Our Guests

Amethyst Roberson is an author, speaker, and wellness educator with over 25 years of experience helping individuals and communities build emotional resilience, leadership capacity, and sustainable wellbeing. Her work centers on healing, empowerment, and restoration—bridging faith, emotional intelligence, and practical life skills. Through books, music, keynote talks, and educational programs, Amethyst equips people to lead themselves well, navigate trauma, and reclaim their voice with courage and clarity.

Brenda A. Battle, MBA, BSN, Retired C-Suite Executive | Board Member | Advisor and ConsultantMs. Battle is a C-Suite executive with expertise in strategic planning, program development and innovative program design. Ms. Battle has designed and executed health care system strategies to foster innovation in care delivery and improve health care outcomes. She has a national reputation as a leader in health equity. She is a national speaker with several publications, and has authored several textbook chapters on improving health outcomes and health equity. Ms. Battle’s career spanned multiple sectors of health care including health systems, government affairs, managed care, and post-acute care. Throughout her career, Ms. Battle led community health transformation, fostered innovation in care delivery systems, implemented new models of care and facilitated integration of care between the hospitals, health systems and community. Most recently, she led the University of Chicago Medic…

Ja'Quan Lavender, a native of Steubenville, Ohio, is a remarkable individual whose journey has been characterized by excellence, resilience, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Born with a passion for athletics, Ja'Quan's talent in track and field became evident during his time at Steubenville High School.As a track standout, Ja'Quan made a name for himself in the 400-meter dash, consistently demonstrating his speed, endurance, and determination. His exceptional performances not only earned him recognition but also paved the way for his future endeavors.In 2014, Ja'Quan graduated from Steubenville High School, having left an indelible mark on the track and field program. His success on the high school stage opened doors for him to pursue his athletic aspirations at the collegiate level.Ja'Quan's exceptional track and field abilities led him to receive a scholarship to Tiffin University, where he continued to excel both academically and athletically. He embraced t…

Larry Cheatham is the President of Global AO Solutions, where he is dedicated to helping individuals and businesses achieve financial freedom and create a lasting positive impact. With a proven track record in executive leadership and business development, Larry specializes in transforming operational excellence into sustainable growth and long-term success.Passionate about empowering others, he combines strategic vision, innovative solutions, and hands-on mentorship to drive results across diverse industries. Larry’s commitment to elevating people and organizations reflects his core belief that purposeful leadership can change lives and communities for the better.

Lawrence “LoSco” Scott is a former West Point football player turned international speaker, transformational coach, and founder of LoSco Speaks and The LoSco Group. For over a decade, he’s empowered world changers—from athletes to executive teams—to live and lead purposefully. A certified member of the John Maxwell Team, LoSco specializes in leadership, communication, and personal growth, helping leaders build systems that elevate both their lives and their teams. He launched ASPIRE, a community and online course designed to help individuals achieve fulfillment and financial freedom through purposeful living. Called an “ecosystem accelerator” for guiding leaders to operate intentionally and authentically, Lawrence brings energy, insight, and actionable frameworks to every speaking engagement and coaching session.

As the Chief Technology Officer for the Dallas Mavericks, Phillip leads the strategic direction and execution of the technology vision, delivering innovative and engaging content across multiple platforms. He has over 30 years of experience in the industry, spanning enterprise architecture, IT infrastructure management, process consulting, technical leadership, and strategic consulting.He holds an MS in Entertainment Business, an Executive Certificate in the Chief Technology Program from the Wharton School of Business, an Executive Certificate from the PGP program at the McCombs School of Business, a PMP certification, and a CSM certification. These credentials reflect his commitment to continuous learning and excellence in the field of technology. His mission is to create value for the Dallas Mavericks, NBA, and its stakeholders, and to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence within the technology organization.

Phillip Yates is an accomplished attorney, entrepreneur, and community leader dedicated to expanding economic opportunities for underserved communities. He is the founder and CEO of Equiliberty, an innovative fintech platform focused on increasing access to credit, capital, and wealth-building resources for underrepresented individuals.Beyond Equiliberty, Phillip co-founded Diversity Fund Houston, a $3 million seed fund that invests in Black and Hispanic tech founders, and launched initiatives such as Black Entrepreneurs Week and Latino Entrepreneurs Week to spotlight and support minority business owners.He also serves as Chairman of Impact Hub Houston, where he helps drive social innovation and entrepreneurship across the region. Recognized as an Ecosystem Builder of the Year, Phillip is passionate about using technology, mentorship, and strategic partnerships to close the racial wealth gap and empower people to achieve financial freedom.With a background in corporate and…

Ralph Owens is an accomplished technology executive with a proven record of driving digital transformation and business growth in high-stakes environments. Fueled by a deep passion for technology and innovation, Ralph excels at developing and executing IT strategies that deliver measurable results and lasting competitive advantage. As a strategic leader, Ralph brings a sharp focus on cybersecurity, operational excellence, and building strong partnerships across the business. His experience spans diverse industries, including financial services and energy generation, where he has successfully secured critical infrastructure and navigated complex regulatory landscapes. Recognized for his ability to build high-performing teams and lead complex IT initiatives, Ralph consistently aligns technology with business goals to create innovative solutions that accelerate growth, enhance customer experience, and achieve revenue targets. Driven to empower organizations to harness technology for sust…

Rob Zelinka is a transformational CIO and senior technology executive with over three decades of experience leading enterprise-wide digital, cloud, and operational strategies.Most recently, he served as Vice President & Chief Information Officer at Jack Henry, where he oversaw technology strategy and operations at one of Forbes’ Best Places to Work. His career also includes transformative leadership roles at TechnipFMC and PROS, where hedrove operational rigor, digital innovation, and large-scale technology transformations across global organizations.Recognized as a three-time Orbie CIO finalist and active member of the WSJ CIO Council and CNBC Technology Executive Council, Rob is a trusted voice in the future of leadership and technology. He serves on multiple advisory boards, guiding executives and organizations through disruption, growth, and cultural reinvention.Today, Rob channels his experience into advisory services, thought leadership, and leadership development.…

Shachella James is an award-winning technology professional with well over a decade of professional experience across multiple industries, consulting services, manufacturing banking, telecommunications, and now utilities. She is responsible for information and operational technologies, and enterprise architecture. Her expertise also spans strategic and capital planning, cloud services, data center operations and infrastructure operations. She is keen on workforce management and serving up the talent pipeline for the future.

Terry Baylor is a transformative Strategic IT & Digital Transformation Leader, entrepreneur, mentor, public speaker, and podcaster based in Houston. He’s on a mission to humanize technology, believing that the most powerful connections still happen in person. Terry leads with empathy and action, guiding teams and organizations to harness Agile practices, embrace innovation, and thrive in complex digital landscapes. At Lift Life Technology, Terry champions the mantra "Old‑fashioned isn’t outdated," emphasizing face‑to‑face interactions in a virtual world. His recent LinkedIn reflections underscore his passion:“When you show up, listen, and connect from the heart, you’re not just selling a service — you’re building trust, community, and lasting relationships.”Whether he’s delivering key insights at events like Cisco Live or coaching high-performing teams, Terry empowers others to lead with authenticity, agility, and impact.