Sherri Shepherd is a Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show host, comedian, actress, and best-selling author who brings her inimitable, authentic and comedic perspective to daytime with her own #1 new nationally syndicated talk show, SHERRI. Hailed as "TV's New Feel Good Queen," Shepherd’s warm, relatable and engaging personality shines through as she offers her comedic take on the day’s entertainment news, pop culture, and trending topics with her daytime audience. As America's favorite girl next door, her comedy-driven show features celebrity interviews, informative experts, moments of inspiration and amazing everyday people to create an hour of entertainment escapism.  

With an illustrious career spanning three decades, Shepherd’s longevity serves as a testament to her immense talent and undeniable appeal. Shepherd's ability to connect with audiences of diverse backgrounds and her commitment to authentic storytelling have undoubtedly contributed to her success. Her recent triumphs include winning two 2023 NAACP Image Awards, where she took home awards for Outstanding Talk Series for SHERRI; and Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast for her podcast Two Funny Mamas with fellow comedic actress Kym Whitley. Shepherd and Whitley also won in 2022 for Outstanding Lifestyle and Self-Help podcast.  

In addition to her NAACP Image Awards victories, Shepherd also garnered recognition for her exceptional work in the daytime television realm. Her talk show, SHERRI,  garnered four 2023 Daytime Emmy Awards nominations for Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host, Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup, Outstanding Costume Design / Styling and Outstanding Promotional Announcement. Her recent nominations confirm her commitment to excellence and her ability to consistently deliver standout performances that resonate with viewers. 

Whether on stage or screen, Sherri Shepherd’s magnetic personality and hilarious sense of humor never fails to delight audiences. Shepherd’s multifaceted career includes roles in several acclaimed television and film projects. She can currently be seen in the HBO MAX series Sex Lives of College Girls; and had a guest starring role on the new season of Amazon’s HARLEM. She co-starred in the Netflix hit comedy series Mr. Iglesias; and as a recurring guest star on ABC’s Call Your Mother. Shepherd’s other television credits include 30 Rock, Trial and Error, Rosewood, Man With a Plan, How I Met Your Mother, Everybody Loves Raymond, Friends and The Jamie Foxx Show. Her film credits include her first theatrical lead role in Brian Banks, Netflix’s A Week Away, Lifetime’s "Imperfect High, Precious, Think Like A Man, Top 5, Ride Along 2, Walk. Ride. Rodeo, Jean of The Joneses, Woodlawn, One For The Money, Abducted: The Carlina White Story, Guess Who, Beauty Shop, and more.  She was the first African-American woman to host a game show as host of four seasons of “The Newlywed Game. She made history portraying the first African-American version of the Evil Stepmother in the Broadway production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. 

 As a standup comic, Shepherd is always ready to bring the laughs and excitement to the stage. She toured with legendary musicians KEM and Babyface, hosting “The Full Circle Tour.” Shepherd also opened for fellow comedian and friend Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias at his history-making comedy show at Dodgers Stadium, selling out more than 45,000 seats, making it the third biggest comedy show ever and the biggest ever in Los Angeles. In 2019, Shepherd co-headlined the all-female led comedy tour, “Ladies Night Out Comedy Tour,” with Loni Love, Kym Whitley and Adele Givens. 

Through her own production company, Faith Walker, Shepherd launched, and executive produced the NAACP Image Award-winning podcast Two Funny Mamas that she co-hosts with fellow actress Kym Whitley. A New York Times best-selling author, Shepherd released two books, “Plan D: How to Lose Weight and Beat Diabetes (Even If You Don't Have It),” and “Permission Slips: Every Woman's Guide to Giving Herself a Break." 

 Beyond her accolades, Shepherd's impact extends beyond the screen. She has become a prominent voice in championing inclusivity and representation, using her platform to advocate for underrepresented communities, children with special needs and women in the workplace. Her dedication to using her influence for positive change is truly commendable and showcases her commitment to making a lasting impact in both the entertainment industry and society as a whole. 

