Celebrate with Us!

Nicole Van Valen

Nicole Van Valen, M.S., L.M.F.T., SHRM – SCP, is a distinguished leader, advisor, board member, and public speaker with over two decades of experience in healthcare, behavioral health, and the entertainment industry. As a Senior Business Leader and Licensed Behavioral Health Clinician, she has excelled in enhancing leadership, fostering team resilience, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

As the President and Founder of Keane Insights, Van Valen has been at the forefront of driving growth and fostering vibrant cultures within social service and healthcare organizations throughout the last decade. Her leadership has led to significant organizational transformations, marked by improved team dynamics and strategic advancements. In addition to organizational leadership, she also offers personal development through spiritual healing and love energy techniques, enhancing the holistic well-being of individuals.

Van Valen’s background in dance, including being the former Assistant Director the the University of Miami and Miami HEAT dance teams as well as a Miami Dolphins Cheerleader and Miami HEAT Cheerleader and Dancer, inform her approach to building resilience in and out of the workplace. She inspires her audiences to focus on mental well-being, embrace change, and create inclusive environments where agility, determination, and joy are celebrated.

Amelia Mink

Amelia Mink is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Data Science Connect, the largest data science community in the world. With a background in data science, business and community, she has held an extensive range of data and product-oriented roles at organizations spanning from small tech startups to healthcare systems and large corporations. Amelia earned her B.S. from the Georgia Institute of Technology and M.S. in Data Science from Northwestern University. In the community, Mink is a frequent speaker and presenter. She leads a 100k+ community of data practitioners and executives across the country with the mission of making data science accessible to all, and is currently working to make data science accessible to the K-12 audience as well. Outside of the data science scene, Mink can be found spending time with her husband (and co-founder) Brian Mink, their two year old son and newborn daughter, and their french bulldog (and first baby!), Tilly.

Dalia Racine

Dalia Racine is the Douglas County District Attorney. Dalia was elected in 2020 and she is the first woman and first person of color to serve in this role in her community. She has lived in Douglas County for over 16 years with her husband, a Douglas County educator, and their 3 children. Dalia brings almost 20 years of prosecutorial experience to serve our community. She has specialized in homicides, crimes against women and children, and human trafficking. Dalia also served as an Attorney Advisor with AEquitas, where she provided training and technical assistance around gender-based violence investigations and prosecutions to prosecutors, law enforcement, and allied professionals across the country and internationally.

Dalia has championed the responsibility of elected prosecutors to keep their communities safe by implementing innovative practices and policies that reduce the number of repeat offenders who cause harm and diverting them out of the criminal justice system by connecting to resources that bring individual and community healing. Dalia has integrated Smart Justice while holding dangerous offenders accountable in our prison system. Additionally, Dalia has made it a priority for the District Attorney's office to be an integral part of our community and to keep servant leadership at the forefront of everything we do.

Dalia and her team created several programs to serve the community since taking office, including Project Pivot, Rising Change, Juvenile Mentorship Program, Goodwill Guardians, Annual Trek or Treat 5K, and Justice Integrity Unit.

In addition, Dalia believes that she and her team are obligated to serve our community inside and outside of the courthouse. In 2023, the Douglas County District Attorney’s office provided over 1,500 hours of community service to Douglas County and the surrounding Metro Atlanta area.

No matter if it involves serving her community, raising her children, or tolerating her rowdy Great Dane, Dalia tries to live by the quote from Winston Churchill and states, "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." The adventure is in the journey.

Dalia is proud of the work that her team strives to do to bring systemic change and ensure that we have a criminal justice system that is firm but fair to all.

Joi Stokes

Joi is a photographer, an author, and an inventor! She specializes in Corporate Event photography before she invented Joistik, she would say that she was known for always getting her clients the “money shot” now she is known for live streaming and helping people monetize it. She is the author of Monetize Your #Livestream.

Anisa Palmer

Anisa Palmer's journey from a combat veteran to a trailblazing advocate for health equity and social impact is nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from the vibrant island of St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, Anisa is the visionary Chief Executive Officer of the esteemed 501(c)(3) organization, I Will Survive, Inc. (IWS). Since its inception in 2010, IWS has been transforming lives in the Atlanta, Georgia metro area by providing crucial economic support, prevention education, and health and wellness services to those affected by breast cancer and at higher risk.

Anisa's calling to serve in the nonprofit sector was inspired by her late mother, who courageously fought breast cancer. Leaving behind a distinguished military career, Anisa dedicated herself to combating health disparities in underserved communities, determined to make a difference in honor of her mother's legacy.

