GILLIAN STEVENS - SPEAKER, JULY 2017
Gillian Stevens is an editorial lifestyle photographer based in Vancouver, BC. She creates rich and meaningful imagery by telling visual stories with her camera. She works with brands and small businesses, creating content for digital portfolios, brand and marketing campaigns, online and social media outlets, as well as for print and digital publications.
DARA OKE - SPEAKER, SEPT. 2017
Dara is a Program Manager at Microsoft, working on New Experiences & Technology in Windows. She's a 2015 graduate of The University of Texas at Austin where she studied Computer Science, with minors in Math and African Diaspora Studies. In her short career, she's built and shipped features at technology companies such as Intel, Microsoft, and Twitter, published research, and has co-invented several patents related to Human-Computer Interaction. She's passionate about the intersection of design and technology, diversifying tech, and innovating for the global consumer with a specific focus on Africa. She often describes herself as "equally left and right-brained" and outside of her 9-5 is a portrait photographer, designer, self-proclaimed brunch connoisseur, lifestyle blogger, and runs a creative agency that helps brands tell their story to the world. She's currently concentrating on innovation & the startup ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa, and gladly welcomes conversations about this topic.
CASSANDRA LAVALLE - SPEAKER, SEPT 2017
Cassandra is the founder and editor-in-chief of coco+kelley where she explores trends in fashion, decor and entertaining, highlighting pieces that exude classic design and glamour. A West Coast girl to the core, Cassandra was born in Santa Monica and migrated to the Pacific Northwest, thus infusing her with a mix of Hollywood glamour, bohemian tendencies, and a love for natural textures and organic style. As a designer at The Emerald Studio, she provides interior design and styling to clients across the globe from her offices in Seattle.
JOSEPH KENT & SALLYANN CORN - SPEAKERS, JULY 2017
Fruitsuper was founded in 2008 by Sallyann Corn and Joe Kent. Partners in business and life, Corn and Kent's collaboration is a balance of their vastly different skill sets: "she is the why, he is the how." In 2011, fruitsuper began designing and producing its own line of products—American-made everyday objects. Celebrants of constraints, yet committed to fine detail, fruitsuper imbues simplicity and whimsy in all of its work. Sallyann and Joe are faculty at Cornish College of the Arts, owners of Shop JOIN (a brick and mortar shop dedicated to independent designers and American-made wares) and are managing members of JOIN Design.
JENN ELLIOTT BLAKE - SPEAKER, JUNE 2017
Jenn Elliott Blake is a freelance prop stylist and event designer based in Seattle, WA. She was the contributing prop stylist for a variety of books including The Love and Lemons Cookbook, Trophy Cupcakes & Parties, and one by best selling author Andie Mitchell titled Eating in the Middle. Her work can also be seen in print campaigns and online for various publications and brands including Redbook Magazine, Starbucks, Amazon, Kinfolk Magazine, West Elm, HGTV, Anthropologie, Apartment Therapy and Style Me Pretty. She takes most pleasure in sharing a warm meal over a beautiful tabletop surrounded by her most cherished friends. You will often find her scouring a local vintage shop or traveling the world incessantly. The loves of her life include her husband Adam, the delectable city of Paris, France, and her sweet son Augustus.
MEG TRAINER RAADE - SPEAKER, JUNE 2017
Meg is the co-founder and owner of Bounty Kitchen. (Additional bio information coming soon).
CAT WILCOX - SPEAKER, APRIL 2017
Cat Wilcox is co-owner of Velouria, a shop specializing in small production, independently-made clothing, jewelry, and accessories designed and produced in the USA and Canada. Cat and her business partner Chika took over the shop in 2012 and moved the shop from Ballard to Pioneer Square in 2014. At the heart of their business is a deep respect and love for the process of making and a desire to honor and support designers who utilize thoughtful and ethical manufacturing practices. Giving back to local organizations through their #womxnswednesdays campaign and speaking out on social justice issues have also become central to Velouria's mission.
KIM PELTOLA - SPEAKER, JUNE 2017
Kim Peltola's mission is to inspire people to fully integrate wellness
into their daily routines. She is a strong believer that exercise,
nutrition and meditation are key components to living your best life.
She also believes that anything is possible with the right mindset.
She is a licensed Mental Health Professional that previously had a
private practice focusing on cognitive behavioral therapy for
healthier lifestyles.
