Kathryn Janicek is the three-time Emmy-winning media and public speaking trainer who helps leaders communicate more effectively to build trust with internal and external audiences and get the ROI from every media and public speaking opportunity.

Dana Black has been a communications coach, public speaker, moderator, corporate emcee, podcaster, storyteller, and a SAG-AFTRA TV/film/voiceover actor for over 15 years. Dana has performed on stages throughout Chicago and beyond and loves commanding a room using vulnerability, creativity, a little sass, and a lot of heart. Dana is also a speaker delivery coach for TEDxChicago. She loves helping people craft THEIR stories and messaging with more ease, confidence, and authenticity. She is rooting for you!

Megan Johns is an experienced teacher, director, and performer. Megan uses her acting and comedy training to encourage confident leaders to blossom into their unique selves and develop their messaging to have a greater impact. Megan trained with The Second City, iO (Improv Olympic), and The Annoyance Improv and Sketch Comedy Theater while writing, performing, and directing several shows. She co-produces and performs in comedy shows and has taught improv at The Annoyance Theater for over a decade. In addition to working in the corporate world for over 10 years, she was also a founding member of The New Coordinates Theater company, devising all new work for global stages, and has performed off-Broadway in New York and in Chicago. These days, she gains the most joy from empowering others. She graduated with a degree in Graphic Design and a minor in Art History from James Madison University.

Stef Tovar is an award-winning professional actor, author, and on-camera coach with over 25 years of experience in the industry. With a robust career in Los Angeles and Chicago, Stef has excelled in commercials, television, film, theatre, and musical theatre. As the founder and artistic director of the Equity theatre company Route 66, Stef produced and performed shows in L.A., Chicago, and New York Off-Broadway for over a decade.

Stef's breakout on-screen role came as Dr. Arrington in Steven Soderbergh's Contagion. Since 2017, he has been focused passionately on coaching and teaching, sharing his expertise through his book, THE MAP: An Actor’s Guide to On-Camera Acting, published by Applause Books in 2021. Stef loves helping others achieve on-camera success and teaches his on-camera workshop at universities, acting studios, and casting offices across the country. He has worked with the likes of Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Fred Willard, Matt Dillon, Christina Applegate, and Colin Farrell. He has coached hundreds of clients ranging from the rapper Rhymefest to members of the National Bar Association. He is passionate about helping others and trusts that he gives his clients what it takes to achieve on-camera success.

Sarah's unique background spans clinical work, healthcare technology, and Salesforce administration. With over 11 years of experience in healthcare and software at Salesforce and other companies, Sarah has a proven track record of directing and leading sales teams, cultivating lasting partnerships, training, project management, technical writing, and optimizing operations. She holds a bachelor's in psychology and is a certified alcohol and drug counselor and weight loss specialist. Sarah leverages her psychology background and passion for cultivating human connections to uncover client needs and bring a deep understanding of the power of personal branding, strategic communications, and public speaking. Her role involves developing lasting relationships, truly understanding our client's needs, leading enablement, relationship, and wellness coaching, and ensuring clients achieve their communication and branding goals with confidence and clarity.

With over twenty years of work in process and sales management, Ted provides process improvements to help organizations be more productive and fulfill their mission and organizational vision. Ted has completed both process optimization services and return on investment analyses for all types of organizations, including Beth Israel Hospital (NY), Detroit Department of Public Health, The State of Hawaii, The State of Texas, Santa Barbara County (CA), and Yolo County (CA). Ted has worked as a sales leader for several healthcare software companies, including electronic health record companies. At Streamline Healthcare Solutions, Ted developed the entire marketing vision, strategy, and sales process, taking the company from $1M to $20M in seven years with no outside investment. He also increased the client base by 600%. Ted built and led sales and clinical teams and is focused on producing tangible results.

Jennifer Hammond is a two-time Emmy-winning sports reporter who pours her passion for telling engaging stories and serving her community into her 25+ year career with the Fox TV station in Detroit, Michigan. After starting her media career in Chicago, Jennifer moved to Detroit and has covered the Red Wings Stanley Cup runs, the Lions, the Tigers, the Pistons, MSU, and University of Michigan football. Jennifer understands the unique challenges of delivering memorable messaging in both live broadcast and recorded settings. This perspective allows her to provide our clients with valuable insight and guidance to help them feel confident on camera, on stage, in boardrooms, and everywhere in between.

