Daphne Ortiz is a freelance publicist covering clients in film, TV, sports, lifestyle, fashion, beauty, healthcare, and non-profits. She began her career at a tech PR firm working at some of the industry’s top celebrity PR firms. Ortiz was a member of the publicity team for New Line Cinema film studio and worked on films such as The Notebook and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King that swept the 2003 Academy Awards. In 2007, she decided to pursue a freelance career enabling her to work alongside former colleagues and various companies. Ortiz commutes between Chicago and Los Angeles and has offices in both cities.
Lauren Brynjelsen is the founder of One Life Kitchen. While going back to school to further her education in the Nutrition and Health Coaching field, Lauren dreamed of what it would be like to combine her knowledge of nutrition with her passion for cooking, fitness and entertaining. Residing in Barrington, IL, her mission is to provide an atmosphere where each guest finds nourishment for the body, mind and soul. One Life Kitchen represents the nourishing of Lauren’s favorite things. It is a place where guests come to gather together to learn, feast and share.
Pamela Powell is a film critic Pamela Powell in Chicago where she has been reviewing big blockbuster films as well as independent gems for the last 10+ years. With a graduate degree from Northwestern she has tailored her writing, observational, and evaluative skills to encompass all aspects of film. With a focus on women in film, Pamela also gravitates toward films that are eye-opening, educational, and entertaining with the hopes of making this world a better place. Pamela has raised her two now-grown children, travels to film festivals around the world and makes time to backpack and travel to reconnect with nature.
Ksenia Kotova is an artist and designer from Rome, Italy and grew up in a family of artists. During her university years, she discovered a passion for drawing female figures and faces. Through years of practicing live nude drawing, the female form and the beauty of the human body became her favorite artistic focus. While living in Milan, the fashion capital of the world, and attending design school, Ksenia developed a deep passion for fashion. Ksenia's career path is dynamic and ever-evolving, with fashion, cinema, and the Italian dolce vita serving as the cornerstones of her inspiration. She works with both traditional and digital media, always eager to experiment with different materials to expand her creative horizons.
Sigrid Garavito is founder of SeraphX Digital Consulting. With over two decades of high-octane, Fortune 500 CPG marketing experience, Sigrid has unlocked the secret to bringing big-brand expertise to local heroes in healthcare, and professional home services without the "Fortune 500" price tag.
Known as a trailblazer in omni-channel and digital marketing, Sigrid’s approach is rooted in data, fueled by passion, and tailored to bring out the best in each client. Her mission? To give every business the power to shine online, drive engagement, and achieve real growth through innovative digital strategies, e-commerce, or social media. A true citizen of the world, Sigrid balances her role as a fearless marketer with her insatiable love for travel, outdoor adventures, and athletic pursuits. At home, she’s dedicated to cheering on her two athletically active boys at fútbol and football games or supporting their latest theater productions.
Zeeba Kruse is a multi-talented student, performer, and writer whose passions span the arts, sciences, and athletics. On stage, she has played leading roles in The Little Mermaid and Alice in Wonderland and most recently performed in an official production of the award-winning musical Hadestown, funded by After School Matters. Off stage, Zeeba is an avid singer, poet and author with multiple novels and short stories to her credit. Zeeba is also a competitive athlete in volleyball and track. In addition, she is a social media influencer whose YouTube channel has garnered over 1.6 million views, connecting with audiences through creative, book-focused content. Her FLM column Unzipped brings creativity, empathy, and a unique Gen Z perspective to explore the issues shaping her generation.
Aliyah Kilzilbash is a tech entrepreneur, CEO, and founder of TaxBack and CityQuantum, with a passion for AI-driven solutions and business strategy. After spending 17 years as a stay-at-home mom, she stepped into the world of business and software learning, adapting, and building from the ground up. Today, she is committed to helping women embrace reinvention, build confidence, and succeed in high-achieving spaces. Her podcast and social media make AI, business, and empowerment approachable and inspires others to take bold steps toward their goals.
Tracey Mayer is an entrepreneur, speaker, creative, writer, mentor, adjunct educator, and consultant whose four-decade career has been rooted in fashion, philanthropy, and women’s leadership. Today, her work centers on helping women return to their sense of self—especially during life’s most challenging chapters. She believes that when women reconnect with their inner clarity, they reignite an emotional power they have always owned. Tracey is passionate about creating spaces where women feel seen, supported, and safe to rediscover who they have always been.
Missy Greenberg is a filmmaker, writer, producer and host of the sex-comedy podcast Slut in Training. She taught herself filmmaking and went on to write and direct three short films — Slut in Training, Slurpee Trail, and The Doula — which have screened at film festivals across the country. Her debut short film, Slut in Training, has garnered nearly 2.4 million views on YouTube and evolved into the podcast Slut in Training: Saving One Bedroom at a Time where Missy explores sex, confidence, and modern relationships with humor and candor. She aims to help women build confidence, make sex talk more accessible and a lot funnier. She is also the founder of Not From Here Media, a production company dedicated to capturing unapologetic, awkward moments through interviews and narrative short-form storytelling. Follow on Instagram at @notfromheremedia, YouTube.com/@notfromheremedia or subscribe to Slut in Training on Apple and Spotify.