With nearly 20 years of experience in executive leadership, destination marketing, workforce development, and revenue generation, she has dramatically shaped the future of tourism in her market by leveraging strategic partnerships, superb community engagement, collaboration and data-driven marketing strategies to maximize impact and sustainability.

As Executive Vice President of Meet Boston (formerly the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau), Hilina plays a pivotal role in shaping Boston’s tourism industry, leading operations, marketing, human resources, financial planning, partnerships, and strategic growth.

Before transitioning to the tourism and hospitality sector, Hilina spent over 15 years at Ahold Delhaize, an international grocery retail leader. As a high-level executive overseeing 3,600+ employees across 24 stores with an $805 million annual budget, she managed P&L, workforce development, financial planning, operations, and customer engagement strategies.

Prior to this role, Muna spent several years at CBS News, where she held multiple positions including Manager of Professional Development and Supervisor of Staff Development. There, she designed and implemented newsroom learning programs, strengthened leadership development, and created pathways to advance diverse talent across editorial teams. Her time at CBS News cemented her reputation as a trusted partner to executives and a champion for building inclusive, high-performing cultures in fast-paced media environments.

In her current role, Muna translates complex, cross-functional priorities into clear action through strategic planning, high-impact communications, and executive-level engagement. She is trusted by leadership to act as the connective tissue across teams, partnerships, and stakeholders—enabling alignment, accountability, and seamless execution. She plays a central role in strengthening employee engagement, expanding global Employee Resource Groups, and advancing public affairs initiatives that reinforce the company’s commitment to equity and
impact at scale.

Beyond her corporate work, Muna serves on the Board of Trustees for Hudson Guild, a multi-service community organization in New York City that supports children, youth, and families through education, wellness, and social services. Giving back to her community has always been central to her purpose, inspired by the programs that nurtured her own growth
growing up.

Known for her discretion, diplomacy, and emotional intelligence, Muna leads with both precision and heart. She brings a systems-level perspective to every challenge, stewarding leadership
rhythms, driving operational clarity, and reinforcing values through every layer of the organization.

Muna resides in New York City with her husband Dr. Best Uduh and holds a Bachelor of Science degree focused in Journalism from Emerson College as well as a certification in Diversity & Inclusion in HR from Cornell University.

In addition to her business leadership, Ms. Mersha is the founder of the Sida Family Foundation, a nonprofit supporting vulnerable women, youth, and the elderly through education and health initiatives in both the U.S. and Ethiopia. Passionate about job creation and community development, her companies now employ over 100 people, with a strong focus on hiring and training District residents. Ms. Mersha brings international business experience, is fluent in English and Amharic, and continues to lead with a commitment to economic opportunity and social impact.

William’s true passion is simplifying complexity. He excels at raising awareness of options and possibilities, empowering individuals to make the best decisions in any situation. His skill in breaking down complex issues instills confidence in his clients, ensuring they can navigate any challenge with ease.

William has a demonstrated ability to enhance organizational operational effectiveness, resulting in higher revenues. He excels at managing and fulfilling stakeholder expectations with a results-driven approach that encompasses both the federal and private sectors. His experience includes overseeing complex projects and programs in high-pressure, mission-oriented environments.

William’s global perspective is shaped by his educational background: an undergraduate degree in Geography and Environmental Planning from Towson University, along with an MBA from the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). This diverse education, combined with extensive professional experience, provides him with a unique and broad outlook that inspires his clients and partners.

Originally from the United States Virgin Islands, William’s career includes significant roles at the United States Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency (VITEMA). He has served as an accredited advisor to the United States at United Nations meetings across Geneva, Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. Additionally, he has held positions such as Interim Director for the Anacostia Economic Development Corporation Small Business Development Center, Business Consultant with the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and independent CFO for CFO Services Group, LLC clients.

William founded 19Seventeen, LLC, a business coaching and consulting firm in Washington, DC. He also serves as the Director of Grants and Programs at the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, leading a team of 20 independent business consultants and coaches. In 2022, William was a guest coach during the SBA THRIVE Cohort in the United States Virgin Islands. From 2023 to 2024, he became the SBA THRIVE Coach for Washington, DC, and achieved a spot in the TOP 10 Nationwide cohort.

