Meet Our Speakers!

Cherise Buchanan, Our Host

Cherise Buchanan is a committed leader with a passion for positive change! She is the dynamic force behind Rise & Shine 6012, which is dedicated to empowering professional and businesswomen. Through her transformative C Her Rise coaching program and public speaking, Cherise equips women with the tools to shine unapologetically.

Through her own personal journey of learning to shift she understands what it takes to shine in uncomfortable seasons. Cherise's experience as a minister, coach, and speaker has taught her how to let go of self-reliance and trust in God’s sovereign control. She attributes her success to the grace of God, knowing none of this would be possible without His guidance. While changing the entire world may be out of reach, Cherise believes in the power of impacting one life at a time. Her mantra, “Let’s Rise Together! There is room for all of us at the top," encapsulates her mission to inspire others to rise and shine. 

Markela Porter

Markela Porter is a published model, writer, and self-taught makeup artist. Her passions stem from her desire to "Connect to women of all ages, to remind them beauty and self-expression isn't a battle they fight alone. I believe with God anything is attainable."

 Learn more about Markela and her journey at the event!

Susana Briscoe-Alba

Susana Briscoe-Alba is a passionate Leadership Mentor and Career Consultant with a mission: to empower women of color to reach new heights in their careers. With over a decade of experience in various leadership roles within higher education and sales Susana has honed her skills and expertise to guide others toward success.

Her journey from higher education leadership to career coaching and consulting is a testament to her resilience and dedication to helping others maximize their potential. With a heartwarming smile and a dedication to creating opportunities, Susana is a true advocate for those she serves, making her an inspiring figure in the world of leadership and career development. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Susana's personal life reveals her warmth and vibrancy. She currently resides in New York with her husband and their son, a LEGO enthusiast. In her downtime, she enjoys building LEGO forts with her son and sharing Marvel movie nights with her husband. Her infectious smile and her genuine commitment to ensuring everyone feels seen, valued, and heard define her character.

Learn more about Susana and her journey at the event!

Nicole Parker

Nicole Parker is a visionary entrepreneur and community leader whose passion for helping others thrive has shaped every part of her journey. After earning her Master’s degree and spending years in higher education, Nicole made a bold shift — leaving her career to step fully into entrepreneurship and community development work.

She is the Co-Founder of Sisters In Business, where she creates spaces, opportunities, and support for Black and Brown women to build and grow their businesses. She also leads ANP Consulting, partnering with changemakers, nonprofits, businesses, and organizations. In forging this path, Nicole also created a life and career of her own design one that may be unconventional to some but is exactly where she knows she’s meant to be. Her journey is a testament to the power of trusting the pivot, embracing purpose, and boldly walking in alignment.

Learn more about Nicole and her journey at the event!

Libby Rodriguez

Libby Rodriguez is a passionate Christian speaker, influencer, and coach dedicated to helping women discover their identity and confidence in Jesus. With a vibrant, bold presence, Libby inspires women to step out of their comfort zones and live purposefully.

As a sought-after keynote speaker, Libby has shared her insights at Tell Conference, Spanish speaking evangelist, and mentee to David PowerTalk top motivational Speaker. She focuses on confidence building, identity in Christ, and creating meaningful relationships, one-on-one coaching, she empowers women to overcome limitations and confidently step into their God-given potential.

Learn more about Libby and her journey at the event!

Dr. Carrie Dennie

Dr. Carrie T. Dennie is the first Black Licensed Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist in Grand Rapids, MI. Her holistic practice, Vibrant Wellness, provides a full spectrum of care, from preventive health services to advanced holistic support for those with complex medical histories.

Dr. Carrie is committed to addressing the root causes of health concerns, empowering patients to take an active role in their health and healing and bridging the gap between holistic and conventional medicine. The art of practicing Naturopathic medicine is working individually with each person to help them understand what is going on in their body so that they can make educated choices regarding their health care. She is an expert in supporting clients with chronic illnesses such as digestive concerns, endocrine and hormonal imbalances, skin disorders, autoimmune diseases, fertility, and metabolic diseases, while also supporting general wellness. She is passionate about helping individuals prevent and manage disease naturally and desires to be a trusted health and wellness resource for people of color. 

Learn more about Dr. Carrie and her journey at the event!

Pastor Kristina S. Shauntee

Pastor Kristina S. Shauntee, a woman whose life reflects courage, faith, love, and divine purpose. She serves as Co-Senior Pastor alongside her husband, Pastor Keith Shauntee, at Courageous Faith Church in Louisville, KY, where she inspires and leads with a heart fully surrendered to God.

She is the visionary founder and President of CFC Creatives, a multifaceted company and ministry platform empowering women to walk in their calling, embrace healing, and pursue purpose with boldness. Through her mentorship, creative teaching, and prophetic insight, she equips women to flourish spiritually, emotionally, and personally. Pastor Kristina is also an accomplished best-selling author and speaker, using her platform to share messages of hope, transformation, and the power of faith. She passionately believes in planting seeds locally to harvest globally, helping women cultivate their gifts, step into their destiny, and grow beyond their limitations.

Learn more about Pastor Kristina and her journey at the event!