Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Revisit: Melissa Iwai, Children’s Book Author and Illustrator

Melissa Iwai has wanted to be a children's book author and illustrator as far back as she can remember. She has illustrated more than 30 picture books, beginning with Night Shift Daddy published in 2000. Melissa also wrote and illustrated Soup Day and Pizza Day. And speaking of soup and pizza - when she's not creating visual art, Melissa can be found in her kitchen, cooking, baking and developing new recipes. In fact, she was a 2010 Cooking Light Reader Recipe winner. We're so glad Melissa took a break from creating visual and culinary art to have a conversation with us!

Revisit: Tracy Edwards, Competitive Yachtswoman, Author, and Philanthropist

How to describe Tracy Edwards? Let's start with determined, accomplished, ballsy, adventurous, passionate. In 1989, when she was in her mid-20's, Tracy and her crew of 11 females became the first-ever all-women's team to compete in the grueling, prestigious, 32,000 mile Whitbread Round the World sailing race that begins and ends in Southampton, England. How she managed to pull this off (besting male crews in their class, by the way) is the focus of the inspiring, empowering documentary, "Maiden." We are thrilled to share Tracy's story in this not-to-be-missed conversation.

Vivian Chew, Music industry, visionary, entrepreneur, co-owner of Chew Entertainment, a premiere event production fire and RVMK Recording Studio

For Vivian Chew it's all about music. While working at ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), she founded the "ASCAP Rhythm and Soul Awards," which is celebrating its 32nd year. She's also the founder of TimeZone International, the first and only U.S. based African-American owned company that provides recording artists with a wide array of services. Vivian and her husband, Music Director/ Producer Ray are co-owners of Chew Entertainment, a premier production company. There's also their foundation, "Power2Inspire" and their New Jersey-based RVMK Recording studio. Join us for a fascinating conversation with this music biz mover and shaker.

Cassandra Greene, Pastor, Writer, Director, Activist

Cassandra Greene is a pastor, writer, director, producer, teacher, civil rights activist, domestic violence advocate...and...INSPIRATION. For more than a dozen years, she has directed the re-enactment of the infamous 1946 lynching murders of 2 black men and their wives on Georgia's Moore's Ford Bridge.

Her efforts are chronicled in the film, "Always in Season."  Cassandra has also conducted workshops, retreats and seminars on domestic violence, relationships and has also written plays and skits for several non-profits about bullying, sexual abuse and human trafficking.  There's no stopping this incredible, committed, creative woman!

KT Sullivan, singer, actress and artistic director of the Mabel Mercer Foundation

KT Sullivan is a woman of many talents.  The Broadway actress (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Three Penny Opera with Sting) and singer has headlined at the Oak Room of the legendary Algonquin Hotel and one of those performances, "Rhyme, Women and Song," was featured on WNET, New York City's public television station. KT's also performed at Carneige Hall, Lincoln Center, 54 Below, Birdland, The Kennedy Center in D.C. to name just a few. She also happens to be Artistic Director of the Mabel Mercer Foundation, which hosts the NY Cabaret Convention.  We're sure you'll enjoy getting to know yet another creative woman.

Elizabeth Suda, Jewelry Designer, Entrepreneur, and Social Activist

Put simply:  the world needs more women like Elizabeth Suda!  After two years working in the Merchandising Department of Coach, she bagged it all and headed for Laos.  Elizabeth was on a mission to understand how local, sustainable crafts made by women could become part of the global fashion industry.  It was there that she learned bout the Secret War in Laos (1963-1974), which left behind 80 million unexploded bombs.  That trip made quite an impact, because before long, Article22 was born, and with it, the Peacebomb bracelet, handmade by local Laotian artists from Vietnam War shrapnel.  Article22 has developed into a global business with an ever evolving collection of jewelry.  This is truly a conversation you can't afford to miss!

Dr. Anne Fishel, Clinical Psychologist, Family Therapist, Professor

You're about to meet one amazing, accomplished, committed woman who really is making a difference in the world.  Not only is Dr. Anne Fishel a clinical psychologist, family therapist, Associate Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School, Director of the Family and Couple Therapy Program at Mass General, she's also the Executive Director and co-founder of The Family Dinner Project.   Its goal is to encourage and help families have more frequent and meaningful dining experiences - certainly a challenge in today's world.  Needless to say, there's plenty to take away from our latest conversation.

Dr. Marika Lindholm, Sociologist, Entrepreneur & Writer

Did you know there are 15 million single moms living and working in the U.S? Dr. Marika Lindholm is certainly familiar with that statistic.  She raised 2 children on her own after going through a divorce. Marika, who has a doctorate in sociology and taught at Northwestern for more than 15 years, realized that single mothers from all different backgrounds lacked much needed resources, support and connections. And so...ESME.com was born - Empowering Solo Moms Everywhere, an on-line community that operates 24/7. Marika's also behind "We Got This: Solo Mom's Stories of Grit Heart and Humor." A recently published collection of 75 essays and stories from women, who come together to break the stigma around single moms. Needless to say - lots to talk about in our latest conversation.  

The Carr-Petrova Duo

Violist Molly Carr and pianist Anna Petrova make beautiful music together and audiences around the world are so grateful!  Acclaimed international soloists, the two joined forces and formed the Carr-Petrova Duo. In August, 2018, they launched "Novel Voices," a year long initiative aimed at raising awareness of the lives and struggles of refugees around the world. They visited 8 camps in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East performing, holding workshops and filming the life stories of their diverse audience members. This is an important, moving conversation with 2 committed, talented and not easily intimidated women who are making a difference!

Barbara Miller and Leyla Hussein, Filmmakers & Social Activists

You are about to meet and get to know two extraordinary, passionate, committed women. Swiss filmmaker Barbara Miller* is the woman behind the powerful documentary #Female Pleasure. It follows five courageous women from different cultures as they struggle for justice and equality as they take charge of their own bodies. And one of those women is Leyla Hussein, a Somali-born, British psycho-therapist and social activist who was genitally mutilated at the age of seven. She has made it her mission to fight against female genital mutilation or FGM, as well as for the sexual determination of Muslim women worldwide. This is one empowering, moving, critically important conversation.