Speakers

Speakers A-M

David Ackert, MA, CEO, Pipeline Plus

Speaking Their Language: Using the 5 Languages of Appreciation to Motivate Boards and Teams

David Ackert is President at Ackert Inc. and its subsidiaries. He is a highly regarded business development thought leader. Over the past two decades, David has pioneered revenue acceleration programs for hundreds of organizations around the globe. He is the author of upcoming book, The Short List. He is the founder of several technology platforms including the PipelinePlus software suite. David regularly keynotes at partner retreats and speaks at industry conferences. He also serves as a guest lecturer at USC’s Marshall School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University, and at the UCLA School of Law. His Market Leaders Podcast is a multiple Listeners Choice award-winner.

 Jim Anderson, CAE, President, CalSAE 

 Association Leaders Situation Room: Tackling   Practical Challenges

 Jim supports the Board and its committees in   developing and implementing the strategic plan,   organizational policies, and programs. He also directly staffs the Board of Directors as well as the DEI, Legislative, Audit, and Nominating committees. He is responsible for daily operations, including financial management & reporting, and staff supervision. Jim previously worked for the United Way California Capital Region for 16 years, and was its Executive Vice President when he left to join CalSAE.

Karl Baur, CAE, CMP, Senior Executive Director, Association Resource Center (ARC)

Ready Player You: Gaming Leadership Lessons

Karl is a Senior Executive Director at the Association Resource Center (ARC). 
 He currently serves as the Executive Director for the California City Clerks Association and the California Association of Code Enforcement Officers.  Prior to joining ARC, he spent 10 years serving members in a medical association and has more than 25 years' experience in event planning.  A graduate of Purdue University (Bachelor’s Degree) and UC Davis (Master’s Degree), he earned his CMP in 1998 and his CAE in 2022.  He has been a “gamer” since the age of 9, when he was presented with his first copy of “Advanced Dungeons & Dragons”.  In his spare time, he participates in Tae Kwon Do, reads extensively, creates worlds to explore, and continues to engage in collaborative storytelling (aka gaming) with his daughter and his friends.

 

Touda Bentatou, Director of Customer Onboarding, Novi AMS

Association Meeting Planning Challenges & Best Practices

Touda Bentatou is the Director of Customer Onboarding at Novi AMS, overseeing processes and strategies to support customers through their onboarding journey. She has a background in member engagement, project management, marketing, events, and operations, with experience in optimizing workflows, managing teams, and implementing process improvements.

Before joining Novi AMS, she held leadership roles in member experience and IT strategy, where she focused on streamlining systems, developing engagement programs, and improving operational efficiencies. She also serves on industry advisory councils and committees, contributing to discussions on best practices in association management and customer experience.

 

Sonya Bradley, Chief Inclusion and Community Engagement Officer, Visit Sacramento

What a New Pair of Sneakers Revealed About Inclusion

In April 2021, Sonya took on the role of Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer. This position was created specifically to address the organization’s commitment to taking actions and creating change when it comes to DEI within Visit Sacramento, the tourism industry in the Sacramento region and beyond. Recently, Community Relations was added to her title to strengthen the connection of Visit Sacramento with the greater community and key stakeholders.  She has a BA from Pepperdine University and An MS from San Jose State University. She serves on various committees and Boards, including CalTravel, Destinations International and One West Tourism Alliance. 

 

Joseph Burak, MBA, Chief Strategist, TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics

Automate the Mundane to Unleash Your Creative Potential

Elevating the Member Experience: Blending Personalization, Automation, and a Dash of AI

Joe is passionate about analytics and AI. As the founder and chief strategist of TRANSiT Strategy & Analytics, he helps organizations maximize their data to develop more member loyalty and inform strategic decisions. He also helps executives harness the power of AI to streamline operations and elevate member value. Before TRANSiT, Joe spent nearly two decades with the National Association of Home Builders Federation, strengthening chapters through strategic planning, executive & leadership training, and building member-centric cultures. Joe holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA with a certificate in business analytics from George Washington University. He lives in Virginia with his wife and two adorable kiddos. Joe supports the Washington Spirit in his spare time and loves live music.

