Launching October 6, 2026
UNEDITED:
Women's Stories of Truth, Identity, and Transformation that Shape Leadership
"A gathering of voices that refuses to be quiet — stories of women who did not wait for permission to lead."
About the Book
UNEDITED: Women's Stories of Truth, Identity, and Transformation That Shape Leadership
Collaborative Nonfiction · 2026
UNEDITED is a powerful collection of stories from women who chose truth over expectation, identity over conformity, and voice over silence. This is not a traditional leadership book. It is a declaration. Through deeply personal narratives, each contributor reveals the moments where she stopped editing herself and the transformation that followed.
These stories illuminate how authentic expression, lived experience, and unapologetic truth don’t just change individuals — they reshape leadership, influence culture, and expand what is possible for women in all facets of life. This book is for women who are no longer interested in performing, but standing in the power of their true identity they have embraced. Because when women lead unedited, leadership itself evolves.
“What I loved about Unedited: Women’s Stories of Truth, Identity, and Transformation That Shape Leadership is that each woman’s story depicts a vulnerability that we can all relate to. And the moment we decide to stop editing ourselves is when we become fully empowered. This book is for women, daughters and the generations of young women who lead.
Tricia Brouk - Award winning director, author, producer and Founder of The Big Talk Academy
"What stayed with me most about UNEDITED was how many different forms transformation can take. The women in this book tell very different stories, yet each one demonstrates what becomes possible for us when we begin living from a more authentic place. I finished the book thinking about my own identity, and how the choices we make every day can help is evolve or stay stuck in the same place."
Julie Doren
About the Authors
The voices behind the book
About the Authors
The voices behind the book
Maria DeLorenzis Reyes
Maria DeLorenzis Reyes is the Founder and CEO of MDR Brands, a company built on the belief that the most powerful ideas are not created alone. They are created in collaboration, shaped by diverse perspectives, and brought to life through intentional leadership.
A visionary entrepreneur and executive leadership coach, Maria is known for her ability to challenge conventional thinking and create spaces where people feel empowered to contribute, lead, and grow. Her work centers on redefining leadership, not as authority, but as the ability to influence, connect, and elevate others.
This book is a reflection of that philosophy. Through MDR Brands, Maria brings together voices, experiences, and insights that expand how we think about leadership, identity, and impact. What you’re reading is not just a collection of ideas—it’s the result of collaboration, courage, and the willingness to see beyond individual perspectives.
With experience spanning more than worldwide, She is also the founder of Training Innovations and the creator of The Scale Factor Formula, where she equips leaders to scale their businesses without losing the essence of who they are. With her experience serving over 400,000 professionals, Maria’s work blends strategy with humanity. Known for simplifying complex ideas into practical, actionable steps, Maria helps people move from awareness to implementation. Her work reminds us that leadership is not about having all the answers—it’s about creating the conditions where better answers can emerge.
Beyond her professional life, Maria is married and mom to one son. She enjoys traveling to discover new cultures and adventures and spending time with family and friends.
Heather Romanski
Heather empowers women to find and use their voice with confidence, advocating for themselves and the causes that matter most to them. After spending years being silenced in bad relationships, in the workplace, and often sacrificing her own wants and desires, she began her own personal transformation. She believes that when a woman speaks up, she reclaims her power, transforms her life, and inspires change. Heather’s teachings show women how they can make these changes in their own lives, unlocking their own courage and confidence.A multi-time published author, Heather has contributed to two book collaborations and is a co-author in an upcoming project.
She is also the Director of Computer Support Services at a private liberal arts college in Connecticut, where she was honored with the Presidential Staff Award for Inspiration. As a respected community member, she is called on to share practical strategies to enhance customer service through effective communication. Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul, daughters, Brooke and Kristen, and their rescued black lab, Bradley. She loves bowling, dining out, and traveling, especially to the beach.
Tricia Speas
Tricia is well known for her compassion for others. That compassion led her to become a Certified Personal Empowerment Coach with John Maxwell and Unstoppable Influence. She is also certified with the California School of NLP & Hypnosis.
She has spent the last 13 years caregiving for the elderly, making sure they know they are an important member of society and especially important to their families. She stands by their side as a caregiver and friend in times of illness, mental loss, and even death. She dedicates herself to making a difference, helping others feel important and recognizing that they are loved.
Throughout life, she has found that mentoring and coaching others comes naturally to her. She is passionate about challenging her clients to recognize their capabilities, inspiring them to be all they can and live to the very fullest, no matter what stage in their life they are at. Tricia believes that life is a grand venture and commits to taking her client’s hand, walking at their side, and encouraging them along the journey.
