Gregg Ward is an author, motivational speaker, journalist and founder for The Center of Respectful Leadership. Gregg is also a San Diego TED X Talk.

Mary Kay Hamalainen is and has been a daughter, wife, mother, and friend. She graduated from Hofstra University in 1977 and began her working life as an editorial researcher, then theater administrator, before becoming a speech-language pathologist working with developmentally disabled children, adolescents, and young adults. Mary Kay has lived in Washington, D.C., the Philippines, Hawaii, Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. She currently lives in north Texas with her husband and two cats, just three hours north of her daughter and two grandpugs. Mary Kay is on the Advisory Board of The Hyacinth Fellowship, an international peer support group for those who have unintentionally caused death or serious harm. "The Occurrence" is her first book.