2027 HER Speakers
JJ Barrows
JJ Barrows is a Comedian, Author, and Mixed Media Artist who’s performed in comedy clubs, churches and awkward dinner parties all over America. However, don't assume colorful and comedic means a lack of honesty. JJ has also traversed the difficulties of eating disorders, family dysfunctions, and an on-and-off struggle with depression. With a refreshing story-teller style, she reveals the freedom a quippy sense of humor can reveal in all of us by giving breath to those gritty moments.
She released a Dry Bar Comedy Special “Doodle All Day,” published two books “it’s called a spade,” and “KINDA FUNNY,” wrote, produced and starred in her own comedy special, “The DIY Comedy Special,” filmed on location at home... thanks to COVID clearing her schedule for nearly two years and freeing up all her time. Her favorite career highlight was meeting Rob Lowe in a parking lot, until most recently when Dolly Parton waved to her and she momentarily forgot to keep breathing.
When she’s not performing, painting, or trying to find her way back to the ocean, she’s at home in Tennessee with her husband, Josh Newton, as they learn how to be first time parents! You can find her on Instagram @jjbarrows, as well as watch her videos, shop her art, and sign up for her email list at jjbarrows.com.
Rebecca Heiss
Rebecca understands the threat of change. As a stress physiologist, Dr. Rebecca Heiss is dedicated to helping us overcome our instinctual limitations — the ancient, often subconscious fears that hold us back from our optimal performance and our happiest lives. Her research has been designated "transformative" by the National Science Foundation and it is waking up audiences around the world.
As the author of two books, Springboard and Instinct, founder and CEO of the leadership 360-review mobile application, icueity, and highly sought-after professional speaker, Rebecca has found her calling in helping others recognize the power of transforming stress into the fuel that serves us. A former educator, Dr. Heiss spent much of her earlier career in the classroom at both the high school and college levels and was recruited to be a founding member of an innovative charter school with a focus on entrepreneurial thinking and impact-based learning. Today she shares her Fear[less] Stress formula to transform fear to fuel from stages around the world as a full-time speaker, facilitator of her Fear[less] Masterclass and Fellow at Furman University's Center for Innovative Leadership. She continues her research on how we can turn trauma into Post Traumatic Growth (PTG) rather than PTSD.
Rebecca's "Fear[less]" message inspires hope and actionable insights to train our brains to work for us, rather than against us in times of change and uncertainty. With surprising humor and palpable energy, no matter if Dr. Heiss is delivering virtually or on stage, she wins over her audiences with interactive, inspiring, and timely takeaway s.
Rebecca lives in South Carolina with her spoiled rotten dogs named Guinness & Murphy and every day tries to live her life motto: "Spread Happy."