Lunch Time Keynote: 

The Age of Authenticity: Unleashing your influence in the future of work

In this keynote, we will explore the pivotal role of modern authenticity in shaping the future of work. Peter will examine how genuine interactions and transparent practices foster innovation, employee engagement, and business results. Emphasizing the integration of authenticity in leadership and corporate culture, we envision a more connected, successful, and fulfilling workplace environment.

Closing Keynote:

Discover Your Inner Champion

Each of us faces hurdles, challenges, and adversity, which seem insurmountable when we first face them. Tricia will help you learn to see these obstacles as opportunities and build the strength, endurance, and courage to cross the finish line, no matter the size, distance or difficulty of the “race.”

About the Speaker:

Peter Lynch is the Chief People Officer at Cardinal Group Companies. A noted Fortune 500 global executive bringing broad expertise across the entire employee lifecycle.

As an entrepreneur, he developed the app Digital Fridge that has been downloaded in more than 70 countries and launched 2 podcasts that reached the top 25 ahead of The New York Times, Simon Sinek and Harvard Business Review.

Peter led Cardinal to 2 consecutive wins in Glassdoor’s Best Place To Work. Establishing itself as the sole multi-family real estate company ever to accomplish this remarkable achievement and earning Cardinal a place among the top 100 large employers in the United States the last 2 years. Cardinal was also selected as a top 50 winner in Glassdoor’s Best-Led Companies in 2024.

A TEDx speaker whose connection with audiences is legendary, he lives in Denver, Colorado. Peter is known for his impactful storytelling and has taken his message of success through authenticity to leaders and teams on 5 continents.

About the Speaker:

Though she is a lifelong athlete, Tricia Downing's "grit" goes far beyond the playing field. As a leader, coach, and mentor, she is one who cares deeply about others, helping them to see opportunities at times when they may only see overwhelming challenges. 

Twenty-one years ago, Tricia, a competitive cyclist, was hit by a car while riding her bicycle. In the accident, she was paralyzed from the chest down.

While many others may have seen this life-changing tragedy as an insurmountable challenge, Tricia handled it with tenaciousness and grace and found the strength to flourish.

Five months out of the hospital, Tricia returned to competitive athletics. She went on to compete on the world stage in four different wheelchair sports.

Additionally, she founded a women's wellness retreat, and directed it for ten years. Her goal was to help other female wheelchair users redefine their own lives.

Tricia is also the founder of the Denver Disabilities Network, a networking group designed to connect the Denver business community with disabled individuals to promote relationship building, inclusion and employment opportunities.

Session 1: 10:15 - 11:00 am

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The REAL cure for burnout | Three steps to alignment

Connections that count: Authentic networking + meaningful mentorship

Becoming a Fearless Organization in an Inherently Fearful World: Navigating the Human Dilemma of Fostering Psychologically Safe Work Cultures

Session Description:

This session explores the complexities of occupational burnout, challenging the notion that self-care alone can prevent it. Through engaging stories and case studies, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of burnout's origins, symptoms, and effective prevention strategies. The program will delve into why vacations don't cure burnout and emphasize the importance of aligning personal and professional values. Participants will learn to identify the root causes of stress and explore practical steps to find alignment in their lives. The session includes a burnout check, personal anecdotes, and actionable takeaways, equipping attendees with tools to overcome burnout effectively.

Session Description:

This session emphasizes the importance of understanding one's core values before seeking networking and mentorship opportunities. Participants will explore how self-awareness can enhance authentic connections and support professional growth. The agenda includes an overview of the session, a discussion on the impact of knowing one's values, and a self-reflection activity. Attendees will learn to differentiate between networking and mentorship, with practical tips for both. The session also includes an interactive "Connection Time" where participants will share insights with their peers. The workshop concludes with a recap of key learnings, ensuring participants leave with a clear understanding of how to approach networking and mentorship authentically and meaningfully.

Session Description:

What is the biggest obstacle to your organization’s productivity, performance and growth? Fear!  And you know that your leaders aren’t waking up every day saying “How can I create more fear on my teams?” But fear is still everywhere! in your company because it’s inherently human to feel fear.  Fear of failure. Fear of punishment. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of looking incompetent or making a mistake or asking a question.  These fears prevent leaders AND employees from sharing their knowledge, from trying new things, from sharing potential risks and SO much more.

