Kandice Doley
WARM UP: Namaste Stretch
Kimberly and Kandice Doley are sisters who are passionate about and committed to cultivating a lifestyle based on holistic healthe. After four years of long hours, little sleep, and re practices such as mindfulness, yoga, clean eating, energetic and intergenerational healing, and personal and spiritual development.
Kandice obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Miami before moving to New York City to work in Marketing at Andin International, a global jewelry design firm. Feeling called to return home to New Orleans, Kandice started working in the non-profit sector for the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (“IWES”), a public health non-profit based in New Orleans. She then pursued a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University New Orleans. Upon graduation, she was hired by the Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Six years ago, due to the chronic stress and overwhelm of life in the legal profession, Kimberly and Kandice dove head first into their yoga practices searching for something that would help to alleviate the effects of chronic stress. Together in 2014, they completed Free to Be Power Yoga’s 200 hour teacher training, which served as a catalyst for them to further their studies in yoga and other wellness practices. Combined, the sisters have completed several in-depth yoga trainings, meditation and mindfulness
training, training in energy healing modalities, integrative nutrition health coaching certification, and have studied with various mentors, teachers and guides, gathering a host of practices and tools to support those in search of living a balanced, centered and healthy life.
Over the past five years, they have created and facilitated mind-body healing movement courses to serve adults, teens, and children. Kandice currently serves on the Board of Directors of IWES.
The Doley sisters were born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Through Kindred Mind Body Wellness, their mission is to create a community of kindred spirits in New Orleans and beyond that provides a safe space for reflection, that helps community members recognize what needs healing in their lives, and that guides and supports them through a process of transformation into whole, healthy individuals living healthy and fulfilling lives.
WARM UP: Namaste Stretch
Kimberly and Kandice Doley are sisters who are passionate about and committed to cultivating a lifestyle based on holistic healthe. After four years of long hours, little sleep, and re practices such as mindfulness, yoga, clean eating, energetic and intergenerational healing, and personal and spiritual development.
Kandice obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Miami before moving to New York City to work in Marketing at Andin International, a global jewelry design firm. Feeling called to return home to New Orleans, Kandice started working in the non-profit sector for the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (“IWES”), a public health non-profit based in New Orleans. She then pursued a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola University New Orleans. Upon graduation, she was hired by the Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Six years ago, due to the chronic stress and overwhelm of life in the legal profession, Kimberly and Kandice dove head first into their yoga practices searching for something that would help to alleviate the effects of chronic stress. Together in 2014, they completed Free to Be Power Yoga’s 200 hour teacher training, which served as a catalyst for them to further their studies in yoga and other wellness practices. Combined, the sisters have completed several in-depth yoga trainings, meditation and mindfulness
training, training in energy healing modalities, integrative nutrition health coaching certification, and have studied with various mentors, teachers and guides, gathering a host of practices and tools to support those in search of living a balanced, centered and healthy life.
Over the past five years, they have created and facilitated mind-body healing movement courses to serve adults, teens, and children. Kandice currently serves on the Board of Directors of IWES.
The Doley sisters were born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Through Kindred Mind Body Wellness, their mission is to create a community of kindred spirits in New Orleans and beyond that provides a safe space for reflection, that helps community members recognize what needs healing in their lives, and that guides and supports them through a process of transformation into whole, healthy individuals living healthy and fulfilling lives.
Kimberly Doley
WARM UP: Namaste Stretch
Kimberly and Kandice Doley are sisters who are passionate about and committed to cultivating a lifestyle based on holistic health practices such as mindfulness, yoga, clean eating, energetic and intergenerational healing, and personal and spiritual development.
Kimberly completed her Bachelor’s degree in Business at the University of Georgia before moving to New York City to work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. She went on to attend law school at New York University and, upon attaining her Juris Doctorate degree, was hired as an associate at the multinational law firm of Clifford Chance. After four years of long hours, little sleep, and resultant burnout, Kimberly returned home to New Orleans to work as the Director of Litigation at the Louisiana Department of Revenue. It was during this time in her career out of necessity of caring for herself and recovering from burnout that she found her passion for healthy living.
