Ryan is a partner/worker-owner at LIFT Economy, an impact consulting firm whose mission is to create, model, and share an inclusive and locally self-reliant economy that works for the benefit of all life. Ryan has helped over 30 companies—like Patagonia, Allbirds, Ben & Jerry’s, King Arthur Flour, Tanka Bar, and Red Bay Coffee—become Certified B Corporations and maximize the value of their B Corp certification. Along with his LIFT Economy team, Ryan helped cofound the Force for Good Fund, “Best for the World” B Corps, and co-hosts the LIFT Economy podcast, Next Economy Now. In recent years, most of Ryan’s energy has been focused on answering the question “what is the appropriate role of a white person in advocating for racial justice?” His thoughts on this question, entitled “White People: Let’s Talk About White Supremacy,” is the most read article on the LIFT website.

Deborah Threadgill Egerton, Ph.D is an internationally respected psychotherapist, educator, change agent and coach. She is often described as an unforgettable career thought-leader and authentic inspirational teacher. Dr. Egerton is the Founder and President of Trinity Transition Consultants and retains an impressive roster of clients. Dr. Egerton is also a certified Enneagram practitioner and Board member of the International Enneagram Association (IEA), the governing Enneagram accreditation organization. Deborah’s work and teaching around the world with the Enneagram has enabled her clients to get “unstuck” and move out of self-defeating negative behavioral patterns. This work led to the founding of The Platinum Connection, a positive space to connect individuals from all parts of the world to celebrate their differences and similarities.

Ellen has twenty years of experience as a chief financial officer and controller with mid-sized and large privately held companies. Prior to that she held financial management positions for eight years at a large publicly held company. She has extensive experience in small business transition and succession planning. Ellen has worked in several different industries such as chemicals, plastics, newspaper, broadcast, wholesale distribution, technology and IT services. As the mother of a child with special needs she has spent most of her adult life as an advocate for the disabled. This has led her to serve on several non-profit boards of directors, where she has held both chairman and treasurer leadership positions. In addition to her consulting business, Ellen is a published author, active vlogger, and public speaker. Her book “The Big Turnaround – How Bad Management Nearly Destroyed an Exceptional Company” is a business novel addressing some of the most prevalent challenges small business owners face today.

Ebony Walden is an experienced consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the civic and social organization industry. Ebony is a mix between a creative catalyst and a community builder. For over a decade, she has worked to facilitate partnerships and shepherd projects to create more thriving and inclusive communities. During her career as a planner, Ebony led comprehensive planning processes, built multi-sector coalitions, coordinated outreach and communications for public engagement campaigns, led corridor and neighborhood planning efforts and developed small business improvement programs in Richmond and Charlottesville. Today, Ebony helps leaders, organizations and communities move from vision to action that has lasting impact.

Becky Clay Christensen is the Director Community Partnerships at the Bon Secours Richmond Health System. Previously she was a facilitator and organizational consultant for 17 years, and in public service for over 25 years working with non profit organizations, local and state government, for community development trade associations and teaming with engineering and architectural firms. Becky specializes in public process, leadership development, strategic change, executive coaching and teams. Her work is grounded from an affordable housing and community development orientation but extends into the areas of small business development, health care, transportation and nonprofit administration.