Avi Olitzky
Avi Olitzky is the president and principal consultant of Olitzky Consulting Group. Over the course of his professional career, Avi has served as senior rabbi to one of the largest congregations in North America, successfully launched and grown innovative information technology and content-driven production companies and organizations, and was a founding board chair and board member for numerous non-profits. He is a master facilitator, design-thinker and strategic planner, innovator, speaker, and retreat organizer. In addition, he has served as an advisor and strategic consultant to multiple membership organizations and non-profits, camps and youth organizations, synagogues and churches, for-profit executives, and general companies. He was appointed to and served on city Human Rights Commissions as well as hospital IRBs for Human Subjects Research. Avi’s expertise in engagement, organizational planning, and outreach is regularly called upon, especially as co-author of New Membership & Financial Alternatives for the American Synagogue – From Traditional Dues to Fair Share to Gifts from the Heart (Jewish Lights). Avi is also a co-founder of SpirituWell, and serves as its Chief People & Spiritual Officer.
Desiree Petrich
Hi! I’m Desiree, I left my management position in Healthcare in 2021 after 10 years in the field, to follow my dream of growing myself, and helping others to develop into the person and leader they want to be. I now get to share the message of personal development, growth and leadership with those around me, to help set individuals up for success in their homes, at work and in their relationships.
I truly believe that both personal and professional success lies in our ability to create happy lives through confidence, kindness, strength, and collaboration. This helps us to overcome adversity, take risks, and lead a life we’re proud to call our own.
WHAT I DO: I help businesses and individuals prepare for opportunities, lead by example, and create self confidence in their ability to set goals and reach them. I do this through teambuilding, leadership development, group coaching and masterminds, keynote speaking, and personality assessments to help teams continue to grow as one.
WHY ME: I help individuals learn what they value about themselves, their team, and their company.
I have built myself up from the bottom in several areas of life. From losing 50 pounds in high school, and learning to maintain it, to starting as a CNA in a nursing home and working my way into a management position at a dementia facility.
I read an average of 70 books per year, and use that knowledge to help educate and add value to others who are looking for a happier life, but don’t know where to start.
I lost my mom in 2022, and found a way to maintain my healthy habits while grieving her loss, and raising a 2 year old and a 2 month old.
Steve Fredlund
Steve Fredlund is a multi-passionate visionary who has had profound impact as an award-winning actuary, humanitarian, coach, consultant, author, speaker, podcaster, entrepreneur and leader of African safaris.
For ten years, Steve’s journey included two parallel paths: a good life that became increasingly unfulfilling and humanitarian trips to Africa that ended on safari. Steve’s research into happiness and his safari experiences blended into something remarkable. He discovered the “Big 5” factors that impact both, becoming the foundation of “The Safari Way”, a movement to increase the happiness and success of people around the world.
Steve is a two-time TEDx speaker, fellow of the Society of Actuaries and holds an MBA. When not working, he can be found on the disc golf course, playing a poker tournament or suffering through another season as a Minnesota sports fan.
Erik Westrum
Erik Westrum is a former professional hockey player, motivational speaker, leadership coach, and author of Becoming Elite: What It Takes To Transform Your Life Using the 4 Proven Pillars of Performance. He has had a passion to help others since he was a young child and this has not changed as he continues to fulfill his purpose in life—to be a Servant Leader.
When Erik retired from playing professional hockey for 12 years, he went back to the Carlson School of Management to get his MBA to gain more knowledge and expertise to help leaders and companies grow exponentially. After consulting on numerous projects and coaching hundreds of people over the past 20+ years, Erik established the principles and processes through Becoming Elite and what it takes to transform your life using four proven pillars of performance. He continues to share his message and passion for people from all walks of life as he remains committed to leading people in making a shift in Becoming Elite.
Paul Allen
Looking for a unique and interesting keynote with memorable stories and great lessons that everyone can apply to their work and personal lives? Paul Allen is your guy.
