Teri Werner is a visionary strategist and coach, keynote speaker, and author dedicated to supporting you in achieving wholeness and transformation. Her book ‘Train Wreck to Triumph’ and Journal compilation, Teri inspires and supports you to increase your willingness to expand your capacity to explore and live the life of triumph you envision.  

As a visionary strategist, Teri powerfully connects you to your vision and guides you with proven personal and business success strategies—whether navigating life-shattering moments or seeking more fulfillment. Her clients’ stories of personal healing and breakthrough growth in business inspire others to embrace her transformative insights.

Teri brings decades of visionary strategies to the forefront; she integrated as a part of the foundation of the entity she and her father cofounded and became publicly traded on NASDAQ. Her vision is fulfilled as she sees you impacting your world and fully living Your Destiny.

I am the Co-Founder and CEO of The Demand Project. My passion for combating child trafficking and child sexual exploitation led to starting TDP in 2013. This mission is challenging, but working with an incredible team and making a real impact is why I love what we do. My role varies daily: from presenting to students, parents, and the community about online safety, forging powerful partnerships, or taking crisis calls, my goal is to prevent exploitation, advocate for victims, and help survivors find their Journey to Freedom.

My guest, Marilyn Harper, is often called the “Divine Link” — a clear and engaging channel for Adironnda, the Council of Light, as well as an internationally recognized spiritual teacher, speaker, and energy healer. Following a profound spiritual awakening in 1993, Marilyn has dedicated her life to helping others awaken their own intuitive gifts, heal at the deepest levels, and step fully into their soul’s purpose. Known for blending cosmic wisdom with down-to-earth humor, she makes spiritual connection feel not only possible — but joyful.  

Sheila Thelen has been a coach at the Figure Skating Club of Bloomington in Minnesota for the past 32 years. However, teaching skating is just part of her busy life dedicated to improving skaters’ training.

Thelen created several products skaters use on and off ice to help their skating techniques. She also hosts numerous seminars and is part of an online coaching staff.

“I’m thrilled to have met Trevor Laak, the founder of iCoachSkating.com, before he founded it,” Thelen said.

After meeting at Grassroots to Champions seminars, Thelen joined his company as a consultant and helps with their online marketing.

“iCoachSkating is truly a revolution in how coaches all over can improve their knowledge and improve their skaters,” Thelen said. “Every problem a coach has ever had, Trevor has a video to fix that problem. It’s fun to see skaters and coaches learning new techniques and skills on iCoachSkating, and it’s fantastic that skaters and coaches can join the website.”

iCoach, however, is just the beginning. She’s also a very successful entrepreneur, creating several products skaters use to improve various elements.

“My first big product I created was the ‘Jump Ease Skating Harness,’” Thelen said. “I learned a lot about business and how to make a company fun.”

Her second product, Champion Cords, taught her to embrace something new at the time: a business website.

“I really learned how to create a website, and to work with patents (USA Patent:  7,214,171), skate shops, seminars, packaging, staff and manufacturing,” Thelen said. “Champion Cords are fantastic for teaching a skater to feel alignment position, muscle memory awareness and technique.”

Thelen since added the Champion Skating Harness and Champion Electric Spinner.

“Both of these products help the skater learn vestibular balance and air position,” Thelen said. “Truly how you train modern day rotation. It’s actually fun to see people installing this gear in their homes. They are also great for seminars. We haul in a harness, install it and train coaches how to use it.”

Her Champion Developmental Seminars keep this busy coach traveling to clubs with many top coaches.

“Each seminar can be custom designed to feature a guest coach,” Thelen said. “We bring in tons of gear and help the coaches develop skaters at all levels. We are absolutely honored to have an amazing staff of coaches to help.”

Thelen even created a fun jewelry piece with her Champion Achievement Charm bracelet. The charms include all the jumps and spins, a perfect and fun way for skaters to keep track of their progression.

“As your skater progresses through the sport, add a charm to the bracelet,” Thelen said.

