Katie Moran
Social Impact CEO
& Founder
MJ Coppola
Impact Strategist
Richard O'Connor
Advisor
Kathleen Boyle Dalen
Advisor
Katie Moran
Social Impact CEO & Founder
Katie Moran is an author, speaker, poet, advocate, creativity coach, and social entrepreneur. Katie Moran has a Masters of Social Work from Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service, where she concentrated in research and was a recipient of the Reverend Dr. Nicholas J. Langenfeld Award for her 2018 Thesis: "MSW Students' Attitudes on Mental Health Stigma."
She's on a mission to reach as many people as possible in a profound and uplifting way. She's committed to utilizing technology for social good. She hosts the Artistic Spirit podcast as well as the Heartfelt Lift Show that's devoted to sharing uplifting stories and making social media and the world a better place to be. She speaks about and creates content around suicide prevention, healing from sexual assault, and creativity. She and MJ host gratitude challenges in the RNTKY Suicide Prevention discord and creative sprints in the Creativille discord. She owns a boutique, Equanimity Boutique, which features apparel with uplifting messages that have the power to self-signal and inspire others.
​
She graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor's degree in Sociology with minors in Creative Writing and African & African American Studies. Katie Moran developed a passion for neuroscience and psychology at the age of twelve, and she became determined to combine her love of social science and neuroscience through the framework of neurosociology and its application to social work, creativity, and narrative.
Katie published “Periwinkle Wishes” and “The Spirit Inside” in 2020. She published the poetry book “Redeeming Endless Possibilities” in 2022. She has an upcoming poetry book release entitled "Our Dharma: With Faith and Fortitude." She believes in the importance of service and volunteers as a Student Ambassador at Impact Theory University and for 1 Million Cups where she has seen the power of community in connecting entrepreneurs and Impactivists.
As Impact Strategist, MJ Coppola, brings social good to how we use technology. She's authentic and honest, and sometimes dressed like a 90s skater. She’s also a little awkward and a New England born creator with a love of unconventional living. She's been writing for as long as she could hold a crayon. Since then her writing career has taken off, finally resulting in the 2022 publication of her first compilation book, Demons Cry Too, and 2023 publication of her second poetry book, Learning the Grey Void.
​
MJ hosts her podcast, Mirrored Wellness, a warrioress wellness podcast, as well as co-hosting a mini-series podcast called RNTKY, a mindful mental health podcast about depression and some other pretty heavy topics (but really necessary in this world).
She's developed a passion for assisting creatives and spiritual healers build, scale, and maintain their businesses. MJ also loves providing a sounding board and is an incredible resource for all things creative and mental wellness.
MJ Coppola
Impact Strategist
Richard O'Connor
Advisor
Richard is a seasoned Finance Executive with 20+ years of experience in Digital and Traditional Media companies. Focused on driving growth and profitability as a strategic partner to Executive teams, his responsibilities have ranged from the financial management of a $1B subsidiary of a public company, to acquisitions of, investments in scaling and exits of digital media and technology firms. Most recently, as the CFO of PageScience, Richard managed the day-to-day operations and finances of the health focused programmatic network, including restructuring the senior debt, closing on a Series B round of financing and bringing the company to profitability, until its sale to Accent Health Media in 2016.
Prior to PageScience, Richard was part of the team that led the buyout of Prime Visibility Media Group in 2007, where he remained as CFO. During his tenure at PV Media Group, Richard was instrumental in establishing financial controls, managing the business to strict profitability standards, restructuring the senior debt and recapitalization efforts, as a result of which the Company remained profitable, even through 2009 downturn and its eventual sale to blinkx plc (LSE AIM: BLNX) in 2011. Prior to PV Media Group, Richard was a Principal at Nakita Venture Partners, a venture services company focused on the Media Industry, where he led the origination, due diligence and investments in digital media companies.
Earlier, Richard was with Universal Domestic Television, a Division of NBC Universal (NYSE: GE) for over 10 years as VP Finance and Operations, where he managed the day-to-day operations of the business unit, including employment contracts, budgeting, accounting, legal, development, production, distribution and sales and marketing. While at Universal, Richard helped lead the acquisition and integration of several multi-media TV assets for Universal Domestic Television, USAI, Vivendi and NBC. Richard earned a BS (Accounting) from University of Bridgeport and lives in New York, NY.
Dr. Kathleen Boyle Dalen, Founder and Principal of KBD Consulting, is a psychologist with deep experience in strategy & learning, organizational design & culture and partnership development. She has 20 years of experience as a C-suite leader including as Chief Talent, Integration and Culture Officer at the Kauffman Foundation. Prior to joining the Kauffman Foundation, Kathleen co-founded PREP-KC, a nonprofit that partners with urban school districts to create and implement district-wide strategies that help students succeed in college and careers.
