Portraits of the Valley

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find inspiring interviews from in and around the Valley.

Nancy Nave

In 2007, while running a business from home and raising my three boys, my husband encouraged me to audition for a reality modeling show, something I knew nothing of. Long story short, I got cast, eventually signed with an agent, and before long I was booking commercials, TV shows, and films across Texas and nearby states—and I completely fell in love with acting. Read more>>

Janette Danielson

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area absolutely loving movies. Every weekend I had my rotation—Airplane, My Cousin Vinny, The Sound of Music, and later School of Rock, just to name a few. My childhood home was down the street from a local movie theater, and it became a family tradition to walk there at least once a week to see whatever was playing. As I got older, that ritual turned into after-school trips with friends, solidifying film as the center of my world. Read more>>

Casey Kopp

Trivia Tycoon started as a brain child in August of 2024 and we launched in June 2025! Between myself and my two partners, Nick and Ben, we all LOVE bar trivia and have either hosted or played frequently over the years. Over time, we realized a lot of bar trivia was mundane, too hard or just not as fun as it could be! Together, we came up with the idea to create a more lively, gamified bar trivia experience and thus, Trivia Tycoon was born! Read more>>

Shavaughn Lee

I spent years brainstorming and finally had a breakthrough. I realized my true passion was in the beauty industry—not as a stylist, but as a visionary with a dream of empowering artists. I saw the industry as a community, and I wanted to create a beautiful space where they could thrive. Read more>>

Alan Feldstein

In 2023 my wife, Journalist Diane Haithman, and I founded the Infinite Safari Foundation (www.infinitesafarifoundation.org) which is dedicated to humanitarian, educational and conservation initiatives in Africa. It is funded, in large part, from a donation of the cost of each Infinite Safari Adventure safari that is created. From that fund we have saved cheetahs and rhinos, built water wells, sent people to college and many other initiatives. Read more>>

Terrie Huberman

Personally, I’m using holotropic breathing and the Heart Hug Method (I created that) to help me get through an acute trauma that I experienced with being a victim of arson, which I learned is under the umbrella of terrorism. I have had fear and my body kept waking up during the night at the time of the event, so feeling safe has been an issue for me. I’m using these techniques for my own transformative healing and my evolution has been moving forward. I don’t know if I’ll get a certification in holotropic breathing yet. Read more>>

Geoffrey Capco

I started my business in the year 2000, I was at the age where I was not being considered for employment as a sales representative. I had a small business 10 years before that, and I was quite successful in communications business. I was squeezed out because of the industry going digital and there was a lot of fraud in the industry. Read more>>

Jaydene Oconnor

My journey began over 25 years ago in the culinary world, learning under some of Los Angeles’ most respected chefs. From the start, I was passionate about using fresh, seasonal ingredients and creating dishes that not only taste amazing but also tell a story. Read more>>

Randy Neece

We bought a Tibetan terrier puppy in 1990 named Max. Joe began entering Max in dog shows. When Max won Best of Breed at the Westminster Dog Show in New York, Joe decided to become a dog trainer. Read more>>

Dr. Dana Jacobson

I started my career in early childhood education, where screaming, kicking, and biting were part of the daily soundtrack. Most people would run the other way, but I came home from those days with a smile, feeling completely fulfilled. Working with kids has always been my greatest passion, and that early experience set the foundation for everything that came after. Read more>>

Tammy Hunter PhD, CHt

Tammy Hunter’s story begins in a small town outside Dallas, Texas. Behind the closed doors of her Pentecostal upbringing, she endured the kind of abuse that silences many. Her father’s anger dominated the household, while her mother—an opioid-addicted sociopath—inflicted emotional cruelty that left scars deeper than words can describe. The cruelty wasn’t abstract. Read more>>

Angela Raimondi

Hi, I’m Angela, your friendly balloon girly and owner of Bubbly & Beyond Events LLC. I started creating balloons professionally about a year ago, but my love for decorating and hosting parties has been with me for as long as I can remember. For years, I set party planning aside, thinking the industry was too competitive. Read more>>

Milana Lebedeva

I was born in Uzbekistan into a family of teachers. From an early age, I had a passion for beauty and creativity — I would style the hair of dolls, friends, and even my mother. I loved making women feel more confident and beautiful. After graduating from university, I earned a Master’s degree and began my career as a teacher. Read more>>

