Book Signing with Ashley Brundage, Sertrice Grice, Victoria Mattingly, Christopher Gross, and Catherine Mattice

Ashley T. Brundage is the President and CEO of Empowering Differences. While seeking employment at PNC Bank in the United States, she identified openly during the interview process as a woman of transgender experiance and subsequently was hired after facing years of harassment, discrimination, and homelessness. These factors led her to start her second career as a means of survival while doing research on empowerment & differences. She took a role in the bank as a part time teller and then rose to national Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion in less than 5 years. She captured her research as a 4-Step process of empowerment to cultivate change in her new book and online leadership course. Ashley credits her success to those closest to her for providing actionable allyship including her 2 teenage sons, Bryce and Blake. She also volunteers her time serving numerous nonprofit organizations including serving as the vice chair for the national board of directors for GLAAD who works to accelerate acceptance across all forms of media for the LGBTQ+ community.

Christopher “CJ” Gross is a dynamic voice in Cultural Transformation, renowned for his infectious energy, captivating engagement, and thought-provoking insights. With expertise in deciphering the power of culture to drive innovation and success, CJ draws from diverse fields such as sales, non-profit, engineering, and change management. His unique ability to create a safe and inclusive environment for sharing thoughts and experiences sets him apart, leaving audiences with practical strategies and actionable takeaways.

CJ's significant impact as a speaker spans various industries, guiding organizations through the complexities of cultural change. Whether addressing small teams or large conferences, his memorable presence and storytelling resonate with all privileged to hear him speak.

CJ is a TEDx Speaker and founder of Ascension Worldwide, a firm dedicated to Cultural Integration and Transformation training and consulting based in the Washington, D.C. area. CJ has 20-years of experience as an international organizational development consultant specializing in leadership development and Cultural Integration and Transformation. CJ is a certified Social + Emotional Intelligence coach, trainer, Keirsey Temperament professional, and Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Administrator, with additional expertise in organizational mediation. CJ is also an adjunct professor at Saint Bonaventure University in the School of Business.