Our line-up of women showcased on this page, are some of the most remarkable, influential and determined women leaders in business and ministry. Their education, experience, and faith, have led them to build and lead transformative, thriving, business and ministries. Our speakers practical strategies and techniques are designed to help you to strengthen your faith, navigate through your journey, and to develop an actionable plan that can be used immediately.
Blake has been leading others all his life. He has lived his life to be a role model to others. He has endured a lot of hardship in his life, which he has learned lessons from to make himself better after each one. He has learned how to be a resilient leader the hard way and equips current and future leaders to better handle the adversity they will face at work and at home.
His corporate journey began in international logistics in 1995 after moving to Illinois from Alabama. After 10 years he transitioned into the field of export compliance for three different Fortune 500 companies. During this time, he earned a master’s degree in Training and Development.
In 2012 Blake founded a non-profit that served high school and college sports teams through leadership development, team building, and character development. He’s recently taken on a new challenge of opening an office for Cornerstone Caregiving in Wheaton, Illinois.
Blake has written, The Battle-Tested Teammate, The Battle-Tested Leader, and co-authored Giant Killer. He is passionate about pouring into others to help them to become the best versions of themselves and is always looking to serve others in that way. He’s provided leadership coaching to many students and adults over the years and, in the latter half of his life, seeks to use his gifts as a service to others.
Blake is also a father of five, a recent grandfather, and a lover of college football.
Joyce B. Calvin-Proffit is an author, coach, mentor, ordained minister, podcaster, and speaker. She empowers, equips, and inspires women to SOAR by providing them techniques and strategies for leveraging their individual’s gifts, talents and skills. Joyce also serves as assistant pastor at Agape Church and ministries under the tutelage of Senior Pastor Bruce Hardy.
A survivor of domestic violence, Joyce served as project coordinator for the All Faiths against Domestic Violence Project where she assisted in the development and writing of a training curriculum for clergy/lay leaders; Responding to Domestic Violence: An Interfaith Guide to Prevention & Intervention. In 2012, she received the Allstate Give Back Day Hero award for her working education and providing training to faith base community leaders regarding Domestic Violence issues that impact faith communities and she was also featured on the BET Television.
Joyce has shared her passion and story through radio and television appearance. She has also mentored and mobilized countless women leaders, and helped them to develop their spiritual gifts, find and pursue their purples, and embrace their destiny.
Joyce has published three books; Sister to Sister Support for the Abused Woman, Beauty for Ashes; Understanding Your Spiritual Gifts, The next Dimension, and Women’s Ministries; How to Make Them Successful, Impactful and Sustainable.
Joyce earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master’s degree in Adult Education from Northern Illinois University.
Schlise Browley is the co-CEO of Banana Pudding Twist, a thriving dessert business in the Fox Valley Mall that she co-founded with her husband, Curtis Browley. Prior to launching their entrepreneurial venture, Schlise had a distinguished 25-year career at DHL, where she serves as a leader in logistics. In her role, she managed seven supervisors who were responsible for more 200 employees. Schlise also championed the Associates Relations Committee, overseeing events for over 800 associates. Schlise journey into the dessert business began when her husband, Curtis, expressed his inspiration to turn his passion for making banana pudding into a business. They started attending vendor events, and their unique offers quickly gained popularity.
Today, Schlise is recognizes as an innovative leader in the Aurora community, known for hosting family events and offering a variety of delicious desert flavors. Under her leadership, Banana Pudding Twist has grown into a six-figure business and now is located in 4600-square- foot cafe creating job opportunities for both youth and adults. Schlise’s story exemplifies how faith and resilience can transform challenges into remarkable opportunities, making a lasting impact on the community.