Date: Sat, November 4, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT
Location: Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
14 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928
Join us as we bring together an inspiring group of top local and national speakers for a thought-provoking event filled with insight shared by today’s movers and shakers – and learn how the “THE P_WER OF” can impact your life. Tickets will sell out fast for this limited-seating event – so make sure to purchase tickets to reserve your spot.
Our Master of Ceremonies
Dr. Debi Lynes
Master of Ceremonies
Dr. Debi Lynes has an extensive career exploring the relationship between the physical environment and its influence on health and wellness. She has combined her 35 years of experience as an interior designer and 20 years in private counseling to hone her practice and is now respected as an expert in her fields. She hosts Mind Your Health, Healthy Living, and Carolina Women for WHHI TV.
An incredible lineup of speakers, entertainers, and thought-provoking spreaders of ideas… on the stage for you!
An incredible lineup of speakers, entertainers, and thought-provoking spreaders of ideas… on the stage for you!
OUR SPEAKERS FOR 2023 “THE P_WER OF”
Charlie Clark
Vice President, Communications – Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber & VCB
Talk: The Power of Media to Shape Who We Are
The average American now consumes 11 hours of media each day. What we consume and how we consume media has the power to shape our everyday lives and determine our view of the world and what we value in life. Unbiased media is a thing of the past, but what are the ramifications of that? Conflict and click-throughs are profitable. Billions are spent to get us hooked on content and it’s working. Learn how to live in a digital world in a mindful way that adds to your life vs consuming it.
About Charlie
Charlie Clark is a public relations executive, writer, business & community advocate who serves in the high profile role of Vice President of Communications of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau. With over two decades of experience in public relations and media, Charlie has successfully garnered coverage for Hilton Head Island in the Wall Street Journal, The Today Show, Travel+Leisure, Food Network, and numerous other national media outlets. She has a passion for the place we call home and sharing it with travelers from around the world. Prior to her work in PR, she also worked in the world of advertising with powerhouse firms BBDO and Tracey-Locke/Los Angeles. Her “behind the curtain” perspective into the world of media relations gives her a thought-provoking take on how media shapes us and our society.
Jeff Ford
Director of Fitness & Wellness- Palmetto Bluff Club
Talk: The Power of Three Steps
Throughout life, we stumble into seasons where we feel caught in a storm. We drift, hit rock bottom, and fail to live the life that we want to live. But what if you were given three simple steps that will help you create change in any area of your life? This model is called the Staircase of Change. You will learn to be present by reflecting on your life accounts, get direction by crafting a clear vision, and take action on the one routine that will create momentum for your life.
About Jeff
Jeff Ford is the Director of Fitness & Wellness at Palmetto Bluff Club and the former Executive Director of Skyterra Wellness Retreat, a nationally ranked health and wellness retreat providing educational talks, fitness and yoga classes, therapeutic and spa services, recreational activities, onsite accommodations and daily meals. Before his time at Skyterra, Jeff began his career at Hilton Head Health, where he built a virtual wellness coaching program eventually becoming the Fitness Director. After that, he followed his passion for endurance training and began traveling the United States and Internationally as a Head Coach and speaker for Power Speed Endurance. He has given wellness talks to multiple companies such as Dave Ramsey’s, Ramsey Solutions and is the former host of a 5-star health and wellness podcast, “Inspired Intentions.” He is passionate about inspiring and educating people to take action on their fitness and wellness, holds numerous fitness/training certifications and has completed 3 Full Ironman Triathlons and over 10 marathons.
Tonya M. Matthews, Ph.D.
President & CEO, International African American Museum
Talk: The Power of Radical Empathy
We live in a time of contradictions. Calls for social justice have become frequent and the most unusual suspects are saying “equity” out loud, even as our communities have become increasingly tribal and isolated. New “ism’s” and “them-phobia’s” appear and evolve daily, while the universal importance of human connection has become the hot topic from low-budget podcasts to celebrity confessionals to parent-teacher conferences. Tonya Matthews believes that in these times, the greatest contradiction of them all – Radical Empathy – just might save us. Her talk will explore the power of the practice of radical empathy as a way to move us beyond sentiments of paternalistic tough love tropes and apologist forgiveness-for-forgiveness-sake mantras. And, perhaps, as a way to move us all forward.
