Theme: Beyond The Horizon

Imagine. Explore. Innovate. From past to future. Let's look beyond the horizon.

The Schoolhouse
19650 Mainstreet
Parker, Colorado, 80138
United States

Archi Marrapu

Student at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Founder/President of STEMifyGirls, Innovator.

Meet Archi Marrapu, a 16-year-old innovator and entrepreneur. Archi has embarked on a remarkable journey to transform the medical field. Her groundbreaking research and innovative oncology and biomedical engineering projects have garnered global recognition and left a lasting impact. Archi actively engages in advocacy work, tirelessly working to bridge the gender and diversity gaps in the field. As a charismatic STEM evangelist and sought-after public speaker, Archi delivers inspiring keynotes that raise awareness about the transformative capabilities of technology in medicine and healthcare. Archi has earned numerous accolades and prestigious awards, including the 2023 Student Achievement Award from the Washington Academy of Science, the 2023 Best Innovation Award from Future Young Leaders, and the 2021 Innovation Ambassador Award from CSTGIA. Her groundbreaking work has garnered attention from renowned publications such as “The Platform Magazine” and “Mosaicque Magazine.”

Corey Poirier

Podcaster, Speaker, and Bestselling Author

Corey Poirier is the host of the The Enlightened Passenger Show, and is a Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestseller. His book, The Book of WHY and HOW, has reached thousands of readers. He has interviewed over 6,500 of the world’s top leaders in his study around purpose and passion, and he has spoken on-site at Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, MIT, UCLA and to Microsoft team leaders. He is 2022 SUCCESS Emerging Entrepreneur, Humanitarian Hero Award Nominee, and a Rock Recording of the Year Nominee who has performed stand-up comedy at the famed Second City.

EMILIO JUSTO

Founder and Medical Director of the Arizona Eye Institute Cosmetic Laser Center

Since 1989, Dr. Emilio Justo has specialized in general ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery. He is renowned for his state-of-the-art refractive cataract surgery and blepharoplasty, having performed over 40,000 such procedures. Dr. Justo was 1 of 10 out-of-state applicants accepted into the University of Michigan’s prestigious six-year pre-medical/medical program, earning M.D. and B.S. degrees by 23. He began ophthalmology practice in the Phoenix metropolitan area at age 27. Dr. Justo is a business leader, real estate entrepreneur, public speaker, and avid aficionado of University of Michigan football. He has been married for 20 years with three teenage children. Dr. Justo and his family love traveling the world. Dr. Justo emigrated to the United States at 3 with his parents, escaping Communist Cuba and searching for freedom and opportunities. Dr. Justo was Valedictorian of his high school and was awarded the Indiana State Good Citizen Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Gavin Vernon

Student, Founder of Youth for Better Living

Gavin Vernon is currently a rising freshman at Brownell talbot School located in Omaha, NE. He is a leader in many areas, such as being a founder of Non-profit organization with an aim to make the lives of many Myanmar refugees’ children greater by improving the school they go to. His goal is to help give the students bathrooms, as they don’t have any. He also is a part of his school’s student council, having been elected 3 years in a row, and has helped in raising $5000 for a Valentine’s Day fundraiser, which will be used to add new playground equipment for the lower school children. He is also a member of his school’s robotics team. His team had qualified to compete in the VEX World Championship that was held in Dallas, TX. He plays for the school’s football team, and track and field. In football, he was a starting lineman, but he now aspires to play linebacker in the future. His events in track and field include: the 200-meter dash, the 400-meter dash, Shot Put, and Discus.

Jacia Kornwise

Master Embodied Soul Coach and Facilitator of Embodied Transformational Experiences

Jacia Kornwise is a Master Embodied Soul Coach and Facilitator of Embodied Transformational Experiences. She has been working as a counselor, coach, awareness, and embodiment leader for over 30 years to help them listen to their inner guidance system, heal their trauma, and live their authentic purpose. Jacia works utilizing coaching, the Rhythms of AcceptDance, 5 Rhythms, Breathwork, and Embodied awareness practices leading workshops, retreats, and online events. She established the Satori Healing Center for the past 23 years. She was a foundational creator of her local dance community and is well known for her commitment to truth. Jacia received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, and her master’s from the California Institute of Integral Studies, and certified with Gabrielle Roth’s 5 Rhythms as a teacher; as well as trained as a Shadow Coach with Debbie Ford. She studied and is certified in various forms of Breathwork as well as Somatic Experiencing.

James Bond

Behavioral Management Specialists, Author

James I. Bond is one of America’s leading behavioral management specialists, and author of the award-winning book, BRAIN GLUE – How Selling Becomes Much Easier By Making Your Ideas “Sticky.” For thirteen years he ran one of Southern California’s leading behavioral management firms, working with a who’s who of American business. Early in his career, he ran an advertising agency in Montreal, working with a wide range of Fortune 500 and smaller firms. He is a workshop leader and past workshop chairman for the resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, has been a featured guest speaker at three Southern California universities, and has been a popular guest on a wide range of marketing and business podcasts. He is also the founder of The Father-Daughter Project, helping improve the relationships between fathers and daughters worldwide.