 

Melanee Cottrill, MBA, CAE, Executive Director, Head Start California

Ready Player You: Gaming Leadership Lessons

Melanee is the Executive Director of California Head Start. She previously served as Executive Director of the California Association of School Psychologists, Associate Director of the California Farmland Trust, where she focused on marketing, events, and development. She also spent nearly a decade forming and funding associations and scaling business operations as the Operations Manager at Civitas Advisors. She earned her Master's of Business Administration at California State University, Stanislaus and recently received her Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives. She is also a frequent speaker, addicted reader, beer connoisseur, and dog-lover. A forward-focused executive, she believes in stakeholder leadership, building supportive teams, and the power of associations to make a positive difference in the world.

Alicia Eastvold, CPA, Manager, YPTC Technology, Your Part-Time Controller

Perfecting Nonprofit Finance with AI & Automation Tools

Alicia is a financial educator and thought leader specializing in helping nonprofit organizations transform financial data into actionable insights. Through training and speaking engagements, she empowers leaders to make informed, mission-driven decisions.

As an accounting technology specialist, Alicia leverages her expertise to identify tools that streamline accounting processes, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness. A dedicated nonprofit leader, Alicia co-founded Glad Technology, which educates displaced youth, primarily refugees in Sacramento and young adults in Kenya.

Alicia’s mission-driven approach ensures lasting value for the organizations and communities she serves.

 

Teresa Excinia, CAE, MBA, Executive Director, California Advocates Inc.

Standing Out in a Crowd

Teresa Excinia joined California Advocates, Inc. in 2015. Teresa is the Executive Director for the Association of Defense Counsel, Northern and Southern California, the California Chapter of American Board of Trial Advocates, and the California Mortgage Association. In these roles, Teresa is responsible for overseeing the successful leadership and management of the association according to the strategic direction set by the Board of Directors. 

Teresa earned her master’s degree in business administration (MBA) with a concentration in project management in 2017. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in Leadership and Innovation through the University of the Pacific. Additionally, Teresa is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and the California Society of Association Executives, where she holds a Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential.  

Chris Failla, Founder and Lead Facilitator, See the Human, LLC

From Coexisting to Co-Creating: Unlocking the Exponential Power of Partnerships

Chris Failla is a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, executive and relationship coach, and Gallup-certified Strengths Consultant. He worked in Community Development for five years in China and has a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Chris has worked with leaders and teams on every inhabited continent, and helps humans from all industries find their WHY, stress-proof their life, and play to their strengths, so that they and their teams are energized, fulfilled, and productive!

Chris has a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in Adult Learning and Development. Over the last 15 years he’s coached or trained people on every inhabited continent (at some point he’ll get to Antarctica as well!). He lived in China for five years and has some of the most amazing mentors ever.

 

Lisa Fain, JD, CEO, Center for Mentoring Excellence

Peer Mentoring for Engagement and Retention:  Strengthening Association Communities

Lisa Z. Fain is the CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence, current President of the International Mentoring Association, and a global speaker on the power of mentoring to create transformation. Lisa believes leveraging differences creates stronger workplaces and better business outcomes. She is known for her energetic workshops, interactive speeches, and actionable insights. An Executive Coach, she helps leaders foster inclusive environments through a frank, kind, and holistic approach. Lisa co-authored Bridging Differences for Better Mentoring and the 3rd edition of The Mentor’s Guide with Dr. Lois J. Zachary. She inspires individuals and organizations to create meaningful mentoring relationships that drive personal and professional growth.

 

Mark Graham, VP, Association Solutions (ABSI), ASAE

Governance in an Age of Turbulence: Trends, Challenges, and Innovations

Everybody Hates Board Meetings, But We Have a Fix!

