I attended the Business Expert Forum at the Harvard Faculty Club for a speaking event with people who are so successful. I was one of 60 speakers on December 5. Surreal. At times I couldn’t believe it. Sitting there looking at lights, cameras, and action! It was exciting, we gave TV-like-appearances that provided live streaming. I’ve never experienced anything like it!
One presenter was an engineer from Germany who’s worked closely with BMW, Audi, and Porsche. He was the youngest speaker there, I was the second. 😉 I watched the president of the Entrepreneurship Students Club at Harvard Business School give his talk. Another presenter was a coach originally from Australia (He said my speech inspired him : ). There was a doctor developing solutions for the blind, oh, and a billionaire!
There was a famous actor, Jonathan Goldsmith, best-selling-authors, people who have been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. There was a guy who’s worked with the president! I met a motivational speaker to Mel Gibson! She was so humble. The speakers were professional. I watched them all in awe and amusement. I was surrounded by talent.
Everyone was sharing their message, promoting their brand, or just socializing with others. At night there were hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. I love meeting people and networking. I really enjoyed it! Clint Arthur hosted it. He’s the founder and organizer of the Business Expert Forum. He made it possible for all of us!
My older brother, Joe, got me to the airport on time at 6am on Friday. In preparation for the big day on Saturday, I arrived early and stayed in Cambridge for a total of two nights. I took pictures of Harvard Square and MIT—a famous engineering college. My sister and her husband picked me up from the airport on Sunday. I really appreciated my family’s help!
I work very hard so this was a bonus! I felt exhausted when I returned home, but it was worth every moment! I had to find four substitutes to cover my classes, but now I can say I’ve been to Harvard. I’ve even SPOKEN there. I’ll never forget it!
About Zina
Zina Hermez authored the book Not Without God: A Story of Survival and created the Spinal Injury Solutions! online website. Zina works as an English Language Instructor, and has been an educator for fifteen years. Her thousands of students have been from many parts of the world, and she’s worked with all ages. Zina writes articles on faith and overcoming challenges, and her stories have been featured in Christianity Today, the Breathe Writers Conference blog, newsletters, guest posts, and medical journals. To learn more about Zina visit http://zinahermez.com.
notwithoutgod.net 
Thank you so very much for all the wonderful things you said about me, Pete. It’s people like you who make my success possible. People who have provided me with opportunities to share my writing and my book through speaking and signings. I really appreciate you, so much! 🙂 Thank you for also recognizing my efforts, it truly means a lot to me! I’m at a loss for words right now. I’m honored. I hope you have a very blessed and Merry Christmas with your family! ❤
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Zina, Wow! What an incredible honor! Being included to speak at the historic Harvard Faculty Club along with the members of such a high level, senior, elite group surely secures your place as one of the most promising young writers in the Nation today.
This incredibly high profile recognition, as well as several others you have attained, places a proper value on the extreme sacrifices you have had to make to develop the wealth of your God given gifts of natural writing skills. Working in the highly demanding profession of teaching foreign corporate students – the number of hours you are required to put in both in the classroom (and likely more at home) would drain most people leaving zero remaining energy in the evening hours. For you to practice, study, and develop your writing abilities you had to begin this daunting task after a long day on the job!
As a fellow spinal cord injury survivor I can attest that doing all of this with so many added burdens (of which you likely never mention to most) makes your accomplishments and successes-exponentially more impressive.
You certainly are a real life inspiration and a true hero in my eyes. If justice serves and if your rapid rise is a predictor of your future success you will become a hero to many.
Congrats!!!!
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