Guests
Rebecca Black
Author of Facing the Elephants
Rebecca Black has a dark past. She has lived many lives, from working for the Department of Child Welfare to teaching as an adjunct professor to volunteering with the Pima County attorney’s office for 6 years working with 88 Crime. She graduated from the FBI Citizen’s Academy in 2012 and has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. However, her life took an abrupt turn when she died–three times–on the ER operating table. She is a survivor, a BRCA1 previvor and suffers from PTSD as a result of an abusive childhood. In the midst of it all, she has found a physical connection and a spiritual purpose with a family of elephants.
Rebecca was born in Michigan but grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where she lives today with her husband, two sons, and two dogs. She loves the art–especially Gustav Klimt. She adores music–Tori Amos, Otis Redding, and Radiohead. She is an eclectic, fierce woman and is working on her second book.
https://www.authorrebeccablack.com Instagram @r.black8890
Chuck Palm, MPH
Palm Integrative Coaching, Owner
chuck@palm-coaching.com
(520) 440-3679
Chuck Palm is a certified integrative coach, who helps business professionals and organizations identify and overcome the thoughts, beliefs, and histories that limit their success. Chuck helps people achieve this success through his Know-Do Method. His processes include individual coaching and training, group facilitation and strategic planning, community assessment, and program development. He has worked with entrepreneurs, business professionals, for-profit and non-profit businesses, and community groups throughout the United States and in the South Pacific nations of American Samoa and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Chuck has an extensive background in public health and served in the Air Force as a Russian linguist. Chuck enjoys creating art and riding his bike.
Mary Reed
TEDxTucson
mary@tedxtucson.com
520-343-3720
Mary Reed has always been a nerd obsessed with ideas, and with art of creating things. She had a career in high tech, working as a software manager for Apple, University of Chicago, Novell, and the phone company (back when there was just one).
After being shot three times in the Gabrielle Giffords’ shooting in 2011, she decided to pour her energy into leading TEDxTucson.* She believes that Tucson is a magical place: innovative, creative, kind, and underestimated. She works with her team of professionals (who volunteer their time) to create an amazing, immersive conference where live speakers share unique ideas from this region. All speakers and entertainers take part on a no-fee basis.
Since she took over this license from TED, TEDxTucson has become an Arizona powerhouse: creating a library of 100 videos with over 5.6 million views.
TEDxTucson is a grassroots, 501c(3) nonprofit in Southern Arizona. The TEDxTucson staff are professionals in their fields who give their time voluntarily. We are all deeply passionate about unique and stimulating ideas and sharing them!
Heather M. Strickland, Attorney
MyersStrickland, PLLC
Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Law
info@myersstrickland.com
520-327-6041
Attorney Heather Strickland is a leading expert in adoption, assisted reproduction law and LGBTQ family formation. Winner of Southern Arizona’s 2019 “Women of Influence-Legal Champion” award, Heather and her MyersStrickland team works with hopeful parents and expectant mothers on all kinds of life-changing journeys.
In this podcast, we’ll explore the biggest changes in family formation over the past 15 years. If you’re hoping to adopt, Heather will help us understand all the varieties of families today and how to start the legal process. If you’re hoping to conceive through assisted reproduction, what are the legal and ethical implications when more than two people are involved in creating a baby through donated sperm/eggs/embryos or the assistance of a surrogate? What’s legal in Arizona?
Heather is also an AAAA Fellow and Trustee (Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys), and was recognized as a 2017 Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition of Adoption Institute (CCAI). In addition, Heather is a proud member of the State Bar of Arizona, Pima County Bar Association, Arizona Women Lawyers Association, Military Spouse JD Network, and American Society for Reproductive Medicine. She graduated from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law in 2004.
Heather is a military spouse and endured four deployments with their two small sons. When she finds the time, she enjoys cooking, gardening, yoga and travel to far-off places
About Your Host
Karen M. Fisher
Senior Loan Officer
NMLS ID# 180167 – AZ MLO Lic# 0911886
Summit Funding, Inc.
5151 E. Broadway Blvd., Ste. 700
Tucson, AZ 85711
Branch NMLS ID# 1464335 – Summit Funding, Inc NMLS ID#3199
AZ Lic# 0925837 – Equal Housing Opportunity 
(520) 447-2279 Direct Phone
Karen.Fisher@SummitFunding.net
www.OurNeighborsOurHeroes.com
