2019 Opening Keynote Speakers
Camille Fronk Olson
God Confidence: With Him All Things are Possible
After 25 years at BYU, Camille Fronk Olson recently stepped down as a professor of ancient scripture and the chair of the Department of Ancient Scripture for the last six of those years. She completed a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies, a master’s degree in Near Eastern Studies, and a bachelor’s degree in Education. Her research focused on women in scripture, LDS/evangelical dialogue, LDS doctrine, and Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Her published books include Women of the Old Testament, Women of the New Testament, LDS Beliefs, and Mary, Martha, and Me.
Prior to coming to BYU, Dr. Olson taught seminary and institute for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Salt Lake City area and served as Dean of Students at LDS Business College. She is a former member of the Young Women General Board and served a full-time mission to Toulouse, France. Her current Church calling is a counselor in her ward Relief Society.
Camille Fronk Olson is married to Paul F. Olson, a Provo ophthalmologist. They have two children and four grandchildren. She is originally from Tremonton, Utah.
Prior to coming to BYU, Dr. Olson taught seminary and institute for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Salt Lake City area and served as Dean of Students at LDS Business College. She is a former member of the Young Women General Board and served a full-time mission to Toulouse, France. Her current Church calling is a counselor in her ward Relief Society.
Camille Fronk Olson is married to Paul F. Olson, a Provo ophthalmologist. They have two children and four grandchildren. She is originally from Tremonton, Utah.
Elder & Sister Meurs
Message to the Asia Area Sisters
Elder Peter F. Meurs was sustained as a General Authority Seventy of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2016. He is currently serving in the Asia Area Presidency.
Peter Fletcher Meurs was born in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, on December 21, 1956. He married Maxine Evelyn Thatcher in January 1979. They are the parents of four children.
Elder Meurs received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Monash University in 1980. He worked as an engineer for Esso Australia and participated in the development of oil and gas production fields. He was a founding partner of Worley Parsons Limited, an international engineering services and project management company. His last assignment was to lead an iron ore expansion project for Fortescue Metals, where he served as an executive director on the board.
Elder Meurs has served in numerous callings, including branch president, counselor in a bishopric, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a district presidency, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, counselor in a mission presidency, and Area Seventy.
Sister Maxine Evelyn Meurs was born and raised in Melbourne Australia to Max and Mary Thatcher.
Sister Meurs met her husband in her local ward when his family moved to Melbourne. She qualified as a Special Education Teacher and taught for two years before becoming a full time mother. Brother and Sister Meurs were married in the New Zealand temple on Jan 2, 1979 and are the parents of four children and grandparents of 10.
Sister Meurs has served as a Stake and Ward Relief Society President and in many Stake, District, Ward and Branch roles in the other auxiliaries. She has also enjoyed producing roadshows and plays. Sister Meurs is a very active wife, mother and grandmother.
Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 2, 2016. He is currently serving in the Asia Area Presidency.
Peter Fletcher Meurs was born in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, on December 21, 1956. He married Maxine Evelyn Thatcher in January 1979. They are the parents of four children.
Elder Meurs received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Monash University in 1980. He worked as an engineer for Esso Australia and participated in the development of oil and gas production fields. He was a founding partner of Worley Parsons Limited, an international engineering services and project management company. His last assignment was to lead an iron ore expansion project for Fortescue Metals, where he served as an executive director on the board.
Elder Meurs has served in numerous callings, including branch president, counselor in a bishopric, bishop, high councilor, counselor in a district presidency, counselor in a stake presidency, stake president, counselor in a mission presidency, and Area Seventy.
Sister Maxine Evelyn Meurs was born and raised in Melbourne Australia to Max and Mary Thatcher.
Sister Meurs met her husband in her local ward when his family moved to Melbourne. She qualified as a Special Education Teacher and taught for two years before becoming a full time mother. Brother and Sister Meurs were married in the New Zealand temple on Jan 2, 1979 and are the parents of four children and grandparents of 10.
Sister Meurs has served as a Stake and Ward Relief Society President and in many Stake, District, Ward and Branch roles in the other auxiliaries. She has also enjoyed producing roadshows and plays. Sister Meurs is a very active wife, mother and grandmother.
Friday Morning Devotional
Suzanne Calton
(Shanghai, China)
Suzanne has been in Asia for 11 years and sees this women’s conference as the highlight of each year’s adventure living abroad. Originally a born and raised westcoaster of the USA, she was shocked to get her mission call to GaoXiong, Taiwan (she couldn’t even pronounce it when she read the call aloud to surrounding friends and family) over 18 years ago (don’t do the math! ;)).
