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Meet Our
Summit Speakers
Dr. Valarie Harris
Empowerment Coach
&
CEO of Stepping Out with Purpose, LLC
Dr. Valarie Harris is a dynamic leader, educator, and empowerment coach with over four decades of experience in education, leadership, and personal development. As the CEO of Stepping Out with Purpose, LLC, she is dedicated to helping women leaders, entrepreneurs, and educators unlock their full potential and create lasting legacies.
Dr. Harris holds degrees from Norfolk State University, VA Tech University, Seraphim Ministries International Bible College, and Liberty University. She is a sought-after speaker, author, and business consultant, specializing in coaching, self-publishing, and professional development. Passionate about global missions, she has served communities in Ghana, Grenada, and beyond.
Her work bridges the gap between generations, empowering individuals to embrace their purpose, cultivate resilience, and step boldly into their destiny.
Dr. Crystal Porter
Dr. Crystal Porter founded Mane Insights, Inc. to scientifically research the specific needs of curly ethnic hair. For 20+ years, she continues to consult and provide knowledge about hair and consumer research to individuals, professionals and industry leaders.
Dr. Crystal spent the majority of her corporate career at L’Oréal, USA. There she managed the Physics Laboratory and Consumer Insights teams, studying the biophysical characteristics of hair and pigmented skin within different ethnic groups. This allowed her and her researchers to understand behaviors that are related to consumers’ experiences.
After studying hair of people from all over the world, she learned that there was very limited information on the hair of people of African origin. Dr. Crystal feels the state of Black women’s hair is at an all-time low as a result of a myriad of misinformation held by seemingly well-qualified, trusted experts. Dr. Crystal left L’Oréal, USA armed with a more than a decade of expertise.
Her passion to debunk hair myths, provide consumer insights, and address miseducation aims to uplift the industry by changing the status quo.
Hair Scientist
Founder of Mane Insights
Dr. Troy Lee
Holistic Nutritionist & Regeneration Specialist
Etrulia “Troy” Lee is a holistic nutritionst and health regeneration specialist. She is excited to be part of the global healing movement that is helping people regain their health without drugs, surgery, botanicals, oils, or supplements. She has a passion for helping seniors live an amazing, healthy, and fulfilled life.
Dr. Troy completed her undergraduate work in education at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa., and her master’s degree at University of Maryland in College Park, also in education. She completed her Ph.D. in holistic nutrition at Clayton College of Natural Health in Birmingham, Alabama. She is currently enrolled in seminary at United Lutheran Seminary with an expected graduation date of May, 2026.
Past professional positions include teacher, school principal, Education Division Superintendent, education trainer, adjunct professor, speaker, and consultant.
She has authored several books. Her most popular book is Eat Yourself Slim & Never Diet Again. Dr. Troy has been married for more than 4 decades to her husband and best friend, Arvid Lee. She and has two adult sons, Chay (married to Jocelyn) & Michael (married to Jenene), and three adorable grandsons ages 10, 5, and 2. She has many favorite “Troyisms,” but she can often be heard saying, “Life is not a dress rehearsal. We only get one chance. Create your best life now!”
Nadia Hughes
Holistic Practitioner of Trichology &
Founder Trichologists
on a Mission
Nadia is a pioneer in the Holistic Trichology world. Proud owner of Hair Again in weeks, she has made it her mission to bring awareness to the benefits of taking a holistic approach to trichology and building a network of professionals who can not only further that mission but learn from and support each other along the way.
Nadia focuses her practice on holistic healing. She assists her clients by helping them uncover the root cause of their hair loss issues. With a focus on cellular regeneration and controlling internal inflammation she is able to help her clients achieve life changing results. Nadia is also a certified research assistant with the University of Chicago Illinois. She is currently conducting research in CCCA a scaring alopecia affecting African American women.
She is also the founder and president of Trichologist's on a Mission (TOAM) an organization of trichology practitioners across the United Sates, Canada, The Caribbean, and Mexico, with a goal of educating the community by educating stylist and barbers on the epidemic of hair loss. Nadia has trained over 250 practitioners worldwide. By sharing knowledge with beauty professionals to bring light to their communities they serve. And understanding how to make changes in their daily life to enjoy their best life when their mind and body are balanced and healthy. That's why we take a holistic approach to preventing and reversing disease. TOAM University was created in an effort to better serve the growing demand for training in this exciting and growing field.
Lori Huckaby
Clinical Dermotrichologist
&
Hair Health Specialist
Lori Huckaby is a distinguished Clinical Dermotricologist with over 31 years of experience in the cosmetology industry. Her extensive credentials and specialized training have positioned her as a respected expert in hair, scalp, and skin health.
Credentials & Education
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Certified Trichologist through the National Trichology Training Institute
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Licensed Cosmetologist with 31+ years of industry experience
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Licensed Cosmetology Instructor
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Certified HairCoach™ through Bauman Medical Group
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Certified Cold Capper through Capping Partners of America™
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Certified Research Assistant through Mane Insights in association with Chicago State University
Lori holds three prestigious diplomas from Fundesmo Universaid in Malaga, Spain:
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Master and Expert in Dermotricology
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Technician in Psychodermotricology
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Dermotricological Coaching
Throughout her career, Lori has served as an educator for prominent organizations including:
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The Salon Professional Academy (a Redken school)
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Farouk Systems, USA
As a Clinical Dermotricologist, Lori specializes in providing comprehensive care and treatment for clients of all ethnicities, hair types, and textures. Her holistic approach to hair and scalp health integrates advanced clinical knowledge with personalized treatment protocols.
Lori is deeply passionate about education and empowerment. She dedicates herself to helping as many people as possible by emphasizing not only the importance of skin and scalp health and preventative maintenance but also the overall health of the body. Her practice is built on the understanding that true hair wellness begins with holistic health awareness.
