2025 WLC Speakers
Read about our speakers and topics for WLC 2025!
PHYLLIS A. JAMES
Founding President & CEO, Foundation for Women’s Leadership & Empowerment
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PHYLLIS A. JAMES is Founding President and CEO of the Foundation for Women’s Leadership & Empowerment (“FWLE”), a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization established in May 2019 to help remedy one of America’s and the world’s most urgent needs – access by women and women of color to high-quality educational experiences that prepare them (as well as men) for leadership roles across society. With founding support from MGM Resorts International, FWLE seeks to expand the pipeline of women leaders through Las Vegas’ Women’s Leadership Conference (“WLC”) – one of the, if not the, premier women’s development conferences in the western United States, and other accessible programs.
Ms. James has a distinguished multi-disciplinary career history as a lawyer and C-suite executive:
Seventeen (17) years at MGM Resorts – where she served as Chief Diversity and Corporate Responsibility Officer for more than a decade; as the principal management liaison to the parent corporation’s Board of Directors CSR/ESG Committee; and as head of Company litigation during most of her tenure. She played a seminal role in the evolution of MGM’s industry-leading CSR/ESG diversity and inclusion, philanthropy, and volunteerism initiatives into a cohesive business and social impact platform, embedding DEI values into the company’s culture and business operations.
Eight (8) years as Corporation Counsel (Chief Legal Officer) for the City of Detroit under Mayor Dennis W. Archer – where she served as lead lawyer for the City in several legacy economic revitalization projects (e.g., Comerica Park, Ford Field, Campus Martius downtown business district, and Detroit gaming industry); counsel for the Mayor’s Office, the Executive branch, and the City’s legislative branch (City Council); and Law Director for a department of approximately 100 lawyers.
Fifteen (15) years in private law practice, first as an associate and then as a partner specializing in complex commercial litigation, at the San Francisco-based firm of Pillsbury Madison & Sutro (now Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman) – where she became the firm’s first African American partner.
Beyond her executive and legal experience, Ms. James has served on several for-profit and non-profit boards of directors. She is a member of the Strategic Advisory board of algoface.ai, a cutting-edge artificial intelligence enterprise, and has served for almost two decades as a member of the MGM Grand Detroit, LLC board. Her most recent non-profit service includes the boards of Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, Nevada Legal Services Inc. and previously the MGM Resorts Foundation.
Throughout her career Ms. James has been active in numerous bar association and civic affairs and has received several recognitions for her legal accomplishments and civic contributions, including Outstanding Business achievement as One of the 2019 Most Powerful Women in Corporate Diversity (Black Enterprise Magazine); Human Rights Campaign – Las Vegas Equality Award for outstanding service to the LGBTQ community (2017); the National Bar Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2016); and admission to the American Law Institute, the leading independent U.S. organization producing scholarly legal word (2015).
Ms. James earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American History and Literature from Harvard/Radcliffe College after having received the honors of Phi Beta Kapa junior year, the Captain Jonathan Fay Prize (then Radcliffe College’s highest honor for a graduating woman based on the graduate’s scholarship, conduct and character) and the Isobelle T. Briggs Fellowship for Graduate Study. She commenced her legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Theodore R. Newman, Jr., then Chief Judge of the District of Colombia Court of Appeals.
KRYSTAL ALLAN
Communications Professional & Emcee
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KRYSTAL ALLAN has proudly called Las Vegas home since 2011. In a city known for constantly evolving, Krystal has embraced the Vegas spirit of growth and change. In late 2023, she joined the Office of Communications for the city of Las Vegas. Krystal is ecstatic to serve the community in this new role. You can catch her reports on KCLV-TV, Channel 2 and the city’s social media platforms.
Prior to her new role, Krystal worked in local news. For years, she was a familiar face on News 3 (the local NBC affiliate) and the CW. Southern Nevadans welcomed Krystal into their homes on some of the station’s top rated newscasts. She served in many roles but primarily worked as a morning/midday anchor and reporter.
