CONTRIBUTORS
MARLENE RATLEDGE BUCHANAN
lives enthusiastically as a woman , wife , mother , teacher , and writer . She is quick to say that she planned to marry someone old and rich but only got old . However , Marlene knew on her first date with Snell , her husband , that he was the one for her to the point she proposed . After his refusal , she considered getting him pregnant . They are parents to a beautiful olive skin son . James suffered a lack of oxygen during delivery , resulting in him having special needs . She refers to James ' condition as a special gift . After thirtyfour years of being in public education , Marlene retired in 2007 . In the classroom , she earned the name " Ms . Rat ," which garnered her a collection of rat figurines and collectibles over the years from her students . As a Southern Humorist , Marlene has entertained readers with her observations about life through her column , Hey Y ' all , published in the Gwinnett Citizen in Georgia since 2015 . She returns with a fun inspiring self-reflection story of “ What ’ s Your Happy ?” in her unique commentary column , “ Anything Goes with Mama Marlene .”
DR . RANDI D . WARD
is our editor-in-chief extraordinaire ! At 73 years young , she has been a “ mother ” to hundreds of children during her 37 years as a Georgia Language Arts educator . Her teaching journey has taken her to Cairo , Egypt , where she started several language schools teaching ESOL . Randi is also an African animal advocate and environmentalist . She is an honorary president of World Peace Forest ( Africa ) and USA Regional Director for Africa Nomads Conservation . Her passion for life and humanity has earned her many awards and honors . Randi has recently received the IAOTP Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into their Hall of Fame . Her life ’ s philosophy is “ Believe ! Don ’ t dream big ; dream bigger ! The sky is the limit , so reach for the stars !” Randi has traveled to 60 countries on four continents . From one of her destinations came her memoir that encapsulated her view of what life is all about , Because I Believed In Me - My Egyptian Fantasy Came True . Today , Randi is a master editor and visionary book consultant . By the way , as a mother and forever teacher , she is making sure I am “ crossing my t ’ s and dotting my I ’ d ”… Ha , Ha , Ha !
RHEA WONG is a Leadership Coach , Fundraising Executive Coach , and Marketing Branding for fundraising expert . She helps Executive Directors and development staff build out individual major gift programs to raise more money . Rhea brings 15 + years of fundraising experience to help them tweak their message , clarify their ideal donor , engage their board , and streamline their processes . Though she has deep experience with institutional , corporate , and event fundraising , Rhea is passionate about major individual donors and helping organizations to establish individual giving programs . She has raised millions of dollars in private philanthropy and is excited about building the next generation of fundraising leaders . Rhea has become a leader in the New York nonprofit community and is a frequent educational commentator in the media . She was recognized with the SmartCEO Brava Award in 2015 and NY Nonprofit Media ’ s 40 under 40 in 2017 . Rhea lives in Brooklyn with her husband and the World ' s Most Spoiled Dog , Stevie Wonderdog . When she is not raising money for causes she loves , you will
find her hosting her podcast Nonprofit Lowdown or onstage as a newbie stand-up comedian in downtown Brooklyn . Rhea ’ s life journey and remarkable experience shared in “ Finding My Passion In Helping Others ” is an inspiring and empowering story perfect for our Hot Off The Stove section !
InspirationsForBetterLiving . com | 7