the Wellness Conference

Currently, and since 2013, I am a Director with the Arians Family Foundation (AFF). The Foundation supports six CASA/GAL programs across the country, including several for which I worked and/ or volunteered. A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is often the only consistent person in the life of a foster child or other abused and neglected children. They are the child's voice in court and an advocate in all areas of the child's life. Unfortunately, only a small fraction of children in the Court system for abuse and neglect have CASAs. AFF’s mission is to spread the word about CASA and to help support the programs financially. Prior to moving to Arizona, and co-founding AFF, I spent 12 years volunteering for 3 different CASA programs. I have seen first hand the difference a CASA can make in a child's life, and sometimes, in the parent's life. It is possible to break the cycle, and to effect lasting change. My personal motto is: "While I can't change the world, I can help, one child at a time." Before volunteering for CASA, I worked as a family law attorney for 15 years. I like to refer to myself as a "broken family" attorney, because intact families don't end up in court. I have taken the bar exam, 4 times, and have practiced in 5 different states. My experience as an attorney led directly to my volunteering as a CASA. But, such a background is not required. It just takes common sense, persistence, diligence, and a caring heart. I have always been, and still am, the COO of the Arians family. My husband, Bruce, was the bread winner for the past 20 years and has always been the more visible person, but, our lives and household, are my responsibility. The most important work I've ever done is raising our two children to be independent, hardworking, caring, decent people. And as a reward, God has given us four wonderful grand children.

Murali Thirumal brings over 35 years of dedicated service to the nonprofit and charity sector as Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Putnam County, Georgia. A native of Sri Lanka, Murali has made addressing poverty issues the cornerstone of his life's work, driven by a deep conviction that we must constantly strive to lift up our fellow citizens who have less than us. Murali is particularly drawn to Habitat for Humanity's mission because of its foundation as a faith ministry that believes in providing "a hand up, not a hand out." This philosophy aligns perfectly with his commitment to empowering families and communities through sustainable solutions that build dignity, self-reliance, and hope. Throughout his career, Murali has demonstrated unwavering dedication to creating meaningful change in the lives of those facing housing insecurity, guided by his belief that charity begins in our backyard. He embodies the spirit of service and compassion that defines both his personal values and Habitat's transformative work in communities across Georgia.

Riezl Baker s a community leader, entrepreneur, and successful businesswoman, known for her impactful contributions to the lake area and beyond. With over 24 years of experience in the real estate industry, Riezl co-founded Luxury Lake Oconee Real Estate Group, a premier luxury brokerage that has become a top player in the luxury real estate market in Georgia.

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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.

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Mike Rainey is a dedicated farmer and community leader with deep roots in agriculture. A proud graduate of Georgia Tech in 1972, he began his journey in dairy farming on August 2, 1974, continuing a legacy that dates back to 1904 as the fourth generation to manage the family farm. Mike has actively contributed to the agricultural community, serving as a director for Tri County EMC and Tri Co Go, and holding leadership positions such as President of the Georgia Holstein Association and the Georgia Milk Producers Board. In 1983, he played a vital role on the steering committee for the Georgia State Fair and has also contributed to the FCA and Christian Learning Center. A former President of the Men’s Methodist Church, Mike is passionate about service, having participated in numerous mission trips to locations like Jamaica and Bermuda. He has been involved in multiple hurricane relief efforts, showcasing his commitment to helping others in times of need. Recently, Mike developed a barn that hosts singer-songwriter nights, raising an impressive $650,000 for local charities. He is married to Kathy Rainey, and together they continue to make a positive impact in their community. Most importantly, Mike is grateful to God for the opportunities He has given Mike. Mike shares with all-God will use you but you must be willing to surrender.

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.