As a design partner and coach to leaders and teams, her professional reach includes:
-
Philanthropy
-
Nonprofit organizations
-
For-profit and start-up enterprises
-
Academic and cultural institutions
Kathleen teaches in the Helzberg School of Management at Rockhurst University and speaks on topics including organizational culture, partnership development, resiliency, and growth mindset.
Kathleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from American University in Washington, D.C.; a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Columbia University; and a Doctorate in Psychology from Rutgers University.
Kathleen Boyle Dalen
Advisor
Katie Moran on Values
ALACRITY: What excites you?
Learning with Purpose in Mind
Engagement and excitement enhances the brain's capacity to learn and rewire itself; learning with purpose in mind expands the mind and begins to bridge the gap between who you are and who you can become.
RESILIENCE: What drives you?
Truth and Justice
There's a difference between honesty and truth, just as there's a difference between revenge and justice; the former treat symptoms of the ailment, while the latter can cure ailments. That difference means truth and justice have the power to heal.
HEART: What matters to you?
Depth and Meaning
When you truly listen to people, you find out what matters to them by the look in their eyes, the rhythm of their speech and the gravity of their breath. Heart transforms ordinary into extraordinary, and when you listen to someone you hear the extraordinary depth and meaning shine through from their heart to yours.
CONVICTION: What do stand you for?
Shining in Darkness
The Moran family motto is: "they shine in darkness;" I take that to heart. I want to stand for the opportunity in adversity, the truth which overcomes all obstacles, and the refinement of passion and purpose after enduring hardship.
MJ Coppola on Values
ALACRITY: What excites you?
The Creative Mind and It's Heartbeat
I love life! I know that seems like a super generic answer, though. I feel like it’s got so many layers. I am fascinated by how we evolve as humans and interact with our surroundings. I’m constantly surprised at the ways we are connected to each other and the world. How we mirror the universe and the world on a macro and micro level as well as the duality of living.
​
Oh and translating THAT into art! I can look, listen, feel, taste, smell, read, discuss art all day. There is something about a creative mind that is one of the most exciting things. I love lifting that up and being able to use the skills that I’ve acquired to help those artists find their alignment in business and life.
RESILIENCE: What drives you?
The Walk Home That We Share
A radical understanding of myself and in turn the world around me as well as others. My favorite quote is by Ram Dass and he says, “We are all just walking each other home.” I believe that we all have ways of serving ourselves and others that is connected, compassionate, and useful. That at the end of the day, we all have the same fate and that is something that can be used to connect us in ways we never imagined. There is so much to explore in between!
HEART: What matters to you?
Learning and Growing
Learning and growing! When I was young I used to be made fun of for being a “slow learner.” Turns out, I just don’t learn by lecture alone. Now, as an adult, I pride myself on my ability to be open to learning, changing, and adjusting quickly when needed. It’s a skill I think is really important. With that said, I also am aware of my goals and personal values so that I also have direction. This has been such an amazing lesson for me. Teaching and offering the same tools to others is a huge part of my life.
CONVICTION: What do stand you for?
Loving All The Pieces
I believe it was Mahatma Gandhi who said: “my life is my message.” After spending most of my life in self hate, I’ve made it my mission to find ways to love all the pieces of me while showing others they are worthy of love, community, and healing- no matter who they are. This comes out in the most surprising ways sometimes. From social media sharing, to guiding creatives through a healthy business process, to building a sanctuary for creatives, and spiritual healers to rest. Self-love is more than just physically loving your body, it’s also showing up for yourself in finance, in relationships, and so many other categories. You’re worthy! I promise.
Rich O'Connor on Values
ALACRITY: What excites you?
Challenging Myself
Every challenge teaches you stamina: from the gym to the board room. Stamina plays a vital role in focus and endurance, which allows for continued personal and professional growth.
RESILIENCE: What drives you?
Work Ethic and Appreciation
I am driven by my work ethic and my ability to genuinely appreciate what I have and what I can give. I appreciate an enduring work ethic in myself and in others who are on my team. It's really about bringing value.
HEART: What matters to you?
Meaningful Relationships
Family comes first. My personal relationships hold significant meaning to me. Likewise, I invest in my professional relationships by valuing the capabilities of members on my team, while challenging their limiting self-beliefs to enable them to acquire and cultivate their skills.
CONVICTION: What do stand you for?
Integrity
I try to do the right thing, even when it isn't the easy thing. Because I value work ethic, I choose to not take shortcuts. By valuing integrity in business, the model becomes sustainable.
​
​