21 Years with the Minnesota Vikings. 25 Years on KFAN Radio. 28 Years at Canterbury Park. Paul Allen has long established himself as a Minnesota icon in the broadcasting world. His Vikings calls are unique and memorable, his KFAN radio show is highly rated, and he has called more than 30,000 horse races all over the country including his almost 30 years at Canterbury Park. (which is what brought him to Minnesota in 1995!).
Paul accomplished all this while never going to college, and being broke 25 years ago. He is witty, energetic, quirky, and sharp, with vast life experiences and impactful stories that he shares with attendees.
His lessons include:
– Life at the Top Wins from the Bottom
– Fortifying your bench
– Following your gift of discernment
– Authenticity
Paul can add fun aspects to his programs including doing touchdown calls using your organization’s staff or VIP names, adding interactive aspects, etc. He will work with you to create the best program for your event. He’s also a great emcee.
Michelle Young
As an educator, television personality, speaker, and activist, Michelle Young inspires many. Her persona exudes charisma and positivity, and her message is strong and passionate.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bradley University in 2015, Michelle began her career. As a 5th-grade teacher, she delivered engaging educational content and also spread her message of self-love and acceptance to the young minds she was molding.
Prior to teaching, Michelle’s success was measured in the classroom and on the court. She showed her prowess in balancing the demands of her studies while making a name for herself as a Division I basketball player.
In 2021, Michelle charmed audiences of The Bachelor and became a nationwide sensation reaching the runner-up spot during season 25. She returned to captivate viewers as the star of season 18 of The Bachelorette.
Each of these endeavors have built the foundation for her influence as a brand ambassador, nonprofit supporter, and public speaker. Michelle is linked with companies like Lancôme and Coca Cola and also advocates for nonprofits such as The Fashion Foundation and Be The Match. Michelle strives to use her expertise in the field of education and her love of health, wellness, and fashion to reach a wide variety of audiences, helping them realize their full potential.
Through empathy and experience, Michelle speaks on mental health, overcoming anxiety, identity, and practicing self-love. She is also a passionate advocate for children and youth, striving to be a positive influence.
Through her triumphs and struggles, Michelle has the knowledge and experience combined with the positivity and strength to empower others through the message she is eager to share.
Invite me to create an engaging and relatable experience with your audience! I am available for keynote speaking engagements, guest appearances, hosting, and more.
Jasmine Brett Stringer
Jasmine Brett Stringer is an uplifting keynote speaker, award-winning author of Seize Your Life: How to Carpe Diem Every Day, on-air TV personality, host of the podcast and lifestyle blog Carpe Diem with Jasmine and founder of Share the Mic Minnesota. In these times of transformational change, Jasmine is on a mission to help people live empowered and authentic lives. Through her Seize Your Life keynotes, workshops and customized coaching sessions, Jasmine guides clients and audiences through a simple process to identify their goals and achieve their personal definition of success. Jasmine’s common-sense approach to creating a life of one’s own has inspired thousands of people across the world to carpe diem! Jasmine has shared her positive message to corporate and nonprofit organizations such as Land O’ Lakes, Federal Reserve Bank, Airbnb, Cargill, Goodwill, Mondelēz International, Bayer, Boston Scientific, Radisson Hotel Group, NEW, the Network of Executive Women and the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management. Jasmine inspires revelation and change by leveraging her experiences working with some of the world’s biggest brands. Additionally, Jasmine speaks on how to effectively network and how to build synergy and develop interpersonal skills- core tools for living a vision-driven life.
The international “new awakening” to racial inequalities and social justice issues during the summer of 2020 inspired Jasmine to launch a new project, #SHARETHEMICMN. #SHARETHEMICMN was established to give Black and Brown women in Minnesota additional exposure through connection and engagement with new audiences. The goal is that the new conversations and relationships develop into a deeper understanding that will be impactful in tackling and overcoming unconscious biases, racial injustices and racial inequities. Through storytelling, relationship development, programming and collaborations #SHARETHEMICMN strives to help make Minnesota a more inclusive and equitable state. Jasmine is using the #SHARETHEMICMN platform to elevate the voices of women of color, inspire action and allyship, and show the world that a Carpe Diem spirit can drive change.
