President/Founder of the Circle of Change Leadership Conference
Dr. Joshua Fredenburg is a nationally acclaimed speaker, author, leadership consultant, and a visionary force in personal and organizational development. With a career spanning over sixteen years, he has touched lives across 49 states and globally, delivering powerful messages on leadership, diversity and inclusion, student success, and personal empowerment.
Holding a Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a Master’s Degree from Biola University, Dr. Fredenburg combines academic rigor with real-world experience. His journey is not just marked by professional achievements but also by his profound impact on individuals and organizations.
As the President and Founder of the Circle of Change Leadership Experience & First Generation Student Career Conference, he has transformed the lives of thousands, especially culturally diverse and first-generation students, guiding them towards leadership excellence. Recognized for his contributions, he has received numerous accolades, including an honorary membership from Golden Key International and recognition as a Top Leader Under 40 in South Florida. Dr. Fredenburg’s journey is a testament to his commitment to creating leaders who are not only successful but also empathetic and inclusive, making a lasting difference in the world.
Natalie Poag is a former student affairs professional who served at the University of Arizona as the Coordinator of Asian Pacific American Student Affairs (APASA). Her higher education experience included peer advising, student activities, and diversity education. She received her Master of Science degree from the University of Central Missouri’s College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) program and Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from California State University-San Bernardino.
Leanna Mouton
Director of Marketing & Conference Management
Leanna Mouton is a first-generation honors graduate of Texas State University where she was awarded a BBA in Management with a minor in communication and honors studies and an MBA.
While working on her undergraduate degree, she served as a Student Regent for The Texas State University System, President of Student Foundation, McCoy College Ambassador, and Residential Advisor.
During her time in school, she volunteered with the Circle of Change Leadership Experience, studied and worked abroad in both Barcelona, Spain and San Jose, Costa Rica, and interned for Disney and the White House.
Currently, Leanna is working at United Airlines after completing her MBA program this past Fall of 2024.
Dr. Amber Floyd
Director of Production
Dr. Amber M. Floyd, a proud First-Generation college graduate and the first female in her family to hold a Doctoral title, has earned degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign and Aurora University.
With a background in Social Work, Dr. Floyd believes in the power of community, networking, mentorship, and leadership. Since joining Circle of Change in 2022, Dr. Floyd worked on Production Management for the conferences to ensure that each student who attends the conference has a transformative experience!
Leo Young
Director of Logistics
Leo Young is originally from the great state of Texas, but is also a proud Californian; currently pursuing his doctoral degree with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Educational Administration with a concentration in Student Affairs from Texas A&M University.
Leo has served, advised, and consulted with student organizations and the University Programming Board at Georgia Southern University, and managed the summer conference program and operations at San Jose State University as a higher educational professional.
With a developed skillset in student organization development, event planning and risk management, Leo loves advising students and serving student groups from a Strengths-based perspective to develop tomorrow’s leaders.
Leo aspires to embody servant leadership as he influences society as a catalyst for positive change. He is a devoted and loving husband to his wonderful wife and an outdoor enthusiast (rock climbing, backpacking, camping, hiking, etc.). Ultimately, Leo dedicates his life to being a faith-centered, values-driven, strengths-based human that spreads love, development, and joy in the lives of others.
Quiana Stone
Director of Professional Development
Quiana (she/her/hers) serves as the Director of Auxiliary Services and University Housing at Governors State University. With eighteen years of Student Affairs experience, Quiana has centered her work in Housing/Residence Life, Student Leadership Programs, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Fund Development, and Social Justice and Diversity Initiatives.
Originally from Gary, Indiana, Quiana left her hometown as a first-generation college student to attend Indiana University-Bloomington where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health Administration (BSPH) with a Minor in Legal Studies,
a Certificate in Public Management, and a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) Degree with a double concentration in Public and Non-Profit Management. Quiana also has a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of South Florida’s Corporate Training and Professional Education program.