Robert Zorlu

My journey was an intro class with the Pioneers of Jiu Jitsu, The Gracie family in Torrance. When I first walked into the Jiu-Jitsu academy, I thought, “How hard could it be? It’s just pajamas and wrestling.” Ten minutes later I was held down by someone half my size who politely reminded me that technique beats my boxing background and enthusiasm. Read more>>

Christine Ellison

I was born and raised in Southern California, always curious, creative, and drawn to both science and art. At my core, I’ve always wanted to inspire others to live their best lives which naturally led me to hypnotherapy. I first discovered hypnosis as a teenager, using guided imagery recordings to cope with the stresses of growing up. Read more>>

Dr. Wilsa Charles Malveaux

I’m a first-generation American and the proud daughter of immigrants from Jamaica and Grenada who came to the U.S. as adults and became doctors. Growing up, I watched their journey and learned early the values of resilience, sacrifice, and excellence. Those lessons shaped the way I pursued my own path. I grew up balancing two passions: sports and people. Read more>>

Russell & Sean Argue

Our story began years ago, when Russell’s mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in South Africa and had to transition into an assisted living community. Experiencing that process firsthand of the emotions, the logistics, and the sensitivity it required had left a deep impression on our family. When we later moved to the United States, we saw how many families here were facing the same challenges. Read more>>

Alyx Galura

My path into therapy has been a winding road. I studied psychology in college and worked in entertainment marketing for over a decade, but my own experiences in therapy over the years showed me how powerful healing can be — and inspired me to become a therapist myself. In my 20s, I injured my back while training for a marathon. Read more>>

Julia Schwab

I grew up in Los Angeles and went to UC Santa Cruz for undergrad. At a very young age, I knew I was queer, and I also knew that my peers and family would struggle with that reality. Going to school in the progressive environment of Santa Cruz gave me the safety I needed to accept my queerness and make supportive friends. Read more>>

Christina Berke

I think most creative people can reflect back to find some defining moments and I can remember a few like learning how to type on a typewriter or reading a really inspiring book. My family supported my love of reading and writing and I had some mentors along the way who encouraged me. Read more>>

Richard Scott

My story is very unusual. If it was novel, it would be a boxed set. Haha. I have lived in eleven states all over the country and learned a lot from people in all regions. My family is all gone now and I am the only one left. It is a continuing journey with many twist and turns along the way. Read more>>

Ebony Soy

I’m an illustrative storyteller based in Van Nuys, California, and I grew up in West Covina. Art has always been a part of me, but life initially led me down a different path. I served in the military, worked in healthcare management, and later in social work—each experience shaping how I see people, systems, and survival. Read more>>

Anay Sanghvi]

I didn’t come from a film family, so my journey into the industry started from scratch. I began in India with internships and assistant directing roles, spending long hours on set just to learn and prove myself. Read more>>

John Elliott

John Foster Elliott began his career in psychology at age twenty-one, founding the first crisis intervention and drug-counseling center at Pennsylvania State University. He worked with Dr Steven Danish and others in utilizing Rogerian techniques for paraprofessionals and presented his first paper for the APA at age 22. Read more>>

Nathalia Gomez

I’ve been surrounded by entrepreneurship my whole life. With roots in both Mexico and Peru, my family opened our first restaurant, Listo El Pollo, in Reseda when I was 16. A few years later, at 21, we opened Rosty Peruvian Eatery in Highland Park, and most recently, in 2023, my sister launched Tacos 805 in Simi Valley with her husband. Read more>>

Victor Blagoev

I was born in Prague, Czech Republic to Bulgarian parents. Since I can remember, I was fortunate to be a part of a vibrant, international community that exposed me to a myriad of different cultures. My parents, while not musicians, were big fans and supporters of the music world, so there was always music being played in the house, car, and around. Read more>>

Juriana Hernandez

I’m a holistic Latina therapist and Breathwork and Embodiment Coach and have been in the wellness field since 2011. After many years of working in community mental health and in the integrated health care system, I was craving change and freedom. Read more>>

Anaelli Haghnazari

First and foremost I would like to thank you for choosing me to be part of your project and allowing me to share my story. I am the youngest of 4 siblings, born in the Middle East during the Iran–Iraq War, and it’s fair to say that my early childhood was shaped by trauma that continues to influence me today. Read more>>

Jennie Nevin

I’m a Valley Girl at heart, living in Reseda with my husband Michael and our two dogs, Beau and Sydney. Originally from Northern California, I first came to Southern California on a vocal scholarship to Chapman University, where I fell in love with the region’s energy and opportunities. Read more>>

