Innovation Women’s speaker database is home to thousands of women and other underrepresented voices ready to take the stage, and every month, we have the chance to highlight a few of them. Meet May’s five Featured Speakers!

Atousa Raissyan | Owner and Founder, I AM Holistic Services

Atousa Raissyan is a transformational speaker, spiritual mentor and award-winning author known for her powerful approach to presence, healing and emotional freedom. As a certified heart-centered Transformational Healer, Shaman and artist, she has spent over twenty years helping individuals release fear, heal trauma and reconnect with their authentic joy.

Recognized with multiple honors, including the Nautilus Gold Award (2024), BookFest Awards, International Impact Book Awards, and the 2025 Book Excellence Award, Atousa delivers talks such as Discover the Space Before Thought, Transforming Trauma Through Energy Healing, Breaking Free from Fear-Based Patterns, Cultivating Self-Love and Connection, and Mindful Leadership. Audiences describe her openness and authenticity as deeply moving, leaving a lasting impression that continues long after her talks.

View Atousa’s speaker profile. 

Laura Patterson | President and Co-Founder, VisionEdge Marketing

Laura Patterson is an entrepreneur, speaker and author, and a globally recognized expert in customer-centric growth and Marketing Performance Management. As president and co-founder of VisionEdge Marketing, a growth strategy firm she launched in 1999, Laura has assisted over 300 companies, including Southwest Cargo, Elsevier and Howden, in replacing the disconnected, reactive efforts that steal time, money and strategic capacity. She does so with deliberate, intentional, and measurable strategies rooted in creating business and customer value.

Laura is the author of multiple books, including the award-winning Fast-Track Your Business: A Customer-Centric Approach to Accelerate Market Growth. Her signature program, The 4 Game Changers to Grow 6x Faster, enables companies to create sustained competitive advantage through strategy, alignment, performance measurement, and operational excellence. She holds a patent for Accelance®, a SaaS application that enables organizations to ensure activities are directly connected to business outcomes.

View Laura’s speaker profile.

Dr. Rita Renee | Founder, Ultimate PowerHouse Coach

Dr. Rita Renee is an international speaker, healthcare leader, author and mentor with more than 34 years of experience in nursing and leadership. As the founder of Ultimate PowerHouse Coach and Vice President of WBON Triangle, she empowers women to “come off mute” by stepping out of the shadows and embracing their authentic voices.  

A TEDx speaker and President-Elect of NAWBO Greater Raleigh, Dr. Rita is passionate about transforming pain into purpose. She cares deeply about equipping women with the tools and confidence to lead with courage, clarity and conviction, fostering an environment where they can thrive both personally and professionally. 

View Dr. Rita’s speaker profile. 

Brandi Kelly | Owner and Chief HOPE Officer, Spark HOPE Edu, LLC

Brandi Kelly is a renowned speaker who speaks regularly about hope, mental health and wellness. As the Owner and Chief HOPE Officer of Spark HOPE Edu, LLC, she combines her extensive experience as an educator and mental health professional to empower individuals and organizations. With a focus on resilience and leadership, Brandi provides practical strategies to foster growth and transformation in both personal and professional settings.

Brandi is driven by a deep commitment to mental health and the belief that everyone deserves access to hope and healing. She cares about her work because she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of resilience and positive mindset in overcoming adversity. Her mission is to inspire others to reflect, reset, and rise through life’s challenges, ultimately fostering a culture of hope and well-being.

View Brandi’s speaker profile.

Mary Beth Snodgrass | Managing Director, Product Advisory Collective 

Mary Beth Snodgrass is a seasoned tech entrepreneur, product leader and consultant with more than 20 years of purpose-driven work across nonprofits, consultancies, tech startups and Fortune 500 clients. Her expertise spans software products, digital health, AI governance, behavior change, tech policy, female founder fundraising and more. 

As Managing Director of the Product Advisory Collective (PAC), she guides a dual mission: accelerating technology products and elevating women leaders in product and tech. PAC connects startups and innovation teams with seasoned advisors who bring diverse backgrounds across industries, technologies and product stages. 

View Mary Beth’s speaker profile. 

Want to see your name on this list? 

Use the Promote Yourself button on the Innovation Women platform to nominate yourself as a featured speaker. This opportunity is included with every Innovation Women speaker membership. 

Not a member yet? Join Innovation Women and get your profile in front of event organizers today. 

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