We're excited to introduce our March speaker, Sarah M. Boye

Sarah is a historian who uncovers the hidden stories buried in Orlando’s past.

She is an author and public historian specializing in memory, community history, and the cultural landscape of Central Florida. Her work has been featured in both academic and popular publications, including Reflections magazine and the Orlando Sentinel. She has presented research at international, national, and state conferences, as well as lectures and programs hosted by museums, universities, government agencies, and civic organizations.

Her public history work extends beyond the classroom and the page, with projects that include the City of Orlando's Greenwood Cemetery Digital Walking Tour, the Parramore Speaks oral history initiative developed through a public partnership, and collaborations with genealogical societies and local institutions.

She has appeared on PBS affiliate WUCF’s Florida Road Trip and is the creator and producer of the forthcoming podcast Beneath the City Beautiful, which highlights overlooked stories in the city’s history.

Make sure you register for your free 🎟️ here

Meet our February Speaker, Pat Greene!

Pat is a curator, artist, writer, and community organizer.

He is the founder, director, and curator of the Corridor Project.

He is the former Arts and Culture writer for Bungalower, an Orlando based publication.

He was the Gallery Director and Curator at the Gallery at Avalon Island from 2013 to 2018. He has been curating and organizing pop-up events under The Corridor Project since 2012. The City of Orlando commissioned The Corridor Project to put art on the bicycle paths. Greene has done residencies at the Atlantic Center for the Arts (New Smyrna Beach), Q21 at the Museumsquartier (Vienna, Austria), and Monochrom Residency (Anger, Austria). He has been a visiting artist and lecturer at Bemis Contemporary Art Center (Omaha), the University of Florida, the Cherokee Reservation (Cherokee, North Carolina), and others. Pat Greene had a jazz radio show on WPRK at Rollins College from 1999- 2012. He has been published in several publications, including Orlando Weekly, Detroit Metro Times, The Brooklyn Rail, The Daily Serving, Ink 19, and Atomic Ranch.

And this weekend he will be showcasing a new project at IMMERSE Fest called the La-Z Boy Quartet, make sure to check it out.

Don't forget to clear your morning on February 27th and join us to hear Pat's interpretation of CAMINO — WAY/PATH. Register for free here!

Our speaker this month is Rev. Mary Lee Downey. She is the CEO of Hope Partnership, Inc., a nonprofit she founded in 2012. Downey and the team at Hope Partnership provide services to those experiencing homelessness and poverty in Central Florida, empowering those they serve toward success and sustainability. In the last 11 years, they have served over 100,000 individuals. The organization has received many awards and recognitions, most notably from Bank of America, Walt Disney World, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Downey was recognized as 2025 Osceola County Person of the Year as well as 2019 Central Floridian of the Year, and in 2023 she was given the Linda Goodwin-Nichols Service Award. Downey is currently focused on providing affordable housing to those in need, in partnership with private, public, and faith-based organizations. She is a Deacon in the United Methodist Church with a focus on missional outreach through social justice in nonprofit organizations. She is married to Martin, and together they are raising three amazing kids.

Make sure you register for a FREE ticket here!

++ Join us at this event and you could score a free year of Adobe Creative Cloud! Hope to see you there!

Meet our December Speaker:

Dr. Jami Valentine Miller is the founder of African American Women in Physics, Inc. an organization that honors women who paved the way, inspires future physicists, and connects with allies interested in promoting diversity in Physics and other STEM fields. She was the first Black woman to earn a PhD in physics from Johns Hopkins University and she works as a Patent Examiner at the US Patent and Trademark Office.

We are looking forward to hearing her perspectives on INNOVATION on December 12th.

Make sure to register to get your free ticket!

This month, we’re back a little earlier than usual, but it’s because we can’t wait to have the amazing DIANE LEVINE as November’s speaker with the global theme of GROWTH!

Diane Levine is a writer, mom, creative leader, and interdisciplinary thrill seeker. As Chief Creative Officer for the award-winning marketing agency Think Integrated, she leads a team developing high-impact brands, content, and campaigns for clients including Orlando Ballet, Smart City Telecom, Orlando Health, Sodexo, and Rosen Hotels & Resorts. She believes life and work should be approached with joy and curiosity, a philosophy that’s led her to dabble in everything from blogging to surfing to pickleball to writing and producing a short film, The Day We Never Met. Most recently, she took up skateboarding at 49 and is having the time of her life while learning a few great lessons that apply both on and off the board.

Join us on November 14th, where Diane will share those lessons, and maybe a wipeout video or two.

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A BIG thank you once again to this month’s venue sponsor, Full Sail Treehouse!

A HUGE thanks to our breakfast sponsor, Think Integrated!

And a DANGEROUS thanks to our activity sponsor, The Danger Booth

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🎟️ Get your ticket here

Join us on October 31 as 5 students and recent graduates kickstart their speaking career by sharing a story, whether it’s a project, idea, process, lesson, or source of inspiration!

