Our Inspirational 2025 Speakers
Our Fabulous Keynote Speaker
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs through Financial Literacy and Advocacy
Sharita M. Humphrey
Sharita M. Humphrey is a nationally recognized, award-winning certified financial education instructor and small business advisor, committed to uplifting women entrepreneurs at all stages of their business journey. Her dedication to teaching financial and business literacy has earned her two Texas Proclamations, acknowledging her efforts to empower marginalized communities and support small businesses.
In 2020, Sharita was named National Financial Educator of the Year for her outstanding contributions nationwide. In 2021, she expanded her impact globally through partnerships with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Namibia, advancing financial literacy worldwide.
Sharita is also an advocate for women entrepreneurs, championing policies and initiatives that foster economic development and equitable opportunities. She collaborates with state and local agencies, nonprofits, banks, and educational institutions to deliver workshops and training that enhance financial and business literacy awareness.
As a resident small business advisor for the Texas Woman’s University AccelerateHER Houston program, Sharita is dedicated to creating environments where women entrepreneurs can thrive. Her partnerships with institutions like Houston Community College, Prairie View University, the University of Houston, and the City of Houston have furthered her mission to support small business success.
A sought-after contributor, Sharita’s expertise has been featured in major outlets such as CNBC, MSN, Acorns, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Yahoo Finance, and BBC World News. She collaborates with organizations as a media spokesperson, focusing on financial well-being, entrepreneurship, and funding opportunities for underserved communities.
In addition to her advocacy, Sharita and her family are pursuing an ambitious goal to acquire farmland and establish a family-run farm. Through this initiative, she plans to teach underrepresented farmers how to secure the capital necessary to sustain their land for future generations.
Sharita’s passion for financial literacy, advocacy for women entrepreneurs, and commitment to economic development make her a transformative leader in today’s financial landscape.
Anh Nguyen
Amplified Marketing
Power Up Your Marketing for Business Growth and Success
Power Up Your Marketing for Business Growth and Success’ Key Outcomes: 1. Mastering Your Online Presence: Attendees will learn how to create an impactful and cohesive digital brand, leveraging social media, website optimization, and content creation to boost visibility, which will attract and engage their target audience in a competitive marketplace. 2. Driving Results with Email Marketing: Participants will gain insights on how to grow their email database and craft personalized email campaigns that foster customer loyalty, nurture leads, and drive conversions. 3. Maximizing Local Marketing Impact: Attendees will discover the power of localized marketing, including community engagement and local SEO, to build trust and elevate their brand within their geographic area.
Anh Nguyen is a seasoned digital marketing professional and owns Amplified Marketing, working with purpose-driven brands and nonprofit organizations. She specializes in strategic planning and helping to guide effective execution of marketing plans that deliver results.
Anh finds the dynamic world of digital marketing and the evolution of tech tools both energizing and challenging. She believes in sharing her knowledge through speaking and conducting workshops on personal branding, digital marketing, and social media.
When she isn’t helping brands create #MarketingThatMatters, Anh indulges in her passions for volunteer work, travel, embracing new tech tools, foodie adventures, and is proudly #TeamOxfordComma.
From Startup to Standout: Unlocking Media Relations to Boost Business
In this hands-on session, attendees will learn how to develop a tailored media relations strategy that aligns with their business goals. From building media lists to crafting compelling pitches and managing relationships with reporters, this workshop will provide business owners with practical tools they can implement right away. Key Takeaways: – Learn how to identify your brand’s unique story and position it in a way that appeals to journalists and media outlets. – Understand the importance of cultivating and maintaining relationships with the press. Gain insights on how to effectively engage with reporters and influencers, turning them into valuable partners for your business. – Attendees will walk away with a clear, actionable plan to implement a media relations strategy that generates buzz and delivers measurable results for their business.
With two decades of communications experience, Felicia Russell Perez has transitioned from producing top-rated newscasts at leading Houston TV stations to crafting award-winning PR campaigns for a diverse array of clients, from global corporations to local enterprises and nonprofits.
Felicia is the owner of FAR Public Relations (FAR PR), where she specializes in developing strategic communications that drive business outcomes. Her approach is rooted in the belief that every brand has a powerful story, and she’s passionate about helping businesses tell those stories in a way that resonates with their target audiences. FAR PR is a Houston-based, WBE/HUB-certified PR agency, recognized for its excellence in public relations and strategic communications. Under her leadership, FAR PR has been instrumental in crafting and executing campaigns that have garnered industry acclaim, including the prestigious 2024 PRSA Houston Grand Excalibur Award for the most outstanding PR campaign.
