Dr. Erika Montgomery is a Clinical Psychologist, Master Mindset Coach and Author. She is owner of GM Psychological Services, a private practice that has provided mental health services for the past 28 years. She provides telehealth, hypnotherapy, master mindset coaching, corporate training and guest speaking. Dr. Montgomery serves as a medical consultant for Social Security Disability and is a strong advocate for the daily use of CBD to support mental and physical health. Her motto is: Mental Health Is Human Health. www.healthyminds.expert
Lora LaPratt is the CEO and head stylist of Shopping Girl XOXO, a personal styling brand for clients nation-wide. She prides her business on helping clients to not only look but most importantly FEEL amazing in their own unique style. Lora specializes in working with local Chicago designers and boutiques across the city. She has been featured as a style expert on multiple TV segments and publications and was chosen as one of the Top Woman Owned Businesses in 2016. To learn more about Shopping Girl XOXO and Lora's styling packages visit www.shoppinggirlxoxo.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Heather Reid is the CMO for boutique legal operations consultancy UpLevel Ops, where she is a marketing/communications strategist and content creator. She began her career as a newspaper editor and designer but quickly moved on to the (then) new Internet frontier, where she held nearly every online role, from technology to creative execution. Heather found her passion for digital branding and social media as an agency account executive. She has a BS in Journalism from Medill at Northwestern University and is also an essayist and freelance writer whose work has appeared in various magazines and culinary sites and at heatherreidwrites.com. She is a Cubs fan and runs a micro-bakery (eatlikeamother.com) on the north side of Chicago, where she lives with her husband and two sons.
Skylar Zerman is a Chicago native with a passion for uncovering new restaurants, bars, cafés, and unexpected corners of the world. With a love for food, travel, and trying new things, she’s passionate about finding experiences that celebrate community, culture, family, and connection, helping readers discover meaningful ways to engage with the world.. Skylar is currently pursuing her Master’s in Forensic Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. This fall, she will begin her internship in the field, as she continues building her career in psychology. Skylar brings her curiosity about people and places into both her professional work and her writing, whether she’s exploring the world or reflecting on ways to find beauty in everyday life.
Shay Moinuddin, MHA, CANS, RN has 20 years of clinical experience in the Aesthetic industry and has worked with renowned Plastic Surgeon Dr. Julius Few since 2008. She is a highly experienced and trained nurse injector, laser specialist, and skincare clinician, with an established base of loyal patients in Chicago and Los Angeles. Shay is a frequent media contributor for local television and national print media. Her aesthetic credentials include the elite Physician Extender and Aesthetic Nurse Specialist certifications. Shay is a huge animal lover and serves on the development board for PAWS Chicago.
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.
Raised in the picturesque state of Rhode Island, Brianne Claeys now resides in Lake Forest, Illinois. An alumna of the University of Denver, she holds a degree in English and Communications. She recently embarked on an exciting new chapter as a fashion stylist. She brings a fresh perspective, blending classic elegance with contemporary trends, which resonates well with her clients. Her work involves creating personalized wardrobes that reflect each client's unique personality and lifestyle. Balancing her professional and personal life, she is a dedicated mother to three incredible children. She continues to cherish her East Coast roots, often reminiscing about the simplicity of island living and the cherished traditions of her upbringing.