After years in the corporate space, I had an “Aha!” moment.
Every woman needs her own “Board of Directors,” -- not in a business sense, but for her personal life.
I spent my career working as a senior executive in the entertainment space - Playboy, Warner Bros., Extra, Ellen and TMZ to name a few, overseeing digital sales, product integrations and brand partnerships. I learned a ton at these companies but after so many years in the trenches, it was time to start my own business in a space that combined my skillset with my passion points outside of advertising.
Despite having a tight circle of friends, I realized it’s simply not the same dynamic when you ask your BFF to problem-solve. It’s too biased, too loving, too one-sided. Often, an objective audience works better than a dearest confidant.
So I created Light House- a place where women find clarity and perspective. Today, we’re a large community of bold women seeking to live purposeful lives. We’re having real conversations on real topics with real people about real life.
My expectations were definitely surpassed. Our class was intelligent, intuitive, and warm in a way that made it feel safe to open up. I really appreciated being able to participate in a dialogue with a group of women so transparent and willing to dig deep in order to better themselves.
alannah, age 45, Los Angeles
The Light House Community
Light House women are smart and dynamic.
In the midst of their hectic schedules, they seek out other like-minded yet diverse women navigating relatable life stages. When these women come together, they’re united and strengthened by shared experiences and an exchange of perspectives.
Shining a Light on our Experts
Meet some of the remarkable experts who foster the Light House experience.
GEETA NOVOTNY’S REVOLUTION VOICE
Geeta Novotny is an internationally acclaimed award-winning vocalist, healing arts practitioner and the Founder of Revolution Voice® - a method and practice that uses the voice and sound as a bridge between music and wellness. She is a graduate from Carnegie Mellon University and holds a Masters Degree in Music from the University of North Texas where she was awarded a full-time teaching fellowship. She is an esteemed and decorated opera singer and was part of Deepak Chopra's incredible book and album, Home, where she composed and performed the lead vocals on the opening and title song.
MEDIA TRAINER + PR EXPERT
Jessica Abo is an award-winning journalist, bestselling author, sought-after media trainer, and public relations expert. With more than 20 years of TV news experience, Abo teaches clients how to make the headlines and master media opportunities. Her client roster includes C-Suite executives, celebrities, entrepreneurs, and medical and legal experts. She is a national speaker with appearances including the United Nations, Facebook, Microsoft, Delta, WW, and TEDx. Regularly in the media herself, Abo has appeared on The TODAY Show, Good Morning America, CBS, CNN, Access Hollywood, and more. As a writer and contributor to Forbes and Entrepreneur, Abo has profiled industry titans. She currently hosts "Leadership Unfiltered with Jessica Abo" for the Los Angeles Tribune.
WE ARE THE BOARD
Jean Batthany has 30+ years of experience building and growing brands, branding, creative strategy, award winning creative platforms, customer experience, diverse creative teams, culture and creative capabilities, both agency and brand side. Batthany led the creative vision and creative teams for some of the world's most iconic brands, Walmart, Disney, Pepsi, British Airways and awarded advertising agencies, DDB, BBDO, M&C Saatchi, Saatchi & Saatchi. She was honored as one of Business Insider’s 30 Most Creative Women in Advertising and Advertising Working Mothers of the Year by AWNY / Working Mother Magazine.
SEX THERAPIST + AUTHOR
Tammy Nelson, PhD is a sex and relationship expert, an international speaker, an author and a licensed psychotherapist with almost thirty years of experience working with individuals and couples. In private practice she focuses on helping people of all ages, orientations and genders find love, healing and passion.
Tammy Nelson, Ph.D. is the Director of the Integrative Sex Therapy Institute and has been a licensed sex and relationship therapist in practice for over thirty years. She teaches at several Universities, is a TEDx speaker and is the host of the podcast The Trouble with Sex.
Tammy is a Board Certified Sexologist, an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist, a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified Imago Relationship therapist, and a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor. She is the author of When You’re The One Who Cheats, Ten Things You Need to Know, The New Monogamy; Redefining Your Relationship After Infidelity and Getting the Sex You Want; Shed Your Inhibitions and Reach New Heights of Passion Together as well as What’s Eating You: A Workbook for Teens with Anorexia, Bulimia, and other Eating Disorders and her most recent project Integrative Sex & Couples Therapy.
She has been a featured expert in NY Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Glamour Magazine, Cosmopolitan, RedBook, MSNBC, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and has been a source for Time Magazine. She writes for the Psychotherapy Networker, is a blogger for Huffington Post and YourTango, and can be followed on Facebook, Twitter and her blog.
M.D.
Dr. Sherry is an award-winning OB/GYN, women’s health expert, and entrepreneur. Her mission is to change the narrative of how women talk and learn about their intimate health and overall well being. She’s received numerous awards and honors including the Patients Choice Award and was named one of the best doctors by The Hollywood Reporter, Southern California Super Doctor, Castle Connolly Exceptional Women and OBGYN.
International Relationship Therapist, J.D., Ph.D
Dr. Hokemeyer, author of Fragile Power: Why Having Everything is Never Enough, is an acclaimed relationship therapist who’s been called one of the world’s top “Problem Solvers” in Tatler’s High Net Worth Address Book. A believer in education as a lifelong process, Dr. Paul is a fellow in the Global Leaders Healthcare program at Harvard Medical School as well as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who appears regularly on broadcast news outlets and has seen his work utilized by the World Economic Forum. He is also featured in a range of academic and popular publications. During the pandemic, Dr. Hokemeyer studied how to optimize the use of digital technologies in the delivery of mental wellness services at the Yale School of Management.
