TEAM

At EMERGE Live!, excellence is our standard, passion fuels our drive, and expertise is our foundation.

Our team is a dynamic blend of talent, each member bringing their unique skills and experiences to the table. Together, we share a common goal: to empower visionary women on their journey to self-discovery, transformation, and success. In addition to our core team, we are proud to introduce our Transformational Host Committee—a remarkable assembly of brilliant, accomplished, and passionate Black women from diverse backgrounds. Together, we are committed to delivering an event that not only meets but exceeds your expectations, ensuring that your experience at EMERGE Live! is nothing short of transformative. Meet the faces behind our team and the host committee—your partners on this inspiring journey.

THE TEAM

Julian B. Kiganda

Founder & Transformational Brand Strategist

Julian B. Kiganda is a Transformational Brand Strategist, award-winning designer, author, and speaker who specializes in building transformational brands for purpose-driven clients ranging from Fortune 500 corporations and government agencies to multi-million dollar nonprofits and small businesses. Her expertise in design, branding, and multicultural marketing has helped her clients land multi-million dollar sponsors, sell out events, and increase product sales by more than 500% in 30 days. Her roster of clients, includes the Steve Harvey World Group, the National Urban League, Cushman & Wakefield, AARP, Cisco Systems, Iyanla Vanzant, and the African Union. She co-authored a life-changing book with her sister entitled, “Whose Shoes Are You Wearing? 12 Steps to Uncovering the Woman You Really Want to Be.” Julian and her work have been featured in The Washington Post, ABC News, Arise Magazine, Communication Arts, NPR, NBC News, FOX5DC, and AP. A voice of authority in her industry, she’s taught branding and marketing courses at Bowie State University, and has spoken at the United Nations, Georgetown University, NAACP National Convention, the Motion Picture Association of America and Capitol Hill, amongst others. Julian is a board member of Project Osmosis, a Chicago-based nonprofit that introduces young Black creatives to opportunities and careers in design. Known for giving talks as transformative as her work, Julian speaks on building brands through storytelling, effective communication, and living with purpose.

Vernon Lockhart

Creative Therapist

Vernon Lockhart is a seasoned designer specializing in brand identity and exhibition design. His work has been recognized by Communications Arts, Graphic Design USA, Graphis, and Print. He is also the Executive Director of Project Osmosis, an education and mentoring initiative that emerged from the Chicago chapter of the Organization of Black Designers (OBD). Sharing a mission with OBD to increase dialogue and interaction between aspiring designers and the professional world, Lockhart has directed Osmosis toward mentoring young creative minds. Osmosis programs foster a generation of confident makers by engaging minority youth in activities that promote creativity and self-expression. The organization helps more than 400 students each year to gain access and knowledge about career opportunities in the design disciplines. Active on all fronts of design advocacy, Vernon has served as on the local and national boards of AIGA. Before establishing Osmosis, Lockhart was Executive Director of OBD Chicago (1997–2007). Vernon was instrumental in helping The University of Illinois at Chicago to establish the UIC Osmosis Charles Harrison Scholarship. Vernon was recently awarded the AIGA Above and Beyond Fellows Award.

Micheline Bowman

Public Relations & Media Outreach

Micheline Bowman is a seasoned professional in broadcast journalism, earning her B.A. from Morgan State University in 1988 and amassing an impressive 27-year career, starting at WTTG, Fox 5 News in Washington, DC. Her diverse roles spanned producing, writing, community outreach, event planning, and overseeing a news department internship program. In 2017, facing a transformative career shift, she embraced entrepreneurship, founding Bowman Media Group LLC, specializing in Media Relations, Media Training, and Publicity. As an Encouragement Enthusiast, she excels as a sought-after host and Mistress of Ceremonies and serves as Brand Ambassador for Experience Prince George’s, IKNOW Skincare, and Nila Bags. Micheline is the creative force behind the successful “Meet Me Monday” event, fostering networking, business spotlights, entertainment, and charitable contributions. A dedicated mother and “Mom-Mom,” she lives by her own quote, “Start and end each day with a smile. A smile will bring endless joy to your heart, countless warmth to your body, and unexplainable happiness to your soul.”

Adriane Alfred

Special Projects Manager

Adriane Alfred is a seasoned business and marketing strategist with a rich background in both government and private sectors. She channels her entrepreneurial spirit into philanthropy and community engagement, particularly addressing social issues. With extensive experience in directing conferences, special events, exhibits, and tradeshows for government and private entities, Adriane has also shared her expertise as an instructor at the George Washington University School of Business and as an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University. Her teaching focus includes Sustainable Tourism and the coordination of study abroad programs. In 2006, Adriane established Peace thru Culture, Inc. (PtC), aiming to provide cultural, STEM, and civics enrichment programs for children and youth, especially those in under-resourced communities. She believes that exposure to diverse cultures opens up a broader perspective on the world and offers alternative ways of living. PtC has successfully served over 1,500 youth through initiatives such as Culture Camps, Global Treks, After School Cultural Workshops, and the Marion Barry Summer Youth Program. Adriane holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in International Management with an emphasis in Marketing from the University of Maryland.

Christine St. Vil

Social Media Strategist

Christine St. Vil is helps businesses harness the power of social media to grow their business and brand. As an award-winning content creator, she was also an instructor in the Steve Harvey Success Institute for four years where she taught blogging and social media for entrepreneurs. She has traveled to places such as Disney and the beautiful islands of Turks and Caicos to write about events, travel and social media trends. And she has been behind the scenes on movies such as Lady and the Tramp (on Disney+), and interviewed the stars of Black Panther as a social media influencer. Her work has been featured in numerous local and national TV and media outlets including VOA, Fox 5 DC, WJLA, News Channel 8, WBAL, WHUR, Madame Noire, Huffington Post, Huff Post Live, Black Enterprise, Sirius XM, RollingOut, and Essence Magazine amongst others. She has partnered with brands such as AT&T, Disney, Survey Monkey, Connections Academy on social media campaigns.

Trin Henderson

Executive Coordinator

With over a decade of experience supporting C-suite leaders and a background, Trin excels in streamlining operational tasks. Known for being proactive, organized, calm, and focused, she is dedicated to facilitating executive harmony. This seasoned professional specializes in creating a state of cohesion, balance, and ease, ensuring that various elements of a project, team members, and tasks coexist harmoniously under their guidance.