Lauren Zekiri is mom to 3 incredible daughters born less than 3 years apart. Throughout her ~5 years of motherhood, she has developed a passion for supporting moms via her local community, online newsletter “Parenting Prose”, and Dr. Becky Kennedy’s Good Inside ambassador program. In her professional world, she works for LinkedIn’s Global Client Organization supporting the company’s largest and most strategic customers and leads the Women@ LinkedIn Employee Resource Group.
Dr. Jana Richardson is the founder of Chicago Pelvic Health and Wellness, a pelvic floor physical therapy clinic in the Western Suburbs of Chicago. She holds a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Franklin Pierce University and is a Dual Board-Certified Women’s Health Specialist. With certifications in Pelvic Rehabilitation and Integrative Dry Needling, her expertise spans conditions such as pelvic pain, bowel and bladder dysfunction, prenatal and postnatal care, diastasis recti, and pelvic organ prolapse. Dr. Richardson is dedicated to raising awareness of pelvic health issues and helping her patients regain their function and well-being.
Dr. Maria Malayter, CEO of Innovations in Change LLC, is a business psychologist, wellness coach, and researcher who builds others up through fostering mental fitness, navigating change, and enhances personal and professional development. She assists individuals in identifying their barriers to success and creating breakthroughs for higher productivity and happiness. Author of the book Navigating the RIDE of Change, Dr. Maria empowers people to personally advance in life using positive psychology, strengths-based leadership, and habit transformation This assists individuals in reclaiming their remarkability. Beyond hosting “The Joy Chemistry Podcast” , she has been a recent guest on Naperville Talk with Chris Grano and Echoes of Impact on Now Media TV.
The Sister Project is a cozy lifestyle brand and platform founded by sisters, Lauren Massarella and Michelle Anderson. Their mission is to inspire women to slow down and take pleasure in the simple things because they think your life depends on it.
In a world where multitasking is practically a competitive sport, women and moms often find themselves juggling a never-ending list of to-dos, with little time to breathe—or even enjoy a warm meal! Join The Sister Project for a lighthearted exploration of how to slow down, care less, and master the fine art of doing absolutely nothing (and yes, it’s a skill!). They will share personal stories, practical tips, and maybe even a few giggles about their attempts to reclaim their sanity in this chaotic world. Discover how prioritizing your wellness and embracing stillness can help you reconnect with yourself and your loved ones, all while making room for those all-important moments of quiet (or at least a few uninterrupted Netflix episodes).
Danyale Washington, a Certified Elite Postpartum and Infant Care Doula & Trainer, Certified Sleep Consultant, Certified Infant Specialist, and Family Wellbeing Consultant & Advisor based in the Chicagoland Area, has spent over a decade supporting families through the transformative postpartum period and beyond. With a background in childcare, Danyale discovered her passion for compassionate, all-encompassing care, which led her to specialize in newborn sleep, family dynamics, and parent education. Known for her skillful communication and supportive presence, Danyale is dedicated to fostering safe, nurturing spaces for families to thrive. Outside of her professional work, she actively builds community connections to further empower parents on their journey.
My name is Mary French, and I am a Level 5 MELT trainer & a pilates instructor. Teaching is my passion! After suffering from plantar fasciitis for years, I was ecstatic when I heard about the MELT Method. Since MELT hydrates your fascia, I found relief from my plantar fasciitis. Love my self-care technique of MELTing and want to share it with everyone.
Irene Schreiner is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the owner of Solid Foundations Therapy, a group mental health practice in Downers Grove that specializes in helping couples and individuals navigate romantic relationships. With over 17 years of experience, Irene has dedicated her career to empowering clients through compassionate, goal-oriented therapy and teaching the therapists at her practice to do the same. Her expertise lies in fostering connection and helping clients develop the skills needed to build strong, fulfilling relationships. Irene is passionate about guiding her clients toward healthier dynamics and overall emotional well-being.
Sarah is a 22-year veteran of the health and fitness industry, with a passion rooted in her own journey through autoimmunity, chronic stress, and complex PTSD. As CEO of Functional Effect Fitness & Rehabilitation, she leads a 4,500-square-foot integrative wellness facility in Downers Grove. A Level 2 Master Health Coach and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, she also holds specialized certifications in sleep, stress, recovery, and pre/post-natal health. In her talk, she’ll explore how moms can model healthy relationships with food and behavior for their children, using the principles of the 4 Agreements as a guide. As a mom of two, she believes “The magic is in the work you are avoiding,” and looks forward to empowering attendees to take positive action for themselves and their families.
