Community Member Spotlights

It’s more important to understand someone than to judge them. We think the first step to understanding someone is asking them the fundamental questions about who they are and how they became the person they are today. Understanding and empathy are essential building blocks for a better, more compassionate world. We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to ask these questions each week through our interview series. Below you’ll find interviews from our community members and content partners – the folks who’ve been heavily involved with us, collaborating with us on content, sponsoring our mission and spreading the word about the work we do.

Mitch McGinley | Business Sales Advisor

My career was originally in Hotel Management. I worked for Omni Hotels for seven years, doing my best to climb that corporate ladder. I left to learn from an entrepreneur who was buying hotels, fixing them up, and selling them. That was my first introduction to business transactions. Then one day a couple of years in, the owner of our favorite yoga studio called and told us she wanted to sell, and she wanted to sell to us. It was a dream that we always had, and we finally had the confidence to do it. The timing was perfect. We wanted to start a family. We wanted to be together. So I quit my job with all its equity and awesome benefits, and the very next day, we found out we were pregnant with our first child. GULP. No pressure! Read more>>

Natalie Punt | Veterinarian, Founder of mPet

Natalie Punt is a small animal veterinarian residing in San Diego, California. She grew up on a small ranch in the San Joaquin Valley in Northern California where she liked to ride her horses next to the river and surrounding farmland. Natalie attended UC Davis for her undergraduate degree in microbiology and minor in International Relations. Although, she loved animals, she was initially attracted to the biological sciences and after graduating pursued her interest in biochemistry and molecular biology with a Masters degree in biochemistry and oncology at University of Buffalo. After completing her Masters degree she moved to Boston where she worked at Harvard University as a research assistant studying the epigenetics of a pediatric leukemia while pursuing additional courses in biochemistry and genetics at Harvard. Read more>>

Brandi Daniels | Human Abundance Activator

I am a total Human Design NERD. My specialty is helping people find their flow, work with their natural gifts and stop playing small because of imposter syndrome and old bull sh*t stories we tell ourselves. I thrive in showing people their true gifts, what works for their energy, and reminding them they are a badass and are fully capable to rock this life. I work with Human Design,Gene Keys and Mindset. I am also an avid dancer and on a mission to help more women break out of the things they think they “should be” doing, how they “should be” acting and what they “should” look like and love themselves freely and wholly just as they are! Read more>>

Grace Vallo | Food Blogger, Recipe Creator & Influencer

Cooking and baking with the seasons has been a part of my life since I was just a little kid. Here in New England, seasonal cooking is more than the fresh produce available during that time of year. It’s the “feeling” that you get when making popsicles or grilled meats in the summer, or a warm bowl of pasta in the winter! Whether it’s Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter or any holiday in between, I hope my recipes satisfy your seasonal cravings. Read more>>

Reb Risty | Business Owner & Head REBL

With her rose-gold hair and sassy attitude Reb is the founder and Head REBL at REBL Marketing—a firm helping B2B businesses build and manage integrated marketing programs through strategy, branding and messaging, strong digital presence, and video content. Reb has been an owner, partner, and investor in several businesses during her life–she has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. REBL Marketing has been her opportunity to take everything she has learned through her entrepreneurial endeavors and build a business that helps other businesses grow. She was voted the 2019 Emerging Woman-Owned Business by the Connected Women of Influence Organization and a finalist for the 2020 SDBJ Businesswoman of the Year, a finalist for SDBJ 2020 CEO of the Year, and 2021 Finalist for the Women of Influence Presidents Award. Read more>>