Due to COVID-19, GEMfest 2021 had to adapt to social  distancing. Our team came up with new ways to connect to the GEM community.   So we created a Virtual Speaker Series and Podcast!

GEM Speaker Series

Our GEM girls joined a Zoom and heard from inspiring speakers and completed online activities. They got to experience GEMfest while following CDC quarantine guidelines to stay COVID-safe!

GEM Podcast

Episode 1: The GEM Philosophy

Welcome to the Girls Empowerment Movement (GEM) Podcast!! Join Audrey and Hannah today to talk with GEM’s founders Eliza and Karli about our philosophy. We will be talking about GEM’s inspiration to empower middle school girls. We will unfold GEMFest in the making and the future of GEM. We will be talking about overcoming obstacles and creating a festival for middle school girls.

Episode 2: Body Image and Intuitive Eating

Join Audrey and Hannah today to talk with Victoria Garrick in the 3rd episode of their self-care series! Victoria is a former D1 volleyball player and USC graduate who is now an advocate for body image and overall health. She will discuss how social media affects our body image and how to practice intuitive eating.

Episode 3: Skincare

Join Audrey and Hannah today to talk with Dr. McNeill, a board certified dermatologist at Newport Beach Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Dr. McNeill will share her skincare tips for middle schoolers and her favorite affordable skincare products. She will talk about “Maskne” that has affected many people throughout the pandemic. ​

Episode 4: Mindfulness

Join Audrey and Hannah today to talk with Sage Hill’s very own Mer Connolly! Mer Connolly is a yoga instructor at Sage Hill, dedicated to the wellbeing of individuals and spreading positivity throughout the community. Coach Connolly will be diving into mindfulness and how she incorporates mindfulness into her daily life. She will share her insight on ways to avoid procrastination, how to be mindful with social media, ways to relieve anxiety, and app recommendations for mindfulness. ​

Episode 5: Self-Expression

Join Audrey and Hannah today to talk with Wende Zomnir. Mrs. Zomnir is a founding partner and chief creative officer of Urban Decay Cosmetics here to talk with us about self expression through makeup. She will talk with us about her inspiration behind Urban Decay and her love for makeup.