She is the mother to 5 children, 3 adopted while living in China and married to another Chinese speaking RM. Suzanne is the founder of a breast cancer prevention and recovery charity (that has broken 4 Guinness world records), an adoption advocate, and managed small private label manufacturing in Shanghai for 10 years. In 2018 she was named China’s Top 40 Elites in 40 years.
Currently she serves as a young women advisor in Jinqiao, Shanghai branch. When she is not event planning or playing with the kids, she can be found konmari’ng junk out of the house as a recovering hoarder. Suzanne loves avocados, cooking with her kids, the cheesecake factory, Tim Calton, Konmari, and Star Wars (she married in to that one), but not necessarily in that order.
She is the mother to 5 children, 3 adopted while living in China and married to another Chinese speaking RM. Suzanne is the founder of a breast cancer prevention and recovery charity (that has broken 4 Guinness world records), an adoption advocate, and managed small private label manufacturing in Shanghai for 10 years. In 2018 she was named China’s Top 40 Elites in 40 years.
Currently she serves as a young women advisor in Jinqiao, Shanghai branch. When she is not event planning or playing with the kids, she can be found konmari’ng junk out of the house as a recovering hoarder. Suzanne loves avocados, cooking with her kids, the cheesecake factory, Tim Calton, Konmari, and Star Wars (she married in to that one), but not necessarily in that order.
Saturday Morning Devotional
Cherie Burton
(Hong Kong)
Cherie is a wife, mother, coach, entrepreneur, teacher, pioneer, adventurer, woman of faith and daughter of God. Originally from California, she and her husband, Stan, have lived in Asia (Thailand, Indonesia, China and Hong Kong) for 14 years.
She has two delightful miracle boys - Cole and Kenney that you may have heard her speak about at her 2015 A.S.I.A Women’s Conference presentation “Don’t Quit Before the Miracle Happens”.
Professionally she’s worked in human resources, as a life/education coach and owned/operated several international businesses. At church, she’s served in many auxiliaries and is currently the District Relief Society President in Hong Kong.
She has two delightful miracle boys - Cole and Kenney that you may have heard her speak about at her 2015 A.S.I.A Women’s Conference presentation “Don’t Quit Before the Miracle Happens”.
Professionally she’s worked in human resources, as a life/education coach and owned/operated several international businesses. At church, she’s served in many auxiliaries and is currently the District Relief Society President in Hong Kong.
Inspire Session
McArthur Krishna
(Faizabad, India)
Click here to view materials from McArthur's Inspire session talk: Heavenly Mother Quotes & Resources
McArthur Krishna comes from Utah pioneer stock, graduated with a masters degree in Communications from BYU, co-owned a marketing studio focused on social justice issues, retired, and moved to the Magic Land of India.
Now, she writes books, hides from police, jumps on moving trains, wrangles kids, and creates textile art for sheer joy. She is a best-selling author for Deseret Books with the Girls Who Choose God series and Heavenly Family, Earthly Families.
Now, she writes books, hides from police, jumps on moving trains, wrangles kids, and creates textile art for sheer joy. She is a best-selling author for Deseret Books with the Girls Who Choose God series and Heavenly Family, Earthly Families.
Kristie Larsen
Finding Strength in Mother Eve
Click here to view materials from Kristie's Inspire session talk: Finding Strength in Mother Eve
Kristie grew up in Utah as the middle child of seven children. At a very young age she was already dreaming of when she could leave her family nest and explore the world. Upon finishing her Bachelor’s Degree in Acting and Directing from USU she married and with her husband Patrick moved to San Diego for 3 years and then followed her dream of living in New York, where they had 4 boys in 7 years.
Once their life felt nice and predictable, they heard adventure calling and moved their young family across the globe to Singapore where they experienced what it really means to sweat. Singapore was sweet and sour in all the ways expat life can be and after six years and adding a 5th boy to the family they have recently relocated to Bali, Indonesia. Kristie is now trying her hand at a more balanced life by homeschooling half-dressed boys amidst rice fields and beaches. The jig is up... homeschool is just one big vacation!
Between skateparks, timetables, homework battles and never-ending food prep, Kristie likes to spend her time swimming, reading, playing guitar, painting, writing and staring off into a daze. She wishes she would exercise more and Netflix less, but she just enjoys the latter way too much.
