Conferences

Sarah Noll Wilson

Personal Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

President and Founder

Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc.

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Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. is on a mission to help leaders build and rebuild teams. Our goal is to empower leaders to understand and honor the beautiful complexity of the humans they serve. We create a safe, honest environment, preparing people to deal with real-world conflict, have more meaningful conversations, and create purposeful relationships. Working with organizations that care deeply about their teams and understand the connection between staff development and organizational success, Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc. specializes in transforming relationships from good to great.

With 15+ years in leadership development, Sarah Noll Wilson earned a Master's Degree from Drake University in Leadership Development and a BA from the University of Northern Iowa in Theatre Performance and Theatre Education. Through her work as an Executive Coach, an in-demand Keynote Speaker, Researcher, Contributor to Harvard Business Review, and Bestselling Author of “Don’t Feed the Elephants”, Sarah helps leaders close the gap between what they intend to do and the actual impact they make. She hosts the podcast “Conversations on Conversations”, is certified in Co-Active Coaching, Conversational Intelligence, and is a frequent guest lecturer at universities. In addition to her work with organizations, Sarah is a passionate advocate for mental health. 

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SESSIONS:

Teresa Peterson

Director of Learning and Development

Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc.

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Dr. Teresa Peterson is the Director of Learning and Development at The Noll Wilson Group, and the co-author of the Don’t Feed the Elephants workbook. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, facilitation, and leadership, Teresa specializes in designing and delivering transformative learning experiences that helps leaders show up more powerfully and teams work more effectively.

Teresa holds a Doctorate in Education from the University of Northern Iowa and certifications in Conflict Resolution (Cornell University), Immunity to Change Coaching, and Appreciative Inquiry. Her deep expertise allows her to craft thoughtful, accessible programs that help individuals and teams surface hidden dynamics, build trust, and strengthen collaboration.

Known for her grounded presence, masterful facilitation, and ability to listen deeply, Teresa brings both clarity and care to her work. Whether co-creating learning content or leading interactive sessions, she equips leaders with the tools and confidence to tackle complex challenges and create lasting change.

SESSIONS:

705: Building Powerful Teams by Overcoming Avoidance and Freeing the Elephants in the Room

Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Arthur D. Jackson

President and Chief Consultant

ENPM, Inc.

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Art Jackson is a professional speaker, trainer, consultant, coach and counselor. Mr. Jackson is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, a Master of Science degree in Management and a Master of Arts degree in Theology and Pastoral Counseling. Art is certified in Christian Counseling through the American Association of Christian Therapists. Mr. Jackson is also certified by the Supreme Court of Virginia as a mediator for the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.Mr. Jackson is a professional speaker through the National Speakers Association and the President of Eagles Nest Performance Management, Inc.

Mr. Jackson is the author of the diversity and inclusion book “Lions and Tigers and Bears – Oh My” and his latest book entitled “Hangin’ Round The Barrel – How To Get Paid Everything You’re Worth And Be Worth Everything You’re Paid”.

SESSIONS:

704: Manifesting Hidden Greatness – Being More Than Successful in an ‘Otherness’ Environment

Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Lauraine Bifulco

Personal Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

President

Vantaggio HR, ltd.

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Two themes are woven throughout Lauraine Bifulco's diverse career: a passion for a job well done and a zest for continual learning and improvement. Lauraine infuses Vantaggio HR with these qualities every day. When she founded the firm in 1994, Lauraine combined her rare talent in understanding what a client needs and her gift of business foresight to create a company that can service the HR and management consulting needs of small and large companies equally well. Today, Vantaggio serves clients across the country from their offices in California, Hawaii, Colorado, and New York.

Her Career experience helps employers realize their HR goals and adapt to the shifting HR landscape. Lauraine is a veteran HR executive and entrepreneur with 25 years of international, corporate, and consulting experience. Her bold career has taken her to employment and business opportunities in Europe and multiple U.S. cities. She serves as co-chair of the California Small Business Administration's committee on Labor Issues which reviews and makes recommendations on pending labor/employment laws, keeping her abreast of legal developments.

Delivering over 30 presentations and webinars each year, Lauraine is a well-respected, and highly sought after guest lecturer and speaker on a variety of business management and HR-related topics for both state and national organizations including Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Professionals in Human Resources Association (PIHRA), American Payroll Association (APA), Next Concept HR Association (NCHRA), Paylocity annual Elevate Conference, and HR Star Conference to name a few. She has been invited to review, develop, and deliver certificate programs for SHRM, and has developed and delivered curriculum for businesses throughout the U.S.

