Birth Year (-Died Year)

1948

Birth City

Chicago

Birth State

IL

Current Location

Conifer, CO

Email (Public)

Occupation(s)

environmental educator, author of two books, naturalist, native landscaper, motivational speaker on earth ethics, eco-friendly storyteller

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

* M.A.T. in Social Studies, Northwestern University, 1974
* M.S. in Environmental Education, Lesley University, 1987

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Interviews

Organizations

Colorado Native Plant Society, Staunton State Park volunteer

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Virtual/Zoom only

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1943

Birth City

Waynesboro

Birth State

MS

Current Location

CO

Email (Public)

Occupation(s)

Retired

Biography

I retired from working in the Missouri Educational System after twenty-two years and moved to Colorado in 1996 due to retirement (our son was stationed at Ft. Carson). Then, I worked at Gold Rush Casino and Hotel for seven years, had a stroke, and wrote my book afterwards.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

* Graduated high school
* Draughon's Business College, graduated with a Business Administration Degree

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Organizations

Member of Good Luck Sam's Camping Group

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Stroke and Dogs

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1943

Birth City

Atlanta

Birth State

GA

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Retired

Biography

• Graduated from high school in Gainesville, GA. 
• Graduated from the USAFA in 1965 and Purdue University in 1966. 
• Served 31 years in the USAF and retired as a Major General to Colorado Springs 1996. 
• While in the AF served as a fighter pilot, test pilot, and NASA astronaut. 
• As an astronaut, piloted the space shuttle Challenger on STS-51F, Spacelab 2 in 1985. 
• After AF retirement, served as Center Director of both NASA Kennedy Space Center (1997-2003) and Langley Research Center (2003-2005). 
• Following NASA retirement served as business unit director for Northrop Grumman 13 years retiring in 2019. 
• I have lived in Monument or Colorado Springs since 2013.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

BS Engineering Science, USAFA (Distinguished Graduate); MS Astronautics, Purdue University; USAF Pilot Training (Distinguished Graduate); USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School (Top Graduate); Air Command and Staff College (Distinguished Graduate); NASA Astronaut Candidate Training; University of New Hampshire Executive Development Program; Learning as Leadership 4 Mastery Program

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Interviews

Organizations

* Board of Directors, Association of Space Explorers
* Fellow of Society of Experimental Test Pilots
* Associate Fellow of AIAA

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Space Exploration; Space Shuttle Pilot's Experience and Mission Photos

Birth City

Stockton

Birth State

CA

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Phone (Public)

(720) 957-8183

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Philosopher

Biography

Growing up biracial in America, this debut author has experienced her fair share of injustices and aims to leave the world better than the one she was born into. Antoinette currently resides in Colorado Springs where she is active in the BIPOC community. She aids in giving voice to the voiceless and opportunities to the less fortunate. She is involved in the Pikes Peak region getting more children reading and writing stories using their Own Voice. She spends her weekends hosting a philosophical discussion group and a creative writing group.

Education/Training

* Associate of Arts in Anthropology 2017, Georgia State University
* Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy 2019, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Local Authors Genres

Organizations

Women's National Book Association

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Philosophy and creative writing

Pseudonym

Melanie Sue

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1978

Birth City

Gulf Breeze

Birth State

FL

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Writer/speaker

Biography

Dr. Hicks is the author of Incongruent: Travel, Trauma, Transformation. Writing her first book at 10 years old, she has now been published in numerous magazines and websites including Forbes.com, Humanity Wine Co., The District, Doctor’s Life, Journal for Research Administration, and Moc Ideja (a grassroots policy manual for lawmakers in Bosnia funded by the US Department of State).

Dr. Hicks is an empathy-driven leader with more than two decades of experience in workforce, education, and nonprofits. Focused on the areas of human-centered leadership, strategic planning, employee engagement, and organizational culture, Dr. Hicks has worked with hundreds of clients over the course of her career including small to midsized companies, education institutions, and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Hicks formerly served as the Vice President, Education Solutions Group at MGT Consulting where she leads business development for PK12, Higher Education and Education Transformation Practice areas. Prior to joining MGT, Dr. Hicks served as Assistant Provost at the University of Tampa where she created UT’s first Office of Sponsored Programs and oversaw the University’s 52 department budgets, and all grants and contracts. She also taught courses in Social Entrepreneurship, Environmental Policy, and Public-Private Partnerships, among others.

