The Heart of the Community Engagement & Opportunity Council
CEOC Founder and CEO Scott Turner has always had a heart for helping people, as shown by his long history of serving others. He and his wife Robin created their family foundation in 2021 with the mission to help those living in impoverished communities by providing life-giving, sustainable resources and opportunities.

Immediate effect & long term sustainability
The formation of CEOC came shortly after Scott returned from his role as Executive Director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council (WHORC). Here, he initiated the revitalization process in areas that have been deeply affected by poverty and hopelessness for generations. Under his leadership, private entities invested more than $75 billion in under-resourced communities located in Federally designated Opportunity Zones. The results of his efforts have been life-changing, showing both immediate effects and long-term sustainability for so many people.
Prior to his work in the White House, Scott served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives and most recently, he held the longstanding title of Chief Inspiration Officer for nearly 17 years at Systemware, Inc.

Scott currently operates as Chief Visionary Officer at JPI and CEO of Scott Turner Consulting Group. He is also a Senior Advisor to the EVP of Football Operations at the National Football League (NFL) and serves as an associate pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church.

Additionally, Scott is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and serves on numerous boards including:
America First Policy Institute's Center for Education Opportunity
America Cornerstone Institute
Baylor Scott & White
Dallas Baptist University
The Master Cares Foundation

Christopher Ruddy, is CEO of Newsmax Media, Inc., the parent company of NEWSMAX, America’s fastest-growing cable news channel. He is a noted journalist and entrepreneur, is CEO and president of Newsmax Media Inc., one of the nation's leading news media companies. 
In 1998, Ruddy founded Newsmax, a multimedia publishing company that publishes online and offline content in the fields of news, politics, health and finance. Newsmax.com ranks consistently as one of the country's most trafficked news Web sites.

As a journalist, Ruddy previously worked at the New York Post and the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.

A Newsweek cover story named him as one of America's top 20 most influential news media personalities. He also studied as a Media Fellow at the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford University.

Ruddy sits on the Board of Directors of the Financial Publishers Association, the industry organization representing investment publications that reach 25 million Americans monthly.

He holds a B.A. summa cum laude in history from St. John's University in New York and a master's in Public Policy from the London School of Economics.

Josh Horwitz, JD, works to reduce gun violence by utilizing public health research and health equity analysis to build advocacy campaigns that meet critical opportunities in the policy development process.

After fifteen years designing the interiors of beautiful homes and offices, Alejandra found herself missing something. She took a break from work and focused on her most important client – herself. Her mental and emotional interior needed a reboot. She found that in Feng Shui.

Working with and studying under a Feng Shui master practitioner helped Alejandra unlock a new and wonderful set of principles to combine with years of high-end design success. With these combined experiences, Alejandra delivers beautifully designed spaces that improve the lives of her clients, their employees, and their families.

Alejandra experiences true inner joy when she sees the impact of her service on the lives of her clients. Her mission is to enhance far more than the appearance of their home or office, but to improve their well-being and lifestyle in a way they had not imagined.

Alejandra holds the follow accreditations:
Certification in the BTB style of Feng Shui and Bau-Biology under Karen Rauch Carter and the Academy of Exquisite Living
Professional Member of the International Feng Shui Guild (IFSG)
Certified in Biophilic Design from the Luminous
Spaces Feng Shui School. This is an IFSG Approved Gold School.
Certified Crystal Healer

Born in Austin, Texas, Alejandra was adopted at just five weeks old and raised in a Mexican-American family culture in Laredo. She is fluent in both English and Spanish, graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Notre Dame was where Alejandra met her future husband, Art Brady. She and Art married and gave birth to their son Ryan.

At age 50, Alejandra began her spiritual journey. Coupled with the training she experienced in Feng Shui, her awakening brought her new insight into the mystical world of infinite possibilities and abundance. Her book I Just Can’t Make This Sh!t Up: Overcoming Fear and Accepting My Spiritual Gifts is the result of that journey.

Andrew McGregor has an eclectic background in the not-for-profit and social enterprise worlds drawing from his expertise as a filmmaker, Grammy nominated bagpiper, inventor, writer, chess-boxing champion, entrepreneur, frequent TEDx speaker, mentor, Highlands games athlete, photojournalist, magician, Curator of MindshareLA, and a founder of The Tiziano Project.

He was named one of ‘LA’s 40 Most Interesting People’ by LA Weekly, was part of a team that won the SXSW Interactive Award for Activism, won the ‘Foreigner’ division of an Independence Day Chess Tournament in Kazakhstan, and he has been featured in the Sports Section of the ‘NY Times’.

Alan is a contemporary violinist hailing from Washington, DC., who at the age of 5 announced to his parents that he wanted to learn to play the violin after visiting a music “petting zoo.” After attending the Duke Ellington School of the Arts he continued his education at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, and Valencia, Spain.

