From the beginning way back in 2002 in New York City through to this very moment right now, HKFA is on a journey. Heather Karlie Vieira is the single mom, Peter Pan style entrepreneur and hustler art dealer behind the scenes and at the shows. From shopping and sourcing to schlepping and loading, from storing and restoring to researching and rehoming, from driving all those miles and driving herself a little bit crazy – this is the story of Heather Karlie Fine Art.

Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks is an illustrious figure in the beauty industry, acclaimed not only for her pioneering makeup artistry for over two decades but also as the Innovative force behind Ashunta Sherift Beauty. Her brand epitomizes the pinnacle of clean, progressive beauty solutions designed for everyone, underpinned by a mission of inclusivity and diversity.With a storied career highlighted by collaborations with leading brands such as Dior, Bioré, and Armani Beauty, Ashunta has solidified her status as a beacon of innovation and creativity. Known for her impeccable technique and pioneering approach to makeup, Ashunta has illuminated the visages of such entertainment titans as Zendaya,Rihanna and Alicia Keys.Beginning her journey with a focus on male grooming for icons like Jay Z and Diddy, Ashunta swiftly ascended to the apex of her profession, demonstrating a unique flair for accentuating natural beauty across the gender and color spectrum. Beyond her artistic prowess, Ashunta's heart beats for mentorship. She has dedicated herself to cultivating the burgeoning talents of the next wave of makeup artists, with a particular emphasis on empowering women within the industry. Her advocacy for diversity and unwavering commitment to opening doors for others reflects Ashunta's long-held belief that she has a duty as a Black creative to foster inclusive opportunities.Ashunta's remarkable career is further distinguished by two Emmy nominations and a Black Reel Award nomination, recognizing her outstanding contributions to television and film. Ashunta's work has graced major entertainment productions, from serving as department head for "The Best Man" to bringing her artistry to celebrated projects such as "Empire," "The Lost City" and"Hidden Figures."Ashunta Sheriff Beauty mirrors her dedication to delivering products that not only celebrate but elevate individual beauty."Ashunta Sheriff Beauty empowers individuality through clean,cutting-edge beauty solutions," says Ashunta. "Our commitment lies in inclusivity, sustainability and enhancing everyone's natural beauty. We are more than a brand; we are part of a movement towards a brighter, more inclusive future in beauty."Through every aspect of her work, Ashunta Sheriff-Kendricks exemplifies excellence, mentorship and a deep-seated commitment to effect meaningful change in the beauty industry and the wider world.Email: asheriff@ashunta.comInstagram: @ashuntasheriff|@ashuntasheriffbeautyWeb: www.ashuntabeauty.com

Kelly Meyer Douglas is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Itzy Ritzy, a trailblazing omni-channel lifestyle brand redefining the parenting category since 2007. Under her leadership, Itzy Ritzy has grown from an emerging startup into a nationally recognized, private equity-backed company with a loyal community and strong retail presence through their DTC website and across Target, Walmart, Amazon and specialty boutiques nationwide.A visionary brand builder, Kelly’s expertise spans strategic growth, eCommerce and wholesale expansion, marketing and social media innovation & trend-setting product development. She has built Itzy Ritzy into a trusted name for parents by combining style, function and community-driven innovation, consistently staying ahead of consumer trends.Kelly is recognized as a thought leader in modern consumer branding, with a proven ability to scale companies, shape culture and create products that resonate with parents at every stage.

Keegan Bonebrake is the Founder and CEO of Bulqit, a neighborhood-based marketplace helping homeowners lower the cost of recurring home services by aggregating demand within tightly defined geographic areas. Through Bulqit, homeowners gain access to preferred pricing and service providers, while builders, HOAs, real estate professionals, and service companies unlock new revenue opportunities through community-scale purchasing power.Prior to founding Bulqit, Keegan founded Everywhere Wireless, an internet service provider that transformed broadband delivery within multifamily and commercial real estate. The company grew to serve tens of thousands of customers before being acquired by MC Partners in 2021 and rebranded as Zentro Internet.Over the course of his career, Keegan has participated in more than $1 billion of real estate, capital markets, and operating company transactions and has owned, operated, or represented institutional ownership platforms encompassing nearly 30,000 multifamily housing units. His experience spans entrepreneurship, real estate, technology, housing, infrastructure, marketplace businesses, and community-scale service delivery.Keegan is frequently sought for commentary on proptech, home services, real estate innovation, entrepreneurship, neighborhood economics, marketplace platforms, housing operations, and the future of local service delivery. He holds a B.S. from New York University and an M.S. from Cornell University.

With her eye for sophisticated composition and deep-rooted love for art, Krystina has led the marketing and experience teams for multi-million dollar concert venues, intimate arts and music festivals, and fine jewelry retail for nearly a decade. She believes that interaction with truly good design—be it on a stage or on your hand—is a crucial part of life. Krystina was raised in Houston and Southern California and educated at Stanford University.Away from the world of gold and diamonds, Krystina enjoys exploring new cities, going to concerts, and is a mama to the Isabel (3), and Max (almost 1).

Head of Robotic Surgery at CHU Martinique, Dr. Nor is a leading surgeon specializing in minimally invasive procedures for kidney and prostate cancer. He brings over four years of expertise in advanced robotic techniques, and has also spent years immersed in the research on women’s hormonal changes, translating clinical evidence into clear, practical guidance for life stage wellness.

Peggy O’Shea Kochenbach, RD, is the Director of Marketing at Rule Breaker Snacks, where she leads brand strategy and communications for the nationally distributed maker of soft-baked, plant-based, top 11 allergen-free treats made from chickpeas. As a Registered Dietitian, Peggy brings an evidence-based lens to the brand’s mission of proving that indulgence and thoughtful nutrition can absolutely coexist.At Rule Breaker Snacks, Peggy helps translate the company’s better-for-you “rule breaking” approach into clear, engaging messaging for families, schools, retailers, and industry partners. She is especially passionate about creating snacks that feel fun and crave-worthy while still meeting the real-world needs of today’s families — from allergen-friendly options to balanced ingredient lists.Peggy holds a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Texas Christian University and an MBA in Marketing from Boston College.

As co-executive chef at Atlanta’s top destination for sushi, Todd Dae Kulper unites classic and modern Japanese flavors with two decades of experience as a sushi chef. At Umi, he creates an assortment of sashimi, nigiri and specialty rolls as well as a selection of “aburi” or slightly cooked sushi-grade fish, hot items such as black cod miso and smoked duck breast tataki, and desserts like the “donut touch my donut.”Kulper spent two years working for Nobu Matsuhisa, honing his skills as a sushi chef at NOBU in Miami Beach, Florida. During this time, he was able to stage at The French Laundry in Yountville, California. Before arriving at Umi in 2017, his career path also has taken him to Kansas City, Missouri, Honolulu and Ho Chi Minh City.Kulper was born in Seoul, South Korea but grew up on a dairy farm in Northeast Iowa. A self-taught chef who got his start in the industry right after college working as a dishwasher and expediter, he has since made a name for himself developing skills in French, Japanese, Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, Korean and Sichuan Chinese cuisines, in addition to holistic vegan and vegetarian fare. He also is a trained pastry chef.