the Wellness Conference

Jaye Watson is with Emory Brain Health and host of the Emmy-award winning PBS television show Your Fantastic Mind, currently in its fourth season. As co-executive producer, Watson leads the production of the nationally-syndicated show, created through a partnership with Emory University and Georgia Public Broadcasting. An Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award-winning veteran journalist, Watson’s compelling storytelling and in-depth coverage on Your Fantastic Mind, combines powerful human stories and transformative brain health research to deepen the public's understanding of how scientific discovery shapes our daily lives. Her work on the show has explored pressing mental health-related topics such as the opioid epidemic, the adolescent mental health crisis, psychedelic-assisted therapy, cutting-edge treatments for depression and the clinical and physiological implications of trauma exposure.

Cammie is a mother, an advocate, an author and an agent for change. She has personal experience dealing with the dangers of opioid misuse through her own son’s battle from childhood through his passing at 32. Cammie has transferred her pain into purpose. She has made it her mission to raise awareness about the opioid epidemic and alternative pain management strategies. In addition to her many other philanthropic efforts, Cammie is an Executive Board Member of Usher’s New Look. UNL works with youth to give them life-changing programming and set them up for a successful path. The organization develops leaders through workforce training, education preparation and talent exploration. Learn more about Cammie, the Christopher Wolf Crusade, her book and her work on her website: cammiewolfrice.com.

Hilda Stewart is the founder and president of Cheerful Hearts Ministry in Eatonton, GA. Before Cheerful Hearts Ministry was birthed, Hilda worked in early intervention (birth to 5-year-old children with special needs) and was the founding director in 1992 of a preschool that is alive and well today. She earned a BA in Psychology/MA in Pastoral Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary and served as a pastor in a mainline denomination for a season before God called her to begin Cheerful Hearts. As with many ministry founders Cheerful Hearts was birthed after hardship. Hilda became physically ill to the point of medical disability. Jesus responded to her cries by leading her on a path of healing that resulted in a ministry to women, 12-112. Hilda said yes to Jesus’ invitation to come on an adventure with Him in 2006. Since then, Cheerful Hearts has welcome thousands of ladies journeying together to the feet of Jesus through small groups personal prayer ministry, and retreats.

Just read the lyrics to any of your favorite Led Zeppelin, The Allman Brothers Band, or U2 tunes and chances are you would be quite familiar with Jason Fowler’s life story. The Georgia native has lived a life that truly reflects his art – troubled to some, enviable to many and yet remarkable to most anyone who hears the soft-spoken musician recount it. Fowler admits that his diehard, all-or-nothing approach to life has sometimes been both a blessing and a curse. But lately, it’s all been a blessing. That wasn’t the case at the start of his musical journey. Living a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle eventually caused the artist to hit rock bottom. “At rock bottom,” Jason says, “That's where I began recovering from a place of hopelessness.” He adds, “It is also where I discovered that it was not God who left me, but I who left Him.” He went from a rising star with a lucrative record contract, to being addicted and homeless on the streets of Atlanta, to finding redemption through Grace – and now he shares that story through his music. You can learn more about Jason and hear his music on his website, www.jasonfowlermusic.com.

