September 23, 2013
COLCHESTER, VERMONT (September 23, 2013) – Adam Hergenrother and Hergenrother Foundation are hosting the 2nd Annual Ignite Burlington on Thursday October 10, 2013 at The Film House at Main Street Landing. The final speaker line-up has been confirmed and we are excited to announce the following speakers will be presenting at Ignite Burlington 2013:
Kevin Pearce | Kevin Pearce Holdings, LLC
Former professional snowboarder Kevin Pearce is now an inspirational survivor, sports commentator, motivational speaker and advocate for brain injury and Down syndrome. The Kevin Pearce Fund supports organizations that enrich and enhance the lives of families and individuals affected by brain injury, Down syndrome, and other challenges.
Tom Murphy | Co-Founder & President of Sweethearts & Heroes
Tom Murphy is a leading authority on anti-bullying in schools and specializes in speaking to students, teachers and parents. Murphy has given over 500 presentations and empowered over 125,000 students and teachers on what they can do to help stop bullying. Tom is also the Corporate Director at Genesee and Wyoming Railway Company. Tom was a former nationally competitive wrestler in college and is a current Professional Mixed Martial Arts Fighter who competed on Season 2 of The Ultimate Fighting Championships Ultimate Fighter Reality Show.
Ann Zuccardy | CEO of AZ Communications
Ann Zuccardy offers candid, witty conversation about life’s challenging moments and getting through them with creativity and humor. She provides insights gleaned from her personal struggle after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) changed her life. A professional writer for nearly three decades, Ann writes for technical publications, social media, and corporate communications departments. Her work appears in Press Pause Moments: Essays about Life Transitions by Women Writers and in magazines and corporate newsletters. She is writing a book about her TBI experience: A Brain Rebooted: Creating New Pathways for Life and Business. Ann shares her story about the trials and tribulations of reinventing her life after her injury and discovering hidden surprises about intelligence and creativity.
Hannah Kirkpatrick | Mrs. Vermont America 2013
Disregarding social expectations to “keep up appearances”, Mrs. Vermont America 2013 Hannah Kirkpatrick is a fearless and vulnerable storyteller, willing to expose her journey through the deepest caverns of depression and addictive substances & behaviors, and her close-call victory over some of the same struggles that haunt millions of Americans. Through her story of devastating loss and second chances, Hannah paints audiences a vivid picture of the light at the end of the long tunnel of addiction, affirming that immeasurable laughter, meaning, and hope await on the other side. She brings levity and humor to an often heavy subject, easily delighting audiences into recognizing and embracing their weaknesses, challenging them to support others through dark times, and above all, passionately supporting listeners to take the steps of courage required to ask for help in whatever area they may be struggling. Hannah is an acclaimed speaker and mentor, traversing New England and beyond to inspire students, parents, and general adult populations toward the promises of hope & joy in recovery. As a capstone to her year of service as Mrs. Vermont America 2013, she made history as the first Vermonter to ever place in the Top 15 at the Mrs. America competition! She credits the irony of telling an “ugly story in a beautiful dress” as her ticket to success. Hannah also coaches women in Africa to economic freedom through entrepreneurism, and offers a personal development & leadership curriculum to individuals and companies looking to incorporate vintage values into their personal lives, families and businesses in a new way. Hannah is incredibly grateful to have her husband, Chris Kirkpatrick, still by her side, and they are delighted to have a “very two” year old daughter named Knightley.
Janet Smith | Director of VT Transcendental Meditation Center and TM Teacher
Janet Smith is the Director of Vermont Transcendental Meditation Center. She has been practicing and teaching the TM technique for over 40 years and leading and participating in peace projects since 1979.
Ela Wojtowicz | Yoga Teacher
Elizabeth (Ela) Wojtowicz is a Yoga teacher, Yoga student, disability activist, humanitarian, lover of life and a member of the non-profit “Off the Mat, Into the World.” Ela is also a part of the Handel Group Life Coaching Teleseries “Life Coaching for Yoga Practioners. Ela was born premature and was given the gift and blessing of Cerebral Palsy. Ela believes in the power of Yoga. Yoga is art. Yoga is life. Through her journey of self-discovery and transformation, Ela is learning that she does not have a disability, just different ABILITIIES.
