World-Class Speaker, COACH & FACILITATOR

THE ONLY THING THAT EVER MATTERED WAS AUTHENTICITY.

Guided by faith, curiosity, and community, Cortina Jenelle Caldwell has stayed true to her brightest vision, deepest passion – to make the world—or at least her corner of it—a better place. After working for her grandmother’s catering business in the rural South, Cortina discovered two loves by the age of 12 – business and service. Cortina went on to found Cortina Jenelle Branding Agency in 2014—re-branded as Brand Evangelist™ a decade later— with a clear mission to help socially responsible entrepreneurs, business owners and leaders steward their talents, grow with integrity and impact their communities in positive ways using creativity, technology and design. Cortina triple-majored in Business, Social Science and Education to earn her Bachelor in Science and also holds a MBA in Management & Leadership (MAML) from Liberty University. Cortina is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society, the Lloyd International Honors College at UNC-Greensboro. Since 2004, Cortina has spoken to audiences all over the world, seeking to ignite hope and courage in others. Notable achievements throughout her career include:

Vantage Ventures x West Virginia University, 2025
Ascend West Virginia, 2025
EPA & Tuskegee University, Environmental Justice Fellow, 2024
River City Company, Emerging Producers Fellow, 2024
ArtsBuild Periscope CHA Fellow, 2024
Certified ICAgile Professional, 2023
KNOW Global, Notable Women: Asheville, 2020
Tzedek Impact Award, 2019
Certified Grant Writing Professional, 2018
Certified Creative Facilitator, 2016
40 Under Forty: Asheville, 2013
Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2012
Phi Alpha Honor Society, 2008
Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, 2005

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