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Vaina Barton

Vaina Barton is from the beautiful island of Tahiti and was born and raised in the church. After high school, she attended BYU-Hawaii and graduated with a Bachelor of Art degree in Piano Pedagogy. In college, she met her husband, a local Hawaiian boy. They are raising 3 amazing boys and 1 sweet girl. Now, she resides in Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii. She is a composer, piano teacher, photographer, baker, crafter and artist. She loves music and recently wrote, from her heart, a collection of beautiful compositions about our Savior. She served in many church callings such as primary teacher, primary pianist, relief society president, young women counselor, family history consultant, and ward organist.

Andrea Cabrera

Originally from Mexico, Andrea Cabrera is a passionate learner of people and a dedicated do-gooder. Her early years split between Mexico and Germany provided her with a unique perspective on the world and contributed significantly to her character.

Brooke Walker

Brooke Walker is an Emmy award-winning journalist. She is the host of "Studio 5 with Brooke Walker" on KSL-TV, and "Parents in Progress" on BYUtv. Brooke attended Brigham Young University, where she studied Broadcast Communications. Prior to her time in lifestyle television, Brooke worked for the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her family fills her schedule and fills her! Brooke’s most important and cherished titles are wife and mother. She and her husband, Marc, are the proud parents of Emme, Boston, Lucy and Penny.

Michelle Wilson

Michelle Wilson is an inspirational nonfiction author and speaker who lives in the Northwest. She loves the gospel, her family, and good food. She also enjoys freelance writing and podcasting.

Elder Gerrit W. Gong

Mauli Bonner

Mauli Junior Bonner works in both the music and film industry. He writes for or develops some of the biggest names in Pop music, including Ariana Grande, Camila Cabello, Stevie Wonder and others. In film, he is an award-winning writer and director of stories following black pioneers in the early Church Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mauli is also a highly sought-after public speaker and gives trainings on “The Art of Connection.”

Ryan Gabriel

Ryan Gabriel attended Utah State University and earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2011. In 2016, Dr. Gabriel earned his PhD from the University of Washington then joined the Brigham Young University sociology department at the beginning of the 2016–2017 school year. Dr. Gabriel specializes in urban sociology, residential segregation, residential mobility and attainment, and race/racism and has taught courses pertaining to those interests—such as Sociology of Race and Ethnicity—since coming to BYU. Recently, Dr. Gabriel was able to participate in a seminar that involved traveling to the Southern United States with other students and faculty to visit key sites for the civil rights movements of the 1950s and 60s. Though Dr. Gabriel remains busy with researching and teaching, he always makes time to be with his wife, Erin.

Jacob Hess

Jacob Hess received his PhD from the University of Illinois in Community-Clinical Psychology. He is a staff writer for the Desert News and has focused his past writing on long-term, more sustainable healing from depression and pornography addiction. He has authored several books including “The Power of Stillness: Mindful Living for Latter-day Saints.” He lives in Paradise Utah with his wife Monique - enjoying their four boys and baby girl.

Maria Eckersley

Maria Eckersley is a graphic designer, online teacher, and sleep-deprived mom of six. As a devoted “fun mom” she loves sharing tips for making family life more meaningful, memorable, and simple. She can often be found sharing her creative ideas on KSL’s Studio 5. Her love of fun spills over into her gospel study as well. Her popular online course, Creative Come Follow Me, focuses on helping parents and teachers learn to teach the scriptures in imaginative, effective ways.

Cristi Brazao

Cristi Brazao is an assistant professor at Daytona State College in Florida, where she teaches courses on writing and research, English composition, and African American literature. She and her husband have been married for 20 years and they have four children.