Amber Cox

I’ve always been drawn to photography as a way to preserve memory, legacy, and everyday beauty. My journey started with documenting family and community life, which grew into a deeper exploration of storytelling through images. Over time, I’ve worked across different roles — from event coordination and gallery curation to personal projects — always centering people, history, and place. Read more>>

Lil Bruh Gwop

My story begins in Sacramento when I was just five years old, discovering that I could channel something deeper through art and creative expression. Even as a kid, I was drawn to seeing and creating worlds that others couldn’t see – spending hours with my hands with pencils, crayons, clay, words on paper, always capturing these visions that felt bigger than myself. Read more>>

Deborah Lindquist-Vanatta

I grew up on a farm in Minnesota — in a home built by my great-grandfather Magnus, a Swedish immigrant, entrepreneur, and caretaker of the land. From a young age, I found solace in expression — through fabric, color, sketches, notebooks, and words. Read more>>

Nathaniel Rodriguez

I started my career with a passion for helping small businesses grow through marketing. Early on, I realized that most home-service companies – especially painters – were incredible at their craft but struggled to consistently generate quality leads and turn them into customers. Read more>>

Kerwin Cervantez

2024 was when I started shooting more fashion photography. I was working on spec ads with teams, while occasionally shooting e-commerce and look books for brands. Surrounding myself in the fashion world inspired me to branch out to styling and then ultimately led into fashion design. Read more>>

Robert Olsen

I started Goldenstate Landscapes back in 2008 with just 2 employees, one truck, and a whole lot of determination. At first, it was all about maintenance and irrigation retrofits—helping our customers keep their landscapes looking good and their water bills under control through the Great Recession. We grew the old-fashioned way: one customer at a time, one employee at a time. Read more>>

Marty Ruiz

I am 19 years old. My name is Martin, but I go by Marty and I recently just started my notary business. Read more>>

Blake Coppelson

Of course! I started back in the YouTube days about 12 years ago. I had a passion for sharing music to my friends and YouTube was the easiest way to do this. What I didn’t know that I was doing was being the first person uploading all of these songs to YouTube. Read more>>

Leonard Buschel

I grew up in the Logan neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I attended Philadelphia Community College and the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado, and received a substance-abuse counseling certificate from Los Angeles City College in 2005. Read more>>

Annie Dashtoyan

I was born in the Republic of Georgia and emigrated to the U.S. with my mom when I was seven. To adapt to a new country and language, I immersed myself in books, stories became my refuge. What began as a way to learn English quickly evolved into a lifelong passion for storytelling, which naturally led me to filmmaking. Read more>>

Julian Payne

My story begins with curiosity. As a kid, I was fascinated by discovery — I spent hours exploring the woods of Maryland behind my house, turning every fallen branch into a compass and every trail into a new adventure. Those quiet explorations taught me that discovery isn’t always about distance; it’s about perspective — the ability to find wonder in the world around you. Read more>>

Brian Ishiba

I picked up the guitar for the first time in my senior year of high school after watching a video of Randy Rhoads playing Crazy Train. He made playing the guitar look awesome! It was a terrible way to learn the instrument though, I probably should have started with something a little more beginner friendly. Read more>>

Candace Newman

My journey has been anything but traditional; it’s been one of faith, resilience, and divine purpose. I didn’t grow up with connections in the entertainment industry or a roadmap for how to build a career in live events. What I did have was an unshakable love for music, people, and creating experiences that make others feel seen, inspired, and connected. Read more>>

Kamal Bolden

I grew up in Peoria, IL. One of the greatest basketball small cities in the States. We have a long history of slaying giants and defeating the top Chicago teams to bring home state championships. It has produced NBA stars like, three time champion with the Golden State Warriors—Shaun Livingston. So growing up I dreamed of making it to the NBA. Read more>>

Jesus Mendoza

**The Journey of Family Moving Services: From Humble Beginnings to Trusted Professionals** At Family Moving Services, we believe that understanding our history is key to appreciating the high-quality service we strive to provide today. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for taking the time to learn about who we are and what we stand for. Read more>>

Felipe Morales

I was born in Bogotá, Colombia, but I didn’t start my dance career until I was 19, when I decided to move to New York to attend dance school. It’s been a long journey; however, consistency has been key in helping me get a little closer to my dreams. I’ve met amazing mentors and been introduced to an incredible community. Read more>>

