Birth Year (-Died Year)

1958

Birth City

Worthington

Birth State

MN

Current Location

Cripple Creek, CO

Phone (Public)

(719) 246-0231

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Author, Outdoor Writer, Photographer

Biography

I relocated to Woodland Park from the Parker, Colorado area in 2010, and then moved again to Cripple Creek in 2017. I have written several outdoor photography books, including a large body of work from the Pikes Peak area.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

Associate in Arts, Mission College Santa Clara, CA (1984)

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Organizations

* Professional Photographers of America
* Sierra Club
* Colorado Author's League
* Pikes Peak Writers

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

I have a wildlife photography presentation that was well-received at the Woodland Park Library.

Pseudonym

Linn LaVelle (only for one early novel)

Birth Year (-Died Year)

1948

Birth City

Oklahoma City

Birth State

OK

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Journalist/freelance writer

Biography

I have lived in Colorado Springs since 1969, worked as a reporter, writer, and editor at The Gazette for 32 years and have been a freelance writer for many years.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

* St. Cloud State University 1966-1969
* Southern Colorado State University, 1970-1971 (Bachelor of Science, teaching degree as a comprehensive English major)
* Workshops with Society of American Travel Writers for 10 years
* Poynter Institute writing workshop and other training while at The Gazette

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Organizations

* Recently, became Director Emeritus of the board of the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District (served 10 years)
* Still serve on the Program Committee and Communications Committee as a volunteer
* Also on the advisory board of the Karen Possehl Women's Endowment at UCCS (includes mentoring a non-traditional woman scholar) since 2006
* Recently joined Pikes Peak Writers

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Writing in general, writing a novel specifically, and travel 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

Worms, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Writer

Biography

After growing up in Germany, Tanja Britton came to Colorado Springs thanks to her husband Mike, whose family, like many, was transplanted to the Pikes Peak region because of their affiliation with the military. Her interest in medicine led her to explore the fascinating history of tuberculosis in the area, which catalyzed wider historical studies. Increasingly fond of nature, photography, and writing, she was inspired to combine her interests by starting a blog in 2016 and by writing her first book.

Education/Training

Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Colorado Springs parks - Colorado Springs history - Colorado's avifauna

Birth City

Fort Collins

Birth State

CO

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Missile Defense - Civil Service

Biography

14er Climber, Rocket Scientist, Published Novelist, Movie Connoisseur, and Amateur Photographer, Benjamin M. Weilert was born in Colorado in 1985. While he went to school for Mechanical Engineering (eventually earning a Master’s Degree), he has found science to be interesting enough to write fiction about it. He likes to classify his novels as “science fantasy,” wherein the science is real and (semi) accurate, but portrayed in a fantasy setting to make it accessible to non scientific readers. If you want stories that are surreptitiously educational, he’s your man. He currently lives in Colorado Springs and his most recent book is Fourteener Father, a memoir of climbing all of Colorado's 14,000-foot mountains with his dad.

Education/Training

"Creative Fiction Writing" course at the Colorado School of Mines

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

The Midnight Writers - National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), municipal liaison for the Colorado Springs region

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Self-publishing (writing, editing, formatting, cover design, etc.) - National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) - Submitting to short story anthologies

Birth City

Princeton

Birth State

NJ

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Photographer - Author

Biography

Judith has specialized in capturing breathtaking scenic and nature images for over 20 years. She shares her vast knowledge through private and group photo tours of Garden of the Gods as well as other Colorado locations. You can also join her for photographic seminars and workshops. Visit her website to view portfolio images and fine art prints, and to see free instructional videos at www.mothernaturephotography.com. 

Judith says, "Showing up at a location and photographing nature by literally recording the moment is different from capturing nature as an artist feels it should be viewed; using light, weather, equipment, and an artistic interpretation to show Mother Nature’s beauty and power. Both methods are useful in photography, but each has a distinct time and place. My goal is always to make each image intentional, represent my artistic vision, and create a piece of art that will be loved for a lifetime. I have spent the majority of my life in Colorado Springs, moving here as a child. I remember my joy while climbing on the rocks of Garden of the Gods early in my life. Though I moved to Michigan for ten years, Colorado always echoed in my heart. Now that I have returned to 'The Springs,' I often frequent Garden of the Gods, spending much time hiking and photographing this breathtaking open space with my loving husband and children."