David Hill | Keller Williams Realtor, CEO of The Hill Team, and Owner of PreferredAgent
David began his career in the Real Estate in 2002. In 2005 he started the Hill Team. The Hill Team has consistently averaged 90 sides per year since 2008, and in 2012 is currently the #1 Team in volume in all offices for Worcester MA. David has been a member of Gary Keller’s private Masterminds since 2010, and was featured on stage with Gary at Mega Camp in 2010. David is one of about 60 KW approved national trainers, and own a national prospecting and referral company called PreferredAgent. David is passionate about personal growth, loves teaching and lives by the philosophy from Zig Ziglar: “Help enough people get what they want and you end up with whatever you want.”
Aaron Fastman | Owner of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? and The Fastman Group, Inc.
Aaron Fastman is a small business entrepreneur in Burlington. He received his under graduate degree from The University of New Mexico in 2002. Aaron owns and operate four businesses in Vermont and New York – 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, The Fastman Group, which invests in real estate, a law funding business in NY, and iLyte iPhone Case Co. Aaron is a single father and stays busy enjoying everything Vermont has to offer, including mountain biking and snowboarding.
Adam Hergenrother | CEO of Hergenrother Industries
Adam Hergenrother and Hergenrother Industries empower the leaders of today to develop the leaders of tomorrow. Defined by vision, inspiration, leadership, opportunities, and growth, Adam has built seven companies in under five years. Hergenrother Industries is a powerhouse connector – matching talent with opportunities, the community with resources, clients with realtors, investors with entrepreneurs, and goals with training and education. Through strategic business consulting, consistent accountability, and personal development, Adam is developing leaders and businesses worldwide.
Nathalie Kelly | Writer & Inspirational Speaker
As Vermont’s only Board Certified Hypnotherapist with a busy practice in a medical office, Nathalie Kelly knew a lot about the mind’s power to heal the body. Since 1996 she has helped nearly 1,000 clients heal trauma and anxiety, and to develop self-worth and self-confidence. When a sailing accident left her with a traumatic brain injury, her world was suddenly and tragically turned upside down, putting everything she knew to the ultimate test. This amazing journey has led her to discover a new way to navigate life, leading with her heart and not her head. She is a writer and speaker committed to helping others find the courage to live more authentic and compassionate lives. Her upcoming book is titled, Brainstormed: How I Lost My Mind & Found My Heart.
There will also be a special mystery guest at the event.
Ignite is an exciting, unconventional event, designed to inspire, educate, and entertain the greater Burlington community. Ignite events are held in over 100 cities worldwide and are similar to TED’s ”Ideas Worth Spreading.” Ignite events bring people together in an inspiring, mastermind-like forum, where speakers share their passion projects and inspirational success stories for compelling five minutes, respecting Ignite’s acclaimed mantra, ”Enlighten Us, But Make It Quick.” Click here for more information: www.hergenrotherfoundation.org/events.
Registration and networking from 4:45pm-6:00pm. Light appetizers and a cash bar will be available. Presentations begin promptly at 6:00pm.
Tickets are extremely limited and are on sale now for $25.00. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit http://goo.gl/QVJPp2.
Ignite Burlington 2013 is sponsored by New Breed – Unified Sales + Marketing, providing end-to-end solutions that deliver customers. www.newbreedmarketing.com
Hergenrother Foundation’s mission is to provide the necessary resources for children to learn, grow, thrive, and develop into outstanding members of their communities. Through back to school drives, leadership camps, and “real time” funding for immediate needs such as soccer cleats, field trips, or instruments, Hergenrother Foundation will help today’s children become confident and dynamic leaders of tomorrow. For more information, visit www.hergenrotherfoundation.org.
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