in 2010. In 2011, she transitioned out of the CEO role to become chairman and focus on right-sizing the company. Through thoughtful and strategic planning and a deep bench of advisors, she was able to ensure that the media and beauty businesses could grow independently – as they do today.

Selling Ebony and Jet in 2016 to an African American private investment company was difficult, she concedes, but has enabled the publications to expand into an ecosystem that includes branded events and activations, with Johnson Rice as brand ambassador. They include the Ebony Power 100 gala, an outgrowth of the Ebony 100 list highlighting the most influential African Americans across multiple disciplines; the multicity Ebony WomenUp luncheons that bring influential women together for dynamic conversations; and the Campus Queens events celebrating black women at HBCUs.

Along her journey, Johnson Rice has gained extensive board experience and has continued to advance her reputation in the business lexicon. She serves on the board of directors of Omnicom Group, GrubHub and Tesla, and in 2018 was named one of WomenInc. magazine’s “Most Influential Corporate Directors.” She also is a Council Member of The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, and Northwestern Memorial Corporation; a trustee at the Art Institute of Chicago; and president of the Chicago Public Library Board of Directors. She previously served on the boards of Continental Bank; Bausch & Lomb; Dial Corporation; MoneyGram; Quaker Oats; and Kimberly-Clark.

Johnson Rice was named by the Chicago Sun-Times as among Chicago’s “100 Most Powerful Women” and one of the “Top 10 Women in Media.” Crain’s Chicago Business named her one of “The 20 Most Powerful Women in Chicago Business.” She also received the Women of Power Award from the National Urban League, the Trumpet Award from Turner Broadcasting, the Alumni Merit Award from the University of Southern California, and the Alumni of the Year Award from the Black Management Association at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. Johnson Rice has a daughter, Alexa Christina.

As a sought-after speaker on women’s empowerment, Johnson Rice shares her warmth and wisdom with women of color to encourage collaboration, personal growth and fulfillment. “Women supporting women is the way we move forward, together. It’s not about the destination but the journey.”

Connie L. Lindsey is Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Northern Trust, Chicago. She is responsible for the design and implementation of the global Corporate Social Responsibility, Community Development and Investments, and Global Diversity and Inclusion strategy for Northern Trust and the development of goals, policies, and programs appropriate to the brand and business unit strategies. In addition, Ms. Lindsey provides oversight and leadership to the firm’s response to environmental matters as well as social issues, within the marketplace, workplace, and the community.

Prior to becoming the Head of CSR, Ms. Lindsey led the client servicing teams in the Public Entities and Institutions segment in the Corporate & Institutional Services business, serving public fund and not-for-profit clients.  Over the course of her Northern Trust career, she has held a number of leadership roles, including Deputy Business Head in Operations and Technology, Group Head in Northern Trust’s Wealth Management business, Director of Enterprise Relationship Management, and Manager in Treasury Management Consulting and Product Management and holds the Certified Treasury Professional designation.

Ms. Lindsey is the former National Board President of Girl Scouts of the USA.  She joined the Girl Scouts board in 2005 and was elected National Board President, the highest-ranking volunteer of this 2.5 million-member organization, in 2008 for a three-year term.  She was re-elected to the role of National Board President at the 2011 convention for another three-year term.  In this role she provided guidance in three vital areas—policy, fund-raising, and leadership.  She was an integral part of the Girl Scout transformation, committed to building and sustaining membership growth and ensuring girls receive a premier leadership development experience.

Ms. Lindsey serves on several civic and charitable boards to include Leadership Greater Chicago (Board President and Fellow since 2001); McCormick Theological Seminary (Chair of the Board of Trustees); Obama Foundation Inclusion Council (Co-Chair); YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago; Global Reporting Initiative (GRI); and Executives’ Club of Chicago.

Ms. Lindsey received her BA in Finance at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has completed the Harvard Business School Executive Education Corporate Social Responsibility program, and is also a licensed Qualified Administrator of The Intercultural Development Inventory®.  She is a public and motivational speaker on topics of diversity and inclusion, corporate responsibility, leadership, and personal and professional empowerment.