Education/Training

Bachelor of Arts in Fine Art, Hillsdale College - Addition studies in photography at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI - Staff Photographer for R.J. Michael's, Inc. (an advertising agency in Jackson, MI) - Studio Manager and Second Shooter for Don Jones Photography (a commercial photography studio in Colorado Springs, CO) - Twelve years as both an art and photography faculty member and head of the Professional Photography department at Pikes Peak Community College.

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Interviews

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

* General landscape and nature photography tips and techniques
* Best practices to learn and study photography, and start a photography business
* Local landmarks and parks including favorite photography site locations around the city and tips to make amazing photos in each place
* The history of Garden of the Gods
* Issues pertaining to the preservation of the land and wildlife

Birth City

Colorado Springs

Birth State

CO

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Author - Designer - Nonprofit Consultant - Speaker/Trainer - #workquilter

Biography

I have lived in Colorado Springs for the last seventeen years. I was born in Chicago, later moved to France (father in the military), returned and moved to Kansas before spending most of my time in Texas (San Antonio area). I have held myriad positions in my life. I like to undertake more than one thing at a time, thus I refer to myself as a #workquilter combining various avenues of income. These include: -Author of nonfiction and fiction. -Certified permaculture designer and previously worked as a registered interior designer. -Suburban Homesteader (have gardens, chickens, bees). -Speaker/trainer on myriad topics. -Global house- and pet-sitter. -Nonprofit consultant, certified grants specialist (proposal writer, donor communications, fundraising strategy)

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

Bachelor of Science, Organizational Management in Christian Leadership, GCU (magna cum laude) - Associate's degree, Registered Interior Designer, St. Philips College in San Antonio, TX - Certified Grants Specialist - Certified Grants Reviewer

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

Colorado Springs CDBG Board Member

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Writing - Creative writing - Self-publishing - Backyard farming (permaculture principles, food forest, perennial gardening, lasagna gardening) - Travel - House/pet sitting - Getting what you really want in life - Work quilting - Nonprofit topics (e.g. Fundraising 101) - Entrepreneurship - Design (Interior Design, Landscape design using permaculture zones)

Birth City

Olean

Birth State

NY

Current Location

Manitou Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Journalist, author, chaplain, massage therapist, spiritual advisor

Biography

Author Peg Gould, MBA, RScP, LMT, a career writer/editor from upstate New York, moved west to Colorado, then Alaska, where she renewed her love of nature and photography on the stunning Kenai Peninsula. She is licensed both as a massage therapist and a spiritual advisor. Peg and her husband Todd raised a family with a diversity of pets in Manitou Springs, CO; they also enjoy working on their log home near Homer, AK.  Her work appeared daily for decades in newspapers in New York and Colorado, and later for years in Alaska Business Monthly. She also has freelanced for Vocational Biographies, American News Service, Colorado Springs Health, Springs Magazine, Women’s Edition, Compassion International, Convergent Performance, and for other businesses and nonprofits.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

* MBA, University of Colorado
* BA Journalism, Cum Laude, St. Bonaventure University
* Alaska's oral history

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Organizations

Member, AMTA (Message Therapy)

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

* Grief
* Bereavement
* Interviewing
* Self-publishing
* Travel
* Parenting
* Nature and Animals
* Outdoors

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Writer - Owner of Jones Literary Services

Biography

Andrea M. Jones born and raised in Colorado. Andrea writes about people’s relationship to the land from a high grassy ridge southwest of Pikes Peak, where she lives with her husband and their two horses. Her nonfiction book, Between Urban and Wild, explores the beauties, contradictions, joys, and responsibilities of life outside the urban boundary. As the owner of Jones Literary Services, Andrea creates back-of-the-book indexes for publishers and authors. She blogs at www.BetweenUrbanAndWild.com.

Awards/Honors

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Published Works Book Jackets

Speaker Availability

No

Birth City

Bolton

Birth State

UK

Current Location

Colorado Springs, CO

Email (Public)

Author's Website

Occupation(s)

Retired - author

Biography

Arleen is a former senior analyst with the Government Accountability Office where she wrote extensively on many topics ranging from satellite systems to endangered species. She has a science education and loves nature and reality. She is a life-long avid reader and began writing fiction in 2009. She has completed the six-book Darcy Farthing adventure series, which are contemporary mysteries with travel and thought-provoking topical subjects.

Awards/Honors

Education/Training

Degree in Biology - Dozens of professional training courses in conjunction with GAO position - Many additional college level courses in varied subjects from robotics to religion

Local Authors Genres

Published Works

Interviews

Speaker Availability

Yes

Speaker Topics

Health - Exercise - Positive thinking - Public speaking - Path to becoming an author later in life