Matteelspeaks.com | Greenville, SC

Dr. Matteel Knowles is a transformational leader, higher education executive consultant, author, speaker, coach, and Founder & CEO of MatteelSpeaks, LLC. With more than 32 years in higher education—including 19 years as a college vice president—she has dedicated her career to developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and navigating transformational change. Through consulting, coaching, speaking, and leadership development, Dr. Knowles empowers leaders to transform institutions while helping individuals awaken to what’s possible, arise beyond limiting mindsets, and align with their purpose and calling. She is the author of It’s Your Time to SOAR!: 5 Steps to Transform Your Life and Getting Out of Your Own Way: Self-Sabotaging Habits That Hold Us Back at Work. Through her signature SOAR framework, she inspires others to embrace change, move through difficult seasons, and step courageously into their next chapter.

Milliken Company | Spartanburg, SC

Ricaye Harris is an accomplished leader, influential keynote speaker, author, and Vice President of Human Resources at Milliken & Company. Known for her energetic presence and thought-provoking insights, she inspires audiences to live boldly, embrace their unique gifts, and pursue their greatest potential. As an HR executive, Ricaye leads strategic initiatives that advance excellence, inclusion, and organizational growth. Her leadership has earned multiple honors, including Milliken’s prestigious “Milliken Honors” Award for Inclusion and the People Goals Award. She is the author of Mad About It: How to Push Through Disappointment, empowering readers to overcome limitations and confidently pursue their dreams. Whether speaking, writing, or preaching at New Life of Excellence Church, Ricaye is passionate about helping people become their best selves and creating environments where everyone can thrive.

Real Estate Professional |  Greenville, SC

Jacqueline McCullough is a seasoned healthcare professional, entrepreneur, and Licensed Real Estate Broker with 16 years of experience as a Respiratory Therapist and 16 years as a business owner. Licensed in South and North Carolina, she has earned numerous real estate honors for sales excellence, teamwork, and community service, including the prestigious President’s Award and President’s Circle. A lifelong Upstate South Carolina resident, Jackie is passionate about building relationships, serving her community, and helping others achieve their goals and dreams. Her commitment to service extends through volunteerism, mentoring young single mothers, and community outreach alongside her husband. Grounded in faith, family, and integrity, Jackie strives to lead with compassion and purpose while using her experiences to encourage, uplift, and create meaningful connections with others.

E3 Realty | Raleigh, NC.

Felicia Hatcher is a dynamic entrepreneur, dedicated leader, and passionate advocate for women’s empowerment. A proud North Carolina native and graduate of North Carolina Central University, she has built a thriving career as the Broker and Co-Owner of E3 Realty Group. Beyond her success in real estate, she is deeply committed to coaching, developing, and building leaders—helping women achieve their full potential both personally and professionally. Her heart for service extends to her work with the Pretty in Pink Foundation, where she plays a vital role in raising awareness and support for women battling breast cancer in North Carolina. When she’s not making an impact in her industry and community, she enjoys watching movies, shopping, traveling, and indulging in her passion for interior design.

Founder Six Nineteen Spirits of 1865 | Simpsonville, SC 

Babette B. Jones is a Greenville native, seasoned entrepreneur, and executive leader with more than 26 years of business ownership experience, including operating a successful Allstate Insurance Agency. She is also Founder and CEO of Six Nineteen of 1865, a ready-to-drink beverage brand and cultural movement inspired by Juneteenth and rooted in unity, legacy, and community. Known as “The Unifier CEO,” Babette is recognized for building bridges, creating opportunities, and bringing diverse people together. As one of Greenville’s pioneering minority women liquor brand owners, she has expanded Six Nineteen into retail, airport markets, and e-commerce distribution across 44 states. Babette is committed to building financially strong, socially impactful enterprises that break barriers and create lasting generational legacy.

Owner, Innolect, Inc. | Charlotte Metro

Kittie Watson, PhD. is President and Founder of Innolect Inc., a woman-owned global leadership and organization development firm that prepares executives and teams to thrive in high-performance, high-integrity workplaces. With a passion for “Growing Leaders,” she designs strategies that drive meaningful change and strengthen leadership at every stage of advancement. A trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and nonprofits, Kittie’s clients include Bayer, Wells Fargo, the U.S. Army, Genentech, the U.S. Treasury, Federal Reserve Banks, and the American Red Cross. She is the author of 16 books and has contributed to Harvard Business Review, People+Strategy, Chief Learning Officer, and SHRM. An advocate for social justice, Kittie supports nonprofit organizations through Innolect’s “Pay It Forward” commitment and serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity of York County.

