The WISE Conference 2024 Guest Speakers

EMCEE

MISSY HERNDON

PRESIDENT & CEO, INTERFAITH OF THE WOODLANDS & INTERFAITH COMMUNITY CLINIC
CO-FOUNDER, HOPE: THE WILL HERNDON RESEARCH FUND

​A graduate of Texas A&M University, Missy Herndon is a former PR consultant turned stay-at-home mom and social editor/writer for a local magazine while raising her young boys.​

Her journey changed paths when her oldest son, Will, then 6 years old, was diagnosed with juvenile Batten disease and given a fatal prognosis. In 2009, Missy and her husband, Wayne, co-founded HOPE: The Will Herndon Research Fund. The mission is simple: The fund has raised nearly $9 million to date in The Woodlands community and continues raising awareness and funds to find a treatment to save Will. The community effort has led the research to the FDA, where the treatment received clinical trial approval in the Fall of 2021! After 14 long years of research and drug development, the trial began in February of 2022, where Will is Patient #1 of 6 in a Phase I/II Clinical Trial!

In 2012, Missy went back to the workforce, landing a dream job at Interfaith of The Woodlands as the Director of Programs and Services. In 2016, Missy was promoted and now serves as President and CEO of Interfaith of The Woodlands and Interfaith Community Clinic. As CEO of Interfaith, Missy oversees over 300 employees and manages the $28+ million non-profit organization that focuses on providing basic needs to our neighbors in crisis, senior programs, employment services, community publications, early childhood education and resources for those facing challenges. The Interfaith Community Clinic is the only charity clinic serving the medical, dental and behavioral health needs of our uninsured neighbors residing in all of Montgomery County.

In her spare time, Missy loves spending time with her family and friends, serving her community and working on HOPE. The center of her world is her husband of 25 years, Wayne, and their three boys, Will, Steele and Magnus. Missy enjoys writing, the gym and cheering on her boys at the Football, Rugby or Challenger Baseball fields. The Herndons are members of The Woodlands United Methodist Church. Missy hopes to inspire others to make positive change in their communities and believe in the power of possibility no matter the circumstance.

PRESENTING SPONSOR SPEAKER

DR. ASHLEY PRINCE

Dr. Ashley’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry and Masters in Business Administration from Jacksonville University. She then attended 3 years of medical school at Nova Southeastern College of Medicine. She worked in Genetic Research for the world’s leading research institution, The Mayo Clinic.

She is a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine and pursuing a Diplomate in Pediatrics. She is a nationally recognized speaker and has been featured on every major news network in the US for her success in creating a protocol to help people get their taste and smell back after CoVID 19.

She and her husband Jake own and operate Prince Health and Wellness in The Woodlands Tx. They love entering into creative investment opportunities and even more love coaching people into multifaceted health and wealth! Dr. Ashley and her husband Jake are both ordained ministers and she serves as the Chaplain for Republican Women of Texas. She credits most of her diagnostic gifting from her time spent serving as a medical missionary for many years in Africa and South America..

Dr. Ashley is currently writing in the Christian Medical genre. She loves coaching women on how to achieve a balanced life that is the blueprint for peace and impact. Her next endeavor is entering into public office where her passionate voice can insight biblical change. She is passionate about teaching anyone who will listen! Be on the lookout next year for her book: The 4 Pandemics!

Dr. Prince is a national speaker and conference key note. She is on the board for Texans for Vaccine Choice, and Chaplain of The Woodlands Republican Women. Dr. Ashley came face to face with death after a traumatic brainstem injury. Her story is inspiring and life changing. And will bring tears of joy as it motivates all to overcome their challenges so that they may lead with impact!

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

DIMA GHAWI

Author: Breaking Vases

Join Dima on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and transformation to shatter limitations and rise in leadership

Dima is Middle-Eastern in her genes, American in her heart, and a global citizen in her spirit. She ignites the untapped potential in individuals across the globe, empowering them to shatter limitations and become courageous, purpose driven leaders. Her own journey is one of escaping confinement, crossing continents, and transforming her life’s purpose. Harnessing the power of her story, Dima is committed to inspiring individuals to attain personal and professional growth.

Through keynote speeches, workshops, and executive coaching, Dima shares her unique leadership transformation journey with one goal in mind: motivate and activate those around her to reimagine their potential and grow into leaders.

Dima draws from two decades of corporate experience leading global teams and developing future leaders worldwide. She has worked across the United States, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa for several Fortune 100 companies including IBM, Merrill Lynch, and Intuit. She has honed a keen expertise in developing leaders to meet the demands of the global workforce.

