Welcome to the Board of Directors and Contributors
The Board of Directors serves entirely on a volunteer basis. Each member donates their time, expertise, and heart to support the mission of DiegoTalks. They do not receive any form of compensation. Their involvement is driven by a shared commitment to guide, advise, and communicate with purpose so that DiegoTalks can continue to grow, inspire, and serve the community.
Teresa Haynes Bartnicki
Teresa is a licensed professional counselor in Texas who brings compassion and wisdom to everyone she meets. Beyond her work in mental health, she finds peace and joy on long trails and mountain paths. Teresa is my partner in life and adventure, sharing our passion for hiking and trail running through every challenge and summit. She also leads marathon training programs for both road and trail runners, helping others build strength and confidence one mile at a time. Teresa has a wonderful husband and a caring son who inspire her every day, and she embodies kindness in everything she does.
Teresa offers therapy sessions through her private practice, Peaceful Pathways Therapy, where she helps individuals navigate life’s challenges and find emotional balance. If you need counseling or wish to learn more about her services, you can contact her directly by using the links below.
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https://care.headway.co/providers/teresa-bartnicki
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/teresa-bartnicki-fort-worth-tx/1140230
Kathryn Steward
Kathryn is a program manager at Texas A&M University with a focus on immersive learning and simulation. She is an elite trail runner known for conquering 100-mile races across Texas with an unshakable spirit. Our friendship is built on long runs, deep conversations about life and technology, and a shared respect for nature. She loves animals and has taught me to protect even the smallest creatures on the trail. Kathryn has a great husband and a wonderful daughter who share her love for life outdoors.
Kathryn is an accomplished ultrarunner who completes multiple 100-mile races each year. If you are interested in learning more about long-distance running or need guidance on how to train and prepare for endurance events, she can offer valuable advice and insights. Use the link below to contact her for questions or consulting inquiries.
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Liana Davis Gulzow
Liana is a dedicated loan officer in Washington who helps families find the right path to homeownership with care and integrity. Away from work, she is an elite trail runner, mountain climber, and hiker who always brings laughter and energy to every adventure. Liana is like a sister to me, and we share a deep bond that goes beyond friendship. She has two wonderful adult children, a son and a daughter, and is already a proud and loving grandmother.
Liana is known as one of the best loan officers in Washington State, helping people obtain their dream homes with trust, guidance, and personalized support. If you need a loan or expert advice to make homeownership a reality, you can contact her directly by using the links below.
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https://www.houseloan.com/lianagulzow/
https://www.instagram.com/runliana/
Bernie Gonzales
Bernie is retired from Lockheed Martin and now leads Running Familia, a celebrated trail-running group in Fort Worth, Texas. Known as the “Legend of Trail Running,” he inspires others with his famous motto, “Your race, your pace,” reminding everyone to run with respect and friendship. We have shared countless miles together and built a friendship rooted in humor and perseverance. Bernie has a wonderful family with loving kids and a patient, supportive wife who shares his big heart and laughter.
If you live in Texas and want to join Running Familia, Bernie is the main contact to help you get started. With years of experience on trails across the state, he is also a great mentor for learning about Texas trail systems and connecting with the local running community.
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Ashley Hart
Ashley is a software developer and real estate agent who combines creativity and precision in everything she does. We became friends in Arizona, where we discovered our shared passion for the outdoors and personal growth. She was once a semi-pro tennis player and now enjoys long-distance cycling and trail running events that test her endurance and focus. Ashley loves helping people find new homes and new beginnings, guiding them with the same dedication she brings to every challenge in life.
Ashley is one of the best realtors in Tucson, Arizona, helping clients obtain their dream homes with trust, care, and expert guidance. She is also an active member of the cycling community and always ready to share her experience and advice. If you would like to connect with her or learn more about her real estate services, please use the links below.
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https://ashleyhart.longrealty.com/
https://ashleyhart.long-realty.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleymh/
Tressa York
Tressa is a personal trainer at the YMCA who shares her passion for health and movement with people of all ages. She teaches classes in cardio, spinning, and running while inspiring others to grow stronger one day at a time. I met Tresha through the YMCA, and she quickly became one of the most inspirational women I’ve ever met. She has a wonderful heart for helping elderly people stay active and independent, and she loves spending time outdoors hiking and enjoying nature.
Tressa offers personal training sessions focused on weight loss, strength, and body reactivation. She teaches spin, swimming, aqua fitness, yoga, and running classes, helping people of all fitness levels achieve their goals with motivation and care. If you are in the Vancouver, Washington area and looking for a personal trainer, Tressa can be a great asset to your fitness journey. Use the links below to contact her directly.
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/tressa-york-b6923a238/
https://www.ymcacw.org/media/6665/view
Oliva Lara
Oliva is a bodybuilder, personal trainer, speaker, and nutritionist who helps others live stronger and healthier lives through her fitness programs and food business. We became friends many years ago in Mexico, and I can truly say she is one of the most inspiring women I know. Her energy and discipline motivate everyone around her to pursue their goals with confidence and joy. Oliva loves the gym, enjoys teaching cardio, and is always learning the latest trends in meals, nutrition, and exercise.
