Kelly Richmond Pope, Accounting Professor/Documentary Filmmaker

For accountant Kelly Richmond Pope, numbers tell a story

Anissa Gray, Journalist, Novelist

Longtime journalist Anissa Gray parlays passion for reading into new career as a novelist

Diane Ademu-John, Executive Producer of 'Empire'

Diane Ademu-John explains why representation matters in television

Mary Mitchell, Columnist and Editorial Board Member, Chicago Sun-Times

Mary Mitchell writes to give a voice to the voiceless

Shanésia Davis, Actress

Actress Shanésia Davis' most notable role was preceded by her most unforgettable audition

Samantha Ealy, Founder, Generation Wealthy

Crippling debt helped Samantha Ealy find her true calling

Carol Burnett, Comedian, Writer & Producer

Legendary comedian Carol Burnett has this advice for today's performers as they start out

Yvonne Russo, CEO & Executive Producer, Yvonne Russo Productions

Yvonne Russo believes stories shape the world

Katharine Zaleski, Co-Founder/President, PowerToFly

Katharine Zaleski champions women in the workplace

Christie Hefner, Former Chairman & CEO, Playboy Enterprises

Christie Hefner believes people thrive by reinventing themselves

Sherry Yard, 3x James Beard Award winner

Award-winning chef Sherry Yard has had a ''lifetime in food''

Alexa James, Executive Director of National Alliance Mental Illness Chicago

Executive Director Alexa James on overcoming impostor syndrome

Monica Rochester, Capt., U.S. Coast Guard

Monica Rochester says being in the Coast Guard is a calling

Alisha Elenz, Executive Chef, mfk.

Alisha Elenz became an executive chef at just 23

Ibtihaj Muhammad, U.S. Olympic Fencing Team

Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad finds strength in peoples' doubt

Ava Blaser, Dancer, Childhood Cancer Advocate

Through dance comes healing for 11-year-old two-time cancer survivor Ava Blaser

Tara Poremba, Canine trainer, Chicago Police Department

CPD canine trainer Tara Poremba likes to challenge herself

Christy Webber, President, Christy Webber Landscapes

Honesty, humility and hard work helped Christy Webber build one of the biggest landscaping companies in Chicago

Antonia Lofaso, Chef

Celebrated chef Antonia Lofaso believes mentorship is a gift

Julie Smolyansky, CEO, Lifeway Foods

Julie Smolyansky became CEO at 27

Suzanne Tracht, Chef & Owner, Jar Restaurant

Suzanne Tracht: from dishwashing station to owner & chef

Chris Linkletter, Lifeguard Chief, Los Angeles County Fire Department

''Leading by example is important,'' and Chris Linkletter has done that throughout her career

Betsy Ziegler, CEO, 1871, Tech Innovation Hub

Betsy Ziegler's goals go beyond being a female CEO

Gale Gand, James Beard Award-winning Chef

Chef Gale Gand's method for success is ''Always say yes''

Antoinette Alcazar, Chicago Police Officer & Artist

Antoinette Alcazar honed her strength to support anyone "who can't help themselves"

Kelly Wallace, Journalist and Digital Correspondent

A watershed moment in history led Kelly Wallace to a career in journalism

Stephanie Scharf, Founding Partner of Scharf Banks Marmor LLC

Founding law firm partner Stephanie Scharf is looking out for women in the workplace

Camilla Webster, Artist and Author

Camilla Webster fights to see more women succeed in the art world

Hiba Bhatty, Architect, Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

Hiba Bhatty, Architect, Valerio Dewalt Train Associates

Nahiris Bahamón, MD, Member, Physicians for a National Health Program

Community healthcare pediatrician Nahiris Bahamón is living her dream