Empower Hour

Tori Burke – Attorney, Dancer, Advocate Tori is a passionate advocate for empowerment, fitness, and community engagement. A former Division 1 athlete and dance team captain, she has dedicated her career to helping others realize their potential—both in and out of the courtroom. With a background in business and law, Tori holds a Juris Doctor from George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University. Beyond her legal work, she is a certified barre, dance, and group fitness instructor, previously teaching at VIDA Fitness (Virginia/D.C.) and The Dance Academy (Holland, PA). Specializing in barre, strength training, HIIT, and dance fitness, she has led classes for diverse groups, including Spanish-speaking participants at Arlington Free Clinic. Tori is committed to empowering women and young girls through movement, mentorship, and wellness. Whether in the studio, courtroom, or community, she is driven by a mission to inspire confidence and strength in others.

Matt Guza is a professional drummer and music educator with a passion for performance, teaching, and sound exploration. Currently, he tours full-time as the drummer for "Satisfaction" – The International Rolling Stones Tribute Show, bringing the iconic music of the Stones to audiences worldwide. With a career spanning decades of live performance and global travel, Matt has worked extensively as a musician on cruise ships, in international venues, and in music hubs across the U.S. He spent time living and performing in Rhodes, Greece, further enriching his diverse musical experiences. Beyond performing, Matt is an experienced drum instructor, having taught at music stores and schools in Hazleton, Philadelphia, New Orleans, and Asheville. His dedication to music extends into the technical realm, with studies in sound recording and music technology at the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP), as well as training in sound healing from the Globe Institute in San Francisco. Now, Matt is excited to offer his time and talents to Empower Hour at Empowerment Pathways, where he will help inspire and mentor students through music, rhythm, and creative expression. His career reflects a deep love for music, education, and the transformative power of sound, making him a valuable addition to the Empowerment Pathways team.

Heather is a passionate nature lover with a deep appreciation for rocks, crystals, plants, and geology. With a natural gift for teaching, she enjoys sharing her knowledge about the wonders of the natural world and helping others develop a connection with plants and the environment. Known for her unique ability to revive struggling plants, friends and family often bring their dying greenery to Heather, who nurtures them back to life with care and attention. Every plant in her collection has a name and a story, and she believes that talking to plants helps them thrive. Her love for plants even made its way into a pageant talent show, where she proudly showcased a few of her favorite leafy companions. Whether teaching about geology, crystals, or plant care, Heather brings enthusiasm, warmth, and a touch of magic to everything she does.

Barbara has over 30 years of experience in international development and humanitarian work, including two decades in senior executive roles. She has led large-scale, high-impact programs across Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with a focus on capacity building, strategic planning, and program innovation. Known for managing complex, multi-million-dollar donor-funded initiatives as well as smaller, partnership-driven projects, Barbara has played a key role in program design, implementation, and evaluation. Her ability to forge strong partnerships and lead diverse, multicultural teams has resulted in transformational change in both program scale and impact. A trusted leader, Barbara has facilitated vision and strategy development, conducted peer reviews of organizational performance, and driven continuous improvement across programs. She is also a dedicated mentor, guiding senior staff and emerging professionals to develop their leadership potential and contribute meaningfully to the field. Throughout her career, Barbara has been recognized for her inclusive, results-driven leadership style, ensuring that programs not only address immediate needs but also create lasting, measurable change.