Our Speakers
Discover their incredible stories
With special thanks to our official portrait photographer, Sarah Jane Photography.
Each year at That's What She Said Columbia, we feature a diverse lineup of women from our community with stories that are as unique as they are. Stories that will inspire you, empower you, move you, & maybe even make you laugh!
We are excited & honored to announce the incredible cast for TWSS Columbia 2025!
If you are interested in sharing your story from the stage at a future show, we invite you to submit an interest form letting us know a little bit more about yourself and your story.
Meet our 2025 That's What She Said Columbia Speakers
Ana Garcia
Ana Garcia is a passionate advocate for immigration justice and language access. Born in Coahuila, Mexico, and raised in Mexico, Missouri, Ana is the oldest of three children, with deep family roots in a beautiful village in Oaxaca. Currently living in Mexico, Missouri, she is a dedicated mother of two boys, a full-time student at Columbia College, and works at a public elementary school in Mexico. Outside of her professional and academic life, Ana enjoys exploring the outdoors, whether biking the scenic Katy Trail, hiking through nature, or playing sports with her sons.
Ava Gunderson
Ava Gunderson is the co-owner of Son of a Gun, a local hangout serving up cold beer and fast cocktails in downtown Columbia. After graduating from the University of Nebraska Omaha where she received her bachelors in business administration, Ava worked in renewable energy before returning to the hospitality industry. The opportunity to open a bar with her sister brought her to Missouri, where she continues to grow her passion for building community in third spaces.
Greta Gunderson
Greta Gunderson is the proud co-owner of Son of a Gun, a vibrant local hangout known for its relaxed atmosphere and creative cocktails. With a passion for mixology and a commitment to creating a welcoming space, Greta has made it her legacy to create community hubs where friends and strangers alike can enjoy great drinks and memorable nights out. Heralding from Omaha, Nebraska, Greta moved to Columbia to earn her degree in marketing from MU and graduated in 2017. After spending the following years in Chicago and Nashville, Greta was excited to rejoin the Columbia community and hopes to continue to expand on her extensive hospitality background in mid-Missouri and beyond.
Shaunda Hamilton
Shaunda Hamilton is a committed small business owner, community organizer, and advocate with deep ties to the Columbia community. Since October 2019, she has served as the Executive Director of Boone County Community Against Violence, and in July 2024, she assumed the role of Minority Business Program Specialist at Regional Economic Development Inc.
With over 20 years of experience and education in managed care, Shaunda has developed strong skills in working with diverse groups, driving meaningful change, and creating opportunities for others in the community.
Shaunda is a member of the Grief Sensitive Tools (GTS) advisory board and holds a Family Development Credential (FDC) from the University of Connecticut. She is also a Certified Non-Profit Executive, a LeadMO Community Organizer, and has been recognized with awards such as Women Doing Good, Make It Happen, a Progress Award nomination, among others.
Above all, Shaunda is most proud of her children, Shawntez, Amanda, Nyla, Sherrod, and Nadria, and her three grandsons, Keegan, Wesley, and Zander, with whom she cherishes spending as much time as possible.
Dr. Linda Helmick
Linda Helmick (she, her, hers) earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Art Education at Indiana University and currently works as an Assistant Professor of Art Education at the University of Missouri in Columbia. She also holds an M.A. in Painting from the University of Indianapolis and a BFA in Painting from the Herron School of Art and Design. She is an artist/researcher/teacher who grounds her work in the belief that creative expression is a basic human right that should be accessible for all. She promotes creativity as a powerful force for change, healing, and transformation. Her areas of expertise include critical creative work with underserved populations and building art education/art therapy wellness and self-care curricula to better serve those who have experienced trauma.
Rochara Knight
Born in Detroit, Michigan, raised in Moberly, Missouri, Rochara has lived in Columbia for the past 13 years. Rochara has received both a bachelor's in Communication and master's degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is currently working on a degree in Humanitarian Action and Human Rights with emphasis in Women and Children's Advocacy through Liberty University in Virgina. She served as the Artistic Director of Talking Horse Productions, sat on the board for Quorus, and volunteered for multiple years at True/False Film Festival. She currently works for St Raymond's Society, and organization that assists single mothers in becoming self-sufficient.
