MEG NOCERO

Sometimes, difficulties and loss can reshape who we are and nudge us into growing. Just like a caterpillar sheds its skin and spins itself a silky chrysalis, what results is a breathtakingly beautiful creature we could never imagine, the butterfly. Meg Nocero’s story is not so different as she depicts her extraordinary transformation in Butterfly Awakens.

As a forty-something Italian-American immigration attorney, Meg moves through unimaginable grief and sadness watching her beloved mother lose her battle to breast cancer. Questioning her life choices and opening herself up to her soul’s calling, Nocero brings readers along on her journey through a dark night of the soul. We experience with her the grieving process, a toxic work environment, and intense stress that results in depression and anxiety, along with a somatic nervous disorder called tinnitus. Meg never gives up and– instead– looks for the help she needs to start to heal and find her light. In the end, like the metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly, her story is a beautiful love letter honoring her mother’s legacy while detailing the awakening of her own.

Among the many stories about breast cancer and grief, none are quite like this one. After resigning from her career as a federal prosecutor due to a toxic administration, she searches for the lighthouse she saw in a vision when her mother died. Embarking on an inspiring spiritual pilgrimage on El Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain to get to the lighthouse at Cap Finisterre, she sets out to wake up and live again. The butterfly connection and stark honesty of her writing offers readers important lessons learned from moving through grief so that each person can shine their light again.

MEG NOCERO is a former Department of Homeland Security attorney. After 19 years of federal government service, she resigned to pursue her dream as a writer, inspirational speaker, a success coach, and attorney for justice.

Nocero is an avid learner who holds a BA in Spanish, with a concentration in Italian from Boston College; an MA in international affairs from the University of Miami; and a JD from St. Thomas University School of Law. She is a member of the Florida Bar, serves on the Wellness Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and holds certifications as a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center instructor, as a Professional Coach from the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, and as an Associate Certified Coach from the International Coaching Federation. She has a Certificate in Happiness Studies through Harvard Professor Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar’s Happiness Studies Academy and a Certificate for the Science of Well-Being from Yale University.

In addition to being named Miz CEO Entrepreneur of the Year in 2019, she appeared on CNN Español with Ismael Cala and hosts her own YouTube channel and a podcast called “Manifesting with Meg: Conversations with Extraordinary People.”

James A. Miller, Jr., PhD is a public education advocate, activist, independent scholar, African American Historian and writer. For most of his life, he has been involved in and with public education, either as a student, university professor, researcher, substitute teacher and full-time classroom teacher K-12.       

Dr. Miller has held Professorships in Sociology/African-American Studies at Wayne State University, the University of Detroit, California State University at Northridge and Los Angeles, and the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), and has been a Senior Researcher/Associate at the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Washington, DC – the social and cultural foundation of education.

Information from Trimpa Group website: http://www.trimpagroup.com/

Ted Trimpa is the Principal and CEO of Trimpa Group LLC, a national political consulting and government relations firm that specializes in progressive public policy advocacy and political strategy.  With offices in Washington D.C. and Denver, Trimpa Group develops cutting-edge public policy strategies at the state and federal levels.  Trimpa also serves as a board member for numerous organizations, including the Democracy Alliance, ProgressNow, Third Way, Citizen Engagement Laboratory, and Tectonic Theater Project.

Trimpa is one of the country’s most sought-after advocates resulting from his deep understanding of the national and multi-state public policy, political, and nonprofit landscape.  Called “Colorado’s answer to Karl Rove” by The Atlantic, Trimpa is a nationally recognized Democratic strategist and operative.  He is considered a key architect of the political infrastructure that facilitated the Democratic Party’s resurgence in Colorado after decades of Republican dominance—a turnaround so dramatic National Review dubbed it the “Colorado miracle.” Campaigns & Elections recently named him one of the top five Democratic political players in the state. 

