Hustle Skirt

Dr. Martine Canal is a Self-Care Strategist, nurse, and best-selling author with over 25 years of experience. She empowers women over 40 to reduce stress, maintain well-being, and live balanced, fulfilling lives through proven self-care strategies. CEO of Self-Care Genius, she is also a podcaster and avid traveler.    

Teresa Lawrence is a Cuban-born entrepreneur who arrived in the United States as a refugee on President Nixon’s “Freedom Flight” in 1973. Joined by her mother, brother, and grandmother, it was this pursuit of liberty mingled with sheer uncertainty that instilled in her a strong work ethic that follows her to this day. From bagging groceries to managing advertising accounts in the Greater New Orlea...

Margaret Montgomery-Richard, Ph. D., a distinguished educator, community leader, and entrepreneur, brings a wealth of experience to her roles. Notably, she served as Chancellor of Louisiana Technical College (LTC), overseeing 40 campuses during the challenging post-Katrina period. Dr. Montgomery-Richard is recognized as a Complete College America Fellow and PEP Coach, exemplifying her commitment t...

Dr. Cassandra D. Youmans, MD, MPH, MS-HCM, FACP, FAAP Dr. Youmans obtained a Doctorate of Medicine from the USC School of Medicine in Columbia, SC in 1987. She earned a Masters of Science in Health Care Management from the University of New Orleans in 2004, and a Masters of Public Health from the LSUHSC School of Public Health in 2005. She is a fellow of both the American College of Medicine and A...

Judy Reese Morse serves as President & CEO of Urban League of Louisiana, the largest African American-led, African American-serving organization in Louisiana. The Urban League of Louisiana promotes economic self-reliance, parity, racial equity and civil rights for African Americans and others. Morse leads an executive team that oversees education and youth development, workforce development, e...

Glenda McKinley is creative director and owner of GMc+Company Advertising, Glenda has more than 30 years of marketing strategy, creative direction, and public relations experience. Glenda established GMc+Company Advertising in 1987 with the philosophy of producing creative marketing, advertising, and public relations strategies designed to accomplish its clients’ specific marketing goals and objec...

DIANE B. LYONS, CMP, DMCP, President Diane began her career in New Orleans' hospitality industry in 1977 and shifted to Destination Management by 1985. She founded ACCENT on Arrangements in 1991, serving high-profile clients like McDonald’s and the NFL’s Super Bowl. Her company also offers ACCENT on Children’s Arrangements, providing childcare for event attendees across North America. Diane is act...

Angela is a retired nursing professor who has served the community for decades. Her academic achievements include a Chemistry degree from Xavier and a dual doctorate from William Carey. Although retired, she works as a Sr. MSN Evaluator for Western Governors and an Adjunct Professor for UD Mercy. While working at Carey, she established the McCon Mary Mahoney Scholarship of Excellence for RN-BSN nu...

Jessica A. Smith is an experienced leader, educator, and author of the devotional book Faithful Moments: 52 Weeks of Prayer, Reflection, and Intentional Time with God. With expertise in organizational leadership, curriculum transformation, and data-driven strategies to enhance student outcomes, Jessica holds advanced Business Administration and Educational Leadership degrees. Passionate about crea...

Dr. Jawan Brown Alexander, a native New Orleanian, brings more than 30 years of management and leadership experience to her role as Chief Executive Officer of Maroon Inc. and Maroon Workspace - an organization set on providing leadership support, DEI professional development, and strategic sustainability support.   Jawan's experiences as an educational leader have included working in and supportin...

Jade Brown-Russell Principal Jade Brown-Russell has more than 25 years of experience in equity, program design, policy development, and project management. Her niche is developing solutions for systemic inequities in policies and programs across the nation. From government to corporate sectors, Jade’s work is grounded in providing systemic, sustainable, and equitable reform through equity, legal,...

Judy Nixon Swanier is the owner and operator of JNX Partners – Staffing & Training Agency. JNX Partners provides extensive resources to clients through the global network of agency offices. Our strongest difference is “our approach” to identifying the potential of under-realized talent. Engaged and purpose-driven candidates excel. We focus on the company’s opportunities and create the engageme...