Ms. Lindsey has been profiled on national television on PBS’ 30GoodMinutes and ABC’s Heart and Soul.  She has been recognized for her leadership professionally and in the community by the Anti-Defamation League’s Woman of Achievement Award,  Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Award, Chicago United’s Business Leaders of Color Award, Leadership Greater Chicago’s Distinguished Fellow Award, Life Directions-Guiding Light Award, National Diversity Council’s Most Powerful and Influential Women Award, Women’s Bar Association of Illinois-Advocacy Award, and YWCA’s Outstanding Leader Award in Community Leadership.  In 2011 Ms. Lindsey was honored with the Spirit of Achievement award by Loretto Hospital Foundation.  She was the first woman to receive the award in its eight year history.  The recognition established the Connie L. Lindsey, Cancer Resource Center at Loretto Hospital in Chicago.  She is an Inroads, Inc. Alumna and has been inducted into the Inroads Alumni Hall of Fame.

Hollywood veteran Tina Lifford plays the vivacious breakout character Aunt Vi on the critically acclaimed television drama, Queen Sugar. She has played over 100 characters in her long-standing career, including notable roles on Scandal and Parenthood. Equally accomplished behind the camera, Tina is the respected playwright of THE CIRCLE, a play about how seven diverse women navigate the choppy waters of life together, author of The Little Book of BIG LIES  (to be released by Harper Collins, November 2019), and CEO of The Inner Fitness Project, a personal development network committed to making the practices and benefits of “Inner Fitness” as familiar, well understood and accessible as those of physical fitness. Tina refers to herself as an Inner Fitness Strategist. providing information and life strategies that build a strong, resilient inner Self capable of masterfully navigating life’s opportunities and challenges. In particular, Tina’s focus offers a lifeline to women who have come to the sobering realization that a mate, career, money and a big house…and even the kids they love deeply…don’t fulfill the “something’s missing” that only a rich relationship with one’s Self provides. Through the Inner Fitness lens, Tina encourages every woman, no matter her age, to acknowledge the Self that lives inside of her, embrace her innate worth and learn to take her power back from old hurt, in order to BE fully alive and thrive.

Dancer | Choreographer | Educational Consultant | Registered Yoga Teacher & Yoga Therapist (E-RYT 200, RYT-500, C-IAYT, YACEP).

“Passionate. Empowering. Creative. Healing hearts, minds, and bodies.”

An Arts Integration Specialist, Kimberli travels nationally and internationally – as a Master Teaching Artist for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning in the Arts, and as a United States Fulbright Specialist for the World Learning Program.

Through her original body of work, “Reaching the Kinesthetic Learner through Movement & Creative Dance,” Kimberli conducts workshops and trainings on the use of elements and principles of dance to improve student outcomes in math, science, literacy and more.

A Yoga Therapist in private practice, Kimberli has received the highest level of certification currently recognized by the International Association of Yoga Therapists. A graduate of the Beaumont School of Yoga Therapy, (Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI.), her extensive four year training included a year long clinical externship in the Department of Integrative Medicine with over 1000 hours of mentored clinical live patient practice.

Known for her calming spirit and creative ability to make yogic practices and meditation techniques easily accessible to all persons, Kimberli is the owner of “Spirit Filled YOGA & Wellness”, offering private sessions to individuals and groups. Her most popular special programs include, “Workplace Wellness: Strategies to STOP Stress at Your Desk;” “For Stressed Out Teachers Who Have Considered QUITTING When a Little Self-Care Could Be Enough,” and “YOGA for Young Learners”, ages 3 – 5.

Regina Belle is an American singer-songwriter from Englewood, New Jersey. At a young age she began performing at Englewood’s Mount Calvary Baptist Church. She was introduced to the Manhattans by New York radio DJ Vaughn Harper and began working as their opening act. She recorded the 1986 duet, “Where Did We Go Wrong,” with the group which helped to attract the attention of Columbia Records. They eventually signed her to a record deal.

