CASSANDRA WORTHY

Cassandra Worthy is the world’s truly disruptive thought-leader on change that companies need to build organizational resilience and adaptability. During times of major shift such as mergers, acquisitions, and organizational restructuring, rarely do businesses ever face the tumultuous emotional landscape of the organization head-on. Only 10% of successful change adoption is about know-how. The other 90% is squarely centered on an organization’s motivation and willingness to embrace the change. Without addressing the emotions standing in the way of motivation, any transformation journey is stopped in its tracks. This is where Cassandra steps in. She has created and cultivated the unique strategy of Change Enthusiasm® which is arming individuals around the world with the means to harness the power of emotion, a resource in infinite supply, to embrace and accelerate change and transformation journeys. The Change Enthusiasm Global client base spans the Fortune 500 all over the world including Procter & Gamble, Cisco, Google, Zoom, Johnson & Johnson, Bank of America, and WeWork.

Cassandra invigorates and inspires organizations, C-suite executives, and business associations alike going through significant change, disruption, and transformation. Her customized keynote and workshop programs motivate the workforce to embrace Change Enthusiasm® and subsequently become self-actualized in working towards a change vision. In her leadership-centric presentations, she is not only sharing this unique strategy of Change Enthusiasm® but also over ten years of M&A experience distilled down into the critical leadership traits required to lead with exception during high-stress times of change and transformation.

Why are individuals so resistant to change?

Based on my work and research, nine times out of ten, the roots of the resistance are fear and anxiety. In older generations (Gen X, baby boomers, and older) it’s the anxiety of stepping outside their comfort zone or doing something new and different for which they are not familiar. For younger generations (younger millennials, Gen Z, and younger) it’s a fear of not having all the right answers or looking incompetent.

Can you explain in a nutshell, what Change Enthusiasm® is and why it is so successful?

Change Enthusiasm®, by definition, is a growth mindset that enables those who practice it the ability to harness the power of emotion to fuel growth through change. It is a three-step mental practice: the signal, the opportunity, and the choice. The signal is difficult emotions: fear, frustration, anger, grief, and anxiety. These emotions signal or invite us into our greatest moments of opportunity to learn, grow, and evolve. Once we have accepted that invitation, the second step is to ask ourselves, “What is this emotion trying to tell me? How can making this change work for me to enable my growth?” In this second step you are weighing options and exploring the opportunity being presented for all it’s worth. Once you know the opportunities that are available, you move into the final step, the choice. Here is where you take your power back by choosing how you experience change. By practicing this mindset in the face of every change, disruption, or setback, you will literally be re-wiring the chemistry of your brain and strengthening your resilience muscle.

What is the most challenging part of being a motivational speaker?

My work demands me to be on the road probably over half of the year. That can take a toll.

What does the word power mean to you?

Power is knowing and trusting in your worth, then choosing to step through this life experience acting accordingly. Power becomes unleashed when we share our self-worth, and our unique talents and gifts, with the world unabashedly.

www.cassandraworthy.com

Avalon Soulette Brown

Avalon Soulette Brown is from Newark, New Jersey. She has over 40 years’ experience in nursing. She recently retired as an infection control preventionist with University Hospital, based in Newark, New Jersey. Avalon earned her L.P.N. from Essex County Tech in 1983, her A.S.N. from Essex County College in 1992, and her B.S.N. from Regis University in 2017. She belongs to the American Nurses Association. During her first 18 years, she worked on a post-op GI/ GU surgical floor. For the next 20 years, she worked in the field of dialysis, during which time she held multiple titles including charge nurse, anemia manager, kidney transplant designee, infection control nurse, vascular access nurse, urea

Marlene K. Cook

Marlene K. Cook is an RN and OR supervisor with Fredonia Regional Hospital. She is responsible for operating room, med/surg, and emergency room nursing.

Marlene earned an A.S.N. from Excelsior College and belongs to A.O.R.N. and K.O.N.L. In her spare time she enjoys farming, horseback riding, stockcar racing, and being with her family.

clearance nurse, and clinical manager (a role she held for three years). She also worked per diem in home care for three years.

Avalon is also an author and co-author of six anthologies. With two children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, she has written numerous books using her grandchildren as the characters including “That Needle is Not for Me,” “Mommy, Why do I have a Cold,” “My Dad & the Big Machine,” “Ben There’s a

Beverly K. Brayton

Beverly K. Brayton is a retired teacher with the Stanley-Boyd School System, based in Wisconsin. Beverly has been retired for almost 20 years after teaching for 32 years. She taught business education to grades 7-12 and Spanish to grades 9-12. She also served as a junior class advisor and was responsible for fundraising efforts. Beverly served as a substitute teacher in the Prentice School District for one semester. She earned an A.S. from North Central Technical College of Wausau in 1966 and a B.S. in Business Education and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point in 1971. She is a member of the Price County Retired Educators Association, Phillips Czech-Slovak Community

Rome L. Williams

With over six years’ experience, Rome

L. Williams is the owner of Rome’s Unique Styles beauty salon. She is responsible for the overall operations of the salon, sales of beauty products and apparel, general cosmetology, hair braiding and styling for adults and children, body waxing, extensions, and teaches braiding classes. She earned an A.A. in Business. Rome enjoys dancing, music, reading, volunteering at local nursing homes, and giving residents free haircuts. How did you get started in your field/ industry?

