Sruthi Swaminathan is a Chicago-based neuroscience Ph.D and home chef who currently works as a freelance marketing consultant and food writer. She creates original content for her food blog, Kitchening Around, where she specializes in cooking healthy recipes with unexpected flavor combinations. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with her boys Mowgli and Zain, huffing and puffing her way through pilates at the gym, and solo trips with just a carry-on. She has lived in 9 cities across 5 countries and traveled to 6 continents. Her food and travel writing has appeared in Vamonde, Talking Cranes, and Udantya magazine.
Lisa Ziehrock Is original from Beijing China and now based in Hannover Germany. She is the CEO & Founder of Liziero International Limited Company registered in HK, which focuses on business strategy, digital marketing as well as international trades. Her company’s mission is to provide one-stop solution (from market entry strategy to executions) to bridge the businesses between Asia and Western. Lisa is married and likes scuba diving, golfing, reading and travelling.
Martha Chandran-Dickerson
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.
Martha Chandran-Dickerson, was born in India, raised in Europe and East Africa, and resides in America. As a global citizen and an Indian Christian, she is arguably an anomaly. Invariably,
issues concerning intersectional identity fascinate her. She indefinitely wrestles with the fundamental question, “where are you from?” As a daughter to a Statistician and an Economics Instructor, she eschewed the sciences, and embraced the humanities, initially pursuing journalism, and then eventually evolving into an educator. She is also a freelance writer and editor. When she isn’t consulting with other writers, or putting pen to paper, she is raising her sons. In the future, she hopes to pursue her PhD with a focus on Third Culture Kids. And eventually aspires to write a memoir about her migratory life. You can find more samples of writing at https://marthasnehalatha.home.blog/
Heather Reid is a writer, freelance editor, essayist and avid home cook with a particular passion for baking bread. She has a degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and has worked as a newspaper editor and advertising executive with a specialty in digital marketing. Her work has appeared in various parenting magazines and a collection of her essays can be found at www.heatherreidwrites.com. Most importantly, she’s the proud mother of two precocious and hilarious little boys who keep her ninja skills on point.
Josie Volpentesta is a professional Makeup Artist from Chicago’s upscale North Shore suburbs and has solidified herself as one of the best makeup artists in the entertainment industry. For over a decade she has worked with "A" list celebrities, hit TV shows, and various magazines. Last year Josie launched her own lip gloss under her label, Makeup by Josie. Josie shares some of her favorite products that will help you achieve and maintain a good look.
Tammi Pickle is VP/ Partner of Elite Connections, a family owned matchmaking agency that helps busy professionals make quality introductions for the past 26 years. Tammi personally meets and matches all of her clients and her BA in Psychology allows her to understand, relate and help people throughout the dating process. Tammi is passionate about her family, helping clients, and giving back to her community.
Pamela Powell is a Chicago area film critic and member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. With a master’s degree from Northwestern and a healthcare background, Pamela gravitates toward films that can better our community and world. From teaching radio broadcasting to having her own radio show on an NPR affiliated station, Pamela shares her unique perspectives about films with her audiences. Currently, Pamela writes for The Daily Journal’s Reel Talk, FF2 Media, and www.reelhonestreviews.com