Reach for the Stars. As an astronaut, scientist, skydiver, and consultant, Mary Ellen Weber, PhD, brings compelling insights and wide ranging experiences to audiences worldwide. A NASA Astronaut for ten years, Weber flew on two Space Shuttle flights including to the International Space Station and received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.

Since then, Mary Ellen served as a successful executive at a major medical center and now consults with a diverse range of clientele in strategic communications and leadership strategies for high-risk operations. Weber continues her involvement with NASA, advising its leadership on future technologies as part of a select NASA Advisory Council committee.

Mary Ellen, a competitive skydiver for over thirty years, has completed 5,000 skydives, 19 medals at the U.S. National Skydiving Championships to date, and holds a world record. She has excelled at overcoming challenges in multiple endeavors, all of which informs the unique perspectives she brings as an engaging and acclaimed speaker.

TOPICS:

When Everything is On the Line: Excelling in High Risk Situations

STEM Unscripted: The Nitty Gritty (but rewarding) Challenges

What It's Like: The Journey into Space

Ideal for: Business conferences and University/College Programs focused on STEM education.

Life! Causes! Action! Pam Grier was the first African-American woman to headline action films, playing bold, powerful women in COFFY, SHEBA BABY, FRIDAY FOSTER, and FOXY BROWN. She rekindled her superhero appeal with hits like JACKIE BROWN and The HBO television series THE L WORD and is currently developing several exciting projects.

As detailed in her bestselling memoir, (FOXY BROWN, MY LIFE IN THREE ACTS), Pam overcame sexual abuse, racial barriers and has survived life’s hardships, including cancer, to become the iconic heroine she is today.

Pam dedicates much of her time to helping animal rights, human rights, those affected by mental health issues and HIV/AIDS, Tweeting daily to her nearly 600,000 "Tweetie Pies and Huggables” about causes she believes in.

Pam has been honored for her professional and personal successes by BET, Lincoln Center, Harvard University, Langston University, Maryland University Eastern Shore, and received the Golda Meir Leadership Award and the Entertainment AIDS Alliance Visionary Award.

TOPICS:

A Life Well Lived:Community, Philanthropy and Spirituality

Women In Media:Breaking Barriers and Stereotypes

The Art of War: A Survival Guide to Life

Ideal for: Women, Arts and/or Minority Advocacy groups

Project Fabulous! Designer Mondo Guerra's innovative style and bold prints caught the fashion world’s imagination, while his truth and courage captured the hearts of fans around the world, after revealing his HIV+ status on PROJECT RUNWAY (Season 8). Mondo went on to win the debut season of PROJECT RUNWAY ALL STARS and was an audience favorite on Lifetime’s series, UNDER THE GUNN. Mondo’s visual aesthetics often carry a social message that brilliantly blends his art and advocacy.

The Denver born artist was commissioned by Subaru of America to create a custom vehicle design to commemorate World AIDS Day 2015. The reveal of this design served as a preview to Art Basel in Miami. Mondo is a valuable spokesperson for Merck’s iDesign HIV/AIDS educational initiative, and spokesperson for Dining Out For Life® International, an annual HIV/AIDS fundraiser hosted by Subaru that takes place in 62 cites across North America.

Mondo is currently focused on the development of multimedia content and continues to create modern art that blends his fashion and social consciousness. His designs have been licensed for product development and packaging for SEE Eyewear and Crocs Footwear.

TOPICS:

Think Pozitivity: Using Art for Advocacy

Speak Up! The Power of Your Personal Narrative

Fashion Forward:The Future of Design

Ideal for: Secondary, College and University audiences; LGBTQ initiatives; Corporate cause-related Marketing, Community and Philanthropic panels; Broadcast projects; Non-Profit spirit/fundraising

Green Capital is here to stay and as a social entrepreneur, Shar Olivier has been lending her wealth of knowledge and acumen with passion for nearly two decades.

As Principal of Vessel, Shar collaborates with groups like VF Jeanswear (Wrangler Brand), WomenFix, and SmartRoots to create global quantifiable solutions for environmental, social and economic issues. Vessel consults on financial and business strategy for clean tech ventures in building and energy sectors with a focus on achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals through the Circular Economy.

As Co-Founder of PlanIt Greener™, Shar orchestrated a touring educational exhibition showcasing stylish and eco-friendly products and services for homebuilders, consumers and non-profit organizations.

Her professional experience includes the International Institute for Learning, Full Circle Industries, Environmental Quality Control, Whole Foods Market, Southern Energy Management, Inhabitat.com, Cape Fear Economic Development Council, GAMAE International and the 7th Congressional Green Business Task Force assembled by former Congressman Mike McIntyre (D).

Shar earned her Masters of Environmental Management from Duke University and is a LEED-AP with USGBC, a Living Building Ambassador and G4 trained.

TOPICS:

Impact Investing and Sustainable Development: Every choice we make at home and in business reflects the world we want to create (UN SDGs)

Design Thinking for the Circular Economy: How we must remake our world responsibly

Living Building and Biophilia: Design our buildings so they are energy/water neutral and promote productivity and health of the dweller

Divine Nature and Biomimicry: What is our connection to the our natural world? What does it mean to be lost? How are solutions to our most pressing issues found in nature?

Change: Why is change so hard? How does change paralyze or serve oru cause?

Ideal for: Social Entrepreneurs, Builders/architects, Clean Tech, Advocacy, Conservation, Non-profit, Talent Development, Women

Live with Purpose. Fast-talking, funny and pulling no punches, Karen James is a Jersey girl turned social entrepreneur, author and speaker, who has risen through the ranks of the global corporate world while honoring her most important role in life: being a proud single mother and humanitarian.

Characterized by informed and infectious energy, with a great sense of humor, Karen pours her unique career and life experience into energetic keynote presentations. From innovation to transformation to community building, Karen’s global career brings something for everyone.

Karen has fixed networks connecting to North Sea oil rigs, designed and implemented a 600-seat virtual service center for the Commonwealth Bank and turned a $9M business into a $100M business early on in her career – setting the tone for her professional future: Have purpose, build the right culture, and bring in amazing leaders who are, above all, human.

Karen co-created Commonwealth Bank of Australia’s Corporate Financial Services' Vision and Leadership program with The Hunger Project and McKinsey, operating in it's fifth year with measured outcomes including client advocacy, McKinsey Organisational Health Index (OHI) and KPIs. Annual program includes an immersion trip to India where we are the students at the feet of village women who are leaders and change agents.

Karen earned B.S. in Electrical Engineering and Masters in Environmental Engineering.

TOPICS:

Women Power: Creating Empowering Work Environments for Women

Create, Distrupt and Innovate: How Constructive Communities and Transformative Leaders Build a Better World

On Purpose: Why Great Leaders Start with PLOT

Karen's Personal Story: Defining Moments and Better Outcomes

Ideal for: Information Technology groups, Financial/Investment and banking institutions, Women's Business and Advocacy groups.