Tanja Thompson
Tanja Thompson is the author of “What to Expect When you Weren’t Expecting Breast Cancer “, the Founder of The Breast Cancer Move Foundation a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. An important component of her non-profit is the Ask Skye Project, where her team mentor youth on project specific events. She’s also the CEO of the Transformational Resolution Group, coaching individuals transform the traumatic events that have stifled their lives, by helping them work inward. She’s a TEDx Speaker and Coach, with her 1st TEDx Talk from Tragedy to Triumph talking on her journey with breast cancer. For 2019 she organized, curated, and produced the 1st TEDxCatoctinCircleWomen event in Loudoun, where she had youth working on the project.
Tanja is a 25 year Air Force retired military decorated veteran, who finds opportunities to give back to her community. She has given back to her community in the following roles as the Legal Redress Chair for the Loudoun NAACP, Loudoun Social Services Board, Loudoun Board of Directors, Loudoun Workforce Development Center, the FBI Citizen Academy alumni, and the Loudoun Health Council.
One of her strategies is creating doors that others can walk through. Tanja often says, “In many communities you hear when one door closes another opens, but what happens when there is no door to open.” That’s why they call her the marketing savant, because she finds ways to create opportunities that uplifts the masses.
Tanja helps others to take control of their lives through transformation, empowerment, conflict resolution strategies, conflict coaching, and self-advocacy, to actionable movement. As a 2x breast cancer survivor she knows firsthand the importance of early detection, treatment options, empowerment, self-advocacy, early detection, communication and self-care.
Tanja holds a BS, HealthCare Administration from UMUC, a MS-Human Resource Management from Webster University, The Chicago School of Psychology, PHD (credits), and is currently working on her 2nd graduate degree from the School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution (S-CAR) at George Mason University (GMU). Tanja is married to Phillip Thompson, children, Artisha, Taylor, and Tysne and granddaughter Faith.
Sandra Hope
Sandra Hope is an entrepreneur and a Citizen of the Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe of N.C. Her career has focused on ERP Systems implementation, as well as concert, film and media production. She is an author and writer (novel and screenplays), a technology consultant, and an American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Sequoyah Fellow for her work in promoting STEM education for American Indian students. Sandra deems that the lack of indigenous representation across mainstream and popular media is an egregious oversight caused by disregard for descendants of the original occupants of the Americas. She is the founder of, and is currently building the unity media application Fan.C (findanative.com) to promote indigenous people related interests in commerce, causes, community, and culture.
Earl Cornish
Earl (a.k.a. Coach Earl) Cornish is a Baltimore, Maryland native living in Leesburg, Va. Currently, Earl works within the Telecommunication Industry. Also, Earl is Co-Founder of Virginia Special Forces Unlimited a 501 c3 nonprofit organization established in 1998 to service the Northern Virginia area; 2009 Non-Profit of the year finalist. Earl’s personal, educational and professional journey included being a radio and news program personality at Northeastern University while attending school to become an Electrical Engineer. Earl’s educational pursuits would also lead him to receive his degree in Business Administration and Graduate degree in Information Systems. Additionally, Earl is a Production Associate at New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore, MD where he performs duties as Technical Director and Camera Operator. Earl takes psychological ownership of what he says he will do, has faith in the links among all things, and is genuinely intrigued by the unique qualities in each person; qualities which make him the ideal TEDx coach. Earl believes in the concept of being present in the moment, “get busy living or get busy dying”-Shawshank Redemption… and generally being unstoppable; inspired by Malaika, Jennifer and Pastor Michelle.
Cheryl Santiago
Cheryl Santiago, founder of the career transition, coaching, and consulting practice, Get Hired Coach Inc., is passionate about helping professionals and executives maximize their career potential. Through Get Hired Coach Inc., she is afforded the opportunity to share with her clients the experience she has gained over a 25-year career as an executive for companies like Northrop Grumman, Booz Allen, PriceWaterhouse, and Fannie Mae. She works with individual clients and corporate clients supporting professionals in all phases of their careers. Ms. Santiago’s engagement with TEDx began in 2017 when she delivered her TEDx talk entitled, “Take This Job And Shove IT” in 2017 as part of TEDx Ashburn. Since this time, she has provided coaching for multiple TEDx speakers to successfully deliver their talks.
Jordan Mrvos
Jordan Mrvos is a Cumbie-French graduate fellow and a Program Associate at the John Mitchell, Jr. Program for History, Justice, and Race second-year master’s student at George Mason School of Conflict Analysis and Resolution. His research focuses on opportunities for greater inclusion, active subject participation, and accountability in research and intervention programs. His professional work includes non-profit event organization and community building for poverty reduction-focused businesses V’ice Haiti, Novations, and the Social Ventures Foundation.