LMFT, CEDS, PsyD
Dr. Rondani is a trilingual doctor in Clinical Psychology and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She passionately helps families and individuals struggling with eating disorders, mental health, trauma and family dynamic issues. She owns and directs Orenda Clinical Services, a private practice that provides in-home psychological support for parents, teens and young adults as well as clinical education to schools, universities and treatment centers.
Owner and Fashion Designer of Rachel Pally, Inc.
Rachel Launched her private label in 2002 at the incredible age of 17, with the goal of dressing women of all shapes, sizes, and stages, making them feel beautiful and empowered. Her collections are sold in more than 500 stores internationally, including Saks 5th Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and REVOLVE, and has attracted fans from Oprah to Angelina. Rachel has a passion for virtuous business, ethically manufacturing her line in Downtown LA, and employing women from all over the world.
TV host, journalist, bestselling author and certified health coach
Watched by millions as the co-host of Dancing with the Stars and Entertainment Tonight, Samantha Harris is an Emmy Award-winning TV host and journalist, bestselling author, Certified Health Coach and fitness trainer, nutrition advocate and promoter of healthy living. As a motivational speaker, Samantha shares her personal journey from cancer diagnosis to healthiest health with genuine warmth and unflappable positivity. She also blends her encyclopedic knowledge with insights from doctors and scientists empowering advice, practical tips and healthy recipes. Actress/Producer and breast cancer survivor Rita Wilson has said "If knowledge is power, then Samantha Harris is Wonder Woman." Samantha was named Survivor of the Year by Susan G. Komen in 2017 and led its 2018 Parade of Promise. She also serves as an ambassador for both Susan G. Komen and the American Cancer Society.
RN / Hollywood’s Skin Expert / Owner of Beauty Park Medical Spa
Nurse Jamie is the Owner of Beauty Park Medical Spa in Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi. She’s a global skincare expert with over 20 years of experience with the most exclusive medical spas around the world. A frequent advisor on The Today Show, Good Day LA and The Doctors, Jamie has built her reputation by perfecting the complexions of her long list of celebrity clientele. This powerhouse entrepreneur developed her beauty care line, Nurse Jamie Healthy Skin Solutions, which is sold at Net-A-Porter, Neiman Marcus, Sephora and Nordstrom.
Wim Hof Level II Instructor
James Stewart is a certified Wim Hof instructor and breathwork coach from Lake Bluff, Illinois. With seven years of experience, he is certified in two different breathwork practices. According to James, “Cutting, chipping and drilling through inches of ice to access the cold water may seem extreme, yet for me and other uniquely crazy individuals, the allure of cold water immersion’s profound challenge and the transformation that happens beyond keeps me coming back."
Top colorist at Sally Hershberger
Stacy Heitman is a top colorist at Sally Hershberger known and respected for her expertise and precision. She credits her educational experience at the Aveda Institute in helping her discover her passion for color. She was a senior colorist and educator at Warren Tricomi's Los Angeles salon for 6 years where her incredible color work propelled her to the top of her profession. Her expertise in foils, balayage, and color corrections set her apart and attracted the likes of her celebrity clientele including Gwen Stefani, Ariana Grande, Robin Wright and Hayden Panettiere. Stacy's work has appeared in prestigious publications like Elle, Vogue and Allure.
Author and Emmy Award-Winning Journalist
Allison Gilbert is the author of Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive, Parentless Parents: How the Loss of Our Mothers and Fathers Impact the Way We Raise Our Children, and Always Too Soon: Voices of Support for Those Who Have Lost Both Parents. She is also co-editor of Covering Catastrophe: Broadcast Journalists Report September 11th. She has emerged as one of the most thought-provoking and influential writers on loss and resilience. Allison is the official narrator of the 9/11 Memorial Museum's historical exhibition audio tour - the only female journalist to be so honored.
Allison features Q&A's on her grief and resilience blog with some of the most notable names in our culture today including Arianna Huffington, Jon Stewart, and bestselling authors Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Dani Shapiro, Gretchen Rubin, and Susan Orlean.
Gilbert's work has appeared in The New York Times, The Oprah Magazine, CNN.com, The Daily Beast, and Parenting Magazine. She has spoken at Google, National Association for Female Executives and the Women's Enterprise Development Center.
Celebrity makeup artist
Allison Elliott is a prestigious makeup artist based out of Los Angeles. She has trained under Francois Nars and Lena Koro and currently assists Monika Blunder. She works as a leading backstage makeup artist during New York Fashion Week and provides celebrities with her signature red carpet makeup looks for The Emmy's, Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards to name a few. Previously, she was the Store Director at Violet Grey, a content and commerce company born out of the Hollywood beauty culture. Allison managed all facets of Violet Grey's Melorse Place flagship store including developing strategies to expand store traffic and optimize revenue all while ensuring high levels of consumer satisfaction through best in class service. She also was the West Coast District Manager at Space NK and the West Coast Boutiques Regional Manager at Nars where she oversaw several store openings.
Founder / Owner / Curator at Voyage et Cie
Melanie Apple is internationally educated in history, fashion and design. Through her global efforts, Melanie has cultivated a passion for notable moments using the sense of smell. Melanie’s education includes the University of Southern California, Parsons School of Design/Fashion Design, College International de Cannes, University of Paris IV: Paris-Sorbonne, and ESMOD Paris School of Fashion. Through extensive study in history and fashion design Melanie immersed herself in French living. A simple walk in a Parisian park, a curious stroll in a Versailles market place and aimless fascinations in Cannes procured scent discoveries, discoveries that convinced Melanie that Europeans have a strong relationship with fragrance, there is a connection between personal identity and scent. Voyage et Cie's conception bloomed from this uncovering. Melanie unveiled Voyage et Cie in 2005. Voyage et Cie is the ultimate luxury blend of travel, fragrance, and design. Each original fragrance is created by Melanie, 100% organic and natural which will transport you on a journey.