2025 CONFERENCE
SPEAKERS AND PARTNERS
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Born and raised in Ghana, Kate migrated to the United States at a young age of eighteen and now thrives on God, Grit and Good Grace! Kate, the Chief Joy Activator devotes her heart to helping people change deeply, live peacefully, and thrive joyfully. Kate has been a Champion for People Development for over nineteen years in various private and public sectors. Kate ignites in others a will-do mindset and can-do attitudes. She has been recognized globally for her commitment to leadership, inspiring women in business, and having high standards of excellence. Kate knows what it means to suffer without God, and to suffer with God. In a season of feeling lost in her marriage, Kate discovered the purpose for her childhood traumas and young adulthood growing pains. The great losses in the form of sexual abuse and physical abuse Kate experienced compelled her to search for her identity in Christ. This journey of heart transformation birthed the I am FREE Woman Ministries Corporation. Kate is the Founder, Visionary, President, and Executive Director of the ministry and works tirelessly to see other women live life joyfully and FREE. Kate is a Pioneer, leading a new healing path focused on reconnecting individuals back to their hearts. As a Transformation Coach and Therapist, she helps women find balance and live a more intentionally focused life centered on their relationship with God, and with others around them. Kate's passion is writing and is the Writer and is the Lead Content Contributor to many of I am FREE Woman ministries' educational teachings, programs, and blog contents. If you were to ask Kate what her greatest achievement is besides her family, she would say using words to inspire, encourage and teach others about living life with God. Kate has achieved educational credentials in bachelors and master’s degrees in Business Administration, Human Resource Management, Master of Ministry, Pastoral Leadership, and Master of Marriage and Family Therapy. Kate is a member of Victory Church and actively serves as a Women’s Ministry Journey Partner and Small Group Leader. She and her husband also help restore love and respect in marriages through their advising roles in Victory’s Married Life Ministry. She is married to her supportive husband James and they live in Atlanta, GA with their two children and a Boxer Labrador. When Kate is not writing, you will find her enjoying active lifestyle activities such as hiking or running, and she enjoys cooking and traveling.
Tania Brown, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC®), is an expert in navigating successful transitions. With unique insight from her journey from military to civilian life and from corporate executive to business owner, she is passionate about helping women over 40 get financially ready to transition from corporate careers to self-employment. With over two decades of experience, Tania has offered invaluable financial guidance to thousands of employees at Fortune 500 companies. Her insights have been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, USA Today, MarketWatch, and Bloomberg, where she shares her expertise to help others thrive. Tania's passion for her work stems from what she describes as "the performance review from hell," which motivated her to leave her job and start her coaching business. Her frustration with navigating the personal, business, and emotional aspects of the transition led her to design a step-by-step process to address the unique challenges people experience when going from steady paychecks to unstable business income. Her process is called The R.E.A.D.Y. method. Beyond her role as a financial coach, Tania is a devoted advocate for teens in foster care and actively volunteers at her church, pouring her heart into her community. When she’s not helping others achieve their dreams, you can find Tania on her enjoyable quest to discover the world's best chocolate.
Meet Caroline Colleen, a Texan now thriving in Georgia, whose joy is as contagious as her compassion. With over 20 years in healthcare technology and as a Certified Life Coach, Caroline holds space for women to feel seen, safe, and celebrated. Her practice is a sanctuary for busy mamas—a judgment-free zone to overcome overwhelm and meet life’s transitions with purpose and peace. Rooted in faith, Caroline taps into the mind-body-spirit connection, blending proven coaching tools with heartfelt insights. Her passion lies in empowering overlooked and overwhelmed mamas, guiding them to release self-sabotage and rise into their fullest, most confident selves. Beyond coaching, she’s a dedicated mom, active in her church’s youth ministry, a lover of all things growth—from gardening to exploring new books and places. Caroline’s clients cherish her nurturing guidance, embracing her wisdom as a path to inner freedom, clarity, and the confidence to conquer life's complexities with grace.
Jenny A. Contreras was born in Colombia and has called the U.S. home for many years. She is a devoted wife and the proud mother of twin girls. With a background in International Relations and an early dream of becoming a diplomat, Jenny chose to dedicate nine years to being a stay-at-home mom before pursuing her calling to serve families through counseling. In 2021, she returned to graduate school and is now a Marriage and Family Therapist at the Atlanta Relationship Institute. Jenny has walked with the Lord since childhood, but her faith has deepened in powerful ways throughout her adult life. She currently serves as a co-facilitator of the GriefShare ministry at Dunwoody Baptist Church, where she helps others experience the hope and comfort of Christ in seasons of loss. Above all, Jenny’s greatest aspiration is to glorify God in every area of her life. She seeks to live daily as the woman God created her to be—especially within her home—and considers it a privilege to walk alongside others as they grow in faith, healing, and connection.