Read more on Ted Trimpa: http://www.trimpagroup.com/ted-trimpa/

Adam Weil, CEO of Global Schoolwear, was a former senior director in charge of the school uniforms unit at Lands’ End. “The interesting thing about this business model is that if there are 100 kids in a school, and we go 99 out of 100 in outfitting them, we still don’t win if just one kid is out of uniform. That’s one of our biggest challenges—to have enough of the right inventory available in real time for customers to order.”

But it’s a challenge that Global Schoolwear has learned to control with a customized digital commerce platform, Weil and Kohls say. Earlier this year, they put together a new technology framework designed to match thousands of buyers from hundreds of schools with the just the right mix of Tommy Hilfiger garments according to the style, color and school logos each educational institution requires its students to wear.

Global Schoolwear, which has an exclusive license from designer apparel brand Tommy Hilfiger to produce and sell school uniforms, has contracts with more than 450 schools to provide uniforms according to the specifications set by Tommy Hilfiger and by each school. Global Schoolwear takes Tommy Hilfiger’s garment specifications, then works with textile mills to produce the right garment materials in cotton and other fabrics, and works with apparel manufacturers to produce the garments.

It stocks enough goods in its warehouse-fulfillment center—about 1 million pieces at any one time during peak periods, with about 9,000 SKUs—to meet the expected overall back-to-school demand. As customers place orders on each school’s customized electronic product catalog that runs on Global Schoolwear’s ecommerce platform, each order is coded to indicate the garment type, style and color, plus the logo specifications.

GREGORY SILVA

Gregory Silva was born and raised on a farm in Northern California. After graduating from Sonoma State University, he was employed in the media industry and various international marketing firms. This career path took him all over the world, and at one point he was even living and working in France.

However, in 2012, Gregory’s best friend overdosed and passed away. Looking for answers to the addiction plague, Gregory ended up changing careers in order to help people recover from addiction and live fuller lives. He is now dedicated to educating people suffering from addiction, as well as their loved ones and employers, about the pathways to recovery.

As the Director of Operations for three drug and alcohol treatment centers in Southern California; Living Longer Recovery, Gravity Treatment Centers, and New Spirit Treatment Center, he enjoys the challenges that come with the position and the opportunity to help change the direction of the clients he encounters.

In his spare time, you will find him volunteering and rescuing abandoned pets.

JORDAN RAYE

Jordan Raye is a pop singer- songwriter from Israel based in Los Angeles. Her passion for music and writing has always been her driving force through life. Jordan has performed in different festivals and venues around the world, she was an opening act for the Chainsmokers, Jason Derulo, Miami Heat game and a Disney summer production.

She is currently working with different DJs, producers and writers as a vocalist and songwriter for different upcoming projects and releases.

Dr. Dan O’Brien, MD/MBA, PhD is a physician, public health expert and business-savvy consultant. He is a trusted advisor to both established and emerging companies. His unique perspectives and solutions are based on his training as a doctor, businessperson and public health expert. Business leaders look to Dr. Dan as a “next generation” health and business expert and make critical decisions based on his insights and perspectives.

Organizations face complex issues as they navigate both the healthcare system and business challenges. Dr. Dan brings cutting edge experience in research, academic teaching, scientific writing, new product launch, medical presentations and clinical work. What makes Dr. Dan different is his ability to evaluate critical issues and devise solutions using both a medical and business mindset. Executives are able to leverage his multi-dimensional expertise to make the right choices, solve problems quickly and deliver the best outcomes.

Dr. Dan guides organizations in developing core business strategies, market access, creating roadmaps to raise capital and navigate FDA approval processes, and conducting scientific research. Leveraging new technologies — including AI, genetic engineering and virtual monitoring — gets particular focus. With Dr. Dan’s guidance, business leaders increase speed to market, avoid unnecessary and costly delays and establish marketplace advantage.

A skilled national media commentator, Dr. Dan’s relaxed communication style reflects his no-nonsense, straight-talking Midwestern upbringing.