After years in the corporate space, I had an “Aha!” moment.
For more than 25 years, I had trusted boards, advisors, colleagues, and mentors to turn to for perspective, guidance, and honest feedback whenever I faced a business challenge. But when it came to navigating my personal life, I found myself asking: Why doesn’t something like this exist outside of work?
As life became more complex, I found myself craving a different kind of support—not from the people who knew me best, but from a trusted circle of thoughtful women who could listen objectively, ask meaningful questions, challenge my thinking, and offer honest perspective without the history or emotional bias.
I began to realize that many women were carrying enormous responsibilities while quietly navigating some of life’s most significant transitions—raising children, caring for aging parents, navigating divorce, grief, loss, career changes, health challenges, evolving friendships, empty nesting, and the ongoing journey of rediscovering themselves. Yet despite being more connected than ever digitally, many felt profoundly alone.
So much of what we see today—especially on social media—is a polished highlight reel. Light House was created for what happens beyond it: honest conversations about real life, grounded in authenticity, courage, and connection.
The idea behind Light House was simple: whenever women felt safe enough to be real, something meaningful happened. Walls came down. Women felt seen, understood, and less alone—and gained practical wisdom from others navigating similar experiences.
That was the problem I believed needed solving. Not a lack of information. Not a lack of resources. A lack of meaningful human connection and honest conversation.
While there are countless organizations focused on networking, professional development, wellness, or social gatherings, very few are intentionally designed to create a trusted environment where women can openly discuss life’s most important transitions and receive thoughtful guidance from others walking similar paths.
We all need a place to show up exactly as we are. At Light House, women find perspective, encouragement, accountability, and the reassurance that whatever they’re navigating, they don’t have to navigate it alone.
Welcome to light house. we’re so glad you’re here.
Shining a Light on our Experts
Meet some of the respected thought leaders, practitioners, and industry experts who partner with Light House to share their knowledge, compassion, and experience through thoughtfully curated conversations and experiences.
CEO | JFS CARE
As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Steve has assumed the CEO role at JFS Care after 30 years in the private sector. His driving motto is, “It has to be good enough for my mom,” as he is all about ensuring quality care experiences for our clients and their families. In order to deliver upon our promise, he knows that JFS Care needs to do three things really well: (1) attract quality care staff, (2) treasure that care staff, and (3) provide professional oversight for the care that is delivered. Steve values both tradition and innovation as he leads his team to grow JFS Care’s presence to deliver better care solutions in Los Angeles.
FOUNDER & CEO | CLEARY STRATEGIES
Ronica Cleary launched Cleary Strategies to provide public relations,media placements, &crisis management to leaders and corporations. Not only does she have over a decade of vast communications experience, simply put - she gets it. Ronica will help you deliver your message, preserve your image, and build the skills needed to thrive in today's media climate.
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.