Meet Our Speakers and Panelists
Keynote Speaker
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Dr. Veronica J. Brady is a distinguished nurse leader and educator whose career profoundly demonstrates the transformative power of education, mentorship, service, and purposeful leadership.
Holding a PhD, RN, ACRN, BC-ADM, and FADCES, Dr. Brady currently serves as an Assistant Professor Tenure Track at the University of Texas-Houston School of Nursing and a Nurse Practitioner at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Her extensive professional journey, from staff nurse to director of health services at a girls' detention facility and now a respected academic, showcases a deep commitment to advancing healthcare and empowering individuals.
A recipient of numerous accolades, including the Excellence in Mentoring Award, the John P McGovern Outstanding Teacher of the Year, and the Distinguished Alumna Award, Dr. Brady is a passionate advocate for investing in the health, education, confidence, and potential of women and girls.
Her impactful research and clinical work, particularly in diabetes and HIV care, often focus on underserved and minority populations, demonstrating her dedication to fostering thriving communities through opportunity and support. Her insights on clinical excellence, education, and empowering the next generation make her an extraordinary and inspiring voice for our mission.
Speaker
With more than 18 years of nursing experience at MD Anderson, Dr. Ernestine Muanya is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner whose career reflects a deep commitment to compassionate, evidence-based oncology care. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Texas Woman’s University in 2008 and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from Walden University in 2017. In May 2026, she completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree at The University of Texas at Arlington.
She began her career at MD Anderson in 2007, spending 11 years as a registered nurse on the GI Surgical Unit before transitioning to her current role as a Nurse Practitioner in the Breast Medical Oncology Department. For more than seven years, she has provided care to patients in the inpatient and acute care settings, bringing clinical expertise, compassion, and a patient-centered approach to the oncology setting. She also serves as the APP Advance Care Planning (ACP) Champion for the Breast Medical Oncology Department, supporting thoughtful communication and care planning for patients and families.
Her DNP project evaluated the “Three Good Things” intervention among oncology nurse practitioners. The project demonstrated a clinically meaningful reduction in burnout and a statistically significant improvement in resilience, highlighting the intervention’s potential as a practical strategy to promote provider well-being and resilience.
In addition to her clinical practice, she serves as an Adjunct Professor at St. Thomas University’s School of Nursing, where she enjoys contributing to the education and development of future nurses. She has also written and published about her hometown and NCLEX preparation skills.
Outside of her professional roles, she enjoys gardening, watching movies, and, most importantly, spending quality time with her family.
Panelists
Dr. Ndidi Ihim is a Doctor of Pharmacy, Certified Functional Medicine and Nutrition Practitioner, women’s health educator, and founder of Covalin Health. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Texas Southern University and has more than a decade of experience across pharmacy and healthcare.
Today, she combines her clinical pharmacy background with functional medicine to help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) better understand the root factors affecting their hormones, menstrual cycles, and fertility.
Through education, lab-informed strategies, and practical lifestyle interventions, she makes complex health information easier for women to understand and apply.
A Nigerian-American, wife, and mother of three, Dr. Ihim brings both professional expertise and lived perspective to her work. As a speaker and content creator, she is passionate about empowering women to become informed, confident advocates for their health.
Dr. Macbarbara Amaechi, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, healthcare entrepreneur, and Founder of Blissz Psychiatry & Healthcare. She is dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based, and individualized mental health care that empowers patients to achieve lasting emotional wellness.
As a clinical leader and preceptor, Dr. Amaechi is passionate about mentoring future psychiatric providers, advancing mental health education, and promoting excellence in clinical practice. Her work reflects a strong commitment to innovation, accessibility, and reducing barriers to quality behavioral healthcare.
Beyond clinical practice, she is actively involved in community initiatives focused on education, empowerment, and service. Dr. Amaechi combines clinical expertise, leadership, and an entrepreneurial mindset with a clear purpose: to transform lives, strengthen communities, and help shape the future of mental healthcare.
Isioma Joyce Oleleh is a seasoned real estate investor, Realtor®, property management professional and real estate guide with more than a decade of experience navigating the Texas real estate market.
Her journey in real estate extends beyond buying and selling properties. As an investor herself, Isioma understands real estate from the perspective of ownership, cash flow, property management, wealth creation, and long-term strategy. She uses this experience to help individuals and families make informed decisions about buying, selling, leasing, investing, and building real estate portfolios.
A real estate guide, Isioma is passionate about helping people move beyond simply purchasing a home to understanding how real estate can become a vehicle for financial stability, generational wealth, and economic empowerment.
Her approach is centered on education. She believes clients should understand not only what property to purchase, but why they are purchasing it, how the numbers work, what risks to consider, and how the decision fits into their long-term goals.
Whether guiding a first-time homebuyer, an experienced investor looking for another opportunity, or a property owner seeking to maximize an existing asset, Isioma brings practical experience, market knowledge, and an investor’s perspective to the conversation.
Her philosophy is simple: Don’t just buy real estate. Understand it. Position yourself strategically. Build with the future in mind.