Speakers

Keynote Speakers

Opening General Session Speaker
Monday, June 25th, 9:00am-10:30am

Dr. Gary Bradt
Author, Clinical Psychologist, Leadership Consultant, C-Suite Executive Coach, and Speaker

Dr. Bradt gained national attention in 2000 when Dr. Spencer Johnson, the renowned author of Who Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life chose him as the leading speaker on the message of that blockbuster bestselling book. “Cheese” gave thousands of people the chance to get acquainted with Dr. Bradt’s extraordinary ability to cut through their frustration and fear and get to the heart of the matter, delivering powerful tools that help them adapt when going through change.

Gary Bradt had established a strong following as an executive coach and speaker long before Spencer Johnson asked him to be the messenger for his groundbreaking book. He began his leadership development career in 1987 with a respected leadership development consultancy. There he helped client companies launch proven leadership strategies and transformational processes, which turned change and tough times into an opportunity to transform themselves and take performance to the next level. His mantra – adapt and ignite! – is a rallying cry for success in these tumultuous times.

Dr. Bradt earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. He earned his doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Hahnemann University and Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, which in 2007 honored him with the “Excellence in Professional Psychology” award.

Gary Bradt is author of The Ring in the Rubble: Dig Through Change and Find Your Next Golden Opportunity, which has earned high praise from reviewers and fellow change and leadership experts.

Capstone General Session Speaker
Wednesday, June 27th, 9:00am-10:30am

Cassandra E. McConnell, JD
Deputy Assistant Director, Office of Financial Education, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Cassandra McConnell joined the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) as the deputy assistant director in the Office of Financial Education in August 2011. The Office of Financial Education is responsible for developing and implementing initiatives intended to educate and empower consumers to make informed financial decisions. Ms. McConnell is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the development, implementation and assessment of the CFPB’s financial education programs, policies, and systems.

Prior to joining the CFPB, Ms. McConnell served as the associate director of the Community Affairs Office at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). In this capacity, she oversaw and directed the FDIC’s national community reinvestment, community and economic development, financial literacy, and outreach programs. She also led the FDIC’s national Minority Depository Institutions Program to promote and preserve the nation’s minority depository institutions. Ms. McConnell has held leadership positions at the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS) and the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

Ms. McConnell earned her Juris Doctor from Cleveland Marshall College of Law, Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, and her Bachelor of Science from Cleveland State University.

Super Seminar Speakers, Wednesday, June 27

These in-depth sessions will address current and emerging issues important to family and consumer sciences (FCS) professionals. Each Super Seminar will include participant involvement in discussion, as well as practical integration of skills and tools for FCS professionals.

1:45pm – 3:15pm

“Helping Students and Their Families Build Healthy Eating Patterns”
Presented by Roxanne Moore, National Director of Wellness, Sodexo School Services

Concerns about obesity in the United States continues to be top of mind for many organizations, families, and individuals. Schools are just one of many organizations that can play a critical role in promoting the health and safety of young people and helping them establish lifelong healthy behaviors. Research has shown that school health programs can reduce the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among young people and have a positive effect on academic performance. Review the guidelines, strategies, and tools that have been developed for schools to address eating behavior among students, as well as strategies for reaching out to parents and the community to help reinforce lessons being taught in schools.

“Using Cutting-Edge Leadership Approaches to Transform FCS Practice”
Presented by Dr. Sue McGregor, Marjorie M. Brown Distinguished Professor, Mount Saint Vincent University

During this Super Seminar, learn about different approaches that can help transform future practice. We will conceive family and consumer sciences (FCS) as a holistic system of practice comprising synergy among theory/knowledge, philosophy/values and belief systems, and competency and practice. We'll use Vanguard approaches to leadership and knowledge creation to scaffold dialogue. These approaches include transformative leadership, integral leadership, transdisciplinary leadership, moral leadership, complexity thinking, next practice, and other leading-edge approaches that have the potential to inform FCS practice in the future.

3:30pm – 5:00pm

“Strategies for Career Success in Business and Beyond”
Presented by Melanie Nelson, Owner, LearningZoneXpress

Melanie Nelson, serial entrepreneur and former FCS teacher, will share insight into growing a business and getting ahead in your career. Life, reality, networks, skills, and leadership and the 3 C’s….Surround yourself with interesting and talented people.

Hire SMART and motivated team members. Most successful people did not get where they are without taking risks…so let's get out of our comfort zone and plan! Walk out with an "I can do that" attitude!

TED Talks (www.ted.com/talks)
Annual Conference Program Advisory Committee members will select relevant presentations to show attendees, followed by a discussion led by FCS professionals on how to utilize the information. More information coming soon!