Prior to joining the University of Tampa team, she served as the Director of Research for the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, an advocacy organization, and concurrently as the Managing Director of the Florida Independent College Fund, a 501c(3) foundation. While at ICUF/FICF, she implemented a four‐prong system for federal and state grant funding applications resulting in enhanced collaborative partnerships and led ICUF’s governmental affairs research for advocacy in Tallahassee and Washington, DC.

Dr. Hicks began her career as the Aide to Mayor of Tallahassee, a special projects coordinator with the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability, and as an adjunct professor of Public Administration for Florida State University and Barry University.

Outside of her professional activities, she is a Colorado girl at heart. Her hobbies include paddle boarding, biking, hiking, and is a certified yoga instructor. She also enjoys spending time with her husband Randy, stepdaughter Lauren, and her fur babies Eva and Molly.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

* Bachelors in Organizational Communications, University of Central Florida
* Master’s in Public Administration, University of Miami
* PhD, Askew School of Public Administration and Policy, Florida State University
* SHRM Senior Certified Professional
* Two Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certifications
* Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, University of South Florida
* Business Analytics Certificate, Harvard Business School

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Interviews

Organizations

Pikes Peak Library Foundation, Board Member
Unsilenced Voices, Sierra Leone, Board Member
Leadership Pikes Peak Class of 2021, Board Vice President
Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2013
Well Built Bikes, Social Enterprise Mentor
SEED SPOT, Social Entrepreneurship Pitch Weekend Facilitator
Humanity Del Sol, Argentina, Board Co-Chair
Humanity Wine Co., Argentina, Past Volunteer CFO
Institute for Economic Evolution, Founding Board Member
LEARN OPEN, Past Board Member
Eunoia Collective, South Africa, Past Board Member
Academy Prep Center of Tampa, Past Board Member
Knight Foundation Community Catalyst, Past Member
Florida Chamber Foundation Innovation Caucus, Past Member
United Way of the Big Bend, Past Board Member
Network of Young Professionals, Past Board Member
University of Tampa Committees: Sustainability Committee, IACUC Committee, Faculty Development Committee, Community Engagement Committee
National Council of Research, Board Member
National Science Foundation, Grant Reviewer
US Department of Education, Grant Reviewer
Digital Measures, University Advisory Committee
Citi Group, Education Advisory Committee Member

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Human Centered Leadership
In this workshop we start with a look at today’s workplace and how it has evolved over the last decade. We then dive deep into leadership strategies that focus on building trust and making employees feel valued. This includes an exploration on the neuroscience of connection and the concept of psychological contract and its place in today’s workplace. We close with a specific roadmap and tips for building in more human-centered leadership into everyday workspace. This session is good for any level of employee but especially pertinent for young managers or seasoned executive managing young leaders.

Rising Above Toxic Workplaces
Those who have survived toxic workplaces share a kindred spirit. Gaslighting, under appreciation, over work, general negativity can all be warning lights for you to make a change. But what if it is not that easy? In this workshop we explore the signs you are in a toxic workplace, ways to attempt to make change within and close with strategies for leaving without losing your shirt. This workshop is specifically topical for those struggling with their workplace.

Storytelling 101
This workshop is the benefits of telling your story as well as practical tips on writing and publishing.

Building An Intentional Legacy
Taking lessons from Melanie’s newly released memoir Incongruent; Travel, Trauma, Transformation, this workshop uses her copyright 3E Method of Change method to dive into our personal journey of legacy building. We begin by excavating the attic of our minds to pull out the boxes and examine our life experiences and how they affect our daily lives. From there we look for obligations that no longer serve us and how we can eliminate them. Finally, we embolden our resolve to live in alignment with our personal values. This
workshop is for anyone looking to live more intentionally and authentically.

3E Method of Change
Melanie's customized 3E Method of Change can also be adapted to any organizational topic in need of innovative and intentional change management.

Birth City

Cleveland

Birth State

OH

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Biography

I am a God-fearing woman, a mother, family member, and friend. I love with all of my heart and leave a smile on the hearts of those that I encounter. I am always full of joy and positive energy. I always keep it real. I have lived in Colorado Springs for 30 years.