In 1987, she released her debut album, “All By Myself.” It included her first hits “So Many Tears” and “Show Me the Way.” Her follow-up album, “Stay with Me,” was then released in 1989.

Belle recorded a duet in 1991 with Johnny Mathis, “Better Together,” which appeared on his album “Better Together: The Duet Album.” Continuing her tradition of duets, Belle teamed up with Peabo Bryson for the songs “I Can’t Imagine,” “Without You” and “A Whole New World,” which was the featured pop single from the soundtrack to the 1992 Disney movie “Aladdin.” The song hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart and won the Grammy Award in 1993 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal as well as the Academy Award for Best Song in later that year.

Also in 1993, Belle released her platinum selling third album, “Passion.” The album featured the Disney hit “A Whole New World,” “Dream In Color” and “If I Could, “which reached # 9 on the Billboard R&B chart. Belle released “Reachin’ Back” in 1995 followed by “Believe in Me” in 1998.

In 2001, Regina Belle’s cover of “Just the Two of Us” from the tribute album “To Grover, With Love” made a surprising return to the Billboard charts, and within months Belle would sign with the jazz oriented independent label Peak-Concord Jazz. That same year she released the album “This Is Regina!, “which featured the R&B hit single, “Ooh Boy.” Belle also known for her hits “Make It Like It Was” and Baby Come To Me” is a must sing for her fans.

In 2004, she released a jazz standard album, “Lazy Afternoon,” which was produced by George Duke. The album included covers of the Isley Brothers’ “For the Love of You” and Tony Bennett’s “If I Ruled the World.” In 2007, she collaborated with smooth jazz saxophonist Paul Taylor, co-writing and singing on his album, “Ladies Choice.” Belle released her debut gospel album, “Love Forever Shines,” in 2008 via Walker Davis Records The 14-track collection featured guests Melvin Williams (of the Williams Brothers) and Shirley Murdock.

In 2009 Belle suffered a Brain Tumor and under went 2 surgeries that left her deaf in one ear.Belle Faith was tested and she stood on God’s word that she would be healed.

Belle in June 2012 released her Testimony album,” HIGHER”, Regina Belle has a simple but powerful message. “I pray that each listener has an experience. My whole objective in doing this record is to bring people into the presence of God. Some of us don’t always get there through the preached word. The music is only second to that, but I want to be able to know that I did my job and if you don’t have words to say, then use my words. If you don’t have a voice, then use my voice. If you don’t have the music or the setting, use mine. I believe that my music helps people get to a special place.” That place is a closer walk with God, one that is sweeter, deeper, richer and HIGHER!

Comedian, Actress & Author, Kim Coles, will inspire us to unleash our gifts through an inspirational keynote talk over lunch!

Perhaps best known for her five-season turn as the unforgettable “Synclaire” on FOX’s groundbreaking comedy series, Living Single, Kim Coles has starred on numerous hit television programs including Frasier, Six Feet Under, In Living Color, One on One, and the uproarious TBS comedy series 10 Items Or Less as the villainous “Mercy P. Jones.” She was the co-host of the nationally syndicated daytime talk show, In the Loop with I Village and has been a guest co-host for various shows, including The View and Good Day Live. Kim Coles is also known to reality audiences for having appeared on The Mole, VH1’s Celebrity Fit Club and Coming to the Stage, BET’s search for “the next superstar of funny.” Kim recently became the first female primetime game show host in history headlining BET’s inspirational game show, Pay It O!” In her latest venture, Kim Coles is combining comedy and inspiration to empower others with her unique program called “Open the G.I.F.T.S.” Through speaking engagements, live events, workshops and products, the program inspires others to discover their own true gifts, so that they may share them with the world.

Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

Valerie’s corporate career spans over 40 years in Sales with leading technology firms such as IBM, Oracle, and CDW Corporation.   Her last position before retirement was Director, Supplier Diversity, at CDW Corporation with goals to drive more spending toward minority and female-owned businesses.

