opening general session
Dr. Bertice Berry
People, Purpose, Presence
Sunday, August 17 • 10 a.m.
Sociologist Bertice Berry, PhD, is a best-selling author and award-winning lecturer. Named Comedian of the Year, Lecturer of the Year, and Entertainer of the Year, she has published 11 best-selling fiction and non-fiction books, and has won numerous awards and accolades for both her writing and presentations.
Berry has had her own nationally syndicated television show and has hosted, interviewed, and made numerous television, documentary and radio appearances, including on The Tonight Show, Oprah Winfrey, Between The Lions, Crossfire, 20/20, NPR, PBS, Comedy Central, and CNN.
Berry has used her unique gifts and talents as a writer and ghostwriter for others on a wide range of topics including race and gender issues, sociological studies, stratification, healthcare reform, humor, spirituality, sexuality, slavery and the abolitionist movement, weight loss and wellness, relationships, servant leadership, transformational leadership, diversity, and love.
Berry has led parades, had classrooms named after her, and been awarded more than 10 honorary doctorates. She earned her own doctoral degree from Kent State University at the age of 26 and still sees her most fulfilling achievement and role in life as that of mother to her five adopted children.
“If you ain’t dead, you ain’t done,” a character in one of Berry’s novels says.
Berry believes that every one of us has been given a unique purpose, and it is our obligation to find it and use it to improve ourselves first and then the lives of those we live and work with.
general session
Keelan Leyser
Reimagining the Impossible
Tuesday, August 19 • 8 a.m.
Step into a keynote experience where innovation takes center stage—and the impossible becomes a mindset. World-renowned magician and mentalist Keelan Leyser delivers an electrifying performance that combines mind-bending digital illusions with powerful takeaways tailored to the world of public works. With AI, iPads, and even a robot dog as part of his toolbox, Keelan doesn’t just entertain—he engages, challenges, and inspires.
In Reimagining the Impossible, Keelan explores how a shift in perception can spark breakthroughs in the “why” behind our work, offering a fresh perspective on the impact of purpose. This session will leave attendees recharged, re-centered, and ready to see their mission in a new light.
closing general session
Dr. Jody Carrington
The Power of Presence: Why Showing Up is the Game-Changer
Wednesday, August 20 • 8:30 a.m.
In a world that’s more distracted, disconnected, and dysregulated than ever before, the most radical act of leadership is presence. In this high-energy, heartfelt, hilarious keynote, Dr. Jody Carrington unpacks the science and soul behind what it means to truly “show up”—for your team, your clients, and most importantly, for yourself. Drawing from her decades of experience as a psychologist, speaker, and trauma expert, Dr. Jody explores how presence isn't about perfection or performance—it’s about regulation, empathy, and connection. You'll walk away with practical tools and powerful insights to fuel culture, communication, and resilience in your workplace. Because when we are seen, we rise—and nothing changes a bottom line like a fully present human being.
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