Oliva is based in Cancún, in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, where she offers bodybuilding coaching, personal training, and nutrition guidance. She combines physical fitness with nutritional wellness to help clients achieve balance, strength, and confidence in their daily lives. If you are in the Cancún area and would like to train with her or learn more about her programs, please use the links below to contact her directly.
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https://www.instagram.com/oliva_fitness/
https://www.instagram.com/olivalarafit/
Bowe Ballhof
Bowe is a former Navy helicopter pilot, author, and creative spirit who brings courage and imagination to everything she does. She is a devoted wife and mother of two wonderful kids, balancing family life with her passion for writing and art. Her upcoming children’s books, including Brave Enough, reflect her belief in kindness, bravery, and helping others find their voice. We met through Rotary, where we discovered our shared commitment to serving others, building compassion, and creating a better world for all.
If you are looking to collaborate on writing projects or need an experienced author to bring your ideas to life, Bowe is one of the best to contact in Washington State and beyond. She is a talented writer with a special gift for children’s stories and creative works. For any inquiries about her books, writing services, or collaborations, please use the link below to contact her directly.
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https://www.bowebalhoff.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bowebalhoff/
Tanya Mooney-Spanier
Tanya is an experienced trail runner and mountaineer with more than twenty years of adventures that reflect her strength and compassion. She is a Reiki practitioner, Pranic Healer, and Health Coach who combines wellness with purpose and service. We became close friends through our shared love for nature and helping others in times of need. Tanya is a dedicated mom, a 100-mile ultra runner, and an Ironman athlete whose energy and heart continue to inspire everyone she meets.
Tanya is also deeply passionate about vegan food and nutrition, guiding others toward healthier and more balanced lifestyles. She has extensive experience helping people on their fitness journeys and is also well known as an event and wedding planner who brings creativity and care to every detail. If you would like to learn more about her wellness or event services, please contact her using the link below.
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Vanessa Estol
Vanessa is an accomplished mountaineer, adventurer, and motivational speaker who made history as the first Uruguayan woman to summit Mount Everest. She continues to chase her dream of climbing the world’s 14 highest peaks while also holding her country’s free diving record at 60 meters. We met through her mountain expeditions, which inspire people from all over the world to face their fears and reach new heights. Vanessa celebrates every journey not for the summit itself, but for the courage, growth, and connection found along the way.
If you are looking for an unforgettable adventure anywhere in the world, from Asia to North or South America, Vanessa is the person to contact. She offers exclusive expedition trips and guided excursions designed for all experience levels, supported by a professional team that ensures safety and an extraordinary experience. Whether you dream of a challenging climb or a scenic hiking vacation, she can help make it a reality. Use the link below to connect with her and start planning your next expedition.
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https://www.vanessaestol.com/
https://www.14peakslatam.com
https://www.instagram.com/vanessaestol/
Roxana Aguilar
Roxana is a transpersonal consultant, speaker, and mentor with nearly three decades of experience in human development and wellness. She earned her degree in psychology from the National Autonomous University of Mexico and is a master facilitator of the Women’s Circles methodology inspired by Jungian analyst Jean Shinoda Bolen. We connected through our shared passion for personal growth and purposeful leadership. Roxana received Mexico’s National Women’s Award in 2019 for her social impact empowering women, and she continues guiding others through inclusive and conscious well-being programs.
Roxana offers transpersonal consultations and personalized programs focused on human development and women’s empowerment. Based in Mexico, she works with both Latinas in the United States and across Latin America, providing her services in Spanish. If you would like to learn more or schedule a session with her, please use the link below to contact her directly.
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Blake Rhodes
Blake is a dedicated high school teacher and coach who inspires students to grow through sports, teamwork, and perseverance. His passion for helping young people reach their potential is truly remarkable and felt by everyone around him. We became friends as neighbors, sharing countless games of pickleball and great conversations about life and travel. Blake has a contagious energy, a love for discovering new places, and is now diving into trail adventures with unstoppable enthusiasm.
Blake is also a personal trainer who helps individuals develop new skills and improve performance across multiple sports, including basketball, golf, and weight training. He offers his training services in Texas, helping people of all ages reach their fitness and athletic goals. If you would like to learn more or connect with him for personal training, please use the link below.
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Diego Bianco
Diego is the founder of DiegoTalks Leadership Academy and a marketing and communications professional with 15 years of experience across HR communications, HR management, change management, and communications 360. His background includes banking, branding and product strategy, helping organizations grow through clarity, purpose and meaningful storytelling.
Diego is a proud father of two wonderful kids who inspire his commitment to service, compassion and personal growth. He finds peace and creativity in the outdoors, where every trail reminds him of resilience and possibility. He is grateful for a board of directors made up of friends who share his vision for kindness, growth and community.
Diego offers brand marketing and communications consulting services as well as leadership classes for businesses, schools, and organizations. He also leads leadership adventure hiking trips across Washington State, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, and Colorado. If you would like to learn more or schedule a consulting session or adventure program, please contact him using the links below.
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https://www.diegobianco.com/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/servicedriven/
https://www.diegotalks.com/ | https://www.zerodropmedia.com/
Call To Action: Join the movement today
When you invest in DiegoTalks, you invest in people. Your support becomes confidence in a student, strength in a team and opportunity in a community. Together we can inspire growth and strengthen communities.