Jasmine is a graduate of American University’s Kogod School of Business in Washington, D.C. She was named one of “100 People to Know in 2021” by Twin Cities Business Magazine, a Twin Cities Fearless Woman in 2017, and a Woman of Promise by the Girl Scouts in 2012. She received the 2020 Team Women Community Impact WaveMaker Award. Additionally, she was awarded Distinguished Alumna of American University and is an active member of the National Speakers Association. Ebony Magazine featured her as one of its “30 Future Leaders Under the Age of 30 in America.” Jasmine is based in Minneapolis but can often be found two hours south of the city working with her husband at the family farm. On a personal note, Jasmine is a Minnesota State Fair ribbon winner for her delicious canned sweet pickles grown with love in Blue Earth, MN.
Jordana Green
Jordana Green is an Emmy award winning television news anchor, a Marconi award winning podcast writer and producer, and drive-time news-talk radio talk show host. Jordana started her career in television news at various stations in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Her career advanced to television news anchorwoman in Indianapolis and the Twin Cities. Jordana migrated from a teleprompter to broadcasting her points of view on a variety of topics as the co-host of the “Paul & Jordana Show” on WCCO Radio in the Twin Cities. She considers learning how to snowboard at age forty as one of her greatest physical accomplishments until being challenged with a rare form of leukemia in 2020. Her straight talk Jersey girl truth telling is funny, transparent, and humble. Her colleagues all agree that when Jordana enters a room, the energy shifts to the positive and everyone knows she’s there… and on ‘their’ side. She has learned many life lessons from her challenges of and rebounding from job loss, moving from city to city, divorce, balancing her career with motherhood, and leukemia. She remarried and is raising three teenagers in her Minneapolis home filled with lunacy, love and laughter. “Finding Your Moments of Clarity”, Jordana’s presentation allows listeners to dig deep into their experiences to identify life changing moments that have molded their past decisions. She offers clear steps to identifying future ‘moments of clarity’ that will generate the confidence everyone needs to make the next right moves. Jordana is inspiring, vulnerable, and funny. She connects deeply with all who hear her and motivates them with specific guidelines to be on their true career, personal and spiritual paths.
Vineeta Sawkar
Vineeta Sawkar is a five time Emmy award-winning television anchor who is now the Director of Public Relations at the University of St. Thomas. Vineeta spent twenty-three years in the television news business. She is best known for her eighteen years at KSTP-TV in Minneapolis. She left KSTP in 2013 and pioneered a new role at the Minneapolis Star Tribune as a video host. She and her family are proud St. Paul residents. Vineeta is a former Friends of the St. Paul Public Library board member and Children’s Hospital Association board member. She is now volunteering with the Minnesota Wild to recruit more kids of color to play the sport of hockey.
Wendie Pett
Wendie Pett, is passionate about motivating people to make fitness and good nutrition part of their daily routine. She teaches the balance of mind, body and spirit through her Visibly Fit™ wellness program. Wendie has a nationally syndicated television program that airs every Tuesday on the NRB Network. Her show also airs on Upliftv, WLCN, and IBN Television. She contributes weekly on KTIS radio in the Twin Cities as ‘Coach Wendie’ and is a featured columnist in VEGWORLD Magazine, The Christian View, Best Ever You, Refreshed, Vegan Lifestyle, and Diet.com. Wendie is a full-time business owner, a naturopathic doctor, wife, mother, author, speaker, TV host, advisory board member for Christian Women in Media and part-time volunteer. Her business consists of whole-food/plant-based wellness coaching, emotional healing, personal online training, fitness planning, educational and motivational speaking, and creating new products/tools to assist clients along their wellness journey. After a major injury to her shoulder, she resorted to body weight resistance exercises for strength and healing and hasn’t turned back to any other form of training since. She has helped countless others reach their fitness and health goals without ever compromising their joints, tendons, or ligaments – teaching that Your Body Is Your Gym™ and instilling new diet habits that have shown to reverse multiple diseases and allow people to get off medications.