Thelen will host a booth featuring all her products at the upcoming May PSA and CFSA conferences in Chicago and Moncton NB, Canada. A two day seminar with World Coach Ravi Walia is scheduled for June at the Bloomington FSC.

Her skating harness and electric spinner also recently became part of physical therapy research and development work with autistic children, something Thelen is extremely proud of.

“This work is so important to me,” Thelen said. “Improving children’s, skaters and families’ lives.”

Education:     Bachelor of Arts, Hamline University, St. Paul, Minnesota.  (1991 Graduate)    Double Major:  Communications/Marketing and Anthropology *Research Emphasis:  Public Speaking/Osteology (Human Bone Research).  *Senior Residential Advisor.  *Twin Cities Business Women’s Scholarship Recipient.  *Speaker at Hamline 1990 & 1991 Leadership Conference. *Academic Policies Committee and Sub-Committee. * Self PAID 100% of Education. * Dean’s List.

Experience:    Owner/Designer/President of Vestibular Training Services LLC (2019-Present) *Applying Figure Skating Harness training – to helping physical therapists in the fields of:  Autism & Post Concussion/TBI.  Patent Pending.  We are going to change the world.

Owner/Designer/President of Champion Cords/Seminars/Harnesses/Spinners (2012-Present) *Providing seminar for coaches worldwide alongside World & Olympic Coaches.  Specializing in figure skating technology, harnesses & developing all levels of figure skaters.  *Creating leadership in coaching and mentoring.  Number one in figure skating harnesses & coaches training.  *Known worldwide for coaching excellence.  Research and development for multiple skating training tools

Grassroots To Champion Seminars (2008-2016) Executive Director. *Coordinate 19 National/World/Olympic Coaches in 30+ National and Internationals seminars per year.   Coordinate all:  schedules, travel, hotel, ground, product, pre and post seminar.   *Marketing.  *Negotiate contracts with 10 Corporate Sponsors & National Organizations.  *Manage week long International Seminar Dorms/Food/40+Coaches/100+ skaters from around the world. *Dartfish Specialist  *Recruited by World & Olympic Coach – Audrey Weisiger.  *Number 1 in Figure Skating Seminars in North America.   *Sales increased 348%, since position was created.  Agent/Representative for 8 Olympic/World Coaches.  Created a 501c3 for Young Artists Showcase.

Sheila Thelen, Inc., (2003-Present)   Owner-President.  *Inventor and design engineer of athletic training aids *National & International Guest Speaker.  *Product Design. *Contract Negotiations.   *Patent Writing.   *Patent Number:  7,214,171.  *Created all product marketing and information.  *Product is used by World & Olympic Skaters and Coaches.  *Endorsed by the Professional Skaters Association International.  *Presenter at Fall Regional & International Seminars.  *Presenter ON ICE: at PSA International Conference, Canada Figure Skating National Conference, ISI International Conference, England/UK NISA Conference, Iceland FSA.   *Endorsed by National/World/Olympic Skaters and Coaches.  *Monthly article in PSA Magazine.   *Featured Specialist on:   iCoachSkating.com  *Named TOP FIVE Coaches by iCoachSkating.

Professional Figure Skating Coach.   City Facilities, MN (1987-Present) Self Employed.  *Teaching beginners through senior competition levels.  *Head Professional.   *Senior Synchronized Skating Line.   *Consultant – Israeli Figure Skating Association.  *Teaching ages: 2-30.  *Master Rated Coach by the Professional Skaters Association International. *Strong USFSA/ISI Coaching Experience.  *Specialty in Dartfish Computer Software (for computer jump analysis).  Consultant to coaches & skating schools.

                        St. Croix Valley Recreation Center.  Stillwater, MN (1998-2008) Skating Director.   *Manage and oversee MAJOR Skating School & Entire Figure Skating Program. *Manage all private lessons.   *Supervise all self employed skating coaches.   *Hosted ISI & PSA Fall Regional Seminars.   *Payroll.   *Database.  *Assign Skaters to Coaches. *Director of Winter Exhibitions.   *Director of Spring Ice Shows.  *Advertising Manager.  *Silent Auction Manager.  *Created registration program enabling 500+ in person registrations in 1 ½ hours. *Manage arena staff.  *Power Skating Coach with Junior Gold Teams & High School players.   *Coach multiple high profile clients & The Herb Brooks Foundation.

