Speakers
Davida Heller ~ www.ecospire.com
Davida Heller's passion is empowering others to achieve their green goals. She founded Ecospire Inc., an eco-consulting company, in 2008 to help people create sustainable living and working environments. Davida is a LEED AP as well as a Certified Green Building Professional and Green Point Home Rater through Build It Green. She is certified in Home Performance Testing through the CBPCA (California Building Performance Contractor Association) Energy Star program.
Ecospire's clients include both residential and commercial clients. Ecospire is also currently working with Science Applications International Corporation providing recycling consultation services for the Los Angeles County Smart Business Recycling Program.
Davida started on her path to create Ecospire at an early age. As a young child, she insisted on coloring both sides of every piece of paper to do her share to save the rainforests. Now she's committed to doing much more on a daily basis, but still believes changing the world begins with making the choice to be a part of the solution and taking one step at a time towards making a difference.
Davida brings ten years of experience working in project development with high-end clients in the entertainment industry. She began her career at Creative Artists Agency as Executive Assistant for Literary Agent, John Campisi and then promoted to the desk of Managing Partner, Bryan Lourd. Following CAA, she worked with prominent film writer/director/producer, Nancy Meyers, on her movie Something's Gotta Give and then went on to be Vice President of Production at Radar Pictures.
In her spare time starting several years ago, Davida began assisting friends and family adopt environmentally conscious lifestyle habits and promoting awareness for eco-friendly issues, products and services. She soon realized that helping people incorporate sustainable choices into their lives was her true passion. She embarked on a new career path in Sustainability Consulting and created Ecospire in July 2008. Originally from New York, Davida relocated to Los Angeles in 1999 after graduating from The George Washington University, but has since returned to her native state of New York.
Randi Ragan ~ www.greenblissecospa.com
Formerly a documentary filmmaker and writer, Randi spent 12 years in the wellness industry as a yoga and meditation teacher, lecturer, spiritual retreat leader, and creator of customized healing ceremonies and rituals (1994-2006). Her teaching and workshops were featured at some of Los Angeles’ top yoga studios, and she regularly counseled industry leaders from the worlds of entertainment, finance and business, and seniors’ health care, with her yoga and meditation techniques. During these years, her work took her to top retreat centers and spas in Southern California, Hawaii, and Mexico.
Now, in addition to running the daily business of GB EcoSpa, Randi currently consults, writes, and speaks about green living, holistic beauty and health. (RecoveryView.com on holistic support for addiction recovery, Hot Mom’s Club.com on green mothering issues, and Health and Wellness for CocoEco Magazine), and is working on a book about mindful green living from A – Z.
She has been a featured speaker at the annual BodyWise Conference for teen girls, and regularly speaks at both private and public Los Angeles area schools on “smart beauty” for teenage girls. She has been featured on the NBC program “Your LA” , on the Expert Village website, and in a video segment on Sprig.com. She was a principle organizer and Host speaker at the 2008 Urban Sustainability Retreat and Salon, a panelist at the First Anniversary Conference for Women of the Green Generation, and the Sustainable Business Council’s forum on Green Health & Wellness. She is currently at work on a book about mindful green living from A to Z.
Rebecca Harrell Tickell ~ www.hotrichandgreen.com
Presenting: “The Secret Formula Women are Using to Get Rich and Save the Planet.” Rebecca will offer attendees a fresh perspective on the role women are playing in reshaping the environmental movement by teaching them the formula to create and financially succeed from businesses in the green space.
Rebecca Harrell Tickell has dedicated her career to the advancement of women in green businesses. She specializes in providing women with tactics in order to profit from their passion for helping their communities and the planet. She has worked with hundreds of women who, collectively, comprise a substantial portion of the “green movement” - from CEO’s of major nonprofit organizations, to women who are designing new eco-friendly products, and to women who are fundamentally shifting the way corporations think and work within the environment.
Her new book, Hot, Rich & Green!: The Secret Formula Women are Using to Get Rich and Save the Planet, gives a fresh perspective on the role women are playing in reshaping the environmental movement. This book offers profound value to its readers, teaching them the formula to create and financially succeed from businesses in the green space. The lessons in the book come directly from actual successes and failures of women who have lived the simple formulas presented.