Recognized for her exceptional service, Anisa Palmer has been honored with a multitude of prestigious awards and accolades. Her military career earned her an array of commendations and medals, including the Iron Warrior Award, Bronze Star Medal, and Combat Action Badge. The former Mayor of Atlanta, Kasim Reed, presented her with the esteemed Phoenix Award in 2014, recognizing her outstanding contributions. Anisa was also celebrated as a finalist for the Atlanta Business Chronicle's Small Business Person of the Year for Veteran Entrepreneurs in 2017.

Anisa's commitment to empowering women and underserved communities has earned her a spot on the Walker's Legacy Power 25 Honoree list, a testament to her significant impact nationwide. She was further recognized in the esteemed publication, Who's Who of Black Atlanta, alongside luminaries like Xernona Clayton and others.

In addition to her remarkable work at I Will Survive, Inc., Anisa Palmer leads the Palmer Firm Group, LLC, where she utilizes her expertise as a Certified Grant Writer®, Certified Nonprofit Professional, Certified Professional Life Coach, and Public Speaker. She is also a published author of two books. You can find "Purpose: The Ultimate Climax" and “Nonprofit Blueprint Success” on Amazon.

Academically accomplished, Anisa holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications from Georgia State University (40 Under 40 Awards 2024) and a Master's in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida. Her studies have been focused on nonprofit management in disadvantaged communities and public health issues in the United States.

Ashani Johnson-Turbes

Ashani Johnson-Turbes, PhD is the Vice President & Director of the Center on Equity Research, a multi-disciplinary Center in The Bridge at NORC at the University of Chicago. The Center advances equity through the development, implementation, and dissemination of high-quality inclusive and equitable social science research and methods. Johnson-Turbes leads the Center, focused on scientifically rigorous, social science research, expanding culturally responsive research, engaging community, building partnerships, and embedding equity principles in research across a range of activities and departments. She is an experienced and award-winning social scientist with over 20 years conducting communication, social marketing, public health, and public policy research, including rigorous measurement of communication messages, materials, and campaigns to promote equity. Johnson-Turbes blends her academic background in political science, political behavior, and public policy with years of work in public health, health communication, and evaluation. She received her BA at Hampton University, MA, and PhD at Purdue University with continued studies in political science and quantitative methods at Leiden University and the University of Chicago. Johnson-Turbes serves the Board for BLKHLTH, as Adjunct Professor in the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health, and Vice President for the  Society for Health Communication.

Dr. Navjot Minhas

Dr. Navjot Kaur Minhas is a board-certified Family Medicine doctor based in Silicon Valley, California, concurrently serving as a Postdoctoral fellow at Stanford Cardiovascular Medical Institution. Recently, Dr. Minhas completed a Master’s of Science in Healthcare Management from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. Prior to this, she held a faculty position as a medical professor in Chicago, Illinois, teaching medicine at Kaplan Medical and Roseland Medical School. Globally, she has engaged in volunteer work to improve healthcare, including building schools from the ground up for underserved communities.

Her passion lies in rectifying racial and gender disparities in healthcare. People of color often receive inadequate treatment due to genetic variations, exacerbating disparities, such as significantly elevated risk of cardiovascular complications post-chemotherapy among black women, underscoring systemic inequities within conventional medical practices.

Dr. Minhas is at the forefront of establishing nationwide bio banks, aimed at collecting cell lines from people of color, including black females, to pioneer tailored cures addressing diverse needs. This initiative seeks to redefine medical treatment through personalized medicine, recognizing the profound impact of individual experiences and genetic makeup on healthcare requirements.

Furthermore, she is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of minority leaders in healthcare, including individuals from Black and Hispanic communities. By encouraging young talents from diverse racial backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine, amplifies the voices and perspectives of underrepresented minorities, fostering a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate medical field.

Andrea Carter

Andrea Carter, a proud alumna of Spelman College and the daughter of the esteemed author and social justice advocate, Patrice Gaines, has dedicated her career to embodying the values instilled in her upbringing. Rooted in a commitment to service, Carter has consistently translated her passion into impactful action. 

For 20 years, she directed the Social Responsibility efforts for the Atlanta Hawks, leveraging her expertise in building sustainable partnerships and creating programs focused on community impact and transformational experiences. Carter excels in introducing new ideas to deliver positive outcomes for companies and sponsors such as shepherding partnerships with the likes of State Farm that resulted in the building of more than 30 basketball courts and learning spaces, giving more than three million people access to safe play and learning. 