I started out doing hair at the age of 12. I’m a 2016 cosmetology graduate. I served my community before I became a master cosmetologist. I started doing hair to provide extra income for my children and then it became my full-time career. www.romesuniquestyles.com

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Being in the beauty industry is a challenge overall. Coming up with reasonable prices so I could keep a steady base clientele was a challenge for me.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

Mouse in the House,” “The Church That I Love,” “Ja’Quay the Fearless Ant Leader,” “God, You Sent Us Those Birds,” “Avalon’s Spiritual Poetry,” and a memoir, entitled “It Was the Devil All Along” (based on her nursing career). She hopes these books will serve as her legacy. Avalon enjoys outdoor activities, arts and crafts, writing books, and going to church.

What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Getting along with managers was a challenge because there always seemed to be some friction.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Getting the job done without someone always telling you what to do.

Festival, the past president of the Price County Historical Society, president of the Jump River Valley Historical Society, and treasurer of the Price County Genealogical Society.

Beverly was awarded Outstanding Contributor at the Price County Fair in 2019, Citizen of the Year from the Phillips Area Chamber of Commerce in 2011, and Outstanding Volunteer with the Price County Retired Educators Association. She enjoys family activities, genealogy, volunteering at museums and festivals, assisting with high school class reunions, collecting heartshaped items, collecting crystal puzzles, and collecting antique salt and pepper shakers.

Having a support system and financial backing is always a challenge. Women are looked at as a financial risk, so we always have to have backup plans to make sure that our goals and dreams are met.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Empowerment means to embody one’s self through humbleness, trust, faith, and love, so that you can share those strengths with other women who are trying to step out into the world on their new journey in life.

Amy Cassell Founder, Interior Architect AC Atelier

With over 25 years’ experience in architecture and interiors, Amy Cassell is the founding partner of AC Atelier, a Chicago based architecture and interior design firm specializing in residential, commercial, and hospitality work. Amy received her B.A. in Architecture from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1998 and immediately relocated to Chicago to begin her design career. Current projects include assignments in Chicago, Naples, Los Angeles, and Maui. Before founding AC Atelier, Amy was the design director for Pierre-Yves Rochon, where she divided her time between the Chicago and Paris studios creating hotels internationally for Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton, The Luxury Collection, and private investors. Before joining Pierre-Yves Rochon, Amy was a partner at Suzanne Lovell Inc, splitting time between the New York and Chicago offices, collaborating in the design of private residences that were featured in leading publications. AC Atelier specializes in wholistic interiors that often integrate architecture, interiors, landscape, and art, respectively. Amy is a passionate traveler of the world, constantly inspired by food, architecture, history, and the narratives of culture that create a place.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

Month WOMEN OF THE

I was interested in houses at a young age. Drawing and building models of houses that I dreamed up fascinated me. I always knew I would be an architect. What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

Being afraid to make a change in my career path. I successfully worked at my first firm for 13 years, but knew I needed to grow. Making that first change in firms allowed me to take the leap to start my own firm five years later. Now, ten years later, it’s still the biggest challenge and best decision I’ve ever made.

www.amycassellatelier.com

Jodi Talarico CEO, RN, Certified Injector | Aesthetica Med Spa

Jodi Talarico is the CEO of Aesthetica Med Spa. Jodi has 20 years of clinical nursing experience working in plastic surgery, cardiac surgery, reconstructive surgery, and aesthetics. She earned an R.N. and a B.A. in Communications from Ithaca College and trained at the National Laser Institute for Aesthetics. She is a Certified Injector for neurotoxins and fillers. Jodi belongs to C.N.O.R. She oversees the operations of the spa and educates women on treatments that can help them on their aesthetic journey. In her spare time, Jodi enjoys the outdoors, music, family, running, and fine dining. How did you get started in your field/ industry?

Sherry Whitsett

Sherry R. Whitsett is an area maintenance technician with the USPS. With over 20 years of experience, Sherry is responsible for traveling to different postal locations to ensure remodeling activities are correct for the set-up of new locations and training employees. She is currently a candidate for her A.A.S. in HVAC with Intellitec College in 2023 and serves as an HVAC Ambassador for Intellitec College. Sherry was awarded the Tech Trade Student of the Year. In her spare time she enjoys being with her family, Comic Con, Girl Scouts, and DC Adventures.

I worked in the operating room as an open heart nurse and also helped with plastic surgery. As a single mom, I worked a second job helping a plastic surgeon in the area start his own practice and learned aesthetics there. What are some of the biggest challenges/obstacles you faced in your career?

It was challenging putting myself through nursing school while pregnant, being a single mom, and trying to be involved in my two sons’ activities while working two jobs as an RN.

How did you get started in your field/industry?

I had a strong interest in HVAC as soon as I saw it in the workplace as a maintenance employee at USPS. I was promoted into area maintenance, and it became a necessary skillset. What are some of the biggest challenges/ obstacles you faced in your career?

The biggest challenge has been that I

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

It is a fine line to balance having a successful career while being there for the family. Women are nurturing in nature, and it is difficult at times to put our career first without feeling guilty. What does the word power mean to you?

Power means being strong, determined, and unstoppable. It’s knowing that there are no barriers unless you let there be barriers. Believe that you can be all you aspire to be; it is a choice. aestheticamspa.com must always be better than the men in my field. After proving yourself it’s easy. I have a quiet confidence and am very thorough with my work.

What do you feel are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?

I would say it’s the same for many women. It’s important to achieve specific qualifications to further your particular set of skills.

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

Power means that I have permission to be me, to follow through on certain challenges, and to help other women along the way.