Valerie has always been active and athletic, but the real lifestyle change came for her at the age of 50 when she decided to run her first marathon.  After completing that marathon, something changed for her regarding how she viewed fitness and health. Valerie watched people in her life face severe health challenges and even death due to unhealthy diets and lack of exercise.  She wanted to make an impact and affect change in the lives of the people she knew personally and professionally by helping them achieve the health-focused lifestyle they desired but did not know how to do it or how to integrate it into their lives.  Valerie educates, motivates, empowers and inspires the people that she comes into contact with through her passion for wellness. Valerie has helped many become active, lose weight, train, and complete marathons, recover from injuries, push their bodies to lengths they did not know they could achieve, and put simply, get fit.  Her clients have incredible testimonies about how she has changed their lives. Valerie’s clients across her personal training sessions, marathon prep, swim and yoga classes range from the age of 30 up to 75, allowing her to have a true impact across multiple generations of women.

Valerie brings to her clients many years of experience as a triathlete and marathoner.  Her healthy lifestyle consists of weekly strength training sessions, swimming, bike riding, yoga, and long runs.  Her diet consists of a primarily vegetarian food plan and multiple vitamins to supplement her health needs.

Valerie is always encouraging and inspiring her clients to ‘raise their game,’ set goals, and move to the next level of fitness development.  As they see their bodies change and their energy levels increase, they begin to realize that they have more control over their life — they feel the empowerment.  Her exercise programs are designed to decrease fat, increase energy, improve muscle tone, and ultimately fight against degenerative diseases such as diabetes, cancer, lupus and heart disease.  Her mantra is ‘staying active is the key to good health.’

Ernestine “Ernie” Shepherd, at age 79, is a personal trainer, a professional model, a competitive bodybuilder and happier and more fulfilled than she’s ever been in her life. Ernestine’s fitness journey began at age 56 when she and her sister joined a gym and started working out together. A short time later, her sister, Velvet, died suddenly from a brain aneurysm. Devastated, Ernestine stopped going to the gym. After some months of mourning the loss of her sister and on the advice of a friend that her sister would have wanted her to continue what they had started, Ernestine returned to the gym with a reignited determination to get fit.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

Dr. Karen M. Pendleton, MD has been on a mission to discover the secrets of anti-aging. ​Dr. Rita J. McGuire, Author, Health Coach & OB/GYN, will co-facilitate a workshop at the I Am That Woman Retreat entitled, “Vitality at Any Age.” As both an ophthalmologist and co-founder of Pair O’Docs Bio-Rejuvenis Medical Wellness Center, Dr. Pendleton adheres to a strong mission to explore, investigate and promote natural concepts of anti-aging, beauty and health. A licensed ophthalmologist with emphasis in corneal and refractive surgery, Dr. Pendleton received her Doctorate of Medicine from Tulane University. She completed her post-graduate residency at Louisiana State University Eye Center in New Orleans and practices as a Corneal and Refractive Surgery Specialist for five years in Shreveport. Dr. Karen M. Pendleton is passionate about improving the health of her patients and the Shreveport-Bossier City community. Her approach includes managing hormonal imbalances, correcting nutritional deficits, and tailoring exercise physiology. Her guiding mantra is, “Your health is your most treasured asset.” Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

The I Am That Woman Retreat is all about self-care, so we are excited to welcome Motivational Speaker, Author & Relationship Coach, Love McPherson, to facilitate a workshop entitled, “Putting Your Mask On First: Making Yourself a Priority.”

For over 34 years, Love has lived the lessons in her marriage as a mother of two daughters and the wife to Tony McPherson, her college sweetheart and the driving force behind Love Infinity, Inc. Graduate of Columbia College Chicago, Love is an author, coveted speaker and has been seen and heard as a recurring guest on WGN Morning News, Micah Materre’s People to People, WGN Radio among others. She has been best known for her morning drive segments as the Relationship Expert on Inspiration 1390AM’s Morning Show.

Love uses over two decades of clinical experience to empower clients to know and love themselves so they can love their mate better. Her commitment to individual accountability is the foundation for her ability to save relationships. Unlike other experts, Love’s unique approach to help clients face and digest the truth keeps her relevant to all generations.

Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

Great health and wellness is a lifelong mission. Dr. Rita J. McGuire, Author, Health Coach & OB/GYN, will co-facilitate a workshop at the I Am That Woman Retreat entitled, “Vitality at Any Age.” Dr. Rita J. McGuire is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Chicago, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Roseland Community Hospital and St. Bernard Hospital and Health Care Center. She received her medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 20 years.

After losing her brother to cancer in 2010, Dr. McGuire set out to become her most healthy self, shedding 60 pounds and competing in a bikini competition at age 52. Now, she helps women over 40 who are struggling with their wellness goals through a proven program that restores the mind, body and soul. Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

Renetta McCann, Chief Talent Officer for Leo Burnett Worldwide, will share her inspirational story in an empowering workshop session entitled, “How Did I Get From There to Here: Against All Odds.”

Renetta McCann is one of the leading innovators and most influential executives in the advertising industry, with a global reputation for not only building brands, but also the organizations and leadership to sustain them. As Chief Talent Officer at Leo Burnett, she heads up the agency’s People & Culture department. She plays a key role in ensuring that the company retains, attracts and arms the best and brightest minds in business today, with oversight of the agency’s U.S. recruitment, training, benefits and talent management.

A champion for women and for the development of minorities in the advertising industry, Renetta dedicates her time outside the office to organizations like Viva Women, the Publicis Groupe internal women’s network, and No.2six6, an organization launched in 2013 to advance the hiring rate of minorities in advertising.

Over the course of her career, Renetta has been a frequent name in the press. She was named one of the “100 Most Powerful Women” by Forbes and a woman to watch by both Fortune and The Wall Street Journal. She was awarded the title “Corporate Executive of the Year” by Black Enterprise Magazine and was selected by Ebony as one of the “57 Most Intriguing Blacks.” Essence named her one of “50 Women Who are Changing the World,” and she has appeared on the pages of Advertising Age, BusinessWeek and Chicago Magazine. The American Advertising Federation honored her with a Diversity Achievement Award for her contributions as an Industry Influential, and she’s the recipient of the 4A’s Pantheon award. Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

There are many benefits to being a seasoned woman, and Edna Kane-Williams, SVP of Multicultural Marketing for AARP, will discuss them in a keynote talk over lunch!

With more than 20 years of experience working in senior management positions at both nonprofit and for profit organizations, Kane-Williams has specialized in strategic planning, targeted marketing and program development, with a profound focus on the needs of older adults and multicultural communities.

Prior to her new role, Kane-Williams was AARP’s Vice President of Multicultural Markets and Engagement where she was responsible for African American outreach. She previously served as the Vice President of Strategy and Communications for the AARP Foundation. Before coming to AARP, Kane-Williams held noteworthy marketing positions, including Senior Vice President of Communications and Social Marketing at IQ Solutions, where she developed effective communication plans to improve outreach specifically to underserved African American and Hispanic communities. She also led similar marketing efforts as a Senior Vice President at Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide.

In 2015, Kane-Williams was recognized as “Marketing Executive of the Year” at the 2015 ​Marketing to African Americans with Excellence (MAAX) Awards​ in Chicago for her innovations, contributions and exceptional performance in African American marketing. Additionally, she was the recipient of a Coro Foundation Fellowship and was also a Diversity Executive Leadership Program fellow for the American Society of Association Executives.

Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

We are so excited to have Amy S. Hilliard, Founder & Principal of The Hilliard Group and Author, join us the interviewer for an exclusive sit down with Tracey Edmonds.

Amy S. Hilliard​ is the principal of The Hilliard Group, a strategic marketing consulting firm in business since 1995. Her Fortune 500 clients have included Nielsen, IBM, BET, American Express, HBO, and PepsiCo among others. With a unique background of senior corporate experience and established entrepreneurship, Ms. Hilliard was recently President of Fashion Fair Cosmetics. She is also the former Senior VP of marketing for L’Oreal’s Soft Sheen division. A former retailing, senior marketing and advertising executive, Ms. Hilliard’s multi-million dollar brand building and new product development innovations for White Rain Shampoo during her time at Gillette have been documented in a case study for Duke University’s School of Business.