Liz Bohnsak is a seasoned Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who specializes in working with women and teen girls with anxiety and trauma. A mom of three (including twins!), Liz is no stranger to the unique stressors mothers face in parenting and beyond. She is particularly passionate about helping moms who struggle with navigating issues related to neurodiversity, relationships, and identity. Liz is a full time therapist with Grace & Gratitude Counseling in Downers Grove, Il, and works from a multi-modal approach including DBT, ACT, CBT, and EMDR techniques.
Dr. Karen Wolowick is a Board-certified OBGYN, who did her residency training at Rush University in Chicago. She worked for a large multi-specialty physician group for over a decade before she started her own private practice, which is now MAIA gynecology in Downers Grove. She is happily married with 3 kids and loves having the freedom to spend time with her family and run her own practice. Dr. Wolowick is a die-hard feminist and is passionate about empowering women with the knowledge to take control of their fertility and overall health.
Alexandria Gohla, owner of Bluebird Counseling Services in Naperville, IL, is a compassionate Licensed Clinical Social Worker dedicated to helping adults and adolescents navigate trauma, anxiety, depression, and maternal mental health challenges. With a strong background in supporting children with Autism and developmental disorders, she brings a wealth of experience to her practice. As a Certified Yoga Instructor (CYT-200), Alex integrates mindfulness and yoga techniques into her strength-based, person-centered therapeutic approach. Outside of her work as a therapist, she enjoys reading, triathlons, and spending time with her family and dogs.
Mediator. Attorney. Astrologer. Coach. Author. Speaker. Mom. Quantum Healer. Wearer of many hats. “Teri” to her friends and when she is on stage. A woman committed to Love in all its expressions who supports people as they journey to authentic self-expression and lives filled with Joy, Peace and Love. Theresa, a pioneer in the Collaborative Law movement, has been helping people divorce with dignity for over 20 years. Now she offers “Intentional Relationship Design” to support people in creating partnership so they can be truly Happy – no matter what the relationship looks like.
Mary Namestnik is an ultrarunner and mother of three. She believes it’s vital for mothers to have a space and hobby for themselves in order to keep in tune with who they are outside of motherhood and be the best mothers they can be. Through running, Mary has transformed herself from a mother that was unsure of her identity to a person who wants to help transform the lives of other mothers and release them from mom-guilt associated with taking care of themselves. She is a personal trainer, fitness instructor, and running coach.
Dr. Sbarbaro is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology Program at Midwestern University (MWU). She is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. She is also employed part-time providing psychological testing services in the private practice sector. She earned her first Master’s degree in Addiction Studies from the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies in 2011. She received her second Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology (2015) and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (Psy.D) from Midwestern University in 2018. Her specialties include substance use disorders, anxiety and trauma disorders, and motivational interviewing.
Ms. Komoll is a third year clinical psychology doctoral candidate. She holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology and is currently completing her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Midwestern University. She is trained in a variety of settings including community mental health and forensic settings. She specializes in the treatment of substance use, trauma and mood disorders, and community health.
Dr. Fenwa Milhouse is a board-certified, fellowship-trained urologist and specialist in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (also known as Urogynecology). Dr. Milhouse owns her own practice called Down There Urology in Chicago– where she treats men and women with a focus on the treatment of sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, pelvic floor conditions, and cosmetic genital enhancement. Dr. Milhouse is a distinguished recipient of the 2023 Healthcare Impact Award by Top Docs. Additionally, she was named Top Urologist in Chicago in 2023 by Women in Medicine.
Dr. Milhouse is known by the world as “Your Favorite Urologist” and has been featured on several media outlets including WGN News, Yahoo Style, HuffPost, Essence Magazine, CNN and in 2023 she was the star of TLC network’s Dr. Down Below.
Dr. Susan Mitchell is a gynecologist who has been striving to help women live their best and fullest lives since she started in practice in Downers Grove in 2007. In 2024 she left corporate medicine to join her friend and colleague Dr. Karen Wolowick in private practice at MAIA gynecology. Her areas of clinical focus include minimally invasive surgery, menopause and perimenopause, pelvic pain and heavy and painful menstrual periods. Her practice philosophy is based in kindness and empathy. Her approach is to carefully listen, to understand a patient’s experience and goals as best she can, and then work with the patient to design a plan for treatment that best suits her individual needs.