Theme: The Power of You

There are many powers and forces that impact THE trajectory of a person’s life. POWER can be defined as possession of control, authority, or influence over self and others. This is an expression that you are the captain OF your own journey and have the ability to impact your environment. YOU have the power to write, think of, and create cognitive factors that will make this world a better place. What will you do with that power?

Charles Wadsworth Auditorium
25 Jefferson Street
Newnan, Georgia, 30263
United States

Chantrise Holliman

Writer + Speaker + Educator

Dr. Chantrise Sims Holliman is a writer, speaker, educator, heart attack survivor, bilateral amputee, wife, mother, sister, and friend. Raised in Newton, Massachusetts Dr. Holliman is the only child of two former educators who instilled in her a love of learning and the tenacity to see things through no matter the challenge. Through her fight with Lupus and struggles with becoming an amputee, Dr. Holliman inspires us to keep moving despite the obstacles we face. She turns tragedy into triumph, impacts the world, and shows us excuses only benefit those who make them. Her motto is: Walk in Your Purpose Whether You Have Legs or Not.

Johnny Surry

Assistant Director of Residence Life and Student Development

Johnny Surry is a man who takes a vision and makes it a reality through sound strategy development. Currently he is serving his alma mater, Clark Atlanta University, as an Assistant Director of Residence Life and Student Development/Educational Coordinator. Johnny holds a Masters of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University, along with a Bachelors of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration from Clark Atlanta University. Being a man dedicated to service, he is involved in several civic organizations around the city of Atlanta. He is a part of the Emerging 100 of South Metro which is an auxiliary organization of the 100 Black Men of America Inc., a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., a member of the Clark Atlanta University Alumni Association, and is in the process of becoming a licensed minister at The Enon Church in Atlanta, Georgia.

Katherine Winter-Sellery

Speaker + Educator + Coach + Conflict Resolution Specialist

Katherine Sellery has taught 100’s of parents in a Conscious Parenting Revolution for resilient, considerate, centered & empowered kids who know their inner voice and honor it. Transgenerational dysfunction silenced her own inner voice to maintain outer harmony and the life long journey toward separation and individuation gave birth to her mission to want families to heal. She wakes parents up so that they set themselves and their children free from their family dysfunctional patterns. She teaches non-violent communication, mediation, meditation, breathing, focusing in Inner-Relationship Dialogue and skills to transform dynamics.

Kathi Middleton

Senior Cyber Security Manager + Educator + Speaker

An accomplished and inspiring Information Technology Leader and Educator. Dr. Middleton earned her doctorate in Educational Technology from Walden University and is a certified project manager (PMP) through the Project Management Institute. Dr. Middleton is also the founder of Momentum Professional Development, a company focused on equipping young adults and mid-level professionals with 21st century computer skills, career readiness and cultural awareness to thrive in their career. She is passionate about inspiring and equipping leaders to help them realize their potential. She is an active member of the Project Management Institute Atlanta Chapter, the Association for Educational Communications and Technology and the Information Systems Audit and Control Association.

Lerai Harrison-Stephens

Educator

Lerai Harrison-Stephens is a visionary Southern educator. Growing up in South Carolina, Lerai comes from a community that celebrated her brilliance -- her art and writing covering the walls of her father's home, resembling a museum. In her 5th year of teaching, she aims to disrupt the prescriptive teaching status quo in favor of the artistry of her practice. By learning with and from her students, Lerai demonstrates her commitment to loving the whole child. Never letting the dust settle, she is currently in pursuit of her doctoral degree at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. Carrying the narratives of the educators she works with, Lerai aspires to mentor pre-service and first-year educators of color.

Mark Montini

Entrepreneur + Consultant + Speaker

Mark Montini is an internationally-recognized speaker, consultant, and entrepreneur. A serial entrepreneur, he’s started and sold three technology companies and has built an international following for his forward-thinking, disruptive approach to leadership. Mark has served as an advisor and speaker to Fortune 500 companies, franchises, start-ups, non-profits, and even political campaigns delivering strategic insights in the areas of innovation, leadership, communication, and technology.

Michelle Meadors

Human Resource Manager

Michelle Meadors is a Human Resource Manager at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, GA. She is responsible for managing all faculty actions from processing new hires and promotions to facilitating retentions. Most of her professional career is in higher education educating students and assisting the career progression of faculty. Michelle holds organizational memberships with CUPA-HR, SHRM, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and has earned BS, MBA and DBA degrees in Business. Michelle lives in Atlanta, GA with her love Angelo Byrd and nine year old son, Kaden Pace in which she enjoys creating new life experiences with.

Steve Kahan

CMO

Steve Kahan has successfully helped to grow six startup companies from early stage development to going public or being sold, resulting in a total value of more than $3 billion. Bringing passion and positive energy, Steve inspires teams and their organizations to take on the impossible and succeed. In his current position as Thycotic’s CMO, he has helped take the company from $10M to $60M+ in the first three years. It has been a similar story with other companies including KnowledgeWare, PentaSafe, Postini, Quest Software, and The Planet. Steve earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Speech Communication from Illinois State University.