Jim Carbaugh

Educator, Coach, Guide

Jim is a lifelong learner with over 33 years of experience in the educational field and 45-plus years as an outdoor enthusiast. His diverse background includes coaching, teaching, administrator, registered Maine guide, outdoor TV personality, personal health advocate, and entrepreneur. Jim has faced and overcomes challenges throughout his life, such as adapting to dyslexia, transforming multiple sports programs, and fostering a positive educational culture in classrooms and schools. He has a track record of guiding and empowering others toward success and is dedicated to helping individuals refocus their direction in life, grow, and add value to others. Jim is currently writing and anticipating his first book release in early 2024. He is also actively guiding and Teaching Leaders How to Learn. Jim is a leadership trainer, facilitator, speaker, and educator who helps transform organizations by upgrading communications, systems, leadership, and culture.

Lynn Zhuang

Student

I'm Lynn and I'm in sixth grade. I want to make a world where people see what they are capable of, by following two very easy steps. I chose this topic because I also struggled with this. In fifth grade I dropped out of many extra-curricular classes and could barely do anything. Therefore, I wish that with these two steps I came up with, people will push through challenges and face them with strength. First, they need to come up with an achievable, yet hard goal. Then, find the feeling of success by doing something they love. I live in a family of five. I like to play tennis, do archery, and play many instruments. Piano and guitar are the best ones I am playing so far, but I also want to play the violin. I love public speaking but my accomplishments are not very impressive. The only things I’ve gotten with it was getting MVP (most valuable player) in a debate and getting first in reciting a story in Chinese.

Mike Thielen

PH.D. HOLISTIC NUTRITION, PHYSICIAN, MENTOR and BIOHACKING EXPERT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR, INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE & MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AND WORLD RECORD HOLDER in SWIMMING

Dr. Mike Van Thielen is a PH.D. HOLISTIC NUTRITION, PHYSICIAN, MENTOR and BIOHACKING EXPERT, BESTSELLING AUTHOR, INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE & MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, AND WORLD RECORD HOLDER in SWIMMING. He is an Executive Contributor for Brainz Magazine and was presented with the CREA GLOBAL AWARDS 2023 honoree, featured on the cover of Biohackers Magazine (Issue 22). Dr. Mike is a licensed physical therapist, a licensed acupuncture physician, and a doctor of Oriental Medicine. He has developed a Corporate Impact program to improve employee engagement. He is the author of “Health 4 Life – User Manual” (2014) and is featured in the book “Motivational Speakers America – The Indispensable Guide to America’s Business and Motivational Speakers” as a Top International Keynote Speaker. In 2020 he published “EMR (Electro-Magnetic Radiation) – The Invisible Threat” which was an Amazon best-seller in March of 2022. In December of 2023, Dr. Mike published “The IZOD Method™- Unleash Your Superpower.”

Monica Parkin

Author, Entrepreneur and Speaking Coach

Monica Parkin is the author of the bestselling book “Overcoming Awkward, an Introvert’s Guide to Networking, Marketing and Sales” which combines personal memoir with practical guidance and serves as a powerful testament to transformation for introverts seeking to overcome barriers and achieve success. Her writing has also been published in esteemed publications such as The Glass Hammer, The Business Post, and the Journal of Sales Transformation. Through these contributions, she continues to deepen the understanding and empowerment of introverts in various professional arenas. As the host of the popular podcast, “Juggling Without Balls,” she fearlessly delves into the intricacies of life, work, and personal growth. With a blend of humor, insight, and genuine compassion, Monica explores the art of balancing multiple aspects of our lives without losing who we are. Through her conversations with people from all walks of life, she sheds light on the untapped potential within each of us.

Nick Shelton

Social Strategy Coach

Nick Shelton is a best-selling author of the book “An Introvert’s Guide To World Domination” as well as a social strategist and coach for introverted career professionals. He has been fine-tuning the craft of effective, high-level social strategy and networking for over twenty years. Coupled with extensive research and eighteen years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Nick has successfully built a strong, international network of friends, colleagues, and associates while traveling to over 42 countries. He believes the quality of your life comes down to the quality of your relationships. Currently, he teaches others how to easily navigate social events and situations with the goal of making real connections and building relationships that matter.

Sabrina Stratford

Human Trafficking Abolitionist

Sabrina, a former President of Colorado Springs Downtown Toastmasters, obtained the Impromptu Speakers and Distinguished Toastmasters Awards. She spent 25 years traveling the world building partnerships as a Global Business Development Manager for software companies including Microsoft and IBM. Her corporate presentations expanded to Improv Comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Stand-Up Comedy in the Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado, and local theater. In 2021, She became the first domestic Project Manager to fight human trafficking with the non-profit, Love Justice International. She trained to be a Human Trafficking Transit Monitor at Alaska’s Ted Stevens International Airport and managed a team of 16 volunteers to join the fight. She gained deeper insights at The Alaska Department of Public Safety in the Sex Offender Registration Unit where she provided advanced paraprofessional support.