The daughter of two educators, Krystal is passionate about organizations championing children and education. She is a board member for Communities in Schools of Southern Nevada. The non-profit is the nation’s leading dropout prevention program and operates in 110 schools statewide. In addition, she loves reading, volunteering and mentoring children at local schools.
Krystal has received numerous professional accolades including an Edward R. Murrow award and multiple Emmy nominations. She’s also a Top 40 Under 40 honoree, Nevada Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, iHeartMedia Women Who Shine honoree, Top 100 Woman of Las Vegas and Woman of Distinction honoree. Born and raised in the Midwest, Krystal feels blessed to use her skills to serve the Las Vegas community. Hard work and humility is the motto that guides her each day.
MAKEDA BROWN
Senior Consultant, Leading NOW
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MAKEDA BROWN, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, specializes in Professional and Leadership development. She dedicates herself to helping individual leaders as well as teams unleash their potential to create value and achieve results. She has helped individual contributors and leaders accelerate their ability to navigate their professional journey, embrace their authenticity and manage change.
Makeda has over 25 years of experience developing and delivering talent strategies that maximize business results. As a former Executive Human Resources Leader, Makeda advised and partnered directly with Senior Executives in R&D, Sales & Marketing, Manufacturing, and Corporate Functions (Finance, IT, Compliance, Strategy, HR, Legal) across global organizations in the Pharmaceutical, Technology and Food/Hospitality industries. She also served as the Global Succession Planning leader for a large, multi-national company. In this role, she facilitated the accelerated development required to ready diverse leadership talent to assume critical roles and to lead productive teams.
Makeda earned a M.S. degree in Human Resources Development from Villanova University and a B.S. degree in Business Management from the Pennsylvania State University. She also holds Executive Coaching certifications from the International Coaching Federation (PCC) and from International Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC).
Makeda is an active member of several business and people strategy associations including the Philadelphia Society of People and Strategy (PSPS) and the Association of Talent Development (ATD). She has previously served on the Boards of KenCrest Services and International Coach Federation (ICF) Philadelphia Chapter.
COURTNEY BURTON
Senior Consultant, Leading NOW
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COURTNEY BURTON, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, is a catalyst for professional and personal growth in individuals and teams. Her work centers on guiding leaders through organizational culture change initiatives, strategic planning, conflict resolution, and communication enhancement.
With over 30 years of experience, she has served as the Vice President of Sales at Curry Sales, responsible for driving strategic priorities, building and maintaining strong relationships with business partners and clients, and ensuring ongoing business growth. Prior to that role, Courtney led high-performing merchant and cross-functional teams at major retailers, such as Target, CVS, and Albertsons. During her tenure, she developed strong communication and collaboration skills and gained expertise in navigating complex business environments.
Courtney's unique blend of business acumen and creative spirit is a powerful combination that she incorporates in her facilitation and coaching work. She has a deep passion and track record in equipping individuals and teams with the necessary tools to build stronger relationships, understand their strengths, and navigate interpersonal dynamics with grace and empathy. Leveraging this, Courtney coaches her clients to create cohesive and energized teams focused on achieving their goals. Her ability to navigate complex organizational dynamics and inspire meaningful conversations has helped organizations create more positive and productive environments, fostering a sense of shared purpose and belonging.
Courtney is an authorized partner and certified trainer for Wiley Brands: Everything DiSC® and Five Behaviors™ and is a certified Adult Mental Health First Aider. She has a B.A. in Public Administration from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
Courtney also sits on the AARP-MN Volunteer Executive Council, focusing personal attention on assisting their Livable Community and Caregiver advocacy initiatives. And, she has been honoring her creative muse as a jazz vocalist for over twenty-five years.