Rebecca came to her calling as the “queen of green” through her background as a film producer, musician and a youth coordinator. She produced the Academy Award Shortlisted and Sundance Audience Award Winning, environmentally-themed movie, FUEL. She chairs The Veggie Van Organization, a national nonprofit dedicated to education around sustainable energy. Through her work in the nonprofit sector, she has spoken to and trained over 10,000 teens and teachers throughout Southern California in the art of fundraising and positioning. Rebecca also works closely with highly esteemed organizations such as Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots program, the United Nations and the Virgin Group.
Rebecca has extensive experience and success in the entertainment industry, including starring in the classic Christmas movie, Prancer, and NBC’s Third Watch. Rebecca, who grew up in Vermont, currently lives in Venice, CA with her husband, Josh Tickell, and their pug, Mr. Brown.
Sophie Uliano ~ www.gorgeouslygreen.com ~
Author of New York Times bestseller, Gorgeously Green. Presenting: “The eight steps of her best-selling book, Gorgeously Green, showing them simple strategies to transform their lives from gray to green.” As a mother, housewife and working girl, women across the board can relate to the easy and accessible eco-friendly lifestyle, which Sophie promotes.
Sophie Uliano is the NY Times Best-selling author of Gorgeously Green, 8 Simple Steps to an Earth-Friendly Life and The Gorgeously Green Diet. She is a Green Expert and speaker whose appearances on many television shows, including Oprah, The View, Good Morning America, and The CBS Early Show have inspired women across America to live a Gorgeously Green Life.
Kim Barnouin ~ www.healthybitchdaily.com
*Kim will be a speaker on the Health and Wellness panel presented by LA Yoga magazine
Before she was a Skinny Bitch, Kim Barnouin was a high school drop-out turned model who only crossed paths with a vegetable on her pizza. Today she is the co-author of the New York Times Bestseller Skinny Bitch with its sequels Skinny Bitch in the Kitch, Skinny Bitch: Bun in the Oven, Skinny Bitch: Just Bitchin and a line of fitness DVDs.
Born in Rhode Island and raised in Maryland, Kim felt she wasn’t ready for college and dropped out in the 11th grade. Soon after, Kim received her GED, brushed community college and switched gears to modeling. At the age of 22, Kim moved to South Beach where the waves of Miami left Kim feeling seriously lost. She modeled, waited tables to make ends meet and considered herself more of a helpless beach bum.
Kim questioned her unhappy and unhealthy self during those years. What changes could she make to her lifestyle? Instead of turning to booze or something else less attractive, Kim explored food. By eating better, Kim started to physically and mentally feel better. A lightbulb went off in her head – food heals.
As a kid, Kim used to spit veggies into her napkin. As a young adult, she couldn’t get enough of earth’s treats. It was during this transition that Kim became obsessed with nutrition. She got her hands on every book and enrolled in a Bachelor’s program in Natural Health. She wouldn’t stop there. This retired beach bum went on to receive a Master’s in Holistic Nutrition and is currently working on her PhD. Learning about how food affects and heals many diseases and illnesses was something she wanted to share with everyone.
Eager to spread her word to the masses, Kim worked with longtime friend and vegan Rory Freedman to write a book. Neither thought Skinny Bitch would be become such a hit let alone a New York Times bestseller for two years straight.Kim Barnouin lives in Los Angeles with her husband Stephane and two year old son Jack. Sarah now specializes exclusively in environmental media. She’s covered the gamut of green: interviewing heads of state, UN representatives, business leaders, filmmakers, architects, designers and authors; test driving hybrid and alt fuel vehicles; and reporting from sustainability conferences, green carpet events from around the world. Sarah currently anchors The Planet 100, a daily news show for Planet Green. She also writes and hosts for other green media networks including: The Mother Nature Network, Causecast, Coco Eco Magazine and The G Living Network. Andrea Robinson ~ www.ArcSustainability.com Andrea has worked extensively in the media and appeared on CNN, NPR’s ‘All Things Considered’, ABC, NBC, FOX, in the New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Grist, and featured on the cover of the Wall Street Journal among others. She received her degree in Environmental Science from University of California at Santa Barbara with an honors thesis on Biodiversity and the United Nations Earth Summit. Tamara Henry aka "Green T” is a true advocate for the environment and health & wellness of us all. Green T is a nationally recognized eco-TV host. She has worked for various television shows and a former WB and Fox evening news anchorwoman who has graced audiences for