Emily Pennito
Emily Pennito is an accomplished trainer and developer, with 12 years of experience. working with Health Professionals, Trichologist and Hair Loss Practitioners world wide.
Emily has earned and been recognized as:
National Supervising Coordinator
Awarded #1 NutraMetrix Custom Health Solutions
Consultant of the Year 2022!
#1 Leader World Wide
Certified NutraMetrix/Isotonix Consultant, 18 years experience
Certified Naturopathic Wellness Coach
Certified Executive Trainer
"Changing the face of hair loss, one Practitioner at a time."
Nutrametrix Consultant
Lynnique Marshall
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Certified Trichologist
Owner of Divine Designs Salon
&
Hair Loss Solutions
Lynnique Marshall is a certified Trichologist and licensed Cosmetologist with over 25 years of beauty industry experience. She is also a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner through the American Association of Drugless Practitioners.
Lynnique specializes in providing hair loss solutions for women (but also supports men) who secretly struggle with insecurities due to hair loss, by identifying the root causes and providing natural hair growth remedies to stop hair loss and boost hair growth, so they can stress less and regain their confidence.
Lynnique continues to keep up with the latest advances in Trichology and Holistic Health Science to support each client's success.
Karen Flowers
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Certified Trichologist
&
Owner of Curl House
Karen is a licensed cosmetologist specializing in natural hair, certified Trichologist (WTS), and instructor with over 15 years of experience in the beauty and hair industry.
She is the founder of Curl House, a hair care product line, and Curl House Academy, home to the signature program “Let’s Get Growing”—a live virtual training series designed to help women (re)grow healthy hair through a holistic approach.
Karen is also the author of Yes You Can: A Quick and Easy Guide to Natural Hair Care and A Black Woman’s Guide to Thicker, Healthier Hair: 7 Proven Steps I Took to Stop Hair Loss and Regrow My Hair. She holds a dual Master’s in Social Work and Urban Studies from Michigan State University and a BS in Sociology from Norfolk State University.
Terry Battle
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Certified Trichologist
&
Owner of Advance Hair Care Clinic, LLC
Terry Battle is the owner of ADVANCE HAIR CARE CLINIC LLC
and a dedicated Trichologist and Hair Loss Practitioner with over
three years of specialized experience in hair restoration. With a foundation of 22 years as a licensed cosmetologist, Terry brings extensive expertise in hair and scalp health.
Terry earned a diploma in Trichology and certification from the National Trichology Training Institute (NTTI) in Stockbridge, GA, in 2019. To further enhance expertise in hair loss management, Terry completed advanced training at Bauman Medical Institute in Boca Raton, FL, along with additional education through WTS (World Trichology Society).
Passionate about restoring confidence through healthy hair, Terry is committed to providing personalized solutions for individuals experiencing hair loss and scalp disorders.
Charice Hundley
Certified Trichologist
&
Owner of Destani Trichology Service Center
“Every day the comb and brush reveal falling pieces of who I use to be” --- Brigitte Barnett.
When you lose your natural crown, you disappear and retreat into the mental sanctuary that hats, scarves, wigs and weaves temporarily provide. Hair loss is nondiscriminatory & nonbinary, literally affecting millions globally at such an alarming rate, not to mention the psychological effects that are detrimental to mental and physical health, which compounds the symptoms and increases the risks of more hair loss. Sure, some prescriptions, vitamins, even certain natural oils can assist in treating the symptoms of hair loss, but for many people, they are ineffective and can have uncomfortable side effects. Additionally, the humiliating and embarrassing effects of hair loss follow some people daily, like an unwelcomed visitor that extends their stay in your home.
For far too long, limited options were available for men and women experiencing abnormal or excessive hair loss until now. Charice Hundley, WTS (certified trichologist) at Destani Trichology Service Center is a proponent of scientific, proven hair loss mitigation and regrowth methods that microscopically revitalizes, rebuilds and resurrect resting follicle roots from the cellular base. This strand-by-strand clinical treatment utilizes advanced technology with therapeutic expertise to scientifically regrow hair follicles using electrolysis, LED light therapy (purple, blue, green, yellow, amber, red), DHT blockers, topical biochemical treatments and ground-breaking stem cell therapy or PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma).
Destani Trichology specializes in the latest breakthrough follicle treatments and services for clients enduring hair loss from genetics, hormonal changes, scalp infections, medications, chemotherapy, trichotillomania (hair pulling disorder), scarring on the scalp and immune system related conditions such as alopecia, frontal fibrosing alopecia, traction alopecia, and alopecia areata. From the dermis level, a microscope hydro trichoscope is used to magnify and analyze internally the condition of the scalp and follicle which provides a type of prognosis for hair loss. The foundation of treatment begins with a comprehensive consultation regarding your health and a “pull exam” that provides a probable prognosis for hair loss. The “pull exam” is an examination of a few strands (6) of hair that is microscopically examined to see the levels of protein, mineral, diet, stress levels, organs, hormones, back and digestive issues that may be contributing to hair loss. The “pull exam” is highly effective in revealing the primary cause(s) for the client’s hair loss. These services are tailored to each client. With consistent treatments, clients will experience follicle rebirth and hair regrowth in a very short period, numerous clients show remarkable results in 3-4 weeks.
As a certified trichologist, Ms. Hundley exemplifies compassion for her client’s well-being and passion for proven hair regrowth solutions that offer long term, sustainable results. In addition to mastering the science of hair and scalp health, Ms. Hundley has over 35 years of experience as a cosmetology teacher, maestro stylist, platform artist, trainer, salon manager and business owner for 20+ years. She offers two locations for Destani trichology services; Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and Richmond, Virginia.