Mark Graham leads the Incubator Innovation Program at the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), where he develops and launches initiatives to support association CEOs and C-suite leaders. His work focuses on creating innovative solutions that address critical industry needs and enhance organizational success.

Mark oversees ASAE's Executive Compensation Consulting practice, a premier service that ensures fair and equitable compensation for CEOs and senior executives. This benchmarking program analyzes salary data from peer organizations, empowering boards to make informed decisions.

Mark developed ASAE's Association Governance Institute (AGI) which launched Fall of 2024 - a comprehensive resource designed to promote excellence in governance. AGI provides education, research, tools, and peer communities for CEOs, boards, and governance professionals.

Through his leadership, Mark is driving transformative programs that advance best practices and strengthen the association community.

 

Amy Hager, Founder and CEO, Amy Hager Solutions

Leverage Storytelling Into Money-Making Content

Amy Hager is a go-getter with a passion for community building and transforming workplaces to a culture of joy. Her experiences help her relate and apply strategies across many different industries by utilizing her background in marketing, communications, team building, community development, and organizational growth. In 2006, Amy started as a member and volunteer at her local chamber and her passion grew into a career where she now partners with a variety of national associations, state chambers, and progressive companies and organizations to help them leverage their strengths and grow beyond their goals. She has received the IOM and CAE designations and is a past speaker of CalSAE.

 Edwin Harvey, Ph.D., Director of AI Solutions &   Training, Your Part-Time Controller

 Perfecting Nonprofit Finance with AI & Automation   Tools

 Edwin Harvey, Ph.D., is Director of AI Solutions &   Training at Your Part-Time Controller, LLC, where he champions effective, responsible adoption of emerging AI technologies. Edwin has consulted across the fields of analytics, automation, and business strategy, especially in the nonprofit and financial management sectors. In his current role, he tracks and tinkers with emerging AI technologies and applies what he learns to help clients and colleagues navigate the overlap between digital tools and natural language. A passionate trainer, Edwin speaks frequently at conferences, events, and webinars.

Kate Hayes, Certified Coach, Speaker, Consultant, Author and Strategic Thinker, High Ground Coaching and Development

Succession Planning; Ensuring Leadership Continuity in Nonprofits

Kate has devoted her career to fostering leadership excellence, transitioning from high-end retail management to launching High Ground Coaching and Development in 2017. She created the innovative "Next Gen Leadership" course, empowering leaders to build a culture of leadership across all five generations in the workforce. Her debut book, Take Back Your Life, released in April 2024, became a #1 new release on Amazon.

An engaging and passionate keynote speaker, Kate captivates audiences nationwide with insights from decades of experience in time management and leadership. She is also an advocate for women in leadership, founding the nonprofit Connect2Women to unite and inspire women through workshops, events, and the Impact! Mentor Program.

Based in central Wyoming with her husband and a menagerie of animals, Kate is committed to her mission of inspiring leaders to create more leaders.

Teresa Henderson, MST, CPA, Manager, Association and Membership Organizations Practice, Your Part-Time Controller

Perfecting Nonprofit Finance with AI & Automation Tools

Teresa L. Henderson, MST, has nearly 25 years’ experience as a financial manager in small for-profit, government, and nonprofit organizations.  She has worked with many associations – each varying in size and phase of development.  Her specialty is helping organizations build strong finance functions, and in making certain that the entire organization understands the links between finance and accounting and operational success. 

 

Threasa Hernandez, Event Manager, CITE (CA IT in Education)

Association Meeting Planning Challenges & Best Practices

Threasa Hernandez is an Event Manager at California IT in Education (CITE) and has extensive experience in coordinating with diverse stakeholders to ensure successful conferences. She began her career in the hotel industry before joining the California Nonprofit Association space. Threasa has experience in handling programming and logistics for various sized in-person and virtual events, and recently the CITE conference team successfully executed their annual conference with over 3,500 people in attendance across multiple locations in San Diego. She’s passionate about fostering collaborative environments and learning from her peers. When she’s not coordinating work events, you can find her at her kid’s sporting events cheering in the stands. 