CASSI CHANDLER
Motivational Leadership Expert,
FBI’s First African American Female Special Agent Assistant Director
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CASSIE CHANDLER is an innovator, strategist, investigator, and leader who has broken barriers, led diverse teams, and built cultures of motivational leadership and belonging at some of the world’s most important organizations, including Bank of America and the FBI. In a career that has included many “firsts” across the U.S. government and financial services industries, she served as the FBI’s first African American female special agent assistant director as well as the Bureau’s first female national spokesperson and director of public and community affairs. The founder, president, and CEO of Vigeo Alliances – a leadership and talent risk management partner helping organizations elevate their cultures of belonging – Chandler is dedicated to helping organizations position themselves for success by building more diverse and inclusive cultures that thrive.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Chandler draws from her personal experiences leading diverse teams as a change agent in a broad range of fields to facilitate honest conversations on what can be achieved when organizations go “all in” on leading with purpose. In addition to defining the tools motivational leaders need to mindfully build more high-performing cultures, Chandler provides actionable insights on how to move the needle while leading with empathy as a servant leader. An engaging storyteller, she immerses audiences as she retraces her journey reinvigorating the world’s leading intelligence organizations in the post-9/11 landscape, managing risk, and driving global equity at one of the world’s top multi-national banks. Her exploration of the influences that impact perceptions of diversity is integral for any organization focused on establishing a more inclusive vision.
Prior to Vigeo Alliances, Chandler was senior vice president for business operations at Bank of America, where she led enterprise-wide teams and developed integrated frameworks for identifying and addressing cybercrimes, fraud trends, and consumer risks. She also served on the corporation’s Global Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council and led the bank’s compliance relationships with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Before Bank of America, she spent 23 years with the FBI, where she directed white collar crimes, financial crimes, terrorism, and cybercrimes investigations and foreign intelligence activities, while also leading the evolution of its healthcare fraud and criminal and domestic terrorism intelligence programs.
Chandler continues to drive organizational change as a former adjunct professor on intelligence and terrorism at Pace University’s master’s in public safety and homeland security program and as an instructor at the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington in Seattle. As part of her commitment to impacting progress, Chandler served as an independent federal monitor with the NYPD, and a monitor with the City of Aurora Police and Fire Departments. She also served on the U.S. Marine Corps Red Team, which monitored the Corps’ assessment of expanding infantry officer roles to women. She has been a member of numerous charitable and diversity boards, including a member of the League of Women Voters and Rotary Club International. Chandler chaired the Nomination and Governance committee while a member of the Board of Directors of Leafly Holdings, Inc., and served on the Audit Committee.
Chandler’s groundbreaking accomplishments have been recognized through numerous awards, including the Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank Award of Meritorious Executive under President George W. Bush, the National Center for Women & Policing’s “Breaking the Glass Ceiling” award, and the Norfolk NAACP Trailblazer Award. In 2023, she was named one of World’s Leaders Magazine’s “World’s Trailblazing Females Making a Mark in Business.”
She earned her B.A. from Louisiana State University, where she served on the board of the alumni association, and her J.D. from Loyola University School of Law, where she later became a member of the board of trustees.
ALISON CONIGLIARO-HUBBARD
Senior Consultant, Leading NOW
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ALISON CONIGLIARO-HUBBARD, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, has over 26-years in global tech enterprise Sales and Product Marketing Leadership within large and mid-sized enterprises, such as Cisco, Brocade, Autodesk, Riverbed, and a start-up exit to Microsoft. Alison has driven and experienced business growth from a wide range of perspectives and was an integral part of the team that initially took the Cisco storage networking and data center business from $0-$1 Billion.
Alison has developed a network that is vast and diverse, with long-term relationships from the C-suite to all business functions, crossing a variety of industries, interests, cultures and backgrounds. She is a bridge-builder and inspiring communicator, currently speaking on topics that include ‘Resilient Leadership through Adversity and Change’, ‘Mental Fitness for Those Who Lead’, and ‘The Power of Connection: Building Lifelong Networks’.
A graduate of the University of Miami, Alison also holds advanced certifications from the International Coach Federation – ICF (ACC) and Co-Active Training Institute (CPCC), and from Cornell University in Women's Executive Leadership and Diversity and Inclusion. She has a lifelong passion for whole wellness, incorporating her ‘Four Pillars of Wellness’ into her leadership coaching, and is a certified holistic wellness coach and former fitness trainer.