About Tonya
Dr. Tonya M. Matthews is an influential figure in social entrepreneurship, equity strategy, and the convergence of formal and informal education. With a unique background in poetry and engineering, she is a sought-after visionary for community projects and boards, and dynamic speaker across age groups and sectors. Dr. Matthews currently serves as President and CEO of the International African American Museum, elevating its mission of authentic and empathetic telling of African American history as a thoughtful and critical challenge to institutional racism.
Dr. Matthews brings her “pre-K through gray” education philosophy and deep commitment to lifelong learning and empathy building to every role. Her impactful journey includes leadership positions at Wayne State University and the Michigan Science Center. She founded The STEMinista Project and STEMinista Rising to empower girls and women in STEM fields. Recognized for her community dedication, she’s served on prestigious boards and advised Fortune 500 companies on diversity and inclusion. An author and poet, Dr. Matthews holds a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S.E. from Duke University. She is a native of Washington, D.C. and is known for planting roots on the side of town best for keeping an eye on progress.
Mary-Kay Messier
Vice President of Global Marketing – Bauer Hockey
Talk: The Power of Equity in Sport
As Vice President of Marketing for the world’s most recognized hockey brand, Mary-Kay Messier is on a mission to make ice hockey as much of a sport for girls and women as it is for boys and men. Mary-Kay believes inclusion is a key pillar of equity, and that girls and women deserve access to all the opportunities that hockey – and all sports — offer, including exercise, learning life lessons, developing character, team skills and life-long friendships they will carry forever, as athletes or in other career opportunities. Her talk will focus on the importance of equal access, exposure and opportunity in sports today, the power of equity in sport, and what you can do to advance the cause.
About Mary-Kay
Mary-Kay Messier is the Vice President of Global Marketing for Bauer Hockey. Under Mary-Kay’s leadership, her team created the First Shift learn-to-play program which, now in partnership with the NHL, NHLPA and founding partner Hockey Canada, has welcomed over 45,000 new families to hockey. To increase exposure for the women’s game, Mary-Kay significantly expanded the company’s roster of paid female athletes including Marie-Philip Poulin and Hilary Knight, and featured them alongside their male peers in global brand campaigns. Bauer has since launched all female campaigns to challenge sport stereotypes and raise awareness to inequities that exist in the sport and inspire policy change. Mary-Kay grew up immersed in hockey, and believes in the power of the game to positively impact kids and families. She serves on the NHL Female Advisory Committee, the Board of Mentors for The Future of Hockey Lab, and is a passionate supporter of the non-profit advocacy group, Play Like a Girl.
Rachel Stratton
Clemson University Senior/Student Leader, Dancer, Actress and Content Creator
Talk: The Power of Finding the “Now” in a World That Has a Playback Button
Learning from her unique experience in the spotlight as both a high school student and current college senior, Rachel knows that social media is one of the many forms of stimulus convincing people they are not doing/creating/being enough. She feels that the more we rely on the media to navigate what “authentic” or “true” looks like, the stronger we distort our reality that was never to be corrected. In her talk, Rachel shares what methods have aided in her self-understanding, provides insight into living an authentic life in an inauthentic world – and provides a unique perspective about how we can change the world by changing ourselves.
About Rachel
Rachel is currently a 20 year old senior at Clemson University. When the 2020 pandemic brought her senior year at Hilton Head Preparatory to a standstill, Rachel took it upon herself to find an outlet for her busy mindset. Battling her solitude, she created unique video content she coined “Day In The Life’s”. Rachel’s content quickly gained traction as the world’s young community had only social media to relate to, with the peak of her following at more than 300k people, after one single video reached nearly 8.5 million views.
Ross Szabo
Award-winning mental health speaker, advocate & author Founder & CEO of the Human Power Project, and Wellness Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA
Talk: The Power of Language for Mental Health
As one of the most sought-after mental health speakers in the country, Ross Szabo provides an honest, humorous and relatable approach to mental health. He believes we can teach mental health the same way we teach physical health, and can use lessons to teach people about brain development, vocabulary, coping skills, healthy relationships, how to help others, and most importantly, how to take care of their minds. Ross uses his story with mental health disorders and trauma to help others feel comfortable addressing challenges in their own lives. His talk focuses on the importance of mental health literacy as a way to give people the language they need to truly address mental health the same way they manage their physical health.
About Ross
Ross Szabo is an award-winning speaker, author and teacher. Ross is a founding faculty member and Wellness Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA, a school for students in grades 6-12. He created a weekly program where students learn about mental health every year of their education. Ross grew up in a family with severe mental health disorders and no one knew how to talk about emotions. He started sharing his personal story with bipolar disorder when he was 17. Since that time Ross has spoken to over 2 million people, helped create the youth mental health movement in this country and is now shaping the future of mental health education. He is the author of “A Kids Book About Anxiety”, and has been featured by press outlets nationwide, including Newsweek, Washington Post and Dr. Phil.