the last thirteen years with extensive coverage of red carpet and green carpet events for the film festival circuit, award shows and eco-green events. Green T is the spokesperson for www.BigMamaEarth.com a GREEN destination for kids and their families everywhere - where they can explore and learn all about the earth: what humankind has done to harm the earth, and learn practical things they can do - as individuals - in their own home, their own neighborhood, their own town - to make a difference and re-connect us back with Mother Earth. Green T has interviewed celebrities and icons in the environmental movement such as: James Cameron, Morgan Freeman, Jada Pinkett Smith, Dan Aykroyd, Adrian Grenier, Ed Begley Jr., Al Gore and many more. She was instrumental in helping the 2010 Miss America Pageant GO GREEN with her "Green is Gorgeous" Interactive Eco-Contest, featuring all 53 contestants. Eco-TV host Tamara Henry, "Green T" helped the nationally televised 2010 Miss America Pageant truly go Green & Gorgeous. Green T is dedicated to conscious entertainment. She speaks about divine feminine energy and it's connection with Mother Earth. She talks about her Earth, Wind and Fire approach to making simple changes in our lives to go green and make a difference. Green T is an activist for environmental causes. Her best friends have been calling her "Green T" because of her commitment to everything Green. Tamara truly walks the talk, as she has been roller-blading, carpooling and taking public transportation to get around L.A. for the past nine years. Green T is all about HOPE - Healing Our Planet Earth. Rachel wrote the “L.A. Story” column on the Washington Post’s Sprig.com and was a reporter for PlanetGreen.com and Treehugger.com. Currently, Rachel is the resident “Green Guru” at Savings.com, “Queen of Green” at Shoestringmag.com and “Green Expert” at GetButtonedUp.com. As a small-screen ecoista, Sarnoff appeared on “CNN Headline News Local Edition,” “Extra,” “Living With Ed,” “Hollywood Green,” “Good Day L.A.” and TV Guide Channel’s “The Fashion Team” segments, and has spoken on behalf of the national non-profit Healthy Child, Healthy World and Whole Foods’ Whole Body department. Jennifer Grayson ~ www.theredwhiteandgreen.com Environmental journalist and green living expert Jennifer Grayson is founding editor of The Red, White, and Green. Inspired by working on the Obama campaign, she launched the site to advance the conversation about the ties between environmentalism and patriotism. As green advice columnist for The Huffington Post (Eco Etiquette), she offers up everyday green living tips as well as explores matters of environmental ethics and policy. Her work has been featured by numerous green media outlets and organizations; including Animal Planet, Healthy Child Healthy World, WebMD, Eco-Stride, and Earth-List.com. Felicia Marie Tomasko RN ~ www.layogamagazine.com Felicia is an Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga teacher, editor of LA YOGA Ayurveda and Health and member of the board of directors of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association and the California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine. Felicia first discovered Ayurveda in 1993, when she read Deepak Chopra's “Perfect Health.” and feels that Ayurveda is a wisdom tradition that provides the information to allow us to live a life in tune with nature. Jennifer Miller has been an advocate in animal welfare for more than 15 years. She has traveled the world leading projects in wildlife conservation, animal care and rescue and campaigning to support local and international grassroots missions on heavily political issues. Following her work for an orangutan research project in Indonesia she returned to the United States to work for the International Fund for Animal Welfare where she deployed to the front lines of natural and man made disasters to help with animal issues. It was at this point in her career that Jennifer knew animal welfare needed a new marketing strategy. She founded Mission Savvy in 2009. Today, Mission Savvy is an eco fashion boutique that uses the power of fashion to pioneer change in the world, creating well-dressed eco warriors! Jennifer currently lives in Charleston, WV where she uses her company as platform for raising awareness and co-exists with her two rescued parrots, Malcolm and Roxy. Silvie Celiz, Cofounder/Executive Producer/Host of H Life media ~ www.hlifemedia.com Silvie considers herself a self-experimenting scientist. She has walked-the-walk with many nutritional lifestyles, such as raw, macrobiotic, vegetarianism and veganism, and has counseled others on the importance of eating the right things as a powerful tool for living the path to optimal health. As a bilingual Holistic Health and Nutrition Consultant, she emphasizes the importance of prevention as an approach to health and self-healing as a lifestyle because she believes people have the power and responsibility to create their own reality. As a holistic alternative practitioner, she