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Patty Chang Anker

2014 Speaker

Patty Chang Anker is the author of the memoir “Some Nerve: Lessons Learned While Becoming Brave” (Riverhead Books), a Parents Magazine “Mom must-read” and Books For a Better Life finalist. Oprah.com calls “Some Nerve” “downright inspiring” and Elizabeth Gilbert declares “a compelling story of everyday courage.” Named a Good Housekeeping “Blogger We Love” and a “Top 25 Funny Mom” on Circle of Moms for her blog Facing Forty Upside Down, Anker’s writing has appeared in numerous publications including O Magazine, WSJ.com, NPR.org, iVillage and The Huffington Post. She also blogs regularly for PsychologyToday.com‘s Anxiety section. A former director of media relations for The New York Times and veteran book publicist, Anker is also a certified yoga teacher and a sought-after workshop leader. When she’s not writing or teaching she can be found chasing her two daughters across Westchester County, N.Y. After spending five years facing her fears and helping others face theirs, Anker no longer has a fear of biking, public speaking, or her Chinese parents. But she’s still afraid of clowns. @pattychanganker