

Owning My Journey & Redesigning My Life
Keynote, Presenters, and Panietlists Biographies

Jenny Campbell
Keynote
As a lifelong learner and youth advocate, Jenny Campbell uses education to empower adults and children in all aspects of their lives. She has devoted most of her adult life and professional career to education and the empowerment of youth. She enjoys spending her time with her family and working on community projects geared toward the empowerment of youth. Click here for Jenny Campbell's full biography.
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Liz Amaya-Fernandez
Presenter
Liz is an educator/trainer on social justice, sexuality and gender, global health, substance use prevention, and other public health issues. They work full-time as a Senior Public Health Diversity Advisor at the Larson Institute for Health Impact and Equity at the University of Nevada, Reno. She has been working as an adjunct professor at various colleges & universities in New Jersey since 2006. Her courses
include human rights, gender and sexuality, women’s health, global health, and other public health courses. Liz is also a full-spectrum doula providing birthing, post-partum, and transition support to people of all genders. Prior to joining the University of Nevada, Reno, Liz worked as a health educator at Rutgers University and William Paterson
University. She has also worked as Director of Education at the National Latina Health Network. Liz is the founder and director of Artemis Retreats, LLC. They have a master’s in public health from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University.

Chris Ward Jr.
Presenter
Chris Ward Jr. is a talented brand storyteller and communication trainer. He helps small business owners and creative people captivate their audiences and amplify their impact.
In today's world, it's hard for small businesses and creative people to share their special stories and connect with the people they want to reach. They can't tell interesting stories and build good relationships with their customers.
Chris Ward Jr. comes up with solutions for them, helping them create real, exciting stories and improve their communication. Those who work with Chris can expect more people to pay attention, know their brand, and help their business grow.
Yahoo News featured Chris as an international public speaker. This makes him the perfect person to help businesses and creatives communicate
confidently.

Esmeralda Cabrera
Panelist
Esmeralda Cabrera was born in 1988 to Esperanza Silva and Samuel Cabrera. Her mother migrated from the Dominican Republic, and her father from Puerto Rico to Passaic, New Jersey. Esperanza had two other daughters, Noelia, and Noemi Cabrera. In addition to her two sisters, Esmeralda Cabrera has ten siblings from her father's side. So yes, family reunions were fun.
While a single mother, Cabrera obtained her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and education. Three years later, she obtained her master's degree in educational leadership. Currently, she is pursuing her doctorate in curriculum and instruction. God willing, this summer, with the help of Newark’s Uprising Leader Program, she will attend Harvard University to earn a school management and leadership program certificate.
At age 34, she still plays softball and volleyball. She has coached softball and volleyball at the middle and high school levels. Her children are following in her footsteps. Her 10-year-old daughter, Janessa, plays softball, volleyball, and basketball. Her twelve-year-old son, Ayden, plays baseball, volleyball, basketball, and wrestling.
Currently, Cabrera is the department chairperson for mathematics, world languages, and visual performing arts at Barringer High School in Newark. She oversees teaching programs, evaluates lesson plans, and visits classrooms to ensure that different ways of teaching help students grow and develop. Additionally, Cabrera advises staff members on professional development, improving programs, and giving a range of opportunities for students to exhibit their performance and successes. She enjoys supporting teachers and school buildings so much that she does not work but goes to her career every day. Calton Fisk could not have said it any better, “It’s not what you achieve; it’s what you overcome. That’s what defines your career.”

Nafisa Chowdhury
Panelist
At the age of 7, Nafisa Chowdhury immigrated to the United States with her parents and her two older sisters. Her family had a difficult time assimilating to the American culture, and her parents continue to face challenges keeping their cultural traditions alive. She was raised in Paterson, NJ, which is a diverse city with a strong sense of community. Growing up as a Bangladeshi Muslim woman in America has not been easy, but her identities have played a pivotal role in making her the woman she is today. As a result of her experiences, she is passionate about social justice, human rights and advocating for neglected populations.
Nafisa initially pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nursing during her undergraduate years. However, after a change of heart, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies with a minor in Public Health. After graduation, she served the Paterson community via AmeriCorps where she completed a term of service of 1,700 hours working with elementary school students in a charter school along with adolescents in a youth center. She proudly participated in many community development and beautification projects, an annual Christmas toy drive, and other events. Currently, she is working towards her master’s degree in Public Health and a certificate in Health and Human Rights at the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University. She is also serves as a part-time Community Engagement Coordinator at Manavi, an organization dedicated to ending gender-based violence in South Asian communities. Nafisa aspires to work as an advocate at this organization and provide support and services for survivors. Upon earning her graduation. Additionally, she interns as a research assistant for the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies.

Nathali J. Zamora
Panelist
Born in Brooklyn, NY., Nathali (she/her) is a First Generation American of Central American descent. She manages a finance career by day, and endometriosis advocacy by night. She hopes that by sharing her experiences in both English and Spanish, she can reach others like her. First Generation Americans have to navigate a medical, educational, and advocacy space alone. Endometriosis can be a difficult topic to broach and explain to one's own family, oftentimes in a different language and conversations around taboo topics like fertility and pain.