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.
Hope Gainer, a native Chicagoan now based in Miami, is President of Hope International Marketing & Hope International Properties. She is a global imagemaker, marketer and branding expert with over 30 years of lifestyle experience with a focus today on the luxury market. She produces unique, upscale events around the world. Gainer is a contributor to several luxury magazines. She also represents spectacular luxury and ‘trophy’ real estate properties in Miami to Palm Beach and globally. Traveling to unique destinations and experiencing new adventures around the world is her favorite pastime.
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.
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.