FAR PR offers a comprehensive suite of services, including media relations, social media management, crisis communications, messaging development, blog and newsletters, community engagement, event planning, digital marketing and media training. As a member of the Houston Marketing Alliance, FAR PR also collaborates with specialists in website design, graphic design, content creation, marketing/SEO, and video production to deliver customized solutions that meet the unique needs of each client.
One of Felicia’s passions is supporting the next generation of PR professionals. As the 2022 President of PRSA Houston, she led initiatives that connected members with key media partners, facilitated scholarships through fundraising, and delivered impactful programming that supported the professional growth of young professionals. Additionally, as a lecturer at the University of Houston, she equips the next generation of communicators with the skills they need to excel in the industry. Felicia is a big believer in paying it forward and the power of mentorship.
Felicia Perez
FAR Public Relations
Gabrielle Baumeyer
Baumeyer Coaching
Connect & Collaborate: Unlocking the Power of Professional Networks
KEY IDEAS: 1. Building Effective Relationships: Strategies for establishing and maintaining professional connections that foster collaboration. 2. Networking Strategies: Practical methods for networking, including how to approach potential collaborators and cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships 3. Effective Communication: Techniques for clear and impactful communication that can enhance collaboration efforts and prevent misunderstandings.
Gabrielle Baumeyer has over 25 years coaching and consulting individuals and teams in achieving extraordinary results. Prior to becoming an Executive and Leadership coach, Gabrielle co-founded Reason2Race where she worked with over 500 companies and non-profit organizations to maximize their community impact. Her work resulted in 6,000 individuals completing 700 events and raising $8 million dollars for local and international causes.
Today, in her coaching, Gabrielle believes that every leader has different motivations to perform, yet most of them are only tangentially in touch with the purpose that is most beneficial, the opportunity to influence the lives of others. Her work with clients focuses on having them maximize their impact on those around them.
For her community leader achievements, Gabrielle received the HBJ Women Who Mean Business award. As an Ironman Arizona finisher, Gabrielle was honored as a top fundraising athlete.
Gabrielle earned her coaching certification from CoachRICE of the Rice University Graduate School of Business and her Associate Certified Coach credentials from the International Coaching Federation. She holds a BS in Architectural Engineering from the UT Austin and lives in Houston with her husband Bill.
Using AI to Personalize Marketing: How to Generate Relevant Content for Each Stage of the Customer Journey
1. How to Use AI to Create Tailored Content for Each Stage of the Funnel Outcome: Attendees will learn how to leverage AI to generate specific, relevant content for different stages of the marketing funnel—awareness, consideration, and conversion. They’ll leave with a clear understanding of how to create content that speaks directly to customer needs at each stage, increasing engagement and driving conversions.
2. Best Practices for Structuring AI Prompts to Ensure Personalized Messaging Outcome: Attendees will walk away with practical knowledge on how to structure AI-generated prompts effectively. This includes crafting prompts that yield personalized, relevant messages for different audience segments, ensuring that content resonates with customers based on their journey in the funnel.
3. How to Automate and Scale Personalized Marketing with AI Outcome: Attendees will learn strategies for increasing productivity and effectiveness in personalized marketing efforts using AI, allowing them to save time and scale their campaigns while increasing the quality of tailored customer interactions. This will help streamline workflows and boost productivity, making personalized marketing achievable for businesses of all sizes, especially mature businesses looking to get to that next level of marketing through AI integration. These outcomes will equip attendees with actionable skills to implement AI-driven personalization in their content marketing strategies
Jessica Bolaños has been transforming the marketing landscape for over two decades, blending creativity, innovation, and cultural insight into impactful storytelling. As a first-generation American with Colombian roots, Jessica’s work resonates deeply with diverse communities and delivers results across various industries.
Based in Houston, Texas, Jessica has worked alongside CEOs, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, educators, and social impact leaders, crafting stories that drive brand awareness and community engagement.
Her marketing journey began with roles as a brand ambassador and market manager, representing industry leaders like L’Oréal, Dodge/Chrysler, and Icebreaker Mints. Her unique background also includes time as a touring freestyle hip-hop dancer with Anheuser-Busch and Maxim Magazine, as well as a stint selling cosmetics alongside Lizzo.
In 2014, Jessica co-founded Goodspero with her partner, Nelson Vanegas, focusing on storytelling that creates social impact and engagement. Goodspero supports organizations by increasing online visibility, raising funds for capital campaigns, and enhancing internal and external communications through video production and digital content creation.
Jessica’s clients include prominent names such as Impact Hub Houston, TEDxHouston, the University of Houston’s Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, LISC Houston, and BakerRipley, reflecting her dedication to purpose-driven brands.