CHRISTINA DIENER
Director, Marketing Partnerships, Sales, and Digital Marketing
The Walt Disney Studios
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CHRISTINA DIENER is a marketing and brand partnerships Director with extensive experience across studio marketing, consumer products, and experiential entertainment. Her 12-year career at the Walt Disney Studios advanced to her current role leading global campaigns that bring stories to life through strategic brand collaborations. Her recent work includes partnerships for blockbuster films featuring integrations with California Pizza Kitchen, Joyburst, The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Kendra Scott, Danone - International Delight, Grubhub, Instacart, and NordicTrack, to name a few.
Christina’s career began in the digital agency space, where she led early campaigns for Wicked the Musical and Land Rover, helping shape how brands approached digital storytelling. She then joined MySpace during the formative years of social media, working in product marketing to develop branded content and user engagement strategies.
She went on to contribute to theatrical campaigns at Sony Pictures, working on major releases including Skyfall and Burlesque. Christina later held key marketing roles at Mattel and Disney Parks, developing programs for globally loved franchises and immersive consumer experiences.
Known for her strategic thinking, creativity, and deep understanding of brand storytelling, Christina continues to build partnerships that are emotionally resonant and commercially impactful.
MICHAEL DOMINGUEZ
President & CEO for Associated Luxury Hotels International (“ALHI”)
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MICHAEL DOMINGUEZ serves as the President & CEO for Associated Luxury Hotels International (“ALHI”). ALHI is the largest Global Sales Organization with a team of nearly 80 professionals located among 26 offices across North America and Europe. Prior to joining ALHI, Michael served in executive sales leadership roles with MGM Resorts International as Chief Sales Officer and many brand and independent branded companies.
Michael is an-award winning hospitality industry veteran. He has received multiple honors for his leadership and influence and has been recognized as a change agent by his peers. He’s also been a speaker with Fortune 100 Companies on topics ranging from disruption to the economy and a passion around Leadership and was an invited speaker at SXSW in 2018.
Michael’s other industry leadership involvement includes board positions with:
US Travel Association (Executive Committee & Officer) - Current
Meetings Mean Business Coalition (Executive Committee) - Current
Co-Chair EIC’s Taskforce on COVID Recovery
AMCI’s Board of Directors - Current
ASAE’s Board of Directors
FICP’s Influence Committee
APEX Standards Committee
GBTA Foundation Board
HSMAI Foundation Board
Co-Chair APEX Room Piracy Taskforce
Michael has been recognized in the industry for numerous honors including:
HispanicBusiness.com’s “50 Most Influential Hispanics in the US”
MPI’s 50th Anniversary – “50 Most Influential”
ECPAT USA, 2022 Freedom Award
Induction in the EIC’s Hall of Leaders 2019
HSMAI Lifetime Achievement Award in Sales 2021
MeetingsNet – Changemakers 2022 & 2014
Connect Magazine – “15 over 50” 2021
BizBash 500: Must Know Event Pros 2018, 2019, 2020 & 2021
M&C Magazine’s Top 25 Influencers of 2020
Successful Meetings Top 25 Most Influential People in the Meetings Industry 2013-2015
Smart Meetings 2015 Smartest Industry Leaders
HSMAI’s 2014 Top Minds in Sales and Marketing
Meetings Focus 2014 Trendsetter
DOROTHY DOWLING
ISHC (International Society of Hospitality Consultants)
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DOROTHY DOWLING, ISHC (International Society of Hospitality Consultants) is a seasoned management consultant and growth advisor. As Managing Director, Horwath HTL and Principal at Introspect Strategic Advisory Services, she applies her many years of experience advising the global hospitality industry. She started Introspect Strategic Advisory Services to support global hospitality industry clients with go-to-market strategies to help grow scale, revenue, and profitability with services ranging from repositioning to commercial business planning and activation. Throughout her journey, Dowling has always been a student of the game, learning from subject matter experts wherever she has traveled to ensure she can bring optimum solutions that drive performance for partners and customers for both domestic and global activation opportunities.
