world-class leader, public speaker & facilitator

THE ONLY THING THAT EVER MATTERED WAS AUTHENTICITY.

Cortina Jenelle Caldwell, MAML is on a mission to make the world, or at least her corner of it, a better place. Since the age of 12, Cortina has been a student of creativity and entrepreneurship, learning at the hands of elders, mentors and teachers in the rural South about how to serve, how to build good business and how to be a leader in life. Having to overcome the challenges of being born to teenage parents, the strife of poverty and the slippery slope of wanting to “make it out”, Cortina had an early passion to build the life God envisioned for her and go beyond the limitations imposed upon her by society. The early teachings to pursue an education, keep God first in all things and be a good human paid off and her life is an ongoing testament to the power of hard work, strategy, resilience, authenticity and working from the heart. Since 2004, Cortina has been speaking to audiences all over the world, seeking to ignite hope and courage in others. Notable achievements throughout her career include:

EPA & Tuskegee University, Environmental Justice Fellow, 2024
River City Company, Emerging Producers Fellow, 2024
ArtsBuild Periscope CHA Fellow, 2024
Certified ICAgile Professional, 2023
KNOW Global, Notable Women: Asheville, 2020
Tzedek Impact Award, 2019
Certified Grant Writing Professional, 2018
Certified Creative Facilitator, 2016
Masters of Art in Business Management & Leadership, 2015
40 Under Forty: Asheville, 2013
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2012
Phi Alpha Honor Society, 2008
Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, 2005

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