Women Thriving Beyond Transitions: A Conversation on Power, Change, and What’s Next

Kari Cardinale is MEA’s Chief Content Officer & Partner who has developed all of our online programs. She is an expert in the longevity industry, a social entrepreneur, expert facilitator, and developer of “digital intimacy” tools to build meaningful connections and global communities.

Leslie Salmon Jones helps individuals, communities, and youth master their physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being through a harmonious blend of professional dance, yoga instruction, wellness coaching, public speaking, and community activism.

Her journey with embodied learning and mind-body wellness began at the renowned Alvin Ailey School in New York, where she nurtured her passion for dance and discovered the transformative teachings of yoga.

Building upon her interdisciplinary foundation in health sciences and dance, Leslie established a healing movement and holistic wellness studio in the heart of New York City. Through a decade of collaboratively working with clients to improve their health, Leslie created her “Living From Your Core” program, along with specialized training, courses, and workshops for diverse communities.

In partnership with her husband, Jeff Jones, she also co-created Afro Flow Yoga®, which provides a wide array of experiences that foster diversity, inclusion, and interconnection, and impacts communities worldwide.

Leslie’s advocacy work extends to board leadership, urging organizations to embrace anti-racist and inclusive cultures. She has served on the Yoga Alliance Board, the United Nations Association of New York, and contributed to Free Arts for at-risk youth.Throughout her career, her commitment remains steadfast: to be a catalyst for positive change.

Carla Goldstein, JD, is president and chief executive officer of Omega Institute, the nation’s premier holistic learning center, offering innovative educational experiences that provide an integrated approach to personal and social change. She is also the co-founder of the Omega Women’s Leadership Center, a hub for convening, inspiring, and training women to Do Power Differently®.

In addition to her role as President & CEO, Carla teaches emerging and established leaders how to apply holistic principles at work, at home, and in community. She is a collaborative partner with the Harlem Wellness Center and the Wellbeing Project and serves in an advisory capacity to several organizations including: Women without Borders, Connected Women Leaders, Project Dandelion and Living Room Conversations.

Prior to joining Omega, Carla worked extensively in city and state government and the nonprofit sector in public interest advocacy. She has been recognized for her lifelong commitment to women’s leadership, public interest advocacy, and women’s rights with several awards including being the recipient of the Athena Award and the Helen Gurley Brown Genius Grant.