REBECCAVALBUENA

Rebecca Valbuena has spent the last 30 years in education as a successful elementary teacher, educational leader/consultant, author, and university instructor. She is a past recipient of the YWCA's Women of Achievement Award, and a Los Angeles County Teacher of the Year. As a volunteer, she remains deeply involved in professional organizations and is the immediate past President of the California Council for the Social Studies, a non-profit professional organization that provides resources and service to students and teachers in both public and private schools within the state. In addition to a long and fulfilling career educating young children (and their teachers), she recently turned her personal passion for fitness, and her success as a competitive body builder into an opportunity to empower others. As a certified personal trainer, Rebecca does more than just "train" clients in the weight room. She truly educates and personalizes strategies to help others balance passions, careers, and family life, while prioritizing personal health, nutrition, and wellness. When she's not in the classroom or weight room, you can find Rebecca enjoying time with her family, friends, collecting experiences, and planning her next travel destination.

valbuenarebecca4@gmail.com

@bex_v

Michelle Toledo is a 34-year-old Single Mom, Self-taught Chef, and currently a Pharmacy Technician. She also recently opened her own Dessert Catering Business called “The Pastry Chef.” Her and her business partner Justin Sazon hope to open a Dessert Food Truck in 2023.

Michelle is originally from Honolulu, Hawaii and lived most of her adolescent and early adulthood years in San Diego, CA. She was trained by Celebrity Chef Lee Anne Wong and takes great pride in cooking for her loved ones. Working in a predominantly Male Industry like the Culinary World helped shape Michelle into the strong independent woman that she is today.

Michelle felt empowered as a young woman at the young age of 19 through working at a Women Owned Compounding Pharmacy called La Vita Compounding Pharmacy. La Vita's Owners Deb Hubers and Chris Givant taught Michelle that women can have a voice in this world and that anyone can make a difference if you just put your mind to it. Growing up in a traditional Filipino Household, she thought that men are meant to be the bread winners and that women are meant to be house wives.

Michelle has dedicated her life to breaking through those society assigned gender roles. She has every intention to teach her young son Keoni that women can succeed in this world. She strongly believes that a woman can do any man's job just as adequately!