Over the past five years, they have created and facilitated mind-body healing movement courses to serve adults, teens, and children. Kimberly serves on the Board of Directors of YEAH! Yoga (Youth Empowerment and Healing), a non-profit that serves youth impacted by the carceral system in the Greater New Orleans area.
WARM UP: Namaste Stretch
Kimberly and Kandice Doley are sisters who are passionate about and committed to cultivating a lifestyle based on holistic health practices such as mindfulness, yoga, clean eating, energetic and intergenerational healing, and personal and spiritual development.
Kimberly completed her Bachelor’s degree in Business at the University of Georgia before moving to New York City to work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. She went on to attend law school at New York University and, upon attaining her Juris Doctorate degree, was hired as an associate at the multinational law firm of Clifford Chance. After four years of long hours, little sleep, and resultant burnout, Kimberly returned home to New Orleans to work as the Director of Litigation at the Louisiana Department of Revenue. It was during this time in her career out of necessity of caring for herself and recovering from burnout that she found her passion for healthy living.
Over the past five years, they have created and facilitated mind-body healing movement courses to serve adults, teens, and children. Kimberly serves on the Board of Directors of YEAH! Yoga (Youth Empowerment and Healing), a non-profit that serves youth impacted by the carceral system in the Greater New Orleans area.
Pamela Benson Owens
ENLISTMENT: “LIVING YOUR BEST JACK & JILL LIFE” TED TALK
Pamela Benson Owens has been an entrepreneur for over 20+ years and is the President/CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting, Inc. She most enjoys collaborating and working with organizations to assist in matters regarding all things geared toward organizational effectiveness. Currently Pam serves as the acting Executive Director for Six Square, Austin’s Black Cultural Arts District. She feels fortunate to be able to work on meaningful projects alongside a talented team of professionals who demonstrate high integrity and consciously work to provide the best support to clients. Pam is also in her third year of being on faculty at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Austin Community College where she teaches fundraising principles and methodology around donor motivations and diversity.
Whether she is brought in to address infrastructure building, training and development, coaching, leveraging the most out of staff, proactive HR practices, culture building, teaming, group facilitation, governance, confliction resolution, executive coaching, diversity, equity and inclusion building, strategic planning and/or establishing processes and procedures, Pam has a depth of experience navigating the complexities of these aspects in both the non-profit and for-profit organizations.
Pam also spends a significant amount of time assisting organizations experiencing transitions and change in an interim capacity to create staffing infrastructure, stabilization, organizational culture change and align with leadership to move organizations forward.
Pam holds an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in Journalism and a Master’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from St. Edward’s University. Pam has a certification in Diversity Education and has also completed course work toward an advanced theological degree.
She leverages the combination of her variety of experiences, education, faith, and teachings to
create critical “teachable moments” that quickly translate and become abundantly useful in both professional and personal settings.
She has been fortunate to be a guest lecturer and adjunct professor at some of the most prestigious institutions and finds value in the leader as learner approach. Pam is the author of Percolations: Reflect, Recharge, Reign. Pam resides in Austin, Texas and is mother to two amazing kids Preston (10) and Allyson (13) and is wife to a fabulously supportive husband and native Austinite, Arlyn.
ENLISTMENT: “LIVING YOUR BEST JACK & JILL LIFE” TED TALK
Pamela Benson Owens has been an entrepreneur for over 20+ years and is the President/CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting, Inc. She most enjoys collaborating and working with organizations to assist in matters regarding all things geared toward organizational effectiveness. Currently Pam serves as the acting Executive Director for Six Square, Austin’s Black Cultural Arts District. She feels fortunate to be able to work on meaningful projects alongside a talented team of professionals who demonstrate high integrity and consciously work to provide the best support to clients. Pam is also in her third year of being on faculty at the Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Austin Community College where she teaches fundraising principles and methodology around donor motivations and diversity.