In this highly interactive and deeply vulnerable session, we’ll explore and experience the tension we ALL feel between our brain’s need for safety and for connection. We’ll discuss the self-protective yet costly habits of "impression management" and learn why Psychological Safety is THE KEY to overcoming these barriers to high performance. I’ll share Amy Edmondson’s Psychological Safety Tool Kit with three practical strategies that leaders (or anyone) can use to create safer, more productive fear LESS teams.

About The Speaker:

Kelsea Warren is a coach, consultant, and speaker who specializes in burnout prevention. She has a master's degree in social work and is approaching candidacy for a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. She is an expert in employee burnout and workplace values and uses that as the lens to help thousands of high achievers create and sustain aligned careers. Kelsea has 5+ years of experience consulting and has worked with hundreds of businesses and employees to operationalize their values for wellbeing. Before that, she spent 8+ years in mental health and working as a clinical therapist. Kelsea has an organic audience of 150k+ across social platforms, which has landed her collaborations and keynotes with brands like Urban Decay, The National Post, Girlboss, Teacher Vision, WSCPA, and University Of Arizona. Kelsea is also an Air Force spouse of 10 years, and mom to a firey five-year-old daughter.

About the Speaker:

Sarah Jackson currently serves in Talent Management at Compassion International, a global Christian organization working in over 28 countries. Currently pursuing her Masters in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University, Sarah holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Azusa Pacific University. 

Her commitment lies at the intersection of people, process, and purpose to make a lasting impact. Driven by a profound belief in the power of mentorship and networking, Sarah is fervent about empowering early-career professionals to navigate and excel in their career paths. Her core values of authenticity and impact shape her approach to both her professional endeavors and personal interactions. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Sarah is a  joyful wife, supportive step-mother, steadfast friend, and adept connector. She thrives on bringing people together to effect positive change and meaningful impact.

About the Speaker:

Rebecca is an imperfect human, just like you, with a passion for creating more human-friendly workplaces and getting herself and others off the "hamster wheel" of burnout. After three decades of business experience in start-ups, mid-sized, and Fortune 100 organizations, Rebecca launched Regenerative Workplaces in 2023. As a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, an ICF-trained Executive Coach, a trauma-sensitive yoga instructor, and a research junkie with a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership, she brings a unique approach to speaking and consulting that blends mindfulness, authenticity, and human behavior science. She specializes in creating space for people to feel deeply seen and valued and believes that when employees, leaders, and companies thrive, the world thrives.

Session 2: 11:15 - 12:00 pm

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The Hairdresser with a terrible haircut

"Uplevel Your Leadership" - Shift Your Communication. Positively Impact Your Organization Now and Your Career Forever

From Gut to Graph: Balancing Intuition and Data in Talent Decisions

Session Description:

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that you never see a Hairdresser with a terrible haircut. Why? Because they know three important things. 1. If they look bad, you’re not going to trust them to make you look good. 2, They are literally a walking advertisement for the work that they do. 3. If they want to prove that they are the best, they’re going to have to look the best. When we’re looking at Talent Development, they're so focused on the people they serve and who they are developing (which is great, that’s what they're paid to do), but if they can’t develop themselves then why should people take them seriously? Why would people look to them as a beacon of what great looks like? And why would they ever think that if they can’t look after themselves, they'd be near capable of looking after others? When Talent Development professionals focus on their own growth, the ripple effect is immense. Just like a hairdresser who always looks good, an L&D professional who prioritizes their development exudes confidence and competence. This dedication boosts their performance and inspires everyone they work with. By putting their development first, they gain the latest knowledge and insights, creating impactful learning experiences for others. This leads to a more skilled, engaged, and productive workforce, driving overall success. When L&D professionals are at their best, they enable others to be their best, fostering a thriving environment where everyone can belong and excel.

Session Description:

In this engaging workshop, discover tips to unlock your full leadership potential in all realms – whether you have 0 or 100 people reporting to you. Gain a new understanding of your communication and leadership preferences and how they influence your interactions with team members and colleagues. Key Takeaways: • Enhanced Skill Development: Gather and implement live in this session practical tips on flexing into various communication styles, empowering you to become an even more effective leader and influencer. Activate your underestimated potential to create a compelling vision, produce positive results, and maximize the effectiveness of your organization. • Networking and Community Building: This interactive workshop provides many interaction opportunities for attendees to connect with peers and industry experts. Attendees will practice live in this session how to foster collaboration and share ideas to drive their and others’ professional growth and organizational success. Workshop Highlights: • Build Self-Awareness: Understand your unique leadership style and gain a deeper understanding of others. • Motivate and Coach: Learn techniques to motivate and coach your colleagues, unlocking their full potential. • Foster Inclusion: Create a work environment where every individual feels valued and respected. Don't miss this opportunity to uplevel your leadership skills. Embark on a transformative journey toward becoming an even more exceptional leader, ready to navigate tomorrow's challenges and opportunities.