Quiana is actively involved with the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers (GLACUHO) where she is currently serving as immediate Past President, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC. As a Co-Founder/Creator of BLKSAP (Black Student Affairs Professionals), an online community for Black Professionals serving within Student Affairs/Higher Education, she works closely with her team to provide a safe space for over 13,000+ Black professionals to engage, find support, mentorship, resources, and community virtually within the world of higher education. Quiana is a contributing author/editor for the book entitled: #BLACKOUT – Real Issues and Real Solutions to Real Challenges Facing Black Student Affairs Professionals. Quiana serves as a Co-Host for The Meeting After the Meeting Podcast (#TMATMPod) which focuses on career navigation and community within Higher Education and cross industries. Her passion/research areas include career coaching, mentorship, etiquette training, First Generation College Student experience, advising, and identity development.
Jessica Vasquez
Director of Guest Relations (LA)
Born and raised in Queens, NY, to Colombian parents, from early on, Jessica acknowledged that she would consistently live between two worlds, and the intersectionality of her cultural upbringing would inform her everyday thinking and how she would move about the world, both personally and professionally.
Jessica graduated from NYU in 2005 with a B.S. in Finance & International Business. Since joining the television industry that same year, Jessica has worked at Viacom, HBO, and now Netflix. She manages video content production and distribution for high-exposure titles, identifies and develops strategic business partnerships both internally and externally, and implements solutions to efficiently streamline workflows.
While Jessica is extremely passionate about her work, she is equally vested in serving as an advocate in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. Jessica has been an active participant in her company’s Latinx Employee Resource group, and continues to mentor young women through her sorority pipeline, ensuring she reaches back and brings future leaders of color to the forefront
Michoo Etienne
Director of Guest Relations (Miami, Florida)
Michoo Etienne is a first-generation college graduate, who received her Master’s degree in Healthcare Management from Davenport University. She received her Undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at the University of South Florida. With aspiration to pursue a career in healthcare administration, she hopes to inspire strong character development and leadership within our healthcare system.
Michael Flotron
Director of Video, Sound, & Tech Production
Michael Flotron is an eclectic in the world of filmmaking and brings both his creative and technical skills to the table in all productions he’s a part of. He produces feature films, shorts, and corporate content but also brings expertise in live-to-air and live-to-web productions for small businesses in the evolving ecosystem of online content.
Outside of Producing, Michael is a Camera Department specialist with years of experience as a Camera Operator, 1st AC, Gimbal Operator, and is an FAA Licensed Drone Operator.
Michael grew up in Southern California and considers himself fortunate to be surrounded by creative and entrepreneurially minded people. His parents have both travelled the world through their own professions, making him acutely aware of the importance of cross-culture collaboration in creative worlds. Some of his recent work includes Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope (2017), Power Rangers: Shattered Grid (2018), and Circle of Change Leadership Conference which is currently on its 15th year.
Portland, Oregon is where Michael currently calls home, but he foresees a journey that will take him to many corners of the world.
BK
Director of Marketing
Bakeisha (BK) McCall is originally from Albany, N. Currently residing in the beautiful sunshine state of California. Following a crippling childhood accident, BK had to endure learning how to re-walk again. She was left with metal pins in both of her upper legs to hold her bones together. Following the accident, BK faced depression and attempted suicide on multiple occasions.
She turned to food for comfort and friendship. Going from 175 pounds, to at her highest weight of 410 pounds.Knowing that she was close to death if she didn’t take care of her weight, in 2016 BK decided to take her fitness journey seriously and received help from her trainer to lose the unwanted pounds. Changing her eating habits and exercising twice a day,she went from 410 pounds to 175 pounds with no magic pills, no surgeries, no gimmicks…. just hard work.
BK is now a certified personal trainer, member of the Circle of Change Leadership Team, and a health and fitness coach.
Terrence Mclaney
Born and raised in the California Bay Area, Terrence McLaney attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Rhetoric with an emphasis in Public Discourse. Terrence recognized the importance of giving back to his community at an early age and has since been involved in several youth leadership and mentoring programs, including coaching basketball at all levels, serving as Executive Director of a youth camp, and as Dean of Students at a high school in Northern California.
In his current role as a Financial Services Professional with a Fortune 100 Company, Terrence furthers his community advocacy by educating and empowering his clients to take control of their financial future. Terrence has identified opportunities for closing the wealth gap that exists in America by exploring personal and historical relationships with money. He specializes in investments, retirement planning, insurance and legacy planning, wealth accumulation, and saving for college. Terrence is committed to increasing financial literacy and building generational wealth in underserved communities.