In addition to her consulting work, Dowling also serves as a member of the Board of Trustees, Chair of the Compensation Committee, and Member of the Governance Committee for CubeSmart, a real estate investment trust and the third largest owner and operator of self-storage properties across the United States. (CUBE:NYSE)
Dowling holds an Honors BA and an MA from the University of Waterloo in Canada; has completed executive education at both Harvard and MIT; is a NACD (National Association of Corporate Directors) Certified Director and has completed postgraduate D&I and ESG certifications through Cornell.
ALANA HILL
Senior Consultant, Leading NOW
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ALANA HILL, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, is an international change leadership expert, inspiring professionals to lead change in themselves and others to create inclusive, resilient, and competitive organizations. She is a passionate energy industry veteran who has paved the way for women leaders, with a focus on women of color.
During a colorful career in the energy industry working with the international technology corporation SLB (formerly Schlumberger), she not only managed multiple change initiatives, but she also learned to drive an 18-wheeler! Her experience as an engineer and project manager in talent development has provided real‐world insight into how people and teams can excel.
With over 25 years of cross-functional leadership and training expertise, Alana has worked with global Fortune 500 corporations, small technology companies, and non-profits to help individuals and organizations accomplish their goals by utilizing sharp analysis, strategic planning, and interpersonal skills development.
Alana holds a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University and currently resides in Houston, TX.
Alana is also the author of “What’s Your Catalyst? The Power of Managed Change,” where she guides her readers to discover how purpose and passion will give them greater influence and impact on the world around them.
VERONICA MAI JAMRISKA
Senior Director, Americas Distribution & Logistics, Edwards Lifesciences
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VERONICA MAI JAMRISKA is a global supply chain expert with more than 20 years of experience driving innovation and operational success across leading organizations. As Senior Director of Americas Distribution and Logistics at Edwards Lifesciences, she oversees strategies that optimize logistics networks, streamline reverse logistics, and enhance customer delivery experiences. Her expertise covers supply chain planning, eS&OP, and Distribution & Logistics, with standout accomplishments such as delivering $49 million in working capital savings at ConAgra Foods and spearheading a complete transformation of the US distribution network at Edwards Lifesciences.
Veronica leads with an emphasis on agility, cross-functional collaboration, and performance excellence. She is a Six Sigma Greenbelt with advanced APICS certifications, and her academic foundation includes an MBA in Operations and Logistics from The Ohio State University. As a featured speaker at industry forums such as LogiMed USA, she shares her forward-thinking views on the intersection of AI, analytics, and modern logistics strategy.
Veronica’s personal transformation following the pandemic is equally inspiring. Motivated to improve her health, Veronica committed to a lifestyle change, losing 33 percent of her body weight in 18 months. She now channels that same energy into playing pickleball, a favorite activity that fuels her passion for movement and community. Her life reflects a thoughtful blend of wellness, drive, and purpose.
CHRIS JOHNSON
Founder/CEO of On Target Living
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CHRIS JOHNSON is the world expert in unlocking human potential. As founder/CEO of On Target Living, Chris is a highly respected expert and accomplished executive who has spent over 30 years researching and building optimal performance programs for individuals and corporations. He is the architect of the Food Target® that shifts from counting calories to concentrating on the nutrient values of foods that guide healthy choices.
Chris likes to say he was ‘raised by wolves’. Growing up struggling with terrible skin and chronic health issues, he had no idea how his lifestyle affected his health. The doctors couldn’t help him, and despite all the medications they prescribed, his health did not improve. By his mid-20s, deeply frustrated and feeling hopeless, Chris set out to heal himself. On his quest he learned how food affects the body, the importance of sleep, and why people need to move. These discoveries transformed his life. Conditions which plagued him for years disappeared, and his energy and attitude reached new heights. Amazed at how good he felt, Chris knew he’d found his calling and needed to share his discoveries.
