Zahra Amanpour is a lifelong human rights advocate and a proud supporter of the Iranian Resistance movement. Born during the 1979 Iranian Revolution in Tehran, Zahra's life has been defined by the struggle for freedom and justice. Her father, a prominent advocate with the MEK/PMOI, was killed in 1988—a summer marked by the mass killing of 30,000 political prisoners following the end of the Iran-Iraq war.

Raised by her mother within the Iranian Resistance community, Zahra grew up surrounded by the courage, clarity, and conviction of those who refused to be silenced. She draws deep inspiration from the many women who have led the movement for a free, secular, and democratic Iran.

As a Board Member of the Women's Freedom Forum, Zahra works to amplify the voices of women fighting for their rights under repressive regimes and to shine a global light on their stories of resistance. Her work bridges continents, connecting the struggle for human rights in Iran with economic empowerment initiatives in the United States

Rizwan (“Riz”) Virk is a pioneering futurist at the intersection of technology, consciousness, and imagination. A successful entrepreneur, prolific investor, bestselling author, and video game industry innovator, Riz holds a B.S. in Computer Science from MIT and an M.S. in Management from Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, and is currently pursuing a PhD at Arizona State University’s College of Global Futures, researching AI, the metaverse, and virtual worlds at the Center for Science and the Imagination. He teaches engineering and innovation at ASU, has served as a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge’s Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, and founded Play Labs at MIT, a leading startup accelerator housed in the MIT Game Lab. A venture partner at Griffin Gaming Partners and founder of Bayview Labs, Riz has invested in and advised dozens of influential companies including Discord, Tapjoy, Telltale Games, Pocket Gems, Theta Labs, Moon Express, and more, while creating hit games such as Tap Fish and Grimm: Cards of Fate. He is also an accomplished indie film producer, with credits including Thrive, Sirius, Knights of Badassdom, and adaptations of works by Philip K. Dick and Ursula K. Le Guin. Riz is the author of influential books including The Simulation Hypothesis, The Simulated Multiverse, Zen Entrepreneurship, and Startup Myths & Models, and hosts the podcast The Simulated Universe, exploring ideas at the edge of science, philosophy, and science fiction. A sought-after speaker and media voice, he has appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, Coast to Coast AM, The History Channel, Gaia TV, and CNN, and has been featured by NBC News, Scientific American, BBC Science Focus, The Wall Street Journal, and many others, bringing rare clarity to humanity’s biggest questions about reality, intelligence, and the future.

Liz began examining if there was evidence of an afterlife and anything paranormal in 2015 following the passing of her father. While she still considers herself skeptical and an atheist, (although she’s a cultural Jew), the evidence really blew her away. She is the author of two books in the WTF Just Happened? series: Book One - WTF Just Happened?!: A sciencey-skeptic explores grief, healing, and evidence of an afterlife and Book Two WTF Just Happened?!: A sciencey skeptic investigates even more evidence of an afterlife and fights for justice with her dead dog. 

She is host of a podcast, WTF Just Happened?!: All about the afterlife. No woo. She also runs “Science and Spirituality” private events, where an intimate group of you and your friends can learn more about the science behind an afterlife and get readings from highly evidential mediums who have been tested by scientists.

Lawrence Ellyard is the founder and Chairman of the IICT with over 25 years experience in the natural health industry. Lawrence has been instrumental in developing the IICT's operations both within Australia and Internationally. In 2009 Lawrence was awarded a Masters of Transpersonal Studies (IKON Institute). Since the early 1990's, Lawrence has been an active member and facilitator of several educational organisations and spiritual traditions and has supported their growth with many innovations in natural therapies since this time. He has travelled extensively throughout the world both lecturing and training and draws on his extensive background in natural therapies in the running and future direction of the IICT. Lawrence is also the author of nine books in natural therapies. For more about Lawrence and his books visit his author's website at: www.lawrenceellyard.com

Lawrence Ellyard is the founder and Chairman of the IICT with over 25 years experience in the natural health industry. Lawrence has been instrumental in developing the IICT's operations both within Australia and Internationally. In 2009 Lawrence was awarded a Masters of Transpersonal Studies (IKON Institute). Since the early 1990's, Lawrence has been an active member and facilitator of several educational organisations and spiritual traditions and has supported their growth with many innovations in natural therapies since this time. He has travelled extensively throughout the world both lecturing and training and draws on his extensive background in natural therapies in the running and future direction of the IICT. Lawrence is also the author of nine books in natural therapies. For more about Lawrence and his books visit his author's website at: www.lawrenceellyard.com

Donnie Yance is a Clinical Master Herbalist and Certified Nutritionist, internationally renowned for his pioneering work in botanical and nutritional medicine, particularly in the field of integrative cancer.
Long considered by colleagues to be the authority in his field, Donnie has authored two definitive books on botanical and herbal medicine: Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer (1999) and Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism: Elite Herbs and Natural Compounds for Mastering Stress, Aging and Chronic Illness (2013).

In addition, he has been involved in authoring and co-authoring dozens of articles that have appeared in major industry publications and national journals. Additionally, Donnie gives several lectures each year at major hospitals and conferences across the US for both patients and health care providers, as well as making radio and television appearances.

Donnie is the creator of the Mederi Care model, a highly advanced, unitive approach combining cutting-edge scientific research with ancient healing traditions, and the president and founder of the Mederi Center, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to personalized patient care, professional education, and clinical research in wholistic medicine and integrative oncology. He is also the President and Formulator of Natura Health Products, a line of advanced botanical and nutritional products for healthcare practitioners.

