North Shore Conference Speakers and Emcee

2024 IS A SOLD-OUT CONFERENCE
;

2024 Speakers & Special Guests

Keynote Speaker

Jill Stoddard, PhD
Keynote Speaker

Jen Wren Tolo
Emcee

Anna Rossi
Comedian

Amy Tee
Goddess Award

Mary Speta

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.

Panel Descriptions

FROM PASSION TO PROFIT: NAVIGATING THE ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY

DESCRIPTION:  Say YES to being your own boss! Transforming your aspirations into a thriving business venture may seem daunting, yet it holds unparalleled rewards. This panel delves into the essential strategies and resources required to kickstart your entrepreneurial endeavor, emphasizing the significance of robust support systems and adeptly navigating the intricacies of business ownership. Join us as we unravel the essence of entrepreneurial triumph, illuminating the path from vision to prosperity.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Dare to Dream: It all starts with a dream – a dream to make a difference in the world.
  • Guts to Start: Overcoming fears and doubts, are you ready to take the plunge into the world of entrepreneurship?
  • Don’t’ wait for perfection: Don’t hold back from taking the leap, as there’s much to learn from both your mistakes and successes along the way!

PANELISTS: Ana Stefanovich, Dana Leavitt, Mabelyn Lopez

TITLES MEAN NOTHING. YOUR BRAND MEANS EVERYTHING.

DESCRIPTION:  Join our panel as we explore the essentials of building a meaningful brand, vital for business growth. Delve into the intricacies of crafting your distinctive narrative and infusing passion into every aspect of your journey. Keep in mind: “Titles Mean Nothing, Your Brand Means Everything.” Discover how authentic storytelling and dedicated passion can redefine the impact of your brand.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Empowered Branding: Understand how passion, purpose, acceptance, and personal stories collaborate to empower your brand, ensuring a well-rounded and meaningful presence. 
  • Success Strategies: Discover keys to success beyond milestones, turning challenges into opportunities through real-life examples shared during the discussion.
  • Sustainable Growth: Gain insights on nurturing your passion for long-term brand growth, focusing on continuous learning, self-care, and seeking support.

PANELISTS: Cidalia Schwartz, Laura Viola Maccarone, Jodi-Tatiana Charles

CULTIVATING COMPASSION, COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION (C³) —

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Gain a better understanding of why cultivating compassion is important to our health & well-being.
  • Using mindfulness, empathy & action you’ll begin to foster compassion in your own life and throughout your community.
  • Provide unique practices for increasing compassion, connection, and community in your life.

 DESCRIPTION:  Our goal is to inspire and empower participants to incorporate the 3 C’s   Compassion, Community, and Connection into their lives. Developing meaningful strategies to be used throughout your Life’s Journey.  We will share stories, practical strategies, and interventions for cultivating compassion in everyday life. This panel is excited to provide women with knowledge, tools and the motivation required to embark on a journey towards greater compassion.

PANELISTS: Marcy Plante, Katherine Prum, Emily McCavanagh

CREATING YOUR OWN DESTINY – FINDING A VOICE AND A CHOICE

DESCRIPTION:  This expert panel of wellness industry professionals will help you to realize that you have a voice and a choice in creating your own destiny. That you can break through the societal pressures on yourself and your children when rethinking careers and education through the lucrative options within trade industry professions. Discover that a simple shift in mindset, energy and lifestyle can promote healing in the mind and body. Gain tools to support you in reducing inflammation, the root cause of most chronic health issues, through eating nourishing foods, minimizing stress to promote immune function, find balance, and thrive! Be inspired to break generational and dysfunctional patterns and find the support and encouragement you need to see that you have a voice and a choice in the direction of your life!

This talk also comes with a full toolkit of resources and invitations to build stronger connections with your local community, bringing us further together!

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Mind & Body Wellness Support
  • Rethinking Careers and Education
  • Breaking Generational Patterns

PANELISTS: Leah Lynch, Jaclyn Luongo, Alyssa Flynn

TRUST YOUR STORY TO CREATE A NEW MODEL

DESCRIPTION:  Learn how to channel your frustrations and pains into a positive change for the greater good.  Join three passionate professionals who have created or play an integral role in meaningful organizations in the health and wellness space. They each had the courage to trust their personal stories and instincts. Each woman will share how they used their personal story to create something that wasn’t already there.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Discover how your personal story will lead you to your next chapter.
  • Learn how to tell the difference between your inner voice and your inner critic.
  • Trust that your life story can make a positive impact in your world.

PANELISTS: Natalie Blue, Olivia Boger, Allison Moir-Smith

PANEL COORDINATOR: Heather McClelland

THE PATH TO ABUNDANCE: OVERCOMING, CONNECTING, THRIVING.

