Dana Williamson
Working together to provide healthy food to the food insecure
Many effective efforts are made to alleviate food insecurity in our communities, but Dana Williamson believes it's time to increase efforts to alleviate nutrition insecurity as well. Food rescue programs are helpful to get nutritious food that would otherwise end up in landfills to people who need it, and she shares innovative ways to support and fund these programs to feed people in need with healthier options. Dana has 20+ years experience in Corporate America. She has a Bachelors in Business Administration from California State University at Long Beach and an MBA from Westminster University. Dana's passion for food, education, and the environment brought her to start Waste Less Solutions, a nonprofit food rescue dedicated to reducing food waste in Utah through education, prevention, and diversion. She enjoys speaking about the impacts of food waste and solutions at every opportunity to help make change happen.
Dr. Kimberly Applewhite Teitter
Why a therapist recommends reality TV
Whether they showcase competitions, talent searches, home renovations, or something else, reality TV shows have captivated Americans, with nearly 80% of us watching them. But beneath the excitement and drama, clinical psychologist Dr. Kimberly Applewhite Teitter believes these shows can provide numerous insights into our own individual identities as well as humanity as a whole. Kimberly Applewhite Teitter is a licensed psychologist in the SLC area who works with clients of all ages to harness their inner wisdom and discover their valued life worth living. She enjoys philosophizing about human behaviors and complex systems to whomever will listen; she has contributed to podcasts, print, film, and online news. Kimberly is grateful to her husband and two daughters for their support, and hopes now they'll pass the TV remote to her more often.
Kimo Pokini
How to keep pets and people together in times of crisis
Much time and effort goes into animal rescue each year, but Kimo Pokini asserts that the future of animal welfare depends on pet retention. He shares an approach that recognizes the wellbeing of pets and their people is deeply connected, making caring for both the key to relieving pressure on shelters and rescues as well as building a more compassionate, resilient society. Kimo Pokini is a co-founder of Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering, a nonprofit that aims to keep pets and people together in times of crisis. His journey is depicted in the award-winning film “Kimo and Jazz”, and he has appeared on podcasts with NPR and Dog Save the People. Kimo is currently a member of AARP-Utah’s Executive Council. Alongside his husband Stanley, they provide full-time caregiving for their elderly parents and their rescue dog, Kubo.
Charlie Warner
Nature holds wisdom to improve our work cultures
Although statistics reveal grim trends in our current business climate, Charlie Warner finds hope when turning to nature. Because "ecosystem" and "economics" share the prefix "eco", she believes there's much that nature can teach us to inspire better business. Discover three key ways to create productive, resilient, and cooperative economics and companies inspired by nature in this engaging talk. Charlie (she/they) is an entrepreneur, professor, and purpose–driven leader who loves exploring nature and our human relationships to it. She is the founder of Human|Work, a professional development platform and mentor network on a mission to "humanize the nature of work" and teaches business strategy and leadership at Westminster University. Outside of work, she can be found adventuring in the wilderness with her pup, Millie, and eating her way through the world.
Timothy Hawkes
Great Salt Lake can be saved if we work together
Great Salt Lake is not only a defining landmark of the state of Utah, it's vital to the well being of the state's residents, affecting the air they breathe, the water they drink, and the food they eat. Timothy Hawkes has seen efforts on individual, community, and legislative levels to help sustain the lake, and he shares simple yet profound methods to continue these efforts, improving the health of both the lake and the people who live near it. Timothy Hawkes is a business, legal, and policy expert focused on Great Salt Lake. He holds a JD from Columbia and has worked in water law and policy for 20 years. During eight years as a state legislator, he sponsored important bills on water conservation and Great Salt Lake. Professionally, Tim serves as Chairman of the GSL Brine Shrimp Cooperative and as Senior Advisor to the College of Science at the University of Utah.
