Dr. Michelle Chatman is a visionary educator, scholar, and community advocate dedicated to fostering transformative educational experiences and social change. As an Associate Professor at the University of the District of Columbia, she leverages her extensive background in cultural anthropology, contemplative practices, and community engagement to inspire meaningful connections between education and social justice.

A thought leader in transformative educational leadership, Michelle’s research focuses on the power of mindfulness, equity, and culturally responsive pedagogy to create healing-centered learning environments. She has developed innovative programs and workshops that empower educators to nurture resilience and agency in their students, while addressing systemic inequities.

Michelle is a sought-after speaker and facilitator, known for her compassionate approach to leadership and commitment to community well-being. Through her work, she continues to reimagine education as a tool for liberation, ensuring it uplifts individuals and strengthens communities. You can view her website here.

Rev. Liên Shutt is a lineage holder in the Shunryu Suzuki tradition. Born to a Buddhist family in Vietnam, she received her meditation training in the Insight and Zen traditions in the U.S., Thailand, Japan, and Vietnam. She was a founding member of the Buddhists of Color in 1998 and currently is the guiding teacher of Access to Zen, an anti-racist, inclusive sangha and non-profit in the San Francisco Bay Area. Please visit AccessToZen.org for ways to connect with her offerings. Liên’s Home Is Here: Practicing Antiracism with the Engaged Eightfold Path is available through the Online Store.

Valerie Brown is an acclaimed international facilitator, leadership coach, speaker, and award-winning author dedicated to fostering personal and societal transformation. As the founder of Lead Smart Coaching, LLC, Valerie integrates her deep expertise in leadership, mindfulness, and social justice to empower individuals and organizations to lead with clarity and compassion. A Quaker and Zen practitioner ordained in the Plum Village tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, she uniquely bridges contemplative practices with professional development. Valerie holds a Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law and is a former lawyer and lobbyist who transitioned to focus on heart-centered leadership and equity.

Through her work, Valerie has inspired countless leaders to navigate complexity with wisdom and cultivate cultures of inclusion and well-being. She co-directs Georgetown University’s renowned Transformational Leadership for Change program and is a passionate advocate for integrating mindfulness and justice into everyday life. Visit her website.

Monique Gray Smith is an award-winning, best-selling author. Her books cover a broad spectrum of ages, topics and emotions. Woven into all of Monique’s writing, speaking engagements and online courses is the teaching that Love is Medicine. In April, she released her 6th children’s picture, Dreaming Alongside. Monique is well known for her adaptation of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s, New York Times Bestselling book, Braiding Sweetgrass for a younger audience, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults. Monique’s novel, Tilly and the Crazy Eights was longlisted for Canada Reads 2021. 

Monique is trained as a Psychiatric Nurse and since 1990 her focus has been weaving history, resilience and trauma informed training for educators, social workers, librarians and early childhood teams. She is an appointed member of the Board of Directors of Royal Roads University. and is of Cree and Scottish descent.