Conference Schedule: Thursday, April 9, 2026​

We’ve Been Waiting for You: How Belief, Value, and Delight Create Impactful Leaders and Energized Teams Most organizations know what they need to do to succeed. The problem is getting people to feel connected enough, confident enough and energized enough to do it consistently. We’ve Been Waiting for You is a fast-paced, emotional, and practical keynote that helps leaders and team members unlock the three forces behind a thriving workplace: adding value, creating delightful moments, and believing in ourselves and others. Through compelling personal stories – including a memorable travel encounter your audience will not forget – Alan shows that high performance isn’t driven by pressure or perfection; it’s driven by human connection.

This keynote isn’t motivational fluff. It gives people repeatable actions: how to add value in small, meaningful ways; how simple “surprise and delight” moments strengthen loyalty and teamwork; and how belief – in our own capacity and in the people around us – translates into resilience, retention, and discretionary effort. Alan delivers a message that’s warm, funny, deeply relatable, and backed by research.

Attendees walk away not only inspired, but equipped to strengthen culture, spark purpose, and elevate their impact the very next day – no matter their title or role.

Learning Objectives:

1. Articulate how delivering genuine value in each interaction strengthens trust and engagement within teams.
2. Design and commit to one “moment of delight” that disrupts routine and helps build connection and loyalty.
3. Demonstrate belief in self and others by identifying and overcoming personal barriers (e.g., imposter syndrome, doubt) and supporting someone else’s potential.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Alan Feirer
Speaker and Trainer
Group Dynamic

Alan Feirer is the founder of Group Dynamic, based in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. For over 25 years, Alan has been dedicated to helping organizations develop leaders who motivate and teams who love working together. He provides leadership training, team development, and communication training for managers, directors, leadership teams, and team members. Alan is also an Authorized Partner of Everything DiSC® and Five Behaviors™, and a Certified Multipliers™ Coach. He is the author of “Leadership in Action: Eight Virtues” and co-host of the Music Ed Insights podcast.

An active member of professional organizations, Alan is a member of ATD Central Iowa (past president), the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, and Central Iowa SHRM. When he’s not making a difference with clients, you might find Alan on a remote hiking adventure with his wife, Julie, or enjoying time with their adult daughter, Mara. He’s a distance runner, an avid tennis fan and player, a competitive Scrabble enthusiast, and a lifelong Disney fan. He also has a passion for finding great local eateries whether on the road or in his own neighborhood.

www.groupdynamic.net

The presentation will focus on the appropriate use and safeguards organizations should establish related to employees using AI in the workplace.  Topics to be discussed will be data protection and confidentiality, intellectual property protection, safeguards related to AI hallucinations along with ethical considerations related to AI use.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how AI is being used in the workplace – Identify common applications of AI tools across industries and distinguish them from traditional software solutions.
2. Evaluate the opportunities and risks of AI adoption – Explain how AI can improve efficiency and decision-making while also recognizing the ethical, compliance, and workforce challenges it introduces.
3. Apply best practices for responsible AI use – Describe strategies organizations and professionals can use to ensure fair, transparent, and effective integration of AI technologies in the workplace.

Intended Audience: Private Sector

Chris Proskey
Attorney
BrownWinick Law Firm

Christopher A. Proskey is a member attorney at BrownWinick and Co-Chair of the firm’s Intellectual Property practice group. Chris is a registered patent attorney with a focus on patents, trademarks, and intellectual property rights. He serves a variety of corporate clients across a broad array of businesses and technology areas. He helps these clients protect, enforce and defend their patent, trademark, copyright and other intellectual property rights. Over his career, Chris has drafted and prosecuted hundreds of patents and trademarks. He has also been involved in many complex intellectual property litigations.

Prior to joining BrownWinick, Chris also served as General Counsel for QMotion Incorporated, a growing international technology company. There he managed and developed a portfolio of several hundred U.S. and foreign patents and trademarks, as well as managed and negotiated a network of domestic and international licensing agreements, as well as all other legal matters for the company. As General Counsel, Chris helped lead the successful acquisition of QMotion by a publicly traded company.

Chris received a B.S. in Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Iowa State University. He worked as an engineer in the semiconductor and nanotechnology industry at Seagate Technology, where he designed manufacturing systems for computer hard drives. While at Seagate, Chris attended the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management and received an M.B.A., with studies focused on strategy, finance, entrepreneurship and management. Chris was named a Dwight D. Opperman Scholar and received a full tuition scholarship to attend Drake University Law School. In 2007, he received his J.D., with honors, with studies focused on intellectual property and business law.

BrownWinick
Attorney

Sarah E. Herz is an associate attorney at BrownWinick. She aims to be known as a lawyer her clients feel comfortable reaching out to—someone approachable who can explain legal matters in a straightforward way. Sarah focuses on offering reassurance and practical solutions to those dealing with challenges. By connecting her clients with the right combination of expertise and services, she helps them meet their business objectives and achieve meaningful results. This is the standard she works toward every day as an Associate Attorney at BrownWinick.

As a lawyer, Sarah’s approach is centered on listening carefully to her clients’ needs and providing them with choices and knowledge that help them achieve their goals. Whether she’s helping a business navigate complex legal landscapes or assisting individuals with estate planning, her focus is on clarity and practical solutions. Sarah believes in empowering her clients through understanding, ensuring that they know all their options and can make informed decisions.

In 2024, Sarah received a J.D., with distinction, from the University of Iowa and was admitted to the Iowa bar the same year. She graduated in 2021 from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in General Economics. She is currently a member of the Polk County and Iowa State Bar Associations.

www.brownwinick.com

Joe Leo
BrownWinick
Attorney

Joe Leo is a member attorney at BrownWinick and practices mainly in the areas of securities law and corporate transactions.

Joe strives to provide his clients with practical and timely legal advice while never losing sight of the business goals and objectives of his clients. Joe provides securities compliance services to four publicly reporting companies in the Midwest. He also provides legal advice to several private equity funds operating in Iowa regarding securities compliance matters. Joe is also an adjunct professor of Securities Law at Drake University Law School.

In addition to his securities compliance practice, Joe represents businesses in various aspects of their operations, including organization and planning, restructuring, equity and debt offerings and compliance, and corporate governance matters. Joe is heavily involved in the business startup community in Iowa and is a frequent speaker on legal issues that startup and high-growth companies face. He enjoys bringing a practical approach to legal representation for early-stage companies that must be strategic in how they allocate resources.

In addition to his legal practice, Joe participates in Plains Angels, an angel capital group operating in central Iowa, and serves as a mentor in the Global Insurance Accelerator and the Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, both located in Des Moines, Iowa.

Prior to attending law school, Joe worked in business development for the Wisconsin Department of Commerce. He believes this experience helps keep him focused on the business goals of his clients.

www.brownwinick.com

To equip and educate managers on how to lead and create a psychologically safe and supportive environment in a time of polarization and uncertainty.

