2011 Speakers

Mariel Hemingway

As the granddaughter of illustrious author, Ernest Hemingway, Mariel was always destined to be well-known and publicly recognized. However, at the young age of 13, Mariel became famous in her own right when she made her silver screen debut in “Lipstick”. Four years later her work in Woody Allen’s “Manhattan” earned her an Oscar nomination. She has since made 30 films.

In Mariel's own words...

"My time at the 2011 Women’s Journey Conference was a blast!. First I met with the young ladies attending the all-day Self-Esteem workshop and when I saw their smiling faces, open hearts and curious minds I was energized and inspired to reflect back to them how special and perfect every single one of them was."

Suzanne Whang

Suzanne Whang is a television host, actor, stand-up comedian, published author, public speaker, minister, radio host, political activist, and Ivy Leaguer. As a television host, she is best known as the host of HGTV’s #1 show, House Hunters, for almost a decade. As an actor, Suzanne is best known as the hilarious Polly on NBC’s Las Vegas with James Caan. As a stand-up comedian, she won the Best Up & Coming Comedian award at the Las Vegas Comedy Festival, and the Andy Kaufman Award at the New York Comedy Festival. Suzanne’s outrageous, shocking alter ego Sung Hee Park has also been featured on Comedy Central’s Premium Blend. She is the author of “Suzanne Whang’s Guide to Happy Home Buying,” and is working on her second book, a series of autobiographical essays.

Katherine Woodward Thomas

Katherine Woodward Thomas is the bestselling author of Calling in “The One”: 7 Weeks to Attract the Love of Your Life, a transformative educator, licensed psychotherapist and co-creator/co-leader, along with Claire Zammit, of the Feminine Power Global Community, a thriving transformative learning community serving thousands of women worldwide. Katherine also co-created and co-hosts the highly acclaimed Women on the Edge of Evolution teleseries, which has become an international phenomenon, gathering tens of thousands of women weekly to engage the biggest questions facing women today regarding our role in co-creating the future of our world, and featuring many of the world’s leading edge female luminaries, artists, scientists and agents of change.

In Katherine's own words...

"What I experienced when speaking was a highly tuned-in, deeply caring and passionate audience who were ready to rise to meet the challenges of our time by becoming agents of change and leaders of evolution in their communities, pointing the way towards greater levels of care, creativity and well being for all."

Pat Burns - MC

Pat Burns is the Director of Communications and Investor Relations for PeopleJar an internet company focused on the fast growing social networking market.

Pat has more than 38 years of expertise in sales and marketing, executive management, event planning, brand development, corporate sponsorships and public speaking.

Pat is the co-founder and the executive director of the Orange County Children’s Book Festival, a nonprofit public benefit company that has grown from 5,000 to more than 25,000 attendees. She oversees securing companies for sponsorships, including Target, Southwest Airlines, Radio Disney and CNN.

Sharon Lechter

Sharon is an entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, educator, international speaker, licensed CPA and mother. Sharon is known worldwide as the co-author of the international best-selling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad and the Rich Dad series of books. Sharon has also authored Think and Grow Rich – Three Feet From Gold in cooperation with the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

A life-long education advocate, Sharon Lechter is the founder of Pay Your Family First, a financial education organization, and YOUTHpreneur, an innovative new way to spark the entrepreneurial spirit in our children.