Noella Sudbury
A tech solution to simplify criminal record expungement
The second chance people receive when they are released from prison can be limited, as their criminal records prohibit many job, housing, and other opportunities. The process of expunging a record is long and arduous, but Noella Sudbury is using tech to speed up the process and make it more affordable, giving people a real second chance at a future. Noella has been a licensed Utah attorney for the past 15 years and has dedicated most of her career to public service. She is a former public defender and the current founder and CEO of Rasa Public Benefit Corporation, a mission-driven company that aims to make the process of clearing a criminal record simple and affordable for everyone.
Elysia Butler
How storytelling could help improve youth mental health
Suicide prevention efforts typically consist of spotting and reacting to warning signs, but Elysia Butler has discovered that proactively empowering young people before a crisis is an even better approach to good mental health. Drawing inspiration from a popular storytelling framework, Elysia shares methods we can all utilize to support young people in not only becoming resilient and but in being the heroes of their own stories. Elysia (Ee-lee-sha) Butler is driven by a mission to empower children to become heroes of their own stories. With a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and English, she has more than 15 years of educational expertise. Elysia is an international best-selling author and nationally certified in Suicide Prevention and Emotional Intelligence. She is the visionary founder of The Hope Hero Foundation, a nonprofit committed to fostering hope and resilience in communities.
Bahaa Chmait
Using music & movement in the workplace to foster belonging
The benefits of dancing are well documented - but what about the benefits of dancing at work? Whether it's dance classes at lunchtime or conga lines around the cubicles, Bahaa Chmait shares how a little dancing goes a long way towards building trust, bridging differences, and bringing joy for a more productive and positive workplace culture. Bahaa Chmait has dedicated the last 6 years of his life to creating joyful team building experiences that help people bond. His secret sauce… music, movement and play! Whether it’s a dance party or a choreographed flash mob, he believes that together, we can create fun, engaging experiences that build community, and foster belonging. But he can't just tell you what he does; he has to show you. So, join in the fun and let's dance!
Erin Fair
Gamification can optimize infrastructure for climate sustainability
A main challenge in clean energy production is optimizing infrastructure for more efficient operations. Erin Fair has seen first hand how implementing gamified activities enhances safety while managing risk and encouraging better maintenance practices for cleaner, more productive operations. Her tips to implement gamified campaigns can help companies incentivize participation and foster collaboration, contributing to more efficient operations and a more sustainable world. Erin Fair is a Gamification Expert and Experience/Design Leader with a Master’s Degree from Westminster University. Erin thrives on creating engaging experiences that merge business objectives with user expectations through technology, behavioral psychology, and gaming mechanics. With extensive experience in high-growth, global software companies, her career spans roles from Product Leader in ED Tech, Head of Experience in Energy Tech, and Adjunct Professor. Erin loves exploring the world and spending quality time with loved ones.
Curtis Linton
Challenge your biases by building shared memories
While endorsing diversity, equity, and inclusion is an effective way to address inequality in entities like corporations and government, it may not be enough when it comes to individuals. Recent brain research indicates that our memories drive our reactions even more than our biases. Curtis Linton shares valuable tools for building memories that align with our values, helping us uproot unconscious bias. Curtis Linton has focused his career on addressing systemic inequities in education and society. At Silience, LLC., he works with school systems and educational resource providers to drive equal opportunity for all students. Over 25 years, he has published award-winning media and best-selling books documenting the successful practices of hundreds of schools, organizations, and leaders. Curtis and his wife Melody started the Domino Foundation, which serves interracial adoptees and families with social and learning opportunities.
Aly Larson
Pushing the limits of acrobatics
This mesmerizing performance by acrobat Aly Larson combines artistry with agility in an act of acrobatic foot archery. This blend of disciplines shows precision and strength, and the result is an awe-inspiring display that captivates audiences and pushes the boundaries of entertainment. Aly Larson is a professional aerial acrobat known for her exceptional foot archery skills who has performed in major entertainment areas such as Las Vegas and New York, captivating audiences with her unique blend of strength, grace, and precision. A full-time student at the University of Utah, Aly aims to be a physical therapist after completing her degree in kinesiology. Aly has also started her journey as a DJ.