Whether she is brought in to address infrastructure building, training and development, coaching, leveraging the most out of staff, proactive HR practices, culture building, teaming, group facilitation, governance, confliction resolution, executive coaching, diversity, equity and inclusion building, strategic planning and/or establishing processes and procedures, Pam has a depth of experience navigating the complexities of these aspects in both the non-profit and for-profit organizations.
Pam also spends a significant amount of time assisting organizations experiencing transitions and change in an interim capacity to create staffing infrastructure, stabilization, organizational culture change and align with leadership to move organizations forward.
Pam holds an undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University in Journalism and a Master’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from St. Edward’s University. Pam has a certification in Diversity Education and has also completed course work toward an advanced theological degree.
She leverages the combination of her variety of experiences, education, faith, and teachings to
create critical “teachable moments” that quickly translate and become abundantly useful in both professional and personal settings.
She has been fortunate to be a guest lecturer and adjunct professor at some of the most prestigious institutions and finds value in the leader as learner approach. Pam is the author of Percolations: Reflect, Recharge, Reign. Pam resides in Austin, Texas and is mother to two amazing kids Preston (10) and Allyson (13) and is wife to a fabulously supportive husband and native Austinite, Arlyn.
Alana Valentine
Our Health Matters
Alana Valentine has been a mother member in The Woodlands, Texas Chapter. She is the owner of Your Nourished Soul Wellness. After overcoming her own health crisis and losing weight through her own custom program, she made it her goal to help woman (specifically black woman) in nourishing and energizing their physical, emotional, and intellectual bodies. We do so through uniquely designed yoga therapies. Alana Valentine holds 200 teacher certification hours and 300 Yoga Therapist certification hours.
Your Nourished Soul’s essence is to offer EVERYONE alternative and gentler ways to a HEALTHY, ENERGIZED, NOURISHED mind, body and spirit through uniquely designed yoga classes/workshops, health and wellness products, and alternative energy practices.
We are our greatest healers! Stay NOURNISHED!
Our Health Matters
Alana Valentine has been a mother member in The Woodlands, Texas Chapter. She is the owner of Your Nourished Soul Wellness. After overcoming her own health crisis and losing weight through her own custom program, she made it her goal to help woman (specifically black woman) in nourishing and energizing their physical, emotional, and intellectual bodies. We do so through uniquely designed yoga therapies. Alana Valentine holds 200 teacher certification hours and 300 Yoga Therapist certification hours.
Your Nourished Soul’s essence is to offer EVERYONE alternative and gentler ways to a HEALTHY, ENERGIZED, NOURISHED mind, body and spirit through uniquely designed yoga classes/workshops, health and wellness products, and alternative energy practices.
We are our greatest healers! Stay NOURNISHED!
Dr. Demetrice Smith
Our Children Matter
Dr. Demetrice Smith is an author, entrepreneur, mentor, Ordained Elder, and mental health activist with over 17 years of professional and leadership experience. Demetrice is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University and holds Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Communications, a Master of Science Degree in Leadership from Walden University, and a Doctorate of Business Administration also from Walden University. She is passionate about igniting the leadership potential in others and holds a Master Coaching Certification from The Association for Talent Development.
Dr. Smith is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Creeping Vines Online, a nonprofit organization 501c3 corporation dedicated to mental health awareness, education, advocacy and training. She founded Creeping Vines Online initially with a focus on women’s mental health concerns and later expanded the conversation through a curriculum offering selections to include men’s mental health and youth mental health. Her motto: Gaining Victory, is part of her personal testimony after 30 years of living in a cave called depression. She is passionate about removing the stigma surrounding mental health through awareness, assessments, education, resources, and training.
Although she has had success with customized training plans for companies wanting to educate their workforce on mental health, she is most proud of the work with law enforcement agencies across the state to help them recognize and respond more compassionately and safely to those with mental health challenges.
Our Children Matter
Dr. Demetrice Smith is an author, entrepreneur, mentor, Ordained Elder, and mental health activist with over 17 years of professional and leadership experience. Demetrice is a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University and holds Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Communications, a Master of Science Degree in Leadership from Walden University, and a Doctorate of Business Administration also from Walden University. She is passionate about igniting the leadership potential in others and holds a Master Coaching Certification from The Association for Talent Development.
