Lily E. Espinoza ia an award winning author living in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has written three books that were published in 2017, 2023, and 2024. To accompany her new book, Centering Pura Vida, she executive produced a 22-minute documentary about her path to success and her new book, Centering Pura Vida. She writes mostly from personal experience and as an Educator focused on expanding opportunity and breaking down barriers in the education pathway for all. Her work is all non-fiction and easy-to-read relatable storytelling manner. Lily E. Espinoza completed her Associate of Arts Degree from Diable Valley College. Her Bachelor of Arts Degree from UC Berkeley. She completed her Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University. Her doctorate is from CSU, Fullerton. Also, she completed a Master Degree in Holistic Health Education from John F. Kennedy University.

Sara Fashandi is a writer and speaker who has authored a biography titled Message in a Matchbox, focusing on themes of diversity and inclusion. Her work is dedicated to inspiring readers to appreciate the simple things in life. She has been invited to speak at various venues, including Rotary clubs, the San Jose Women’s Club, and the Stockholm State Library. In addition to her writing, Sara has been recognized as a finalist in multiple awards. She is on the board of Women's leadership program for California Pomona Advisory Board.

Libo Cao Meyers is an engineering executive at Apple, a board member, and a veteran of Silicon Valley’s innovative culture. She grew up in Northern China and was diagnosed with polio as an infant. Immigrating alone to the United States in 2000, she completed her M.S. and Ph.D. simultaneously in two different engineering fields from Ohio University by 2004. From there, she became an athlete by completing a 100-mile bike ride with the strength of one leg. Libo loves to solve challenges and bring impact to this world. She cherishes her identity, which stems from the deeply rooted Cao family legacy dating back 3000 years. Libo lives in California with her husband and their two sons. For more, visit libomeyers.com.

Currently, Guisselle is Associate Vice President, Strategic Marketing Communications for San Francisco State University and serves as the chief marketing officer. Born in Nicaragua, raised in East San José, and a life-long resident of San José, Guisselle has served on many non-profit boards and currently serves on the Board of Regents for her alma mater, Santa Clara University. She’s a community volunteer, award-winning marketing communications leader, speaker, and author of the book "Take Charge of Your Brand” and co-author of “Life in the Fishbowl: Lessons to Help You Survive and Thrive in Elected Office.” A former political spouse for twenty years, she continues to coach many political spouses, candidates, and elected officials on how to manage their personal brands and navigate life while serving in public office.

Hilary King was born and raised in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. At age 50, after spending most of her life in the South, she moved with her husband and children to the Bay Area. She is currently a graduate student at San Jose State, getting her masters in creative writing. Her poems have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. Her new book of poems, Stitched on Me, was published in October 2024. She loves hiking, travel, and ribbon.

Brooke French is a recovering lawyer turned writer who lives with her husband and sons between Atlanta and Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. She spends most of her days gleefully researching and writing about fatal viruses, terrorism, and murder. Brooke is likely on numerous watch lists.

Alessandra Harris is a writer, author, wife, and mother of four. She earned degrees in religious studies and Middle East studies. She has published three novels with Red Adept Publishing. Her fourth book, In the Shadow of Freedom: The Enduring Call for Racial Justice, is her first non-fiction title. In addition to co-founding Black Catholic Messenger, her writing has appeared in National Catholic Reporter, America Magazine, US Catholic, The Revealer, Critical Theology, The Catholic Worker, and Notre Dame's Grotto Network.

R. L. King is the author of the bestselling Alastair Stone Chronicles urban fantasy series, as well as two spinoff series in the same universe, Calanar and Happenstance & Bron, and two novels in Catalyst Game Labs' Shadowrun RPG world, Borrowed Time and Veiled Extraction. King lives in San Jose with an understanding spouse, four demanding cats, and a crested gecko.

Rebecca Gomez Farrell's Wings Rising epic fantasy duology is published by Meerkat Press. Her shorter speculative fiction works have appeared over thirty times in outlets such as Beneath Ceaseless Skies, PULP Literature, and A Quiet Afternoon 1 & 2. She has run multiple writer critique and support groups over the years, and is a former Communications Director for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association. Becca also blogs about food & drink at TheGourmez.com.

Tanya Saroj Bakhru is a professor and program coordinator of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at San Jose State University. She holds a PhD in Women’s Studies from University College Dublin in Ireland. Her research focuses on transnational women's health movements and reproductive justice.

Jen Ghastin studied Literature, Creative Writing Fiction, and Latin at UC Santa Cruz and earned her MFA in Creative Writing Fiction and Poetry from San Jose State University. During her undergraduate years, she co-founded The Project newspaper and was the editor-in-chief of the literary journal, Chinquapin. Her work has appeared in Twisted Tongue, Orchard Valley Review, and Santa Cruz Indy Media. A three-time Phelan award winner while at SJSU, she co-produced the East Side Voices Project. Currently, Jen teaches graphic design at North Salinas High School, owns a yoga studio, Yoga Salinas, and resides in Salinas with her husband, Marc. Their son Sage is a Banana Slug and plays for the UCSC rugby team.