believes that the mind is where all illness starts and that working on the mind/emotions and complementing that with good nutrition is the way to health. Her desire is for people to see themselves from the inside out instead of the outside in, with thoughts and cells as the main creators of individual well-being. Silvie lives in Los Angeles with her husband, and is currently writing her first book. While working in Film, Fashion and covering fabulous Green Carpet Events Taryn has had the opportunity to meet amazing women doing great green things, which she loves to highlight on her www.EcoDivasTV.com site. In 2010 Taryn will speak, teach, and produce EcoFashion events at the Sundance Film Festival (EcoCloset and Upcycling Lab), Next Gen (“Sci Stars” fashion show and panel), Phoenix Fashion Week (VIP Green Lounge) and she's very excited to be involved in the incredible Women of the Green Generation EcoMakeup panel. As principal of Astrid Design Studio, I incorporate my passion for sustainable technologies and practices in my work as a designer, consultant and educator. Trained in Interior Design, from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, I also hold certificates in Green Building and Permaculture as well as having received my LEED accreditation in 2006. Molly Lavik has dedicated her career toward helping socially-responsible, idea-phase entrepreneurs find their true potential and authentic purpose. Molly’s mantra and mission is to facilitate entrepreneurs access to $ucces. She has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs over the past fifteen years to help them transform their new venture visions into reality. Molly developed a method for coaching startups that she uses to impart knowledge known as Mentorographies. Mentorographies are success stories and lessons learned from famous founders that reveal valuable insights in a manner that enables the recipient to essentially “stand on the shoulders” of successful entrepreneurs. Mentorographies are a type of virtual mentoring experience that exist as textbooks, panels, workshops, audio blogs, webisodes and through coaching sessions. Molly has chronicled the true-life stories of famous founders in textbooks for the Mentorographies she utilizes including: Molly’s latest series of Mentorographies are for her corporation’s project Green Rush and are focused on sharing the insights of ecopreneurs. Details on Project Green Rush: http://www.cla.purdue.edu/communication/Newsletter/Fall2008/greenrush.html Currently, Molly is the founder and CEO of Mentorography, Inc. and through her company is the program director for the Sustainable Business Council of Los Angeles. She is also a professor for the Vatel International Business School, Los Angeles and an adjunct professor for Alliant International University’s Marshall Goldsmith School of Management. She previously was a practitioner faculty of marketing for Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management teaching MBA students business plan writing and other entrepreneurship-related courses. Molly is bi-coastal with homes in New York and California. She welcomes hearing about your StartupTime and invites you to send her an e-mail at Molly.Lavik@StartupTime.com and to become her friend on Facebook and on LinkedIn and to follow her on Twitter @StartupTime. Bahar Shahpar ~ www.baharshahpar.com New York-based Bahar Shahpar launched her eponymous womenswear line in 2007, produced with a full commitment to principles of sustainability. Her collection fuses organic textiles, natural fibers, vintage detailing, and technological innovations with sleek tailoring and a signature sense of whimsy, creating a vibrantly modern perspective on sustainable design. Bahar Shahpar has been repeatedly featured in major fashion and lifestyle publications, including WWD, Vogue, Lucky, NYLON, The Wall Street Journal, and ELLE. Bahar is also co-founder of THE FOUR HUNDRED, a fashion showroom and brand development agency with an exclusive focus on high-end, fashion-forward sustainable designers. She currently works as a creative director for sustainable lifestyle projects and programming, producing annual events for organizations such as the US Green Building Council, The Ki, EcoChic, and Teens Turning Green, and as a stylist for high-profile talent for the Sundance Channel, MTV, and Planet Green as one of the foremost experts in sustainable fashion. ~ ~ ~ ~ For stockists, press inquiries and speaking engagements please contact: info@baharshahpar.com 973.896.7853 From the storeroom to the boardroom, to her award winning start-up, Alex has spent the past 15 years bringing brands to life. She began her career in retail, working with Nordstrom, Henri Bendel, Fred Segal, Estee Lauder, & Trish McEvoy. While at Murad, she grew the national account division to a ten million dollar portfolio, then decided to launch her own brand, Heavy Duty. Alex electrified the market by introducing a new, gender-bending brand that had universal appeal in a niche category. Leveraging a strategic acquisition