Alan toured in Spain and he has traveled to Bolivia where he performed the Bolivian National Anthem with other musicians on the Salarde Uyuni, (world’s largest Salt Flat). He has performed at the White House for former first Lady Michelle Obama and led Patti Labelle’s orchestra as concert- master at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D. C.

Alan has interest in film and has arranged and played strings for a major film. Presently Alan is enjoying performing throughout Los Angeles,California and is recording his first solo album.

Versed in classical, hip-hop, river dance and jazz. Alan brings his background in violin training and skills in music production to create a unique music style whether performing solo or with a group.

Alan is grateful for all of his teachers/mentors. Music is inspiring for Ala and he enjoys bringing happiness to others thru his music, and envisions his future working with big names in the music industry and performing his original compositions internationally.

In his spare time he enjoys hiking, traveling, cooking, holistic living, listening to music and spending time with family and friends.

Jeremy Ferguson is the placemaking director in Santa Monica’s Downtown. He is deeply involved in professional and community activities centered around placemaking, including general, creative, and tactical placemaking projects. Jeremy is also on the Board of Directors for the Santa Monica History Museum and works closely with children’s programs such as the YMCA, PAL, and the Boys and Girls Clubs. As an Ambassador for the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, he actively participates in various initiatives to promote community engagement and development.

Jeremy’s interest in Route 66, especially its terminus in Santa Monica, ties into his professional expertise in civil infrastructure. He is focused on the history and placemaking elements along Route 66 as it approaches its centennial in 2026.

He is committed to equity and supports LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Women’s rights communities. Jeremy’s dedication to sustainability, community building, and high-quality, locally sourced foods aligns with his health choices. He aims to establish his professional brand to spearhead discussions on placemaking and community building while generating revenue to support nonprofits such as Heal the Bay and the Santa Monica History Museum.

Bob Ramirez, DBA, MBA, DACFP | Faculty Chair, Academic Excellence/Professor of Business and Management, Author and Speaker

Dr. Robert Ramirez is an investing and business expert, author, educator, and speaker. He has dedicated his career to helping people achieve financial security. 

Through his books, speeches, and podcast interviews, Dr. Ramirez shares valuable insights on investment options and discusses important topics in today's financial marketplace. 

His commitment to financial education has helped many people take control of their financial futures.

Alan H McGowan, selected as 2019’s Top Science and Technical Expert by the International Association of Top Professionals, also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who’s Who that same year. Now a Lecturer at The New School, he served first as chair of the Science, Technology, and Society Program (now called the Interdisciplinary Science Program) then as chair of the Environmental Studies Program, where he developed several new initiatives, including a newsletter going to four hundred leaders in global environmental studies, and an internal “Friday Letter” going to interested staff and faculty.

After graduating Yale University with an engineering degree, and a two-year stint at American Electric Power, a public utility, Mr. McGowan left to pursue graduate work in physics, then taught science and mathematics at private schools for ten years, winning the Teacher Recognition Award from the American Association of Physics Teachers in 1968. Following that, after serving for five years as Scientific Administrator of the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems, an interdisciplinary environmental research, and training program at Washington University in St. Louis, he became president of the Scientists’ Institute for Public Information (SIPI), which under his leadership became a major bridge between the scientific and journalist communities. Board Chairs of SIPI included such people as Margaret Mead, Lewis Thomas, and David Baltimore. SIPI’s Media Resource Service, its signature program of which Walter Cronkite was the Honorary Chair, fielded up to fifty calls a day from journalists connecting them to expert sources. Another important program was “TV News: The Cutting Edge,” weekend gatherings of local and national television news directors and leading scientists, including Nobel Laureates.

When changing foundation priorities forced SIPI to close, he founded and ran The Gene Media Forum, part of the Newhouse School of Journalism of Syracuse University, which served as a bridge among geneticists, ethicists, and journalists. Highlights of the program included a major conference in South Africa on genetically modified organisms funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, a session on race, genes, and intelligence which aired on ABC News, and a session on genetics and injuries featuring Christopher Reeves.

Mr. McGowan was a member of both the New York State and the New York City Advisory Committees on Energy Policy and was for twenty years the scientist member of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. He has served on many boards and advisory committees, including the Center for the Advancement of Health, the Organization of Tropical Studies, and the Metcalf Institute of the Oceanography School of the University of Rhode Island. He chaired the board of Student Pugwash, USA, an offshoot of the Pugwash Conference on Science and Public Affairs; the organization focuses on ethical issues in science and technology. He currently serves on the board and executive committee of the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, where he chairs the Legal and Governance Committee. He is also one of six Executive Editors of Environment magazine, now published by Taylor and Francis.