Committed to personal growth, William is an enthusiastic swimmer and a member of United States Masters Swimming, dedicating several days each week to training for competitive swim meets. His dedication and drive exemplify his personal and professional discipline. Additionally, he is a member of the International Coaching Federation and the Association for Accredited Business Consultants, holding the Accredited Small Business Consultant® (AASBC) certification. This commitment ensures that he consistently performs at his best, ready to provide exceptional service to his clients.

William is dedicated to helping business owners turn their goals into reality.

A former Infantry and Military Intelligence officer, Arthur brings more than 20 years of experience spanning military leadership, banking, higher education, and entrepreneurship. He previously held finance and marketing roles at Citigroup and USAA, and later served as Director of Military and Veteran Services at Prince George’s Community College, where he helped expand services to over 1,400 military-connected students and led award-winning initiatives to improve educational access and entrepreneurship.

Arthur is also the co-founder of MegRelief, a plant-based pain relief company he launched with his wife Danette, and the founder of the DMV Veteran Shark Tank, a pitch competition now in its fourth year that awards $30,000 annually to military-connected entrepreneurs. “In both success and failure, you gain wisdom—and with any luck, more understanding,” he often says when encouraging new entrepreneurs to bet on themselves and build boldly.

For over a decade, I’ve supported pregnant women, new moms, and growing families by sharing tools, guidance, and encouragement to embrace natural pregnancy, intentional parenting, and a home-centered lifestyle. I’ve homebirthed and homeschooled all five of my children, and also work as a tutor, mentor, and advocate for culturally rooted, conscious motherhood.

In addition to education, I formulate all-natural, kid-tested, mom-approved solutions for hair, skin, and home—products born out of love for my family and now available through my e-commerce site. My active social media platforms serve as a space for storytelling, connection, and transformation, where thousands of women engage with my content, share their journeys, and feel empowered to embrace more natural, intentional ways of living.

Through speaking engagements like Empower the Weekend, I hope to amplify my story and inspire more women—especially from underrepresented communities—to reclaim their power through wellness, tradition, and sisterhood.

While attending Northern Virginia Community College, Samrawit worked at luxury hotels in Washington, D.C., steadily climbing the corporate ladder through her people-centered work ethic, professionalism, and warm personality. During her time in the hospitality industry, she discovered a deep passion for ensuring people feel happy and cared for through personalized services. Following her heart, she earned her cosmetology license in 2003.

With 20 years of experience as a hairstylist, Samrawit is certified as a hair colorist by the world-renowned Sensus Hairlovers Academy and as a micro-link extensions specialist by professional institutions abroad. She currently owns and operates both an online e-commerce store and a brick-and-mortar location, SheWay Hair Salon, in Springfield, VA.
Samrawit is a proud mother of two boys. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, dancing, and interior design.

Since establishing Reset Lifestyle in 2010, Wintana has dedicated herself to empowering busy, high-achieving women to reclaim their health and confidence. Through comprehensive nutrition education, fostering of healthy habits, and personalized wardrobe styling, she guides them towards becoming their most exceptional selves. Her innovative approach not only alleviates decision fatigue but also streamlines wellness, enabling women to focus on their purpose.

Wintana has been featured as a keynote speaker at various wellness conferences, and her expertise and insights have graced local TV shows and renowned publications such as the Huffington Post, Shape, Martha Stewart, Livestrong, and Parents magazine. Her co-authorship of the “28-Day Anti-inflammatory Diet” book further showcases her thought leadership in nutrition and wellness. Her significant contributions to the field have been celebrated in Today’s Dietitian 15th nnual showcase, where she was honored as one of “10 RDs Making a Difference.”

Beyond her professional endeavors, Wintana finds joy in savoring spicy meals with her family, discovering hidden treasures at local boutiques, indulging in rejuvenating weekend naps, and championing minority-owned businesses in her community.