Today Chris is an international speaker, thought leader and best-selling author on how to feel your best through healthy living. He works with individuals and organizations to transform their performance from the inside out. He applies the principles of REST | EAT | MOVE to educate, engage, and inspire teams around the world. His company On Target Living connects with more than 300,000 people a year.
Chris graduated from Michigan State University with a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics from Western Michigan University. He holds certifications from The American College of Sports Medicine, The National Academy of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise and Certified Natural Health Professional.
Chris earned and maintains a reputation of providing groundbreaking lifestyle modification strategies with integrity, humor, and passion. He loves to spend time and play with his five grandchildren. He lives in Michigan with his wife Paula and dog Floyd.
KATH KOSCHEL
Founder, Kindness Factory; Resilience Expert
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A testament to the power of human spirit, KATH KOSCHEL is a survivor who has overcome incredible odds and unimaginable tragedy to inspire ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Koschel is a former professional cricketer and Ironman competitor whose world came crashing down when she broke her back twice in the span of five years and was told that she would never walk again. Instead, she faced the challenges head-on and defied all medical prognosis by teaching herself to walk again on three separate occasions. In the midst of these harrowing experiences, she believes she experienced two things in large amounts: adversity and kindness. After relearning to walk for the second time in her life, this realization kickstarted a 2-month journey around Australia which relied solely on the kindness of strangers. No cash, credit card food or water – and no help from family or friends!
Driven by a passion to spread gratitude and kindness sin the world, she founded Kindness Factory™ with the goal of encouraging one million acts of kindness. To date, Kindness Factory has recorded over 7 million acts of kindness and is now a registered not-for-profit in three countries.
An internationally sought after speaker and author of “Kindness” the book, Kath has worked with some of the biggest and most well-known companies and brands in the world to help them achieve perspective, resilience, good culture and of course, kindness.
ANNE LEETS
CEO, The Leets Consortium
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ANNE LEETS, CEO of The Leets Consortium, is a powerhouse facilitator for the Women’s Leadership Conference. She is a dynamic keynote speaker, executive coach, published author, and sought-after facilitator. She is known for her ability to inspire, engage, and drive meaningful conversations on today’s most important leadership topics. With a commanding presence and practical insight, Anne delivers high-impact keynotes and creates memorable and impactful sessions that resonate across diverse audiences, from frontline managers to the C-suite.
She brings first-hand knowledge of “what it takes to thrive and succeed in global organizations.” She has driven sales, profit, and distribution growth, developed global brand strategies, led change, and executed large-scale corporate initiatives. Anne’s deep leadership and operational expertise spans Sales, Marketing, Operations, and Training, honed through Director and Vice President roles at Fortune 500 companies with iconic brands. Her experience was further solidified in General Manager, President, and CEO positions.
Throughout her career, Anne led national teams through complexity to record-breaking performance despite economic uncertainty, reorganizations, mergers, and acquisitions. Her real-world experience in fast-paced corporate environments and entrepreneurial ventures informs her powerful coaching and facilitation style.
What sets Anne apart as a facilitator and keynote speaker is the unique blend of business acumen, emotional intelligence, and a passion for unlocking leadership potential. Practical, engaging, and results-driven, she helps leaders navigate disruption, strengthen communication and influence, and elevate team and organizational effectiveness.
Anne’s polished and relatable presentation style ‒ marked by authenticity, energy, and clarity ‒ creates connection and impact. Whether leading executive retreats, large-scale leadership conferences, or team workshops, Anne captivates her audience while delivering practical tools they can immediately apply.
Anne is proud to partner with organizations across a wide range of industries and functional areas (such as United Healthcare, Amazon, Disney, MGM Resorts International, Hyundai, and Bath & Body Works). Her coaching and consulting support the success of leaders at all levels with leadership development strategies that deliver measurable and sustainable results.