He is the author of over one hundred articles focusing on the interconnections among science, society, and technology, both in peer-reviewed journals and the popular press. They have appeared in Jewish Currents, Christian Science Monitor, PTA Magazine, Think magazine, World Book Encyclopedia, and many others. He has presented his research on Franz Boas, ethical issues in science and innovative course in science at scientific and education conferences around the world, and in seminars at Columbia and Princeton Universities as well as at The New School. In addition, he has written over one hundred editorials for Environment magazine over a forty-year period, including one in 1978 warning of the perils of global climate change.

My guest, Freddy Silva is a bestselling author, and leading researcher of ancient civilizations, restricted history, sacred sites and their interaction with consciousness. He has published nine books in six languages and produced fifteen documentaries. Freddy’s most recent book is Portals: Energetic Doorways to Mystical Experiences Between Worlds. Described by one CEO as "perhaps the best metaphysical speaker in the world right now,” he leads sell-out tours to sacred sites worldwide, and for two decades he has been an international keynote speaker, in addition to appearances on Gaia TV, History Channel, BBC, and countless radio shows. 

Freddy Silva

Freddy Silva is a bestselling author, and leading researcher of ancient civilizations, restricted history, sacred sites and their interaction with consciousness. He has published nine books in six languages and produced fifteen documentaries. Freddy’s most recent book is Portals: Energetic Doorways to Mystical Experiences Between Worlds.

Described by one CEO as "perhaps the best metaphysical speaker in the world right now,” he leads sell-out tours to sacred sites worldwide, and for two decades he has been an international keynote speaker, in addition to appearances on Gaia TV, History Channel, BBC, and countless radio shows. Website invisibletemple.com

Freddy Silva does a brilliant job of taking us into the mysterious world of portals and breaking down how these powerful energy centers interact with our bodies and consciousness, enhancing our awareness and connection to Self and the infinite.

- Regina Meredith, award-winning documentarian and host of Gaia.com's Open Minds
 

Brimming with personal experiences, Portals is a fascinating exploration of these enigmatic doorways. Traversing the globe, scouring folklore and historical record alike, Freddy leaves no rock unturned in his search for answers. A highly readable guide from one of our most gifted and eloquent researchers!

- Stephen Gawtry, Managing Editor, Watkins Mind Body Spirit Magazine

lCuneyt Dil is a co-author of the daily Axios DC local newsletter. Dil reports a weekly column on local politics and power called Town Talker. Previously, Cuneyt was covering California and West Virginia state government for The Associated Press. He has also reported on DC politics and government for the Washington City Paper, TheDCLine.org, The Current Newspapers, DCist.com and Capital Community News. In 2015, Dil founded District Links, the local DC politics newsletter.
 

In 2018, I lost my husband to suicide. It shattered our family, sending us into a spiral of desperation and grief.

In the wake of this tragedy, I uncovered a shocking truth: Every year, over 30,000 American children lose a parent to suicide, and tragically, they are 3x more likely to die by suicide themselves.

That’s why I founded Project Unbroken, I saw a huge need for support of the surviving family. We’re a nonprofit dedicated to supporting survivors of suicide loss with vital resources – financial, emotional, and spiritual.

Picture a mother, determined to help her children heal, but financially, they are trapped in the home where their father took his life. Or a promising young man setting aside his dreams of college to support his grieving family. These stories fuel our mission.

But thanks to our donors, we have hope. Project Unbroken provides grants for things like counseling, education and keeping kids in their activities.

As my family and I journey towards our own light, I ask you to join us. Together, we cannot change the past, but we can shape a brighter future.

My guest, Angell Deer is the founder of The Sanctuary, a revered Shamanic Healing Center nestled in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, New York. He is the author of the book, "The Sacred Web: The Magical Craft of Your Sacred Shamanic Space." Angell creates a haven for individuals seeking connection with nature and ancient wisdom teachings. Additionally, he serves as the Founder and Executive Director of The New York Bee Sanctuary. Through his advocacy, research, and education initiatives, he has championed the cause of bee conservation on local and global scales. Angell's career, however, began in the corporate world - with over two decades of experience in leadership roles within the luxury retail and sustainability industries. Angell reached the pinnacle of corporate success which was accompanied by a profound realization that the life he had built was lacking meaning. He embarked on a deeper exploration of spirituality and holistic wellness. Drawn to the ancient wisdom of Andean Cosmology and Norse Shamanism, Angell immersed himself and embraced his purpose as a shaman, mystic, and healer.

His unique journey has led him to become a sought-after international speaker, sharing his insights on spirituality, wellness, and environmental stewardship. Additionally, his leading program, "The Sacred Purpose Blueprint," helps women step into their power & purpose and escape the achievement trap. Angell has spoken in front of global audiences at the French Embassy in New York, at Harvard Business School, and at Parson School of Design in NYC.

