Keynote Speakers
Amber Kemp-Gerstel, Damask Love
"The Pivot Was Always The Plan"
What happens when the life you carefully planned starts taking you somewhere you never expected?
Amber Kemp-Gerstel is returning to the CPC Main Stage, and this time, she’s bringing a story that feels perfectly suited for a weekend dedicated to Reimagining the Possibilities. Since we last welcomed Amber to CPC, life has continued to evolve—bringing unexpected turns, new opportunities, and moments that required her to rethink what she thought came next. Through her signature storytelling, humor, and insight, Amber will challenge us to look differently at the pivots in our own lives—not simply as interruptions to the plan, but as invitations to imagine something we may never have considered.
Because the path doesn’t always look the way we pictured it. The timeline may change. The destination might, too. And sometimes the thing we thought was taking us off course is exactly what opens the door to what’s next.
Join us Saturday as we welcome Amber back to CPC and begin a weekend of asking ourselves one powerful question: What could be possible if we stopped fearing the pivot and started seeing where it might take us?
Lauren Sherwin, Happy Brands
Happiness Starts Here: Honoring the Past, Reimagining What’s Next
What started in a garage in 1998 grew into a creative brand that has inspired generations of makers, memory keepers, and planner lovers. Now, Happy Brands is beginning a new chapter—and Lauren Sherwin is helping lead the way.
During Saturday's General Session, Lauren will take us behind the scenes of the family business, sharing its journey from its earliest days to the growth of The Happy Planner® and beyond. She'll reflect on lessons learned along the way, what it means to return the company to family ownership, and how she and her brother, Andy, are honoring the brand's legacy while reimagining what's next.
Join us for a special conversation about family, creativity, evolution, and the future of Happy Brands—with a peek at the ideas and initiatives bringing fresh energy to its next chapter.
Mo Vazquez, Pipsticks
Make Space for What's Next: Reimagining the Possibilities for You
What becomes possible when you finally make space to hear yourself think?
After years of building Pipsticks, raising four kids, and juggling the demands of a life and business that seemed to need something from her at every turn, Mo Vazquez realized she hadn't lost her creativity, curiosity, or ambition—she had simply stopped making room for them.
In CPC's Closing Session, Mo will share the funny, honest story of what happened when she began reclaiming time for herself—and how those small moments created space to rediscover ideas, dreams, and possibilities she hadn't realized she'd put aside.
As we close out CPC 2026, Mo will challenge us to look beyond the plans we've already made and ask: What else might be possible?
You'll leave inspired to protect space for yourself, reconnect with what excites you, and turn the ideas you've imagined throughout CPC into intentional next steps for the year ahead.
Because reimagining the possibilities doesn't always require changing everything. Sometimes, it starts by making a little more room for you.
Journal With Me: One Prompt, Endless Possibilities
Sammayah Muhammad
Journaling Panelist, "Muse of Junk"
Sammayah is the founder and creative behind Muse of Junk, a Y2K inspired stationery brand that celebrates nostalgia, storytelling, and the joy of creating. Her interactive journaling style brings every page to life with layers, ephemera, and thoughtfully curated details, inviting people to explore, create, and make each spread their own.
Through Muse of Junk, workshops, and her online community, Sammayah hopes to inspire others to step into a new level of creativity. She loves creating spaces where people feel inspired to experiment, tell their stories, and discover just how creative they really are.
Lauren Phelps
Journaling Panelist, "Lauren Phelps Designs"
Lauren Phelps is the artist and founder behind Lauren Phelps Designs, where she has spent more than a decade turning creative ideas into thoughtfully designed stationery and planner products. A self-taught artist, product designer, and lifelong problem solver, Lauren loves creating beautiful, functional products that fill a need and helping others find the confidence to bring their own creative ideas to life.
LaQuisha Hall
Journaling Panelist, "Confident Canvas"
LaQuisha, the creative behind Confident Canvas™, has used art to propel others and herself through a healing journey. A survivor of domestic violence and sexual abuse, LaQuisha is a bible art journaler, planner, mixed media and hand lettering artist.
Through her social media (@confidentcanvas) she creates and shares her own artwork as well as hosts workshops to fuel the creative abilities of those she inspires.
Natasha Miller
Journaling Panelist, "Archer & Olive"
Natasha Miller is a Graphic Designer at Archer and Olive. As a dedicated user of A&O notebooks, Natasha’s passion for design and the journaling community led her to create unique, innovative products that inspire creative expression.
Hayley Remde
Journaling Panelist, "Archer & Olive"
Hayley Remde is the Social and Content Manager at Archer and Olive. Beginning her journey as an avid user and content creator, Hayley is passionate about the power of journaling and creativity as tools for mental wellness, inspiring others to embrace creativity in their everyday lives.