Harvesting Happiness

Dr. O.Raye Adkins

For more than 35 years, Adkins has participated in the education of children of poverty, working in all levels of public education (elementary, middle, high school, central office administration), as well as an elementary school principal. She has also worked at the college level as an adjunct professor. Presently, she contracts as a consultant, presenting workshops to teachers working with children in poverty. She holds a master's degree and a doctorate in Educational Leadership. As the founder of OraMite, a nonprofit organization, Raye uses both her personal and professional experience to provide a golden touch to improve the lives of others. www.Oramite.com

Dr .Benjamin LaBrot, Floating Doctors

Dr. Benjamin La Brot is a native Southern Californian who learned to swim before he could walk. He has worked on sport and commercial fishing boats, on the Floating Marine Science Laboratory vessel, in classrooms across southern California for the Los Angeles County Office of Marine Education, and for Pacific Biomarine Laboratories as a research diver. He also qualified as an EMT, a Handicapped SCUBA Association Dive Buddy, and completed a B.S. in Marine Biology, a B.A. in History, and a Geology Minor from the University of CA, Santa Barbara.

Patricia Stotter and Debbie Gregory

An Emmy Award winning composer and writer, Patricia Lee Stotter lends her tremendous talents in TV, film and social media to furthering awareness of PTSD and Veteran reintegration struggles. Stotter first became interested in Veteran issues while working on a theatre testimonial project that discussed suicide rates among Vietnam Veterans. She has since worked to bring awareness to Veteran issues through True Rep, a repertory company that explores trauma and resilience through testimonial theatre and film, and fosters collaboration among actors, writers and humane service organizations. Her recent documentary, Service: When Women Come Marching Home, highlights challenges facing female Veterans as they transition from active duty to civilian life. For more, visit http://servicethefilm.com/index.php.

Valerie Sheppard, Sherpa of Happiness

Known as The Sherpa of Happiness, Valerie Rene Sheppard is Founder and CEO of Source Power, a boutique leadership, business strategy and branding consultant agency in Southern California. Through her work as a speaker, author, consultant and host, Valerie shares her diverse business and marketing background with nonprofits, major businesses such as Proctor & Gamble, and the students she instructs as a guest lecturer at the Merage School of Business at the University of California Irvine.

Linda Cohen Author of 1000 Mitzvahs

The acclaimed author of 1,000 Mitzvahs: How Small Acts of Kindness Can Heal, Inspire and Change Your Life, Linda Cohen writes, speaks and consults around the country on the topics of volunteerism, parenting, mitzvahs and happiness. She serves on the Board of Directors for Willowbrook, a nonprofit summer arts program for children. Originally from the east coast, Cohen resides in Portland, Oregon with her husband, two children and their dog. Visit her at www.1000mitzvahs.com.

Amir Zoghi and Lynn Robinson

An internationally renowned speaker on self-awareness and human potential, Amir Zoghi uses his modern age philosophies to teach others how to embody transformation, discover truth, and experience their inner freedom. Amir shares his wisdom through writing, teaching, and speaking platforms, and is critically acclaimed for his ability to deliver a strong, impactful message with simplicity and clarity that resonates with people from all walks of life. Learn more about Amir at www.myintuitivewarrior.com.

Mary Cimiluca and Alexander Vesely

Noted Austrian filmmaker Alexander Vesely strives to produce films that have depth, meaning and substance. He brings this philosophical approach to the U.S. with his American directorial debut, Viktor & I. Chronicling the life of Alexander's grandfather, Viktor & I gives the viewer complete subjectivity as the film moves from family members to friends and others who were close to Viktor Frankl. Alexander Vesely resides in Vienna and recently opened Noetic Films, Inc., in Southern California. For more information about the film, visit http://www.viktorandimovie.com/

Greg Louganis Olympic Gold Medalist