Nominees EmpowerHER Women’s Leadership Summit 2026
Co-Founder & Co-CEO, National Association of Women in AILaVada English, MBA
LaVada English leads a national movement helping women build practical AI skills through structured education and certifications. With 20+ years in leadership development and 30,000+ professionals trained, she helped launch NAWAI, build tiered AI programs, and create partnerships that open real pathways for women to lead in AI.
Her work brings AI experts and non-technical professionals together, turning confusion into clear, responsible action. From rebuilding her life after relocation to becoming an employer and national leader, LaVada’s journey reflects resilience, vision, and impact.
Impact Areas: Business Innovation, Education, Nonprofit Leadership
Stephanie Munson
Owner, Moxie Creative SolutionsStephanie Munson founded Moxie Creative Solutions almost a decade ago and has grown it into a trusted Inland Empire marketing agency serving small businesses and nonprofits. She helps business owners turn scattered marketing into clear, repeatable visibility and lead-generation systems that build trust and steady inquiries.
Beyond client work, she equips community organizations with practical strategy, stronger messaging, and sustainable systems they can confidently maintain.
Impact Areas: Business Innovation, Community Development, Education
Jillian Fowler is a community engagement leader with 20+ years of impact across banking, grants, and nonprofit partnerships in the Inland Empire. Through her role at U.S. Bank, she helps guide grant funding to local organizations, while also running an AVON business to raise additional funds and resources for nonprofits.
She serves as a Woman of Hope with Hope Through Housing Foundation, Vice Chair of the Rancho Cucamonga Community and Arts Foundation, and board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire. Her career reflects resilience, partnership-building, and a commitment to saying “yes” to community needs
Project Analyst / Community Engagement Coordinator, U.S. Bank & AVONJillian Fowler
Impact Areas: Business Innovation, Community Development, Advocacy
Francia Telesford founded Gracelamp Wellness to support overwhelmed moms through evidence-based groups, grief support, referrals, and holistic products. A clinical social worker and maternal mental health provider, she offers accessible sliding-scale care both online and in person.
After losing her mother in 2024, she paused her business to grieve, then returned with renewed purpose—launching in-person groups and expanding grief support for mothers navigating loss. Despite limited funding, she bootstrapped her growth, rebranded, launched her website, secured WBE/MBE certification, and won a pitch competition to fund expansion.
Owner & Founder, Gracelamp WellnessFrancia Telesford
Impact Areas: Community Development, Advocacy
Luz Veronica Miranda built Palmera Media and Unidas Collective to amplify culturally rooted stories and create inclusive spaces for Latina creatives and entrepreneurs. She leads with empowerment and cultural pride while providing accessible marketing support.
Facing financial instability as a first-generation entrepreneur, she chose service over scarcity—offering free workshops and professional photoshoots to build trust, connection, and long-term community growth.
Founder, Palmera Media & Unidas CollectiveLuz Veronica Miranda
Impact Areas: Community Development, Education
Carmen Rad leads a long-standing, family-owned Los Angeles business rooted in relationships, operational excellence, and community trust. In a highly competitive market, she has sustained growth through disciplined leadership and strategic agility.
Her resilience through economic swings and rising costs reflects her steady commitment to quality, stability, and strengthening both internal systems and community partnerships.
Founder & President, CRA CustomCarmen Rad
Impact Areas: Business Innovation, Advocacy
Vanessa Van Holland leads a restoration company serving families during high-stress emergencies with integrity and hands-on leadership. She balances rapid growth with operational excellence in an unpredictable industry.
She focuses on building empathetic, skilled teams while improving how clients experience emergencies—bringing clarity, responsiveness, and trust when it matters most.
Vanessa Van Holland
Impact Areas: Business Innovation
Desiree Carscadden built a collaborative healing space offering Reiki shares, sound baths, hypnosis journeys, and empowerment events. Her leadership is rooted in presence and service, even while navigating personal and financial challenges.
She refined her offerings, expanded into hybrid healing models, and strengthened partnerships—turning adversity into innovation and a trusted community-centered wellness space.
Part Owner, Holistic Healers CommunityDesiree Carscadden
Impact Areas: Business Innovation, Advocacy
Mayra Verdugo created 909 Open Market to support micro and small businesses through marketplace access, permit guidance, and culturally rooted economic development. She has helped hundreds of entrepreneurs remove barriers and grow sustainably.
During community-wide challenges, including immigration-related disruptions, she provided a safe, trusted space for business owners to stay informed, supported, and resilient.
CEO, 909 Open MarketMayra Verdugo
Impact Areas: Business Innovation, Community Development, Education
Kinta C. Gates is an executive leader known for aligning leadership, equity, and operational excellence to drive systemic change. As Board Chair of the Positive Results Center, she strengthens governance and accountability to deliver measurable outcomes for children and families.
She moves organizations from vision to execution—turning equity commitments into operational systems while maintaining long-term sustainability and impact.
Vice President, Supply Chain Operations, GlossierKinta C. Gates
Impact Areas: Community Development, Advocacy
Delphine Pruitt expands financial access and economic opportunity for small business owners by building strategic partnerships between banks and community organizations. She creates structured funding pipelines that connect capital with entrepreneurs who need it most.
Her work bridges institutional requirements with real-world needs, unlocking resources that strengthen programs, technical assistance, and long-term small business growth.
Vice President | Business Access Advisor, US BankDelphine Pruitt
Impact Areas: Community Development, Advocacy
Dr. Thela Thatch is a civic leader and equity strategist advancing civil rights and inclusion through policy influence and organizational change. As a Los Angeles Human Relations Commissioner, she shapes public responses to discrimination and bias while advising institutions on embedding equity into systems and culture.
Her leadership transforms advocacy into action—amplifying marginalized voices and driving structural change with clarity and courage.
CEO & Founder, Thela Thatch ConsultingCommissioner Thela Thatch, PhD
Impact Areas: Community Development, Advocacy
Pamela Deans leads a regional small-business ecosystem serving entrepreneurs across multi-county Inland Southern California. Under her leadership, the Collaborative expanded a 700+ partner network, helped entrepreneurs access over $100M in capital, and supported 20,000+ jobs—advancing inclusive opportunity for women and underserved founders.
She strengthened long-term capacity by aligning lenders and partners through a regional Small Business Assistance platform, building measurable systems that drive real outcomes.
Executive Director, Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern CaliforniaPamela Deans
Impact Areas: Business Innovation, Community Development, Advocacy, Nonprofit Leadership
Lala Castro founded #LatinaGeeks to close opportunity gaps for Latina women in tech and entrepreneurship. What began as meetups grew into statewide workforce workshops, leadership development programs, and the Women in Tech Festival.
Through free training, corporate partnerships, and mentorship pipelines, she creates access to higher-paying careers, business launches, and lasting representation in tech and innovation spaces.
Founder & Executive Director, #LatinaGeeksLala Castro
Impact Areas: Community Development, Advocacy, Education, Nonprofit Leadership
Karen Scott transformed First 5 San Bernardino County into a trusted, outcomes-driven early childhood systems leader managing a $45M+ annual investment budget. She shifted the organization from public distrust to fiscal stability and measurable impact for children and families.
Through strategic leadership, community engagement, and operational reform, she rebuilt credibility and positioned the organization as a reliable champion for prenatal-to-age-five services across the Inland Empire.
Executive Director, First 5 San Bernardino CountyKaren Scott
Impact Areas: Business Innovation, Community Development, Advocacy, Education, Nonprofit Leadership