Charlene Pell is the author of the award-winning memoir “In This Altered Body” and is also the founder and executive director of Facing Forward, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with congenital or acquired facial or physical differences contend with staring, improve control of social interactions, and communicate confidently.

Thirty years ago, Charlene survived a catastrophic plane crash that burned 64 percent of her body, severely injuring her face and hands. Before her accident, Charlene was vice president of communications for one of the most prominent design centers in the United States, the Design Center of the Americas.

As a result of her disfigurement and the lack of psychosocial resources available to her during her recovery, Charlene researched and created programs and resources to help herself and others adjust to their changed appearance and circumstances. Since 1998, she’s shared her insights as a keynote speaker at conferences for burn survivors and healthcare professionals. She created a nationwide program titled “What to Do When People Stare: A Workshop to Teach Individuals with Disfiguring Conditions to Contend With Staring and Improve Control of Social Interactions.” Her work has been published in Skin, Psychology Today, the American Burn Association’s Journal of Burn Care & Research, and other periodicals.

Socials:

Website: charlenepell.com

Website: facingforwardinc.org

Book: In This Altered Body (Amazon AU)

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Tom Finn is Founder & CEO of The Shift Effect Initiative. Global Keynote Speaker. Author, strategist for leaders.

The Shift Effect Initiative seeks to spread the notion of small shifts throughout our society, where complexity can often stifle action.

Tom’s discovery of the power of small shifts comes out of 30+ years of coaching business and government leaders. Two patterns stood out, particularly from 50 leaders featured in The Shift Effect book.

1) Many of us get stuck and lose opportunity for business or personal results because we tend to think in extremes - either/or mindsets where we OVERDO or UNDERDO a behavior and

2) Small shifts off those extremes generate options and big results, like implementing organization-wide systems and programs or collaborations, having strategic impact, and developing the ability to handle crushing workload.

The Shift Effect Initiative is a framework and method that helps people, conflicts, and projects to get unstuck and thrive. We are bringing the Shift Effect method to a society where complexity and stagnation can be discouraging, and where small shifts can provide momentum and positive change for individuals, teams, or societal problems.

Tom's clients include The Weather Channel, Verizon, numerous government agencies including the FDA and NRC in the USA, The Argentine Education Ministry, and NASCAR.

His first book is Are You Clueless? 7 Clues to Profit, Productivity, and Partnership for Leaders in a Multicultural World.

Socials:

Website: https://tomfinnassociates.com/

Book: The Shift Effect (Amazon AU)

Amazon US

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Matthew Cicanese (He/Him) is a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, corporate trainer, and consultant recognized for advancing Neurodiversity Inclusion and Accessible Technology across higher education, government, and industry. As a National Geographic Explorer and Canon photography educator, he combines global fieldwork with practical, evidence‑based approaches that help teams communicate more clearly, design accessible processes, and adopt AI responsibly. Matthew has trained 3,000+ employees in 16 industries and developed ethical AI solutions for higher education institutions, streamlining operations and improving service delivery.

An award‑winning wildlife photography artist, his large‑format macro and wildlife images have been featured by National Geographic and exhibited internationally. Matthew's lived experience as a Deafblind and neurodivergent professional informs every engagement, translating perspective and research into tools any team can use.

Social:

Website: https://mattcicanese.com/

Website: (Speaking/Consulting): https://cicanese.org/

LinkedIn: Matthew Cicanese

Portfolio (Fine Art): https://cicanese.art/

Turn Brain Clutter into Action (Youtube)

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