Brandi Shelton

Brandi Shelton is the founder of just add honey tea company, where she has spent two decades blending with intention and redefining how tea is enjoyed. What began as a passion project is now a thriving brand rooted in quality, creativity, and community, with a retail café on the Atlanta BeltLine, a loyal customer base, and a growing national presence.

Brandi is the author of Leaf to Launch – How to Create a Tea Company (or Any Small Business) Steeped in Success, a personal and practical guide for entrepreneurs told through diary entries, business wisdom, and real talk. Whether through tea or teaching, her mission is clear: to celebrate connection, inspire bold ideas, and encourage mindful living—one cup (or page) at a time.

A dedicated mentor, Brandi coaches small business owners, supports community service organizations, and serves on several nonprofit boards. Her work reflects a deep belief in building legacy, sharing knowledge, and leading with heart.

William McNeely

William McNeely is an accomplished entrepreneur, non-profit executive, and former Apple Market Development Executive with a deep commitment to fostering creativity and innovation. As the founder of Do Greater, Inc., he has created a vibrant community that empowers the next generation of creative leaders through transformative technology, creative spaces, and a strong sense of community.

William's visionary leadership extends to the Creative Lab platform, where he equips youth and young adults with essential skills in design thinking, digital creativity, and entrepreneurship. With a strong entrepreneurial spirit, he has also successfully launched multiple businesses.

William's journey has been marked by resilience and determination, exemplified by his remarkable recovery from a double lung transplant. His life's mission is to inspire others to make a meaningful impact in the world. He has been on the boards of various non-profits and has played a crucial role in spreading messages of hope and positivity through faith-based organizations.

Currently, William is focused on expanding the reach of the Creative Lab platform throughout Charlotte, creating an inclusive ecosystem of support for opportunity youth and underrepresented entrepreneurs. His passion for education, technology, and community empowerment continues to drive positive change in the lives of many.

Rachel Wilson

Rachel Wilson is an operations and capital access strategist with over a decade of experience spanning the automotive, healthcare, technology, and consumer products industries. Having raised and managed over $100 million in venture and non-dilutive funding, she architects governance models that drive sustainable growth across sectors at Project Wellspring.

Her work bridges philanthropic, private, and public networks to create equitable funding pathways for underrepresented founders—from WNBA stars to tech entrepreneurs. Rachel's collaborative approach has produced tangible results through national supplier diversity initiatives with the National League of Cities and innovative capital programs with emerging and global venture capital firms. Her expertise in redemptive and regenerative capital is further amplified through curating 50+ ecosystem-building events and serving as an advisor to organizations, families, founders, and ESOs worldwide. Her leadership extends to board service and prestigious fellowships with Milken IIE, Margaret Atwood's Practical Utopias, and NAIC Women in Alternatives. An active NASP member with Bloomberg ESG Certification, Rachel brings a data-driven approach to sustainable market reporting. Rachel holds a B.A. in Economics and Business from Agnes Scott College and an M.S. in Industrial Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology.

Brooke Wright

Brooke Wright is an independent consultant (BWright Consulting), helping companies navigate the complexities of leading through change with a focus on culture and communications. She takes a people-first approach, addressing both the psychological and operational wiring of individuals and teams to build highly engaged, high-performing organizations.

After 15 years as a marketing leader focused on brand and positioning strategies for global non-profits and Fortune 500 companies, Brooke recognized a gap in the market. In large organizations, even the best marketing campaigns or innovative brands can be diminished by a host of internal challenges—misalignment across teams, resistance to change, slow decision-making, legacy behavior that makes transformation difficult, and communication breakdowns that leave employees disconnected from the bigger picture. These obstacles make it challenging for initiatives to gain traction and fully deliver their impact.

This led her to ask: "What if we could help change initiatives move more effectively through an organization?"

At the core of her work is effective communication—ensuring a transparent and open flow of information between leadership and employees, especially during times of growth, transition, or transformation. Too often, change efforts fail because messaging is unclear, employees are disengaged, or leaders underestimate the human side of transformation.

