Keynote Speaker
Star Jones
Star Jones, the former New York City homicide prosecutor, Emmy-nominated TV host
and best-selling author, has worked in television for over 20 years; offering a fresh
perspective to the day’s most talked about crime and justice, political and sociological
issues from the worlds of news, entertainment, politics and pop culture. Star is best
known to television viewers as a co-host of ABC’s The View for nine years and as the
go-to Legal Correspondent/Analyst who has covered and provided commentary on
every major legal story of the last 20 years. Star can presently be seen on NBC's Today
Show as the veteran legal analyst and as Co-Host of "Today'sProfessionals," the
runaway hit commentary team of heavy hitters in the worlds of business, medicine and
law.
Star is an accomplished author who has written two best-selling non-fiction books.
Star's third book, “Satan’s Sisters,” a fictional account of the behind-the-scenes of a
daytime talk show, is being developed into a network television series by Vh1. Star is
also heavily involved in professional, philanthropic and civic organizations. She is a
prolific fundraiser for the Democratic party and has served as a surrogate for the last six
Presidential elections. As the national spokeswoman and Chief Development Officer for
the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW), Star is the face and voice of
the largest (over 400,000 women) professional women's networking organization in the
United States.
This attorney, television personality, former prosecutor, political insider, philanthropist
and best selling author; can now add Survivor and Heart Health Advocate to her
impressive list of credentials. In 2010, Star underwent successful Open Heart Surgery
and is now the American Heart Association’s National Volunteer. Utilizing her name,
voice, time and international media platform to champion Heart Health in America, Star
Jones has dedicated all her efforts to combat cardio-vascular disease, the nation's
number one killer.
For more information on Star Jones follow her on Facebook and Twitter
@StarJonesEsq.
Our Survivor
Renee Ticknor
When Renee awoke one morning nauseous and sweaty, she assumed she had the flu, but called 911 when her symptoms escalated. EMS told her it was just anxiety, but after a visit to the doctor later that day, tests confirmed her suspicion: Renee had experienced a heart attack. 
Renee Ticknor
When Renee awoke one morning nauseous and sweaty, she assumed she had the flu, but called 911 when her symptoms escalated. EMS told her it was just anxiety, but after a visit to the doctor later that day, tests confirmed her suspicion: Renee had experienced a heart attack.
In route to another hospital, Renee passed out. After six separate defibrillations, she was finally revived and woke up in the ICU. Realizing the gravity of her situation, she asked the nurse, "Am I out of the woods?" The nurse's face said it all.
Despite a slow and challenging recovery, Renee is thankful for her experience. "I got a wake-up call in my 30s that most people don't get until their 60s."
Like most women, before her heart attack, finding balance was hard. As a new mom, Renee put the needs of her family before hers, followed by career and housework. There was simply no time for herself or her health.
Today Renee is taking care of herself through exercises and a heart-healthy diet. Looking back, she feels intense gratitude that she listened to her body and fought to make her heart heard.
"The best thing to do is follow your intuition. If you're tired or don't feel well, go to your doctor and insist that you know your body and that something is wrong."
Renee's story has inspired women to put their health first. As a result, many friends and family have visited their own doctors and gotten their cholesterol and blood pressure checked. Nothing warms Renee's heart more than that.
"I Go Red for all the women out there trying to find balance in their life."