for the brand led to an executive position with a multi-million dollar personal care company where she developed and launched several national brands with distribution in over 20,000 doors. Alex’s “green” experience stems from her personal desire to integrate healthful and holistic life choices at every level. Achievements Entrepreneur of the Year (I.C,M.A.D.) CEW Featured Profile Rising Star Finalist (Fashion International) CNN, “Entrepreneurs Only” Featured Guest Guest Speaker, Beauty Industry West QVC Guest Heavy Duty products on permanent display at Victoria & Albert Museum Best Packaging Award, Extracts Alexandra Fallon ~ direct: 818-888-8548 ~cell: 831-236-4266 ~asfallon@gmail.com google Alexandra Volkmann for more information A vegetarian since birth, Sandra Sanchez has been green since the days of Oscar the Grouch – although he didn’t recycle at the time, much to her concern. Raised by parents she likes to call “sophisticated hippies,” Sandra has been carrying canvas bags to the grocery store (and Saks 5th Avenue) her entire life. At the age of 17, Sandra moved to Los Angeles to attend the University of Southern California, where the MENSA member graduated with a B.S. in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention from the Keck School of Medicine in 2002. While working at LA County Hospital as a research assistant for a Type II Diabetes study, she witnessed the impact of a fast food, throwaway society on the quality of human lives, sparking a desire to affect change on a larger scale. On a whim, Sandra competed and won the title of Miss Los Angeles 2003, seamlessly transitioning her to a career in front of the camera and allowing her the platform to combine both trajectories. Sandra has since appeared on outlets for E!, FOX, ABC, CBS and MTV, among others. In 2008, Sandra launched www.orGLAMic.com – the online resource for “sustainable luxury living.” Since it’s inception, the popular site had become the go-to source for discriminating eco-shoppers. Sandra’s involvement in the green community has led to her work as a traveling correspondent on “G Word” and as a producer on “Hollywood Green with Maria Menounos,” both airing on Discovery Channel’s Planet Green. Sandra has also created and written several TV concepts promoting accessible green living and has an orGLAMic coffee-table book in the works. Jessica Lass, Senior Press Secretary at NRDC who blogs, tweets and Facebooks for the highly-esteemed nonprofit. Jessica will share her perspective on how to use social media for environmental good. Tweet her @jessicamlass. Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh – www.vitaljuice.com Michele Orlando – http://pizzafusion.com/hollywood *Michelle will be a speaker on the E business panel session Michele Orlando, owner of Pizza Fusion Hollywood, a new green restaurant that's part of a bigger organic pizza franchise. Michele will speak from her experience engaging with local bloggers and other social media networks to develop a fan base for her restaurant -- without waiting for the traditional media's restaurant critics to take note. Tweet her @pizzafusionla. Renowned celebrity eco-makeup artist and “green beauty” expert, Christy Coleman believes in taking responsibility for not only what we ingest, but also what we apply topically to our skin through our beauty routine. As a high-profile makeup artist with over twenty years of experience in the world of high fashion and beauty, she desires to use her knowledge to inspire women to choose “greener” and healthier choices through the elimination of harmful chemicals and preservatives from their daily lives and the products they use. Christy believes that we can all be beautiful while being responsible to the planet, our loved ones and ourselves.
Sarah Backhouse ~ www.sarahbackhouse.com
Sarah Backhouse was born in the UK and raised in Australia and Japan. She graduated with Bachelors degrees in Economics and Japanese Studies from the Australian National University and Keio University, Tokyo, and speaks fluent Japanese.A TV host, writer and producer, Sarah has lived in Sydney, London and Los Angeles, where she worked for a diverse array of broadcasters including: CBNC, BBC, PBS, Fine Living, Sci Fi Channel, WOWOW and Discovery.
Andrea Robinson is the Founder and Director of ARC Sustainability, a Los Angeles- based environmental consulting firm specializing in designing and implementing sustainability programs and event planning for high-profile conventions, corporations, productions, movie studios, live events, concerts, hotels, residences and non-profit groups. ARC Sustainability produces measurable results in energy efficiency, water conservation, waste diversion, transportation minimization, supply chain productivity, food and beverage sourcing, greenhouse gas emission reductions and advises on carbon offset frameworks.
Tamara Henry ~ www.GreenTwithTamara.com
Pam Sterling ~ www.pamsterling.com
Presenting: “Turning Business Failure Into Personal Success: Life Lessons Learned from a Failed Green Business.”