 

John Hooley, President, Steward

Standing Out in a Crowd

John Hooley is the president of Steward, an agency that provides web development for associations, and founder of Beacon Tech Research, a technology selection service that serves associations. He's a graduate of 10,000 Small Businesses, a certified Customer Acquisition Specialist, and a Zend Certified Engineer. Outside of work, he enjoys sailing and volunteering as a "Big" with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Sheila Johnston, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Luminari Partners

Standing Out in a Crowd

Sheila Johnston, Co-Founder and CEO of Luminari Partners, exemplifies the spirit of kindness and effective leadership! She skillfully guides business, associations and organizations, designing innovative strategies that reveal untapped growth opportunities. Sheila's enthusiastic "Will Do" attitude empowers her to tackle challenges head-on, transforming obstacles into exciting prospects for expansion, no matter the organization’s size. When she’s not busy making a positive impact, Sheila loves to embark on adventures with her husband and their charming beagle, Duke, discovering hidden gems in new places. She also cherishes staying connected with those who come to mind, reminding them that they are valued and genuinely cared for. Sheila’s warmth and dedication shine through in everything she does, and her optimistic approach inspires those around her!

Becky Lunders, Founder, Consultant and Trainer, teamWorks

Energize Your Conference: How to Supercharge Your Content, Workshops, & Participants 

Becky Lunders of teamWorks is a consultant, facilitator, and trainer who brings the wow factor to people development. She’s like your favorite coach, cheerleader, and brainstorming buddy rolled into one. Becky turns leadership development into a secret weapon for increasing sustainability and engagement. Whether whipping up a workplace culture retreat, dishing out soft skills training, or leading a train-the-trainer workshop, Becky knows how to make learning stick.
Becky crisscrosses the country, helping organizations crush their goals with engaging training, killer content, and a knack for tapping into the brain science behind adult learning. If you’ve been to her sessions, you know - it’s not your average PowerPoint snooze-fest! Becky lives in Loomis, California.

Megan MacNee, CAE, MPA, Senior Association Executive, Advocacy & Management Group

Transforming Team Meetings: From Mundane to Must-Attend

Megan MacNee is Senior Association Executive & Strategic Facilitation Consultant at Advocacy & Management Group (AMG), an association management company. In this role, Megan serves associations and non-profit organizations in the full-service roles as an Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director; as well as a strategic facilitation consultant providing strategic planning and workshops for associations, non-profits, and government organizations. 
Megan brings over a decade of experience from roles in non-profit, government, and associations. These included all aspects of organizations from financials, governance and leadership, program management, political and advocacy operations, communications, event planning, database management, and more. 

Megan holds a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, in addition to her B.A. in History from the University of Redland. She became a Certified Association Executive in 2022. 

 

Speakers M-Z 

Trinette Marquis, APR, Executive Director, California School PR Association

Your Member-Centered Strategic Plan - Building, Utilizing and Engaging It to Grow a Vibrant Association

With more than 20 years experience in communications, marketing, and public relations, Trinette Marquis, APR, is passionate about organizational community relationships.

Her work has been recognized by the National School Public Relations Association, the American Association of School Administrators,  the Medical Marketing Association, and the International Association of Business Communicators. She is the Executive Director of the California School Public Relations Association and regularly presents to national audiences on strategic public relations. She is a lecturer at California State University, Sacramento and author of the books, Engaging Data, Smart Strategies for School Communication (2018) and co-author of The Communicating Principal (2021).

When she’s not talking about communication, you’ll find her hiking in Northern California with friends and family.