Passionate about continuous learning, Jessica stays at the forefront of AI, digital content, and tech innovation, ensuring her work remains cutting-edge.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jessica gives back through KIVA micro-lending programs supporting women’s education and entrepreneurship in Bolivia, Peru, and Kenya. She also mentors aspiring entrepreneurs through the UH Wolff Center for Entrepreneurship, RED Labs, and Owl Spark’s accelerator programs.
In her free time, Jessica enjoys reading business books, writing non-fiction, watching MasterClass sessions, studying documentaries, and of course, listening to Beyoncé.
Jessica Bolaños
Goodspero
Sheryl J. Jimerson, CPA, EA
Jimerson Tax & Accounting LLC
Profit-Driven Growth: How to Maximize Cash Flow and Capitalize on Opportunities
Level Up Your Business
1. Understanding the story your financials are telling
2. Making management decisions using your financials
3. Finding the right financial professional for your business
Sheryl is the founder and CEO of Jimerson Tax & Accounting LLC, a firm dedicated to the accounting and tax needs of small and medium-sized businesses. Known by some as a “tax whisperer,” Sheryl brings her expertise as a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Texas to every client relationship. Her dedication to tax expertise even led her to take the rigorous IRS Enrolled Agent exam—simply for the intellectual challenge.
Before launching her own firm, Sheryl gained extensive experience in corporate tax management with several public oil and gas companies in Houston. She also shared her passion for tax and accounting as an instructor at Lone Star College and San Jacinto College.
Sheryl is actively engaged in the professional community, serving as Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Houston chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs and chairing the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. A committed advocate for the Houston community, she supports various local nonprofits, her alma mater the University of Houston (Go Coogs!), and initiatives for underserved children.
A true Houstonian, Sheryl was born and raised in the city and continues to call it home. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and teenage son, delving into psychological thrillers, and finding peace by a tranquil body of water.
Situational Leadership
We will discuss the 4 different decision making styles, directive vs. supportive behavior, and how to determine leadership effectiveness
Stephanie has also spent over a decade working in the fractional/outsourced HR space, effectively juggling multiple clients and their priorities. She is known for building strong relationships with her clients. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Louisiana Tech University.
She prides herself on understanding the individual business needs of each company that she works with, and looking for creative solutions that meet a company’s needs. You will not find her to be the typical HR person who either tells you “no” to lots of things, or creates policy for the sake of having policy. You can expect deliberate, rational reasons for why things are created, and Stephanie will seek solutions to your questions that enable you to get where you’re wanting to go without running afoul of the EEOC.
Stephanie has worked across 40 different states, has processed more unemployment claims than she cares to count, and has become immune to being shocked by employee relations situations and issues.
Stephanie is proud to be married to her husband for over 25 years, and is a Mom to 3 hilarious kids. She and her husband are hobbyist beekeepers who also have chickens and a dog. A native of south Louisiana, but living in Texas for over 20 years, she loves crawfish and tacos in equal measure
Stephanie Van Lue,
Activate HR
Tiffany Washington
Transformation7, LLC
Prepare Your Profitable Pitch: Master the Art of What to Say and How to Say It So You Can Land Lucrative Deals
Tiffany A. Washington is a former school principal turned professional speaker, author, and business and leadership consultant. She founded Transformation7, LLC, a consultancy dedicated to helping high-performance organizations eliminate toxicity, boost productivity, and reduce operational costs.
Her expertise has led her to keynote for major corporations like Rolls Royce and Humana, and to provide tailored services for large urban school districts, including Houston ISD. Tiffany has also delivered a TED Talk at Rice University, drawing on her 20 years of leadership experience, including overseeing the hiring of over 400 people for the 25th annual ESSENCE Festival.
A recognized thought leader, Tiffany is a recurring guest expert on the CW and FOX networks and has been featured in FORBES magazine. Each week, she coaches C-suite executives and small business owners on leadership, team building, growth, and communication through her “Book Your Brilliance Accelerator” program, which helps leaders achieve both personal and professional profitability.
Tiffany is known for her superpower: building thriving, sustainable teams. For more information, visit transformation7.com.
Legal Landmines: Top 3 Legal Mistakes to Avoid in Scaling Your Business to Sell
Trisha Barita is a 20-year licensed practicing attorney in the area of Labor and Employment Law on the management side and Business law for entrepreneurs. She is the managing attorney of the Barita Law Firm with locations in downtown Houston and League City, Texas.
