Speakers

Melissa Rivera is a passionate leader and dedicated advocate for women and children in her community. Since 2015, she has served as the Director of LifeHopeMoms, a dynamic resource program supporting single mothers, and part of the Mercy Road Initiatives nonprofit. Under her leadership, LifeHopeMoms has become a beacon of empowerment, providing essential resources, mentorship, and encouragement to countless single moms as they work toward their personal and professional goals.

Melissa’s commitment to empowering women and fostering self-sufficiency is at the heart of everything she does. She believes deeply in helping others discover their full potential and live fulfilling lives, whether through educational support, career development, or emotional guidance.

Before her impactful role at LifeHopeMoms, Melissa spent over a decade as a teacher in Seminole County Public Schools, shaping the lives of young students with her degree in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida (UCF). This hands-on experience laid the foundation for her future work in nonprofit leadership, where she continues to make a difference in the lives of families in her community.

Melissa also holds a Master’s degree in Human Resources Training and Development from Amberton University. The combination of her educational background and leadership experience equips her with the skills to build meaningful programs that address both the personal and professional needs of single mothers.

When she’s not working to strengthen the lives of single moms, Melissa enjoys visiting new countries, trying new recipes found on Pinterest, and spending time with her family, including her three children.

Through her work, Melissa continues to inspire those around her and remains a steadfast advocate for women’s empowerment and family well-being.

Yolanda Frazier is a retired Lieutenant Colonel with 30 years of service in the United States Army and a dedicated leader, pastor, businesswoman, and inspirational speaker. Throughout her career, she has excelled in program management, strategic planning, and leadership development, overseeing large teams, training future leaders, and managing multimillion-dollar initiatives. After retiring from the military in 2017, she transitioned to AdventHealth, where she became the first Director of Medical Simulation and Training, before retiring in 2021 to focus on her passion for community impact.

Currently, Yolanda is the CEO and Founder of Enough International Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering and supporting women, children, and families through education, empowerment, and encouragement. The organization serves domestic violence survivors, human trafficking survivors, at-risk youth, single mothers, and veterans. Additionally, she is the President of Enough Love 2 GIVE LLC, providing Christian leadership coaching, marriage counseling, and faith-based retreats. A passionate speaker and ordained minister, Yolanda uses her platform to inspire and equip others through her faith-driven message of resilience, hope, and purpose.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Program Management, a Bachelor of Science in Radio, Television, and Film Broadcasting, an Associate of Arts in Journalism, and an Advanced Christian Diploma in Theology. She is Level III Certified in Program Management and trained in logistics, systems planning, and information assurance.

Yolanda is happily married to Carl Frazier, pastor of The Seed of God Ministries, and together they have six adult children and six grandchildren.

Dr. Malissa Barbosa is an Addiction Expert, Board-Certified Obesity Physician, Consultant, Keynote Speaker, Certified Coach, and Spiritual Mentor. A thought leader and disruptive thinker in the healthcare field, Dr. Barbosa is known for delivering innovative strategies that improve patient outcomes, profitability, and the overall well-being of families and communities.

With a passion for helping others, Dr. Barbosa combines a values-driven approach with a deep knowledge of addiction and obesity management. Renowned for being insightfully values-driven, knowledgeably assertive, and persistently agile, she is committed to empowering individuals and organizations to achieve lasting success. Dr. Barbosa’s expertise goes beyond traditional treatment methods—blending scientific knowledge with compassion and offering a holistic perspective on health and well-being.

Dr. Barbosa’s work as a physician, mentor, and speaker has made a lasting impact on patients, healthcare professionals, and audiences worldwide. Whether through private consultation or public speaking, Dr. Barbosa continues to inspire change, one innovative solution at a time.