With her consulting business, Carter continues to create innovative partnerships – helping nonprofits develop strategy, deepen the impact of their work, and generate revenue. Motivated by a personal tragedy, Carter became an ardent advocate for the safety of women and girls, serving on the Board of Men Stopping Violence for nearly 10 years and currently serving as President of the Board of the Alma Domestic Violence Foundation, which provides direct services and training to victims. 

Throughout her diverse roles, one constant thread defines Andrea Carter's journey: a relentless commitment to service, making a positive impact on communities and lives currently and for future generations.

Bridgette Boucha

Bridgette Boucha (boo-shay) is a speaker, author and fractional CFO who advises from her lived experiences as an entrepreneur.  Her soulful approach to money mentorship and personal empowerment has helped hundreds of business owners simplify their money, build confidence in their numbers and map out their Money Queen Model.  She believes you deserve to run a profitable business while living a fuller life.  

Buy my book Money Queen here.

Kysha Cameron

Kysha is a conscious creator, connector, and closer.
She approaches her life leading with gratitude and passion as she seeks to model sharing, caring and supporting yourself and others. Most recently, she has intentionally aligned professionally and personally in racial equity where she led both Operations and Business Development while expanding into racial equity centered facilitation.

In 2013, she along with her two partners founded Honoring Hue, LLC, a company that produced a collection of celebratory greeting cards that are diverse, historical, sustainable, and responsible.Together they created the vision and designed 50+ cards marketed online and in Metro Atlanta retail stores. As a former Board Member and CEO Emeritus of an Atlanta based youth non profit where she positioned the Foundation for sustainability by developing programs, providing leadership, and securing community partners and corporate sponsors such as: Aetna, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Coca Cola, Disney, Fulton Dekalb Hospital Authority, and Porsche. During her tenure, Kysha was a partner and visionary in graduating and awarding 32 renewing college book scholarships.

Prior to her work with the foundation, she enjoyed ten years of progressive career success in Media within radio sales and radio sales management in Washington, DC and Atlanta, GA.

Kysha has been featured for her community commitment and has been recognized and awarded over decades within the Atlanta community. She remains engaged and has served as a thought partner and advocate on numerous boards and committees in both leadership and supporting roles. "The best I've ever given was from a beautiful intentional place I call my garden and no awards were given". She has two young adult children in college and is now reimagining and creating anew while centering self and community care.

Dr. Kiki Ramsey

Dr. Kiki Ramsey is a renowned Positive Psychologist, ICF Master Certified Executive Coach, International Keynote Speaker, and Best-Selling Author. With a commitment to making a positive impact in the world, Dr. Kiki founded The Positive Psychology Coaching and Diversity Institute (PPCaDI), a leadership development firm that specializes in diversity and leadership coaching and training. 

Dr. Kiki is known for her innovative approach to coaching and DEI called Positively Diverse Leadership, which is an evidence-based approach rooted in positive psychology that fosters the intentional use of strengths to help leaders build better working relationships and communication skills to become more inclusive leaders. This unique approach allows Dr. Kiki to help leaders and organizations create more inclusive and happy work cultures that foster belonging for all. 

As a leader in her field of positive psychology and DEI, Dr. Kiki has worked with a diverse range of clients, including top-level executives in Fortune 500 organizations and business owners, coaching, and delivering keynote addresses for corporations, conferences, and events around the world. Dr. Kiki’s dedication and expertise have earned her the recognition of being named Top 50 Women Leaders in Georgia in 2023 by Women We Admire. 

Dr. Kiki’s personal journey has played a significant role in shaping her professional path. After growing up with a mother who was addicted to drugs and becoming a teenage mother at 17 years old, she understands the importance of pursuing success and feeling included. 

Dr. Genie Snyder

Dr. Genie Snyder has a knack for connecting with a crowd as soon as she hits the door or the stage. Always willing to think differently, she is not afraid to ask hard questions to inspire people to bring out their own “Genieus.” Her ability to start a buzz in the audience and create an unexpected atmosphere opens minds and encourages understanding. After hearing Genie speak, people are energized and running with a handful of practical tools to gain traction in their own stage of business or life. 

Genie possesses the rare ability to balance sincerity with business savvy. She has been called the “go to gal" for serious change, but her sense of humor keeps people in their seats. While her energy and excitement can't be truly captured in text, you will just have to meet her for yourself. 

Elaine Powell