Sylvia Ramirez is a Professor Emeritus at MiraCosta College in California. As Program Coordinator and Department Chair at the college, she provided leadership in establishing managed enrollment, student learning outcomes, and transitioning adults to academic and career preparation. Her more than forty years in adult ESL includes multilevel classes, vocational ESL, family literacy, distance learning, and college and career readiness. She has presented numerous times at the local, state, and national level. In 2011, she received the California Community Colleges Hayward Award for excellence in education. Her MA is in education/counseling, and she has certificates in TESOL and online training.

Cheryl Hamilton has devoted her career to promoting more welcoming and inclusive communities and to providing people in them with the skills and confidence necessary to communicate with impact. After 20 years of directing local and national programs for nonprofit organizations, she turned her attention full-time to sharing her communications expertise with individuals, nonprofits, and businesses. Cheryl is the founder of Stellar Story Company, and Director of Curation and Coaching for the national television show Stories from the Stage. Prior to these activities, she created and directed Suitcase Stories, a program of the International Institute of New England, honoring stories of refugee and immigrant lives.