Kristie has recently become a Co-founder of Global Women On Tour, an online travel website for women, by women. While she might be subconsciously trying to balance out the testosterone in her life, she deeply enjoys raising her five tenderhearted “Mogli” boys and is often reminded that life would be utterly boring without all the glorious men in her life.
Once their life felt nice and predictable, they heard adventure calling and moved their young family across the globe to Singapore where they experienced what it really means to sweat. Singapore was sweet and sour in all the ways expat life can be and after six years and adding a 5th boy to the family they have recently relocated to Bali, Indonesia. Kristie is now trying her hand at a more balanced life by homeschooling half-dressed boys amidst rice fields and beaches. The jig is up... homeschool is just one big vacation!
Between skateparks, timetables, homework battles and never-ending food prep, Kristie likes to spend her time swimming, reading, playing guitar, painting, writing and staring off into a daze. She wishes she would exercise more and Netflix less, but she just enjoys the latter way too much.
Kristie has recently become a Co-founder of Global Women On Tour, an online travel website for women, by women. While she might be subconsciously trying to balance out the testosterone in her life, she deeply enjoys raising her five tenderhearted “Mogli” boys and is often reminded that life would be utterly boring without all the glorious men in her life.
Rachel Tse
Stretch it Out with Rachel (Yoga)
Rachel was born and raised in Hong Kong. She graduated from BYU Provo, met her husband, Daniel, at BYU, has two boys, and is currently living in Shanghai.
Rachel is a convert to the Church. She joined the Church when she was 18. Rachel is now serving as the first counsellor in the Shanghai International District Young Women Presidency, and the Branch Activity Chair in the Hongqiao Branch. She has been serving on the Committee of the Women's Conference for 10 years.
Rachel has practiced yoga for 12 years. She has taken workshops and teacher trainings with various world-renowned yoga teachers. Rachel is a certified yin yoga teacher and pre-natal yoga teacher.
It is the first time Rachel doing a yoga session in the Women's Conference, she hopes she can help everyone to feel a bit relaxed, calm, or grounded after the session.
Rachel is a convert to the Church. She joined the Church when she was 18. Rachel is now serving as the first counsellor in the Shanghai International District Young Women Presidency, and the Branch Activity Chair in the Hongqiao Branch. She has been serving on the Committee of the Women's Conference for 10 years.
Rachel has practiced yoga for 12 years. She has taken workshops and teacher trainings with various world-renowned yoga teachers. Rachel is a certified yin yoga teacher and pre-natal yoga teacher.
It is the first time Rachel doing a yoga session in the Women's Conference, she hopes she can help everyone to feel a bit relaxed, calm, or grounded after the session.
Danielle Lesser
Growing With Gratitude in a Global Neighborhood
Click here to view materials from Danielle's Inspire session talk: Growing with Gratitude in a Global Neighborhood
Danielle was born at a U.S military base in Landstuhl Germany during the final years her father was served in the Vietnam War. When her father was discharged they returned to civilian life in Provo, Utah where she eventually went to BYU and studied Geography and Communications. Danielle and her husband were married in December of 1990, and they continued schooling at BYU until 1994 when her husband received his first full-time job in Denver Colorado.
Danielle and her family made life-long friends there as they welcomed their first son in August 1995. They were transferred to Anaheim Hills in California, July 1997 and welcomed a baby girl a month later in August. In Feb 2001 they accepted a new job in Columbus Ohio, they moved in May and Danielle gave birth to a daughter in June. It is no wonder when they announced they were expecting their fourth and last child in February 2005 everyone asked when and where they were moving! Danielle and her family moved once again in March 2006, back to Denver with a new job, and four years later, they were asked to move half way around the world to accept their first international position in Singapore. After repatriating to the U.S in 2014 Danielle starting working as the fundraising coordinator as a member of the board for a non-profit entity in Panama called the Red Frog Foundation which provides educational tools, building materials and assists in clean water projects for the community. She continued in that role for several years even as the company called upon the family to take another international assignment this time to Brisbane Australia in 2015 where they have thoroughly enjoyed the last 3 ½ years! January 2019 now marks their return to the beautiful Lion city called Singapore and feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to live once again in S.E Asia!
Danielle loves to build, create and repair things! She also loves bright vibrant colors, trying new food, discovering new places, trying her hand at Asian cooking, and attempting to learn Mandarin Chinese.
