Nasreen Sheikh's life journey is a remarkable testament to human resilience, overcoming child labor, forced marriage, and modern slavery, to become an author, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential voices in the global movement to end Modern Slavery. Through her entrepreneurial social ventures, NGOs, and various initiatives, Nasreen Sheikh's advocacy for a transparent global economic system, and her emphasis on supply chain transparency, corporate engagement, and modern slavery legislation, are important steps toward ending modern slavery. Nasreen's impactful and inspiring interviews, speeches, articles and keynote presentations, have united millions of people globally in a grass roots awareness regarding the many interconnected issues of Modern Slavery. Her personal testimony has reached reputable and influential platforms like the United Nations, the European Union, and major global corporations like Google and Amazon. Her ability to bring her message to prominent individuals like Gloria Steinem, Pope Francis and others, has further amplified her personal influence and advocacy to end Modern Slavery. Her work reflects a holistic approach to creating positive change by preserving cultural heritage, and empowering communities, contributing to a more just and equitable world.

Laura Rose is the Co-Creator of Purpose Earth and Co-founder/CEO of Greenheart International. In 1995 Laura co-founded Fundación por El Futuro. She served on the executive committee for the Council on Standards for International Education and Travel, and was Board Vice Chair of the Alliance for International Exchange. Laura is a board member for She is the Universe and Unity Earth and has worked closely with members of the U.S. Department of State, community leaders and international representatives to further public diplomacy.

Jessica Mackinnon recently retired after 18 years as Director of Public Information at Dominican University. Jessica currently serves as Vice President of the boards of Global Alliance for Africa and YEMBA. She is an active member of the Rotary Club of Chicago Citywide Service, and serves as an adult basic education teacher for Literacy Chicago and as an English as a Second Language tutor for TEACH.

Kristin Pospeschil is a Certified Public Accountant with 10 years of accounting and finance experience, primarily with nonprofit organizations. Most recently, she was the Senior Director of Financial Services at Arabella Advisors. Kristin has been managing the accounting and financial reporting aspects of Empowerment Collective since 2019 and joined the board as Co-Treasurer in 2022.

Ann Boyd lives with her family and their many rescue animals  on a small farm outside of Bend, OR. She met Nasreen in 2018 and together they made “How the Light Gets In” with the fifth grade class at Waldorf School of Bend; a new play inspired by Nasreen’s journey from child laborer to social visionary and change maker. Ann worked for many years in the dance and theater communities in Chicago as a choreographer, director and writer. She has a BA in Biology and Society from Cornell University and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, she taught in Chicago Public Schools with Urban Gateways, at the University of Chicago and full time for the theatre department at Columbia College Chicago.

Beth Ann Fischberg is a speaker, author and certified coach of Human Design, a revolutionary life guidance system based on ancient wisdom and modern science. Beth Ann lives in Oregon. She has been honored to mentor Nasreen with her evolving stage presence as well as providing support with editing content of EC such as newsletter, speech writing, website, and Portland markets support. www.bethann.tv

Bruce Boyd has spent over 30 years building and leading nonprofit and for-profit social ventures. Bruce is currently a Principal at Arabella Advisors and the Executive Director of the Morrison Family Foundation. Bruce served as a senior manager at The Nature Conservancy and served on the Boards of the Windward Fund, the Lilly School of Philanthropy, and the Lake County Community Foundation. Bruce is the Administrator of the Highland Park Victims Fund. He graduated magna cum laude from Middlebury College, earned his law degree from the University of Chicago, and studied business at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.