Dr. Smith is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Creeping Vines Online, a nonprofit organization 501c3 corporation dedicated to mental health awareness, education, advocacy and training. She founded Creeping Vines Online initially with a focus on women’s mental health concerns and later expanded the conversation through a curriculum offering selections to include men’s mental health and youth mental health. Her motto: Gaining Victory, is part of her personal testimony after 30 years of living in a cave called depression. She is passionate about removing the stigma surrounding mental health through awareness, assessments, education, resources, and training.
Although she has had success with customized training plans for companies wanting to educate their workforce on mental health, she is most proud of the work with law enforcement agencies across the state to help them recognize and respond more compassionately and safely to those with mental health challenges.
ReShonda Tate-Billingsley
Our Messages Matters
ASSOCIATES SESSION III – Book Discussion & Author Talk Back
ReShonda Tate Billingsley is the national bestselling author of 52 books. She writes both adult and teen fiction, as well as nonfiction. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, was made into a film directed by actress Regina King, and produced by TD Jakes and Queen Latifah. ReShonda made her on-screen movie debut in the film, which was one of BET’s highest rated programs. Her book, The Secret She Kept, was also made into a movie and aired on TV One. ReShonda made a cameo in that movie as well.
A well-respected journalist for nearly three decades, ReShonda has worked as a Television Reporter and Anchor for stations in Oklahoma City, Beaumont, and Houston. ReShonda is also Managing Editor for the Houston Defender Newspaper, as well as a Communications Consultant for Texas Southern University. She also works as a professional editor, ghostwriter and literary consultant. She left her job at FOX 26 News in Houston in 2007 to write full-time.
A highly sought-after motivational speaker and award-winning poet, ReShonda is the recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature for her book Say Amen, Again and was also nominated for her books Mama’s Boy and The Secret She Kept. She has received a plethora of distinguished awards and honors for her journalism, fiction, and poetry writing skills, including an induction into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and a Texas Top Author honor. Considered one of the top African American authors in the country, her books remain a staple on Bestseller’s lists and have been featured in USA Today, The Washington Post, Jet, People, Essence, and Ebony Magazines.
ReShonda is also the co-founder of the boutique publishing company, Brown Girls Books, with Victoria Christopher Murray. The company, which is aimed at producing quality books from fresh voices and fan favorites, boasts a roster of more than 40 authors. BGB’s subsidiary company, Brown Girls Entertainment, is branching out into the multimedia landscape, producing content for film, TV and the web and is currently working on their first film.
A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, ReShonda is a member of the Missouri City – Sugar Land Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Jack & Jill of America. She is the mother of three children ages 20, 18, and 13. Visit her website at www.ReShondaTateBillingsley.com
Our Messages Matters
ASSOCIATES SESSION III – Book Discussion & Author Talk Back
ReShonda Tate Billingsley is the national bestselling author of 52 books. She writes both adult and teen fiction, as well as nonfiction. Her sophomore novel, Let the Church Say Amen, was made into a film directed by actress Regina King, and produced by TD Jakes and Queen Latifah. ReShonda made her on-screen movie debut in the film, which was one of BET’s highest rated programs. Her book, The Secret She Kept, was also made into a movie and aired on TV One. ReShonda made a cameo in that movie as well.
A well-respected journalist for nearly three decades, ReShonda has worked as a Television Reporter and Anchor for stations in Oklahoma City, Beaumont, and Houston. ReShonda is also Managing Editor for the Houston Defender Newspaper, as well as a Communications Consultant for Texas Southern University. She also works as a professional editor, ghostwriter and literary consultant. She left her job at FOX 26 News in Houston in 2007 to write full-time.
A highly sought-after motivational speaker and award-winning poet, ReShonda is the recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literature for her book Say Amen, Again and was also nominated for her books Mama’s Boy and The Secret She Kept. She has received a plethora of distinguished awards and honors for her journalism, fiction, and poetry writing skills, including an induction into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame and a Texas Top Author honor. Considered one of the top African American authors in the country, her books remain a staple on Bestseller’s lists and have been featured in USA Today, The Washington Post, Jet, People, Essence, and Ebony Magazines.
