Patricia Panahi, author of "Veil of Walls." Born in Massachusetts, Patricia Panahi moved to Iran at the age of nine. She later returned to the States and completed her graduate work at San Diego State University. Panahi has taught English in Iran, California, and Hawaii, owned and operated The Light Spot Bookstore and Coffee House in San Diego, and directed English language programs for international students for the University of Hawaii. Panahi has recently retired from the University of Hawaii and is focusing on her writing career. VEIL OF WALLS is her first novel. Her book discusses how she longs for freedom and hops one day to finally get it.   More about Patricia Panahi

Cheryl Krauter is a Marriage and Family Psychotherapist with almost forty years of experience. Her own voyage through cancer combined with her experience as a therapist brings a unique perspective to her clients. Focusing on and helping others has been an important part of her recovery. She will be discussing how her new book, Surviving the Storm:  A Workbook for Telling Your Cancer Story (March 27, 2017) can help. As a cancer survivor herself, she understands how to help others cope with the trauma of post-cancer healing. More about Cheryl Krauter

Carlyn Montes De Oca, an author, speaker, acupuncturist, and plant-based nutritional consultant. Carlyn has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts and a Master's degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Today she is the owner of Modern Alchemy Acupuncture & Nutritional Counseling. Her latest novel, Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse is a unique look at how our loving bonds with our dogs and cats pawsitively affect every part of our well-being – mind, body and spirit. More about Carlyn Montes De Oca

John Cheney-Lippold, author of We Are Data and Assistant Professor of American Culture and Digital Studies at the University of Michigan. His book explores how our data defines us in ways that shape how governments, advertisers, marketers, political campaigners, prospective employers, real estate brokers, and even law enforcers see us—ways that often clash with how we see ourselves and defy facts. He will discuss what identity means in an algorithmic age: how it works, how our lives are controlled by it, and how we can resist it. More about "We Are Data"

Debby Bitticks, CEO and President of Vital Options International, a nonprofit cancer communication, education, and advocacy organization with a special mission: Generating global cancer conversations.  Today, through its Advocacy in Action®, Vital Conversations, and Living With Cancer platforms, Vital Options International continues to lead the most meaningful panel discussions and engaging one-on-one interviews. Debby will discuss her three “G’s”: Get informed, get organized and get moving, the value of a second opinion, and how and where to find support. More about Vital Options International