Dima’s memoir Breaking Vases received many awards including Writer’s Digest 2018 Grand Prize Award, Best Indie Book Award, Readers’ Favorite Award, National Indie Excellence Award, and Nautilus Book Award.

She has been recognized for her services with the 2014 President of the United States Bronze Volunteer Service Award, the 2019 Baton Rouge Business Report “Influential Women in Business,” 2014 Baton Rouge Business Report’s “Forty Under 40” Award, and the 2016 Louisiana State University “Esprit de Femme Award.” She has been featured in numerous publications for her professional and philanthropic work.

ROSANNE AUSTIN

Rosanne Austin, JD, three-time bestselling author and creator of the Fearlessly Fertile Method, is a former state prosecutor turned Fertility Fairy Godmother. She is the fertility mentor physicians trust and women around the world turn to when they are committed to mama-making success. Rosanne overcame her own 7-year struggle with fertility and had her son naturally at almost 44, when medicine had given up on her. She is committed to helping women get and stay pregnant. With her books, podcast, online courses, and retreats, Rosanne helps her clients become the Mom they were meant to be. She resides in The Woodlands, Texas with her husband, son, two chihuahuas, one rottweiler, and two formerly feral cats. When she’s not writing, mentoring, or chasing her son around, she loves traveling, deep conversation, High Tea, and Jane Austen movie marathons.

Website: https://www.frommaybetobaby.com

TERI DONELSON

Keynoter l Coach l Author l Business Strategist

“Chase your purpose, never the paper.” – Teri Donelson

Teri Donelson, known affectionately as “Your Purpose Pusher,” is a dynamic keynote speaker, business strategist, author, and life coach with a profound impact on audiences worldwide. With over 25 years of professional experience, Teri is the visionary CEO and Founder of Purpose Chasing Academy LLC™, a company dedicated to empowering women to create the best version of themselves and become purposeful in targeting and developing their vision to achieve their goals. As a co-founder and the Chief Operating Officer of Xtreme Hip Hop, a global enterprise, she also promotes fun and health through global fitness.

Teri’s transformational principles and personal journey inspire her audience to unlock their personal power, embrace greatness, and achieve unparalleled success. Audiences who have been impacted by her content are motivated to create the best version of themselves and become purposeful in developing a sharp vision and achieving goals. She mentors passionately, guiding her clients to strengthen and elevate their personal and business vision. Her compelling messages, delivered on both live and virtual international stages, have made her one of the most sought-after motivational speakers today. Teri has graced prominent platforms like Leadership Experience Tour, Level Up Summit, SpeakerCon, and StepChella Instructor Conference, leaving a lasting impression on her audience.

Her leadership and dedication to the empowerment of women have been recognized through numerous accolades, including the Presidential Lifetime Achievement and the 2024 Woman on The Move award. Teri’s influence extends beyond speaking engagements, with her work being featured on major media outlets like ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and in various talk shows, radio segments, podcasts, newspapers, and magazines.

Teri holds a Master Life Coach Certification from Transformation Academy and a Public Speaking Certification from The Life Christian College. She is an esteemed graduate of the University of Texas with an MBA from John Carroll University and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Teri is not only a professional powerhouse but also a devoted mother of two, exemplifying the balance between personal achievement and family life.

Connect with Teri Donelson
admin@teridonelson.com
www.teridonelson.com
YouTube/FB/IG/LinkedIn @Teri Donelson

GIRIJA PATEL

Girija is a lawyer, a mom, a wife,  podcaster,  YouTuber, educator, strategist, and a business owner in Houston, Texas. Her law practice, GBP Law, specifically focuses on helping entrepreneurs, on-line business owners, and start ups build a solid legal foundation and  integrate the law as a part of their business strategies to position their companies for success. GBP Law provides fractional in house legal services which include business law, intellectual property, and legal advisory roles during every stage of the business cycle.

Keeping aligned with the mission to ensure law is accessible for all budgets, in 2020, Girija founded Your Contract Buddy, an online contract template shop where business owners can eliminate the fear of high legal fees and embrace the law. Through Your Contract Buddy, www.yourcontractbuddy.com, legal solutions are accessible and affordable. Every gateway into working with GBP Law is through education whether it’s through the free resource library, newsletters, or her YouTube channel, Law Chat for Entrepreneurs. From her days of being a prosecutor to now managing her own law practice, Girija’s core value to serve her community remains at the center of all her endeavors.

Her goal is to help make legal a line item and not a panic attack!

Website: https://www.gbplaw.com & www.yourcontractbuddy.com
Email: gbp@gbplaw.com