Jean Marie Russo

I attribute my success to the extraordinary people who shaped my life—beginning with my parents and grandmothers, and continuing with the mentors, leaders, healers, and remarkable women and men who have inspired my journey.

To my mother was my: confidant, mentor, coach, cheerleader, best friend; and role model. She was always referred to as "a lady" by all who knew or met her. It was through her eyes I saw an incredible woman of faith and determination, who knew anything was possible and learned of the giving spirit, and how she was always there for people, emphasizing everyone was to be considered as important.

To my Italian grandmother, who did not speak English, taught me at the age of 4, through silence and her actions all about Faith and what it means to be courageous, as she was a survivor of Domestic Violence. She and my mother, were the influential women in my life, they were the reasons I changed my name to Russo upon being granted my divorce.

To my German grandmother who was truly Influential for bringing to me the love of piano, theatre, dance, and music from other countries, which brought the language of the love of the arts to my soul.

To my father, a 42 year Veteran of the Air Force, a brilliant man of few words who taught discipline, character, strength, courage, resilience, compassion, service to others and our country, and volunteerism. He was a carpenter, a musician, an expert mechanic and Morris Code expert, dedicated father and grandfather, and a loving and devoted husband of 59 years. He taught me knowledge was power.

To Motherhood as it was one of the greatest teachers of my life's lessons.

Due to a life-threatening pregnancy, I had to make a choice, my life or the baby's. In my mind there was no choice. I was indeed ready to sacrifice my life for my child. I knew my child had a purpose and I had faith my child would survive. And he did so because of a brilliant doctor, Dr. Mario Garretto, who inserted a feeding tube for 7 months. Gratitude of the heart.

I found motherhood taught significant Lessons of the Heart, Lessons on Courage, Lessons of unconditional love, Lessons on patience, empathy, and understanding.

It taught discipline, to be able to be the wind beneath the wings of my child when it came time to let him fly. To step aside, and be there supporting him, his decisions, and being there for him in the background, behind the scenes in spirit anx prayer, as throughout his journey in life.

To the Executives and all the people I interacted with through the years, especially a C-Suite Executive, Mentor. and dear friend, the late William S Osborne, a friend of 40+ years, a mentor and surrogate grandfather to my son, who saw potential in me and believed in me, because of him, I went to Harvard Business School for Project Management Certification to immediately assist on a Merger Acquisition with DuPont and American Critical Care, a subdivision of American Hospital Supply Corporation and Baxter Travenol. I am ever so grateful to his influence in my life.

To my SOULution Therapists....Jeff Imrie, an award-winning global Educator of the Year, phenomenal expertise as a metal craftsman, and spiritual energy healer; and Karen Whelan Imrie who's undeniable brilliant competencies expertise in the Psychotherapy, Trauma, and guiding and assisting clients to move past the trauma, beyond survival into purpose and possibility.

It is important to note, both Karen and Jeff work as a team, and both have a Masters in Sacred Scripture. Their dedication, unconditional love, brought healing energy physically and emotionally in life and career.

My Sheroes

I am honored to call Karen Whelan Imrie, Dr. Charlene Doak-Gebauer, and Dawn McCarty, my “Sheroes”—extraordinary women who are using their voices, expertise, and life experiences to create meaningful change globally.

Karen Whelan Imrie, The SOULution Therapist from Ireland, is a 20+ yrs psychotherapist with a Masters in Sacred Spirituality, is the creator of Tr-AUM-a™, a pioneering new methodology for addressing trauma and empowering individuals on their healing journey, finding forgiveness. Karen is speaking at Oxford University at the 3-day prestigious 2026 Trauma Conference on September 15th, on her history-making methodology on Trauma.

Dr. Charlene Doak-Gebauer, a 40+ award-winning champion from Canada, including 2025 Woman of the Year - All Americas Rural and Regional Gold Award recipient for Women Changing The World, is a 30 year educator and IT Cyber Security and Nutritional expert who is known for her work with Parlament and the educational systems globally. She is focused on bringing greater awareness to online child protection, digital and human sex trafficking, and parenting in this digital world.

Dawn McCarty - the recipient of the 2021 Cybersecurity Woman of the Year Award, and the 2025 Visionary Security Program Leader Award at the Cybersecurity World Summit; a criminologist, behavioral threat specialist, and author who applies investigative principles from criminology and cybersecurity to understand coercive control, developmental psychological harm, and child psychological abuse. As the creator of the Developmental Crime Scene framework, she challenges professionals to look beyond behavior and investigate the developmental conditions that shaped it. In October, 2026 Dawn will be a Keynote Speaker at the Parents Beyond Breakup - Parenting Alienation Study Group - International Conference in Perth, Western Australia.

These women represent what I believe true influence looks like: using knowledge, courage, compassion, and purpose, protecting others, bringing healing, educating communities, and creating lasting change.

My purpose is to connect, support, strategize, amplify voices, and elevate extraordinary individuals—helping influential women and exceptional leaders bring their ideas, expertise, and missions to a greater audience through the Speaking Success Secrets family.

Ultimately, I believe my greatest measure of success is not what I have achieved for myself, but what I can do to make a difference by helping others achieve their dreams and aspirations, and while doing so create and build a legacy of impact together.

1. Be the best that you can be.

2. Knowledge is power.

3. Listen more than you speak.

My Advice to Young Women Entering My Industry

Courage. Take the first step—and begin before you feel completely ready. You will never have every answer, resource, or connection at the beginning. Trust your vision, build a network aligned with your values and mission, remain open to learning, and surround yourself with people who know more than you. The right mentors and relationships can accelerate your growth and open doors you never imagined.

Gratitude. Practice gratitude every day, and in all things give thanks—including the failures, disappointments, and lessons along the way. Some of our greatest growth comes from the moments that did not go according to plan.

Perseverance. Remember that you make the best decisions you can with the information available to you at that moment. When something doesn't unfold as anticipated, don't see it as failure—see it as information. There is always another path: Plan B, Plan C, Plan D… and beyond.

Above all, believe in yourself, know your worth, protect your integrity, and never be afraid to take up space at the table. Your voice, your experience, and your perspective matter.

And when you succeed, reach back, lift someone else up, and leave the door open behind you. True success is not simply getting to the top—it is helping others rise with you.

The biggest challenges are:

1. Learning the world of technology, cybersecurity, and AI.
2. Having additional areas of expertise that align with your business or genre to stay ahead of your game
3. Having the ability to work with other generations, being humble enough to take the time to exchange knowledge and wisdom, to learn from one another.

Foundational Core Values both for personal relationships and organizational cultures, that are most important to me are:

1. Integrity.
2. Compassion.
3. Communication.
4. Respect.
5. Responsibility.

Family is a priority and should be treated with the same respect and integrity as your top client.

My faith and family, my son and daughter-in-law and grandchildren are my heart and my world.

The most significant titles I possess are: Mom and Nana.