Catherine Hansen, MD, is a Board Certified Obstetrician/ Gynecologist, NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner, Certified Feminine Power Transformational Leader, Coach & Facilitator. Dr. Hansen completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology followed by a fellowship in Sexual Health, a Certification in Menopause and a strong alignment with an integrative approach to care. After realizing her strong desire to educate she completed a Master of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University and has witnessed life-changing results as a Certified Transformational Coach and Facilitator. www.drcatherinehansen.com

Her Story: As an obstetrician and gynecologist I know what women seek. I am intimately aware of the short-comings of modern medicine, the benefits of an integrative approach and the importance of listening inward. Married to Canadian Astronaut, Jeremy Hansen, and blessed with three amazing teenagers, the entire family enjoys outdoor life, night swimming and watching for satellites.

Katie Strakosch, is a certified nourishment and intimacy coach, yoni practitioner, yoga teacher and certified teacher of the 4 Body Fit™ Sierra Bender Empowerment Method since 2011. For over 20 years she has worked as a holistic health practitioner, nutritionist and detox educator. She has facilitated her programs internationally and at the leading health clinic for chronic illness in Aspen, Colorado.  www.sunshinekates.com

Her Story: Katie’s work deepened on all levels of women’s health as she worked through her own hormonal distress with PCOS. Her journey of pain and disconnect from her body led to developing and offering yoni (vagina) wellness services to empower women to reclaim their body, femininity and well-being.

Lois Ellen Frank, Ph.D. (Kiowa/Sephardic) is a Santa Fe, New Mexico based Native American Chef, a Native foods historian, culinary anthropologist, educator, photographer, organic gardener and a James Beard Award winning cookbook author, for her book Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations. She is the chef/owner of Red Mesa Cuisine, LLC, a Native American catering company specializing in the revitalization of ancestral Native American cuisine with a modern twist. Dr. Frank has spent over 30 years documenting and working with the foods and lifeways of Native American communities in the Southwest. In 2020, she was the recipient of the Local Hero Olla Award, which recognizes an exceptional individual for the work they do to create healthy, innovative, vibrant, and resilient local sustainable food systems in New Mexico. www.redmesacuisine.com

Carley Bender Cumba, an honors student for four years at Ridgewood, High School, NJ. I received a scholarship to Lehigh University, Class of 2024, I am a finance major. Throughout high school, I worked various customer service jobs. There was no, “here’s daddy’s credit card”. This forced me to learn the importance of hard work and independence. I was also involved in a special four year medical internship program atl The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ. This experience helped me discover my passion to be a healer. The tasks I engaged in required empathy, compassion, and the ability to listen to others nonjudgmentally.

I am a graduate of my aunt’s international retreats Boot Camp for Goddesses® Teens and Goddess to the Core® at Omega Institute, NY. As an adolescent, I struggled with eating disroders, body image, toxic relationships with boys, depression, and anxiety. I realized I allowed myself to be victimized by societies norm and only I could make the choice to claim my power back by embodying the lifestyle of the Goddess Warrior I grew up with. I can proudly state I was able to turn my pain into power. I strive to share my wisdom and strength to empower other young women around the world.

HER Story: Growing up, there were no male figures in my life. My father succumbed to addiction leaving my mother with 3 baby girls to fend for on her own. Anything and everything that needed to be done was achieved by her. She did not fall to self-pity or victimization, she continued to lead her life with her wisdom, strength, and good heart, a true Goddess Warrior.

Similarly, I was blessed with a second Goddess Warrior in my life: my Titi (Aunt) Sierra. Busy kicking ass at life, my sisters and I always counted down the days until we could see her again. And when we did, oh was life different than the princesses dressed in their lavish gowns, expensive jewelry, and carefully done makeup. There was no “sit still, look pretty”. Instead, it was hours of archery, walks in nature, hugging trees, learning and practicing the power of prayer, playing with healing crystals, and so much more. Each day spent together was a new adventure, a new experience, and a new lesson. To this day, I still hear her whispers of guidance in my head that I turn to in times of need. Overall, the Goddess seemed so much more powerful, independent, beautiful and fierce. Having these amazing figures in my life created a conflict of interest that benefitted me in the end. I ditched the tiara, dress, and heels, and instead imagined myself embodying the Goddess Warrior with a mighty headdress, elaborate war paint, and my bare feet. As my Titi Sierra would tell us. What’s the difference between a Goddess and a princess? The Goddess saves her self. THE END.

Gianna Bender Cumba, honors student for four years at Ridgewood, High School, NJ. I received a scholarship to Marist College, Class of 2023. I am Psychology major with a Pre-Law track and wish to fight injustices found within the system that target women, minority communities, and exploit our children. I am in the sorority Alpha Sigma Tau and a philanthropy board member responsible for the planning of events and spreading awareness on campus and among the members on Women’s Wellness and Empowerment. I worked as a a camp couselor over the summers for young kids. I am a graduate of my Aunt Sierra’s international retreats Boot Camp for Goddesses® Teens and Goddess to the Core® at Omega Institute, NY.

HER Story: My journey of empowerment started early on in my life. I was blessed with some powerful teachers. The lineage of strong women in my family date back for centuries, they have all made important changes to the treatment and empowerment of women in society. Being able to work closely with my aunt, Sierra, during my impressionable years really helped set a basis for the understanding of my worth and my place in the world. My passion for wanting to empower other women has always been something I’ve valued. Especially with how young women are expected to act in society today, many have forgotten the power that they possess. With my own life experience, I had to channel my power at a young age. I am the oldest of two younger siblings who I’m sure see me as a role model on their good days. I took it as my responsibility to show my sisters how to own their space and protect themselves. To have no shame in who they are and never make themselves less than for someone who never gave them anything to begin with. However, I had to practice what I preached. With guiding my sisters through our childhood, I had to remember to focus on making sure I was protecting my own energy. I lost my footing in preserving my energy when I was in highschool due to a relationship. The beginnings of it were beautiful but with being young and naive you forget about individuality. It wasn’t until I left for college that I had my independence from him as well as my family. I had the ability to find the person I lost. As well, after the horrid events of the pandemic hitting and the isolation, I managed to have the patience to work on myself and heal past negativity that I know affected my life greatly.