LIMARIE PERRY
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for Associated Luxury Hotels
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As Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer for Associated Luxury Hotels, LIMARIE PERRY is a dynamic senior finance executive with over 25 years of experience leading finance and operations across diverse industries. As a strategic CFO, she translates financial vision into business growth through operational excellence and relationship-driven leadership. Limarie has successfully led high-performing teams within multibillion-dollar enterprises and entrepreneurial ventures, driving profitability, efficiency, and cultural transformation. With deep expertise in the hospitality and corporate sectors, she offers real-world, actionable insights on aligning finance with purpose, people, and performance.
MONICA PLEASANT
Director of Human Resources, Medtronic
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MONICA PLEASANT is a seasoned HR leader with over 20 years of experience across a variety of industries, known for her strategic mindset, people-first approach, and commitment to excellence. She currently serves as Director of Human Resources at Medtronic, where she leads the execution of global talent strategy for one of the company’s core business units. Monica is passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential and partnering with leaders to drive results through people-centered solutions.
A recognized voice in the business and HR community, Monica has served in numerous leadership roles on the Board of Directors for the National Human Resources Association (NHRA) Orange County affiliate since 2015. She is a past President of the chapter and was honored in 2015 as an NHRA Rising Star Academy honoree. In the spirit of paying it forward, she later co-chaired the Rising Star Academy program, helping to elevate and mentor emerging HR professionals.
Monica brings a continuous improvement mindset to her work, leading initiatives that remove barriers, enhance employee experience, and deliver sustainable value to the organization. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Human Resources from Loyola Marymount University, as well as certifications in Human Resources Management and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt. Furthering her commitment to professional growth, Monica is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology at Alliant International University, deepening her expertise in leadership, motivation, and organizational behavior.
Whether she’s championing talent, leading transformation, or mentoring future leaders, Monica brings integrity, empathy, and purpose to every space she enters.
VEENA PURI
Senior Consultant, Leading NOW
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VEENA PURI, Senior Consultant with Leading NOW, is a seasoned executive with a rich background in leadership and transformative business strategies. She has a relentless commitment to driving organizational success and fostering positive people-centric change. Veena brings a wealth of expertise with over 25 years of strategic thought leadership and operational depth supporting large-scale transformations in a variety of industries; notably in Retail, Foodservice, Healthcare, Distribution, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Technology sectors.
After a lengthy career in the foodservice industry with companies including PepsiCo, Yum Brands, Aramark, and Board service with the Women’s Foodservice Forum, Veena discovered her love of consulting and especially enjoys problem resolution. She has led initiatives involving workplace culture, learning capability development, and diversity, equity and inclusion programming implementation. Veena has also led numerous change management projects including agile IT transformations, operations transformations, M&A/divestiture integrations, and HR, Finance and Commercial operating model redesign.
Whether embarking on a business transformation, establishing new organizational capabilities or refining an operating model, Veena has a proven ability to navigate complex business scenarios. She consistently partners with leaders to understand their unique needs and develop effective solutions. In essence, Veena continues to shape the landscape of organizational efficiency and leadership excellence, combining a wealth of experience with a forward-thinking approach that defines the pinnacle of consulting in today's dynamic business environment.
Veena holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh with a concentration in Marketing & Strategic Planning and currently resides in Dallas, TX.
DR. LALIA RACH
Executive Managing Director of Strategic Advisory Services at (“ALHI”)
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DR. LALIA RACH is the Executive Managing Director of Strategic Advisory Services, a division of Associated Luxury Hotels International (“ALHI”). In this role Lalia is responsible for developing and delivering strategic and managerial consulting services to member hotels and clients.
Lalia is known for her practical, informative, and entertaining presentations, whether providing a keynote speech, a workshop, or emceeing a conference. Her first book, “Managing the Book on You: Rewriting your Leadership Story!”, is designed as a workbook to assist leaders in better managing old impressions and views about their leadership ability held by others within the organization as they progress to more senior positions. It is available on Amazon as a paperback, in the Audible format, and on Kindle.
