Senior-Level

John Ferguson is the Chief Human Resources Officer at NASCAR, the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States.

In this role, Ferguson oversees the development and execution of NASCAR’s human resource planning, aligning it with the overarching business plan and strategic direction of the organization. This includes cultivating a "people-first" company culture across more than 20 office and race-track locations throughout the U.S.

Ferguson serves on the Board of Directors for the SHRM Foundation, Alumni Board of Directors for Furman University, and the UNCF Orlando Leadership Council.

Ferguson holds Bachelor’s in Political Science from Furman University, Executive Certificate in Strategic Diversity & Inclusion Management from Georgetown University, and a Master’s in Business Administration from the Howard University School of Business.

A trusted advisor among Fortune 500 clients, Kenny Snarr’s knowledge and practice is backed by experience in executive and leadership training, instructional design, public speaking, board governance, sales management, and sales consulting.

As a general manager with Acumen Learning, Kenny manages client relationships spanning across the healthcare, consumer goods, manufacturing, technology, professional services, defense, retail, and education industries. A selected client list includes AbbVie, Career Builder, Coca-Cola, Family Dollar, Gartner, General Dynamics, KPMG, Lockheed Martin, Marathon Petroleum, Mars, McDonalds, Newell Brands, Northwestern Mutual, Office Depot, State Farm, ULTA Beauty, UnitedHealthCare, and Verizon.

Kenny holds an MBA with an emphasis in finance from the John M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. As an undergraduate, Kenny graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree in business management from Utah Valley University.

Outside of his efforts training clients, Kenny spends time volunteering and looking for ways to connect with others. In addition to working as an EMT and first responder in his local community, Kenny has worked with humanitarian organizations in Europe, Africa, and South America. He makes genuine connections with colleagues, friends, and students, regardless of the environment he’s in.

Kenny lives with his wife and four children in Springville, Utah.

As President of AIIR Analytics, Derek Lusk, Ph.D., helps Fortune 500 organizations with executive-level succession planning and predicting leadership effectiveness in the C-suite. He’s a trusted advisor in several industries, including real estate, retail, education, financial services, chemicals, business services, and biotech. He’s also on the executive team at AIIR Consulting, a leadership consultancy specializing in coaching, leadership development, and team effectiveness. Derek is a contributor to the Harvard Business Review and Psychology Today, and author of Overcoming Bad Leadership in Organizations, a book that helps leaders, talent management professionals, and psychologists improve toxic and ineffective leadership in organizations.

Amy P. Kelly, GPHR, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is a human resources and talent development executive who believes in people and helps them grow. She loves business, teamwork, and the people who make it all happen. Amy is the Vice President of Consulting for The Jon Gordon Companies and co-creator of The Power of a Positive Team Training Program. She is the author of G.L.U.E. A Leadership Development Strategy to Bond and Unite and co-author of The Energy Bus Field Guide A Roadmap to Fuel Your Life and Work with Positive Energy.

Miguel is the Chief Belonging Officer of MJA & CO, a Minority-owned consulting firm helping leaders leverage DEI as a catalyst to improve recruitment, engagement, and retention.  Recognized as a LinkedIn's Top Voice in Racial Equity, Top 15 Champion of Diversity by Diversity Global Magazine, a Top 100 Executive by Diversity MBA Magazine, and featured as an Inclusion Innovator by SHRM.

Miguel served as the first civilian Chief of D&I in the history of the US Coast Guard.  He started his career as diversity recruiter and for over a decade held several leadership positions in 3 major Federal Departments. Miguel is a TEDx speaker, featured at the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune, and Telemundo.

 You can learn more about him by visiting www.migueljoeyaviles.com

Valerie helps companies improve their bottom line by elevating employees from tactical thinkers to strategic leaders.

She served in senior leadership roles at RollsRoyce Aircraft before helping to found InterActiveCorp, parent company to Expedia, Home Shopping Network and TicketMaster. She then went to work for Oprah Winfrey, helping to found the Oxygen channel which was later sold to NBC Universal.

Valerie obtained her mechanical engineering degree from Kettering University and her MBA from the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Val’s book, Clash of the Generations: Managing the New Workplace Reality, helps leaders manage multiple generations in the office.

I have nearly 30 years experience in security consulting, human resources and investigative services, including 14 years in the public sector. My expertise is in fraud and theft investigations, compliance, security operations, public speaking, and executive protection. Prior to joining the private sector, I developed my behavioral acumen through experience as a court investigator, intensive probation supervisor and law enforcement officer, serving both vice and criminal intelligence. 

I served two Fortune 500 companies, as Director of Compliance and Ethics, and Director of Global Investigations Security Services. I have lead a multitude of fraud-related investigations, resulting in the recovery of millions of dollars.