Since the release of his Human LP, Folk-Pop artist Joseph Eid has been garnering
considerable buzz. He has been featured in American Songwriter Magazine’s “Best New
Music” column and was named as one of the 100 Hottest Live Unsigned Artists by Music
Connection Magazine.

His song, It’s Only Love, was featured in a Universal Pictures film starring Sharon Stone called “All I Wish.” His EP, Watch It Fall, was released in Spring 2017. No Depression music journal called it “mesmerizing and empowering.” His single Listening to Madonna was spun in department stores nationwide. It also earned a semi-finalist spot in the annual International Songwriting Competition.

His latest album, “Back to the Living,” enjoyed airplay by college radio stations across the country. Thank You (a song from his latest album) is featured in the critically acclaimed independent film The Outwaters.

Joseph’s childhood and exposure to different cultures has shaped and colored his writing,
perspective, and voice as an American artist. He was born in West Africa to Lebanese parents. At the young age of 11, Joseph’s family immigrated to the US where they made the suburbs of New York City their new home. The arts at home were only supported as a hobby and highly discouraged as a career. While he wished for a life in music, young Joseph’s artistic endeavors were limited to high school musicals and plays.

During his college years, Eid studied psychology and pre-med. After his first semester at medical
school, his dream got too big to hold and Eid made the bold choice of dropping out to move to New York City to pursue music. While back in New York, Joseph Eid picked up a guitar, joined a band, and the songs poured out like rain. His journey then led him to Los Angeles where he started playing regularly at music showcases and hosted several of his own weekly music nights. During those first years in Los Angeles, he wrote dozens of new songs and recorded his first full-length LP, Human.

Known as a dynamic solo performer, Joseph Eid has brought his one-man live show to many of Los Angeles’ premiere music venues. He also plays regularly at private homes, restaurants, hotels, wineries, and clubs all over Southern California. His greatest passion is split equally between songwriting and playing live. There isn’t a day that goes by where he isn’t grateful for the moment he decided to answer his calling. To be able to follow one’s heart is one of life’s greatest gifts.

Thoryn is a prominent business and web analytics professional with expertise in complex data problem-solving, data architecture, consumer insights, testing/personalization/recommendations, and systems development. With fifteen years of management experience, he is responsible for growth and strategic development within companies such as Amgen, Unilever, American Apparel, and Fox Networks (Fox Broadcasting, FX Networks, and Fox Sports). His documented skill in analyzing user behavior data produces actionable results across a wide variety of platforms and applications.

Thoryn has a degree in molecular and cell biology, with multiple scientific publications. His work has led efforts in cardiovascular and infectious disease drug development programs.

When he isn’t synthesizing information, Thoryn enjoys backcountry snowboarding, composing music, and competing as an Ironman distance triathlete.

I’m a Florida boy. Didn’t see snow till I was a junior in college at Michigan State University. I graduated in 1957 (Dick Nixon gave the commencement address) and came to New York and Allied Stores hired me as an executive sales Promotion trainee—for $3400 a year—I took home $200 a month after taxes.

Yes, I remember those days. They didn’t hurt. A few years later, married by then, we had our first child—in Syracuse. I was up to $6,000 a year as a copywriter. When my second daughter came along 19 months later, I was working in NYC for a small ad agency for $9,000 a year. Overnight (it seems) I was a creative copy supervisor in a giant agency, and we were richer than Croesus—I was earning $30,000 a year. We lived in Larchmont, NY, as pretty and nice a town as you can find for raising children. Then one day, because I always knew there were other trees to climb, I accepted a big job as Creative Director of the largest advertising office in South America—J. Walter Thompson’s Buenos Aires, Argentina office. They moved the four of us plus all our furnishings of a nine room house.

It was exciting. The girls were 11 and 9, and we were there for some politically circus-worthy years—Peron, who had raped Argentina in earlier years with his killer wife, Evita at his side, returned to Argentina, and the Argentines did the impossible—re-elected Juan Peron as President, and he named his new wife, Isabellita, as Vice-President. Then Juan died, and She, yes, that one, became La Presidente! What else happened those years? Oh yes, Nixon resigned, whenever I was in NYC on business all people could talk about was Watergate, but all that mattered to me were The Peronistas in Argentina; the Junta in Chile; and the Tupamaros in Uruguay. I learned back then you can’t live on two continents. And besides, I had Ford, Pan Am, Kodak and Lever Brothers, depending on my creative leadership, plus a staff of 40 Creativos. My secretary was a young Communist. He didn't speak one word of English. Working overseas puts a lot of demands on you.
 

In 2013, by divine intervention, I ended up at a Master Hypnotist Society, Hypnosis Boot Camp.  I knew no one and to this day I really don’t know how I ended up there. But, it was meant to be and I have been with the Master Hypnotist Society and under Scott McFall’s mentorship ever since.  2015 is when The Canadian Hypnosis Academy, a division of the Master Hypnotist Society Canada was created.