author. speaker. motivator.
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. [www.jackcanfield.com]
political powerhouse. media mogul. author.
Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. [www.huffingtonpost.com]
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. [www.squidoo.com/linchpin]
yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.
Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. [www.yogaforyouth.org]
producer. philanthropist. tv legend.
Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. [www.normanlear.com]
race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.
Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. [www.leilanimunter.com]
Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.
By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery's penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. [www.freetheslaves.net]
mom. big dreamer. lady in red.
Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]
Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.
Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. [www.TheDailyLove.com]
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. [www.lizphair.com]
archbishop. author. peaceful leader.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. [www.tutu.org]
author. ceo. humanitarian.
Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. [www.womenforwomen.org]
speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.
Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He's a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. [www.timetostand.com]
yogi. meditator. teacher.
Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. [www.kiamiller.com]
creator. writer. idea geek.
Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. [www.simonmainwaring.com]
Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.
Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. [www.getupgirl.com]
Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.
Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He's a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. [www.candytangerine.com]
Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.
Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
women write
Chauncey Zalkin
writer. design spotter. brand strategist.
An expat living in Barcelona, Chauncey Zalkin is a writer, brand strategist, and the founder of What Women Make, a female design showcase and blog. [whatwomenmake.com]
I’ve had a lot of different passions and desires over my lifetime, but they’re all centered around two major themes: women and writing. When I was in my teens, my dream was to be a fashion designer. That led to a 96-page thesis about Vogue magazine’s influence on American female identity.
In my twenties, headphones permanently embedded in my ears, I choreographed the city of NY with every subway ride, which led to writing about hip hop, as the editor of a nightlife website which, in turn, led to starting my own website, where I wrote about young entrepreneurial women and street style, with a team of contributors in 14 countries.
In my late 20s and early 30s, the cultural trends I wrote about led me to senior strategy positions in advertising, where I was shocked by the second-class status of women in the workplace. At the same time, general feedback from people around me was resoundingly that I should write.
I hesitated at first. I’m invested in showcasing female ingenuity and in making sense of the world around me. Writing was always the medium, but it took a while to realize writing could also be the thing itself. I’ve come to realize that what matters to me is writing and exploring the unique power of female creativity.
In 2007, I took a leap of faith, packed up my belongings and moved to Paris to write a novel – a story which was my constant companion for over three years. Having written that novel feels like the biggest accomplishment I could have ever hoped to achieve (now I’m hoping an agent and a publisher feel the same).
In 2009, I started What Women Make to showcase the best of global female creativity. I’m still working on figuring out how to make the biggest impact with What Women Make, and sometimes it can be tough. I gave up a good salary to live this way, but I’m fueled by my beliefs, no matter how impractical they can be at times.
I love conviction, I love expression, and I love discovery. I’ve always found magic and beauty in the fortitude of highly talented creative women. When I encounter women who display aesthetic excellence, innovation, and keen problem-solving skills, it helps me keep my faith in humanity. I see women leading the charge in this arena and that inspires me every day.
– Chauncey Zalkin
Explore More Meaning
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shoeologist. meaning maven. ted x'ers.
Shannon Bindler describes her pal, Soph, as a bridge, connecting countless people. Sophie Chiche describes her pal, Shan-Shan, as the sunshine that enters the room. In December of 2012 they presented their TEDxMalibu talk. [Happy Parents of Children who Live Out Loud]
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personal relationship developer. life transformer. corporate wunderkind.
Keith Ferrazzi is an author, speaker, activist, and entrepreneur whose expertise in professional relationship development has transformed careers and lives worldwide. [www.keithferrazzi.com]
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team builder. motivator. creator.
Ruth Grodek founded Creation, a company that coaches senior management teams and individual leaders to be authentic, powerful, inspiring, and compassionate. [www.creation-uk.com]
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big picturer. former linebacker. current give-backer.
Ryan Nece's community influence has lasted long after he finished his career as an National Football League player. He created The Ryan Nece Foundation, which provides physical, financial, and spiritual assistance to those in need. [www.ryannece.com]
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body image expert. passionate voice. true beauty embracer.
Amber Krzys is on a mission to change the way women see and relate to their bodies. Bodyheart, which she founded, is her way of doing that. [www.bodyheart.com]
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thrill seeker. mud pie maker. groover.
Jennifer Peek is the founder of Find Your New Groove, mentoring women entrepreneurs to design and build businesses that reflect their purpose, passion, and priorities while embracing a sense of adventure. [http://findyournewgroove.com]
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urban storyteller. coat angel. friend at any hour.
Writer, designer and storyteller, Sarah Kathleen Peck, is the brain behind the blog "it starts with" and founded the online Landscape Urbanism journal at the nexus of cities, landscape and design. [www.itstartswith.com]
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author. speaker. productivity guru.
David Allen is a consultant, international lecturer, bestselling author, and the founder of the David Allen Company. [www.davidco.com]
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