Stefan Dresler

I started playing music in my home country Austria when I was 6 years old and I haven’t stopped since! I got introduced to music very early as my parents were music fans and my brother a musician himself. The music scene in Austria isn’t huge, but the standard of musicianship is incredibly high, and there’s a strong emphasis on detail and craft. Read more>>

Morgan Sage

I grew up in South Jersey about twenty minutes from Philadelphia. Art and cinema weren’t necessarily on my family’s radar back then, but I was obsessed with movies as a kid and I had dreams of becoming an actor from a very young age as did my Grandmother. Read more>>

Ashley Granillo

I wrote my first book when I was 5 years old for the Student Author Project at Telfair Elementary School in Pacoima, California. Seeing my ideas unfurl on the page, bound into a forest green hardcover, with my name etched in gold lettering solidified the rest of my writerly journey. Although, I dreamed of being something else then––a nurse, teacher, a popstar…never a writer. Read more>>

Jess Solomon

I moved to California from New York around 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree and a natural gift for sales. Selling came easily to me—it was in my DNA—but I was looking for work that meant more than numbers and quotas. In 2004, I entered the eldercare market as a marketer for a home care company. Read more>>

Michael Broukhim

I grew up in Newport Beach, CA, in a Persian Jewish family. My childhood was happy and largely free of adversity. About a month before I left for college in 2006, my parents revealed to me that my father had been living with cancer for the previous eight years, and that he might not have much longer to live. Read more>>

Scott Liggett

Born in Detroit and raised in San Marino, CA Scott Liggett is a national Emmy Award-winning music & audio producer who continues to enjoy a long and successful career as a musician, singer/songwriter, music supervisor, arranger, composer, producer, and executive. In 2022 he was awarded the Hollywood Music In Media Award for best music score production at the Griffith Observatory’s ‘Signs of Life’ planetarium show. Read more>>

Ted Norton

Ted Ernest Norton: From Personal Trials to Founding My Living HeadStone I say that *life is story*. Not just the ones we tell, yet the ones that shape us. My own story began in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where I was raised in the values of the 1950s, tennis trophies, a church upbringing, and a curiosity that would later drive me into philosophy, technology, and storytelling. Read more>>

Natalia Postolati

My journey has been a blend of Western medical training and Eastern healing traditions. I graduated from medical school in 1988 and went on to specialize in immunology, eventually defending my thesis and working in that field for many years. While I deeply valued the scientific foundation of medicine, I always felt there was more to health than what could be measured in a lab. Read more>>

Blayne Pacelli

I was a restaurant manager for many years. I graduated Hotel/Restaurant Management at the University Of Las Vegas in 1989. I thought I wanted to own a restaurant but i really hated it but for some reason I stayed in the business way way too long. I finally hit a breaking point and wanted to do something different. Read more>>

Scott Fidgett

My story really starts with having nothing. No family wealth, no roadmap, and no shortcuts. That might sound like a disadvantage, but for me it was the best training ground imaginable. When you don’t have a safety net, you quickly learn how to create your own opportunities. Read more>>

Shulin Rudra

Music has always been a part of my life in some capacity, whether it was the instruments I played growing up or the songs I’d listen to on my mom’s iPod. I think a good place to start my story is in 2015, when a babysitter introduced me to GarageBand. Read more>>

Una Bassilli

I have always been a bit of a rebel with a creative streak, so when my immigrant parents pushed me toward a “safe” college degree, I picked marketing—the most creative option I could find on the “practical” path. Read more>>

Jennifer Tabbush

When I was a first-year MBA student at UCLA, I excelled academically and was highly involved, so the Director of Admissions invited me to serve as a student reader for applications. I continued reading during my second year. When I graduated, the Director of Admissions asked if I’d stay on as a reader. Read more>>

Colette Rosario

Acting has always been my dream and one of my life’s goals. I majored in visual art throughout my high school and college education before working as a graphic artist in NY advertising. In the 1970’s, I took profession dance lessons in New York studios until I was injured. Read more>>

Dan Jablons

I lead two lives. One life is that of a retail consultant. I started working in retail when I was 17. Right after college, I worked for a kids’ clothing manufacturer, but my job was to talk to retailers. Then I worked for a point of sale company, installing systems into retail stores. Read more>>

Avo Sogomonyan

My journey into the tow truck business started with a simple idea and a strong work ethic. I’ve always been handy with vehicles and spent years working in automotive repair, but I noticed a gap in reliable, fast-response towing services in my area. With just one truck and a lot of determination, I decided to take the leap and start my own towing company. Read more>>