She works with her Clients to be their legal solutions partner by forming a long-term relationship on matters in both consultation on business matters, policy development, handbook creation, audits of current employment practices from discipline through terminations, defense of workplace employee claims with government agencies as well as any litigation strategy.
Ms. Barita is also the podcast host of Legal Skinny and the podcast Less Stressed Leader which provides solutions for Entrepreneurs and Company leadership. Some of her popular podcast episodes which can be found on apple podcasts or Spotify include “Who doesn’t love a Prankster,” “Stay Interviews” and “Birthday Surprise in the Workplace”
Ms. Barita has been featured in Texas Lawyer, Business.com, Business News Daily and Authority Magazine.
When she is not working with Entrepreneurs, HR Professionals and Company Leaders, she enjoys participating in BBQ or Gumbo contests around Texas with her husband and spending time baking with her twin 9-year-old daughters, Elizabeth and Olivia.
Trisha Barita
Barita Law Firm, PLLC
Wialillian Howard
Beyond the Seat
The Three Important "Ps" for Business Startup Success - Personality, People, and Pricing
Three session outcomes/benefits:
• Gain clarity on how your personality impacts your business decisions and brand.
• Learn the importance of cultivating strong relationships with employees, partners, and customers.
• Develop a pricing strategy that supports your business objectives while remaining competitive in your market.
Wialillian is a seasoned talent development expert, growth strategist, and coach with over 25 years of experience in Organizational Development and Training. Throughout her career, she has worked with various municipalities to foster a culture of continuous learning and organizational excellence, designing impactful courses and leadership programs.
Her philosophy emphasizes that continuous self-development enables individuals to reach their full potential professionally and personally.
As an entrepreneur, Wialillian balanced her career with successful ventures, including founding Wialillian & Company, a special events management firm that thrived for 17 years and was later developed into a college certificate program to support aspiring entrepreneurs on campuses.
Six years ago, after moving to Houston, Texas, she launched her second company, Beyond the Seat, a people development firm. This firm is dedicated to equipping organizational leaders, managers, and young adults entering universities and the workforce with essential skills. Wialillian now travels across the U.S., collaborating with organizations committed to enhancing workplace performance and cultivating a culture of engagement and excellence.
Panel Session
Show Me the Money: Accessing Capital & Grants for Your Business
Cindy Urrutia
Houston Sr. Loan Officer
With deep roots in entrepreneurship, Cindy Urrutia brings firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by small business owners. Since joining PeopleFund in 2019, she has been dedicated to providing affordable capital to entrepreneurs, leveraging over 12 years of banking experience at BBVA and J.P. Morgan Chase.
Cindy holds a degree in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Houston Downtown, along with certifications in real estate and insurance.
Outside of the office, Cindy enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring arts and crafts, and discovering new restaurants with her teenage daughter.
Shaundra Jacobs
Texas Market President, AltCap
Shaundra Jacobs is the Texas Market President for AltCap, where she focuses on providing alternative financing solutions to underserved communities. She holds a B.A. in Communication and Business and a Master’s in Community Development (M.Arch.) from Prairie View A&M University.
Shaundra contributes to the community in various ways, including her role as a Bunker Labs Ambassador, supporting veteran entrepreneurs. She has continued work as a voter educator and serves as a committee member with the Spring Branch ISD Bond Oversight Committee and Board member of the 1876 Athletic Foundation.
Shaundra enjoys exploring new food and finding low cost or free experiences around the Houston area. She is a proud mother of two boys, aged 7 and 12.
Moderator
Patrina Pelton-Smith is the principal consultant & CEO of The Business of Charity, LLC., a consultancy focused on formation, capacity building, and grant/proposal writing to support non-profit and small business clients in successfully funding their mission.
A veteran with 26+ years in the non-profit world, she has held leadership positions with several Houston-area non-profits: Bay Area Turning Point, Inc., New Horizon Family Center, Inc., and Fresh Spirit Wellness for Women, Inc. With a team of specialists, BOC successfully assisted over 75 clients launch and/or fund their organizations last year.
Patrina earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Business Administration from Prairie View A&M University, a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Texas Tech University School of Law, and her Grant Professional Certified (GPC) from the Grant Professional Certification Institute. Patrina is among less than 500 individuals worldwide who have obtained this certification.