Cassandra Lennox
Cassandra is an author, writing coach, and communication strategist devoted to helping others uncover, own, and express their truth. She guides individuals to reconnect with their voice, rewrite limiting beliefs, and transform personal stories into messages that inspire impact and change. Through her compassionate, neuroscience-informed approach, blending NLP and creative coaching, Cassandra helps others move past fear and find confidence, clarity, and freedom in their self-expression.
As a multi-book author, Cassandra believes storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for healing and human connection. Her workshops, group meditation sessions, and book development programs invite participants to listen inward and step forward as the author of their own change. Beyond her writing work, Cassandra co-owns Custompins.us, a 30-year family-founded company known for its craftsmanship and advisor-led service. Continuing her father’s legacy, she leads with integrity, quality, and relationship-based values that mirror her approach to writing and human connection.
Personally, Cassandra is a proud mother of four who finds her greatest joy in witnessing their growth and laughter. Forever curious about the human experience, Cassandra lives with the intention to learn, love, and leave the world brighter than she found it.
Misty Lyon
Misty empowers individuals and teams to identify the next best steps towards achieving their goals, fostering sustainable momentum in the process. As a Certified Personal Empowerment Coach and a practitioner of NLP and Hypnosis, she specializes in helping clients navigate obstacles and maximize their time and resources for optimal outcomes.
Misty is also a co-author of a bestselling book, where she shares insights on personal growth and empowerment. In her professional capacity, Misty contributes to significant nuclear/environmental cleanup efforts at the Hanford Site in her role as a Requirements Management Technical Specialist.
Outside of work, Misty values quality time with her son and dogs. She also enjoys horseback riding, playing handbells, watching Marvel movies, and time in the hot tub.
Lisa Cain
Lisa is blissfully married to her soulmate, mom to adult children and fur babies, and loves all things sparkly! Her passion is coaching women to understand their unconscious limitations and creating strategies to overcome them. She regularly encourages the celebrations of daily wins resulting in her kids renaming Wednesdays as "Wins-days"! She strives to normalize celebrating others as well as herself.
Lisa has found freedom in embracing her authentic self. She shares her personal struggles, ‘AHA’ moments, and encourages others to find their own personal sparkle even on the gloomiest of days. Lisa has learned that being comfortable with who she is authentically has helped her develop personalized strategies to be safe and supported in her daily work and personal life.
Lisa and her husband Brad own and operate Cain Consulting Services, LLC. They provide ongoing coaching, leadership, human resource and strategy sessions for a female-owned and operated business in their community. Their coaching and consulting relationship continues to evolve as the business grows and matures. Lisa has worked for a state agency for 3 decades. She currently holds a position within a small training team where continuous quality improvement and coaching are her primary responsibilities. She loves being able to pursue coaching in all areas of her life.
Gina Faust
Gina is a wife, mother, grandmother, and respected educator whose work bridges faith, personal development, and motivational leadership. As a religion teacher, she helps her students explore their values and spiritual growth in meaningful ways.
Beyond the classroom, Gina is a Certified Personal Empowerment Life Coach and a Master Practitioner of NLP, Timeline Therapy, and Hypnosis, an author, and motivational speaker known for her ability to translate personal experiences into universal lessons that inspire and empower others. She has served as a missionary in Africa building trust within diverse cultures, an experience that deepened her perspective and strengthened her commitment to serving others. In her leisure time, she cherishes family time at the lake house, relaxing on the boat, and embraces the simple joys of life.
Through her writing and speaking, Gina addresses the challenges of limiting beliefs and personal transformation, encouraging audiences to embrace their full potential and step confidently into their purpose. Her approach blends authenticity and wisdom, reflecting a life lived intentionally and courageously. Whether guiding individuals in a spiritual context, sharing her story on stage, or mentoring others through personal growth, Gina’s mission is to help people recognize their inherent worth, cultivate resilience, and create meaningful change in their lives.
Angela Hoover Cecere
Angela is a successful family law attorney and mediator who is frequently recognized as a leader in her industry and for her clients’ satisfaction. Angela’s law practice in Tennessee is completely referral based. After her own devastating marriage and divorce, she turned to her angels to help heal her spirit. Since then, Angela founded The Angel Queen, a personal development business helping women recognize the Divine within.
Angela works with her clients to help them connect with their Inner Divine and teaches them to kick their negative self-talk so they can rule their lives with confidence and grace. That’s why the Angel Queen’s signature program is Confidence with Grace: Find Your Inner Queen! She is fully committed to making the woo mainstream by bridging the gap between the spiritual world and the business world.
Angela regularly speaks at in-person and virtual events all over the world. She talks about all things personal and business development, and frequently teaches about spiritual tools like intuition, angels, and manifestation. Angela offers intuitive one-on-one coaching sessions for business, personal, or spiritual development and also longer packages to help her clients break through to the next level.
Angela and her husband, Joe, split their time between Tennessee and Connecticut. In her spare time, Angela loves to travel to experience other cultures, reading, and going on adventures with Joe.
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