Speakers & Presenters

Stan Pearson II

Event Emcee, Keynote Speaker, & Session Presenter

Stan Pearson II, worked for a Governor & for a United States Senator on Capitol Hill all before the age of 21. He has been an SEL Speaker & Mindset mentor for 20 years. Stan consults professional athletes, students and professionals on how to build themselves from the inside out while building powerful community. He’s spent time with Billionaire Mogul Martha Stewart, NBA Hall of Famer Magic Johnson & Ben & Jerry’s Co-founder Jerry Greenfield to name a few!

Odell Bizzell II

Keynote Speaker & Session Presenter

Odell Bizzell is a nationally known blogger, speaker, author, internet personality, and expert in training leaders to overcome obstacles to succeed. While in high school Odell started a small candy retail distribution center that earned him over $75,000 while earning an academic scholarship to college.

Natasha Saunders

Keynote Speaker & Session Presenter

Natasha is a Certified Professional Coach and Education Consultant. She truly believes that "People are her Passion." Through years of coaching and mentoring she recognizes that she ahs been called to be a BRIDGE. She bridges people to their purpose and communities to their call of action. Natasha assists people in connecting to their Why, connecting to their Assignment, and connecting to their Greater Selves within. One of her mottos is, "Passion leads to the Purpose which leads to the Paycheck."

Dr. David Doré

Chancellor, Virginia Community College System

As chancellor of Virginia’s Community College System, Dr. Doré provides day-to-day leadership for a system comprised of twenty-three colleges that serves more than 200,000 degree-seeking and workforce-career training students annually. Like so many community college students, Dr. Doré is a first-generation college student. His decades-long career has been guided by a fundamental belief that every learner can be successful. His commitment to serving diverse and underrepresented populations to foster inclusive learning communities, supporting open access, student success, and economic mobility is both palpable and unwavering. Before taking the reins at the Virginia Community College System, Dr. Doré served as President of Campuses and Executive Vice Chancellor at Pima Community College.

Susan Herndon-Powell

Session Presenter

Susan has spent the last 20 years teaching and facilitating in outdoor spaces—from challenge courses and summer camps to backcountry trails, rivers, lakes, and beyond. She is excited to bring her passion for connecting people to the outdoors and finding those shared “a-ha!” moments. In her free time, she enjoys getting outside with her family and connecting her two small children to the natural world, preferably hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Kim Kristensen

Session Presenter

Kim was born while his parents were performers at Ringling Bros. Circus, and he spent 24 years in the circus performing with his family. He traveled through 49 states (Alaska is still on the bucket list), Canada, and Mexico. Kim first learned about conflict and collaboration by working with leopards, horses, acrobats, and clowns. He was homeschooled and went on to get his Bachelor's in Management and Human Resources and a Master's in Social Sciences with a focus on Psychology. He has been a manager for public, private, and nonprofit businesses, and he is also an entrepreneur.

Ami Trowell

Session Presenter

She is the founder and creative director of Theatre3 in Roanoke and has been performing with Roanoke’s professional improvisation troupe, Big Lick Conspiracy, for over a decade. Trowell has studied improvisation at Second City, Chicago, and Dad’s Garage in Atlanta. She has produced and performed in several comedy podcasts including “What Just Happened?”, “All Purpose Cleaner,” “Purposefully Derpy,” and “BP & Ami.” Trowell received her B.A. in theatre from the College of Charleston and a M.A.L.S. from Hollins. She is currently pursuing her M.F.A. with the Hollins Playwright’s Lab and is the proud mother of three smart, funny, and amazing daughters.

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