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Domestic violence

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1962

Birth City

Campana, Buenos Aires, AR

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Keynote Speaker

Biography

Four-Time Olympian in the sport of luge. First four-decade Winter Olympian. Spoken for over 100 Fortune 500 companies since 2002. Sold over 300,000 books in 10 languages. TED talk, "The Power of Following the Leader" has over one million views. Ruben moved to Colorado Springs in 2010 and visits the Monument Library at least a couple times a week.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

BS in Chemistry and Biology from Houston Christian University (1988)

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Interviews

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Leadership, Overcoming Challenges, Change, Inspirational / Motivational, Teamwork, Success Principles.
- Topics Page from Website - https://ruben-gonzalez.com/speaking/motivational-keynote-speaker-topics/
- Speaker Videos Page - https://ruben-gonzalez.com/demo-video/

Birth City

Richmond

Birth State

VA

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Occupation(s)

Retired Military

Biography

Having reaped the benefits of pedagogical academia, Eric J. Rodwell is an alumnus of the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). He has lived in the Pikes Peak Region since 1996. He is a retired military veteran with over twenty-one years of honorable and distinguished service. Ten of those years, being a paratrooper in the elite 82nd Airborne Division; and, he was ordained as a minister of the Gospel in 1983. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Tina, for over thirty-nine years and the proud father of two sons, one daughter, one son-in-law, six grandkids, and one on the way in January 2021.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

Civilian: Alumnus of UCCS Letters and Arts; Executive Director of the METH Taskforce for El Paso and Teller Counties; Ordained Minister of the Gospel since 1983.

Military: Logistics Automation Specialist, Airborne Jump Master School Graduate, Environmental Compliance Officer Certification Training.

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

I am a member of the 82nd Airborne All American Guard of Honor Group, and The Paratrooper H-MINUS Group.

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

My book, which happens to be my memoir - My Christian faith, inspired poetry, short narratives with heartfelt and patriotic sentiments, to include hilarious anecdotes.

Pseudonym

MavaJoyce

Birth City

Clay Center

Birth State

KS

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Occupation(s)

Retired - Volunteer with Finding Our Voices

Biography

Joyce Aubrey has been in Colorado Springs since 1995; an avid reader she has actively engaged PPLD. As a survivor of incest and family sharing, she advocated in the community using healing paintings to speak to various groups including military, faith, mental health, domestic violence/sexual assault and service clubs about the aftershocks of sexual abuse. In October 2019 she published a memoir of hope and inspiration, Beyond Aftershocks, under the author name MavaJoyce. As founder of the non-profit Finding Our Voices, she continues to serve survivors of sexual violence through creative art events and supportive activities.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

Kansas State University - Bachelor's and Master's degrees

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Interviews

Organizations

Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault - American Association of University Women - Finding Our Voices

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Beyond Aftershocks: Resilience after Trauma - Navigating Post Traumatic Growth - Self-Compassion as a Doorway to Service

Birth City

Fullerton

Birth State

CA

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Civilian Contract Worker at Ft. Carson (Service Source Inc. hires people with disabilities to work as contract workers)

Biography

William Edwin Baxter was born on October 11, 1954 in Fullerton, California. He was born with developmental disabilities, but has strive not to let his disabilities defeat him in life, but to go above and beyond them by accomplishing great things and inspiring others to do the same. This became his legacy. He lived most of his life in Orange County, California; but currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado. On July 9, 2016, William suffered a massive pulmonary embolism which almost ended his life, but he survived. Had he died in the E.R. at Memorial Hospital, his legacy would have died with him. Realizing this, he began to write his first book, entitled W.E.B. Tales (W.E.B. is his initial name for William Edwin Baxter). The book was published as an e-book in May 2018, and as a paperback in July 2018. Other books have been published since W.E.B. Tales which can be found on my author page on amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/William-Edwin-Baxter/e/B07GC44FVR

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

B.S. Degree, Recreation, California State University, East Bay, 1979 - A.A. Degree, Liberal Arts, Ohlone College, 1977 -Thomas S. Wootton High School, Rockville, MD, 1974

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Interviews

Organizations

Member of Toastmasters International since November 1990

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

I would like to talk about "Going Above and Beyond" disabilities and other obstacles which can stand in the way of working towards one's goals and achieving them (as chronicled in my keynote speech: https://webblog305448100.wordpress.com/2020/02/05/w-e-b-keynote-address/)