Speakers at the 2026 Convening

Traister’s debut book, Big Girls Don’t Cry, was published on the heels of the 2008 election. Although America did not elect its first female president, Traister explains how the campaign ignited conversations on the left and the right about gender, generational differences, feminism, and sexism. In All the Single Ladies, Traister delves deeper into contemporary American life through the lens of unmarried women, looking at how historically low rates of marriage can be a catalyst for massive social change.

Good and Mad was a New York Times bestseller and was selected as a best book of 2018 by NPR, The Washington Post, Elle, and more. With eloquence and fervor, Traister explores the transformative power of female anger and its ability to transcend into a political movement.

Traister’s writing has been featured in numerous outlets, including The New York Times, Vogue, Glamour, and The Washington Post, among others. She has made television appearances on CNN, PBS, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, and more. Traister lives in New York with her family.

She serves as a Co-Chair of the Stronger California Advocates Network, the Rights of Women Committee within the American Bar Association’s Civil Rights and Social Justice Section, and the Policy Committees of the National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues, and the Equal Pay Today Campaign. She also serves on the California Women Lawyers Board of Governors.

Jessica is a frequent speaker and writer about equal pay, workplace discrimination and harassment, and gender equity. She has been recognized as one of California’s Top Labor & Employment Lawyers by the Daily Journal.

Previously, Jessica served as Legal Director of Centro de los Derechos del Migrante (Center for Migrants Rights), where she advanced the rights of migrant workers across borders. She also practiced as a civil rights attorney at Dardarian, Ho, Kan & Lee, representing workers in civil rights and employment class action litigation.

Darcy has built nationally recognized efforts while at the Commission including authoring the Commission’s award-winning original research report, the California Women’s Economic Blueprint for Pandemic Recovery and the award-winning #womenareessential campaign highlighting the role of women as essential workers in California’s economy. She is an expert in social impact strategies, issue advocacy, crisis communications and gender focused public policy. She is passionate about coalition building and working with intersectional and inclusive teams that prioritize historically marginalized communities. 

Darcy holds a bachelor’s degree from Mills College in studio art and visual communication and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives in Sacramento with her wife Jasper and too many cats. 

Dr. Davidds’ commitment to the empowerment and development of thousands of women leaders has earned her recognition and acclaim from the U.S. Congress, the California State Senate, and the California State Assembly. She has been recognized as one of the Top Leading Latinas by Hispanic Magazine and as one of the most influential Latinas in The Book of Latina Women.

Dr. Davidds’ fifth and most recent book, Graciously Assertive: How Becoming a Better Human Makes You a Better Leader, was released in 2024, complementing her previous works, including the bestseller YOUR OWN TERMS: A Woman’s Guide to Taking Charge of Any Negotiation.

Dr. Davidds serves on the Board of Directors for the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the official foundation of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and Chancellor’s Office. In this role, she helps guide initiatives that expand educational opportunities, strengthen student success, and advance innovation across the nation’s largest system of higher education.

A graduate of the University of Southern California (USC), Dr. Davidds earned her bachelor’s degree in business Entrepreneurship, her master’s degree in Women’s Studies, and her doctorate in Organizational Psychology.

Renee is a formidable entrepreneur with over 12 years of experience managing key brands in the wine and spirits industry space through brand/product development, marketing, sourcing, production and overseeing sales and distribution. 

Good Money Brands works with retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Total Wine & Spirits, MGM, The Cosmopolitan, Station Casinos, and more, as well as supports U.S. military (AAFES) troops.  

A daughter of immigrant parents, Renee grew up between California and Hokkaido, Japan, where her father’s family, who are Japanese farmers, raise steers, horses, carrots, and rice, with over a 100-year legacy. She is a proud mom and enjoys all things related to soccer and candle making. 

As the visionary behind Amour Propre, a wellness and beauty brand centered on self-love, science, and nature, Tahera has created a company that prioritizes organic, natural, and aromatherapeutic products designed to uplift and heal. Since its launch in March 2020, Amour Propre has experienced tremendous success, earning hundreds of five-star reviews from satisfied customers and ranking as the #1 Black-Owned personal hygiene company in Orange County, California.

Tahera is the host of the popular podcast, “Filter Free with Tahera Rene Christy,” which is available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Amazon Music, SoundCloud, and YouTube. She dives deep into self-development, relationships, family dynamics, and business strategies, often featuring guest experts who bring valuable insights. New episodes air every Monday, attracting a loyal and engaged audience.

Tahera is deeply committed to giving back. She donates thousands of products annually to organizations that support homeless individuals, LGBTQ+ communities, POC initiatives, and women’s rehabilitation centers. She sees this as both a privilege and a responsibility, ensuring her success directly benefits those in need.

With a Juris Doctor from the University of Guadalajara and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Business and Economic Law from the University of Southern California (USC Gould School of Law), Violeta bridges global insight with a deep understanding of her clients’ diverse backgrounds.

Kim holds FINRA Series 6 and 63 registrations. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Fullerton, and her MBA from University of Massachusetts Global. 

With a particular focus on retirement planning, Kim is passionate about helping women build the knowledge to take an active role in their financial futures. She understands that financial priorities can change throughout different stages of life and that balancing today’s needs with tomorrow’s goals can be challenging. Kim believes that financial knowledge and a thoughtful plan can help women make informed decisions and take ownership of their financial goals. 

Kim enjoys educating others about the importance of starting early, making intentional financial decisions, and building strong financial habits. She is especially passionate about making financial topics approachable and empowering others to take meaningful steps toward greater financial confidence. 

She also holds a masters of fine arts degree from California State University Long Beach in Studio Art. As an exhibiting artist, her work was recently featured in the Spring 2026 group exhibit “Resilience” at Cypress College Art Gallery (CCAG). She has also exhibited at Greenly Art Space and virtually with the Southern California Art Therapy Association. 

Harris has created public art projects throughout Southern California for organizations including the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Working across murals, large-scale installations, and community-engaged projects, she is interested in how art can shape public space, preserve local histories, and foster connection. Recent projects include large-scale commissions for healthcare, transportation, and civic spaces that explore healing, belonging, and collective memory.

Alongside her public art practice, Harris maintains an active studio practice and is represented by Luis De Jesus Los Angeles. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in the collections of the California African American

Museum, the USC Fisher Museum of Art, the Museum of Art and History (Lancaster), the Museum of Fine Arts Sherbrooke, and other public and private collections.

Harris received her MFA from UCLA and her BS from the University of Virginia. She lives and works in Los Angeles.