Donnie is a Registered Herbalist (RH), a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) and the National Association of Nutrition Professionals, and a professed Secular Franciscan (SFO), which equips him with the breadth and wisdom to touch on the spiritual aspects of healing.

Rooted in decades of intense study, rigorous scientific research, and clinical practice,
Donnie’s life’s work synthesizes his seemingly disparate lifelong passions for the ancient healing traditions of botanical and nutritional medicine, Franciscan theology, and jazz (an accomplished jazz musician, Donnie is affectionately nicknamed the ‘Funk Monk’ by his bandmates) into a powerfully healing, unitive model for healthcare that has transformed thousands of patients’ lives to this day. Tellingly, no less than five books have been published by cancer survivors who credit Donnie’s work for their successful battles against their disease.

LeRoy Mobley is an American singer-songwriter who blends his various talents to inspire audiences around the world. With a passion for storytelling through music, film, and live concerts, LeRoy has captivated hearts with his powerful voice and amazing stage presence.

It is my honor to serve as Golden State Republican Women President.  This year promises to be transformative to Republican women in California and we are excited to start the groundwork!

These last two years have seen unexpected changes in California and in our country which have led to a decline in our culture and traditional way of life.  We are now committed to blunt the attacks on our republic and to restore in our state the values of faith, family and freedom we have long cherished.

In contrast to the current progressive culture which continues to divide Americans, creating  a growing sense of malaise and discontent, GSRW offers hope for a brighter tomorrow… and that tomorrow begins today!

There has never been a time when our message has been more needed nor more welcomed!  California is looking for strong leadership and direction that will guide us back to the personal freedoms and opportunities that once made our state golden.

As divided as Californians appear to be, there is much more that unites us.  Our citizens want secure borders, quality education, safe streets, a return to law and order, free and fair elections, respect for our military, police and first responders, and the freedom to practice our faith openly without fear. Republicans highly value the dignity of the individual and of all human life.

Our basic tenets bind us together and have weathered the test of time throughout our country’s history.  Yet as world history goes, we are still a young nation.  We have relied on our Constitution and foundational documents which have kept us strong and free for over two centuries.

There are those whose primary aim, however, is to destroy our government, our laws and our very way of life.  Our inaction makes them bolder and more dangerous than ever! That is why there is no greater urgency than at this time to unite with one goal and one voice.  We must motivate, educate and activate.

We in Golden State Republican Women welcome women of all ages, all ethnicities, and all stripes of Republican values and we ask you to join us in this fight.  Unity is our strength and together we must and we WILL win!!  A win for California is a win for the United States of America.

More About Golden State Republican Women

In 2023 a group of 47 politically active Republican women in California saw the need for a new statewide Republican women’s group in the state.  Our group wanted to participate in politics by pulling together thousands of women in the state of California who share our same values, are interested in and excited by conservative politics, have a positive mental attitude, and the ability to be kind to one another.

At this pivotal time in California history it is vitally important that all Republican women have a voice and a platform to work with the California Republican Party to effect critical changes that will restore our state to its values of faith, family and freedom.

On August 2nd and 3rd, after many planning meetings on Zoom, and after naming our organization the Golden State Republican Women, we met in person to gel together our desire to found a strong Republican women’s statewide organization.  Lead by President Janet Price, 1st VP Gretchen Cox, and other hard-working women, the Golden State Republican Women pored over ideas, wrote a set of Bylaws, voted on a logo, and met in sub-committees to discuss and plan the foundations of our alliance.

Golden State Republican Women (GSRW) applied for a charter at the California GOP, and was accepted to apply.  There was a floor vote on October 1, 2023 at the CAGOP Convention in Anaheim and GSRW obtained our charter on that date!

We further plan to:

Bring dozens of independent Republican women’s clubs together as a unifying organization and support our wonderful, hard-working Republican officials and candidates in California.
GSRW will provide the opportunity to engage with, support, and influence Republican legislators, representatives, political experts and other local, state, and national leaders.
GSRW will conduct leadership training events.
GSRW will continue to provide regular legislative updates on bills, vital statewide information, a quarterly newsletter, and an informative website.
And Golden State Republican Women will work hard to attract young, Republican women,  as well as women of all ages and ethnicities in California to our organization.

The 18 Founding Clubs of Golden State Republican Women and Their Regional Locations

REGION 2 – Thank you to Regional Director Tabitha Gomez
Chico Evening Republican Women 
Sacramento Republican Women

REGION 4 – Thank you to Regional Director Barbara Hallmeyer
Clovis Fresno Republican Women
Kings County Republican Women
Merced County Republican Women

REGION 5 – Thank you to Regional Director and 3rd VP Nancy Wofford
Conejo Valley Republican Women 
Westlake Village Republican Women
Simi Valley / Moorpark Republican Women
Thousand Oaks Republican Women

REGION 6 – Thank you to Regional Director and Parliamentarian Pro Tem Valerie Evans
East San Gabriel Valley Republican Women
Valley Unity Republican Women

REGION 7 –  Thank you to Regional Directors Val Emick and Gale Hunt
San Bernardino Republican Women
San Gorgonio Pass Republican Women

REGION 8
Capistrano Valley Republican Women
Fullerton Republican Women
La Habra Republican Women

We wish to thank each of these Founding Clubs, because they have been the “wind beneath our wings”.  These ladies have been the most supportive, active, willing to help, and exceedingly kind “Republican Women” as can be possible!  Thank you so much!

We also wish to thank our Planning Committee members, without whom we would not have been able to take up such a monumental task.  Thank you, Ladies!  We’re going to bring conservative values back into state leadership in California!  Now let’s go get ’em!