Tammy Burroughs' journey in education spans four decades, marked by unwavering dedication and transformative leadership. Her commitment to providing a high-quality education to every student propelled her through various roles and achievements. Beginning with a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Educational Specialist Degrees in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State College, Tammy commenced her career in the Lowndes County School District in Valdosta, Georgia. Teaching multiple grade levels, she received accolades such as Teacher of the Month for Professional Excellence. Beyond the classroom, she spearheaded initiatives fostering better student relations among elementary school students through workshops and panel discussions. Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a passion for leadership, Tammy pursued another Master’s and Educational Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision from West Georgia College in Carrollton, Georgia. Moving to Atlanta, she assumed pivotal leadership roles in the Clayton County School District. Her tenure in this district saw remarkable transformations in teacher quality and student performance, especially in challenging schools. Her hallmark achievements include turning around schools from "Needs Improvement" to Governor’s "Beating the Odds" status and consecutive yearly increases in the College and Career Readiness Performance Index (CCRPI) Score over three decades, despite the challenges of Title I schools with high poverty rates. Tammy was nominated and recognized numerous times for Principal of the Year. Her educational experiences have afforded her the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing student achievement and well-being. Her educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all students can learn, given a positive learning environment, strong and knowledgeable leadership, a committed and focused educational team, an encouraging community, and a supportive family. For 28 of her 40 years, she served in the role of principal for schools where she led dynamic groups of professionals and scholars. In 2022, Tammy retired from her principal’s role but remained dedicated to her mission in education. Returning to Clayton County Public schools as a District Leadership Coach, she continues to mentor and guide principals, embodying her belief in collaborative approaches to achieve educational excellence. Outside of her professional endeavors, Tammy finds joy in reading, cherishing moments with her family, tennis, walking daily, going to the beach, and being involved with the children’s ministry and serving as a greeter at her church. Her unwavering commitment to her motto, “Leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence. Always remember you have not failed. You have found ten thousand ways that won’t work. Humbly view your mistakes as “tuition paid” on your education, then grow wiser, and keep moving forward. Her enthusiasm for education embodies her dedication to lifelong learning and educational excellence.

Brent gave his life to Christ at a very young age, serving as an alter boy at Calvary United Methodist Church. However, he didn’t really start following Christ until around the age of 12, when he and his mother started attending Cincinnati Bibleway Fellowship. After completing The Power for Abundant Living Class, they joined the newly formed Cincinnati Bibleway Church. It was at Cincinnati Bibleway that Brent really embraced of the word of God and became active in Sunday school and the youth group Ambassadors for Christ. While in Ambassadors for Christ, he became one of the youngest C.I.T’s (Counselor in training) as well as the youngest counselor at the Bibleway Churches of America summer youth camp, sometimes serving for multiple weeks. After a brief stint in the United States Navy, Brent returned back home to Cincinnati Bibleway Church where he really became active with the youth, starting a new youth group called L.O.T., which stood for Leaders of Tomorrow. He also began to teach Sunday School, became a Deacon and served as Head Deacon. Upon relocating to Atlanta, GA with his beautiful wife and 2 wonderful children, they started attending Greater Fairhill Baptist Church, where once again, he started working with the youth. While in Atlanta, his outreach has expanded to being a spiritual advisor for several professional athletes, an entertainer, and a music executive, as well as countless others. He also co-founded and lead a new youth group called Men of Excellence at North Atlanta High school for young men in grades 9th - 12th. After a couple years, he co-founded Women of Excellence, which after merging both groups became the Students of Excellence. Through these groups he was able to instill the values he learned as a disciple of Christ to young people in a non-church setting. To this day he still serves as a mentor to many past members of all the youth groups he has led in their adult lives. Brent has completed study courses in Leadership, Training, Public Speaking and recently became a certified speaker under the Eric Thomas Game Changers program. His life long journey of working with Youth, and public speaking continues wherever the Lord leads him while keeping his commitment to Christ.

Dr. John Vu, MD, FAAFP is a graduate of Mercer University School of Medicine, where he also completed his Family Medicine residency. He has been practicing for over 25 years. He began his path in alternative medicine in 2000 as a way to broaden treatment options for his patients. He is a national trainer for injectables and PDO threads. Dr. Vu believes in “beauty from the inside out and outside in,” and would love to help you on your path to a more healthy, beautiful life.

The Artisans Village, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization was created in 2015 to advance the visual arts to strengthen the economy and enhance the quality of life in Lake Country. The Artisans Village operates a non-profit art gallery designed to provide an affordable outlet for area artists to market their work and is working to create an active artisans’ community. The Artisans Village has recently renovated the historic building on E. Marion Street to be a working studio for artisans of all kinds. For a reduced cost of studio space, we hope to encourage artists to demonstrate their skills for tourists to view. More tourism means a stronger economy and a stronger economy encourages other businesses to locate in Lake Country–to the benefit of all of us who live here and those who visit the area.