With an undeniable presence and a talent that knows no bounds, Sherri Shepherd continues to redefine what it means to be a powerhouse in the entertainment industry. As she continues to push boundaries, inspire others, and captivate audiences worldwide, Sherri Shepherd remains a force to be reckoned with, leaving an indelible mark on the industry for years to come. 

Jyoti Mehra, Gilead's Executive Vice President of Human Resources, is responsible for leading people strategy and, together with the Gilead Leadership Team, building an inclusive and collaborative culture. In her role, she has responsibility for elevating team performance and developing a cohesive approach to attracting, developing and retaining employees.

Jyoti brings extensive experience in business partnership and organizational design to her current position. Prior to joining Gilead in 2017, Jyoti held senior leadership positions with Novartis Corp. in the United States, Europe and China, bringing a broad international perspective to her work.

Jyoti received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Delhi University and her master’s degree in international studies from Jawaharlal Nehru University.

She currently serves on the board of directors of Lam Research and California Conference for Women.

Janna has over 28 years of experience in Human Resources, including Recruiting, Benefits Administration, Compensation, Performance Management and HRIS. She has a 20+ year record of successful HCM implementations across multiple business sectors, including healthcare, public sector education, federal government contracting, cooperative utility, finance, hospitality, retail, and insurance.  In addition to leading multiple HCM implementations, she has helped multiple organizations optimize and enhance their initial implementations, as well as lead several phase two projects to implement multiple talent management modules for ongoing organizational and business process optimization and enhancement.

Fadjanie Cadet (she/her), is an organizational development certified professional and DEI leader, that blends empathy with boldness to inspire inclusive cultures. With a background spanning technology and professional services, she champions high-performing teams and equitable systems. Fadjanie’s approach fosters sustainable change, shifting inclusion efforts from passion to influence. Passionate about amplifying first-gen voices, she drives conversations on intersectionality and talent retention. As the first Global Diversity and Inclusion Director at Forrester, she spearheads D&I strategy, partnering with executives to embed priorities. Fadjanie's unique edge as a speaker lies in her practical insights, drawn from real-world corporate DEI leadership.

Adrienne L. Way leads Edcor Data Services as the Owner, President, and CEO of the company having acquired Edcor in 2010 after a decade-long tenure within the organization. Her journey within Edcor saw her ascend through the ranks from the Director of IT and Operations to President, Owner, and Chief Operating Officer. Adrienne brings to the table a deep understanding of the company's business and operations, leadership acumen, and a wealth of experience.

Adrienne's leadership philosophy rests on a commitment to leveraging technology and delivering unparalleled service. She was involved in the design of and helped write Edcor’s Scanning and Verification System patent, the industry’s first patent. Her focus on quality, people, and processes has been integral to the level of innovation and success Edcor has achieved. She has been instrumental in helping the company navigate hardships. She played a pivotal role in the accelerated growth of Edcor since she took over the reins resulting in a 358 percent growth in the client base and a staggering 750 percent increase in net profit from 2012 – 19. Thereafter Edcor’s client retention has remained at 98% year-on-year, the client diversity has gone up by 48%, and new business lines have thrived through the challenging economic landscape and post-pandemic era.

Adrienne has been recognized as a trailblazer and entrepreneur earning her finalist positions in the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of the Year awards for both 2016 and 2017. Under her proprietorship, Edcor was certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise and a Woman Owned Small Business by the Women’s Business Enterprise Council in 2011. Adrienne also received the Patriotic Employer Award from the Office of the Secretary of Defense and earned the Excellence in Partnership Silver Award from the Chief Learning Officer. Edcor also has been recognized by Inc. 5000 for rapid growth.  

Adrienne’s previous stint with Sandy Corporation where she developed training support systems for the automotive industry laid a foundation for her success. She holds a Master of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Information Management from Central Michigan University, laying the academic foundation for her illustrious career.