Essence Banks is a heart disease survivor, supporter advocate of heart health since September 2004. At the age of 30, Essence experienced shortness of breath and heart palpitations during her workouts - she knew something was wrong and after several tests her cardiologist discovered over 90% blockage in 2 arteries. Essence founded Heart N Hands in 2014 to raise awareness and educate girls aged 10-...

Website: Favoriteconsultants.com   About the Author: After a lucrative career in Engineering as an engineer at Ford Motor Company in Detroit Michigan and a Traffic Engineer in NOLA at South Central Bell, God closed that door to show her true gift of TEACHING. I became certified in Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science and her teaching career began. My favorite subject to teach was Calculus.  ...

Danette O’Neal, Professor, Author-LEED educator, HGTV alumna, entrepreneur, and trainer is the Broker/Owner of Danette O’Neal Realtors (DOR) with offices in the Greater New Orleans and Atlanta Metro areas.   A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, she holds a PhD in Public Policy and Administration, a Masters in Public Administration both from Walden University, and a M.A. in Community Economic De...

Yanada G. Essex (LCSW-BACS, ACSW) is a proud New Orleanian. In 2002, she established Brighter Days, Inc. which exists to heal the mind, body and spirit in one place through holistic interventions and products. Yanada sees her work as more than her profession, it’s her ministry, her gift to God and the world. Contact Info: Yanada  G. Essex, LCSW-BACS, ACSW Clinical Social Worker  Brighter Days, Inc...

Dr. Gail Thomas is the founder and CEO of Precise Education Consulting, LLC. Born and raised in New Orleans, she has over 30 years of firsthand experience with the changing landscapes of the education system. Her expertise is extensive. Being on the frontline, she has had the opportunity to serve in various capacities that directly impact all students, particularly those students with special need...

Kathy Cobette Saloy recently retired as a Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development, Market Leader for the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coast for Hope Enterprise Corporation. She focused on asset building strategies and facilitates investments in community infrastructure including fresh food retailers, charter schools, affordable housing and other community facilities, infrastr...

Carol Flowers is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist with 26 years of experience. She was born to Mr. and Mrs. Edwick Flowers, who are from Spanish Honduras. Carol is a graduate of Xavier University, with a degree in Foreign Language and a minor in Business. She is the owner of Totally Fit Physique, a personal training facility.   Carol Flowers ,CEO Certified Personal Trainer Certified N...

Dr. Kelly Smith is the Founding Chair and Dean for the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Southern University at New Orleans since its opening in 2022. In response to the ever-present nursing workforce shortage, Dr. Smith and her team are working to answer the call for solutions by offering another pathway to educate students as a solution to this problem in healthcare, while ensuring t...

Sunae Villavaso, an accomplished leader with nearly 25 years of experience in the field of education, currently serves as the Director of Workforce Development at the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development, where she is also a non-voting member of the New Orleans Workforce Development Board, holding the esteemed position of the Official Convenor of the Workforce System for the City of New Orleans...

Freddi Williams Evans is an independent scholar and author who is internationally recognized for her scholarship on historic Congo Square.  Her book Congo Square: African Roots in New Orleans, the first comprehensive study of the location, received the 2012 Louisiana Humanities Book of the Year Award and is published in French. Her research and advocacy influenced the 2011 New Orleans City Council...

Stephanie Chambliss, A New Orleans native, Ms. Chambliss is the Chief Executive Officer of Crescent City Coffee d/b/a PJ’s Coffee & Tea located at 5733 Read BLVD in New Orleans. There she oversees a staff of 18 full-time and part-time employees.  Ms. Chambliss received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University and her Masters of Business Administration from Texa...

Ethel Harris, an RN with 27 years of experience and an entrepreneur since 2013, recently opened Fastest Labs of Metairie and NOLA-Westbank.  Passionate about travel, Ethel aspires to explore more of the world alongside her husband, Chris.  Contact Info:  Ethel.h@fastestlabs.com Office: (504) 766-0880

Jocylynn Coleman is a highly accomplished CEO of Affluent Consulting Group, a company that specializes in providing businesses with the tools and expertise they need to grow and succeed. With over a decade of experience in Accounting, Credit Education, Business Development, Strategic Planning and Financial Consulting. Jocylynn is a proud graduate of Jackson State University in Jackson, MS, and is...