ReShonda is also the co-founder of the boutique publishing company, Brown Girls Books, with Victoria Christopher Murray. The company, which is aimed at producing quality books from fresh voices and fan favorites, boasts a roster of more than 40 authors. BGB’s subsidiary company, Brown Girls Entertainment, is branching out into the multimedia landscape, producing content for film, TV and the web and is currently working on their first film.
A graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, ReShonda is a member of the Missouri City – Sugar Land Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Jack & Jill of America. She is the mother of three children ages 20, 18, and 13. Visit her website at www.ReShondaTateBillingsley.com
Mark Howard
ASSOCIATES SESSION II – Understanding Common Money Myths
Mark is focused on helping individuals and businesses dream, define, and execute their financial strategies with an effective Protection and Investment Strategy. This strategy is comprised of two core tenets - Education & Action. It is the firm's philosophy that only after a client truly understands and has been educated on the elements necessary to execute their master strategies will they embrace the strategy as their own. Then, and only then, will incremental and systematic steps be taken to build the momentum necessary to achieve those goals. This is all done with the care and compassion clients expect & deserve when looking to add a financial professional to their trusted circle.
Mark has over 20 years of experience helping market, grow and develop businesses and medical practices, and consulting with entrepreneurs and families to develop and execute comprehensive growth & financial strategies. The services he offers include, but are not limited to; Retirement Planning, College Savings Strategies, Risk Management and Insurance Planning, Estate Planning, Financial Wellness Workshops, Employee Benefits Consulting, Charitable Planned Giving Programs, and Business Succession Planning.
Mark has a B.S in Electrical Engineering from Howard University, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University with a focus in Finance, Entrepreneurship and Marketing. He is currently licensed in the states of TX, CA, FL, IL, NY, MA, GA, LA, SC, IN, WA, AR, and NC.
Mark is a native of Dallas, and is very involved in the community. A graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, Mark was appointed by the Bishop of the Dallas Catholic Diocese on their Racial Interrelations Task Force; he is on the Board of the DFW Kellogg Alumni Club as the President; Board Member of The Dallas Business Club; Board Director of Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, TX; and a regular speaker for the EMPOWER Series on Financial Literacy. He has three kids and a Portuguese water dog, who actually hates the water.
ASSOCIATES SESSION II – Understanding Common Money Myths
Mark is focused on helping individuals and businesses dream, define, and execute their financial strategies with an effective Protection and Investment Strategy. This strategy is comprised of two core tenets - Education & Action. It is the firm's philosophy that only after a client truly understands and has been educated on the elements necessary to execute their master strategies will they embrace the strategy as their own. Then, and only then, will incremental and systematic steps be taken to build the momentum necessary to achieve those goals. This is all done with the care and compassion clients expect & deserve when looking to add a financial professional to their trusted circle.
Mark has over 20 years of experience helping market, grow and develop businesses and medical practices, and consulting with entrepreneurs and families to develop and execute comprehensive growth & financial strategies. The services he offers include, but are not limited to; Retirement Planning, College Savings Strategies, Risk Management and Insurance Planning, Estate Planning, Financial Wellness Workshops, Employee Benefits Consulting, Charitable Planned Giving Programs, and Business Succession Planning.
Mark has a B.S in Electrical Engineering from Howard University, an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, and an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University with a focus in Finance, Entrepreneurship and Marketing. He is currently licensed in the states of TX, CA, FL, IL, NY, MA, GA, LA, SC, IN, WA, AR, and NC.
Mark is a native of Dallas, and is very involved in the community. A graduate of Bishop Lynch High School, Mark was appointed by the Bishop of the Dallas Catholic Diocese on their Racial Interrelations Task Force; he is on the Board of the DFW Kellogg Alumni Club as the President; Board Member of The Dallas Business Club; Board Director of Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, TX; and a regular speaker for the EMPOWER Series on Financial Literacy. He has three kids and a Portuguese water dog, who actually hates the water.