As the founder and partner of Rach Enterprises, a consulting firm that takes an uncommon sense approach and delivers genuine ideas that challenge tradition, Lalia is a trusted adviser to senior-level executives at many leading organizations. As a university educator, Lalia served as dean at several top hospitality and tourism programs. At New York University, her leadership ability resulted in the creation of one of the world’s most innovative graduate and undergraduate programs in the business of hospitality, sports, and tourism.
Among her awards and honors are the 30 Most Influential International Hospitality Educators by the International Hospitality Institute; Influential Women in Hospitality: Hotel Management magazine; Smart Women in Meetings: Visionary from Smart Meetings Magazine; the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales and Marketing from Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International; one of the 33 Most Influential People in the Travel Industry from Travel Weekly; featured in “Meet the 25 Most Influential Women in Travel” by Forbes Life Executive Woman; recipient of the Professional of the Year Award from Big Apple Chapter Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association; and recipient of the Special Hospitality Award recipient from NYC & Co.
Lalia holds a B.S. and M.B.A. from the University of Wisconsin and a doctorate from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
LISA SUN
Founder & CEO, GRAVITAS; Former McKinsey Associate Principal; National Bestselling Author
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What would happen if you let go of fear, got off the sidelines, and jumped boldly into the game of life? LISA SUN, founder and CEO of GRAVITAS, electrifies audiences as she unpacks this vital question in her moving, motivating, and empowering talks. Catalyzing confidence and inspiring innovation, Sun seamlessly blends stories from her personal journey with data and experience-driven insights from her 11 years at McKinsey & Company and 11 years running the game-changing company GRAVITAS. She offers talks that change the way you and your organization think about strengths, motivation and leadership.
Lisa Sun’s career journey has been shaped by resilience, a quality she champions as an entrepreneur and motivational speaker. After receiving pointed feedback early in her career, Sun transformed this moment into a powerful drive to inspire others. This resilience led her to create GRAVITAS, an innovative brand that empowers everyone—regardless of race, creed, and gender—to be the best, most confident versions of themselves.
Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Sun draws on her entrepreneurial drive and business acumen honed from her time at McKinsey to underscore why it’s vital to push past your potential, how to transform an idea into a movement, and why you’ve got to bet on yourself every single day. She defines research-backed confidence languages, helps each audience member uncover their own unique “superpowers,” and unlocks the secrets to high-performing leadership. Praised for her passion and warmth, Sun has shared her sought-after insights and research-driven strategies with several of the world’s leading organizations, including Netflix, JPMorgan Chase, Mortgage Bankers Association, HSN, and more. In 2024, Sun was recognized as Toastmasters International’s Centennial Golden Gavel Recipient, awarded for excellence in communication and leadership.
With an unwavering dedication to helping others show up as the best version of themselves, Sun authored the national bestselling book Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence. In the book, she shares the ups and downs of her own journey, and gives the reader the tools to flex their strengths to shatter expectations and find success. Gravitas is a USA Today bestseller and reached number one on the Amazon bestseller list for its genre.
MICHELLE VIELLEDENT
Senior Director of Sales & Training
Red Bull, North America
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MICHELLE VIELLEDENT currently leads Sales Training & Development for Red Bull, North America. In this role she leads a multi-disciplinary team responsible for accelerating the development of Sales employees within Key Accounts and Field Sales Distribution, approximately 7,000 employees.
Prior to Red Bull Michelle spent the majority of her career in the Medical Device/ Lifesciences industry in the fields of Global Talent Development, Sales, Sales Management, and Sales Effectiveness. She was with Edwards Lifesciences for over 13 years, and during that time served as Senior Director, Talent Management & Learning, where her team led strategic talent development initiatives globally and across business units for the Sales, Marketing, Clinical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, Engineering, and Global Supply Chain functions. Prior to her time with Edwards Michelle worked for Medtronic in Sales Training & Development.
Michelle attended California State University, Fresno, as a Division I scholar athlete (women’s basketball), receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Marketing.
Originally from Tucson, Arizona, she currently resides in Southern California. Michelle is still an active sports enthusiast, enjoying hot yoga, spending time outdoors and relaxing with her family, her daughter Madison, and several pets.
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