Founder & Principal Nika White Consulting Group | Greenville, SC

Dr. Nika White is a nationally recognized leadership strategist, keynote speaker, three-time author, and founder of Nika White + Company. Her work helps leaders and organizations navigate growth, disruption, and change while creating cultures where people and performance thrive. Working at the intersection of leadership, emotional regulation, culture, and human-centered transformation, Dr. White equips leaders to navigate complexity with clarity, resilience, and intention. She is also the founder of Boundless®, a leadership and well-being experience supporting women of color in reclaiming capacity, strengthening emotional regulation, and pursuing success without sacrificing themselves in the process. As an entrepreneur, social impact leader, and co-founder of the Carlo & Nika White Foundation, Dr. White is passionate about helping others lead with purpose, alignment, and personal authority while creating a legacy that makes more possible for others.

Atlanta, GA

Mia Willhite is a results driven, healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience. Mia currently serves as the Continental President for Monogram Health. Her background spans a successful track record within all sectors of healthcare operations. She earned a bachelor’s in managerial science, a master’s in healthcare administration and master’s in business administration from Georgia State University, located in Atlanta Georgia prior to earning non litigating law degree, focused on Health Law from Emory University School of Law also located in Atlanta, Georgia. Mia promotes inclusive, high-quality care and offers her knowledge, experience and servant leadership mentality to enhance the nation’s delivery of healthcare services. Mia is a current fellow within the American College of Healthcare Executives and holds an Executive Coach certification.

Founder Tickle Mites, LLC |  Fountain Inn, SC

Rebecca Outlaw is an author, entrepreneur, publisher, speaker, and Founder/CEO of Tickle Mites, LLC, a publishing services company helping individuals bring their stories from vision to publication and beyond. Passionate about literacy, entrepreneurship, and community impact, she has completed programs through the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center, eCornell University, and the Women’s Business Enterprise Alliance. She also serves as a mentor through Nasdaq’s Mentor Makers Program. Rebecca is an ordained Elder at Love Story Church under Pastors John and Aventer Gray. Alongside her husband, Johnny, she has counseled couples and officiated marriage ceremonies. Celebrating 40 years of marriage this September, they are proud parents of four adult children and five “AHMAYZING” grandchildren.

Founder of The Coaching Seat® | Charlotte, NC

Toyinda L. Smith, MS, PCC is a licensed minister, affirmed prophet, bestselling author, Master Champion Influence® Coach, ICF Professional Certified Coach, business consultant, and global speaker. With 25+ years of experience in coaching, facilitation, education, entrepreneurship, and leadership development, she has served 7,600+ people through speaking, coaching, training, and facilitation. She is Director of Education for Champion Influence® Coaching Institute and Principal of The Coaching Seat, LLC, and provides learning and development strategies for people leaders and certifies professionals as coaches and facilitators. Toyinda is the author of self-development handbooks and Founder of Toyinda LaShea Ministries, focused on creating stability and sustainability in the Body of Christ. Her global ministry assignments include the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and virtually in Pakistan. She currently teaches biblical principles to leaders across the Bahamas.

Spartanburg, SC

Sabrina Blackwell is an accomplished HR Manager with more than 16 years of experience supporting employees, developing leaders, and strengthening workplace culture. Throughout her career, she has remained committed to helping organizations navigate change while ensuring employees feel valued, heard, and supported. Her leadership approach is grounded in compassion, integrity, fairness, and a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Sabrina views HR as more than a profession—it is an opportunity to advocate, encourage growth, and help people recognize their potential. Beyond her professional role, she is deeply devoted to her family and firmly grounded in her faith. She believes faith provides the wisdom to lead, the strength to persevere, and the courage to evolve.

Clintoria “Coach Tori” Session is an accomplished Human Resources executive, certified life coach, minister and published author with more than 30 years of HR experience, including over 25 years in the automotive industry. She currently serves as HR Director, for a Tier 1 Automotive supplier where she leads organizational transformation and people initiatives across the region. A graduate of Southern Wesleyan University with a B.S. in Business Administration, Clintoria also holds a Masters in Human Resource Development from Clemson University. Known for her servant-leadership approach, she is passionate about empowering others, developing leaders, and creating environments where people can thrive. Through her work and coaching, she encourages others to embrace their purpose, lead authentically, and make a meaningful impact.

Owner & Fitness Coach of JB’s Fitness Solutions

Jabecca “JB” Banks is a Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor with more than 30 years of experience in health and fitness. Her career began in 1993, and she has since served as a trainer, group fitness director, studio owner, and wellness advocate. Today, she is the founder of JB’s Fitness Solutions, a cycling instructor at CycleBar Greenville, Director of Wellness Events for JuneteenthGVL, and leader of the Health & Wellness Ministry at Valley Brook Outreach Baptist Church. She also serves on community advisory boards focused on health awareness and engagement. JB is passionate about educating, motivating, and empowering people to embrace healthier lifestyles, with a particular commitment to addressing health disparities and improving wellness within minority communities. Her mission is simple: help people live healthier so they can thrive.