Our Team

Leslie McCarroll, Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer.

Leslie McCarroll: Chief Creative Officer

Leslie is passionate about empowering women through health and fitness. Fitness serves as a major role in her life as well as her love of art, creative writing and practicing speaking French, when she can. Leslie is also a licensed Aesthetician and has a great interest in skin care and makeup artistry. After having competed in a few local fitness competitions and working with some of the best trainers and nutritionists in Northern Nevada, she decided to create a women’s publication featuring accomplished local women who choose to make health and fitness a priority in their life.Whether it’s competing in your fifth marathon, getting your IFBB ProCard or just changing your life by losing 50 lbs, Leslie wants to hear from YOU! She also wants this publication to serve as a platform to feature, promote and empower the many talented trainers, nutritionists, sports enthusiasts, fashion & beauty experts and photographers in the Northern Nevada area as well as branding nationwide. You will most likely see Leslie featured in a regular column and searching Northern Nevada for that motivating, talented, fit woman to grace the next cover of Aphrodite and inspire our readership with what can be accomplished with a little dedication and hard work!

Leslie’s photo is by: Walt Ostarly @ www.WaltOstarly.com

Palkin Zed, Co-Founder & Director of Business Development.

Palkin Zed: President of Business Development

Palkin has a passion for cooking, foods and nutrition, as a hobby, she teaches classes on Indian cooking and Ayurvedic cooking. In the Magazine, you’ll sporadically see foods & nutrition content from her, but mostly Palkin is interested in empowering women through Aphrodite, to achieve their best, whether that is in fitness, health, business, family or life. Though passionate about cooking, Palkin seeks to use her business development and start up background, to bring a financial structure and a great business model to the Reno, NV based Health and Fitness Magazine.

Micah Holley, Editor

Micah Holley: Editor

Micah is an active 23-year-old writer and editor who has a bachelor’s degree in English. She made a splash throughout college by coordinating National Hazing Prevention Week, becoming the Vice President of Administration of her sorority, graduating the North-American Interfraternity Conference, all while holding a spot in the National Greek Academic Honor Society, Gamma Sigma Alpha. When she’s not putting in time for Aphrodite, working her two jobs, coordinating events, or sweating it out at the gym, Micah is running outdoors with her pup or sprawling out on the couch with a bowl of berries. Soon she will be moving to St. Louis and pursuing her personal training certification.

Tyler Bourns, Director of Videography.

Tyler Bourns: Director of Videography

Tyler Bourns has always had a strong passion for storytelling. Early in High School Tyler found the perfect match to help express this passion in a visually engaging way; through video production. Upon graduating High School, Tyler packed up and moved to Los Angeles, CA. He went on to live down there for two years working with McNulty Nielsen Productions in a myriad of roles (Lighting, Camera, Grip, Teleprompter, Directing, etc) on high level productions that really helped to educate him in all areas of the industry.

In early 2010, Tyler founded Bourns Productions Inc., a full service video production company in Reno, NV. Having been in the industry for over six years and having worked on hundreds of productions and winning multiple awards as a producer/director, Tyler brings a positive attitude and his strong eye for visuals and storytelling to the Aphrodite team and mission.

Jeanne Dugan, Chief Stylist

Jeanne Dugan: Chief Stylist

Jeanne Dugan is an experienced wardrobe stylist, who is involved in the fashion industry on many different levels.   After graduating from the University of San Diego with a BA in International Relations, Jeanne realized that she couldn’t neglect her creative side and decided to pursue her interests in fashion.  She spent years designing and sewing unique bikinis and sexy clothing, which eventually led to the opening of her woman’s boutique, The Doll House.  She creates a variety of bikinis including designs for women in fitness competitions.  Over the last six years, Jeanne also became a wardrobe stylist in the advertising industry.  She has worked with actors and models of all ages, on TV commercials and photo shoots.  As a wardrobe stylist, she is always keeping an eye out for new trends, as well as the best bargains.
When she’s not working, Jeanne loves the outdoors and a variety of sports.  Balancing work with exercise and healthier lifestyle, she can relate to the reader on many levels.  Jeanne will use this vast background to bring the Aphrodite reader the latest fashions, whether it’s a night out or day full of outdoor activities.

Susan Thorn, Featured Writer & Corporate Relations

Susan Thorn: Featured Writer & Corporate Relations

Susan has transformed herself from an adolescent background of “the last one picked on the softball team” (for a game she never really liked anyways) to a pseudo-adult role as a “follow the rules/in the box thinker”(Where she never really was happy) to a life of empowering others and living with her whole heart wide open (where she has finally found her voice and greatest joy). Susan is a Registered Nurse with more than 25 years of healthcare experience in her communities. She has a deep passion for Health and Wellness Coaching in the areas of Chronic Disease, Obesity, Loss and Grief, and the healthy expression of human potential. When Susan is not at the gym following her passion for fitness in mind, body, heart, and soul, or writing and cooking, she is searching the deepest recess’s of the refrigerator for her secret stash of peanut butter. Susan lives with her amazing husband and a menagerie of horses, dogs, and a cat. She is the proud mom of 2 children, 2 step-children, and 6 grandchildren.

Iris Wang, Writer & Social Media Coordinator

Iris Wang: Writer & Social Media Coordinator

Iris, originally from Las Vegas and is currently situated in the beautiful Reno-Tahoe Basin, studying Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno. Living a happy, healthy life are important values to Iris, who works out almost every day and loves to partake in outdoor activities, like hiking! Iris is a strong believer that “abs are made in the kitchen,” so making healthy choices is a must. Other than working out and eating healthy, fashion is something she is truly interested in. For Iris, fashion is more than just shopping she loves that the same piece of clothing can be worn and styled in many different ways that can reflect a person’s personality.

Iris loves bargain shopping; to her, sometimes cheaper is better. However, she thinks that the confidence and individuality behind the clothes is what makes an outfit great. She lives by the motto, “live life to the fullest with no regrets.” And believes that life is the greatest gift we can ever receive and it should not be taken for granted. Iris loves making new experiences, meeting new people and learning new things.