 

Patricia Montague, CAE, CEO, School Nutrition Association

The Road Ahead: Innovating & Transforming Association Business Models for Long-Term Success

Patti is the Chief Executive Officer of the School Nutrition Association (SNA), a distinguished national nonprofit dedicated to representing 50,000 members who deliver high-quality, cost-effective meals to students across the nation. Since its founding in 1946, SNA has been at the forefront of advancing school nutrition programs as a crucial element of education. With over 20 years of service to SNA, including nine years as Chief Operating Officer, Patti has played a pivotal role in the organization's growth and success. In her role as CEO, she works closely with the Board of Directors to develop and implement strategic and annual action plans. Patti oversees the execution, monitoring, and evaluation of SNA’s programs and services, consistently seeking new initiatives and innovations that add value for SNA members.

 

Amy Morrisey, President, Artisan Learning

Turn What Your SMEs Know Into What Your Learners Need

Amy Morrisey is the president of Artisan Learning, a custom learning design firm. As president, she stays focused on maintaining the high standards their clients have grown to expect and building a company people want to be a part of. Before working with Artisan, Amy spent 17 years in corporate training and development, predominantly teaching advocacy, sales, and leadership development. She also coached teams and executives on communication. She is a past board member of ATD Detroit. When time allows, Amy loves to go all in on designing meaningful and actionable learning experiences.

 

Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP - Fellow, CMM, DES, VP, Global Sales & Industry Relations, Teneo Hospitality Group

Standing Out in a Crowd

Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP-Fellow, CMM, DES is a seasoned hospitality sales executive and Vice President of Global Sales & Industry Relations for Teneo Hospitality Group, representing over 350+ independent hotels, resorts, and DMCs. With sales and leadership experience at top brands like MGM Resorts, Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, and Four Seasons, Gary is a strategic innovator and advocate for the meetings and events industry. A recipient of numerous accolades, including the 2024 EIC Social Impact Award and PCMA’s 2023 Groundbreaker Award, he actively serves on boards such as MPI Foundation, CEMA Advisory Board, and LGBT Meeting Professionals. As founding President of SITE Northern CA Chapter and an industry leader in DEI efforts, Gary champions representation, inclusion, and progress across the industry. Gary is also an active volunteer with CalSAE and is currently Chair of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and serves on the ELEVATE, Seasonal Spectacular, the Bay Area Regional Council, and the Membership Advisory Group.

 

Eileen Murray, MM, CAE, CEO, American Epilepsy Society

Ethics Live! Roleplay and Practice in Responding to Real Violations  

Eileen Murray has been CEO of the American Epilepsy Society (AES) since 2013.  She provides strategic leadership and executive oversight for all aspects of the Society to advance the AES mission to support professionals engaged in the understanding, diagnosis, study, prevention, treatment, and cure of epilepsy.  Leading the organization during a transformative period, she guided three strategic planning cycles at AES and has supported the organization to increased visibility, credibility, and influence in the medical community. Prior to joining AES, Eileen served as Acting Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director at the American Academy of Dermatology and as Vice President and Executive Director of the Foundation at the American Health Information Management Association. Eileen holds an MM in Marketing from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Business.  She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) and the Association Forum 2022 Samuel B. Shapiro Award for Chief Staff Executive Achievement recipient.

 

Diane Niggli, Senior Director, Global Accounts, Helms Briscoe

Association Meeting Planning Challenges & Best Practices

Diane joined HelmsBriscoe in 2005 and has been a member of HB’s President’s Club since 2011. With experience in destination marketing, facility management, sales, and independent meeting planning, she values the trust and partnerships she builds with her clients. Diane understands each organization’s unique dynamics and works to secure the best venues and safest event contracts. She stays informed on industry trends and evolving hotel contract language, ensuring her clients receive expert guidance in meetings procurement. She also supports environmentally conscious meetings when important to the group.

