Theme: SHIFT happens

Join us as we bring together an inspiring group of top local and national speakers for a thought-provoking event filled with insight shared by today’s movers and shakers – and watch how SHIFT happens.

Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
14 Shelter Cove Lane
Hilton Head, South Carolina, 29928
United States

David Nowell

David D. Nowell, Ph.D. is a clinical neuropsychologist in private practice in Northborough, Massachusetts. He offers consultations to patients on an inpatient rehabilitation unit and is an adjunct instructor in neuropsychology to graduate students in the Clark University psychology program. Dr. Nowell has blogged at Psychology Today on motivation and time management, and speaks internationally to clinicians on such topics as executive functioning, non-medication management of ADHD, and applying findings from Positive Psychology. He is passionate about motivation and deep happiness and helping his clients distinguish the essential from non-essential in their lives. And when he’s out of the office you’ll probably find him exploring the outdoors.

Ellen Schwartz

Ellen Schwartz is an elementary teacher, community leader, author, and public speaker. As Founder of Project Give Back she links her decades of teaching together with her personal passion for charitable causes. She is dedicated to developing empathy, building character and igniting citizen minded young leaders. She co-founded Jacob’s Ladder, Canadian Foundation for the Control of Neurodegenerative Diseases, which raised millions of dollars towards research, education, awareness, and therapy into neurodegenerative illnesses. Ellen has published three books. ‘Lessons from Jacob: A Disabled Son Teaches His Mother About Courage, Hope and the Joy of Living Life to the Fullest’, ‘Without One Word Spoken’, and The Puddle Jumper. Without One Word Spoken rated a National Best Seller by the Globe and Mail. Her newly released children’s book ‘The Puddle Jumper,’ was written together with her daughter Beverly. Ellen was awarded a Queen’s Jubilee medal, the Meritorious Service Decoration by the Governor General of Canada, and a Canada 150 Exemplary Canadian medal. Ellen lives in Toronto with her husband Jeff and children, Beverly 24, Ben 21 and Jacob who is forever 21. When not teaching, Ellen can be found walking Toronto’s glorious trails with her furry best friend, Holland.

Matteo Esposito

Matteo Esposito is a passionate advocate and a driving force behind the movement to end the stigma surrounding mental health. As the co-founder of mental health awareness brand, Invisible Challenge, Matteo is at the forefront of the mission to normalize conversations about mental illnesses, including suicide and addiction. His dedication stems from a profound commitment to saving lives by fostering open dialogue and understanding. An expert by experience, his personal struggles have fueled his mission to pay it forward, offering a helping hand to those who suffer in silence, providing empathy, and promoting resilience. Invisible Challenge plays a pivotal role in creating a platform for destigmatizing mental health issues. Matteo’s efforts have contributed to fostering an environment where individuals feel empowered to share their stories and seek support. Matteo was born on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and raised in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Currently residing in Brooklyn, NY, Matteo continues to give back and extends his passion for community support by coaching youth hockey. Matteo is very close to his friends and family, including his parents, two brothers, and sister. He attributes his success along his journey to their unwavering support and unconditional love.

Matthew Johnson

Matthew W. Johnson, Ph.D. is an experimental psychologist conducting human research on psychedelics. From 2004-2024 he conducted seminal psychedelic research at Johns Hopkins, revitalizing psychedelic research. In March 2024 he joined Sheppard Pratt to expand his psychedelic research. He has published research on psychedelics in relation to mystical experience, personality change, tobacco smoking cessation, cancer distress treatment, depression treatment, and psychedelic risks/safety guidelines. In 2021 he received as principal investigator the first grant in about 50 years from the US government to administer a classic psychedelic for treatment, specifically psilocybin for tobacco addiction. He is also known for his expertise in behavioral economics, addiction, sexual risk behavior, and research with a variety of drug classes. He has been Interviewed by Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, CNN, NPR, Fox News, BBC, Michael Pollan, Lex Fridman Podcast, Huberman Lab Podcast, and Big Think.

Michaela Bakala

Michaela Bakala is an entrepreneur and philanthropist born in communist Czechoslovakia. After the “Velvet Revolution” of 1989, she won the Miss Czechoslovakia contest and worked as an international model, while earning a master’s degree in film and television production at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. Michaela went on to build a career in public relations, first leading the communications department of an international industrial company and later becoming the spokeswoman for one of the main Czech political parties. After working on several election teams and advising a number of presidential candidates, Michaela launched her own public relations agency and founded a beauty contest under the Czech Miss brand, which she owned and managed for 10 years. Michaela’s main passion, however, is philanthropy. As chairwoman of the Bakala Foundation’s Board of Trustees, she develops the family’s philanthropic activities, which focus mainly on supporting the education of talented youth, leading capacity-building programs for young journalists, and nurturing the values of modern democracy and a free press. Michaela spends much of her time at her family’s home on Hilton Head Island with her husband, Zdenek, and their children, aged 18, 16, 14, and 10.

Natalie Daise

For more than 30 years, Natalie Daise has developed and facilitated interactive learning experiences for educators, students, and audiences in schools, universities, conferences, and other venues. Her belief in the positive power of stories is demonstrated in her speaking as well as in the performing and visual arts. As a self-taught, visionary artist, Natalie’s painting and functional art pieces arise from the tradition of storytelling. Best known as “Ms. Natalie” on Nick Jr.’s award-winning television program, Gullah Gullah Island, Natalie is committed to entertaining, educating, empowering and inspiring. Her many awards and nominations include 1997 and 1998 IMAGE Award nominations, 1998 Daytime Emmy nomination, Silver and Gold Parent’s Choice awards, South Carolina’s highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award given for lifetime achievement and excellence in folk art and a Merit Award for Art, ARTFields in 2017. She has been married to Ron Daise, her cheerleader, supporter, and committed partner in creativity and life since 1985. They have two children, Sara and Simeon, by birth, and one, Sabrina, by heart. She earned a BA degree from Vermont College in 1992 and a MA in Creativity Studies in 2014.

Susannah Winters

Susannah Winters, the co-founder and owner of Hilton Head Island Coffee Roasters, the first specialty coffee roastery on Hilton Head. Raised just outside New York City, Susannah was homeschooled by her mother, an experience that enriched my life in countless ways. When she was in high school she discovered a passion for kayaking on lakes and flatwater. From local races to national and world championships, including the Olympic Trials, she immersed herself in a life fueled by fitness and competition until her retirement in 2008. Transitioning from competitive sports, she found a new calling at Lululemon Athletica, dedicating a decade to managing stores on the East and West Coast, leading large teams, and mentoring new store managers and leadership teams. It was a chapter that allowed her to continue nurturing her passion for building culture and teams. Today, Susannah Winters lives on Hilton Head Island with her husband and two kids, she enjoys the bike paths and the beach while she leads her team at Hilton Head Coffee Roasters.

Zach Giglio

Zach Giglio helps organizations leverage cutting-edge AI technology to become more efficient and profitable. He conducts intensive AI workshops and implementations, tailored to equip organizations with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively harness AI. This enhances their marketing, sales, administration, and operational capabilities, driving revenue growth. Zach is a frequent guest speaker on AI at industry conferences and corporate events. His consulting expertise spans a diverse range of organizations and locations, from Fortune 500 companies to dynamic startups, and from Washington, D.C., to Johannesburg and Europe. Zach is the CEO of GCM, an award-winning agency. He is certified in AI strategy for business by the Wharton School of Business and serves as a faculty member on AI at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management. Additionally, Zach serves on the board of a nonprofit and resides in the Charleston, SC area with his wife and two young sons.