Melissa Lander

My journey into advocacy started in 2009 when my son was diagnosed with autism. Like so many parents, I was suddenly thrown into a system filled with acronyms, paperwork, and endless meetings. I felt overwhelmed and unprepared — but I quickly realized that my voice mattered and that I had to learn how to fight for my child. Read more>>

David Hardy

I started to fall in love with performing when I was in high school. With my first performance as Snoopy in ‘You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown’. From that performance on, I have always wanted to continue to be on stage or in front of the camera for the rest of my life. Read more>>

Nathan Wildes

My story of how I got into my career in holistic wellness is always a pleasure for me to tell because of how it reflects the awareness I have now of how everything happens for a reason and the right answer comes along at the right moment when you are open to receiving it. First, you should know holistic wellness is my 4th career path. Read more>>

Chris Rowland

In 2021, with COVID and its fallout still gripping the country, I lost the bass player for my original band, Professional Americans, to a relocation. I posted for a replacement on craigslist – as we musicians do – and stumbled upon a guy who was interested in putting together a Rockabilly band. Read more>>

Holland Eisenberg

I have been booking trips for my family and extended family for over 2o years. I guess it all started when I was pregnant with my last child. Read more>>

Celeste Creel

I had always been immersed in the worlds of theater, dance, and music -but my secret passion was metaphysics. I say “secret” because these topics were definitely not accepted where I was going to school in Western New York at that time. I actually changed universities, transferring to San Francisco state, just to feel a little more free to explore in this way. Read more>>

Simona Mancini

I was born in Italy, in Campania, in 1981. I began my artistic journey with painting, discovering early on that images could translate emotions and inner perspectives. Over time, I realized that this expressive need could find an even more powerful form through cinema. Read more>>

Three Leaves Creative Heather Kate Duncan and Daniel Leary (Founders)

Three Leaves started the way a lot of creative dreams do — with a few friends, a camera, and an idea that turned into something bigger. We met in college, where weekends were spent filming short projects, music videos, and anything else that gave us an excuse to create. Read more>>

Lesly Chavez

Lesly A. Chavez is the founder of Seals on Wheels Notary, a business built on resilience, faith, and family. After a career in banking, Lesly was laid off during the 2007 mortgage crisis. Instead of giving up, she saw an opportunity to start a mobile notary business. Read more>>

MICHAEL RAPHAEL

I started as a kid admiring bands like KISS, Led Zeppelin., Ac/Dc and Aerosmith and Ted Nugent very much grew up with 70s rock. I formed bands and when I was 20 I formed my first real band called Jailhouse which landed a record deal on Enigma Records which was funded by Capital Records. Read more>>

Bessy Adut

This is your friend Bessy Adut. I was made in Istanbul, Turkey. After studying fine arts, I earned my BA in Film and Television in the Communications Department at Istanbul Bilgi University. I graduated with high honors as the top ranking student in Communications and was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to continue my studies abroad. Read more>>

Summer Hollis

I grew up in a Real Estate family, my mother became my broker in 2016. However, as a rebellious child I didn’t want to be like my family and be in real estate. Read more>>

Christopher Hirtz

World Empanadas is a proud family-owned business serving handcrafted Argentinian and Mexican-style empanadas since 2012. What began humbly in the back of a local liquor store has grown into a vibrant brick-and-mortar shop nestled in the heart of Burbank’s charming Magnolia Park. Read more>>

Jennifer Galvan

When taking Psychology 101 in my undergraduate college, I was surprised to see how the topics of discussion were all things I thought about all the time. Why do people do what they do? What goes through their mind when they decide to do that? Why do others choose to behave differently? These are just some of the questions my curious mind would wander through. Read more>>

Samantha Rosenberg

Before starting Slumber Squad, I worked as a hairstylist in film and television. It was an intense and unpredictable career, and while it taught me a lot about discipline and adaptability, it never felt like my true calling. When the pandemic hit and production work came to a halt, I suddenly found myself at a crossroads. Read more>>

Trent Nusbaum

After graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Advertising, Trent Nusbaum left his hometown in Iowa with nothing but a backpack and the cash in his pocket, boarding an Amtrak bound for Los Angeles to chase a career in marketing. Read more>>