Danielle and her family made life-long friends there as they welcomed their first son in August 1995. They were transferred to Anaheim Hills in California, July 1997 and welcomed a baby girl a month later in August. In Feb 2001 they accepted a new job in Columbus Ohio, they moved in May and Danielle gave birth to a daughter in June. It is no wonder when they announced they were expecting their fourth and last child in February 2005 everyone asked when and where they were moving! Danielle and her family moved once again in March 2006, back to Denver with a new job, and four years later, they were asked to move half way around the world to accept their first international position in Singapore. After repatriating to the U.S in 2014 Danielle starting working as the fundraising coordinator as a member of the board for a non-profit entity in Panama called the Red Frog Foundation which provides educational tools, building materials and assists in clean water projects for the community. She continued in that role for several years even as the company called upon the family to take another international assignment this time to Brisbane Australia in 2015 where they have thoroughly enjoyed the last 3 ½ years! January 2019 now marks their return to the beautiful Lion city called Singapore and feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to live once again in S.E Asia!
Danielle loves to build, create and repair things! She also loves bright vibrant colors, trying new food, discovering new places, trying her hand at Asian cooking, and attempting to learn Mandarin Chinese.
Ashley Stahle (Shenzhen, China)
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Sandy Mecham
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Hayley Stice (Hong Kong)
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Closing Keynote Speakers
Anne Waddoups
Minding the Gap: Blessings at Life's Thresholds
Anne Bentley Waddoups is an enthusiast of words, faith, ideas, travel, movies, stories, and a good laugh. She loves teaching, researching, and writing about all things related to human development and currently works for the Global TIES for Children Center, NYU Abu Dhabi, studying interventions for Syrian refugee families in the Middle East.
Before the leap to Abu Dhabi last year, Annie was on the faculty of Southern Virginia University teaching child and family development. She has also served as Director of Research & Development for an early education non-profit, taught in a graduate school of social work, developed parenting curricula, and conducted child development research ranging from infant brain development to teen parents. Annie has a Bachelor’s degree in English from USU and a master’s and PhD in Child Study and Human Development from Tufts University.
Annie currently serves as Director of Public Affairs for the Abu Dhabi Stake; her previous church service has included callings in stake and ward Young Women, nursery, and Relief Society. She and her husband Greg have enjoyed raising their family of three children (now all young adults) in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Australia. They now love calling Abu Dhabi home for this season of their lives--even if it means a lot of Marco Polo parenting from a distance!
Before the leap to Abu Dhabi last year, Annie was on the faculty of Southern Virginia University teaching child and family development. She has also served as Director of Research & Development for an early education non-profit, taught in a graduate school of social work, developed parenting curricula, and conducted child development research ranging from infant brain development to teen parents. Annie has a Bachelor’s degree in English from USU and a master’s and PhD in Child Study and Human Development from Tufts University.
Annie currently serves as Director of Public Affairs for the Abu Dhabi Stake; her previous church service has included callings in stake and ward Young Women, nursery, and Relief Society. She and her husband Greg have enjoyed raising their family of three children (now all young adults) in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Australia. They now love calling Abu Dhabi home for this season of their lives--even if it means a lot of Marco Polo parenting from a distance!
Robin Smith
Magnanimous Gratitude
Robin is this year's A.S.I.A. Women's Conference Chair. She loves this conference! Currently serving in the newly formed New Delhi Stake Relief Society Presidency, she also works for Habitat For Humanity as a Master Country Trainer teaching youth leadership skills in Nepal and India. She volunteers with Days For Girls starting the DFG team in Singapore and is currently developing delivery opportunities in India.
This is Robin’s 6th year attending the conference. In the past she spoke about "Shining Forth or Chewing the Cud?", "When You Want To Dropkick The People You Love", "What To Do When You Are Surrounded By Practically Perfect People", “Bloom Where You’re Planted”, and “It Will Be Fun, They Told Me".
Robin holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a Master’s Degree in Science. Her idea of a great day is rafting in Idaho with her 4 grown kids and husband!
This is Robin’s 6th year attending the conference. In the past she spoke about "Shining Forth or Chewing the Cud?", "When You Want To Dropkick The People You Love", "What To Do When You Are Surrounded By Practically Perfect People", “Bloom Where You’re Planted”, and “It Will Be Fun, They Told Me".
Robin holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and a Master’s Degree in Science. Her idea of a great day is rafting in Idaho with her 4 grown kids and husband!