Charmaine Hayes is a devoted wife of over 20 years and a nurturing mother to four children, bringing heartfelt personal and professional insights to faith, family, and community. With a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University (2025) and a Master’s in Pastoral Counseling from Safe Harbors Institute (2022), Charmaine is deeply committed to uplifting families through her expertise in mental health, crisis counseling, and family dynamics. Fluent in English and Spanish, Charmaine serves diverse communities with compassion and cultural sensitivity. Her professional journey includes roles as a Bilingual Forensic Interviewer/Advocate and Counselor at Mosaic GA, a Case Manager at Gobeas Counseling & Evaluation Services, and a Program Director at the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Atlanta, where she developed programs to foster the well-being of youth. Additionally, she owned Marketplace Imaging, delivering marketing solutions to clients for over 15 years. Rooted in her faith, Charmaine actively participates in Victory World Church’s Family Ministry, where she mentors couples and leads volunteers to strengthen marriages and community ties. Her certifications in Prepare/Enrich and Strategic Trauma & Abuse Recovery (STAR) enhance her ability to guide families through challenges with empathy and wisdom. Charmaine’s blend of faith-driven service and professional expertise makes her an inspiring voice for parents and families striving to grow together in love and resilience.
My name is Jadaisha Hannam . My love for poetry started in elementary school , when I checked out my first poetry book in my class library. After enjoying just reading poems for so long , I began to write pieces here and there throughout my teenage years. This year (2025), God has graced me to start writing poetry for Him and it has been such a blessing in my life . Being used as the Holy Spirit’s scribe has brought me great delight, but now as He uses me for spoken word , I pray that through it , everyone who hears will understands how faithful , loving and good the Lord has been and will always continue to be .
Marcie Hunter is a born and raised Atlanta native…a Grady baby! She has been married to the love of her life, Walter for 29 years, and she is the mother of four amazing adult children; Jourdan, Elijah, Taylor, & Isaiah; and fur babies Harley Rae & Harper Rose. Marcie surrendered her life to Christ at the tender age of 13 years old, when she heard the voice of the Lord call her to worship in song. She served as a faithful choir and praise team member at Cross Culture Church for 10 years before expanding her areas of worship to the dance ministry and spoken word.
Shade' is a dynamic author and motivational speaker deeply devoted to empowering individuals to rediscover hope and vitality, regardless of the challenges life may present. She serves as the driving force behind the acclaimed Shade's Inspiration Corner podcast, where she delivers weekly doses of motivation, blending prayer and gratitude to uplift her audience. Notably, she spearheads the Annual 30 Days of Thanksgiving Prayer Challenge every November, advocating for a heart of gratitude and asking for nothing but bringing a heart of gratitude. Through her literary works, including "Journal by Shade'" and "And Suddenly", Shade' shares her personal journey of overcoming adversity, particularly her inspiring story of navigating pregnancy despite negative reports. Her aim is to offer solace and guidance to women facing similar trials, showing them the power of belief and prayer. Beyond her literary pursuits, Shade is the CEO of Foni Promotions, LLC. She is a visionary entrepreneur with a keen eye for crafting exceptional experiences for promotional advertising, print, events, and more. Her creative endeavors reflect her commitment to excellence and innovation in all she undertakes. As a devoted mother of three, Shade draws inspiration from her children and her steadfast partner, who continually motivate her to strive for excellence. Additionally, she actively contributes to her local church community through volunteerism and small group leadership and coach, embodying her belief in service and giving back.
Sonya Ingram is the creative force behind Sas BouTEAq. Born and raised in Atlanta with deep roots in McDonough, GA, she is a proud mother of two and an Army veteran with a passion for serving the Lord and sipping tea — the inspiration behind her brand name. This faith-inspired business specializes in high-quality, custom sublimated drinkware and gifts. From personalized mugs and tumblers to ornaments, plaques, and more, Sonya crafts each item with excellence and intention. Her mission is to help others express their unique stories and creativity through beautiful, lasting designs.
Shema Worldwide was founded in 2023 by Esteban Cortés to share God’s Word through clothing that inspires faith and love for Christ. After Esteban’s passing, his parents, Claudia and Edward, continue this mission with the same passion and dedication. “Shema” means “to listen attentively,” reminding us of the greatest commandment: to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Every piece is more than fashion—it is faith in action, a testimony of love, and a way to bring Christ’s message to the world.
Briana Scott is the Founder of Reflections Stationery Co., an online stationery boutique that creates digital stationery and printable inserts designed to help you deepen your faith, organize your prayer life, and reflect on God’s goodness in a way that’s uniquely yours. Whether you’re building a prayer binder or starting a digital journal, our tools are thoughtfully crafted for women who want to grow in grace and stay rooted in truth. Reflections Stationery creations are brought to life in Covington, Georgia.
GlowAmaze, based in Alpharetta, GA, is a living legacy of three generations of Black women—grandmother (Esther), mother (Dola), and daughter (Eniola). Rooted in faith, the brand honors heritage, community, and self-care through handcrafted, eco-friendly, non-toxic products that make meaningful gifts. GlowAmaze also gives back by supporting initiatives that uplift communities locally and globally. At GlowAmaze, we promise to deliver creativity, care, and quality in every product. Guided by core values—Dedication, Thoughtfulness, Integrity, Commitment, Honesty, Service, Reliability, and Trustworthiness—we strive to exceed your expectations.
Janessa is a singer-songwriter who has been doing so since childhood. God gave her the gift of song and she has used it worldwide while traveling with bands and locally on the worship team at her home church. Janessa calls Atlanta home and moved here as a teen from Cleveland Ohio. She has always been musically inclined and uses her voice minister to those in need, bring hope to the hopeless and praise God for all He has done!