Ruthie Landis blends a wide variety of advanced skills and innovative modalities, collaborating with clients as they focus on their many layers. She teaches clients how to read the data their body language expresses, links it to their mindset and motivations, and gets to the obstacles that inhibit them from being fully present, intentional, and comfortable in their own skin. From that place of unbridled presence, the individual is able to inspire others, lead creatively and effectively, and embody their expertise with generosity, instilling trust and commitment from those they lead, collaborate with, and guide. She is an expert on personality and uses experiential learning drawn from her many years as a director, actor, and acting teacher. She is also a master of leadership skills, specializing in C-suite executive coaching, team building, and communication clarity. Ruthie focuses on body-centered psychotherapy/coaching, enhancing emotional intelligence, and expanding awareness. She is also a best-selling author and award-winning international workshop presenter. National workshops include clients such as Miller Brewing Sales Executives, ABC Network TV Sales Executives, Illinois Mediators Association, and the Illinois Association of Public Speakers, working with issues such as presentation skills, image development, teamwork, sales and communication techniques, creativity, and performance.

Meg Lister is a Speech-Language Pathologist, an Assistant Professor at Syracuse University, and an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of dialect, speech, language, and reading disorders. She is passionate about advancing the field of Speech-Language Pathology and enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing communication challenges. Meg has over 20 years of experience in teaching, mentoring, and implementation science in Communication Sciences and Disorders.

She has a robust background and expertise in speech sound coaching, language disorders, articulation, dyslexia, autism spectrum disorders, and developmental disabilities. I have effectively collaborated with a range of stakeholders, including schools, clinics, and families, delivering evidence-based assessment and intervention, ensuring a comprehensive and compassionate approach to addressing the complex landscape of communication disorders. Meg earned her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions.

Jena Lacaba is a licensed educator, strategic executive assistant, and project manager. With a professional degree in Secondary Education, Jena brings expertise in fostering organizational efficiency and providing executive support. Her career spans roles in academia, corporate training coordination, and student activities coordination, where she has excelled in leadership development, event planning, and data analysis. Jena is dedicated to empowering individuals through effective communication strategies and is passionate about community engagement and personal development.

Darlene Obiyan is a seasoned makeup artist with over two decades of experience in the luxury retail beauty industry. Kathryn Janicek met Darlene years ago when she hired her to do her makeup for the Emmys. Now, Darlene helps our clients learn how to put their best face forward. Darlene’s love for makeup started as a young girl watching her mother put on makeup so beautifully. After graduating from Chicago State University with a degree in Business Management, her interest in makeup continued to grow as she managed several retail establishments. Darlene’s artistry can be described as clean, classic, timeless, and elegant. Her goal is to provide an enjoyable experience while helping you look amazing.

Jewel is a dynamic coach with over 20 years of corporate background and experience mentoring leaders to succeed. As a trainer and operations director, she mentored all levels of companies, including managers, owners, and the C-suite. Jewel's coaching style is collaborative, empowering, and tailored to each client's needs. She specializes in guiding clients to escape and manage burnout, with time management issues, conflict resolution, developing a positive organizational culture, improving personal well-being, and tapping into their emotional intelligence and civility. Jewel's holistic methodology considers various aspects of life, including career, personal development, and overall well-being. She believes in the transformative power of coaching, empowering individuals to achieve their goals and reach new heights of success. 

Jewel's extensive corporate background as a leader means she brings an understanding of the unique challenges that come with leadership roles. Her coaching style is designed to help individuals and organizations overcome obstacles to achieve their goals while maintaining a positive and productive work environment.

Ken is a child of the 80s who was inspired by the pop culture that defined his generation: MTV, Star Wars, ‘Air’ Jordan, and so much more. Guided by these stories and their characters, Ken is on his own Hero’s Journey and has become an accomplished film and television editor, knocking on the doors of Hollywood. In his 15-year career as an Editor, he has developed a well-rounded list of credits, including Branded Advertising, News and Documentary Television, Music Videos, Live Performances, Promotional Trailers, and editing for Amazon. In 2022, Ken broke into scripted,’ cutting his first feature film, “Armstrong,” a lifelong dream realized. The film would go on to play at several festivals around the world and won “Best Narrative Feature Film” at the American Independent Film Festival. Ken is currently located in Studio City, CA, where he continues to learn from and collaborate with some of the top film and video professionals working in the industry today. He lives with his wife, Nikka, and together, they co-host two podcasts, “The KeNikka Lifestyle Podcast,” and “The KeNikka Baseball Podcast.”

We love shooting videos with Elliot Burlingham in his soundstage studio in the Chicago area and worldwide. Elliot's dedication to his craft is always evident. Besides his technical skills and adaptability, Elliot is comfortable with his ability to make people look and sound great on camera and has an eye for beauty, lighting, and composition.