David Haznaw is a full-time writer/author, as well as an amateur musician, sports fan, husband and father. He loves the craft of storytelling and writes in a way that takes you into the mind of the main character, which is often himself. Over the past 25 years, he has written and produced video content and other corporate communications projects for clients across the United States. David has published two books of creative nonfiction, both crafted from his commitment to writing every day. 

Marlene Byrne has been writing her entire life. Recently, she has published two cookbooks/inspirational guides, EMPTY NESTING and  WELCOME HOME, under the Life Point Series.  While her children were young, she published a series of children’s books focused on stories about backyard games, under the umbrella of Project Play. She also published the novels DO NOT DISCARD and  MUSIC HAS LEGS based on two inspirational, true stories.

Megan A. Schikora is a novelist, essayist, and short story writer. Her debut novel, A WOMAN IN PINK, is forthcoming with Regal House Publishing in February 2026, and her short stories and essays have appeared in numerous publications, most recently Exacting Clam, Midway Journal, Change Seven, Hidden Peak Press, and Fictive Dream.

She lives in Michigan with her daughter.

Greg Schwem is a Chicago-based stand up comedian and corporate humor speaker. Since 2010, he has written the nationally syndicated Humor Hotel column for Tribune Content Agency.

Greg has authored three books. His most recent, TURNING GUT PUNCHES INTO PUNCH LINES: A Comedian's Journey Through Cancer, Divorce and Other Hilarious Stuff,  was released in September 2024.  

Gael Garbarino Cullen is a writer and video producer as well as a longtime TV and radio news reporter who covered everything from presidential politics to World Series baseball during her career. 

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Her memoir, OWNING GRIEF, relates how experiencing the untimely death of her young husband paradoxically inspired within her courage, hope and growth. This metamorphosis from mere survival of an unspeakable loss to discovering gifts from it are the basis for Gael’s public speaking outreach offering inspiration to others who are coping with grief.

Archbishop Ron Hicks graduated from the University of St. Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, IL with a B.A. in philosophy in 1989. After graduation, he left for Mexico and volunteered in NPH, where he would meet Father William Wasson, the subject of his book CHANGE THE WORLD. START WITH THE CHILDREN. In 2005, with permission from Francis Cardinal George, he began a five-year term as Regional Director of NPH in Central America. In 2018, Father Hicks was consecrated a bishop by Cardinal Blasé J. Cupich and in 2026 he was installed at the Archbishop of New York.