Lauraine received a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and conducted graduate level studies in linguistics at the Sorbonne in Paris.

SESSIONS:

702: California HR Boot Camp: What You Need to Know about Employment Laws & Regulations in CA!

Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Valerie M. Grubb

Personal Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Principal

Val Grubb & Associates, Ltd.

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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.

SESSIONS:

701: Leadership Skills for the Senior Executive: Mastering the Art of Negotiation

Saturday, June 10, 2023 - 1:00pm to 5:00pm

Eric M. Ellis

President and CEO

Integrity Development Corp

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Eric Ellis, President and CEO of Integrity Development Corp., is an award-winning entrepreneur, thought leader, author, and keynote speaker with over thirty years of experience in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.

Named one of the Top 100 DEI Experts in the World by the Society for Human Resources Management and "Cincinnati's Diversity Fixer" by The Cincinnati Enquirer, Eric is an innovative thought leader who helps transform organizational cultures into people-centered workplaces that inspire employee engagement and a sense of belonging.

Eric is a singer/songwriter, and the author of Diversity Conversations. He hosts a weekly podcast named after his book, which can be found on Apple, Spotify, Facebook and YouTube.

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Ruben Gonzalez

4-Decade Olympian, Business Author, Award-Winning Leadership Speaker

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The first person to ever compete in four Winter Olympics each in a different decade, Ruben Gonzalez takes people’s excuses away and inspires them to produce more than ever before. At 47, Ruben was the oldest luge competitor, who competed in the Vancouver Olympics. At 55, he became the oldest person to compete internationally in the sport of luge. Since 2002, Ruben’s spoken for over 100 Fortune 500 companies about commitment to excellence, overcoming challenges and taking bold action to create long-lasting success. Ruben’s inspiring message will help your team soar to a new level of performance.

SESSIONS:

Denise Graziano

CEO

Graziano Associates

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Denise Graziano is a strategic advisor and expert in organizational communication and change. She is a recognized authority, international speaker, best selling author and 3 decade advisor to the C-suite. Denise delivers insights across strategy, employee, customer and investor relationship issues. Over her 35 year career, 30 leading Graziano Associates, she has advised leaders of F100 to mid-market to Private Equity organizations. Throughout her career Denise has been studying what drives and motivates employees, customers and investors. Her experience has enabled her to accurately predict blind spots about team performance that can exponentially affect a company’s bottom line. She is regularly featured in the media and is best selling author of Talent is a Team Sport. She is CEO of Graziano Associates, a boutique consulting firm that solves today's talent, management and communication challenges.

SESSIONS:

Book Signing with Eric Ellis, Denise Graziano and Ruben Gonzalez

Friday, November 18, 2022 - 5:30pm to 6:00pm

Ben Nemtin

Co-founder

The Buried Life

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Ben Nemtin is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?” and a star of MTV’s highest rated show on iTunes and Amazon called “The Buried Life.” As the co-founder of The Buried Life movement, Ben’s message of radical possibility has been featured on The Today Show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, FOX, and NBC News. President Obama called Ben and The Buried Life “inspiration for a new generation” and Oprah declared their mission “truly inspiring.” An acclaimed keynote speaker, Ben has headlined business conferences and Fortune 100 leadership teams around the world, garnering standing ovations from AIG, Anthem, Amazon, FedEx, Harvard, Microsoft, Verizon, and more. Ben is recognized as one of the World’s Top Organizational Culture Thought Leaders and was ranked 3rd Best Motivational Speaker in the world by Global Gurus in 2022.

In his first year of university, Ben was unexpectedly hit with a depression that forced him to drop out. In an attempt to feel more alive, he created the world’s greatest bucket list with his three best friends. They borrowed a rickety old RV and crisscrossed North America, achieving the unthinkable. And most importantly, every time they accomplished a dream, they helped a complete stranger cross something off their bucket list. From playing basketball with President Obama to having a beer with Prince Harry, from reuniting a father and son after seventeen years to surprising a young girl with a much-needed bionic arm—Ben’s bucket list quest has inspired millions to thrive personally and professionally.

SESSIONS:

Book Signing with Ben Nemtin

Thursday, November 17, 2022 - 5:00pm to 5:30pm