Dr. Joshua Fredenburg is a nationally acclaimed speaker, author, leadership consultant, and a visionary force in personal and organizational development. With a career spanning over sixteen years, he has touched lives across 49 states and globally, delivering powerful messages on leadership, diversity and inclusion, student success, and personal empowerment. Holding a Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a Master’s Degree from Biola University, Dr. Fredenburg combines academic rigor with real-world experience. His journey is not just marked by professional achievements but also by his profound impact on individuals and organizations.
As the President and Founder of the Circle of Change Leadership Experience & First Generation Student Career Conference, he has transformed the lives of thousands, especially culturally diverse and first-generation students, guiding them towards leadership excellence. Recognized for his contributions, he has received numerous accolades, including an honorary membership from Golden Key International and recognition as a Top Leader Under 40 in South Florida. Dr. Fredenburg’s journey is a testament to his commitment to creating leaders who are not only successful but also empathetic and inclusive, making a lasting difference in the world.
Learn more about Dr. Joshua Fredenburg on her personal website at www.drjoshuafredenburg.com
Natalie Fajardo is a former student affairs professional who served at the University of Arizona as the Coordinator of Asian Pacific American Student Affairs (APASA). Her higher education experience included peer advising, student activities, and diversity education. She received her Master of Science degree from the University of Central Missouri’s College Student Personnel Administration (CSPA) program and Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences from California State University-San Bernardino.
Leanna Mouton is a first-generation honors graduate of Texas State University where she was awarded a BBA in Management with a minor in communication and honors studies.
While working on her undergraduate degree,she served as a Student Regent for The Texas State University System, President of Student Foundation, McCoy College Ambassador, and Residential Advisor.
During her time in school, she volunteered with the Circle of Change Leadership Experience, studied and worked abroad in both Barcelona, Spain and San Jose, Costa Rica, and interned for Disney and the White House.
Currently, Leanna is also working with the Special Olympics as well.
Dr. Amber M. Floyd, a proud First-Generation college graduate and the first female in her family to hold a Doctoral title, has earned degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign and Aurora University.
With a background in Social Work, Dr. Floyd believes in the power of community, networking, mentorship, and leadership. Since joining Circle of Change in 2022, Dr. Floyd worked on Production Management for the conferences to ensure that each student who attends the conference has a transformative experience!
Leo Young is originally from the great state of Texas, but is also a proud Californian; currently pursuing his doctoral degree with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Educational Administration with a concentration in Student Affairs from Texas A&M University.
Leo has served, advised, and consulted with student organizations and the University Programming Board at Georgia Southern University, and managed the summer conference program and operations at San Jose State University as a higher educational professional.
With a developed skillset in student organization development, event planning and risk management, Leo loves advising students and serving student groups from a Strengths-based perspective to develop tomorrow’s leaders.
Leo aspires to embody servant leadership as he influences society as a catalyst for positive change. He is a devoted and loving husband to his wonderful wife and an outdoor enthusiast (rock climbing, backpacking, camping, hiking, etc.). Ultimately, Leo dedicates his life to being a faith-centered, values-driven, strengths-based human that spreads love, development, and joy in the lives of others.
Quiana (she/her/hers) serves as the Director of Auxiliary Services and University Housing at Governors State University. With eighteen years of Student Affairs experience, Quiana has centered her work in Housing/Residence Life, Student Leadership Programs, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Fund Development, and Social Justice and Diversity Initiatives. Originally from Gary, Indiana, Quiana left her hometown as a first-generation college student to attend Indiana University-Bloomington where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health Administration (BSPH) with a Minor in Legal Studies, a Certificate in Public Management, and a Master of Public Affairs (MPA) Degree with a double concentration in Public and Non-Profit Management. Quiana also has a Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from the University of South Florida’s Corporate Training and Professional Education program.
Quiana is actively involved with the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers (GLACUHO) where she is currently serving as immediate Past President, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC. As a Co-Founder/Creator of BLKSAP (Black Student Affairs Professionals), an online community for Black Professionals serving within Student Affairs/Higher Education, she works closely with her team to provide a safe space for over 13,000+ Black professionals to engage, find support, mentorship, resources, and community virtually within the world of higher education. Quiana is a contributing author/editor for the book entitled: #BLACKOUT – Real Issues and Real Solutions to Real Challenges Facing Black Student Affairs Professionals. Quiana serves as a Co-Host for The Meeting After the Meeting Podcast (#TMATMPod) which focuses on career navigation and community within Higher Education and cross industries. Her passion/research areas include career coaching, mentorship, etiquette training, First Generation College Student experience, advising, and identity development.
Michoo Etienne is a first-generation college graduate, who received her Master’s degree in Healthcare Management from Davenport University. She received her Undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at the University of South Florida. With aspiration to pursue a career in healthcare administration, she hopes to inspire strong character development and leadership within our healthcare system.
Michael Flotron is an eclectic in the world of filmmaking and brings both his creative and technical skills to the table in all productions he’s a part of. He produces feature films, shorts, and corporate content but also brings expertise in live-to-air and live-to-web productions for small businesses in the evolving ecosystem of online content.
Outside of Producing, Michael is a Camera Department specialist with years of experience as a Camera Operator, 1st AC, Gimbal Operator, and is an FAA Licensed Drone Operator.
Michael grew up in Southern California and considers himself fortunate to be surrounded by creative and entrepreneurially minded people. His parents have both travelled the world through their own professions, making him acutely aware of the importance of cross-culture collaboration in creative worlds. Some of his recent work includes Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope (2017), Power Rangers: Shattered Grid (2018), and Circle of Change Leadership Conference which is currently on its 15th year.
Portland, Oregon is where Michael currently calls home, but he foresees a journey that will take him to many corners of the world.
Bakeisha (BK) McCall is originally from Albany, N. Currently residing in the beautiful sunshine state of California. Following a crippling childhood accident, BK had to endure learning how to re-walk again. She was left with metal pins in both of her upper legs to hold her bones together. Following the accident, BK faced depression and attempted suicide on multiple occasions.
She turned to food for comfort and friendship. Going from 175 pounds, to at her highest weight of 410 pounds.Knowing that she was close to death if she didn’t take care of her weight, in 2016 BK decided to take her fitness journey seriously and received help from her trainer to lose the unwanted pounds. Changing her eating habits and exercising twice a day,she went from 410 pounds to 175 pounds with no magic pills, no surgeries, no gimmicks…. just hard work.
BK is now a certified personal trainer, member of the Circle of Change Leadership Team, and a health and fitness coach.
Born and raised in Queens, NY, to Colombian parents, from early on, Jessica acknowledged that she would consistently live between two worlds, and the intersectionality of her cultural upbringing would inform her everyday thinking and how she would move about the world, both personally and professionally.
Jessica graduated from NYU in 2005 with a B.S. in Finance & International Business. Since joining the television industry that same year, Jessica has worked at Viacom, HBO, and now Netflix. She manages video content production and distribution for high-exposure titles, identifies and develops strategic business partnerships both internally and externally, and implements solutions to efficiently streamline workflows.
While Jessica is extremely passionate about her work, she is equally vested in serving as an advocate in the diversity, equity, and inclusion space. Jessica has been an active participant in her company’s Latinx Employee Resource group, and continues to mentor young women through her sorority pipeline, ensuring she reaches back and brings future leaders of color to the forefront.
