2024 Speakers & Special Guests

Keynote Speaker

Jill Stoddard, PhD

Jill Stoddard is passionate about sharing science-backed ideas from psychology to help people thrive. She is a psychologist, writer, TEDx speaker, award-winning teacher, peer-reviewed ACT trainer, bariatric coach, and co-host of the popular Psychologists Off the Clock podcast. Dr. Stoddard is the founder and director of The Center for Stress and Anxiety Management, an outpatient practice specializing in evidence-based therapies for anxiety and related issues. She is the author of three books: The Big Book of ACT Metaphors: A Practitioner’s Guide to Experiential Exercises and Metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Be Mighty: A Woman’s Guide to Liberation from Anxiety, Worry, and Stress Using Mindfulness and Acceptance; and Imposter No More: Overcome Self-doubt and Imposterism to Cultivate a Successful Career. Her writing has also appeared in the Washington Post, Psychology Today, Scary Mommy, Thrive Global, The Good Men Project, and Mindful Return. She regularly appears on podcasts and as an expert source for various media outlets. She lives in Newburyport, MA with her husband, two kids, and disobedient French Bulldog.

Keynote Speaker

Jen Wren Tolo

Jennifer Wren Tolo, RN is a former critical care nurse who experienced the needs of people in distress and crisis first-hand. She became an Integrative bridge to health, hope, and happiness after experiencing life-threatening health challenges with two of her four sons, followed by her own health decline. She is now a transformational life coach, chaos tamer, soul connector, bestselling author, speaker and podcaster. She combines her professional knowledge with her personal experiences to help other high-achieving, overextended superwomen reclaim their time, energy, health, and happiness.

For the past 17 years, Jennifer has helped numerous women and young adults regain their power over their lives one moment, one action, and one conscious choice at a time through her signature ABCs of Stress Management.  Jen is an Adjunct Professor at Endicott College School of Nursing, where she teaches “Holistic and Complementary Approaches to Health and Healing.”  She holds a BSN and Masters degree as well as certifications as a Whole Health Educator and Patient Advocate, Personal Trainer, Reiki Master, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. She hosts the Simple Awakenings Podcast and executive contributor to BRAINZ magazine. and she has been featured on FOX and ABC News.

Emcee

Anna Rossi

Emmy Award winning Lifestyle Host and TV Personality, Anna Rossi brings an authentic connection to food, travel and the art of gathering to viewers. As a network talent, food writer & recipe developer, brand ambassador, and spokesperson, her work is immersive and inviting.  From an early kick off on reality TV on MasterChef USA, she is now a decorated home cook with original recipes featured around the country.  Well fed, and with a passion for design and travel, she is based on the Northshore with her husband and two adorable kids.

Comedian

Amy Tee

Identified by the Boston Globe as a rising star, and in Curve magazine as one of the “funniest lesbians in America,” She has toured nationally and was a featured comedian in the film, Laughing Matters-The Next Generation. 

A fixture on the New England comedy circuit,  and also featured on Sirius XM Satellite Radio & LOGO television network.

As an official IOOV (In Our Own Voice) Presenter for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), She proudly uses her comedy act to serve as a mental wellness advocate.

Goddess Award

Mary Speta

Mary Speta is a researcher, educator, speaker, and advocate in the movement to end commercial sexual exploitation. She serves as Executive Director of Amirah, Inc., a Massachusetts-based nonprofit providing exit and aftercare services to women who have experienced prostitution, sex trafficking, and commercial sexual exploitation. Mary utilizes her own lived experience of commercial sexual exploitation as well as her research on the commercial sex trade to break down myths, inform policy, and shape effective evidence-based exit ramps supporting individuals seeking independence from commercial sex. She serves on multiple legislative advisory and service provision committees throughout New England as a policy adviser and consultant on prostitution and intersectional issues. As an educator, Mary regularly speaks at universities, helping the next generation of service providers and policy makers understand the complexities of commercial sex in the United States. The work she enjoys most, though, is walking alongside other women exiting the commercial sex trade as a mentor and supporting them as they reach economic independence and walk the road of recovery. Mary is a candidate in the Doctor of Law and Policy program at Northeastern University, where her research focuses on the phenomenon of prostitution, the distorted impact of prostitution criminalization, and evidence-based policy approaches to supporting exit from the commercial sex trade. She also holds a master’s degree in arts and nonprofit administrative sciences from Boston University and completed her undergraduate studies at Gordon College.