When resilience meets visionary leadership, greatness is inevitable—and Shana Gourdine is living proof. Her nomination for Women Entrepreneur of the Year at the Influencer Magazine Awards 2025 is a celebration of an extraordinary woman who has turned pain into power and built an empire rooted in healing, empowerment, and hope.

An empowerment advocate, bestselling author, poet, motivational speaker, podcast host, and life coach, Shana’s journey is marked by triumph over adversity. Rising above personal battles with domestic violence and chronic health challenges, she has transformed her story into a beacon of inspiration for others. As the founder, owner, and editor-in-chief of Unmasking Motivation Magazine, Shana created a platform that uplifts and amplifies marginalized voices, championing the cause of self-love, trauma recovery, and personal growth.

Shana’s entrepreneurial spirit shines not only through her magazine but also in her work as the executive producer of the award-winning film Through Your Eyes: The Mask Behind The Mask, and through her bestselling poetry collections like The Mask Behind the Mask and Unveiled Pieces of a Broken Mask. Her creative ventures seamlessly blend art with advocacy, sparking conversations around healing and resilience on a global scale.

With accolades such as the Purple Ribbon Award of Courage, the “I AM H.E.R” International Women on the Rise Award, the YWCA Art and Culture Women Empowerment Award, the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, an Honorary Doctorate in Christian Humanitarianism, and the title of 2025 Motivational Life Coach of the Year, Shana’s impact is undeniable.

Originally from Cross, South Carolina, and now inspiring lives worldwide from Troy, New York, Shana continues to defy limits and redefine success. Her nomination is a tribute to a woman who not only built businesses but also built hope, community, and a legacy of transformation.

Congratulations, Shana Gourdine. Your journey reminds us that true entrepreneurship is about more than profits—it’s about purpose, passion, and making the world a better place.