                        Jump Ease, Inc.  Lino Lakes, MN  (1997-2004)  Owner/President.  *Inventor and design engineer of multi-use harness systems.  *National Guest Speaker and Trainer.  *Coordinated staff & engineering department.  *Contract negotiations including the New Boston Gardens/Boston Bruins & the Gaylord Entertainment Center (Nashville Predators).  *Endorsed by the Professional Skaters Association International.  *Managing Partner.

                                        Arad Archaeological Center, Arad, ISRAEL   In conjunction with the Israeli Antiquities Authority.  (July 1991-1992)  *Director of Recruiting.  *Site Supervisor.  *Lecture Series.  *Create all marketing materials.  *United States Group Coordinator.  *Only American on Staff.   *Semi Bilingual.  *Primary Archaeological site:  Tel Keroith.  *Trained guide:  Masada.  *Burial Excavations Manager:  Tel Arad.

                                        Paisley Park Recording Studios.  Chanhassen, MN (Spring 1990-Spring 1991) Internship.  *Assistant to Mr. Dressel, Head of Studio.  *Assist in daily management of a major recording studio and stage.  *Handle records on past clients and assisted with new clients.  *Studio Assistant.  *Tours.  *First Intern ever at Paisley Park.

Awards:          *Top 1,000 Employees in the State of Minnesota, by the Quality Council of Minnesota (1993).  *1998 Who’s Who of International Entrepreneurs.    *2008 & 2010 Top FIVE Coaches by iCoachSkating.com   *2010 United States Figure Skating Association – Sports Science Award Nominee

Dr. Velasquez utilizes his background as an interpersonal neurobiological neuroscientist and doctorate in leadership as a ‘Combat Sports Brain Performance Coach’. Specializing in what he dubs as a ‘Fight Sport Neuro Cognitive’ approach to MMA performance, Dr. Velasquez works with top fighters, applying the latest neuroscience technologies and methodologies to push the vanguards of athletic conditioning

Cynthia Rivard is a spiritual teacher, business strategist and environmental advocate. Having come into a spiritual awakening later in life, she is keenly aware of religious paradigms and cultural perceptions of new age concepts and instead teaches a timeless wisdom that has been diluted over the ages. There is a golden thread of truth that is woven throughout all of the world’s religions and cultures, and it is this thread that underpins her teachings and will help us to create the next chapter for humanity – our Golden Era.

Through a meteoric upleveling of channeling skills, Cynthia has become a crystal clear seer for awakening humanity to the next chapter of its evolution. Raising consciousness and saving humanity from extinction due to the effects of climate change are the first priority, which she illuminates in “Hope for A New Era.”

With a long career in executive leadership, Cynthia believes in the power of compassionate communication and egoless leadership to drive improvements in society. When the world is solely governed by individuals who focus on the good of all, the earth will come to know peace, prosperity and a healthy environment.

You can learn more about Cynthia at https://www.cynthiarivard.com/. All proceeds of Hope for a New Era will be donated to https://globalrisingtide.org/, the purpose driven, conscious leaders’ community she founded that is contributing to raise human consciousness and end global warming.

A major attraction since she moved to Southern California 30 years ago and formed her Latin band, violinist Susie Hansen and her musicians perform an infectious blend of salsa and Latin jazz that has the audiences smiling and dancing. This year her band is celebrating their 30th anniversary with lots of prominent performances.

Popular from the start, the Susie Hansen Latin Band mixes together infectious Latin rhythms with jazz improvising, vocals in both Spanish and English, recognizable standards and strong soloing from players. They play salsa, cumbia, charanga, merengue, bachata, bolero, cha cha cha and Latin jazz. The result is music that inspires dancers yet also rewards a close listen.