Diane’s priority is her clients’ success. From RFP development and venue sourcing to hotel negotiations, contracting, and guestroom block management, she delivers exceptional value while mitigating risk and capturing data for future planning. A Southern California native, Diane now resides in Northern California.

 Michele Pearce, Senior Conference Sales   Manager, See Monterey

 Association Meeting Planning Challenges & Best Practices

 Michele is a seasoned hospitality and event management professional, currently Senior Conference Sales Manager at See Monterey, driving conference business to the region.

Previously, she was Director of Event Planning and Operations at Monterey Marriott, leading large-scale events and a 40+ member team. Her expertise in logistics and high-profile events, including TED and RM Auctions, earned her top recognition at Marriott.

Active in the Monterey community, she serves as Board President of the Old Monterey Business Association. An Ohio State University graduate, Michele has been honored as Monterey Marriott’s Manager of the Year (2007 & 2018) and a finalist for CHLA’s Manager of the Year (2019).

 

Paul Pomerantz, Managing Director, Governance Institute, ASAE Business Solutions, ASAE

Governance in an Age of Turbulence:  Trends, Challenges, and Innovations

Everybody Hates Board Meetings, But We Have a Fix!

Paul Pomerantz served as CEO of several health and medical associations before “retiring” at the end of 2023. His last full-time position was with the American Society of Anesthesiologists, a 55,000-member, $50 million association based in Chicago and Washington, DC. While there, Paul led the organization through a turnaround and a period of growth and heightened influence.  
 
Paul has been active in the professional association community, having served as chair of ASAE Business Services, Inc, chair of the Association Forum, chair of the ASAE Foundation, and treasurer of the Council of Medical Specialty Societies. 
 
In 2024, Paul received his certification in Leadership Coaching in Organizational Performance and formed Pomerantz Consulting. In his consulting practice, Paul works with executives on professional and career development as well as team building and mediation.

 

Alegre Ramos, MBA, DTM, LEED AP, Bestselling author, Podcast Host, Co-Founder, BYWD

The To-Do List Solution: Mastering Productivity

Alegre Ramos is the founder of Beyond Your Wildest Dreams (BYWD), a training company dedicated to empowering working moms to prioritize themselves and their goals by harnessing the power of planning. A lifelong student of habit formation and productivity, she has written four books including the bestselling 3-2-1-Done: Three simple strategies to get your to-do list done! 
In her decades of coaching, she’s learned that everyone processes information differently, which is why she turned her books into on-demand and in-person workshops. She also hosts a weekly podcast—streamed in over 35 countries—called Harness the Power of Planning (HPOP). A native Californian, mom to a teenager, and married for over two decades, she mines all these subjects for her stress-relieving activity of choice: stand-up comedy.

Jessica Rivera, MBA, PHR, SAHRA, Sr. Trainer, California Employers Association

The Stay Interview

As Senior Trainer and Executive Coach at CEA, Jessica innovates learning methods for tailored talent solutions. Renowned for her engaging, fun, and effective approach, she's trained thousands of leaders nationwide. With 25+ years of executive experience spearheading impactful initiatives, Jessica manages, develops, and administers diverse workshops and training programs for employers. She excels in enhancing talent through group training and executive coaching, earning a reputation for delivering results. When Jessica isn’t providing Peace of Mind to CEA members, you can find her watching Jack Ryan or making plans to visit Paris with her sister and daughter.

 

Jim Roman, Founder, Business Owners Institute

Creating a Roadmap to Member Engagement

Jim Roman of Business Owners Institute® is a highly respected strategic business coach whose results-oriented programs, talks and trainings inspire people and empower them to take action. Jim understands the vital part associations play in educating, supporting and growing small business professionals. That’s why he works closely with associations at the national, regional and chapter level to gain, engage and retain active, motivated members. Jim’s goal for all of the associations he works with is to increase the value of membership and the strength of leadership so they can grow and thrive far into the future.

