Ashley Eckstein Follow

Ashley Eckstein is an actress, author, entrepreneur, executive producer, fashion designer, inspirational speaker, mental health advocate, podcaster, and a dynamic force in the entertainment and fandom worlds. Best known as the voice of the iconic Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars—a character she originated in 2008—she also revolutionized fandom culture in 2010 when she founded Her Universe, a trailblazing fashion and lifestyle brand. Ashley’s designs can currently be found at Disney parks and stores around the world.

A leading authority and tastemaker in fandom, Ashley has been featured on CNN, Forbes, Fortune, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, among many others. She was honored by Good Housekeeping as one of its “25 Awesome Women,” invited to speak at Fortune magazine’s Next Gen Most Powerful Women Summit, and named one of CNET’s “Women Who Inspire.” Ashley also serves on the national advisory council for the Kids Mental Health Foundation.

She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, former Major League Baseball player and World Series MVP, David Eckstein. Together, they love traveling the world in search of the best pizza.

Samantha Chase is a New York Times and USA Today bestseller of contemporary romance that’s hotter than sweet, sweeter than hot.  She released her debut novel in 2011 and currently has more than 100 titles under her belt – including THE CHRISTMAS COTTAGE which was a Hallmark Christmas movie in 2017 and WEDDING SEASON which was a Hallmark June Wedding movie in 2023!

A lifelong Disney enthusiast with an unapologetic love for ’80s rock, Samantha spends her downtime devouring romance novels, playing far too much online Solitaire, and occasionally donning a tiara while hanging out with her sassy pug, Maylene. She lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina, with her husband of 35 years and their two sons—proof that real-life love stories can have happily-ever-afters, too.