Pam Sterling is a passionate educator, inspirational speaker, and talented designer. Her mission is to inspire people to live with Outrageous Joy, and she believes the health and well-being of our three homes – Heart, Hearth, and Earth - influences our ability to do so. In 2008, having spent over 20 years working in and with non-profits, Sterling left a successful career in the corporate world, to consult and pursue her passion for sustainable interior design. Sterling’s passion led her to open Southern California’s first exclusively green kitchen and bath showroom, Laguna Green. In 2010, Sterling closed the showroom in order to focus on a different kind of interior design – the transformation of the heart. Pam is a raw food teacher, speaker and coach and believes that raw food is a power tool in the tool kit for creating the life we love to live. “Raw foods give us ridiculous amounts of energy to fuel our passion, crystal clear mental clarity to focus on our purpose, and it opens up the channels to infinite possibilities by removing the physical, emotional, and spiritual blocks that stand in the way.” Pam is one of 50 women profiled in the book Hot, Rich and Green, and believes that going raw and introducing others to raw foods is the single most important thing she has done to green the planet.
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff ~ www.ecostiletto.com
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff is a writer, editor, producer and spokesperson who represents a new vision of eco-friendly living. In 2008 Rachel founded EcoStiletto.com, an online magazine dedicated to eco-friendly fashion, beauty, lifestyle and celebrity, which recorded 1.5 million page views and 500,000 unique visitors in 2009. Her newest project, MommyGreenest.com, will launch in May 2010.
Jennifer Miller ~ www.missionsavvy.com
*Jennifer will be a speaker on the Eco fashion panel
Maryl Celiz, CoFounder / Executive Editor / Host ~ www.hlifemedia.com
Born in Peru and bred in the United States, Maryl is a bilingual/bicultural journalist with a passion for helping others through useful information for everyday living and personal growth. She studied Print Journalism and Mass Communications at Florida International University in Miami, Florida and is a recipient of the California Endowment for Health Journalism Fellowship. She has written, reported, edited and produced for print, broadcast and web media, including The Sun-Sentinel, The Miami Herald, Telemundo and Azteca America. As Features Editor of Hoy, a Los Angeles Times Media Group Spanish language newspaper, she launched the health section of the national publication, has covered major awards like the Oscars, Golden Globes and Grammys, and interviewed influential people in both science and the arts.
Maryl gravitates toward things that express the natural connection between spirituality and science, and she considers herself a student of the Universe. She currently lives in Los Angeles, where she consults for media and public relations, and collaborates with various publications.
Rebecca Mink ~ www.minkshoes.com
Every pair of Mink Shoes has personality of its own and since 2004; they have adorned the feet of the most famous women in the world. Rebecca Mink, a native of southern California, has devoted her entire life to the mission of preserving the planet and the humane treatment of animals. Rebecca was torn between the high-end fashions she loved, and the animals and planet she adored. Noticing the lack of luxurious vegan shoes in the marketplace, she made it her mission to create the choice. Rebecca conceived the ultimate alternative and Mink was born!
Mink is a vegan shoe line that sidesteps leather for eco-friendly, animal-free materials. It has rapidly outpaced all its competitors in the arena of "green" footwear. In 2000, with sketches in hand Rebecca traveled to Italy in search of the perfect artisan who could bring her designs to life. After being shown the door by sixteen factories all refusing to even consider manufacturing such an unprecedented product, she met Marco Gambassi, whose family has been crafting shoes for generations. The creative challenge intrigued him, and working under Rebecca's strict specifications he was able to produce the shoe line she always knew she was meant to create.Three years of development went into the collection, assembling materials from sustainable resources such as wood, rubber, cork and organic fabrics. Rebecca completed the picture by developing a colorful shoebox/reusable bag made from recycled paper and outfitted with handles. Rebecca Mink succeeded in creating the 1st collection of Mink shoes, which premiered in 2004.
Zhena Muzyka, Founder/ Mistress of Tea ~ www.gypsytea.com
Presenting “Zhena's 10 Steps to Green Business Success.”