Danny Askin is a Senior in the Graphic Design Program at UCF with a passion for learning and exploring new mediums of creativity. As a student, they enjoy screen printing, film photography, and anything hands-on that gets them off the computer for a while. Outside of class, they love movies, cooking, and going to local events

Gabriella Pedraza is a recent graduate from Full Sail University in Media Communications. Before Full Sail, she studied Journalism and Political Science at UCF but dropped out, taking a gap year to work and save money while figuring out her path. That detour led her to pursue her passion for music and entertainment, and since then has produced music videos, released her own music (Mujer Del Sol), worked with Immigration Records during the Latin Grammys, and co-founded her own production company, Intentional Productions.

McKenzie Working has a heart for staying soft-hearted towards others. She graduated from the University of Central Florida in summer 2025 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Emerging Media: Graphic Design Track. She currently works as a graphic designer and photographer at Orange County Utilities where she enjoys creating print and digital designs, capturing photos at events, and working with her team. In her free time, she loves linocut printmaking, tending to her houseplants, and reading fiction books.

Dawson Therre is a 22-year-old Journalism major at the University of Central Florida who has already made a notable mark as a published author. His debut full-length novel “You can recognize late September by how the leaves whistle just right, kindly to the wind” explores themes of grief and coming of age. Though still early in his career, Dawson’s work suggests a talent for voice‑driven stories that speak to the young adult experience. A young writer and journalist in the making, Dawson is carving out his own lane through both nonfiction (journalism) and fiction, with the promise of many more stories ahead.

Morgan Mullen is a graphic designer and illustrator from Orlando, Florida. She graduated this past May from UCF with her BFA in Emerging Media with a specialization in Graphic Design. In her current role as a Digital Designer at CELSIUS, she collaborates on and carries out digital campaigns and initiatives for Alani Nutrition. With her previous roles as a Senior Graphic Design & Illustration Associate Scholar at Limbitless Solutions and President of the Graphic Design Student Association at UCF, Morgan discovered her drive to foster communities and design solutions that help others feel seen.

Don't forget to register for free here

We hope you’ll join us for our next talk on September 26 — this month we’ll be hearing from Brian Clark!

Brian Clark is an investor and manager of People Bridge Properties in Central Florida. Yet his passion is the nonprofit he founded with his dad, People Bridge, whose mission is to encourage and equip people globally to fulfill their dreams.  

With 24 staff in four countries multiplying life-changing impact through entrepreneurial job creation training you will be encouraged and hopefully leave the morning a little different and more motivated to impact change in your world through others.

Make sure you register here!

Get ready for our next talk on August 29th — this month we’ll be hearing from Jenny De Witt!

Jennifer De Witt is a certified travel advisor, digital strategist, cat diplomat, and chaos whisperer who decided a long time ago that “normal” was the least interesting option. From pioneering social media before it had rules (or dignity), to house-sitting her way across multiple continents, Jennifer’s career reads less like a ladder and more like an abstract painting—bold, layered, and occasionally featuring a foreign country.

These days she builds bespoke luxury itineraries with the soul of a storyteller and the planning chops of a crisis-trained operator. Clients come to her when they want a trip that changes something and not just a hotel booking, but a perspective shift, a culture immersion, a plan with a backup plan that still leaves room for awe.

Her past lives include: ESL teacher in Japan and Poland, freelance writer, digital fixer for arts orgs and universities, board member of AIGA Orlando, head bagel chef, content ghost for brands trying not to be cringe, founder of a successful but now closed (RIP) marketing collective, and cat-sitter in like… so many places. She’s a serial reinventionist who has lived everywhere and belonged nowhere, and that’s exactly how she likes it.

Catch Jennifer on August 29th as she dives into what “nomad” means when you burn the rulebook, live on instinct, and write your next chapter from a kitchen table in someone else’s house.

Make sure you register here!

We’re excited to announce our June speaker, Zac Wolf!

After photographing punk rock bands as a hobby while growing up in South Florida and attending Emerson College in Boston, Zac fell into wedding photography and discovered a passion for capturing love. A decade later, Zac works full-time as a wedding photographer and photo boother based in Orlando but regularly travels nationwide.

Following 14 years in Boston in 2022, Zac and his wife Becca moved back to Florida. When not behind the camera, Zac enjoys spending time with his corgi Marty McFloof and cat Lolli, exploring theme parks, and hunting for the perfect slice of pizza.

Make sure to reserve your seat and register here!

We’re excited to announce our May speaker!

Matt Gilhooly is a storyteller, podcaster, and marketing specialist dedicated to amplifying life-changing moments. As the host and creator of The Life Shift Podcast, Matt curates candid conversations that explore pivotal experiences, fostering connection and reminding listeners they are not alone. His award-winning indie podcast is recognized for its authenticity and emotional depth.

With an MBA and a Master’s in mass communication, Matt blends his business background with a deep understanding of audience engagement. His expertise extends beyond podcasting—he is a marketing communications writer and former educator, helping others craft compelling narratives that resonate. 

Whether through podcasting, writing, or connecting with others, he remains committed to sharing stories that empower and uplift.

Join us on May 30 to hear about how Matt has encountered moments of revival in his career and life, and why he shares stories of revival daily.

Make sure you reserve your seat and register here!