Having applied these strategies to both her own business and Fortune 100 clients, Brooke brings a unique perspective that works across the spectrum—from fast-growing startups to enterprise organizations facing complex change.

Previously, Brooke was a Partner and Chief People Officer at Local Industries and also held positions at Green Tricycle Studios, Giant Impact, Leader Enterprises, Naturally Fresh, and Kennesaw State University.

Brooke received a Bachelor of Science degree from Kennesaw State University and a certificate in Digital Marketing from General Assembly.

Christina Ketmayura

Christina Ketmayura is the founder and creative director of The Fig Studio. She works with growth-stage and established wellness companies to create cohesive, conversion-driven brands that stand out in competitive markets. From brand identity systems to marketing collateral and e-commerce websites, she translates your mission into a polished, premium experience—one that builds trust and drives action. With over 17 years of experience in brand and web design, she specializes in supporting businesses that are scaling, rebranding, or entering the retail market. She has also created her own online shop, called Tokki Goods, which sells baby memory books. Aside from work, she enjoys traveling with her husband and two kids, long walks, a good read, and a warm cup of tea.

Leah Hernandez

Leah Hernandez is the Founder and CEO of Muse Inc., an award-winning publishing company known for its commitment to promoting diverse voices in adult fiction and nonfiction. Muse Inc. encompasses various imprints, including the esteemed Young Authors Publishing, which serves as the flagship imprint under the Muse brand.

Leah's journey began with a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Clark Atlanta University, providing her with a solid foundation for her entrepreneurial pursuits. Her leadership and contributions to the industry were recognized in 2021 when she was named one of Publisher's Weekly's "Star Watch Nominees."

Beyond her role at Muse Inc., Leah actively engages in initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion within the publishing world. She sits on the board of Pubwest, an association of small to mid-sized publishers, as well as Portland State University's Master's Publishing Program, to create more opportunities for people of color in the field. Under Leah's guidance, Muse Inc. has published over 40 books across all its imprints, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and expanding the literary landscape.

Additionally, Muse Inc. proudly distributes works from two black-owned publishers, Through Us Books and POPOUT zine, furthering its commitment to supporting underrepresented voices in the industry. With a steadfast dedication to impacting the lives of others by providing a platform for storytelling, Leah continues to drive Muse Inc. towards its mission of inclusivity and empowerment in publishing.

Stephen Newland

Stephen Newland has worked in finance roles at a variety of organizations, including nonprofits, startups, early-stage companies, and Fortune 500. He has experience in a variety of industries, including fintech, financial literacy, foster care, healthcare, professional services, e-commerce, SaaS, construction, real estate, biotech, and media. He believes in making finance actionable and straightforward. Finance and accounting don't have to be complicated! 

When he's not working at MoneyPath, he enjoys checking out a new coffee shop with his wife and daughter. You can always find him watching Arsenal, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cincinnati Bearcats games!

Ottavia (Tay) Lang

Ottavia (Tay) Lang is a Certified Sound Therapist, Public Speaker, and Wellness Educator who specializes in nervous system regulation, emotional wellness, and self-care. As the founder of Dear Life Chat, she creates restorative experiences that support the mind, body, and spirit through sound therapy, guided relaxation, and intentional coaching. Her sessions are designed to help individuals reconnect with peace, manage stress, and prioritize holistic wellness in everyday life.

Tay’s work has been featured on MTV, Bravo, and NBC, and she has partnered with organizations such as Google, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Piedmont Hospital, where she provided sound therapy to corporate professionals and cardiovascular patients. Her own journey of overcoming homelessness and healing from a stress-related heart condition fuels her passion to serve others. Through her work, she offers a grounded approach to wellness that invites people into deeper care, restoration, and inner stillness. You can learn more about her on her website www.DearLifeChat.com and follow along on social media @DearLifeChat.