Zhena Muzyka, triple bottom line business maven, founder of Zhena’s Gypsy tea and story teller extraordinaire, will share her humorous, humble and incredibly inspirational path to success, imparting wisdom sprung from her Gypsy heritage, real life experiences and humble beginnings, a game changing presentation for women in, or interested in, green business. As one of the early pioneers of the organic and Fair Trade movement and the founder of Zhena’s Gypsy Tea, Zhena Muzyka believed that by selling tins of tea she could become a purveyor of hope and a conduit for change. Zhena’s company doesn't just market products; it markets meaning, teas with a commitment to social responsibility, sustainability and the well being of others. Zhena’s Gypsy Tea is a community minded, pro-active company and works directly with small growers and out of the way tea gardens and affects change by providing these workers with healthcare, guaranteed maternity leave, childcare, literacy, better working conditions, and autonomy.
Heather Lounsbury ~ www.breathebalance.com
Heather Lounsbury, L.Ac. has been in private practice for over 15 years as an acupuncturist, herbalist, nutritionist, and Reiki master. At her clinic in Santa Monica she treats a variety of ailments, specializing in pain management, gynecology, mental health and addiction, digestive disorders and has developed protocols for those in the performing arts to maximize their bodies’ health and to minimize illness. Her patients range from newborns to the elderly, celebrities to college students. Because of her expertise, Heather is a frequent invited guest speaker on television and radio shows, at local colleges, and even Whole Foods. Her weekly radio show "Live Natural Live Well" covers a wide variety of health topics, as well as how you can get more involved in your community and saving the planet. She has been published as well as featured in several magazines. As a well-respected physician, Heather’s unique holistic approach to healing encompasses all aspects of her patients’ needs, allowing for the best possible results.Heather Lounsbury, L.Ac. is a leading healthcare advisor and acupuncturist who has worked with many award-winning celebrities over the past decade including Rainn Wilson, Coldplay, Korn, Carmen Electra, Carmit of The Pussy Cat Dolls and Dave Navarro. She was featured as Best of the Best in Elite Traveler's 2006 Black Book.
Rachel Avalon ~ www.RachelAvalon.com
As an expert in holistic nutrition, detoxification, and eco-living, Rachel Avalon shares her insight through private sessions, published articles, lectures, local and national shows, as well as emceeing LOHAS events. Raising further awareness for sustainability, animal welfare, and social justice, Rachel was selected as the 2009 Project Green Search Winner & Activist.
Taryn Hipwell ~ www.ecodivastv.com
Taryn Hipwell - Creator and Designer EcoDivas LLC. Host of EcoDivasTV.com The Who's who and How-to of EcoFilm, Fashion and Food! Taryn went to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for fashion design and recently the UCLA Writers Extension Program for Screen Writing. She’s worked for Anna Sui in NYC and styled hair, makeup and wardrobe for film, fashion shows and celebs in LA. She’s shown collections in Moscow, NYC, Chicago and LA. Taryn will begin teaching EcoFashion classes at FIDM this summer and EcoDivas EcoClosets, Upcycling Labs and EcoMakeOvers to teach teens, women and celebs about EcoFashion and EcoMakeup through humor. On the film side Taryn's worked for writer, producer and EcoActivist David Zucker. She also worked at Warner Bros. and wrote, directed and produced eco-webisodes, in conjunction with Environmental Initiatives and Emerging Professionals, about what Warner Bros. does as a studio to be environmental: LEED, solar, recycling 92% of a grip building.
Ashley Beckman ~ www.goldenpathalchemy.com (Ashley pictured left)
Golden Path Alchemy was founded by Ashley Beckman and Minka Robinson. Both are certified in aromatherapy and flower and gem essence therapy. Ashley holds a degree in International Business and Marketing from the University of Texas, she also studied in Paris at L’ecole Superieure de Commerce and at Bocconi University in Milan. Ashley practices homeopathy in Los Angeles, California, and has attended world-renown Dr. Luc DeSchepper’s Renaissance Institute of Classical Homeopathy for the past four years. She has studied the healing properties of herbs, flower essences, essential oils, light color therapy and whole foods for more than ten years. Ashley combines all these elements to instill holistic lifestyle change. Both Ashley and Minka are furthering their education in herbal studies, Traditional Chinese Medicine, nutrition, qi cultivation and acupuncture as dedicated students at Yo San University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Los Angeles. Each will graduate with a Masters Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture.
