Nicole Glor, Nikki Fitness

Nikki Glor decided to get certified in fitness to get in shape for her small destination wedding/honeymoon. She became a group fitness instructor and personal trainer, in addition to her full-time career in TV News and later as a publicist. Nikki now trains clients and teaches group fitness at Crunch Fitness in Manhattan, is the fitness columnist for www.military.com and Canadian Defense Review, and has provided fitness advice in Military Spouse Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Woman’s Day, Women’s Health and USA Today. For more information, visit her website.

Sasha Eden and Victoria Pettibone: Pioneers of Women’s Expressive Theater

Sasha Eden and Victoria Pettibone are illustrious figures in the theatre and arts industry, known for their outstanding contributions to promoting women’s roles in theatre. Their tireless efforts have significantly shifted paradigms and brought about a new wave of representation and inclusivity in theater.

Dawn Verbrigghe, owner and founder Moi-Même

Dawn Verbrigghe is the owner/founder of Moi-Même, a Manhattan-based firm that designs and tailors custom suits for professional women. Dawn came up with the idea out of necessity: she needed a few well-fitted suits to wear to meet clients but was too tall to fit into the pre-hemmed slacks in department and specialty stores. So she designed suits that fit her — and became the basis for a new line. After two years of research and product development, she launched the company’s first collection in October 2007. A two-piece custom suit from Moi-Meme starts at just over $500.

Dawn worked as a graphic designer for a couple of years before switching to marketing – the client side of graphic design. After a few years she decided to go to graduate school to study business and got her MBA from Columbia Business School and immediately began considering entrepreneurial ventures. She is a part-time faculty member in the Design and Management program at Parsons School of Design and a columnist for 85 Broads Magazine.

Debi Silber, author “Lifestyle Fitness Program”

Debi Silber is a Registered Dietitian with a Master’s degree in Nutrition Science, a Certified Personal Trainer, Whole Health Coach, Lifestyle Expert just for moms and the President of Lifestyle Fitness, Inc. She’s also known as “The Mojo Coach” because she inspires and empowers overweight, overwhelmed and unfit moms to get their mojo back!

Debi serves on the Advisory Board and as a featured expert in the areas of fitness/nutrition/wellness for three widely recognized websites providing articles and insight to thousands of struggling moms. For incoming students of the National Institute of Whole Health, Debi serves as a Graduate Mentor.

For nearly 20 years, Debi has coached thousands of moms through her Lifestyle Fitness Program where moms create healthy habits through gradual, lifestyle change. Through these changes, moms become healthier, happier, more physically fit and emotionally strong as they learn how empowerment, a greater sense of control and an easy to implement plan leads to a lean, toned body, more joy, passion and purpose.

Lirany Vasquez, Owner and Designer, Pretty Little Thing NYC

Designer Lirany Vasquez grew up wanting to write for fashion magazines. But after dabbling in journalism in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, she decided she’’d rather contribute to fashion than write about it. She landed in New York City in 2003, and has pursued her longtime passion for jewelry design. She began by apprenticing at one of the country’’s top jewelry companies. That led to her branching out by designing a small collection of earrings and necklaces for a friend’’s boutique. The collection was a success and Pretty Little Thing was born. Within a year Lirany’’s designs were being picked up by other hip boutiques and garnered media attention.
Her collection revolves around a group of eclectic charm pieces that are feminine and sexy with an unexpected twist. She mixes elements such as glass, wood, metal and semiprecious stones to compliment her whimsical charms. Her pink glass heart with spider necklace and revolver charm earrings have been big hits.

Lirany lives in Manhattan’’s East Village, where her small studio apartment doubles as her office in a city that inspires her. View her collection at Pretty Little Thing NYC.

Joyce Gold, owner Joyce Gold History Tours

Self-taught historian and building buff Joyce Gold gives in-depth walking tours through some 30 Manhattan neighborhoods. Day tours explore such themes as: Religious Manhattan, Colonial New York, the Jewish City, a Day in Brooklyn, Ethnic New York, Noshing Manhattan. It all began for her years ago — on a whim.