Erica Pefferman
Erica Pefferman was born and raised in Joplin, MO. Erica attended Missouri Southern State University as well as Columbia College and Western Governors University in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management. She finally graduated with her degree 23 years in the making in July 2019.
Erica is the Chief Development Officer of the all-new Flat Branch Bank, responsible for all marketing, communications, and business development system wide.
Erica shares her love of Columbia with the people she serves with on a multitude of boards including City of Refuge, Columbia College Fishman Center for Entrepreneurship, as well as previously having served on the boards of Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Network, Job Point, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Missouri, Heart of Missouri United Way, Heart of Missouri CASA, and Crimestoppers. In 2017, Erica was named the Debin Benish Outstanding Businesswoman of the year and her team was named the Columbia Chamber Of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year. In 2023, Erica was selected to be a member of the Greater Missouri Leadership Challenge which is the premier women’s professional development program in the state of Missouri.
Erica is a single mother of five children ranging in ages from 16 to 26 years old and has one granddaughter that is 18 months old that she loves to spoil. When Erica isn’t working, she can be found traveling or babying her large houseplant collection at home.
Valerie Shaw
In 1980 I returned to my hometown of Hannibal, Missouri with my 2 sons (ages 10 and 13) after separating from my husband. I began working as a teller for Commerce Bank and was promoted and transferred to Columbia in 1990. Both sons went off to college after high school. My goal was to do the same when they graduated from college. So, after a gentle but firm reminder from my youngest son, I enrolled in Stephens College, Weekend College Program while continuing to work fulltime at the bank. Five years later, after completing my undergraduate degree in Business and Finance, I went on to obtain my MBA from William Woods University. I retired from Commerce Bank in 2016 after 36 years, having been promoted from a teller through the ranks and eventually to Executive Regional Vice President. Aside from mothering 2 very successful young men and working fulltime; I consider myself a professional volunteer. I am a community advocate, working primarily with organizations which support the local African American community in some way. I am a Lifetime member and longtime treasurer of the NAACP, a trustee with my alma mater Stephens College, a charter member of the Central Missouri Chapter of the Links, a member and Treasurer for Second Missionary Baptist Church, and a member of both Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Alumnae Chapter, Inc, and the Columbia Kiwanis Club.
Ayako Tsuruta
Born in Japan, Ayako Tsuruta was raised in Nara before her family moved to Cheshire, Connecticut in 1980. She continued her piano lessons with Leena Kareoja-Crothers at the Neighborhood Music School in New Haven, until she graduated Choate Rosemary Hall to attend the Juilliard School in New York City. While pursuing her graduate degrees at Yale University, Ayako met her future husband Peter Miyamoto - but it took them another 10 years and living in different countries before they realized they were meant to be together. Ayako has lived in Columbia since Fall 2003, directed Odyssey Chamber Music Series for 21 years, and taught many piano lessons, chamber music, and theory classes to music students for over 40 years.
Past Shows
2023 (Inaugural) That's What She Said Columbia
Featuring Barbara Buffaloe, Dr. Tashel Bordere, Natasha Harris, Jina Yoo, Dr. Meredith Shaw,Valerie Ninichuck, Dr. Nicole Monnier, Mary Ratliff, Mary Anne McCollum, & Taylor Freeman
2024 That's What She Said Columbia
Featuring Vicky Riback Wilson, Ranjana Hans, Elizabeth Herrera, Augusta Cooper, Jean Plumley, Rebecca Miller, Ellery Miller, Erica Dickson, & Adonica Coleman
Are you excited to hear the powerful stories of our next cast? Join us on Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 7:00 PM at Missouri Theatre for an experience you won't want to miss!
The contents, experiences, and opinions shared by the speakers in the show are their own and do not reflect the views of The She Said Project or She Said Columbia, LLC.
The She Said Project upholds that every woman has a right to be heard.