Susie Hansen was born and raised in Chicago. Her father James Hansen played violin with the Chicago Symphony for 37 years and attended many of their concerts with her family. She had a violin lesson every Sunday with her Dad and practiced hours every day. Having other interests and skills, Susie earning two Masters Degrees in Engineering from MIT, but music proved to be a stronger calling.
Susie played classical chamber music, worked in Boston for two years performing swing, bluegrass and original string band music with Strings Attached, and then was a member of Trapezoid, a popular folk band in West Virginia.

Returning to Chicago in 1980, she formed her own jazz quintet. The turning point of her musical life occurred when her quintet was playing at Taste Of Chicago, a huge festival in Grant Park. “The band playing before us was Victor Parra’s Mambo Express All-Stars,” Susie reported. “Victor stayed to hear our group, and afterwards he asked me to join his band for their regular Monday gig at the Moosehead Bar and Grill. I told him that I did not know much about mambo, but he said that I’d get it, and I’d love it. And he was right. Harmonically the music is based in jazz, which I already loved, but the Latin rhythms are just more compelling than I ever imagined. It has that drive that really hooked me on Salsa and Latin jazz.”

After moving to Southern California in 1988, Hansen sat in with jazz musicians like Billy Mitchell, John Bolivar, Sal Marquez and the dynamic charanga band Bongo Logic. She got her first break three months after arriving in LA when Cuban master drummer Francisco Aguabella invited her to join his band. “I played his trombone book on my electric viola, so I learned really fast how to transpose from bass clef!” Throughout 1988 and 1989, she was a member of several other Latin groups, bands led by Bobby Matos, Long John Oliva, Papa Conga, and Candy Sosa, and became a recognizable and important part of the local Latin music scene well before she formed her own Latin band in 1990.

The Susie Hansen Latin Band is well represented on Susie’s three recordings: Solo Flight (named by Latin Beat Magazine as one of its Top 100 Independent Latin Jazz Recordings), The Salsa Never Ends (includes “La Salsa Nunca Se Acaba” which is popular around the world), and her most recent, Representante de la Salsa. Each of these recordings features a variety of Latin dance styles and Latin jazz, especially salsa and cha-cha-cha, with the occasional bolero and merengue.

Her ensemble features the masterful Daniel Castillo from Venezuela on lead vocals in Spanish and percussion, and the soulful Kaspar Abbo from London on lead vocals in English and electric guitar. Susie not only plays electric violin, but is the band’s musical director and sings both bilingual lead and background. The powerful montuno-maester Joe Rotondi plays keyboards and hails from Hollywood. Bassist Brian Wright is from Colombia and supplies the heart-beat of the band. Drummer Tony Shogren’s heritage is Peruvian, and he provides the driving force of the rhythm on timbales. When they play with their bigger band, Roberto Cascante from Costa Rica joins them on percussion, David Stout on trombone, and Tim Messina on sax and flute.

Some of LA’s finest and best-known Latin jazz and Salsa musicians have been long-time members of Susie’s band – percussionists Tiki Pasillas, Jimmy Branly, Joe DeLeon; bassists Rene Camacho and John Belzaguy; singers George Balmaseda and Eddie Ortiz. The Susie Hansen Latin Band plays between 100 and 150 gigs every single year. Among some of the highpoints have been appearances at the Playboy Jazz Festival, Norfolk VA Latino Music Festival, the Toronto Jazz Festival, Fiesta Broadway, the San Jose Jazz Festival. The great Cuban singer Celia Cruz and master percussionist Giovani Hidalgo have performed with her band. Apart from the band, the violinist has had opportunities to perform with Tito
Puente, Paquito D’Rivera, Orquesta Broadway, Orquesta Aragon, Vikki Carr, and Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All-Stars, and she particularly treasures having played with Orquesta Los Van Van both in Los Angeles and in Havana, Cuba.

But the violinist’s main focus is always her own band. A crowd pleaser with its rhythmic energy and drive, the Susie Hansen Latin Band has performed before hundreds of thousands of people through the years. They appeal to a wide and enthusiastic audience with their mixture of famous and traditional salsa numbers, infectious original compositions, and Latin-style interpretations of American jazz standards. Their solos are compelling, and the dance floor is always packed!