Interpersonal (Behavioral)

Joy Toney
Senior Program Consultant
AIM for Change, LLC
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Joy Toney  serves as a Senior Program Consultant for AIM for Change, LLC.  Joy’s career successes are mapped over 20+ years professional experience in non-profit, consumer services, government contracting, and transportation and distribution. Her work experience spectrum includes both people leader and individual contributor roles at ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Accredo Health, FedEx Express, Johnson & Johnson, and CAS Incorporated. Joy enjoys utilizing her skills in process and performance improvement, software development, information security, quality assurance, project management, talent management, organizational change management, and justice/equity/diversity/inclusion awareness. She is a CISSP, CCA, CBAP, CTFL, CSM, CSPO, ITIL4, and Prosci Change Management certified as well as Brightline's Organizational Transformation micro-credentials (OTF, OTO, OTI), and soon-to-be PMP (Fall 2023) and SHRM-CP (Spring 2024). Joy has served as an advisor to local non-profit boards such as Extreme Dreams USA, OUTMemphis, the International Institute of Business Analysis – Greater Memphis Chapter, and the PMI Memphis Chapter (Project Management Institute).

Joy holds a MBA with a concentration in Information Systems from the University of Memphis, and a Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Information Systems, both from the University of Alabama at Huntsville. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Business Administration focusing on organizational behavior in tech spaces. 

SESSIONS:
Tawana Gardner
Principal
AIM for Change, LLC
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Tawana Gardner is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with a focus on minimizing process pain points to maximize results. She began her career as an Industrial Engineer. Shortly after earning both a Lean certification and a Six Sigma Black Belt certification, she implemented many successful continuous improvement projects. She eventually accepted a new opportunity as a project manager implementing capital projects. There she spent four years before moving on to further her career in manufacturing ultimately landing an opportunity as a consultant. She has implemented proven management operating systems, many continuous improvement initiatives, training in management and continuous improvement.  She has led, designed, and implemented many continuous improvement projects in addition to teaching six sigma principles to yellow belt, green belt, and black belt candidates. She has published several articles including ” Time to Stop.” Quality Progress Magazine (ASQ), July 2022, pgs. 30-35.

Tawana Gardner is currently serving as principal consultant at AIM for Change, LLC. AIM  helps business improve their bottom line by teaching lean concepts to reduce lean waste.

SESSIONS:
Monday, October 30, 2023 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Woodrie Burich
CEO/Founder
The Integration Group
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At a time of high work stress, declining mental health and burnout, Woodrie is on a mission to strengthen teams, drive better outcomes and offer hope. An award-winning thought leader, author, Forbes Coaches Council Member and TEDx speaker, Woodrie’s known for her proprietary approach to setting boundaries and building sustainable strategies in fast-paced and high-demand environments. She brings 20+ years of senior leadership and change management expertise working with Fortune 500 companies on global tech projects and billion-dollar merger & acquisition work. She’s won Stevie Awards for her Achievements in Thought Leadership and as Female Thought Leader of the Year.

SESSIONS:
Tara Beaton
Owner
Tara Beaton
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After decades of helping people return to work following disability, Tara Beaton received her own diagnosis of ADHD. As she said, "It explained a lot. Plus, I always had a passion for accessibility. I just didn't realize it was personal." Now adding her own, first-person experience to her 25 years of disability management, HR and training expertise, Tara offers insights and guidance to professionals and leaders on best practices in inclusion, accessibility and accommodation for neurodiversity, disability, and mental health. She shares both evidence and practical know-how so that workplaces – and those they serve – can reap the benefits.

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 - 7:30am to 8:30am
Maria Ross
Empathy Advocate, Speaker, Author, Strategist
Red Slice LLC
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Maria Ross is a speaker, facilitator, author, strategist, and empathy advocate who believes cash flow, creativity, and compassion are not mutually exclusive. She’s spent decades helping forward-thinking leaders, teams, and brands connect and engage through empathy to accelerate growth. Maria has authored multiple books, including her newest, The Empathy Dilemma: How Successful Leaders Balance Performance, People, and Personal Boundaries, Her previous book, The Empathy Edge sparked a movement and she now hosts the top-rated The Empathy Edge podcast, speaking with leaders, changemakers, authors, and activists on how to achieve radical success through empathy. Maria delivers powerful talks and leadership training workshops for companies such as CHRISTUS Health, TBWA/Worldwide, and CHRISTUS Health. She has delivered dynamic keynotes at venues ranging from TEDx to The New York Times to The 3% Conference. Maria has appeared in many prominent media outlets, including MSNBC, NPR, Wisdom from the Top with Guy Raz, Forbes, ABC News, Entrepreneur and Thrive Global. Maria lives in Northern California with her husband, young son, and American Bully rescue dog and serves clients worldwide.