Kim received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham
University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Arizona State
University. During her early career as a social worker, supporting
extremely vulnerable populations, she learned the importance of her
own self-care practice. Today, she brings her sought-after health and
wellness expertise to the holistic practices offered at The Riveter
which she co-founded in 2016.
MOLLY MOON NEITZEL - SPEAKER, APRIL 2017
Molly Moon Neitzel is the owner of Molly Moon's Homemade Ice Cream, which she started in 2008 with the desire to create a vibrant, welcoming community gathering place for all Seattleites to share and enjoy delicious ice cream. Molly built her business to embody her political values, and has advocated for progressive business practices and worker rights on the local, state and national level. She has dedicated herself to building a company that is a leader in labor practices. Molly Moon’s pays 100% of medical premiums for employees and their children, has a family leave plan that pays 100% of compensation for up to 12 weeks of bonding time for any new mother or father, and 70% for other family and medical leave, subsidized transit passes, and matched retirement for ice cream, scoopers, makers and HQ staff alike. Molly is a regular public speaker on main street economics and progressive employment practices including being a featured speaker at the 2016 White House Summit on the State of Women. With eight shops in the Seattle area, Molly Moon's is has been listed in various food publications including Food & Wine and Bon Apetit for making and scooping some of the nation’s most delectable ice cream, all with the objective of making the world better one scoop at a time.
KATE HARMER - SPEAKER, APRIL 2017
Kate Harmer is the founder and creative director of Hum Creative, a Seattle studio specializing in creative strategy, branding, and design. Kate leads her team in the development of smart creative for an array of clients including KEXP, JuiceBox, and REI. Kate began her career as a designer and illustrator at Starbucks Global Creative, before receiving her MFA at Rhode Island School of Design and starting her own studio. Hum's work has been seen in iTunes commercials, Vanity Fair Magazine, and on the New York Times Best Seller List. Hum has been recognized by Seattle Business Magazine, SiteInspire, Communication Arts and Print Magazine.
Ashley Rodriguez (photo by Boone Rodriguez) - Speaker, February 2017
Ashley Rodriguez is the owner and founder of the Seattle based blog and cookie company "Not Without Salt," she is the author of "Date Night In," as well as a food photographer and supporter of "First Aid Arts," a Seattle non-profit which supports trauma victims through the healing power of art.
Caroline Hinchliff (photo by Leesa King) - Speaker, February 2017
Caroline is a certified nutritionist and yoga teacher who loves the outdoors. She spent more than a decade in Seattle's food scene, working in some of the city's busiest, most elegant restaurants and leading culinary tours through Pike Place Market. In 2014, she left her urban life behind to backpack 2,000 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail through California, Oregon, and Washington. It was an epic 5-month journey that truly changed her perspective on health, happiness, and what really matters in this life. Now Caroline holds a master's degree in nutrition and runs her own business, Ahimsa Nutrition & Wellness. She is passionate about helping people improve their relationship with food so they can feel their absolute best--physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Kari Brunson (photo by Brooke Fitts) - Speaker, February 2017
Kari Brunson is the owner and creator of the Juicebox cafe, a vegetable focused restaurant and organic cold pressed juice cleanse company. In January 2016, she began a partnership with Autumn Martin of Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery, and together they started Frankie & Jo’s, a plant-based ice cream shop that is 100% vegan and gluten free. The shop opened at the end of 2016 and has been featured in from Sunset Magazine, Martha Stewart Magazine, and Tasting Table.
MOOREA SEAL (photo by Julia Manchik) - Speaker, January 2017
Founder of the Seattle storefront and online retail site mooreaseal.com with over 160 handmade designers, author of The 52 Lists Project and 52 Lists for Happiness, Jewelry Designer, Product Designer, and
Mental Health Advocate
Tiffany Bowie (Photo by Rafael Soldi) - Speaker, January 2017
Tiffany Bowie is a co-owner and principal architect of the Seattle based firm Malboeuf Bowie Architects. She is also a certified Passive House consultant. Her firm is committed to developing innovative design solutions characterized by the efficient use of space, creative use of materials, and a strong interior/exterior connection. Her firm is leading Seattle in passive house design and putting sustainable building practices into action.
Colleen Kerr - Speaker, January 2017
Colleen Kerr is the co-owner of the community focused, organic, sustainable restaurant,Sweetgrass Food Co. She is also the Vice President of External Affairs and Government Relations and Chief Legislative Officer for Washington State University.