Keetin & Dylan Marchi & Cashbaugh

We are a husband and wife team who were looking for a creative outlet to do together that would keep us focused on the positive things in life and help make the world feel a little cozier. With our backgrounds we had the skillset to try our hand at a podcast. We launched our first version in December of 2024 called “Channeling Hallmark”. Read more>>

Abigail Sanford

When I started college at the University of Tampa I was a biology major, but I wasn’t as interested in the classes as I had hopedI would be. Read more>>

Pearl Aday

I was born into music. My biological father was the drummer for Janis Joplin’s Full Tilt Boogie Band. I am named Pearl after her famous nickname given to her affectionately by Kris Kristofferson. My actual dad who adopted me legally when he met my mother in 1979 and raised me is singer/actor Meat Loaf who sadly passed in 2022. Read more>>

Dr. David Frame

My Story begins in a town called Stockton, California. I was born and raised in the 209 and will forever be a Californian. It’s in my blood, and has been a big inspiration in my work. Growing up in Stockton equipped me with a unique upbringing. Stockton has had it’s share of problems, but the city is rich in experience. Read more>>

REBELLE

I’m originally from Croatia, and my musical journey started really young—I performed at children’s festivals, competitions, and even on Croatia’s Got Talent when I was 10, placing sixth. In high school, I focused on classical singing and music theory, which gave me strong technique and a foundation in musicality. Read more>>

Alvalyn Lundgren

When I graduated from a prestigious design school here in SoCal I had my portfolio and not idea what to do with it. Design school doesn’t teach business skills. Being entrepreneurial at heart, I was determined to freelance, working from home and having the flexibility to work on projects I preferred and to schedule my time as I desired. Read more>>

Veronica Anania

I’ve been drawn to real estate since I was a little girl. My dad and I would spend weekends wandering through open houses—I’d grab the flyers, ask a million questions, and pretend to be his agent. Looking back, those playful moments were the spark that led me to the career I love today. Read more>>

Noushi Kosari

My story started out of curiosity for the world and uncertainty to selecting an undergrad major. I applied as an international business major but quickly learned that the body and its mechanics interested me much more. I was fortunate to complete most of my education in San Diego. Although I was an undercover nerd, I found a way to enjoy beach life and studying. Read more>>

Gary Richards

I started VacBagz with a simple mission: to make life easier for professional pool service technicians. Having worked with battery-operated vacuums, I saw firsthand the frustrations with traditional nylon debris bags—tearing too easily, popping off under pressure, or just not lasting long enough. Instead of settling for “good enough,” I set out to create something better. Read more>>

Chad Cardoos

I wanted to be an Architect though I wasn’t strong enough in Math. I became an Architect in another way, as a Hairstylist. Come to think of it I also wanted to be a Psychiatrist. So I get to cover all the bases as a Hairstylist! Read more>>

Sam Saadat

When I graduated with my BBA and Computer Science diploma, I was full of ambition but quickly realized how tough it was to break into the professional world. Finding a job was a hassle—I tried different firms but had no luck, because I didn’t yet have the necessary skills employers were looking for. That changed when I landed my first job in marketing. Read more>>

Dustin Snyder

My passion for college athletics started when I was a kid, and was fortunate to be a water-boy on the local high school team for years until my playing days. It was a small school in rural Pennsylvania, very much a steel and coal community. Read more>>

Kevin Ackad

It was 2010 and I was living… I had a high-paying corporate career, lots of friends, an amazing social life filled with “recreational fun” until one day, I began to feel as though my life had ZERO meaning, substance, or depth. I felt like a hamster on a wheel, sharing a large cage with a bunch of other hamsters and their wheels. Read more>>

Natalie Sobel

My interest in this field dates back to college when, as a millennial coming of age in a post-9/11 world, I was really interested in psychology and law. I ultimately graduated with my B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Criminology from Miami University in 2007. I applied and got in to Law school upon graduation only to have a last-minute change of heart. Read more>>

Jessica Lewis

More than ten years ago, Dragonfly started as nothing more than a vision — a spark of an idea that came from my love of design, my passion for fitness, and a frustration with what the Los Angeles fitness scene was missing. At the time, I was working in product design and development. Read more>>

Orly Alshech

I started as an office manager for a Roofing company 10+ years ago. Read more>>

Angela Fritz

I’m Angela Fritz, and my path into healing work began after a near-death health experience that completely reshaped my outlook on life. That pivotal moment pushed me to explore meditation, mindfulness, movement, sound, Reiki, and ultimately, hypnosis as tools for my own healing and transformation. Read more>>