Learn from great leaders, experts,  and thinkers on her weekly podcast at www.TheEmpathyEdge.com and learn more about Maria's work at www.Red-Slice.com

SESSIONS:
Bethany Adams, MA, SHRM-SCP
Personal Pronouns
She/Her/Hers
Associate Director
Villanova University
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Bethany Adams has more than 15 years of experience in HR and education.  She began her career working in learning & development and human resources in the restaurant and retail industries. She has experience in both small, privately-owned businesses and large, Fortune 500 organizations. Bethany holds a BA in Psychology, MA in Organizational Management, the SHRM-SCP certification, and is a Certified Genos International Emotional Intelligence Practitioner. She currently teaches at Villanova University in the Graduate Programs in HR Development.  Bethany has spoken at a variety of conferences throughout the country and leads corporate training on topics including emotional intelligence, DEI, and strategic HR.  Bethany hosts an HR podcast called HR Tea.

SESSIONS:
Monday, October 30, 2023 - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Chelsea C. Williams
Founder and CEO
Reimagine Talent Co.
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Chelsea C. Williams is an Entrepreneur, Workplace Educator, and Professional Speaker, dedicated to building empowered, high-performing leaders.

As the Founder & CEO of Reimagine Talent Co., a national talent and workforce development firm, Chelsea’s team powers customized, actionable learning solutions that build human potential, drive marketplace outcomes, and benefit communities.

Reimagine Talent partners with employers, educational institutions, and nonprofits to enhance employee engagement, development, and retention, with a focus on creating synergy across multi-generational workplaces.

A Forbes Next 1000 Entrepreneur, Tory Burch Fellowship Alumna, and JP Morgan Chase Entrepreneurial Woman of Impact, Chelsea is a trusted thought leader on talent development, inclusive leadership, and the future of work. She regularly contributes to CNBC, Fast Company, Forbes, and more.

With a decade of experience in global human resources on Wall Street and a B.A. in Economics from Spelman College, Chelsea is passionate about cultivating connected workplaces that drive lasting impact.

When she’s not leading Reimagine Talent, Chelsea enjoys traveling, training for races, and spending quality time with her family.

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 - 10:30am to 11:30am
Dima Ghawi, MBA
DEI Influencer
Dima Ghawi, LLC
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Dima is Middle-Eastern in her genes and global citizen in her spirit. She ignites the untapped potential in individuals across the globe, empowering them to shatter limitations and become courageous, purpose driven leaders.

Through keynote speeches, workshops, and executive coaching, Dima shares her unique leadership transformation journey with one goal in mind: motivate those around her to reimagine their potential and grow into leaders.

Dima has worked across the United States, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa for several Fortune 100 companies and has honed a keen expertise in developing leaders to meet the demands of the global workforce.

 

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 - 10:30am to Wednesday, November 1, 2023 - 11:30am
Katrina Kibben
Personal Pronouns
They/Them/Theirs
CEO
Three Ears Media
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Katrina Kibben is an award-winning writer and keynote speaker known for helping hiring teams write inclusive, unbiased job postings that help them hire the right person faster.

Before founding Three Ears Media, Katrina was a CMO, Technical Copywriter, and Managing Editor for leading companies like Monster.com, Care.com, and Randstad Worldwide. Today, they are frequently featured as an HR and recruiting expert in publications like The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Forbes.

Kat travels the country in their RV while dividing time between North Carolina, Colorado, and the dogs behind the name Three Ears Media.

SESSIONS:
Monday, October 30, 2023 - 2:15pm to 3:15pm
Michael Ungar
Executive Coach
Unico LLC
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Mike Ungar graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and has an MBA from Clemson. After his service in the Army, Mike joined Michelin North America. Over Mike’s 35-year career, he held managerial roles in continuous improvement, manufacturing, and human resources. Today Mike is a FocalPoint Business and Executive Coach helping business leaders achieve their potential.

Mike led Michelin’s Faith and Beliefs Business Resource Group.  He is a member of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding’s Workplace Advisory Council, is Co-chair of the DEI committee for Greenville SHRM, and a graduate of the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Initiative.

SESSIONS:
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 - 3:45pm to 4:45pm
Guillermo Mendoza
International Speaker & Executive Coach
Impact Coaching Solutions
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Guillermo disrupts people struggling to find happiness, to transform their lives by unlocking the powerful mindsets that create peace, abundance and happiness.

He accelerates leadership turning managers into leaders. Leadership expert, global speaker, author, entrepreneur, meditator, and executive coach. He is passionate sharing his tools and experiences on neuroscience, emotional intelligence, mindfulness and coaching to help people and leaders to thrive.

Guillermo is dedicated to empowering leaders to grow a successful organization developing talent in people. He engages people to reflect on their leadership and to make the changes to create transformations that will positively impact lives.
 
 
SESSIONS:
Monday, October 30, 2023 - 10:30am to 11:30am