Theresa Rose, Strategic Co-Creator and Award-winning Author, Theresa Rose Presents, LLC

Cocktail Napkin Networking: Make Meaningful Connections Anywhere, Anytime, with Anyone

Theresa Rose is a marketing Crystallizer, Strategic Co-Creator, and Certified Speaking Professional™️ who delivers cocktail napkin clarity for brands, businesses, and associations all over the world.

Theresa creates one-of-a-kind visual models and pitch-perfect messaging for executives, c-suite leaders, and thought leaders to powerfully and persuasively convey their value everywhere they show up, from formal sales presentations to program development, from organizational influence to career transitions, and any other place where opportunities strike.

Theresa is an award-winning author of several books including Mindful Performance: How To Powerfully Impact Profitability, Productivity, and Purpose and Your Daily Dose of Mojo: 365 Days of Mindful Living and Working.

While the stage has always been her natural habitat (she's also a standup comedian and improv performer!), Theresa is equally passionate about helping others clarify, amplify, and monetize their Brilliance in order to make the biggest possible impact and income.

 

Shaun Rundle, CAE, Executive Director, California Peace Officers Association

 What Constitutes a Remarkable Association Today:  Rethinking the Seven Measures

Shaun assumed the role of Executive Director of the California Peace Officers’ Association (CPOA) on January 1, 2022. Shaun started with CPOA, which serves more than 24,000 members, in November of 2014 and served as Deputy Director from 2017 to 2021, where he helped re-draw CPOA’s 12 geographic Regions, brought new hot-topic training to the organization’s members, and developed the association’s volunteer leadership. Prior to coming to CPOA, he has held roles with other associations in California as well as with roles in government affairs which included positions working for members of the California State Assembly and United States House of Representatives. Born and raised in greater Los Angeles, Shaun earned his B.A. in Government & International Relations from Sacramento State. He is a proud “girldad” to two beautiful daughters.

Bill Sheehan, Global Head, Association Strategy, D2L

The Road Ahead: Innovating & Transforming Association Business Models for Long-Term Success

Bill is the Global Head of Association Strategy at D2L, driving its mission to transform learning through personalized, flexible, and modern experiences for associations and their members. With over 30 years of senior executive experience in trade associations and association services companies, Bill has expertise in operations, membership, education, events, and non-dues revenue generation.

He has held executive roles at the National Confectioners Association, National Association of Landscape Professionals, and Electronic Retailing Association, as well as senior positions at Multiview, Naylor, and SmithBucklin. Bill excels in creating programs that boost brand awareness and strengthen connections between associations and their members.

An active ASAE member, Bill is Chairman of ASAE’s Industry Partner Alliance and serves on the Power of Association Oversight Committee, leveraging his deep operational knowledge to enhance member engagement and association value.

 

Dani Siver, Director of Membership and Events, Westside Economic Alliance

Elevating the Member Experience: Blending Personalization, Automation, and a Dash of AI

Shawna Strickland, PhD, CAE, Associate Executive Director, American Epilepsy Society

Ethics Live! Roleplay and Practice in Responding to Real Violations  

Shawna Strickland, PhD, CAE, is a registered respiratory therapist, educator, and association professional. After over a decade in clinical care, she transitioned into higher education, functioning in education leadership at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 2010, Dr. Strickland served as a clinical ethics consultant in the University of Missouri Center for Health Ethics. She transitioned to association management in 2013 and currently serves as the Associate Executive Director, Programs, at the American Epilepsy Society, where she leads the clinical, research, and education divisions. Dr. Strickland is also an adjunct faculty member at Rush University, teaching leadership and education courses in the Doctor of Philosophy in health sciences program. She has a special interest in strategic planning, leadership development, and learning management.

 

Stan Szpytek, President, Fire and Life Safety, Inc.