As the Senior Manager of Women’s & Children’s Health Navigation at AdventHealth and a valued member of the AdventHealth team since 2001, Doreen Forsythe, BSN, RN oversees a team of Nurse Navigators that help coordinate women’s healthcare needs. A specially trained registered nurse, Doreen is available to help women access AdventHealth’s extensive networks of services across Central Florida. She not only provides expert clinical assistance but also helps to identify ways to best connect patients with resources and manage overall care. Doreen acts as a personal advocate, creating a seamless healthcare experience that focuses on health, wellness, hospitality, and convenience.

Doreen’s vast clinical experience has been an integral part of building the program for Women’s & Children’s Health Navigation at AdventHealth. Under her leadership, compassion and empathy have become pillars of the program. Having been a long-term resident of Central Florida, Doreen has formed lasting relationships with members of the community, committing herself to providing patients and their family the support they need throughout their healthcare journey.

Besides her work, Doreen is a proud mom and stepmom to six children, caregiver for her husband, and is actively involved in youth sport and activities in the West Orange community.

Cendie Stanford is a passionate advocate for understanding and preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Drawing on her personal and ancestral history of trauma, Cendie is dedicated to educating and inspiring individuals and communities.

Cendie is committed to social renewal through Resilience-Informed Community Education. She believes this approach is key to healing the “invisible mental wounds” of childhood trauma and empowering communities towards recovery and resilience.

Cendie Stanford, a descendant of those who endured historical and intergenerational trauma, advocates that learning about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their prevention is a fundamental right for every individual.

Stanford is a public speaker and an educator, noting that even the spelling of her name reflects her early life adversities. For 40 years, she grappled with the effects of her own childhood and ancestral trauma, which led her to found ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences Matter’ (ACEs Matter), an organization dedicated to addressing the impact of childhood trauma.

Determined to demystify scientific jargon, Stanford aims to make information about ACEs universally accessible. Despite her challenging background, she became a first-generation college graduate, earning dual Master’s Degrees and an entrepreneurial certificate from the Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University.

Her personal journey through understanding the ACE study helped her come to terms with her past and forge a new career path. Stanford now uses her story and expertise to educate diverse audiences on trauma, tailoring her message to reach everyone from skeptics to survivors.

Morgan Buscaino is a devoted mother, teacher, and proud alumni of the LifeHope program. A graduate of the University of Central Florida (UCF) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, she has experience overcoming childhood trauma, addiction, and adversity.

Once a single mother, Morgan’s life was transformed through her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ. Her relationship with Christ became the cornerstone of her healing, and she credits the LifeHope program with equipping her with life-changing skills rooted in Christianity. These experiences empowered her to break free from the chains of her past and emerge as a living testimony of hope, resilience, and redemption.

Today, Morgan is happily married with a new baby, and she continues to share her journey of healing and overcoming obstacles to inspire others—particularly single mothers. Her story has shown her the profound value of community, faith, and reclaiming one’s purpose and strength.

Morgan’s mission is to empower single mothers—and all women—to understand their worth in Christ, build lasting resilience, and create lives full of purpose, joy, strength, and transformation.

Kendra Williamson is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience spanning the healthcare and financial industries. As a Vice President at J.P. Morgan Chase, she plays a pivotal role in Global Corporate Banking, specializing in Healthcare Payments, where she leverages her expertise to optimize financial interactions between payers, providers, and consumers. She holds a Master of Science degree from Saint Joseph’s University, which has equipped her with a strong foundation in analytical and strategic thinking, further enhancing her ability to drive impactful solutions in her field.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Kendra is passionate about empowering women—particularly single mothers—by helping them navigate financial challenges and build sustainable futures. Drawing from her own experiences, she offers Christ-centered guidance and encouragement, equipping women with the knowledge and confidence to achieve financial independence and stability. She is committed to bettering the lives of single mothers and their children, inspiring them to embrace their journey with faith and resilience.

At home, Kendra is a devoted Christ-following wife and the proud mother of three energetic boys who keep her life vibrant and full of joy. Together with her husband, she is an active member of the Northland Church community, where they participate in local events and initiatives. Above all, Kendra strives to encourage others to embrace a God-first journey, allowing Him to reveal His purpose in their lives.