Core Concepts Covered:

1. Psychological Safety vs. Personal Safety
2. “Both/And” Thinking
3. What “Inside Out” Teaches Us
4. The Role of the Manager
5. Q and A

Learning Objectives:

1. HR leaders will discover tools to help their managers maintain their own emotional regulation while leading. HR leaders will learn more about “parts work”, a component of Internal Family Systems Theory, that “Inside Out” highlights.
2. HR leaders will be equipped with a handout for managers.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Ramona Wink
LMHC, Speaker, Business Consultant, Vistage Chair
515 Therapy and Consulting and Vistage

Ramona Wink is a licensed mental health counselor, motivational public speaker, and business consultant with 515 Therapy and Consulting in West Des Moines, Iowa. 515 Therapy and Consulting was awarded Metro’s Best Award for Counseling Centers in 2024 and 2025!  www.515therapy.com

She graduated with her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Drake University and with her BA in Mass Communications from the University of Iowa.

Ramona is passionate about her motivational public speaking and business consulting because this work allows her to make a positive impact on even more people. Check out Ramona’s website at: https://www.515therapy.com/ramonawinkspeaking

Ramona is also a Vistage Chair, leading a group of Iowa based CEOs from non-competing industries. Vistage is the world’s leading peer advisory group. www.vistage.com

When you think about leadership and people, Ramona’s brand and expertise is unmatched!

www.515therapy.com/ramonawinkspeaking

Becoming a Trusted HR Business Partner is a practical, interactive program designed to help HR professionals elevate their strategic impact and strengthen relationships.  Participants will learn principles for leading effect discovery conversations, establishing clear agreements, and providing authentic, high-value feedback.  Real-world case sites will bring the concepts to life, helping attendees navigate the nuances of building trust and influence in complex environments.  This session empowers HR Business Partners to move from support roles to becoming essential strategic advisors.

Learning Objectives:

1. Conduct Effective Conversations: Learn how to ask insightful questions and actively listen to uncover the real needs and challenges facing internal clients.
2. Formulate Clear and Actionable Agreements: Gain the ability to create structured, mutually understood agreements that define roles, responsibilities, and success measures.
3. Deliver Honest and Impactful Feedback: Explore techniques for providing feedback that is both authentic and constructive, fostering growth while maintaining trust.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Todd McDonald
President
ATW Training Solutions

Todd McDonald founded ATW Training Solutions in 1999 after spending 15 years in various human resources and training roles in industries such as finance, insurance, banking and manufacturing. He also served as Executive Vice President of American Media, Inc., the largest producer of training videos at the time with products in 72 countries and 27 languages

Todd has authored 2 books: one on communication between managers and their employees, “I Wish You Would Just…” and the other on time management, “How to Find 100 Extra Minutes a Day.”

When not leading the efforts of ATW, you can find Todd volunteering and serving on numerous boards on a local and national level.  And when there is free time, you can find Todd spending time with his wife, kids and growing family of grandchildren.

www.atwtraining.com

Today’s workplace is filled with capable, talented people whose results are being quietly sabotaged—not by skill gaps, not by lack of experience, but by their own behavior.

We’ve all seen it. Brilliant performers who don’t realize how their tone shuts people down. High achievers who spark unnecessary conflict. Team members who are technically exceptional but emotionally unpredictable. Individuals who can’t understand why they’re not advancing—even though everyone else KNOWS why. The hard truth?  Technical Expertise is NOT Enough!  And when jerk-like behavior gets in the way, the INDIVIDUAL as well as the ORGANIZATION ends up paying the price.

So, if you have team members that are exhibiting behaviors that undermine their brilliance—at this workshop you’ll work with seasoned behavior and leadership expert to:

• Identify the everyday “jerk-like” behaviors that quietly damage reputations, relationships, and results.
• Learn key words and phrases that will help an employee understand how they are hurting themselves.
• Discover a practical methodology to realign employee behavior so that their true value can shine through.

This workshop is direct, eye-opening, and immediately actionable. Because when employee behaviors improve, everything improves.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the everyday “jerk-like” behaviors that quietly damage reputations, relationships, and results.
2. Learn key words and phrases that will help an employee understand how they are hurting themselves.
3. Discover a practical methodology to realign employee behavior so that their true value can shine through.

Intended Audience: Public Sector

Jenn Peterson
Solutions Advisor
BecomeMore Group

Jenn Peterson is a Solutions Advisor with the BecomeMore Group focusing on helping companies with their most valued resource – their people. She has over twenty-five years of experience in design, project management, leadership and sales roles that focused on aligning solutions to the needs of her clients.  She leverages her experience and passion for working with organizations and individuals to level-up and be the best they can be through hiring top talent, aligning strategy, and building dream teams.  She is a skilled facilitator and connects with people through shared experiences and stories – helping them along their own journey to becoming more.

www.becomemoregp.com

This presentation covers what your optometrist is looking for when doing your eye exam and ways you can help yourself have clearer and more comfortable vision throughout the day.

If your employee can not see clearly and/or comfortably for the entire workday, they can be more prone to accidents, clerical mistakes and are generally less efficient.

One study showed you get $7800/yr/employee in added efficiency if their eyes are working properly.

Healthy/Happy employees are better employees!

Learning Objectives:

1. How eye exams can save your life!
2. If you work on a computer, did you know…
3. Why don’t we love our children more?
4. Clarity vs Comfort in Vision.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Dr. Chad Overman
Vision Director
Delta Dental of Iowa

Dr. Chad Overman graduated from Southern College of Optometry in 1995. After spending 12 years practicing in Nebraska and Wisconsin, he joined Walmart’s Corporate team. Over the next nine years, Dr. Overman worked in many roles: OD liaison to over 4,000 providers, Senior OD Recruiting Manager responsible for the Eastern U.S., liaison to more than 40 optical vendors and internal advisor to more than 20 Walmart support teams.

His industry experience and relationships led Dr. Overman to start his own consulting business in 2015. Dr. Overman’s primary focus has been quality, affordable and accessible care and he has been a champion of driving yearly eye exams for all.

In 2019, Dr. Overman joined DeltaVision as our Director of Vision Benefits. His primary role is to bring clinical expertise to those we serve, providing valuable insights on the importance of vision health and its connection to overall

www.deltadentalia.com

This training provides participants with a comprehensive overview of reasonable suspicion in the workplace and the employer’s role in identifying, documenting, and responding to potential substance use impairment. Participants explore the prevalence and impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) in workplace settings, along with key legal and policy considerations that guide appropriate employer action.

The session defines reasonable suspicion and clarifies employer and supervisor responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of objective observation, consistent documentation, and adherence to organizational policies. Participants review common indicators of impairment, distinguish observation from assumption, and examine best-practice processes for initiating reasonable suspicion actions. Common mistakes, such as confrontational approaches, stigmatizing language, and failure to document—are discussed to reinforce effective and compliant responses.

The training also focuses on supporting employees through a trauma-informed and recovery-oriented lens. Participants gain an understanding of SUD as a chronic disease, strategies for reducing stigma, and methods for fostering a supportive workplace culture. Practical guidance and sample language are provided to help supervisors approach conversations with concern while maintaining boundaries and policy compliance. Early intervention, return-to-work considerations, and relapse prevention resources are also addressed.

Finally, the session highlights the role and value of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) in promoting employee well-being and organizational health. Participants learn how EAPs function, how they support employees and supervisors, and strategies for increasing EAP awareness and utilization. The session concludes with a walkthrough example and a review of available resources to support ongoing learning and implementation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand employer responsibilities related to reasonable suspicion in the workplace
2. Recognize signs and symptoms of substance use impairment
3. Understand the role and value of Employee Assistance Programs in supporting employees

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Haley Pederson Hundley
Substance Abuse Programs Director
EFR

Haley Pederson Hundley is the Substance Abuse Programs Director at Employee & Family Resources. Haley is an International Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Certified Prevention Specialist. Prior to moving into the Substance Abuse Programs Director role, Haley served as the Substance Abuse Programs Manager. Haley has worked in the substance abuse prevention services field for over 9 years specializing in the field of opioid misuse prevention and general prevention services.

Haley has earned her MHA from Walden University and her Bachelor of Science degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Iowa State University. In her free time, Haley enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband, reading, and baking.

http://www.efr.org

The presentation will explore the dynamics of a multi-generational workforce. It will cover the journeys of each generation, the common challenges, and offer strategies to bridge the generational gaps.

Learning Objectives

1. Understanding each generation’s journey
2. Identifying challenges with each generation
3. Learning to bridge the generation gaps

Intended Audience: Public Sector

Danielle Smid
Member
BrownWinick Law Firm

Danielle D. Smid is a member attorney at BrownWinick and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. Danielle is also Chair of both the firm’s Culture Committee and the Employment & Labor practice group. Danielle’s employment practice includes counseling employers in human resources policies and procedures; unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation; FMLA; Iowa state and federal wage and hour issues; reduction in forces; union avoidance; restrictive covenants (non-competes, non-solicitation agreements and confidentiality agreements); discipline and termination issues; and drug testing policies and procedures. She conducts management training concerning drug testing and personnel issues and has served as an investigator for clients regarding misconduct, discrimination and harassment allegations. Danielle spent seven years as in-house employment counsel and from that understands a company’s need to balance legal risk with running an efficient and successful business.

Danielle has appeared in front of numerous administrative agencies such as the Iowa Workforce Development, Department of Labor, the National Labor Relations board, OSHA and the Iowa Office of Civil Rights, as well as state and federal courts on behalf of clients. In addition, Danielle has represented clients in employment-related mediations and arbitrations. Danielle is a frequent speaker on employment-related issues for clients, human resources and other professionals and has written several articles in regard to the same.

Danielle was admitted to the Iowa bar, United States District Court for the Northern and Southern Districts of Iowa, and the United States Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1998, and to the state bar in Wisconsin in 2012. She is a member of the Iowa State, American, (Member, Business Law Section and Labor and Employment Section) and Polk County Bar Associations. Dani is also a member of Metro Women Connect and serves on the executive committee at BrownWinick.

www.brownwinick.com/attorneys/danielle-d-smid

In a world of constant transformation, leaders are often tasked with navigating change they didn’t choose—yet are expected to lead others through it with clarity and confidence. Traditional change management strategies focus on enhancing external structures and processes. But sustainable resilience starts from the inside.

Sarah Aviram reveals the overlooked connection between change leadership and personal motivation: how clarity about what drives us —at a core human level—can be the most powerful tool in navigating ambiguity, influencing others, and creating momentum.

Through compelling stories from living and working in 12 countries in 12 months, and grounded in organizational psychology, Sarah shares six core motivators that shape how we respond to change, make decisions, and lead during uncertainty. This talk goes beyond standard models to help leaders not just manage change, but inspire through it—with deeper self-awareness, alignment, and influence.

Learning Objectives:

1. A new lens on change: how internal motivation affects our ability to lead and adapt during organizational shift
2. A practical framework for identifying and activating the six core motivators that drive decision-making, engagement, and clarity
3. Insight into how to reduce resistance (in yourself and your teams) by aligning actions with what truly matters

Intended Audience: Private Sector

Sarah Aviram
Keynote Speaker, Best-Selling Author and Leadership Coach
Sarah Aviram

Sarah Aviram is an international keynote speaker, best-selling author, and executive coach. She is also a former Fortune 500 Human Resources leader from companies like PepsiCo and Avon. She’s created and delivered leadership development programs, keynote talks, and workshops to over 50,000 people at companies like Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, American Express, and Google.

After working remotely from 12 countries in 12 months in 2019, researching the future of work, she published the best-selling book, Remotivation: The Remote Worker’s Ultimate Guide to Life- Changing Fulfillment. Her thought leadership on motivation in the new era of work has been featured in esteemed publications such as Forbes and the BBC. Sarah’s TEDx talk, “Does more freedom at work mean more fulfillment?” was featured on TED’s homepage and has over half a million views.

She has an MBA in Leadership and Change Management from New York University Stern School of Business, where she’s also a guest lecturer on the topic of managing change and uncertainty.

As artificial intelligence transforms the workplace, organizations face questions about responsible use. This session explores why AI policies and ethical guidelines are essential, how to design them effectively, and what leading examples look like in practice. Drawing on current research and real-world cases, we’ll discuss frameworks for transparency, fairness, and accountability, and provide actionable steps for HR leaders to implement policies that protect both employees and organizations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the importance of AI policies and ethical guidelines.
2. Identify key components of effective AI policies and ethical frameworks.
3. Apply practical steps to develop and implement AI governance in organizations.

Intended Audience: Private Sector

Dr. Liz Kluver
Doctor
Buena Vista University

is an educator and expert in Business Management, holding a PhD from Capella University. With a teaching career spanning over 20 years, Dr. Kluver has dedicated the last eight years to shaping future business leaders at Buena Vista University. She brings experience in HR consulting to her academic endeavors, allowing her to provide real-world insights in the classroom. Dr. Kluver is passionate about leadership development, striving to inspire and cultivate the next generation of leaders through innovative teaching methods and a commitment to student success.

As an Ambassador with SHRM Foundation & USAA the goal through our Military Community at Work initiative is to build awareness, inform and shape the recruitment, hiring, and retention practices of workplaces as it relates to the military community.

The presentation is aimed at supporting interest and efforts in unlocking the potential of this talent pool and understanding Best Practices & HR Strategies for sustaining military hiring programs. Members of the military community are valuable members of our workforce who have in-demand skills that are strengthened and enhanced by their experiences with military service. They are trained to think on their feet and help build more diverse and inclusive work environments. Yet, a large portion are unemployed or underemployed, leaving talent pools untapped and military families struggling upon return from service.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the Employment Challenges
2. Acknowledge why you should hire Military community members
3. Learn Strategies for and sustaining Military hiring

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Adam Potter
Senior HR Specialist | Veteran Liaison | Dual Career Program Lead
University of Iowa

Adam D. Potter is a Senior HR Specialist at the University of Iowa, where he brings over 25 years of human resources experience to his work in talent acquisition, career coaching, and inclusive hiring practices. He plays a key role in the university’s Talent Acquisition department and leads both the Veteran Liaison and Dual Career Program initiatives, supporting veteran job seekers and assisting faculty partners in their career transitions.

A U.S. Army veteran with more than 20 years of service, Adam graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas – Grantham. He holds PHR and SHRM-CP certifications and is deeply committed to mentorship, volunteering with American Corporate Partners and the SHRM Military Community Ambassadors program.

www.shrm.org/foundation/widening-pathways-to-work/military-community

John Mikelson
President
Foresight IT

Mr. John Mikelson has been an active volunteer with the Iowa Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) since April 2004, currently serving as the State Vice Chair. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army as a Sergeant First Class in 2004, he returned to the University of Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History (2007) and a Master of Arts in Education Policy and Leadership Studies (2008). During this time, he also served as the Coordinator of the University of Iowa Veterans Center from 2005 to 2013.

Mr. Mikelson’s honors and recognitions include:

• Presidential Gold Volunteer Award for co-founding Student Veterans of America
• Army Chief of Staff Citations for Recruiting Excellence (twice) and Supply Excellence (once)
• Army Recruiting Ring
• UI College of Education Distinguished Veteran Alumni Award (2017)
• ESGR Seven Seals Award (twice)
• Iowa Governor’s Volunteer Award
• 2023 SBA Veterans Small Business Champion for Iowa
• SHRM Military Community Ambassador
• MilitaryFriendly.com 2025 Iowa Vetrepreneur of the Year

www.esgr.mil

As employment professionals, we all have involvement with our company’s retirement plan in some form or fashion. For some, working with the company retirement plan is a necessary function of the job. For others, it’s an exciting opportunity to impact the financial wellbeing of our co-workers.

Studies show that employers benefit immensely from having financially healthy employees, from increased productivity and employee morale, to decreased healthcare costs and employee absences. But how can the workplace retirement plan and financial wellness be optimized, and how is success defined? What are leading peers doing to engage their employees, and how can the obvious roadblocks to financial success be conquered?

We’ll share statistics, case studies, engaging stories, best practices, and more during this interactive session.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explore what it truly means for an employer to optimize their workplace retirement plan and identify the low and no-cost ways employers can enhance their retirement programs.
2. Explore how HR professionals and plan sponsors can measure the success of their workplace retirement programs.
3. Identify the key elements of employee engagement that lead to improved financial wellness outcomes.

Intended Audience: Private Sector

Troy Anderson
Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor
CAPTRUST

Troy joined CAPTRUST in 2017. He serves as a senior vice president and financial advisor, responsible for providing defined contribution, defined benefit, and nonqualified plan advisory services to corporate fiduciaries. Troy travels throughout the Midwest and beyond, helping clients build successful retirement plans by leveraging the firm’s resources to provide independent advice on investments, plan design, participant financial wellness and advice, fiduciary process, and vendor management.

Troy holds the Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor (CPFA) credential from the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) and the Qualified 401(k) Administrator (QKA) designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA). He has also completed NAPA’s Nonqualified Plan Advisor (NQPA) certification program.

Prior to joining the firm, Troy was a client manager at Wolin & Associates, Inc. When he is not in the office or with a client, you can find Troy spending time with his wife and their three boys.

www.captrust.com/locations/iowa/west-des-moines-ia

Change is constant, yet most leaders misread what their teams truly need during transition. This session gives managers and HR professionals a clear, practical way to understand how people emotionally respond to change and how to support them through it. Participants will learn to recognize the six stages of the workplace-adapted Kübler- Ross Change Curve, anticipate resistance using the SCARF model, and use four simple but powerful questions to uncover fears, values, and motivation. Attendees will walk away with tools they can put into practice immediately—no matter their title or level of authority.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and anticipate reduced team capacity during times of uncertainty or change, using the Kubler-Ross Change Curve as a diagnostic tool.
2. Apply a four-question framework to better lead and communicate through ambiguity with empathy and clarity.
3. Strengthen leadership presence by embracing symbolism and inspiration to build confidence, even without formal authority.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Alan Feirer
Speaker and Trainer
Group Dynamic

Alan Feirer is the founder of Group Dynamic, based in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. For over 25 years, Alan has been dedicated to helping organizations develop leaders who motivate and teams who love working together. He provides leadership training, team development, and communication training for managers, directors, leadership teams, and team members. Alan is also an Authorized Partner of Everything DiSC® and Five Behaviors™, and a Certified Multipliers™ Coach. He is the author of “Leadership in Action: Eight Virtues” and co-host of the Music Ed Insights podcast.

An active member of professional organizations, Alan is a member of ATD Central Iowa (past president), the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, and Central Iowa SHRM. When he’s not making a difference with clients, you might find Alan on a remote hiking adventure with his wife, Julie, or enjoying time with their adult daughter, Mara. He’s a distance runner, an avid tennis fan and player, a competitive Scrabble enthusiast, and a lifelong Disney fan. He also has a passion for finding great local eateries whether on the road or in his own neighborhood.

www.groupdynamic.net

A discussion with real world examples to illustrate how to handle accommodation issues HR professionals face on a daily basis.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the reasonable accommodation obligation under state and federal law.
2. Discuss practical tips on how to handle accommodation requests.
3. Apply what we’ve learned to several hypothetical accommodation scenarios.

Intended Audience: Private Sector

Ryan Stefani
Attorney
Nyemaster

Crafting an argument for the court—especially one that ultimately wins the day for his client—is one of the most satisfying elements of Ryan Stefani’s practice. “What is the most fulfilling and meaningful to me is being able to take a client’s problems and craft a very thoughtful and well-reasoned argument to the court,” Ryan says, “I particularly enjoy writing briefs that are easy to understand in a way that is persuasive, logical, and easy to follow.”

Yet, when cases cannot be resolved through motion practice or settlement, Ryan has a proven track record of trying cases to verdict.

That’s valuable in Ryan’s litigation practice. As a member of the labor and employment group, Ryan defends employers who face discrimination claims from employees and former employees. Additionally, employers and employees alike can also rely on Ryan to navigate restrictive covenants, including noncompetition, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements.

Ryan also helps clients protect their IP through intellectual property litigation. In this practice, Ryan assists clients with patent and trademark disputes. He has assisted with IP litigation in federal courts around the country. This includes briefing and arguing before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

In addition to employment and intellectual property law, Ryan also maintains a general litigation practice that includes commercial litigation and personal injury defense.

www.nyemaster.com

Step into the HR Chemistry Lab, where we mix compassion, curiosity, and classic HR know-how to create something entirely new.  

In this interactive session, we’ll explore why compassionate coaching is the missing ingredient in many HR toolkits — the “soft skill” that amplifies every technical one. When HR professionals learn to coach with curiosity, they don’t just solve compliance problems… they transform conversations, build trust, and uncover the whole story behind the issue. 

The second half of this session is pure experimentation: real scenarios, real dialogue, and live practice. You’ll leave with fresh questions, sharper listening skills, and maybe a few surprising reactions (no lab goggles required).

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how compassionate coaching enhances HR’s tactical work – from employee relations to performance conversations.
2. Experiment with reframing techniques that help uncover deeper causes behind surface-level problems.
3. Apply compassionate coaching methods through live, hands-on “lab” practice designed to build confidence and connection.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Chelsea Stoll
Chief Growth Officer
Compassionate Leaders Circle

Chelsea Stoll is the Chief Growth Officer at Compassionate Leaders Circle — and, by her own description, a social experimenter, people enthusiast, and recovering “fixer of everything HR.”

Chelsea’s story took a turn years ago when she found herself leading through a major unionization campaign. It was a defining moment — one that made her question everything she thought she knew about leadership, influence, and humanity at work.

Instead of walking away from it, she went on a quest — to find a better way to lead. To understand what happens when compassion, curiosity, and accountability actually work together.

That quest turned into years of reflection, research, and practice — and ultimately into her life’s work: helping leaders mix the heart of compassion with the hard edges of organizational reality.

Today, she’s here to invite you into her favorite experiment — the HR Chemistry Lab — where we get to test what happens when empathy meets everyday HR.

www.compassionateleaderscircle.com/chelsea

Put SUCCESS in Succession is a practical and story-driven session designed to help business owners and leaders prepare their organizations for long-term strength. Drawing on more than twenty years inside her family’s manufacturing business, Molly Varangkounh guides attendees through her ACT approach: Alignment, Clarity, and Tradeoffs.

This session explores the human and strategic realities of leadership transition and succession planning. Participants will learn how misalignment shows up in daily decisions, why unclear authority creates stalled progress, and how to anticipate the tradeoffs that naturally arise when leading through change.

Attendees will walk away with simple tools to define decision-making roles, improve communication, and strengthen leadership continuity. Whether you lead a family-owned company or a privately held business, this session offers a clear path to preparing your next generation of leaders and building a business that is ready for what comes next.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn to recognize the signs of misalignment in their business, identify competing definitions of success, and apply practical steps to bring leaders and teams back to a shared direction.
2. Participants will learn how to establish clear decision authority, outline how decisions are made, and develop a simple structure that reduces confusion, hesitation, and emotional decision-making.
3. Participants will understand the difference between fairness and equality, explore common family and organizational tradeoffs, and develop a process for addressing them in a way that strengthens both relationships and results.

Intended Audience: Private Sector

Molly Varangkounh
Owner
Molly Varangkounh

Molly Varangkounh spent twenty years as a third generation leader in her family’s manufacturing business, where she focused on building value, strengthening operations, and developing people.
When it became clear that the future of the business and the succession plan no longer aligned with her personal and professional goals, she made the courageous decision to step away.

Today, Molly works with business owners, corporate leaders, and leaders who are navigating growth, transition, and succession. She brings a blend of technical expertise and a people-first approach, helping leaders find clarity, align their teams, and make confident decisions. Her work reflects a simple belief that alignment and accountability come before the numbers.

www.mollyv.com

Many platforms marketed as innovative solutions push out content that feels more like generic advice than practical support. They’re designed to teach concepts, but rarely offer timely, relevant guidance people need in real world, especially under pressure, like when navigating team conflict or facing a high-stakes meeting. This disconnect leaves leaders and teams equipped with knowledge but struggling to apply it when it matters most.

The challenge is that learning often stops at information transfer, leaving team members without the context-specific support to turn what they know into action. Frustrations build up, miscommunication festers, and opportunities for proactive feedback and connection are missed. Team members feel isolated in their challenges, unsure how to bridge communication gaps or apply skills that are, in theory, meant to improve collaboration.

In this session, Erin Lego will dig into how teams can use automated coaching technology to overcome these gaps. She’ll focus on approaches that enhance learning with actionable insights exactly when they’re needed. Erin will show how teams can build an environment where learning is actively integrated into daily workflows, empowering people to communicate openly, respond flexibly, and approach challenges with the confidence that their learning is there to support them every step of the way.

Learning Objectives:

1. Evaluate current learning technologies for their ability to deliver real-time, personalized insights that support immediate action.
2. Identify opportunities where personalized tips and reminders can be used to bridge the gap between knowledge and action.
3. Create a team environment where learning is integrated into the workday and reinforces emotional intelligence, adaptability, and collaboration.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Erin Lego
Leadership Coach & Consultant
Erin Lego Coaching & Consulting, LLC

Erin Lego is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation and a certified Enneagram coach who is passionate about helping leaders and teams connect, communicate, and grow. Through her coaching practice, Erin Lego Coaching and Consulting, she brings over a decade of hands-on experience in leadership development, using tools like the Enneagram and automated coaching to deepen self-awareness and resilience within teams.

Erin’s approach is simple and practical: she believes development should be accessible to everyone on the team—not just executives. Her work centers on making growth a part of everyday interactions, turning insights into action that fits naturally into each workday. Erin’s workshops and sessions go beyond theory, empowering people to apply what they learn immediately so they can build stronger, more connected teams.

Known for her engaging style and authentic approach, Erin has helped leaders across industries build cultures where learning and feedback are ongoing, empowering people to bring their best to every challenge.

erinlegocoaching.com

Healthcare costs continue to rise at an unsustainable pace, driven by factors such as inflation, specialty drug pricing, and increased utilization. These trends have employers urgently seeking strategies to regain control of health plan spend. This session, Exploring the Benefits Funding Continuum: Strategies, Pros & Cons, and Cost-Containment Solutions, will explore the key drivers behind cost escalation, evaluate innovative funding models like level-funded and reference-based pricing, and highlight care navigation tools that empower smart consumerism. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to design benefit programs that contain costs without compromising employee experience.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the full spectrum of benefits funding models—including fully insured, level-funded plans, captives, ICHRAs, and HRA buydowns—and their respective advantages and disadvantages.
2. Analyze how funding choices impact benefit strategies and cost-containment goals, including risk management, compliance, and employee experience.
3. Identify actionable approaches to optimize plan design and financial performance by leveraging innovative funding solutions and market programs.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Julie Oeth
Vice President, Employee Benefits
Cottingham & Butler

Julie previously held the role of Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Cottingham & Butler for seven years before joining the Employee Benefits division. In her role, Julie was responsible for driving the strategic vision for Human Resources and lead the function through double digit headcount growth and navigated challenges through COVID-19.  Julie has served as a member of the Executive Team, Benefits & Retirement Committee, and lead the Human Resources functions of Training, Organizational Design, Payroll, Benefits, Recruiting and Employee Relations.

Julie graduated from University of Northern Iowa. She spent time living in Boston developing her recruiting and HR generalist skills before moving back to Iowa in 2005. She spent over 10 years in Des Moines and has experience working in HR consulting and held roles in corporate procurement as well as HR Leadership in the financial services industry. She now resides in Dubuque, IA with her husband and three children.

About Cottingham & Butler
Cottingham & Butler is the top five independently held brokers in the U.S. and a recognized leader in offering innovative property & casualty and employee benefit insurance solutions. The company is headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa, and employs over 1,300 employees across the U.S.

www.cottinghambutler.com

Chris Williams
Vice President, Employee Benefits
Cottingham & Butler

In today’s nonstop work culture, even the most capable leaders find themselves overwhelmed managing fires instead of leading with purpose. Meetings multiply, boundaries blur, and engagement drops. The result? Leaders who care deeply about their teams are running on empty; they are overwhelmed with change and are struggling to communicate in a digital world.

In this transformative session, leadership expert Liz Burgin shares her signature framework The CALM Method™ for leading with Clarity, Altruism, Leadership Energy, and Momentum. Liz combines her real-world leadership experience and human-centered approach to move managers from reaction to intention.

Attendees will leave knowing how to replace chaos with calm, intentionally reclaiming their focus, and lead a trust centered culture to drive engagement, empowerment, and resilience.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the hidden patterns that create chaos and burnout in teams.
2. Set boundaries that protect energy while strengthening trust and engagement.
3. Transform workplace culture from reactive and fragmented to connected and purpose driven.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Liz Burgin
Speaker/Therapist
Liz Burgin

Liz Burgin is a relationship expert who helps professionals lead with clarity, confidence, and calm without the chaos. She teaches leaders how to build positive, engaged team cultures through intention, structure, and emotional intelligence.

With a background in systems and behavioral dynamics, Liz equips managers and executives to replace constant reactivity with confident, purposeful action. Her work emphasizes the power of boundaries, communication, and trust to create workplaces where people feel safe, motivated, and valued.

Through her signature framework, The CALM Method™, Liz helps leaders cultivate environments that reduce burnout, boost engagement, and strengthen retention. Her speaking style is grounded and actionable, weaving together strategy, empathy, and humor. Audiences leave her sessions feeling seen, re-energized, and ready to lead teams that thrive—not just survive.

lizburgin.com

This presentation equips HR professionals with the knowledge, tools, and practical strategies to handle the most challenging FMLA situations while reducing the risk of legal exposure.

This session is for the HR professional who already has mastered the basics, and focuses on real-world scenarios in the five most difficult scenarios:

• Intermittent Leave for Chronic Conditions
• Questionable or Potentially Abusive Leave Requests
• Employees Who Fail to Provide or Return Paperwork
• Overlapping ADA, Workers’ Compensation, and FMLA
• Fitness-for-Duty, Return-to-Work, and Safety Concerns

The session provides practical advice for communicating with employees, supervisors, and providers, ensuring consistent, neutral, and legally compliant interactions. Additionally, the speaker will share insights into potential litigation pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the Five Most Challenging FMLA Scenarios – Recognize situations such as intermittent leave, overlapping ADA/workers’ comp issues, and fitness-for-duty cases that frequently create HR challenges.
2. Apply Legally Compliant HR Scripts and Processes – Use ready-to-deploy communication templates and step-by-step procedures to handle sensitive FMLA requests while minimizing risk of interference or retaliation claims.
3. Enhance Day-to-Day HR Decision-Making – Confidently make operational leave decisions, handle supervisor questions, and maintain documentation while balancing employee needs and business requirements.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Mary Funk
Attorney
Nyemaster

This session explores how capability building becomes a strategic engine for execution and growth. Instead of treating training as a standalone function, leaders will learn how to embed development into the organization’s strategic fabric—aligning people, priorities, and performance. Participants will examine how to translate strategy into workforce capabilities that create resilience, agility, and sustained competitive advantage.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how to identify the strategic capabilities that enable readiness, adaptability, and future growth.
2. Understand how to design a capability framework that aligns leadership development, culture, and performance systems.
3. Explore how to operationalize strategy through people, turning plans into measurable action and long-term capability.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Shereen Bender
CHRO
2nd Adventure Group / Brownells

Shereen Bender is a results-driven executive with over 15 years of leadership in operations, human capital strategy, and organizational development. She has led the Human Capital elements in organizations of up to 8,000 employees across industries including technology, education, finance, and healthcare.

As Chief Human Resources Officer at 2nd Adventure Group, Shereen oversees enterprise-wide initiatives in workforce development, capabilities alignment, and organizational readiness. She is recognized for aligning talent, data, and strategy to drive scalable growth and operational excellence.

A thought leader on AI in workforce strategy, Shereen helps organizations integrate emerging technologies to enhance decision-making and prepare for the future of work. She is also a national speaker and consultant, holding a master’s in Educational Leadership from the University of Jordan and pursuing an MBA at the University of Iowa.

Fluent in Arabic and an accomplished cellist, Shereen brings a global perspective and a passion for helping organizations thrive at the intersection of people, performance, and technology.

Help Iowa employers understand and lessen risks associated with increased federal immigration enforcement (including ICE presence, I-9 inspections, penalties, and E-Verify compliance).

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand recent enforcement trends and priorities from DHS, ICE, DOL
2. Learn practical steps to prepare for and respond to ICE enforcement actions
3. Identify key risk areas in I-9 compliance, re-verification and record keeping

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Kailey Blazek Naranjo
Shareholder Attorney
Dentons Davis Brown PC

Kailey is an immigration lawyer and valued collaborator. She provides clients with the information they need at the time they need it, whether it’s answering an urgent call to address an immediate concern or brainstorming long-term visa or business solutions. Regardless of her client’s situation, Kailey seeks to minimize the burden of immigration law and its ever-changing procedures.

Kailey represents corporate clients as they plan their workforce strategy. When companies hire a foreign national, Kailey works with leadership and HR to develop legal strategies and determine available immigrant and nonimmigrant visa options. Kailey’s collaborative work style extends to the immigration application process as she works to make the process as easy and clear as possible for the employer and the prospective employee. Common employment-based status types Kailey advises on include: B-1, E-2, E-3, F-1 (OPT, STEM), H-1B, J-1, L-1, O-1, TN. She also works with clients to prepare immigrant visa applications in the EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 preference categories, and routinely files I-140 and Adjustment of Status applications.

Kailey’s immigration practice also encompasses individual and family-based petitions. In recent years, this area of immigration law has become subject to significant backlogs and delays. Applications filed without experienced immigration counsel can lead to extended processing times caused by avoidable Requests for Evidence, Notices of Intent to Deny, and/or rejected filings. Kailey’s approach to such filings includes proactively counseling clients on required evidence and USCIS’s expectation to reduce delays as much as possible.

Routine individual and family-based filings Kailey prepares include I-539 Change of Status Requests, I-130/AOS Family-Based Green Card Applications, I-751 Removal of Conditions, I-90 Requests to Renew or Replace Permanent Resident Cards, N-400 Naturalization Applications, and N-600 Applications for Citizenship Certificates.

www.dentons.com/en/kailey-blazeknaranjo

You were told you need to be leveraging AI so you started using tools like ChatGPT to draft content, brainstorm ideas, or speed up routine work. While this was helpful, real ROI comes from integrating AI into your business processes, moving tedious work off of your plate and freeing you up to perform higher value tasks. This session is for people who want more than tinkering. You’ll walk away with a simple framework to identify where AI can create meaningful impact in your organization and a clear path to turning experimentation into sustainable ROI.

Learning Objectives:

1. A framework for identifying AI opportunities in your business
2. Demonstrating ROI from AI activities
3. Real world examples of AI automation leading to business impacts

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

IT Nerd
Lean TECHniques

Brandon Carlson is the founder of Lean TECHniques, a technology and management consultancy based in Des Moines specializing in Digital Transformation, IT Modernization, and Software Delivery. Known for replacing ego with empathy and a straightforward, “meet people where they are” approach, Brandon values curiosity and collaboration over dogma and has been on his learning journey in technology for over 30 years.

leantechniques.com

This presentation will summarize the complaint investigation process at the Iowa Office of Civil Rights, focusing on information that will help employers respond to complaints filed against them.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the areas covered by the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
2. Explain the investigation process with the Iowa Office of Civil Rights.
3. Learn the legal framework for evaluating civil rights claims.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Amy Heverly
Iowa Office of Civil Rights

Amy Heverly is a Legal Manager at the Iowa Office of Civil Rights. She manages the Employment+ group of attorneys and investigators that investigate civil rights claims related to employment, education, and public accommodation under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. Amy has been at the Office of Civil Rights for 3 years. Amy came to the office with a background in civil rights law from litigating employment and advising employers, as in-house counsel and in private practice in Oregon.

Let’s stop pretending it’s timing or circumstances. You are stuck because you are still following rules you never agreed to. Hidden narratives, the quiet beliefs about worth, identity, ambition, and staying small, shape how you show up, lead and make decisions. And most of the time they are running the show in the background.

This session is a gut check. Andrea breaks down the internal patterns that keep talented, capable people second guessing themselves, hesitating on opportunities, or playing roles that do not match their actual ability. Through candid storytelling, real data, and practical tools, she helps you name the beliefs that no longer serve you and rewrite the ones that will move you forward.

This is a direct and relatable session designed for immediate clarity. You will walk away with a simple and repeatable framework to interrupt old patterns, challenge assumptions, and step into your next chapter with confidence, without shrinking, quieting, or editing yourself to fit someone else’s rules.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the hidden narratives and self-limiting beliefs that are shaping your decisions and behavior.
2. Interrupt the internal patterns that lead to hesitation, shrinking, or second guessing.
3. Apply a simple, repeatable framework to replace outdated beliefs with intentional, confident action.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Andrea Singsaas
Founder & CEO
The Tyne Group

Andrea Singsaas is an award-winning executive coach and international keynote speaker known for her direct, practical, and results-focused approach to leadership. She isn’t interested in theories that sound good on paper. She helps leaders cut through noise, get clear on what matters, and make decisions that create real impact.

Andrea brings a strategic perspective shaped by years in international consulting, project management, and organizational leadership. She has coached and advised leaders across Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and fast-growth private firms. Her clients include executives from Accenture, Amazon, the Department of Defense, Google, Home Depot, Target, MIT, and Splunk.

She holds an MBA from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a BA in Communications from Simpson College. She is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) with the International Coaching Federation and a Project Management Professional (PMP), and she has completed advanced leadership programs through Harvard, Notre Dame, the McChrystal Group, and the George W. Bush Presidential Center Veteran Leadership Program.

Known for her sharp insight and candid delivery, Andrea is trusted for her ability to help leaders stay grounded, think strategically, and lead with clarity and confidence. She equips executives to navigate complexity, drive meaningful change, and build careers and organizations that last.

www.thetynegroup.com

We will discuss the anatomy of an investigation, avoiding scope creep, making mid-stream decisions and construct reports that hold up in court. Attendees will leave with a clear roadmap for making difficult decisions such as whether to record, whether to include new claims, assessing witness credibility, how to handle witness tampering, managing challenges related to reporting and controlling evidence for trial.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand whether the concept of confidentiality has changed and the practicalities of managing information flow.
2. Understand how to conduct a defensible investigation and appropriately assess witness credibility.
3. Understand the legal framework for making decisions during the pendency of an investigation and how to handle complaints of fraud or criminal activity

Intended Audience: Private Sector​

When messages miss, momentum dies. 86% of workplace mistakes stem from miscommunication—not lack of talent or skill—because the connection never lands. 63% of Americans say they waste time every day due to miscommunication—hello, lost profit, lost productivity, and rising burnout. And in a world of 60–80K daily inputs, if your message isn’t delivered in the listener’s preferred “language,” it simply won’t be heard.

This session shows your team how to spot someone’s communication and learning blueprint in seven seconds—and then tailor on the fly so the right message gets to the right brain, the first time. Attendees learn to read quick cues, switch styles without losing authenticity, and deliver ideas in a way that cuts through noise, drives action, and preserves energy.

The transformation: from “talking at people and hoping it sticks” to strategic, audience-tuned communication that accelerates decisions, reduces friction, and boosts trust across teams, clients, and stakeholders.

Learning Objectives:

1. The 7-Second Read: A simple scan to identify core cues—pace, posture, processing style, and preference—so you know how to approach before you speak.
2. Decode the Four Core Styles: What each style needs to feel safe, engaged, and ready to act (and what instantly turns them off).
3. Learning Lanes, Not Speed Bumps: Match delivery (visual, verbal, experiential, data-driven) to how they absorb information.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Lynsey Mulder
Keynote Speaker & Leadership Expert
Lynsey Mulder, Lead With Spark

Lynsey Mulder is a dynamic speaker, accomplished coach, and the visionary behind SparkLife—a journey that has empowered individuals, teams, and organizations to unlock potential, ignite passion, and take inspired action. As a leading authority on business and life strategy, Lynsey combines her wealth of experience with a passion for helping others create intentional, fulfilling lives.

With a career spanning Fortune 100 C-suite leadership, founding her own company, and raising four amazing boys, Lynsey has a unique perspective on balancing ambition and life’s complexities. She splits her time between speaking at conferences, collaborating with organizations, and inspiring students on college campuses across the country. Lynsey also works one-on-one with individuals as an elite coach, holding three certifications and a reputation for helping clients achieve extraordinary results.

Known for transforming game-changing ideas into practical takeaways, Lynsey connects with audiences in a way that is relatable, energizing, and unforgettable. Her strategies are built on years of experience and are designed to empower others, elevate them to new levels, and inspire them to reach goals they once thought impossible.

Her keynotes and workshops are packed with engaging stories, high-energy exercises, and actionable tools that attendees can apply immediately—whether sparking new possibilities at work, transforming team culture, or reigniting personal growth. Lynsey has spoken at conferences, colleges, and companies nationwide, leaving a ripple effect of energized, motivated, and inspired attendees who are ready to create lasting change.

lynseymulder.com

Managing Human Energy with Delegate & Elevate®

Are you leading at 160% and running on fumes? 

In this interactive session, Professional EOS® Implementer Michelle Skogerson will show you how to protect and maximize your human energy so you can lead more effectively, grow your business, and still have something left for life outside of work. 

You’ll discover: 

• Why so many leaders are nearing burnout—and how to spot it early
• The EOS® way to think about time and capacity (and why 100% is your new non-negotiable)
• The Delegate & Elevate® tool that helps you get the right work off your plate and onto the right person’s
• How to spend more time in the work you love and are great at – and less time in the work that drains you

You’ll walk away with: 

• A simple framework to evaluate your weekly tasks
• One concrete action you’ll delegate in the next 30 days
• Renewed clarity about where your energy is best spent as a leader

If you’re feeling stretched, stuck, or simply ready to lead with more energy and focus, this session is for you.

