Empower & Thrive - Speakers

Dr. Artika Tyner is committed to creating a world of inclusive leaders who will meet the pressing needs of today and work towards a better future where racial justice and economic justice reign supreme.  As a motivational speaker, author and educator, Dr. Tyner helps people of all ages connect with their gifts and develop tangible tools for bringing forth sustainable, durable change in the family, workplace, community or school.  By building and leveraging the tools in The Inclusive Leader she has inspired thousands of people to lead with their own gifts and plant a seed of social change.

Dr. Tyner’s work is grounded in extensive experience as a law and leadership professor, lawyer, social change agent, researcher and nonprofit founder and leader.  She is well-known as a thought leader, author and designer of high-profile programs to drive organizational DEI initiatives and create inclusive leaders.  Her impact spans Fortune 500 companies, start up tech companies, healthcare providers, government services and agencies, higher education institutions and grassroots organizations.  

Dr. Tyner is deftly able to ask the big questions, strategically innovate real solutions and then lead the way. She intentionally invests her time and energy in inspiring change and welcomes opportunities to present, collaborate and innovate with key stakeholders seeking to impact social change and do what no one has done before.

Stephanie Esser, MAEd, is a certifi ed breathing coach, former educator, and founder of Balancing Elephants®, a company dedicated to helping children and adults use the power of breath to manage stress, enhance focus, and build resilience. Known for her engaging, science-backed approach, Stephanie teaches leaders how to regulate their nervous systems so they can communicate with confi dence, clarity, and calm. Her signature workshops blend physiology, psychology, and practical tools that empower participants to transform tension into presence—and speak with genuine authority from the inside out.

Karen Cerezo is a nationally board-certified health coach, menopause expert, and certified personal trainer with over a decade of experience helping women feel strong, seen, and supported through perimenopause and beyond. With advanced certifications in sports nutrition, senior fitness, and behavior change, she blends science-backed strategies with real-life solutions to guide women through one of the most misunderstood (and wildly underestimated) stages of life.

She is the go-to mentor for midlife women ready to feel empowered—not dismissed—when it comes to their health.

Her signature style? Real talk, relatable stories, and practical tools that help audiences take action right away.

Whether she’s speaking on a wellness panel, at a corporate event, or leading a community workshop, she makes menopause less intimidating and a lot more doable.

Her goal: help women ask better questions, demand better answers, and stop waiting for permission to feel good again.

Tina VanSteenbergen is a passionate and purpose-driven professional speaker dedicated to empowering women in all aspects of their lives. She believes deeply in the power of women supporting women and understands that strong communities built on empathy, kindness, and empowerment are essential for success—whether in the workplace or at home. Through her authentic speaking style, Tina creates spaces where women feel safe to open up, engage in honest conversations, and build meaningful connections.

With a blend of storytelling, humor, and real-world insights, Tina has inspired hundreds of thousands of women across North America to believe in themselves, break down barriers, and confidently take up space in every arena they enter. Her work is not just a profession; it’s what sets her soul on fire. 

Beyond the stage, Tina enjoys the simple joys of life—whether it’s a good nap, a perfect pour of bourbon, or the comfort of a warm and cheesy mac n’ cheese. She’s also a lover of snowy days, the New York City skyline, a West Wing rerun, and of course, her family.