Kebkab holds a Master’s degree in International Legal Studies from Georgetown University, a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Human Rights, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.

As the founder of Comfort Health and Wellness and the president and co-founder of the Ethiopian Nurses Association in North America (ENANA), Dr. Gebresellasie is passionate about advancing the health and well-being of individuals and communities. Her work focuses on holistic, patient-centered care, chronic disease management, and empowering people to actively participate in their health.

She believes that the well-being of healthcare begins within the individual. With a deep passion for medicine and a holistic approach to care, she is continuously working to create an organization that is truly patient-centered and focused on whole-person wellness.

Donya employs a person-centered, eclectic approach—integrating CBT, mindfulness, and strength-based techniques—to empower clients in building resilience and achieving meaningful change. She is dedicated to creating a collaborative, tailored therapeutic experience that honors each individual’s unique needs and goals.

Under her leadership, 10.13 Enterprise has supported mission-critical initiatives—providing services in cybersecurity operations, RMF/ATO compliance, IT strategy, and enterprise modernization. From managing $100M budgets to helping organizations decommission thousands of legacy systems, her teams operate at the intersection of resilience, adaptability, and transformation.

What sets Eyaluta apart is her ability to see the big picture while tackling hidden challenges—including the technical debt that silently undermines cybersecurity efforts. She leads with clarity, builds with intention, and believes AI, automation, and governance must enhance trust—not just efficiency.

Her work is grounded in purpose, her leadership shaped by resilience, and her mission clear: to secure systems, elevate teams, and drive lasting impact in every environment she enters.

In addition to his industry work, Dr. Yoseph Tsehay is passionate about education. He teaches graduate-level AI, data science, and analytics courses at Walden University and Maryville University, helping shape the next generation of AI professionals. Known for making data approachable and impactful, he bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI technologies and everyday decision-making.

A former Manager at Deloitte, Meronne has led large-scale transformation initiatives impacting millions and has held key civic leadership roles, including Chair of Alexandria’s Economic Opportunities Commission. Having navigated her own path—from college to corporate consulting to entrepreneurship and public service—Meronne offers a grounded, empowering perspective on embracing change and turning uncertainty into opportunity.

An avid reader, he has peculiar interests in history, current affairs and human psychology. Yilekal hails from Addis Ababa and is a two-time graduate of Addis Ababa University for his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He received his PhD in Technology Management, specializing in Human Resource Development from Indiana State University in the US.

Before joining the World Bank, she founded Spatial Engineers Without Borders (SEWOB), a consulting firm specializing in spatial planning and technology driven solutions. Through SEWOB, she worked on a United Nations–led project supporting spatial development frameworks in regions with weak planning systems. She also launched an online platform in Ethiopia connecting farmers directly to consumers,improving transparency and efficiency in the agricultural supply chain. Beyond her technical work,Kisanet is committed to youth empowerment. She founded Inspiring Hub, which provides education,internship, mentorship, and entrepreneurship training to young professionals in Africa and other developing countries. With a strong foundation in technology, data, and policy, Kisanet is committed to building sustainable, inclusive solutions that uplift communities and empower the next generation.

He’s fully independent. No major label. No co-signs. Just talent, vision, and a relentless work ethic. One standout track, SELAM NEW featuring the incredibly talented Iri Di, captures everything MUSÉ does best—sharp lyricism, catchy hooks, and smooth, groovy production. If you listen closely, the song plays like fragments of his life—an autobiographical mosaic that explores themes like redemption, hope, and growth.

Beyond the music, 2UP MUSÉ is hands-on with every part of his brand. He designs his own merch, blending fashion with storytelling just like his lyrics. Each piece reflects his message and creative identity, and he’s been building direct support from fans by selling it independently—online and at live shows.

This journey hasn’t been easy, but MUSÉ continues to show up and build something real. From long nights in the studio to self-funded visuals and events, he’s proving that you don’t need a machine to make an impact. This is about entrepreneurship, dedication, and trusting your voice.