2024 Speakers

Helen Marray-Finlay- CEO of Finlay+Green

Helen is a highly accomplished Hollywood makeup artist and skincare expert with
over 20 years of experience. Her impressive portfolio includes blockbuster movies
like Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and popular TV shows including Parks
& Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Modern Family, Barry, and The Goldbergs.
Her journey took an unexpected turn when she personally faced the challenges
of menopause following a hysterectomy. As she navigated this transformative
phase and witnessed some of her clients struggling too, Helen was struck by
the startling reality—there was not only a complete lack of skincare products
specifically addressing the unique needs of menopausal skin but also a lack of
the knowledge that disturbingly extends to the medical profession.
Determined to make a difference, Helen set out to create a groundbreaking line
of products that would empower women during this pivotal stage of life.
She recognized the power of tailored skincare solutions that could address the
specific concerns of menopausal skin brought on by hormonal changes, which
include dryness, loss of elasticity, and discoloration.
Her goal was to provide an affordable and straightforward system that was both
effective, clean, conscious, and safe, with scientifically advanced formulations
that would nourish, restore, and rejuvenate menopausal skin.

Website: Finlay + Green

Instagram @FinleyandGreen

FaceBook @FinlayandGreen

Heather Adams-CEO of Choice Media & Communications

Heather Adams is the founder and CEO of Choice Media & Communications. A
self-proclaimed pop-culture junkie, Heather is the communications expert leading
Choice’s impressive all-female team they serve preeminent voices in
publishing, lifestyle, entertainment, business, and faith-based arenas. Choice is
known for working with high-profile clients that are both soulful and interesting.
Heather has played an instrumental role in launching more than 100 New York
Times bestsellers and has secured clients’ coverage in a host of major, elite
national media. With a passion for mentorship, entrepreneurship,
communications, and working motherhood, Heather is blazing a trail for the
women who come behind her. As the host of the Make Me Known Podcast,
Heather is giving listeners behind-the-scenes access to the best of the best in all
the areas of life that busy working women are juggling – the people who are
saving her in her very own business, as well as her tried and true communication
strategies and lessons. A proud alumna of the University of Georgia, Heather
serves as an executive team member of the Grady Society Alumni Board. She
was recently named to the Bulldog 100, spotlighting Choice as one of the 100
fastest-growing businesses owned or operated by UGA alumni. This year marks
her twenty-third anniversary serving as an adviser to Alpha Omicron Pi, her
beloved sorority, where she believes in mentoring and developing the next
generation of women. A firm believer in giving back, Heather also donates her
time to both the Marketing Team for TEDx Nashville, as well as the National
Council for National Angels, exists to wrap community around children, youth, and families experiencing foster care.

KariAnne Wood- Thistlewood Farms

KariAnne wears many hats as an author, influencer, and blogger. Like Rhoda, she is in the elite group of bloggers who belong to the Raptive group. (Her blog has over 650,000 monthly pageviews.) Her yearly revenue comes from many sources of affiliate marketing, which is why we’ve asked her to speak about affiliate marketing as well as blogging.

KariAnne writes her blog, Thistlewood Farms, from the blue and white living room of her historic family home in Texas. She never met a red lipstick, a yard sale sign, or a mismatched piece of thrift store furniture that she didn’t love. Thistlewood Farms is all about simple, easy DIYs, room makeovers, and tips and ideas to help transform your house into a home. She has also written 7 decor books.

Follow KariAnne

Instagram: @thistlewood

Pinterest: Thistlewood Farm

Facebook: Thistlewood Farm

YouTube: Thistlewood Farm

Tik Tok: @thistlewood

Blog: Thistlewood Farm

Michelle Edwards- @ARebelinPrada

Michelle is a corporate lawyer by day and a fashion devotee by moonlight. A graduate of Ole Miss, Michelle is A Rebel In Prada.

Michelle will discuss contracts when working with brands and how to protect ourselves against contracts that include verbiage we don’t understand.

Many of us are guilty of not reading the entire contract and, in the end, losing income over usage rights and in perpetuity clauses.

Michelle has worked with companies developing contracts with influencers. Now, it’s time for Michelle to share her knowledge about what we should know and be aware of in the contracts.

Follow Michelle

Instagram:  @arebelinprada

TikTok: @arebelinprada

Pinterest: A Rebel In Prada

https://www.arebelinprada.com

Maria Olsen is an Author, Attorney, TEDx Speaker, and Host of the Becoming Your Best Version Podcast. She was originally a speaker for the 2020 IOM Summit until it was canceled due to COVID.

Rhoda Hendricks – @SouthernRhoda

As a pioneer in the home decor/DIY blogging community, Rhoda proves that it’s never too late to change careers. She’s been blogging for over 16 years and successfully turned her hobby lifestyle blog into a lucrative business at the age of 50. She thrives on sharing budget-friendly home decor ideas and home improvement projects with a loyal audience of readers who faithfully visit the popular Southern Hospitality blog whenever she posts. She inspires her readers with ideas on making their homes beautiful on a budget as well as fashion, over 50 inspirations, recipes, family, and travel blogs. Rhoda co-founded the successful DIY conference, Haven Conference, in Atlanta, GA, with a group of her like-minded peers, which is still around.

Rhoda will be speaking again on blogging.

Follow Rhoda

Website: Southern Hospitality
Instagram: @SouthernRhoda
Facebook: @SouthernHospitalityBlog

Ciaran Blumenfeld

Ciaran Blumenfeld is a seasoned serial entrepreneur who brings a wealth of experience from traditional marketing and advertising to her dynamic career. Her journey spans diverse roles, including tech CEO and founder, freelance photographer, clothing designer, podcaster, and author.

Under the pen name Ciara Blume, Ciaran has penned multi-award-winning novels that have soared to the top of Amazon’s charts, amassing over 100,000 copies sold in the past year alone. Her works, both fiction and non-fiction, have garnered widespread acclaim, leading to numerous book signings, speaking engagements, and coveted freelance and consulting opportunities. Indeed, she embodies the concept of an “author in authority.”

Fuelled by her passion for storytelling and her dedication to empowering women, Ciaran is driven to assist others in showcasing and sharing their own unique narratives. Through coaching, speaking, and mentorship, she is committed to helping other women grow their brands and establish their authority in their respective fields.

Follow Ciaran

Instagram @Ciaranblu

Facebook CiaraBlumeAuthor

Website Ciarablume.com

Abraham Busick – Co-Owner Of GraceLaneCo

GraceLaneCo was founded by Melissa and her husband, Abraham Busick, to help you increase your brand awareness and profitability. They know that your time is limited and valuable and that it is better spent in your business than trying to learn another marketing platform. Their goal is to support your business vision and goals by helping you reach more followers through the Pinterest Platform. They offer a variety of services to assist your Pinterest needs.

Follow GraceLane Co

Instagram: @GraceLaneCo