Shannon Deer, Ph.D., CPA, is the interim associate dean for undergraduate programs and a clinical assistant professor for Mays Business School at Texas A&M University. She is an award-winning professor who prepares experienced professionals in Texas A&M’s MBA and other master’s programs for successful careers in business. She also conducts executive development training for leading companies. Shannon’s research focuses on women’s transition experience after exiting the sex trade or sex trafficking situations, and the impact (positive and negative) businesses have on survivors in their work transition.

Cheryl Miller owns Quantum Circles Consulting and Training, which provides training on topics that increase opportunities for transformation in three areas: economic development for the marginalized, effective communication focusing on the facilitation of conflict, and restorative justice. Cheryl has been a volunteer mediator for twenty years and has over one thousand hours of experience of mediation with victims of violent crimes and their offenders. Cheryl was also the Executive Director of a housing program for eighteen years. Cheryl became inspired to help other women after she overcame her own challenging circumstances. Shannon and Cheryl co-authored: Business Doing Good: Engaging Women and Elevating Communities

Business Doing Good provides six principles businesses can implement to effectively hire women who experienced challenging pasts of incarceration, poverty, addiction, and/or engagement in the sex trade. While making a difference, businesses will benefit from the women’s resourcefulness, resilience, ability to motivate, and many other unique skills and perspectives only available to someone who has overcome. BusinessDoingGood.org

Intro music: High Life Richard Smithson