Session Description:

Understand the Role of Intuition and Data in Talent Management: Participants will explore the strengths and limitations of gut feelings and objective data in talent management decisions, learning how to recognize when each approach is most effective. Develop Strategies for Integrating Intuition and Data: Participants will gain practical strategies for combining intuitive insights with data-driven analysis to create more balanced and informed talent management decisions. Review and Utilize Reliable Tools for Data-Driven Decision Making: Participants will review a selection of reliable tools and technologies that can be used to collect, analyze, and interpret data in talent management, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions that complement their intuitive assessments.

About the Speaker:

Candice Mitchell, with almost two decades in Learning and Development, has worked in five countries and 11 industries, supporting almost every organizational function. She now focuses on empowering Talent Development professionals to enhance their skills. Candice has established six L&D functions and led significant projects, including the capability of a billion-dollar, multinational autonomous mine site initiative. She's dedicated to helping L&D professionals transition from order-takers to strategic partners, leveraging her Master's in Organizational Leadership with a focus on Strategic Innovation and Change. Her broad experience enables her to provide deep insights into enhancing influence and impact in Talent Development.

About the Speaker:

Tracy Graf is not an ordinary Team and Leadership Development trainer – she ignites sparks of potential in every session she leads! She is modernizing how organizations approach teamwork and leadership development, as the visionary founder of Fuse – Igniting Communication. Fuse is the exclusive U.S. distributor of workshops that provide months of realistic workplace experience in the matter of a few training hours by utilizing AI simulation technology. 

In her 20 years of leadership experience with Vail Resorts, Life Time Fitness, and Disney on Ice, Tracy left a positively powerful mark, transforming teams and unlocking their hidden capabilities.

Tracy is increasing success for a variety of prestigious organizations across the globe via Fuse’s cutting-edge training methods. Fuse customizes workshops to strengthen how teams Communicate, Connect, and Collaborate!  

About the Speaker:

Sara Walker, PHR, MBA, is the Senior Director of HR for CBIZ Advisory, specializing in talent and leadership development, mergers and acquisitions, and transformational organization development. With an MBA focusing on Organization Development from the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs and studies in Educational Psychology from Northern Arizona University, Sara brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Her diverse experience spans the military, civilian personnel, teacher unions, hospitality, and technology sectors, providing her with a unique perspective on talent decision-making. Notably, Sara has established military placement services and conducted significant research on neurodivergent professionals, contributing to the advancement of inclusive practices in the workplace. She is supported in her professional endeavors by her husband and three children.

Session 3: 2:30 - 3:15 pm

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What 16,000 earthquakes, a Tsunami, a hurricane, and a Tornado taught me about personal resilience

Propel Your Career Forward with P.I.E.

Sustaining Culture Through Change

Session Description:

This will be a narrative story of my own experiences surviving some of the strongest earthquakes in human history, helping to mobilize 11,000 volunteers, then being summoned to help responses in Japan (2011 Tsunami) and New York (2012 Hurricane Sandy). As a positive psychology practitioner and coach this has profoundly influenced my approach to life and work, and I am what could be described as 'quite resilient' now.

Session Description:

Ready to take your career to the next level? This session equips you with the P.I.E. Formula for success: Performance, Image, and Exposure. Identify key strategies to boost performance, build a powerful professional image, and maximize visibility. You will leave with a personalized action plan to propel your career forward!

Session Description:

In this engaging session on "Sustaining Culture Through Change," we will explore practical strategies for managing organizational change while keeping cultural values at the forefront. The session will be structured around five key topics, each designed to offer actionable takeaways and real-world examples from Cortland's approach to change. You will learn best practices surrounding how to approach change management from both a talent development and learner perspective, navigate challenges, gain learner buy-in, leverage data for impact, and prepare your organization for future success. Join us for a dynamic discussion that will equip you with the tools to drive effective change while maintaining organizational culture.