Nia is a Human Resources Director and transgender woman living in Des Moines, Iowa, with her wife and five children. She spent the first 35 years of her life hiding in plain sight, scared to be who she was and scared of what it might cost her. While the cost has been high, the reward of being free has been worth it. She is an avid fan of The Office, and with five children under the age of 13 and a Morkie pup, there is no shortage of humor in her life. She’s loves to laugh at life, and sometimes it seems like it’s a required skill as a transgender woman. Since coming out Nia has become an author and activist and along with her wife founded Love in The Face (www.loveintheface.com) to help and support other transgender and LGBTQIA+ individuals on their own journeys of self-discovery. Her recent illustrated book, The Story of Nib, was written for personal reflection and was born out of a very real need to process the jarring reality of coming out as a transgender individual. As a Human Resources professional and business consultant, Nia’s work has been focused on creating cultures of love, inclusivity, and "Employees First", understanding that individuals need to know themselves fully before they can grow into a cohesive, powerful organization that makes a difference.