PANEL DESCRIPTION:  Explore authenticity, vulnerability, and empowerment in navigating life’s hurdles. Hear transformative stories and strategies for self-discovery, overcoming adversity, and fostering abundance. Gain actionable insights to embrace your journey with grace, build resilience, and foster an abundant life. Engage with the dynamic process of turning personal and collective challenges into opportunities for growth, enriching your path to abundance with each step.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Embracing Authenticity: Unravel the power of true self-discovery and setting meaningful goals.
  • Harnessing Vulnerability: Transform challenges into triumphs with resilience and openness.
  • Cultivating Abundance: Foster abundant lives by integrating personal growth and community support.

PANELISTS: Pamela Pearson, Mikki Wilson, Di Ciruolo

NAVIGATING LIFE’S TRANSITIONS

DESCRIPTION:   Change in life is inevitable. Sometimes we choose it and sometimes it shows up at our front door quite uninvited. Either way, it presents a transition into something else and how we navigate matters. Attendees will explore the impact transitions have on our personal, familial, and professional identities, relationships, and wellbeing. They will also have opportunities to examine strategies and resources for navigating health-promoting transitions. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Strengthening and shifting interpersonal relationships (e.g., relationships with self, family, colleagues, etc.) during our own and others’ transitions.
  • How to make choices that reflect your true nature so you can live a life that lights you up!
  • The important role mental and physical strength training plays on our ability to show up as our best selves – throughout our life cycle.

PANELISTS: Courtney Joly-Lowdermilk, Meghan Caprio, Sharon Billings

PANEL COORDINATOR: Kim Arntsen

BUILDING A BUSINESS FROM THE GROUND UP: UNWAVERING BELIEF FOR A RICH LIFE

DESCRIPTION:  This panel will share what brought each of them to entrepreneurship, stories of adversity that forged the way for great companies to be built, and the trials, the tribulations and the changes that needed to happen to reach success in business.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Work-life balance resembles a seesaw; here’s what a “perfect” CEO life actually looks like and how to create your own version of a rich life.
  • Create an unrealistically optimistic belief in yourself before anyone can see the vision you want to bring to life, and make consistency, discipline, and focus non-negotiable as you launch and scale your business.
  • Why it’s important to follow your gut instincts in business, learning how to delegate, how to pivot and be ready for changes at any given moment, plus the importance of taking calculated risks, and deciding if the big payoff will be worth all the work in the end.

PANELISTS: Briar Forsythe, Cheryl Hajjar, Christiana Plum

PANEL COORDINATOR: Jennifer Redmond

MONEY ON PURPOSE: BECOMING FINANCIALLY STRONG ON YOUR TERMS

DESCRIPTION:  No matter how you feel about money, being mindful, planning, and starting with your values are just some of the steps you can take to achieve the security and independence that comes from good financial decisions. This panel will share stories, key lessons, and new perspectives on how to grow and preserve wealth. Whether you are starting out or have already achieved financial success, you will walk away with actionable information that will help you be more confident with your money.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  1. Being mindful about your money is critical to having (and keeping) a good relationship with money.
  2. Connecting your personal values to your financial decisions leads to better and more fulfilling outcomes.
  3. The importance and value of personal finance and planning – getting your “head out of the sand.”

PANELISTS:  Marcel V. Quiroga, Beth Castantini, Gabbie Kelly

THE AUTHENTIC ENTREPRENEUR: BUILDING YOUR BRAND THROUGH YOUR ‘WHY

DESCRIPTION: Join us as we share a compelling guide that advocates for entrepreneurship grounded in authenticity and personal storytelling. This methodology underscores the significance of identifying and communicating one’s core motivation or “why” to build a personal brand that truly connects with people on a deep, human level. By embracing personal stories and experiences, entrepreneurs can establish genuine connections, convey their vision passionately, and inspire others. The guide also emphasizes the strategic use of modern storytelling to navigate challenges, the importance of nurturing audience relationships, and the balance between local presence and global influence through social media. It champions the idea of intertwining one’s brand with their personal story, thereby creating a community that shares and values the brand’s core message and principles. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Authenticity and personal storytelling are crucial in differentiating and strengthening your personal brand, enabling deeper connections with your audience.
  • Understanding and conveying your “why” is fundamental to inspiring others and driving meaningful engagement with your brand.
  • Balancing local impact with global reach, and focusing on community building around your brand’s values, fosters trust and loyalty among your audience.

PANELISTS: Laura Crowley, Jaime Sloan, Joelle Moroney

PANEL COORDINATOR: Katelyn Ciaramitaro