Ms. Hilliard also founded The ComfortCake Company®, makers of “Pound Cake so Good it feels like a Hug®.” A graduate of Howard University and Harvard Business School, she is the author of “Tap Into Your Juice: Find Your Gifts, Lose Your Fears and Build Your Dreams.”

Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

Intuition Coach, Speaker & Author, Sheree Franklin-Hill, will lead us through a guided meditation, relaxation, and visualization exercise to help us get the most out of our time at the I Am That Woman Retreat.

For over a decade, organizations and individuals have turned to Sheree Franklin-Hill to help them tap into their intuition for personal, professional and organizational growth.

She speaks regularly around the country and has been a guest on The Oprah Show, NBC-Channel 5 in Chicago, WVON-AM, WBEZ 91.5 and more. Additionally, she has been featured in ​Ebony

​ Magazine. Sheree is also a regular career columnist with ​Black Enterprise and the author of ​INTUITION: The Hidden Asset Everyone Should Learn to Use.

Whether she’s serving as a keynote speaker, corporate workshop leader or one-on-one coach, Sheree’s unique approach helps her clients discover the fears that have stalled their success, shift out of negative emotions and learn how to better listen to their gut. She helps others play big, take calculated risks and enhance their life experience on all levels. She also motivates teams and provides clarity to impact strategic direction, overcome project challenges and boost conflict resolution skills.

Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

We are excited to have Cheryl Grace, senior corporate executive and founder of lifestyle brand, Powerful Penny, lead a workshop on “Becoming That Woman!”

Named one of Black Enterprise Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Business Women in 2017, and a Remarkable Person by the Chicago Tribune, Cheryl is a media industry veteran with a unique portfolio of capabilities including strategic planning, research and analytics, public affairs and media relations. She has more than 25 years of communications experience developing high impact and award-winning corporate reputation and brand management campaigns for media, consumer packaged goods, and non-profit sectors.

Cheryl has taken bumps and bruises on her professional and personal climb toward success and landed precisely where she wanted to be – in control of now and what happens next. Able to look back at her ascent and smile, she recently launched an aspirational lifestyle brand Powerful Penny LLC that helps other get to their next level of best in six core areas of their lives — including their career. She provides mentoring advice via a weekly blog released every Monday morning as well as through books, workshops, and a lecture series.

Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche, is a master at making the numbers work. At the I Am That Woman Retreat, she’s going to teach us how to achieve the retirement that we want within our budgets.

Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche is an award-winning teacher of financial empowerment and is quickly becoming America’s favorite, personal financial educator. The Budgetnista specializes in the delivery of financial literacy and has served as the personal finance education expert for City National Bank.

Since 2008, The Budgetnista has been a brand ambassador and spokesperson for a number of organizations – delivering financial education through seminars, workshops, curricula and trainings. In 2014, Tiffany founded the ​LIVE RICHER Challenge Movement​; a virtual community of over 200,000 thousand women from 100+ countries. Author of two #1 Amazon bestsellers, ​The One Week Budget​ and ​Live Richer Challenge​, Tiffany and her financial advice have been featured in The New York Times, Reuters, US News and World Report, the TODAY show, PBS, Fox Business, MSNBC, CBS MoneyWatch, TIME, ESSENCE Magazine, and FORBES. She also blogs about personal finance for ​The Huffington Post​ and U.S. News and World Report​. Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

We’re kicking off the I Am That Woman Retreat on a high note with our Welcome Reception featuring Comedian & Activist Aida Rodriguez as the guest speaker!

