When Andrea died after 13 months of bulimic behaviors at the age of 19, Doris chose to leave her elementary classroom assignment. She worked for the next 10 years as a Teacher on Special Assignment with Napa Valley Unified SD working with high school students in various areas including body image issues and eating disorder prevention. Doris holds a master’s in counseling psychology, with published works including the book, Andrea’s Voice, the "Joyful Journey" blog, this web site, and numerous published pieces in newspapers, magazines, and books including an article in the landmark, Treatment of Eating Disorders. She hosted the VoiceAmerica™ Radio Show, Savor Yourself...beyond skin deep, has been featured in popular media (TV, radio, film), was named a Community Hero by her hometown of Napa, CA and awarded the Soroptimist Ruby Award for Women Helping Women.

Tom Smeltzer is a career educator, from the elementary to the community college level. Recently retired from his position as Professor at Napa Valley College, he is now able to double his efforts in the world of eating disorder prevention. Tom co-authored an article in the book, Treatment of Eating Disorders: Bridging the Research-Practice Gap, Edited by: Maine, Bunnell, & McGilley (Academic Press, 2010).

Deborah Smeltzer is the former Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Operations of Dynavax Technologies. Prior to that she was with Applied Biosystems, where she served most recently as Vice President and General Manager of the company's genetic analysis business. She previously served as Vice President, Finance for the organization and had responsibility for business development. Prior to Applied Biosystems, Deborah served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President for Genset SA, a Paris-based global genomics company. From 1988 to 1996, she was a general partner of the Grotech Capital Group venture funds where she managed the life sciences portfolio of the funds. In addition to serving on the Board of Andrea's Voice Foundation, she serves on the board of ExonHit Therapeutics, SA. She holds a BS in biological sciences and an MS in medical microbiology from the University of California, Irvine, and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. As Andrea's aunt, Deborah is devoted to the Foundation's goal of transforming perspectives ... one person at a time.

Dr. Barbara Birsinger is a Registered Dietitian with a Master's Degree in Public Health Nutrition and a Doctorate of Theology Degree in Spiritual Healing and Energy Medicine. She has been teaching the restoration of Intuitive Eating for nearly two decades. In addition to private practice, conducting workshops, and developing products through her organization, "The Energetics of Eating," Barbara is writing an article based on the findings of her doctoral research entitled, "The Effects of an Integrative Body, Mind, Soul and Spirit Approach on Restoring Balance to Eating and Weight Issues", which is soon to be reviewed for publication in the medical journal, Explore--The Journal of Science and Healing.

Dr. Anita Johnston is a psychologist specializing in eating disorders and women's issues and Directs the Anorexia & Bulimia Center of Hawaii. Her book, Eating in the Light of the Moon: How Women Can Transform Their Relationships with Food Through Myth, Metaphor, and Storytelling has been translated into five languages. As an international speaker, Dr. Johnston has witnessed the preoccupation with dieting and weight that obsesses millions of women around the world and the all too often unsuccessful attempts to end their eating problems.

Paraag Marathe (PUH-rawg, muh-RAH-tay) Paraag Marathe is in his 20th year with the 49ers, currently serving as both President of 49ers Enterprises & Executive Vice President of Football Operations. On the football side, Marathe continues in his long-respected role as the team's chief contract negotiator and salary cap architect, while overseeing the team's football analytics department, among other football duties. He is responsible for the 49ers compliance with the NFL's collective bargaining agreement and works alongside general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan on all aspects of the club's football operations. Over the years, Marathe has consistently kept the club in a competitive salary cap position. A native of Saratoga, CA, Paraag’s passion for the 49ers was instilled at a very young age. His Bay Area roots run deep, having received his bachelor’s degree with high honors from the Haas School of Business at the University of California-Berkeley and his MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. The lessons Paraag learned through his sister's struggle and tragic death due to anorexia instruct and inspire those who hear him speak.

Joslyn P. Smith is Director of Public Policy and Community Relations for the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), where she is responsible for overseeing NEDA's federal policy initiatives on eating disorders and related issues, leading state and federal anti-weight discrimination policy initiatives, and facilitating relationship building between NEDA and other relevant national health, mental health, and social justice organizations. Prior to its merger with NEDA, Joslyn was Director of Policy and Government Affairs for the Binge Eating Disorder Association. She has also served as Senior Legislative Assistant for the American Psychological Association's Public Interest Government Relations Office in Washington, DC where she led federal policy efforts addressing eating disorders and obesity prevention by bringing a Health At Every Size® perspective to policy discussions. For almost two decades, Joslyn has been an outspoken advocate in the eating disorders and Health At Every Size® fields, presenting about and advocating for a reevaluation of misconceptions related to health and weight.

Connie Sobczak is an author, educator, mentor, and award-winning video producer. She has been a leader in the movement to prevent eating and body image problems in people of all ages since 1988. Her experience with an eating disorder in her teen years and the death of her sister Stephanie inspired her life’s work to create a world where all people are free to love their bodies. In 1996, she co-founded The Body Positive, a nonprofit organization that teaches people how to overcome self-hatred and value their beauty and identity so they can use their energy and intellect to make positive changes in their own lives and in the world. Connie is the author of Embody: Learning to Love Your Unique Body (and quiet that critical voice!), her book in which brings the Be Body Positive Model to life, while skillfully and lovingly reconnecting readers to their authenticity and beauty. She creates The Body Positive’s curricula, videos, and other training materials, conducts public workshops, keynote lectures, and community events, and trains youth and adult Be Body Positive leaders to bring The Body Positive’s healing work to their peers, students, clients, and families. Connie’s passion is watching the light that emerges when people recognize and embrace their magnificent, authentic selves.