Lonnie Mcgowen Jr.
Lonnie McGowen Jr serves as the owner of IMAGE Studios in Richardson, Texas.
Lonnie’s background is in Corporate America, focusing on serving as the People and Culture Strategist for a Fortune 200 organization. He thrives on partnering and building lasting relationships with colleagues and peers alike to help enhance a workforce via people-focused initiatives.
He also gets fulfillment out of serving his community as well as helping people of all backgrounds reach their true potential. He graduated from San Francisco State University with a Business Administration degree with a focus on Management. He has conducted business across a variety of regions within the United States, from San Francisco, CA where his career started, to Denver, CO, and eventually Dallas, TX for his most recent role as the Vice President of HR. Outside of work, his hobbies include traveling the world with his beautiful wife, participating in turbo kick classes at the local gym, and spending time with family and friends.
Tatiana Oueini
Tatiana Oueini is a strategic, human resources executive with nearly 15 years of progressive HR leadership experience with companies, including Capital Group, Nestle, Target, and Saks Fifth Avenue.
She’s currently transitioning into a new role as Senior Vice President, Human Resources for Redwood Trust, a financial firm providing high-quality services that benefits homebuyers, renters, lenders, and housing investors.
There, she’ll oversee a team of HR professionals that help drive the people dimension of the business across the organization.
She’s passionate about creating strong and engaged teams by fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging and driving for excellence. She received her bachelors degree in communications from UCLA. In her free time, Tatiana loves to work out, eat, travel, and spend time with friends and family.
Pete Parker
Pete Parker has spent his entire career as a non-profit management professional. He has helped community organizations raise nearly $30,000,000 to meet capital, endowment and operational goals. Pete is owner of NPcatalyst, a small non-profit consulting firm, which has impacted hundreds of charitable organizations by providing board development, public awareness, branding, community engagement, and funding solutions. Similar to success he’s found as co-founder of Greek Ladders, his accomplishments all relate to building long-lasting relationships, identifying opportunities, and creating solutions.
Monique Rodriguez
Monique Rodriguez is currently the Chief Revenue Officer for the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, CA. She has been in the sports and entertainment industry since 2009, when she first accepted an internship with the Rose Bowl and has been working her way up ever since. In 2015, she received a national award for being top 40 under 40, skilled set in her industry by Collaborate Magazine and featured in their February issue.
She is now in charge of booking private events in the newly 181 million dollar renovated National Historic Landmark, home to UCLA football, the Rose Bowl Game and the upcoming Arroyo Seco Music & Arts Festival in June 2017 from the creators of Coachella Music Festival, AEG Goldenvoice. Her event bookings range from corporate event meetings, product launches, seminars, award banquets, galas, fundraisers, conferences, tradeshows, filmings, and photo shoots to private pre-show and after show parties for friends and families of each performing artist at each concert, international and national sporting events. She is a proud alum of Alpha Phi Sorority, Gamma Kappa Chapter, Long Beach State University and member of MPI (Meeting Planners International) and IAVM (International Association of Venue Managers.
Her lifelong goal is to be of service to others and to give back to all of those in need of a helping hand. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
Danae Evans
Lights, Camera, Action! Danae Evans, MBA is a Carson, California native. She attended San Jose State University earning her B.S. degree in Business Management with a concentration in Public Relations, and after graduating in 2005; her longing to contribute behind the scenes in Hollywood became her passion.
She has dedicated more than 8 years to the entertainment industry, and along her journey she has worked
at NBC Universal
AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), The Los Angeles Rams, The Superbowl, and Twentieth Century Fox Television in various capacities mainly Production, Business, and Legal Affairs.
In April 2008, Danae was initiated into the illustrious organization Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she serves the youth ages 12-17 years old (Delta Academy and Gems) and is currently the Assistant
Financial Secretary and the Physical & Mental Health Co-Chair.
Eddy Millis
Eddy Millis serves as President of Invincible Live Events Company.
As president, he has produced over 24 live events from professional MMA shows, to concerts and mud runs, and has brought to market a top-level protein supplement.
In addition to being president, Eddy has appeared as a feature guest on Bravo TV’s “Thintervention” , served as a contributing writer for 2 magazines, a marketing consultant to several companies.