Jeff Weiss
President and CEO (Chief EvAGElist Officer) – Age of Majority
Talk: The Power of Active Agers
The world is getting older and you can’t stop it, with over 17% of the population projected to be 65 and older by the year 2100. There are over 100 million adults 55 and over in North America who are consumers of products or services, yet despite this group accounting for over 40% of all consumer spending, they are largely ignored or stereotyped in most marketing efforts. Given the growing list of unmet needs that adults have as they get older, there is a significant opportunity for organizations to create solutions that are more usable, desirable and marketable to older adults.
About Jeff
Jeff Weiss is President and CEO of Age of Majority, which breaks the myths and crushes the stereotypes and stigmas associated with aging. As a Baby Boomer with over 30 years of marketing experience on both the client and agency sides of the business, Jeff has witnessed the dramatic changes of the aging population. In his experience of working for and with major brands including Pepsi, Gillette, Dannon, KitchenAid and Unilever, he understands why major brands and corporations are missing the boat on the over 55 crowd
and he knows what’s necessary to take advantage of this largest and fastest growing segment in business.
Lester Young, Jr.
Founder, Path2Redemption
Talk: The Power of Redemption
In ‘The Power of Redemption,’ you’ll hear the incredible story of an individual who spent 22 years behind bars, only to emerge with a renewed purpose in life – one of inspiration and support. This powerful narrative is a call to action for providing meaningful opportunities for the incarcerated to help build safer communities for all. Drawing from personal experiences, Lester’s journey highlights the transformative potential within the prison system, and his work in passionately advocating for a shift in societal perspective towards those seeking redemption, emphasizing the importance of education, mentorship, and second chances. Through sharing their lived experiences, they offer a guiding light for others on their own path to redemption, inspiring hope and change. Join the movement and be part of the conversation around the Power of Redemption.
About Lester
Lester Young, Jr., a native of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, has carved an extraordinary path of transformation, resilience, and empowerment. At the age of 19, Lester found himself facing a life sentence, a daunting reality that could have stifled his potential. However, he embraced the challenge, determined to turn his life around and positively impact the lives of others.
Despite entering prison without a formal education, Lester’s thirst for knowledge propelled him to defy the odds. With unwavering support from his family and friends, he not only earned his G.E.D but also embarked on Business Management Courses through Ashworth University, pursuing education through mail correspondence. This drive for self-improvement set the stage for his remarkable journey ahead.
Inside the confines of the prison walls, Lester’s commitment to education extended far beyond his personal growth. Collaborating with the prison chaplain and with the warden’s support, he became a beacon of change, crafting templates, outlines, and programs that provided incarcerated individuals with education and mentorship. Even today, these initiatives continue to shape lives within the prison system.
Lester’s transformative efforts didn’t end upon his release on May 15, 2014, after 22 years and 5 months of incarceration. Rather, this marked the beginning of a new chapter dedicated to inspiring and empowering others. A prolific author, he published two books that encapsulate his journey and the principles of redemption he embodies.
His impact resonates beyond the pages of his books. As a certified life coach, consultant, and trainer, Lester specializes in guiding Human Resource professionals in effectively hiring individuals with prior convictions. His training focuses on communication skills, preferred terminology, and fostering meaningful dialogues, promoting a more inclusive workforce.
Lester Young, Jr.’s influence extends to the realm of policy change and societal reform. He collaborated with former Mayor of Columbia, SC, Steve Benjamin, to successfully champion the statewide “Ban the Box” ordinance. This groundbreaking initiative grants those with past convictions the opportunity to complete applications without facing discrimination, a vital step toward fostering equal opportunities.
In September 2020, Lester achieved a significant milestone, receiving a full pardon from The State of South Carolina. With characteristic selflessness, he now aids others in navigating the complex process of applying for pardons, ensuring they too have a chance at redemption and a fresh start.
Lester’s journey encapsulates the essence of redemption, resilience, and the transformative power of education and empathy. His dedication to uplifting others and advocating for a more inclusive society stands as a testament to the potential for positive change within every individual. To delve deeper into his story and the profound impact he continues to make, visit Path2Redemption.org. Through his life’s work, Lester Young, Jr. paves a path toward a brighter, more compassionate future.
Sponsors To Date Include:
