Profiles in Leadership

Claudia Longo is a dynamic leader and social entrepreneur whose journey is one of resilience and purpose. A former Division 1 athlete, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis at 18, just months before beginning her collegiate soccer career at the University of Washington. Despite this challenge, she returned to the field, playing several successful seasons for the Huskies while earning her undergraduate degree in Neuroscience. After graduating, Claudia turned her experience into action, founding MS, I’mpossible, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering young adults living with MS. Through community support and financial aid programs, the organization provides critical resources to those navigating life with the disease. Claudia is also the Managing Director at BoardReady, where she plays a pivotal role in increasing diversity of thought in corporate boardrooms. Under her leadership, BoardReady has expanded its reach, helping companies build stronger, more forward-thinking boards. Her influence extends beyond boardrooms and nonprofits – in 2024, Claudia took the TEDx stage, sharing her insights on how to create change from challenge. Recognized for her impact, she has received numerous accolades, including being a Seattle Kraken Hero of the Deep nominee and receiving the Wayne Gittinger Inspirational Award at the Seattle Sports Star of the Year event.

Jimmy McKay and I sit down and discuss what I have learned doing interviews for my Podcast over 8 years and more than 235 interviews. He wanted me to rank my top 10 impactful moments but I just couldn't do it because there are so many to choose from. So I picked 10 I thought were great and didn't rank them but shared them as they were profound to me. Jimmy was a pioneer in Podcasting and has shared some of his knowledge with me as I launched my show. He has done exceptionally well and embraced those of us who have tried to follow in his footsteps. It was an honor and pleasure to sit down with him and share ideas and experiences.

Franklin J. Rooks Jr. is a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (“PCPS”), where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and a Master of Physical Therapy Degree. After graduating from PCPS, he earned a Master of Business Administration (“MBA”), with a concentration in finance, from DrexelUniversity, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Along with his college roommate, he went on to be a founding partner of PRO Physical Therapy, an outpatient physicaltherapy business based in Wilmington, Delaware. At the time that it was sold to the private equity firm KRG Capital, the business had 18 locations in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. After selling PRO Physical Therapy, Mr. Rooks earned his juris doctor degree from Delaware Law School. He is licensed topractice law in the State of New Jersey and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Mr. Rooks also represents healthcare providers in breachof contract matters and also provides general legal advice pertaining to contracting and compliance with federal and state regulations. Since 2009, Mr. Rooks has been an operating partner of Shore Capital Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for Therapy Partners Group, a portfolio company of Shore Capital with 137 outpatient physical therapy clinics primarily located throughout California, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. After graduating from law school, he and his partner from PRO PhysicalTherapy purchased a single-office occupational medicine business from a hospital system in Delaware. Mr. Rooks and his partner grew the occupational medicine businessto five locations and in 2015, sold it to In-Tandem Capital Partners, a New York-based private equity firm. In 2018, Mr. Rooks and a partner acquired a durable medical equipment business in New Jersey. In 2023, after tripling the business’s EBITDA, Mr. Rooks and his partner sold the DME business to a strategic acquirer. He is currently a partner with Iterum Physical Therapy, and outpatient physical therapy business with locations in Florida and Delaware.Mr. Rooks resides in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He is married withthree children, 2 sons, one daughter

Israel David Duran, compelling speaker andbusiness growth partner, has empowered countless entrepreneurs worldwide to unleash their potential.After a transformative car accident in 2018, Duran dedicated himself to serving others, guiding them to personal and professional growth. He inspires purposeful leaders to build profitable businesses that impact the world.As a sought-after speaker, Duran's dynamic stagepresence motivates audiences to embrace theirpurpose and drive. With his guidance, individualslearn to share their stories effectively, enhancingcredibility and fostering personal growth.

DanJ.Berger(www.danjberger.com) is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, author, and community builder dedicated to fostering connection and belonging. His book,The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging(Forbes Books), cements his place as a thought leader on this essential human need. As the founder of Social Tables, an award-winning event design software company acquired by Blackstone-owned Cvent for $100 million,Danrevolutionized the events industry, helping people connect at scale. A recipient of multiple awards including the Pacesetter Award from the Events Industry Council, he now leads Assemble Hospitality Group, reimagining corporate retreats to cultivate belonging and transform team dynamics.An avid community builder,Danfounded the Idaho Israel Alliance, a nonprofit combating antisemitism in the wake of the October 7 attacks in Israel. He also spearheaded a prominent Idaho men’s group and is an active participant in YPO and Tiger 21. He holds an MBA from Georgetown University and lives in Boise, Idaho with his wife and daughter.

Dan Rootenberg is the CEO of Spear, which he co-founded in 1999, working out of a small treatment room in midtown Manhattan. He had a singular vision for combining clinical excellence with a five-star customer service experience. Spear has since grown to 55+ locations throughout NYC, Westchester, Long Island, New Jersey and CT, employing over 950+ people currently and is continuing to expand further.Dan’s focus on organizational leadership has resulted in several honors and recognitions from business, medical and academic institutions. Dan is an EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® New York finalist, National Entrepreneur of the month winner and an Olympic Team medical coordinator. Spear has been named to the Inc5000 list of fastest growing private companies in America seven times, received Columbia University’s Award for Leadership in Clinical Education twice and has been named by SmartCEO magazine as a Future50 company five times.Dan has been honored with the National Practice of the Year award twice, by two industry leading organizations.Prior to Spear, Dan played pro baseball on three continents. In the summer of 2021, Dan traveled to the Olympic Games in Tokyo as a team PT and medical coordinator as well as fulfilling that role in Major League Baseball’s World Baseball Classic tournament held in Seoul, Tokyo and Jupiter, FL.Dan also served on the Board of Directors of Peter Stuyvesant Little League and the Bonnie Youth Club, two organizations devoted to teaching children lifelong values, self-worth, and responsibility through baseball. Dan has made numerous guest spots on Sports Talk radio, and was featured in the award-winning documentary “Holy Land Hardball”. Dan now plays tennis in his free time and lives in NYC with his wife and three children..

Interview on Profiles in Leadership with Rebecca FitzsimmonsOutlineIntroduction and Background of Rebecca Fitzsimmons Rebecca Fitzsimmons, founder of Tactical Harmony, an online business focused on holistic leadership and mindset strategies.Rebecca shares her background, starting from her upbringing in a small town in northeastern Ohio, her degree in forensic and investigative science, and her internship with the FBI.Rebecca explains her transition from forensics to becoming an NCIS Special Agent, detailing her 13.5 years with NCIS and her roles in criminal investigations, counter-terrorism, and counter-intelligence.She discusses her decision to leave NCIS after nearly 15 years to explore new sectors and eventually start her own business.Rebecca's Journey from NCIS to EntrepreneurshipRebecca elaborates on her reasons for leaving NCIS, including her desire to serve in a different sector and her leadership experience.She describes her transition to a technology company and her current role as an entrepreneur running Tactical Harmony.Rebecca emphasizes the importance of holistic leadership, which involves leading oneself and others in a comprehensive way.She highlights the components of holistic leadership, including emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and self-regulation.Holistic Leadership and Mindset StrategiesRebecca defines holistic leadership as a whole-person approach to influencing and inspiring oneself and others.She explains the importance of leading by example and the role of emotional intelligence in building strong relationships.Rebecca discusses the power of mindset, stating that it is the starting point for achieving greatness and that thoughts determine feelings and actions.She shares her belief in the transformative power of gratitude practices and how it can positively impact one's biochemistry and neural pathways.Client Profiles and Gratitude PracticesRebecca describes her typical clients, which include ambitious professionals, aspiring leaders, and businesses looking to enhance their mindset and leadership skills.She explains the concept of gratitude practices, advising clients to think of three things they are grateful for each morning and evening.Rebecca emphasizes the importance of feeling the emotion associated with gratitude to create positive biochemical changes in the body.She shares her own experience of initially dismissing gratitude practices and how it eventually became a transformative part of her routine.Resilience and High-Performance HabitsRebecca discusses the importance of building resilience through continuous hard work and incremental improvement.She introduces the concept of Kaizen, focusing on getting 1% better each day, and compares it to the analogy of turning a tractor slightly to achieve greater distance.Rebecca highlights the significance of raising standards and maintaining high-performance habits, such as physical exercise, mind-body-spirit nourishment, and focusing on high-impact activities.She emphasizes the need for self-care and the benefits of incorporating fun and enjoyable activities into daily routines.Spirituality and Self-Care in LeadershipRebecca explains the role of spirituality in holistic leadership, describing it as connecting to one's truth and highest self.She shares her personal practice of meditation and how it helps her achieve coherence between her heart and brain, leading to peak performance.Rebecca discusses the importance of self-care and how it contributes to being the best version of oneself.She describes her approach to self-care as a harmony rather than a balance, allowing for flexibility based on different life demands.Legacy and Personal GrowthRebecca talks about the concept of legacy and its importance in leadership.She explains the process of identifying one's values, mission, and vision, and how it ties into the legacy one wants to leave behind.Rebecca emphasizes the need for continuous personal growth and the role of coaching in helping leaders understand themselves better.She shares her experience of witnessing clients' transformations as they explore and nourish their personal growth.Client Relationships and Keynote SpeakingRebecca discusses the varying lengths of her client relationships, ranging from short-term engagements to long-term collaborations.She explains how her work with clients often starts with addressing their immediate needs and then evolving into more comprehensive support.Rebecca expresses her passion for public speaking and her plans to focus more on keynote speaking in the future.She mentions her goal of speaking internationally and the energy she derives from engaging with audiences hungry for growth and development.Tactical Harmony Podcast and Future PlansRebecca provides an overview of her Tactical Harmony podcast, which she started last year and has been a solo show so far.She plans to introduce guests in 2025 and aims to balance short, digestible episodes with longer, in-depth conversations.Rebecca

BobKaplan just brought out a new book, GRAPPLING: Leaders Striving To Improve. It’s short stories, fictionalized cases, meant to bring executive coaching to life, which is often a struggle, a wrestling match with yourself. GRAPPLING is a novel approach to writing about leadership and self-improvement, and very readable.Bob’s previous book is Fear Your Strengths—What You’re Best At Is Probably Your Biggest Problem. He is founder and president ofKaplanDeVries, a leadership-consulting firm. Learn more at KaplanDeVriesand http://kaplandevries.com/booksBobhas a bachelor’s degree in English and a doctorate in organizational behavior from Yale, and lives in New York City with his wife, Becky.

NeilTrickettis a physical therapist, and private practice marketing expert. Neil built a 7 figure PT practice with his wife, Amy, in which he transitioned out of in 2010. He then founded Practice Promotions, and has built that to be one of the largest multi-7 figure marketing agencies in North America, specializing in Rehabilitation. Neil's passion is for helping practice owners scale their business by leveling up their marketing systems and websites. Neil's company, Practice Promotions, currently services over 1200 clinic locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Adrian Koehler, the no-nonsense leadershipengagement expert and Senior Partner at Take NewGround, is the go-to guide for fast-moving leaders.Dedicated to breaking through barriers, he spendshis time helping entrepreneurs and enterpriseleaders cut through the noise and createtransformative outcomes. Adrian coachesexecutives globally, encouraging authenticleadership and fostering courage for meaningfulchange. His passion for human performance has ledhim to diverse contexts, from Fortune 500organizations to startups and healthcare, makingAdrian a catalyst for real talk and impactful results.Adrian Koehler extends his influence beyond theboardroom as the co-host of "Raising The Bar" and"The Naked Leadership Podcast." Drawing on hisbackground in philanthropy, ministry, activism, andmedicine, he thrives in difficult conversations andengaging complexity, challenging listeners to liveauthentically. Currently residing in the heart ofHollywood, with his children Scout and Charli, Adrianis on a mission to inspire authentic leadership, urgingindividuals to raise the bar in both personal andprofessional realms.

John D. Marvin is a visionary entrepreneur, acclaimed columnist, and influential leader dedicated to empowering others to unlock their full potential. As President and CEO of Texas State Optical, John has cultivated a thriving business network while spearheading initiatives in health and wellness consulting and eyecare partnerships. With a steadfast commitment to personal growth, John has spent years studying the transformative power of mindset and the “inner game” in achieving success. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Through his unwavering dedication to making a difference, John D. Marvin epitomizes the essence of leadership and empowerment, making him a compelling guest for any podcast seeking to inspire and motivate their audience. TSO brings in around 110M$ in revenue annually.

Nancy is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner atRallyday Partners, a private equity firm built byfounders for founders, focused on lower middlemarket growth companies.Nancy’s experience as an entrepreneur informs her role as an investor at Rallyday Partners. Nancy and thefounding team at Rallyday wanted to build the private equity firm that they would have wanted to partnerwith on their own entrepreneurial journeys. In practice, this involves a multi-stakeholder approach and anintense focus on purpose, culture, leadership development alongside the typical focus on growth and financialreturns. Rallyday’s purpose statement is to Empower leaders to go even bigger, create the most value for themost people, and share in the experience of a lifetime. As Managing Partner, Nancy leads efforts to identifynew investment opportunities and guides value creation efforts in partnership with portfolio companyleadership teams. Nancy leads Rallyday’s investments in Highbar Health, Livefront, Nimble Gravity, andKicksaw and supported Pyx Health to a successful exit in 2023.Nancy is a 35 year + veteran of the telecommunications and IT infrastructure industry. She has spent herentire career building and growing service-focused organizations demonstrating the power of people in atechnical world. A longtime leader in Denver’s tech industry, she co-founded ViaWest in 1999 and served as itsPresident & CEO, successfully scaling the company to become one of the largest colocation and cloudproviders in the industry. In 2017, the company was acquired by GI Partners for $1.675 billion and combinedwith Peak10, another IT infrastructure powerhouse. Now called Flexential, the company is a leading providerof data center solutions spanning colocation, connectivity, cloud, managed solutions and security services.Nancy served as chair of the board until the end of 2024.Previously, Nancy served as president of Shaw Business Infrastructure Services, a division of ShawCommunications (NYSE:SJR). Nancy held founder and executive leadership positions with numeroustechnology companies, including TSC, ConferTech International, ITC, RMI.net and Intrepid Communications,where she enabled significant growth while maintaining a deep customer-centric focus. She has raised over$1.1B in equity during her career and consistently provided strong returns to her shareholders.Nancy is a passionate supporter of the Colorado entrepreneurial community as well as furthering theparticipation and advancement of women in computer science. She serves on the boards of the NationalCenter for Women and Information Technology, where she is chair; Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network; EspireDental; Highbar Health; Livefront; Nimble Gravity; and Kicksaw and formerly served on the NationalCybersecurity Center as well as the University of Denver Board of Trustees.Nancy has received numerous accolades for her visionary leadership and, in 2016, was honored with theinaugural Colorado Governor’s Citizenship medal for Growth and Innovation, which recognized her as anentrepreneur with exceptional ingenuity who seeks to inspire and create new possibilities for others. She alsowas selected as the 2016 EY Entrepreneur of the Year in Technology Services for the Mountain Desert Region.Nancy has also been recognized in the global technology community when she received the CanadianGovernor General’s Medallion in recognition of her distinguished track record building technology businesses.Nancy embraces the best of Colorado by spending time with family including her beloved black lab, Brooklyn,in the mountains skiing, cycling and hiking. A native of Toronto, Nancy received a Bachelor of Arts degree fromQueens University in Canada. Michelle Collie is a Physical Therapist and business owner who grew her company from one location to 35 and has now partnered with RallyDay to continue growth in the the Northeast United States. She has been a Board Member of the American Physical Therapy Private Practice Association and has received numerous awards as a Best Employer! Her company is now Highball Health.

Lawrence Armstrong is the chairman of Ware Malcomb, a leading design firm that he helped grow from 3 offices to over 46 offices globally. He started at the company in 1984 and eventually purchased it from the founders in 1992. As an architect and artist, Lawrence has leveraged both his creative and strategic skills to drive the firm's success.Balancing Creativity and Business @ 3:28Lawrence believes it's important for architects and designers to develop both their creative and business skills. He advocates for "whole brain" thinking, drawing inspiration from Renaissance figures like Leonardo da Vinci who excelled in diverse domains. Lawrence's own background as an internationally exhibited artist has complemented his work as a business leader.Scaling and Integrating a Geographically Distributed Firm @ 7:00Under Lawrence's leadership, Ware Malcomb expanded from 3 offices to over 46 offices across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a "one team" culture and consistent service delivery across the distributed offices, leveraging centralized resources and collaborative processes.Developing Future Leaders @ 9:35Recognizing the need for strong leadership as the company scaled, Lawrence focused on building a leadership development program to identify, train, and mentor the next generation of leaders at Ware Malcomb. This included executive coaching, mentorship, and creating opportunities for emerging leaders to take on greater responsibility.Philanthropy and Community Engagement @ 43:34In addition to his work at Ware Malcomb, Lawrence has been actively involved in addressing homelessness in his local community of Orange County, California. He helped launch a program called "United to End Homelessness" that has housed over 1,100 people through innovative approaches like landlord incentives.Reflections on the Creative Process @ 48:55As Lawrence transitions from CEO to Chairman, he is spending more time pursuing his passion for art and creativity. He discusses the iterative, collaborative process of writing his new book "Layered Leadership" and is open to the possibility of future writing projects, though he is focused on the current book launch for now.

Steve is a top talent strategist and leadership expert with 30+ years of experience. He famously led LinkedIn’s early hyper-growth phase as its first CHRO, building its world-class company culture from scratch, and scaling the organization from 400 to 4,000 employees in 3.5 years. As one of the most provocative global thought leaders on the future of work, Steve is hired not only by F500 companies but by entire countries to help them navigate the talent landscape. His clientele spans all the way from Google, X, Slack, BBC, and Intel, to the City of Lisbon, which hired him to develop the startup incubator Unicorn Factory. His award-winning book Workquake is considered a game changer for leaders and organizations on the future of work in a post-COVID world. He has also written for Forbes and Inc., will soon be writing for Business Insider, and frequently appears on Bloomberg and CNBC to talk about the evolving nature of work, talent management, the Big Resignation, and successful leadership. He is regularly asked for advice by legacy institutions like Harvard, as well as top VCs and management firms including Accenture, Deloitte, and McKinsey, and today sits on the board of three corporations.

Twanda E. Young, a retired US Army Brigadier General and the author of the inspiring leadership books "Destiny Exposed: Leading Ladies" and "Dare to Lead Differently…16 Bites for Bold Leaders."Her background includes more than three decades of expertise in top executive leadership positions within the military, as well as a strong proponent for enabling executive leaders to realize their full potential and alter their mentality.The founder and chief executive officer of LT3 Leadership Solutions, a company that specializes in the management of conflicts and the development of leaders.

KENNEDY I. HAWKINS, MBA, JD, LLM Has been a CEO | COO | PRESIDENT| VICE PRESIDENT He orchestrated Transformational growth and was a turnaround healthcare leader with a proven track record of growing a “mom & pop” healthcare startup by increasing revenue 2,614% and shepherding its evolution into a complex, nationally recognized organization. The company was the Recipient of multiple “Oregon Top Workplace,” “Best of the Willamette Valley,” and Innovation awards. He drove the successful acquisition and integration with one of the largest publicly traded companies in the Physical Therapy industry USPH. A servant leader, public speaker, and recognized thought leader with multi-dimensional background at the intersection of business, law, and taxation. He is currently the Director-Executive of the Development Center at Willamette University Atkinson Graduate School of Management And is the owner of Kennedy Hawkins Consulting which provides Fractional Or Interim CEO/COO | Managing Director | Management Consultant servicesHe is the former President/CEO of PT Northwest which he held for 21 years which is now part of US Physical Therapy. He took the organization from 3 service locations to 27 including 12 outpatient facilities, 2 hospitals, 3 universities, 3 minor league sport teams and 6 high schools.He built a national clinical learning community involving organizations like Intermountain Healthcare, Advent Health, Boston University, Mountain Land Rehabilitation, Hartford Healthcare, and University of Pittsburg Medical Center He has a long history with National Association of Rehabilitation Agencies including be the Past President of the organization.

Laura Hassner, MBA, is a faculty member at the Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley, and is the Executive Director of Innovation & Entrepreneurship at UC Berkeley and the co-founder and co-director of the Berkeley Changemaker program, a set of courses that shape tomorrow’s leaders through critical thinking, collaboration, and communication with guest faculty like Secretary Janet Yellen. Today, Laura is known for helping women align their startups with larger social missions to close the gender gap in raising capital. An expert in turnarounds, she is a former Big Five consultant and financial advisor. She has also taught in a highly-challenged urban school and spent a decade innovating new products and programs for a national nonprofit."

STACEY HANKE.The way we communicate has changed because the way we work has changed.Organizational success requires leaders to overcome the modern distractions that steal employee attention, compete with organizational priorities and challenge authentic connections. To effectively increase sales, drive productivity, and improve engagement, leaders must influence action.Stacey's interactive, humor-filled keynote offers audiences the skills to immediately transform how they connect and engage. Her transformative approach to communication provides clear steps to earn trust, gain credibilityand create accountability in every interaction – from hallway conversations to high-stakes presentations.Her wealth of experience, research and expertise makes Stacey the sought-after authority on influential communication strategies. Captivating insights guide sales professionals, executives and leaders to cut through the noise that leads to distractions. Practical techniques ensure every conversation inspires action, accountability and memorability long after every interaction.As a CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame inductee, Stacey guides audiences to:→ Influence others even when not present;→ Connect through meaningful experiences that influence listeners to act;→ Build a consistent personal brand that differentiates you from the competition; and→ Connect, communicate and influence listeners, Monday to Monday®.Get ready to be inspired, motivated, and equipped with the skills to elevate your ability to communicate, connectand influence.

JameySchrier, DPT, is a best-selling author, speaker, and CEO of Practice Freedom U, a business coaching and training company designed for physical therapists. He is a former private practice owner, and his book, The Practice Freedom Method, has helped scores of physical therapists treat less, earn more, and enjoy the life they deserve. After selling his practice, he began teaching other owners and their teams his proven business methodology to create successful private practices. He has assisted hundreds of owners in achieving financial prosperity and freedom and is on a mission to help hundreds, if not thousands, more.

Wendy Gonzalez is the CEO of Sama, the mission-driven provider of accurate artificial intelligence data for 25% of Fortune 50 companies. As CEO, Wendy closed the largest round of financing for a woman-led AI infrastructure company and led the company to recognition on the Forbes AI 50 list and the Inc. 5000 list for two years. A study by MIT found that Sama, a Certified B Corp, has hired over 55,0000 people in Africa and paid wages 4x higher than competitors. Today, Wendy and her team of data experts continue to transform the artificial intelligence industry through high-quality training data and the removal of dangerous biases from ML algorithms.

Key TakeawaysTammy transitioned from a successful corporate career to entrepreneurship after experiencing career dissatisfactionShe advocates for treating your career like a business and becoming the "CEO of you"Mindset shifts around failure, optimism, and finding joy are crucial for career fulfillmentOrganizations need to focus on employee aspirations, not just engagement, to unlock potentialTopicsTammy's Career JourneyGrew up in small-town New Jersey with modest beginningsStarted in temporary services industry at 18, without college degreeRose through corporate ranks to C-suite roles on Wall StreetExperienced "mid-career funk" despite outward successLeft corporate world at 40 to start her own businessCareer Transformation InsightsImportance of "power base" - network of influential contactsValue of taking on "third rail projects" - high-risk, high-reward initiativesFocusing on making "stars into superstars" rather than trying to fix underperformersGiving immediate, actionable feedback to develop team membersMindset and Leadership PhilosophyBecoming a "short-term pessimist to be a long-term optimist"Viewing failure as a necessary part of the path to successChoosing joy and focusing on what energizes youEmbracing your unique perspective as a leadership strengthOrganizational Leadership ChallengesFive generations now in workforce simultaneouslyNeed for reverse mentoring programsImportance of leadership development, especially for middle managersFocus on tapping into employee aspirations, not just engagement

Chris Hoekstra, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, FAAOMPT Chris received his PhD in biomedical informatics from Oregon Health & Science University, School of Medicine, his Masters of Science and Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees from Pacific University and undergraduate degree in biology from Willamette University. He is board certified in orthopedics and Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Therapy. Additionally, he completed a post-doctoral fellowship in clinical informatics through the National Library of Medicine. He has worked as a physical therapist, clinic director, Health IT consultant, and more recently Chief Clinical Transformation Officer for Therapeutic Associates Inc. In that role he has overseen the company’s strategy related to the use of organizational data in business and clinical decision making, clinical and business information systems selection and optimization, quality improvement efforts, and value-based care initiatives. With Hychara Health, Chris oversees product development, program and project management, and sales and marketing strategy. Additionally, he has worked with company subject matter experts to create an advisory services practice. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology of the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine, where he teaches courses in organizational behavior and qualitative research. He also continues his research focused on usability and end-user adoption of health information technology. Additionally, he is a member of a multi-disciplinary AHRQ and NLM- funded research team with research focused on establishing safe training and effective use of medical scribes. Chris has dedicated his career to improving clinicians’ and business leaders’ use of information in their daily decision making. His work and research focus on refining a sociotechnical framework that integrates information systems with organizational strategy, team dynamics, workflow design, and information visualization to allow practices and providers to thrive in the changing value-based healthcare landscape. Outside of his professional work, Chris has been active as a youth football coach for > 14 years, a Reserve Deputy Sheriff for nine years, and most recently an operations officer with a Military Police battalion of the Tennessee State Guard. Additionally, he has served on numerous community and professional advisory boards.

My exploration of power began with Plato's philosophies in school and deepened through my university studies in political science and law, and a PhD in international relations.As a young girl, I was attracted to all things martial and loved playing with guns together with the boys in my neighbourhood. In my teens, this changed as I not only started to prefer going out to dance with the boys, but also started less martial activities like Yoga and meditation, and became involved in the peace movement. Like many in my generation, I was concerned by the Cold War and in search of better ways to secure peace than through weapons and “mutual assured destruction” - MAD. So when choosing my path for university, I decided to study political science, and in particular security studies. I wanted to understand how power operated in the world of politics, and how to make security policy more secure. I had the privilege of studying arms control negotiations while doing an internship at the United Nations in Geneva, and wrote my master’s thesis on the psychological aspects of these negotiations. I approached my PhD. questioning the “guns and bullets” mainstream approach to security policy. Awarded a scholarship in security studies, I focused on a theme that was the opposite of guns and bullets: how civil society organisations in the East and West worked together to influence intergovernmental relations and played an important role in the peaceful end of the Cold War. During my PhD, a fellowship at Harvard introduced me to visionary leaders, united by their habit to think beyond what seems possible and their desire to make a meaningful difference. A life-shaping experience.My career started in development cooperation, first as policy expert and programme manager at the European Commission and later as manager in consulting. This work allowed me to see both the power dynamics of large organisations and the challenges of change. I explored why some organisations we were supporting were able to change, while others remained stuck in old, often wasteful patterns. This curiosity lead me to study organisation development and leadership, and finally into coaching, and to my work at the European Investment Bank, where I served for 17 years in a range of roles dealing with personnel and leadership development, coaching, and organisational change.

Dr Bernie Mullin is a groundbreaking sport and entertainment industry executive who's turned around franchises, set all-time revenue and attendance records, and generated $1.5+ billion in revenues for brands from the NFL to the US Open Tennis with his agency, Aspire Marketing Group. He was CEO of NBA and NHL teams and CMO of the NBA. He's also a globally acclaimed speaker, podcaster, author, and humanitarian who has served on multiple boards, including the United Way; YMCA; and Make a Wish Foundation. His The Aspire Difference Foundation (TADF) focuses on supporting single parents with preschool children. All net proceeds from his consulting, podcasts and books go to support TADF. His new book is Reimagining America’s Dream: Making It Attainable for All Learn more at: www. berniejmullin.com

I'm a trauma therapist specialising in supporting entrepreneurs to increase profit and decrease anxiety. From being stripped of every strand of hair on my body to losing my ex to suicide 3 weeks after breaking up, I was forced to use trauma-healing to sustainably build my business. While there are a lot of 'trauma-informed' and 'body-based practitioner' coaches in the industry, none of them do it by merging body-based tools, the nervous system AND business strategy. I can help your audience combine the nervous system with business strategy to increase profit and decrease anxiety - even when traditional methods haven’t worked.

Kathleen K Mairella PT DPT MA FAPTAEducation:Degree: Doctor of Physical TherapyInstitution: MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA Major; Physical TherapyDate: May 2006Degree: Master of ArtsInstitution Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY Major: Movement Science and EducationDate: May 1992Degree: Bachelor of ScienceInstitution: Boston University, Boston MA Major: Physical TherapyDate awarded: May 1978Employment and Positions Held:Professor Emerita, Rutgers University, 2022-presentDirector of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor, Rutgers University, School of Health Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark NJ, 2016-2022Assistant Professor, Rutgers University, School of Health Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark NJ, 2014-2016Assistant Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor, Rutgers University (University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey prior to July 1,2013), School of Health Related Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark NJ , 2006-2014Physical Therapist, Brookdale Physical Therapy, Nutley, New Jersey, 2007-2008Instructor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/School of Health Related Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark, New Jersey, 2004-2006Adjunct Instructor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey/School of Health Related Health Professions, Doctor of Physical Therapy Program, Newark, New Jersey, 2002-2004Practice Development Facilitator, Atlantic Health System/Morristown Memorial Hospital, Morristown NJ, 2001-2002Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education, Fairleigh Dickinson University Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Morristown NJ, 1999-2001Adjunct Instructor. Fairleigh Dickinson University Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Morristown NJ, 1999Adjunct Instructor, Union County College Physical Therapist Assistant Program, Plainfield NJ, 1997-2000Physical Therapist, ARC Essex School, Livingston, NJ 1999Rehabilitation Supervisor, JerseyCare HomeHealth and Hospice, Belleville, NJ, 1995-1998 Physical Therapist, Independent Practice, Home Care, Nutley NJ, 1991-1995Adjunct Instructor, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY, 1991-1992Staff Physical Therapist, The Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ, 1985-1986Staff Physical Therapist, Welkind Rehabilitation Hospital, Chester, NJ, 1983-1984Senior Physical Therapist, Neuroscience Team, Washington Hospital Center, Washington DC, 1982-1983Staff Physical Therapist, Washington Hospital Center, Washington DC, 1981-1982Staff Physical Therapist, Georgetown University Hospital, Washington DC, 1980-1981 Staff Physical Therapist, New Jersey Rehabilitation Hospital, East Orange, NJ, 1978-1980Membership in Scientific/Professional Organizations:American Physical Therapy Association: 1976-presentChair, House of Delegates Reference Committee, 2025Member, House of Delegates Reference Committee 2023-2024 Chair, House Special Committee on Bylaws, 2019-2021 Bylaws Review Task Force, 2018-2019Director, Board of Directors, 2009-2017Board work assignments:APTA Committees and Task Forces:Best Practices in Clinical Education Task Force, chair 2016-2017Leadership Development Committee, chair 2013-2017Executive Committee, elected 5th member 2015-2016Recruitment and Retention of Early-Career Members Task Force, member 2014- 2016Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, member, 2012-2015 Finance and Audit Committee, member 2011-2013Member Engagement and Leadership Development Task Force, chair 2011- 2013Physical Therapy Classification and Payment Task Force/ Alternative Payment Task Force, chair 2013-2014, member 2012-2013CSM Review Work Group, member 2011-12Task Force on Governance Review, member 2009-2011Committee on Referral for Profit, liaison, 2009-2011Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service Advisory Group, liaison 2009- 2011Board Workgroups:Strategic Planning Board Work Group, chair 2013-2017Criteria for House Motions from the Board of Directors, member 2014-2015, Governance Proposal Board Work Group, member 2011-2013Board Work and Information Management Board Work Group, member 2011- 2012Board Workgroup on Board Performance Evaluation, member 2009-2010 Components:Student Assembly, 2011-2014Chapters:Maryland (2016-2017, 2010-2011), Nebraska (2015-2017), Nevada (2016-2017), Idaho (2011-2016). Texas (2014-2016), New York (2013-2015), Michigan (2010- 2014), Wisconsin (2011-2014), New Mexico (2009-2013), North Dakota (2009- 2011), Utah (2009-2010)Sections:Education (2014-2017), Women’s Health (2015-2017), Geriatrics (2015-2016), Pediatrics (2009-2012)Councils:Chapter President Council, liaison 2011-2014APTA Mentorship Program, 2005-2010 (program discontinued) Committee to Approve the House of Delegates Minutes, 2007CEO Search Committee, 2007Committee on Chapters and Sections. 2004-2007, Chair 2006 Education Strategic Planning Group, 2004American Physical Therapy Association of Massachusetts 2022-present Chair, Bylaws Rev

Key TakeawaysCareer reinvention is increasingly necessary due to longer lifespans, changing job markets, and ageismSuccess in later-career transitions requires self-knowledge, persistence, and leveraging one's "superpower" skills/experienceNetworking and thought leadership are crucial for accessing the "hidden job market" where 80% of hiring occursOlder professionals have advantages like neuroplasticity, "just thinking" problem-solving, and empathy from life experienceTopicsJohn Tarnoff's Background30+ year career as entertainment industry executive and film producerTransitioned to career coaching in 2012 after a TEDx talk on transformationNow focuses on helping mid-career professionals (45-55+) navigate career changesChallenges for Older WorkersAgeism and bias in hiring practices, especially for those 60+Difficulty recovering from job loss/layoffs as companies reorganizeNeed to work longer due to increased longevity and reduced retirement savingsErosion of traditional career paths - average job tenure now only 3-5 yearsKeys to Successful ReinventionSelf-reflection to identify one's "superpower" - unique skills, experience, valuesReconciling past failures/regrets to move forward without baggagePersistence and opportunism when pursuing new directionsMaintaining curiosity and a growth mindset to continue learningFocusing on being "useful" rather than chasing a dream jobEffective Job Search StrategiesBuild robust LinkedIn profile articulating your value propositionNetwork to build a community of shared professional interestsEngage in thought leadership by sharing expertise and insightsTarget the "hidden job market" of referral-based hiring (80% of jobs)Spend time daily/weekly on networking and community-buildingAdvantages of Age and ExperienceNeuroplasticity allows continued learning and growth"Just thinking" - intuitive problem-solving from years of experienceIncreased empathy and wisdom from life experiencesPotentially greater risk tolerance due to life/career accomplishmentsHigher success rates for older entrepreneurs vs youngerLeadership PhilosophyServant leadership and "leading from behind" are most effectiveListening is the essence of good leadershipFocus on supporting and developing team members

Martin GonzalezMartin is the creator of Google’s Effective Founders Project, a global research program that uses people analytics to uncover what makes the best startup founders succeed and shares their success formula with the world.Martin is the creator of Google’s Effective Founders Project, a global research program that uses people analytics to uncover what makes the best startup founders succeed and shares their success formula with the world.He has run leadership courses for thousands of funded tech startup founders across more than seventy countries in the Americas, Asia, Africa, and Europe. He is a frequent lecturer on entrepreneurship, organization design, and people analytics at Stanford, Wharton, and INSEAD.Martin is a principal of organization and talent development at Google. He works with Google’s senior leaders to shape team culture, develop their people, and expand their leadership, so they can build cool things that matter. In his ten years there, he’s worked with leaders across Google Research, DeepMind, Technology & Society, Responsible AI, Pixel, Fitbit, YouTube, Search, Maps, Android, and Chrome, to name a few.In 2023, The Aspen Institute recognized him as a First Movers Fellow, honoring his pioneering work at Google. The following year, in 2024, he received the Thinkers50 Radar Award, a prestigious recognition that identifies up-and-coming thinkers whose ideas are predicted to make an important impact on management thinking in the future.Prior to Google, he was a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group and a product manager at Johnson & Johnson.Martin has studied organizational psychology and behavioral science at Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He’s a serial immigrant, having lived and worked in New York, Jakarta, Singapore, Taipei, and Manila, where he is originally from. Today he lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Bea, and three kids: Noelle, Jaime, and Andrea.

Alan Balavender, PT, MSPresidentPhysical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centers After earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Therapy (PT) from Quinnipiac University, Alan launched his PT career in outpatient orthopedics. He oversaw a multispecialty facility that provided a range of PT services. He accepted a clinical position with Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine Centers (PTSMC) of Waterbury. In 2000, he purchased the practice, which he has since expanded to over 30 locations throughout Connecticut. Alan then created PTSMC’s unique partner model to support clinic ownership by physical therapists while limiting the risk associated with having a successful business in the extremely competitive healthcare environment. Alan is devoted to private practice, with a vision to foster a company focused on improving the quality of people’s lives by providing unmatched experiences, clinical excellence, and lifelong relationships.

Margot Machol Bisnow spent 20 years in government, including as an FTC Commissioner and staff director of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. For the last 10 years, she has spoken to parent groups about raising creative, confident, resilient children who achieve their dreams. She served as an Advisor to EQ Generation, an after-school program in New York City that gives children the skills to succeed; on the Advisory Board of the MUSE School in Malibu, that prepares young people to live consciously through passion-based learning; and on the Board of Spark the Journey in Washington DC, that mentors low-income high school students to achieve college and career success. Her new book is Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams – 99 Stories from Families Who Did. Learn more at raisinganentrepreneur.com.

Dennis Stevens is a visionary leader and seasoned consultant with over three decades of experience at the intersection of technology innovation and organizational leadership. Beginning his career in the United States Marine Corps, Dennis honed an appreciation for what can be accomplished with well-formed teams, clarity of purpose, and effective leadership. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to found multiple companies, including Responsive Software Solutions, Synaptus, and Knowledge in Process, where he integrated software solutions with business strategies and spearheaded significant business transformation initiatives. In 2011, Dennis co-founded LeadingAgile, where he solidified his reputation for innovative problem-solving and scalable business solutions. He led over 150 transformations, demonstrating his ability to drive sustainable and meaningful organizational changes. His pioneering work in Agile transformations and AI integration has positioned him as a thought leader in creating resilient and adaptable organizations. Dennis' latest venture, OrgWright, founded in 2024, focuses on guiding organizations through the rapidly evolving digital landscape. OrgWright's mission is to build leadership teams that craft dynamic organizations, enhancing adaptability and strategic execution. Dennis has identified four key conditions vital for fostering a culture of adaptability: Informed Awareness, Coherence, Purposeful Direction, and Strategic Empowerment. These principles, grounded in his extensive experience and management literature, ensure that organizations not only adapt to changes but lead in innovation and strategic execution. Dennis is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, known for his insights on overcoming common pitfalls in organizational transformation, the importance of executive buy-in, and the future of work in the age of AI. His approach moves beyond isolated team successes, addressing the critical need for executive leadership to foster environments where true scalability and adaptability can thrive.

Dr. Roy Rivera, Jr., is the founder and CEO of Elation Physical Therapy, an international best-selling author,and a respected advocate for inclusive healthcare. His book, Shantay You Stay: A Healthcare Provider’sGuide to LGBTQ+ Inclusive Practices, provides critical insights for practitioners, further establishing himas a leader in LGBTQ+ patient care.A native of the Texas Rio Grande Valley, Dr. Rivera began his academic journey at SouthwesternUniversity in Georgetown before moving to Houston in 2003 to complete a Master’s in Physical Therapyat the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He subsequently earned two doctorates—aDoctor of Physical Therapy from Rocky Mountain University in Utah and a PhD in Health Studies fromTexas Woman’s University in Denton—solidifying his expertise in healthcare.In 2014, after working for approximately 10 years in the Memorial Hermann Health Care System, Dr.Rivera founded Elation Physical Therapy, a Certified Minority and LGBT Business Enterprise® with threelocations across Greater Houston, providing compassionate and affirming care. Known for pioneering theELATION protocol, a specialized post-operative care program for gender-affirming surgeries, Dr. Riverahas positioned Elation Physical Therapy as a leader in LGBTQ+ healthcare.Dr. Rivera’s outstanding contributions to healthcare and his commitment to inclusivity have earned himand the practice numerous prestigious awards:• 2024 American Physical Therapy Association Private Practice Section’s Community ImpactAward• 2024 U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency’s Minority HealthProducts and Service Firm of The Year Award• 2024 Small Business Administration Houston District Small Businessperson of the Year• 2022 U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Dream Big LGBTQ+-Owned Business Achievement Award• 2022 Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce’s LGBTBE® Certified Business of the YearAward• Houston Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 (2020), Top 10 Largest Houston-area LGBTQ+-OwnedBusinesses (2018-2023)Dr. Rivera is also deeply engaged in community service. He currently serves on the Board of Directors forthe Greater Houston LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, where he supports initiatives to foster growth andinclusion for LGBTQ+ businesses. He has a longstanding commitment to LGBTQ+ youth advocacy andserves on the Board of Directors as the Treasurer at Out for Education (OFE), one of the nation’s mostsuccessful LGBTQ+ scholarship foundations.Dr. Rivera’s dedication to healthcare innovation, community involvement, and advocacy continues toshape the future of inclusive, affirming physical therapy and rehabilitative care.

Tony Martignetti is a trusted advisor, leadership coach & facilitator, best-selling author, podcast host, and speaker. He brings together over 25 years of business and leadership experience and extreme curiosity to elevate leaders and equip them with the tools to navigate through change and unlock their true potential. He has been recognized by Thinkers360 as one of the Top 10 Leadership Coaches and by LeadersHum as one of the Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023. Before becoming the founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Inspired Purpose Partners, Tony was a finance and strategy executive with experience working with some of the world's leading life sciences companies. Along his journey, he also managed small businesses and ran a financial consulting company.Tony hosts The Virtual Campfire podcast and is the author of "Climbing the Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life" and the co-author of "Secrets of Next-Level Entrepreneurs." He has been featured in many publications, including Fast Company, Forbes, Life Science Leader, and CEO Today.

Dr. Rebekah Griffith, The ED DPT, specializes in care in the Emergency Department. Dr. Griffith believes physical therapist practice in the Emergency Department is a critical way to move upstream in healthcare that supports patients during their most critical moments. She is the author of Top of Scope: The Emergency Department Physical Therapist Handbook. She is a board certified neurologic clinical specialist and a fellow in training at Regis University. She serves her profession as the incoming APTA Colorado President but her real life's work is raising her 3 spectacular children.

Leland McCluskey MD, FAAOS (Lee) Lee McCluskey is an Orthopaedic Surgeon in Columbus, GA where he practices at the St Francis Orthopaedic Institute. He is a Clinical Professor of Surgery at Mercer University. Lee went to Vanderbilt University, Medical College of Georgia and Tulane University for Orthopaedic Surgery Residency. After completing an Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery Fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin, Lee returned home to practice over 30 years in his hometown. Lee has served for the past twenty years in many developing countries educating and working with Samaritans Purse and Steps2Walk. He is currently the Board Chair for Steps2Walk and is on the Board of Councilors for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He has served as President of the Georgia Orthopaedic Society. Lee is married to Suzanne McCluskey and has four adult sons.

’m Dom. I’m a wilderness guide, and the creator of VIVIFY.I’m on a mission to foster regenerative leadership, blending personal vitality and ecological harmony. I strive to empower individuals to live and lead in ways that enhance their own aliveness and presence and create a deep and lasting relationship with the more-than-human world.​I’ve had a foot in two worlds for a decade - I’ve led wilderness immersions in remote locations including Patagonia and Alaska, and and I’ve held leadership roles at climate-tech companies, serving as Chief of Staff at Terramera and Head of Product at Solara Energy. In a past life, I was also Captain of the Stanford University Golf Team.My work is inspired by the Animas Valley Institute, where I trained in the Yearlong Soulcraft Immersion with Bill Plotkin. I’ve also completed coach training with the Conscious Leadership Group.I live for movement in the mountains - I’ve skied on the tallest peaks of the lower 48, completed a solo traverse of the Southern Sierra High Route, and ridden dogsleds across the Boundary Waters.

Scott Mautz is CEO/Founder of Profound Performance™, a keynote, workshop, and training company that helps business leaders become even better, more inspired versions of themselves. He’s a former senior executive of Procter & Gamble, where he successfully ran several of the company’s largest multi-billion-dollar businesses. He’s an award-winning, bestselling author, popular course instructor on LinkedIn Learning, and faculty at Indiana University’s School of Business for Executive Education. His latest book is The Mentally Strong Leader: Build the Habits to Productively Regulate Your Emotions, Thoughts, and Behaviors. Scott is a speaker and trainer commonly described as “riveting” (despite his daughter’s utter disbelief of that description). His one-of-a-kind blend of business experience, research, storytelling, tools, sprinkles of humor, and hi-octane delivery opens hearts & minds.He applies his thunderous passion to help others become mentally stronger and achieve more (even in the face of challenges) - at work and in life. He prides himself on his “No-Diva” policy (being easy to work with), on coming across as authentic and as down-to-earth as he really is, and on being the absolute highest-value podcast guest he can be. He wants to understand your brand too, so he can help reinforce it as a guest on your show. Invite Scott on for an interesting conversation that will intrigue your listeners, not the canned spewing of book selling points.

Mike uses the platforms of business coaching and leadership training to fulfill his passion: helping others maximize their own personal and professional value. As a member of the 8150 Advisors team, Mike collaborates with private practice owners through strategic growth, creating next level leaders, operational efficiency, and team engagement. Several practices have doubled in practice value as result of their collaboration. Prior to joining the 8150 team, Mike helped Rock Valley Physical Therapy grow from 26 to 52 locations as their first VP of Growth & Development. New patient volumes increased 210% during his six-year tenure where he was responsible for de novo and mature clinic growth. While serving as Director of Operations for Proaxis Therapy, he was an integral leader in developing physician relations, operational excellence, and a five-star patient experience. Dedicated to life-long learning, Mike earned a BS from Mount Union College, an MDiv with Leadership Specialization from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a DPT from the Duke University School of Medicine. Mike is a Certified Coach and DISC Personality Assessment Trainer through the Maxwell Leadership Team. Mike began his career at the Ohio State University Sports Medicine Center where his experiences included consulting with the US Army Special Forces, treating a Masters champion and several NFL draft picks. He has served APTA and PPS as a Federal Affairs Liaison, APTA Delegate, PPS Impact Editorial Board Member, and PPS Annual Conference presenter. In addition to his business ventures, Mike serves part-time as the Partner Relations Manager for Zoe Empowers. Zoe is an empowerment-based program in India and nine African countries which transforms youth-led households to self-sufficiency in just three years. He has led several trips to Rwanda, Kenya, and Malawi to allow US partners to see the program’s impact. Mike lives in Iowa and enjoys time with his wife Kim (also a PT!), their four boys, and two dogs.

Derrick Mains as a guest for your podcast. Four time author, Emmy winner, host of The Process Fixer, serial entrepreneur, and CEO, Derrick has consulted on process optimization for hundreds of companies from Walmart to Exxon.American business culture often rewards stoic, strong man behavior where our emotions are checked at the door but it’s impossible to truly remove our human instincts and limbic responses. Derrick’s approach to process optimization and change management is centered in acknowledging and managing these human instincts. He believes that when we see, value, and empower employees as whole humans, they reflect that value back to the customer.A born storyteller, Derrick weaves history, psychology, philosophy, and lived experience into powerful conversation on how we can shape the human-centric workplace of the future.

America’s Leadership Authority” Dr. Derrick Noble has been helping business leaders take their leadership and communication skills to the next level of excellence for two decades. His passion has led him to support those from all walks of life to become more influential leaders and more confident communicators.Throughout his youth, Noble endured years of speech therapy for a severe stutter and speech impediment. Once quoted as stating he was “the least likely person to be a professional speaker,” Dr. Noble has since gone on to become an award-winning TEDx speaker, speech coach, and trainer. He now famously quips “At first, I couldn’t talk, and now they can’t shut me up!”Noble works directly with leaders, speakers, business owners, CEOs, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies. His clients throughout the years include The United States Air Force, The United States Navy, The United States Forestry Service, The FBI, the City of Los Angeles, and so many more. In 2020, Noble was one of only 12 Black entrepreneurs admitted into the Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce’s prestigious Business Evolution Program – an intense 12-month program in which he was personally mentored by some of the most successful Black entrepreneurs in the city. In 2021, he was featured in the Los Angeles Business Journal as an influential African American business leader. He currently serves as the featured Leadership Expert for BizTV, a national broadcast network for entrepreneurs and business owners, and he hosts “The Dr. Derrick Noble Show” on KGGR of Dallas, TX – the largest Black-owned radio station in the US.In December 2022, Noble released his highly anticipated first book, Leadership Launch: Essential Skills for New Leaders. It quickly became an international best seller, and was designated as the #1 new business book worldwide within its first two weeks of availability. The book includes a foreword by Civil Rights hero Dr. Melba Pattillo Beals, a member of the Little Rock Nine, a group of African-American students who were the first to integrate Little Rock Central High School.Noble has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English - with a double minor in Speech Communication and Psychology - from Angelo State University (1994), a Master of Divinity degree from Morehouse School of Religion (1997 Class Valedictorian), a Doctor of Ministry degree from Ashland Theological Seminary (2008 Class Valedictorian), and completed Ph.D. coursework in Educational Curriculum at Emory University. Noble is an avid fan of the Los Angeles Clippers, Lakers and Dodgers; of classic jazz (particularly John Coltrane, Art Tatum, and Miles Davis), and also plays the jazz trombone himself. In addition, he is an ardent golfer, and loves watching classic martial arts movies.

Jordan Burton is a seasoned executive assessor and interviewing trainer with over 17 years of experience. He specializes in training top Venture Capital and Private Equity investors and high-growth companies in hiring the best talent.Jordan is the co-founder of Talgo, where he manages relationships with industry giants like Sequoia Capital, TH Lee and Palantir Technologies.Jordan is a former Partner at the renowned leadership advisory firm ghSMART and a former consultant at Bain & Company. He’s a graduate of Duke University and holds an MBA from Harvard Business School.Check out the Talgowebsite for more info!Key Focus: Transforming hiring practices through world-class interviewing, exceptional candidate experiences, and innovative talent acquisition strategies.

Paul Epstein2x Bestselling author, The Power of Playing Offense andBetter Decisions Faster🚥 Success Magazine Top Speaker that Gets Results🚥 Former NFL & NBA Executive and WHY Coach of the 49ers🚥 Set an all-time Super Bowl revenue record🚥 Took a Jerry Maguire leap from sports, to graduate from career to calling🚥 Advisor to Fortune 500’s, Pro Athletes, and High Growth Founders🚥 Led a $3B leadership development laboratory🚥 Featured in USA Today, ESPN, NBC, Entrepreneur, and Fox Business🚥 Clients range from Zoom, Amazon, Johnson & Johnson, and NASA to the Lakers and Cowboys🚥 Proudest titles: father, husband, son, Trojan, and Wolverine🚥 Bacon lover, just don’t make it too crispy🚥 Got married on the field of Levi’s Stadium (her idea, I swear!)

Dr. Michael Mayrsohn was raised in a household where discussions about private practice in physical therapy were routine. He graduated from Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management in 2008 and earned his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Stony Brook University in 2012. Dr. Mayrsohn is board certified in Orthopedics and holds extensive training as a manual therapist. He joined Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy in 2014 as a staff physical therapist at the Garden City office. At that time, Metro operated 5 locations with fewer than 50 employees. Today, Metro has expanded to 45 locations with over 700 employees and 400 providers, establishing itself as one of the largest private practices in the region.Since assuming the role of CEO in 2016, Dr. Mayrsohn's leadership has guided Metro through 25 acquisitions, and the opening of 15 Denovo locations since 2017. Recognizing the importance of strong leadership, he launched an emerging leadership program in 2019 aimed at nurturing leaders within the organization. The ongoing program spans one year, with an average class size of 30 participants. Dr. Mayrsohn envisions Metro becoming a top-performing PT company nationally and aims to be an influential leader in the field.

John Rossman is the author of four books on leadership and business innovation including the best seller The Amazon Way and Big Bet Leadership. He is an early Amazon executive who played a key role in launching the Amazon marketplace business in 2002. Today he is a leading keynote speaker on leadership for innovation and transformation. John is an operator and builder whose love is diving into business problems and customer needs designing innovative solutions and business models and creating durable enterprise value. He has served as the senior technology advisor at the Gates Foundation and senior innovation advisor at T-Mobile.His new book, Big Bet Leadership: Your Transformation Playbook for Winning in the Hyper-Digital Era, is an actionable playbook for senior leaders to succeed at complex transformations.John is the founder of Rossman Partners, a strategy & leadership solutions firm.

Melanie is the Founder of Leaders Who Fiction, an online book club and community that offers a unique way for people to acquire and develop leadership qualities through reading and discussing novels.On this fast-growing platform, leaders meet on the last Wednesday of each month for intellectual, business-oriented conversations centered around a selected novel.Melanie is also the Co-Founder of Strategic Piece, where she works with C-suite executives at growth-stage companies to deliver exceptional revenue growth by bringing together their marketing, sales, and service teams around an information-driven customer experience built on the HubSpot platform.She has been an entrepreneur for almost a decade and witnessed a great deal of what works and doesn't work in leadership and how reading fiction equips leaders with the skills they need to achieve their professional goals.

Kristi Henderson is a healthcare leader, digital health pioneer, and clinician who advanced from a practicing nurse practitioner to CEO and is recognized as an industry thought leader for technology-forward healthcare companies. She has a proven track record of optimizing and executing profitable growth strategies, driving strong business operations, and leading differentiated clinical products and services. She is a cultivator of high-performing teams with a keen understanding of drivers of growth, profitability, and equity value creation, who also fosters a civic-minded culture resulting in a high level of collaboration and commitment. She is experienced in leading and scaling high-growth companies and owning & driving P&L results in geographically dispersed, multi-state, multi-site businesses. She boasts health leadership experience in academic and national nonprofit health systems as well as big tech and public pay/provider organizations, including two Fortune 5 companies. She is the CEO of Confluent Health, a national value-based musculoskeletal health company, where she is responsible for expanding their nationwide services through the growth of community-based physical therapy clinics, workplace services, and virtual/digital solutions using the highest skilled therapists and innovative clinical pathways that optimize the latest in personalization and technology. ​ She was most recently the CEO of MedExpress and Optum Virtual Medical Group at United Health Group with former leadership roles at Amazon, Ascension Health, and the University of Mississippi Medical Center. She has a proven track record of delivering successful programs at scale that improve health and save money. She is known for her ability to execute and sustain these models in advance of them becoming an industry standard as evidenced by her first launch of a telehealth program in 2003 which is recognized as one of only two of HRSA’s Centers of Excellence. She is the immediate past chair for the American Telemedicine Association. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and remains active in healthcare education providing guest presentations and serving as an adjunct faculty member. She is an honorary Dean at the University of Washington School of Nursing and an adjunct faculty member in Population Health at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas-Austin.She has testified before multiple U.S. Senate committees and given numerous presentations across the country, including a TEDx talk, to advance telehealth policy and share innovative new models of care. A few of her other leadership roles include service as an executive board member for the Association of American Medical Colleges Telehealth Committee, advisor for the National Quality Forum’s telehealth committee and co-chair of the Telehealth Committee for the American Nurses Association. Henderson received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she was recognized as the 2019 Distinguished Alumna from the School of Nursing. She maintains national certification as a family and acute care nurse practitioner.

Randy Carr is President and CEO of World Emblem, the largest emblem and patch producer in the world. The south Florida-based company produces 250 million products per year including embroidered patches and emblems for sports headwear, footwear, sports garments, uniforms, and other apparel. Mr. Carr has made a significant impact on the embroidery industry by investing in the latest equipment and state-of-the-art technology. With 1,000+ employees and an impressive lineup of over 1,450 cutting-edge embroidery machines., World Emblem is able to manufacture and deliver large-scale projects in as little as 24 hours to clients including New Era, Aramark, Cintas, Perry Ellis, and Levi’s. Under his leadership, World Emblem is also committed to sustainability and utilizes resource-saving materials and methods including LED lighting, translucid roof panels, pollutant-free Madeira premium threads, and lean manufacturing to minimize waste and maximize productivity. Mr. Carr has been CEO of World Emblem for more than 20 years. He began his career at the family-run company as an apprentice to his father Jerold Carr, who started the company in 1993.

About Aneace HaddadAs a seasoned C-Suite Executive Coach and McKinsey-certified Senior Advisor, Aneace Haddad brings a wealth of experience and transformative insights to the realm of executive leadership. With over 1,800 hours of certified coaching, impacting over 300 individual senior leaders and aiding 100 top teams across 15 diverse industries globally, Aneace has become a trusted guide in steering executive teams to new heights.In his 40s, Aneace grappled with the challenges of dismantling silos and fostering team cohesion. This pivotal period marked a relentless pursuit of operational excellence, laying the groundwork for a deeper exploration into the essence of leadership. Recognizing the nuanced dynamics of human behavior as the key to overcoming obstacles, Aneace transitioned into his 50s armed with a profound understanding of the critical challenges senior leaders face.Now, in his 60s, Aneace harnesses the opportunities and challenges presented in midlife to help executives unlock new energy and potential within themselves and their teams. His coaching style is shaped by a global perspective, combining proven leadership models with real-world insights from cross-cultural experiences and various life stages.Aneace's impact is vividly illustrated by testimonials from industry leaders. Terence Lyons, CEO of TSC, acknowledges Aneace for re-creating their company, shifting the focus to people, team, and culture. Philipp Kandal, Chief Product Officer at Grab, highlights Aneace's ability to draw from rich personal experience, making coaching sessions enjoyable and effective. Khairul Mohamad, GM at Petronas, emphasizes Aneace's role in reshaping his leadership approach and achieving goals.As a guest on various podcasts, Aneace shares his wisdom on embracing change, redefining leadership through authentic self-rediscovery, and the pinnacle of leadership excellence. His insights and tools, such as "The Profound Impact of 'Being' Over 'Doing' in Leadership" and "Secret Saboteurs: Self-Reflection Tool for Empowerment," showcase his commitment to providing actionable strategies for personal and professional growth.

BRAD ZIMMERMAN has been helping CEOs Create Exceptional Cultures... since 1992.He believes there is unlimited potential in the human spirit and that we all adopt beliefs that can limit our potential. Gaining access to this potential unleashes personal and organizational growth. He turned to organizational coaching more than 30 years ago following a successful career in sales and operations. Since then, he has helped over 10,000 leaders in businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations develop cultures that transform work environments so people grow and the organizations thrive.

Carmen’s parents were her role models, and through them, she learned early on about the resilience, strength, and struggles embodied by women of color, who encountered constant micro-aggressions and racism, and about the critical role supportive fathers play in raising a budding feminist. Over the course of her 25-year career in philanthropy, she has worked hard to successfully galvanize funders, donors, policymakers, and grassroots activists to forever change lives, systems, and communities for good. She is particularly passionate about building prosperity for women and girls of color and firmly believes in the ineffable power a sisterhood holds to support, nurture, and amplify one another – this is why she always makes a point of collaborating with other women in philanthropy to inspire and guide each other. She is presently a fellow in the Aspen Institute and the Neighborhood Funder’s Group Philanthropy Forward initiative, and was recently invited to join Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Membership. In August 2021, she was thrilled to take on the role of Founding President and CEO of a ground-breaking new foundation, Women’s Foundation of the South. Founded by and created for women and girls of color in the South, WFS boldly revolutionizes gender and racial justice in the Southern U.S. and beyond. WFS is dedicated to building the health and well-being, wealth and legacy, and power of womxn of color and girls in the South. So far, WFS has succeeded beautifully: WFS has already raised over $6M and provided $350k in grants to 52 women-of-color-led nonprofits in the South. She continues to count on sisterhood – womxn who approach philanthropy as a partnership. These networks have expanded her knowledge, connections in the field, and relationships with various players. Given the political divisiveness that now reigns in our country, and the assault on the agency of a womxn’s body with Roe v Wade overturned, reproductive rights at risk, and with the social justice movement still cresting, the work of WFS has never been more important. To transform lives - of 2.5 million womxn in the South, at that - Women’s Foundation of the South believes that women-of-color-led organizations are where you should place your trust and investment. Carmen is a proud mother of three young adults, and she lives in New Orleans with her husband and family, where they delight in the vibrant culture of the city. She was named one of the Top Women Leaders of Louisiana for 2024.