Nancy Astrid Lindo ~ www.astriddesignstudio.com
Siel Ju ~ www.greenlagirl.com
Siel Ju is an environmental writer and frequent speaker on green living and social media. She's the founder and author of green LA girl, a contributing editor at BlogHer.com, and a lifestyle blogger for mnn.com.She's been interviewed and recognized as an environmental lifestyle expert on NPR’s Weekend Edition, SELF, GOOD, Sacramento News & Review, SFGate, KoreAm, and many other media outlets. Siel holds a Ph.D. in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Southern California and live in Santa Monica, Calif.
Molly Lavik ~ www.Mentorography.com ~ www.StartupTime.com
• Paul Orfalea, founder, Kinko’s, Inc.
• Dame Anita Roddick, Founder, The Body Shop
• Peter H. Diamandis, M.D., Chairman and CEO, X PRIZE Foundation
The X Prize Foundation awarded the $10 million Ansari X PRIZE to Scaled Composites for their craft SpaceShipOne.
View the first six video installments of the Green Rush MicroDoc at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeyR8-AVUPk
Chandanni Miglino ~ www.wedharma.com
Chandanni Miglino is the Founder and CEO of WeDharma.com. The impetus for this company stemmed from her ten years of cultivating a more mindful and conscious lifestyle for herself, her family and her environment. The drive and creativity for WeDharma is to facilitate the unification and alliance of positive movements, products, business’s and lifestyles with individuals who are driven and sensitive towards humanity and the planet. Chandanni was born and grew up in London, England. She is of Persian decent and moved to America when she was 18 years old. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in Environmental design from the School of Architecture, she moved to Los Angeles where she pursued acting until she fell into the yoga world in the year 2000. Chandanni is a transformational speaker, a certified Kundalini yoga and Pre-Natal yoga teacher and is currently studying the science of Ayurveda. She and her husband created a website called Yogamates.com and have owned various consciously based
Alexandra Fallon
www.tataharper.com
Tata Harper, founder of a new groundbreaking skin care & wellness company. The Tata Harper product collection is 100% natural with 0% synthetics ingredients and is non-toxic without compromising on results. An engineer by training, an entrepreneur by experience and a health advocate by choice, Tata Harper felt compelled to offer women a delicious yet results-oriented solution that is safe and truly 100% natural.Four years in the making that were spent in the lab, custom-developing formulation, Tata began production on her own organic farm in Vermont, “Julius Kingdom”, using only the highest quality natural ingredients, many of which are grown on premises, the rest sourced from organic farms from around the world. Tata created a compelling skincare line that is handmade in Vermont, from beginning to end; they have their own proprietary formulas using only the world’s most potent 100% natural, non-toxic ingredients that they batch fresh monthly.
Alissa Pittenger ~ www.yourdailythread.com
Alissa Pittenger is the Contributing Beauty Editor and Art Director of your daily thread. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, clean and sustainability living are always on her mind. She grew up with her mom on a "hippie diet" and tending to the earth was just a normal part of life. Her family encouraged her artistic gifts at an early age, which took her to a Visual Arts degree from the University of Washington (Seattle). Today she is a Senior Interactive Designer with clients ranging from entertainment movie sites to online green magazines! With a passion for beautiful things in nature and daily life, her once hobby now has a home on YDT. She seeks out the latest in eco-beauty products, not trends, both locally and abroad. Her approach and creative eye brings our readers the freshest in eco-glam and health.
(No picture of Sherry available)
Sherry Simpson Dean - the executive director of the United Nations Pasadena/Foothills and producer - is well known for her deep commitment to human rights and civil liberties. Her latest film, Amandla!: A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony, is a multiple award winner at Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival, having achieved the dual distinction of the Audience Award and the Freedom of Expression Award at the 2002 festival.
Sandra Sanchez ~ www.orglamic.com
Jessica Lass - NRDC: http://www.nrdc.org
*Jessica will be a speaker on the E business panel session
*Jaime will be a speaker on the E business panel session
Jamie Kiffel-Alcheh, Executive Editor of Vital Juice Los Angeles, a daily e-newsletter covering healthy green living in Los Angeles. Jamie will offer insights into what those on the content-production side of social media are looking for. Tweet her @vitaljuicela.
Christy Coleman ~ www.christycoleman.com
Micki Krimmel, NeighborGoods.net (http://NeighborGoods.net/people/mickipedia).
Micki Krimmel is the founder of NeighborGoods.net, a community where you can save and earn money by sharing stuff with your neighbors instead of buying new. Micki is an author, blogger and all star roller derby player with the LA Derby Dolls. Tweet her @Mickipedia.