Nancy Lyons
CEO Clockwork, Author & Speaker
Nancy has been locally and nationally recognized for her role as owner and CEO of Clockwork. She is co-author of “Interactive Project Management: Pixels, People, and Process” (New Riders, 2012) and author of the upcoming book, “How to Succeed at Business by Being Nice to Humans.”
She serves as Chair Emeritus of the National Board of Directors at Family Equality Council, is on the Board of Trustees at Minnesota Public Radio, is on the Open Twin Cities Advisory Board, and is a member of the advisory board for the innovative entrepreneurial conference, Giant Steps. She is also a member of the Women’s Presidents Organization and the Minnesota Women’s Economic Round Table.
MJ Shaar
MAPP, CWCC, Wellness and Motivational Speaker at MJShaar.com
Marie-Josée Shaar has dedicated her career to the application of positive psychology in the workplace. Born in the French-speaking suburbs of Montreal and eventually relocating to the Carolinas in the USA, she’s traveled around the world to persuade employees and employers alike of the importance of consciously creating fuller, healthier lives through pragmatic lifestyle changes and strategic shifts in perception. Her signature mixture of science-backed behavioral research, illuminating personal stories and high-energy delivery have won MJ clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government agencies and universities.
MJ’s training includes a master’s degree in applied positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a year-long study program with the National Speakers Association, and several wellness-related certifications. Her engaging wellness workshops and presentations have been translated into four languages and delivered in ten countries on four continents. Her book Smarts and Stamina: The Busy Person’s Guide to Optimal Health and Performance appeared on Amazon’s Healthy Living Bestseller list in the US and in Canada. She’s especially proud to have worked with luminaries in the field like Martin Seligman, Chris Peterson and Dee Edington.
MJ loves yoga, fashion, cooking, a good joke and, most of all, her family. She currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her gregarious husband Rob and their six-year old son James, an aspiring superhero.
Jesse Stukenberg, RN, BSN
Nurse Jesse, It Makes Me Happy! Lead Facilitator
Jesse Stukenberg, also known as “Nurse Jesse” of Nurse Jesse, LLC promotes, trains, fosters and develops new dimensions of life in others. Her passion and authenticity inspire individuals on their unique journeys. Her mission is to help people realize their inherent worth and awaken their truest self so they can joyfully achieve. Jesse has over 20 years in health and wellness including employer clinic nursing and workplace well-being. She also worked on the frontline in the Emergency Department during the pandemic in 2020. Now, her 'job' is her personal mission or ministry, rather than a project or function or series of actions to be carried out. Jesse enjoys speaking, reading, writing, running, dance, paddle boarding, yoga, cross-country skiing, hiking, and traveling. She is a firm believer that "all learn and all teach" empowers others to share their gifts for the good of all.
Karla Brooks, CWP
Founding Creator, It Makes Me Happy, LLC
Karla Brooks is a nationally recognized thought leader and engagement strategist impacting emotional health and workplace culture. She has collaborated with hundreds of employers and innovative organizations including the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. By co-designing interventions which create, connect, and inspire community, she delivers results including increased happiness levels, improved relationships, and thriving workplace cultures. Karla is a Certified Wellness Practitioner through the National Wellness Institute and has over 15 years of experience in worksite well-being. Key roles include the startup company which became Marathon Health, an industry leading provider of workplace health services and Bellin Health, the country's most sought after health care organization serving employers. She is highly regarded by Human Resource professionals and Benefits Advisors and her insights on workplace health and well-being have been featured in the New York Times and on Fox News. Karla knows the critical importance of reaching employees, and with decades of marketing and content creation experience, she can assist any professional in the health benefits and worksite wellness space. Her expertise directly impacts employee burnout and helps employers improve team engagement through her "unconventional, yet amazingly effective" programming.
Vickie Calmese, RN
Founder, HEALTHLARIOUS™
Vickie Calmese is a cheerleader for health care education. Known professionally as Mz. Vickie, she is a registered nurse with 40+ years as a health care specialist. Mz. Vickie is widely known for her energetic, inspirational, motivating and hilarious style of speaking. She has addressed a variety of audiences from faith-based organizations to health care associations.
Originally from East St. Louis, IL, she draws on her health care knowledge and life experiences to give her a unique perspective of creativity and humor.
Clients have included presentations/seminars for The Working Women’s Survival Show, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis Community College, SSM and BJC HealthCare, The Breakfast Club, Illinois State Baptist Convention, The Empowerment Network, The Mound City Medical Forum, The Boone County Department of Health and Human Services, Free to Breathe (National Lung Cancer Sponsor), Alpha Psi Alpha Fraternity and Alpha Delta Omega Sorority, and Craftsmen Industries, to name a few.
Mz. Vickie was a member of District 8 Toastmasters. She was a volunteer for the American Heart Association and member of the Multicultural Initiative, where she also served as the community liaison and trainer of “hands only CPR”.
Her passion and commitment to improving health through knowledge and humor directed her to create HEALTHLARIOUS™, health care education infused with comedy. Audiences have been entertained and educated every time she leaves the stage.
She invites you to: Laugh a lot. Live better.