Emergency Preparedness Part 1+2 (Leadership During an Emergency and The Situation Room)

Stan Szpytek, an expert in fire and life safety, is president of Fire and Life Safety, Inc. (FLS) specializing in providing tailored fire and life safety, risk control, and emergency preparedness programs for various clients, with a focus on public assembly venues, hospitality, healthcare, education, public entities, and congregate living communities.
With 26 years of experience as a deputy fire chief and fire marshal in the Chicago area, Stan retired honorably in 2003. He now shares his expertise as the Life Safety/Disaster Planning Consultant for the Arizona Health Care Association (AzHCA), the California Association of Health Facilities (CAHF), and the Utah Health Care Association (UHCA). His most recent endeavor is co-founding GatherSafe, dedicated to teaching awareness in the conference and event industry.

 

Jeffrey S. Tenenbaum, Esq., Managing Partner, Tenenbaum Law Group PLLC

Ask the Association Attorney: Everything You Want to Know 

eff is a leading nonprofit attorney, author, lecturer, media commentator, and expert witness on association legal matters. As the Managing Partner of the nationally recognized Tenenbaum Law Group, a DC-based boutique law firm exclusively serving nonprofits, he advises senior management and boards of directors on legal, business, and governance issues. With 19 years at Venable, where he chaired the nonprofit practice, Jeff received the 2006 Outstanding Nonprofit Lawyer of the Year Award from the American Bar Association. Recognized in the U.S. Legal 500’s Not-for-Profit “Hall of Fame” and consistently ranked as a “Best Lawyer” for Nonprofits/Charities Law by U.S. News & World Report® since 2012, Jeff is a distinguished figure in nonprofit legal circles.

Laura Thomas, CoFounder, GatherSafe

Emergency Preparedness Part 1+2 (Leadership During an Emergency and The Situation Room)

With over 25 years of hands-on experience in event, meeting, and conference planning, Laura has excelled as both a manager and contractor. Her most recent role was as the Director of Meetings and Member Services at the CA Association of Health Facilities. Laura's expertise spans every aspect of successful event and program planning, from initial design to seamless execution. She has demonstrated her ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, including overseeing large-scale statewide conferences and numerous educational workshops. Laura's passion for emergency preparedness dates back to 2009 when she organized a "Really Ready" conference for CAHF, sparking her enduring commitment to excellence in event readiness.

 

 Amy Eliza Wong, Founder, Always On Purpose

 Mastering the Art of Executive Presence

 Amy Eliza Wong is the founder of Always On   Purpose®. She is an executive leadership   coach, author, speaker, and facilitator working   with organizations such as Salesforce, Roku, LinkedIn, Lyft, Genentech, and more. Amy offers transformative leadership development and cutting-edge communication strategies to executives and corporate teams around the world, as well as institutions including Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley. She pulls from various disciplines, studies, and practices to create profound impact through the three lenses of Self, Relationships, and Results.
Amy has catalyzed transformative growth for hundreds of executives and teams. She has a passion for helping leaders identify blind spots, reclaim precious time, energy and creative bandwidth, and create next level impact. Her new book, Living On Purpose won 2022 Book of the Year by The Magic Pen.

Shannan Young, RDN, SNS, Partnerships and Programs Officer, Dairy Council of California

What Constitutes a Remarkable Association Today:  Rethinking the Seven Measures

Shannan is an entrepreneurial executive with a 30-year background in strategic management, science, education, and policy. A registered dietitian, she excels in building organizational and professional capacity through adaptive leadership and system change. With experience at local, state, federal, and international levels, Shannan has a proven track record in food and nutrition education, public health, and food systems transformation. As the Officer of Partnerships and Programs at Dairy Council of California, she leads initiatives like the Let’s Eat Healthy Initiative and founded movements such as the Smarter Lunchrooms Movement of CA and the California Local School Wellness Policy Collaborative. Shannan's leadership in associations like the California School Nutrition Association and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics demonstrates her commitment to building high-performing teams for impactful causes.