Learning Objectives:

1. Participants will learn how to avoid burnout
2. Participants will have an objective plan on what they should delegate
3. Participants will have an objective plan on how much they should delegate

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Michelle Skogerson
EOS Worldwide

Based in West Des Moines, Iowa, Michelle Skogerson partners with entrepreneurial organizations across the region to bring clarity, focus and momentum to their leadership teams. As a Professional EOS® Implementer she helps businesses simplify, solve root problems, and gain lasting Traction® through the proven Six Key Components™ of the EOS® Model.

Whether you’re tackling leadership team misalignment, struggling to execute your strategic plan, or looking to reignite sustainable growth — Michelle brings empathy, structure and results to the journey.

implementer.eosworldwide.com/michelle-skogerson/

​

Too often, coaching conversations with employees wander and drift, leaving both the manager and the employee unsure of the conversation’s direction and purpose, which wastes time and energy. In this session, you will learn how to using contracting to bring a structured approach to coaching conversations to prevent wandering and ensure every coaching conversation is purposeful, focused, and results oriented. This session zeroes in on the power of contracting—establishing clear agreements at the start of a coaching conversation that align expectations, define success, and create a roadmap for action. Through interactive discussions and live paired exercises, you will practice establishing contracts that help maintain conversation focus, and reviewing outcomes to reinforce accountability and measure impact. You’ll leave with practical strategies to guide coaching conversations confidently, efficiently, and with measurable results.

Learning Objectives:

1. Learn how contracting at the start of a coaching conversation brings focus to the conversation.
2. Use contracting techniques in a live coaching conversation with another person to experience how contracting works.
3. Learn how contracting techniques used at the start of a conversation establish a way to confirm whether a conversation was successful.

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Dick Hannasch
Coach
Aware and Willing, LLC

Driving leadership effectiveness, stronger teams, and measurable business results

Dick Hannasch is an executive and leadership coach with decades of experience helping organizations strengthen leadership pipelines, accelerate team performance, and achieve business goals through people. He has coached and developed thousands of leaders and professionals worldwide, guiding them to become effective decision-makers, collaborators, and change leaders.

At Aware and Willing, LLC, he has worked with executives, leaders, and teams across financial services, IT, health care, agribusiness, higher education, manufacturing, government, and other sectors. He has served clients from all continents except Antarctica.

In his 35-year career at Principal Financial Group, a Fortune 500 company, Dick served as a senior talent development consultant and played key roles in building a coaching culture to support business growth and leadership development, and in building its global leadership talent assessment program.

Clients and colleagues describe Dick as a truth teller and fair-minded advisor who combines candor with practicality and humor. His coaching style delivers insight leaders can act on immediately—building trust, sharpening leadership skills, and driving stronger business outcomes—for lasting professional and personal growth.

awareandwilling.com

Competitive compensation and benefits remain critical, but in 2026, retention increasingly hinges on purpose, development, and flexibility—beyond just pay. Retention in 2026 will require a holistic approach: balancing flexibility, growth, culture, compensation, and technology. Companies that actively invest in these areas will retain talent, boost engagement, and build resilience in an increasingly competitive labor market.

In this session, we will discuss the three keys to keeping the top performers in your organization:

• Flexible Work & Work-Life Integration
• Career Development & Upskilling
• Culture, Recognition & Belonging

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the top factors influencing employee retention in 2026
2. Participants will be able to develop actionable retention strategies
3. Participants will be able to assess their current retention initiatives and learn new ideas that can increase engagement

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Jim Roy
CEO
Percipio Workforce Solutions

Jim Roy is a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience specializing in workforce recruitment and retention strategies. With a passion for cultivating thriving workplaces, Jim has dedicated his career to helping organizations build and maintain high-performing teams.

Throughout his career, Jim has held various leadership roles in staffing and talent acquisition across diverse industries, honing his expertise in identifying top talent and implementing innovative retention initiatives. His keen understanding of the intricacies of human capital management has enabled him to navigate the complexities of today’s dynamic labor market successfully.

Recognized for his insightful perspectives and practical solutions, Jim is a sought-after public speaker on topics related to employee retention. Whether addressing large audiences or conducting intimate workshops, he brings a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience to his engaging presentations. Jim’s speaking engagements are characterized by their actionable insights and inspiring narratives, leaving audiences empowered to enhance retention within their own organizations.

In addition to his speaking engagements, Jim serves as Chief Executive Officer of Percipio Workforce Solutions, a workforce recruiting and staffing organization. He is also actively involved in consulting projects, collaborating with organizations to develop customized retention strategies tailored to their unique needs. He is committed to fostering environments where employees feel valued, motivated, and empowered to contribute their best work.

Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where he laid the foundation for his career in workforce development. He continues to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in the field, ensuring that his expertise remains at the forefront of industry innovation. He learns a great deal from his three Gen Z daughters who keep him abreast of changing views on recruiting and retention!

Whether advising Fortune 500 companies or startups, Jim Roy is dedicated to helping organizations build cultures of retention excellence that drive sustainable success.

www.wesleylife.org

This flagship keynote delivers a powerful mindset shift for ambitious professionals who feel the pressure to do it all— and hide the cracks while doing it. With warmth, candor, and real-world strategies, Carol Enneking shows top performers how to rebalance without sacrificing excellence.

In a world where high achievement often leads to hidden burnout, this keynote offers permission—and a plan—to lead differently. Carol shares her own journey through the highs and costs of leadership, along with insights from 70+ professionals featured in her book, The Rebalancing Act.

Ideal for leadership teams, high-potential groups, women’s networks, and burnout-prone industries, this keynote is a reset button for the modern workplace. Attendees walk away not only reenergized—but equipped with practical steps to lead with greater clarity, resilience, and fulfillment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify and interrupt default leadership behaviors that drive over functioning and Exhaustion
2. Reclaim time and energy during high-pressure seasons—without losing ground
3. Build a personalized Rebalancing Blueprint™ to stay aligned, focused, and grounded in what matters most

Intended Audience: Private Sector / Public Sector

Carol Enneking
CEO
Lead Learn Legacy LLC

Carol Enneking is a force in modern leadership, a corporate warrior turned transformational guide for today’s most influential organizations. She has not just studied leadership; she has lived it from both sides of the boardroom door.

For years, Carol coached executives and rising stars in over 150 global companies to lead with authenticity, courage, and clarity. But what sets her apart is what she did next: she stepped into a corporate role and joined the fray. Starting as a manager and rising to Vice President at a $6B global company, Carol built credibility not just through expertise, but through influence, adaptability, and a deep commitment to integrity. Her journey from advising executives to being one brings a rare depth and authenticity to her work.

Carol’s best-selling, award-winning book, The Rebalancing Act: Wisdom from Working Women for Success that Matters, captures the life lessons she has gathered along the way. It reflects her belief that success is not just about achievement; it is about aligning your work, your values, and your legacy. Carol’s message on redefining success has reached more than one million viewers through her Oxford Talk—proof that her insights on leadership, balance, and purpose resonate with audiences around the world.

carolenneking.com