Aida Rodriguez’s “edgy, raw and in your face” style of comedy has set her apart in a world that celebrates funny over double standards. Catching the eye of some of the most recognizable names in Comedy, she is creating a lane of her own. Roseanne Barr doesn’t understand why Aida doesn’t have her own show yet and Keenan Ivory Wayans told the world that she is “like a dose of truth serum”. Notably, Aida was a top ten finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” She is a regular on some of the nation’s most iconic comedy stages. Aida has also hosted and/or been featured on numerous television and radio broadcast programs including but not limited to, Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show, three-time host of the PBS Imagen Awards, Fox’s Laughs, Nickelodeon’s Mom’s Night Out, Parental Discretion, as well as NuVo’s Stand Up and Deliver – seasons 1&2, and The Wedding Zinger. In 2017, Aida was featured in Robert DeNiro’s latest film, The Comedian, after being handpicked by Director Taylor Hackford. She’ll also appear on Showtime in February 2018 as the the first Latina female on Shaq’s All Star Comedy Jam. Aida’s debut comedy album, “I’ll Say It For You,” is currently available on all digital platforms. When she’s not on your television or a local stage, you can always catch Aida on her weekly podcast, Truth Serum, on iTunes.

Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

TV Host, Producer & CEO, Tracey Edmonds will help us to recenter on our true identity during a special interview entitled, “Who I Am: Where I Am,” moderated by Amy S. Hilliard.

Tracey Edmonds has created and produced groundbreaking projects for television, film, music, and digital media and recently exited ​ExtraTV, where she earned an Emmy Award while serving as co-host alongside Mario Lopez and Charissa Thompson for 3 years. Edmonds currently serves as CEO and President of Edmonds Entertainment and CEO and President of Alright TV.

Her most recent projects include having served as boardroom advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on ​The New Celebrity Apprentice and as host of BET’s competition reality show, ​Queen Boss. As a producer, Edmonds’ projects include the hit series ​Deion’s Family Playbook and the three-time NAACP Image Award nominated ​With This Ring. Edmonds won high acclaim for the serialized version of her hit movie ​Soul Food, an hour-long dramedy for Showtime Networks, Inc. which ran for five seasons and won multiple NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, three years in a row.

A Stanford University graduate, Edmonds has won numerous awards for her contributions to the entertainment industry, including Ebony Magazine’s Outstanding Women in Marketing & Communications Entrepreneur Award (2002); the Volunteers of America Legacy of Leadership Award (2004); the National Organization for Women’s Excellence in Media Award (2005); Alliance for Women in Media’s Gracies Award for Best Host in Entertainment & Information (2015); Emmy Award, Outstanding Entertainment News Program (2016); and Alliance for Women in Media SoCal’s Genii Award for Excellence in Entertainment (2016).

Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.

We are pleased to have Susan L. Taylor, Founder & CEO, National CARES Mentoring Movement & Editor-in-Chief Emerita, Essence Magazine, as the keynote speaker for our closing dinner and celebration!

Susan L. Taylor is a fourth-generation entrepreneur. She grew up in Harlem, working in her father’s clothing store, Larry’s Specialty Shop. She founded her own cosmetics company at 23 years old, a first of its kind for Black women, which led to the beauty editor’s position at Essence. After 27 years as the chief editor of Essence magazine and the visionary credited with building the brand, Susan L. Taylor left publishing to devote her life to building an organization that is devoted to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty among African Americans, the National CARES Mentoring Movement.

Taylor is the first and only African American woman to be recognized by the Magazine Publishers of America with the Henry Johnson Fisher Award—the industry’s highest honor—and the first to be inducted into the American Society of Magazine Editors Hall of Fame. She is the recipient of scores of prestigious awards, including presidential citations, Image Awards and the NAACP President’s Award for Visionary Leadership, and has honorary doctorate degrees from more than a dozen colleges and universities.

Taylor is the editor of eight books, and the author of four books: the best-seller In the Spirit;Lessons in Living; Confirmation: The Spiritual Wisdom That Has Shaped Our Lives, which she co- authored with her husband, Khephra Burns; and her most recent book, All About Love. She is a much sought-after speaker, inspiring hope and encouraging us to reclaim our lives and empower leaders who are devoted to creating peace, top-tier schools and safe, self-sustaining communities.

Join us for the I Am That Women Retreat from October 10-14, 2018 in Riviera Maya, Mexico! The 4-day, 4-night getaway will feature workshops, yoga and meditation, experiential excursions, and more.

Learn more and register at iamwomanretreat.com.