She is a member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), serving as the 2024-2025 President Elect for the NAWBO Houston Chapter. Patrina is also an international speaker and trainer, having spoken at the 2023 and 2024 GPA national and regional conferences, 2022 NAWBO regional meeting, 2024 Fearlessly You: Vibrant Living Women’s Summit, and the international 2024 Cryptocurrency, Blockchain, DeFi, and Conversation (CBDC) Cruise, hosted by the Blockchain Legal Institute, Inc, as well as hosting BOC Boot Camp training sessions. She continues to augment her skills through local and national webinars and conferences
Special Guests
Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey, P.E. Harris County Precinct 3
Commissioner Tom Ramsey was elected to serve as County Commissioner for Harris County Precinct 3 in November of 2020. His office is responsible for maintaining approximately 75% of all unincorporated Harris County. This includes nearly 6,800 lanes miles of roadway, 72 parks, and 10 Community and Nature Centers. Commissioner Ramsey’s Engineering team currently manages approximately $730M worth of infrastructure projects.
With over 44 years of experience as a Professional Engineer serving more than 50 cities and 20 counties in Texas, this award-winning civil engineer turned public servant has a long track record of improving the safety, infrastructure, livability, and financial health of the communities he serves.
As Mayor of Spring Valley Village from 2012-2020, Ramsey reduced the city’s tax rate by 21%, and oversaw Spring Valley’s climb to becoming the safest neighborhood in Harris County, according to FBI statistics. He was awarded Public Official of the Year by the University of Houston in 2017, named Engineer of the Year by Houston Area Engineering Societies in 2023, received the Distinguished Graduate Award from Zachry Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University in 2023, and named Public Official of the Year by ASCE national in 2024.
Now as County Commissioner, Ramsey continues to prioritize safer neighborhoods, lowering taxes, and improving infrastructure. In 2022, he launched a Crime Task Force, comprised of over a dozen law enforcement agencies from County and City jurisdictions, to combat rising crime. He also led the creation of the Safe Schools Commission, which was unanimously approved by all five Commissioners Court members, to support school safety. He also carried the torch in obtaining $750M for Harris County from the Texas General Land Office for Hurricane Harvey recovery. Lastly, Ramsey served an integral role in setting the most significant tax revenue decrease, saving taxpayers a quarter-billion dollars.
Outside of him serving the public as Commissioner, Ramsey’s strong faith drives his work at Second Baptist Houston, where he serves as a deacon and teaches two bible study classes.
Ramsey is a native of Crockett, Texas, a resident of Harris County for over 35 years, and a graduate of Texas A & M University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He and his wife, Marsha, have three children and seven grandchildren.
Houston Council Member Twila Carter
As a long-time Houstonian, Twila Carter has a track record of service in our community. She brings her record of success to City Hall as your
At-Large Position 3 Council Member.
For over a decade, Twila served as Senior Vice President of Community Relations of the Houston Astros and Executive Director of the Astros Foundation. During her tenure, the charitable foundation raised over $60 million for charities that focus on improving the quality of life in our city.
Raised from humble beginnings, often dependent on welfare as a child, Twila worked diligently to break the cycle of poverty in her family.
Twila knows the importance of investing in others and is dedicated to helping create opportunity for struggling families and at-risk women. Twila Carter serves as Board Chair for the Texas Council on Family Violence. She also serves on the Advisory Board for the Houston Area Women’s Center and is a former Board Member of Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA) and Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center.
Twila knows that safe communities are prosperous communities. She is committed to fully funding the Houston Police Department. Twila’s commitment to the men and women in uniform runs deep. Active in her community, she formerly served on Boards for USO Houston, Houston Police Foundation, and Greater Houston YMCA.
Twila Carter has a reputation for being honest, consistent, and persistent. Her family resides in Kingwood and attends Kingwood Methodist Church.
Council Member Carter is the Chair of the Resilience Committee and Vice Chair of the Ethics and Governance Committee. Additionally, she serves on the following Council Committees: Housing and Affordability, Proposition A, Public Safety, Budget and Fiscal Affairs, and Economic Development.
Council Member Edward Pollard
Edward Pollard, a Southwest Houston native, attended HISD schools before earning a basketball scholarship to Morehouse College, where he graduated with honors in Political Science. After playing professional basketball in Singapore and Chile, he returned to Houston to earn his Juris Doctorate with honors from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, specializing in Government and Policy. He also completed a Certificate in Negotiation Mastery at Harvard Business School.
As the principal of Pollard Legal Group, LLC, Edward also founded Suits for Success, a nonprofit mentoring teen boys in life skills, culminating in providing graduation suits. As a Houston City Council Member, he initiated transformative programs, including the Food Insecurity Board, MoreJobsHouston.com, the Police Transparency Dashboard, and the District J Patrol, reducing crime and enhancing community engagement. Under his leadership, crime on the Bissonnet Track dropped by 90%.
A member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Edward is the proud father of two children, EJ and Nadia.
