Meet the Authors
Suzy Tamasy
Creator & Co-Author
Suzy Tamasy, Editor-in-Chief at Biz & Fashion Magazine, has handpicked eleven powerful women to participate in her new book series, Empowered in Heels, This series features true-life stories of inspiring women, showcasing their journeys and triumphs. Suzy’s mission is to bring joy to women’s lives by helping them dress fabulously and share their stories with the world.
As an entrepreneur, award-winning mentor in finance, and a passionate advocate for entrepreneurship as a tool for positive global transformation, Suzy has made significant contributions to empowering women. She is the founder of SuzyQJewels, Frugal Divas, and now Empowered in Heels, Through this book series, Suzy highlights the stories of women she admires, offering real-life experiences that inspire and uplift others.
Suzy’s goal is to revolutionize how we support and celebrate women by providing them with a platform to share their stories authentically. Each story in Empowered in Heels aims to inspire and encourage readers worldwide—one story at a time.
We are currently seeking a publicist TFP to help generate media attention for this groundbreaking book series. Please reach out to Suzy directly via email at bizfashion@consultant.com or call her at 416-262-0816.
Cathy Simpson
Editor
Cathy Simpson is retired, a widow and an immensely proud mother of two. During her exploration of herself, she took time during Covid to go back to school and became a grief counsellor. Now she finds herself volunteering for hospice and attending to the grief needs of her own clients.
Danna Giroux
B.A., CNP, NWS, PTS
Laura Makaltses
Laura Makaltses stands as a beacon of resilience and creativity in the art, fashion, and education worlds. Laura’s journey has been marked by extraordinary triumphs and formidable challenges, shaping her into the influential figure she is today. From an early age, Laura’s entrepreneurial spirit shone brightly —a testament to her determination and creativity.
Laura’s path was fraught with obstacles, including struggles with a gifted designation and learning disabilities and a lack of support from the educational system. Her battle with chronic illness, compounded by a dismissive medical system, tested her strength and perseverance.
Yet, these hardships did not define her; instead, they fueled her drive to overcome adversity and advocate for change.
Today, Laura channels her experiences into her work, integrating arts and games into ESL education for neurodivergent students and making learning both accessible and engaging. Her resilience is evident in initiatives like Fashion Forward Meetups and Model Empowerment Workshops, where she promotes diversity and empowers others in the fashion industry.
Laura’s philosophy, “Passion + Education + Technology + Community + Creativity = Foundations of Change,” embodies her journey of transforming personal struggles into a powerful force for inclusivity and support, demonstrating that resilience can lead to profound impact and positive change.
Mary Wu
Mary Wu is a professor of nutrition at Seneca Polytechnic, a nutritionist, autism advocate, board member at Global Advocacy for Autism Awareness (GAFAA), public speaker, educator, e-commerce entrepreneur, and HR manager. As a mother of two young adults, including an autistic son, Mary is passionate about using nutrition to help families support their children with special needs. Her mission is to empower the autism community while providing opportunities for generational income through her e-commerce business.
Tiffanee Lee
Tiffanee Lee is a Nova Scotia native, as well as a mother of two sons, eighteen and twelve. She has a broad educational background, between healthcare, professional writing, being a certified motivational coach with a startup business in that field, several educational seminars over the past years including Forbes, and is currently studying fitness. She also has an Apple podcast in the works, which she is hoping to have up and running soon.
She loves to have her hand in anything she is asked to assist with or work on, she takes on almost any opportunity sent her way. Loves to spend her time at the gym. She is also a lover of travel. Tiffanee has opened up in this volume of Empowered in Heels to let us in on her life that she describes as “unraveling at one point,” but now, she has sewn it up. Life is now as good as new.”
Lily Rosenberg
Lily Rosenberg is a seventeen year old young lady who has Down Syndrome. She is a published fashion model who has been on the catwalk and in fashion magazines. Lily has had several documentaries made about her modelling and accomplishments.
Her latest documentary was chosen by Docs NYC 2024 to be premiered at the biggest movie festival in the USA. Lily is showing us all how capable, determined, and competent she is.
Lily hopes to change societies views about people with Down Syndrome through her continued advocacy. She is a motivator, influencer, and inspires others to live their best life. Upon graduating high school she plans on going to college.
Cindy Robinson
My name is Cindy Robinson, and I embrace a life rooted in simplicity and nature, spending my summers camping and residing in a charming cottage in a small fishing village on the shores of Lake Erie. After retiring from an 11-year career in construction, working with a home builder, I now focus on my true calling as an ordained minister and wedding officiant. I craft personalized wedding scripts for couples, helping to make their special day totally unique.
However, my journey has been far from ordinary. Raised in an emotionally troubled family, I spiraled into a life of addiction and rebellion, carrying the weight of false responsibilities that left me broken and confused. My turning point came on March 7, 1991, when an encounter with Jesus completely transformed my life. In one year, I was delivered from all my addictions, healed, and set free by God’s grace and love.
My story is one of profound healing, and now, my greatest passion is to guide others toward their own paths of freedom and restoration. Whether preaching in churches, leading communities, or offering encouragement wherever I go, I use every platform to share the hope and freedom I have found, helping others overcome the struggles that once held me captive.