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Conference registration is now closed. We look forward to seeing everyone on the Outer Banks!
MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Esther Kantner
is Co-Founder and Principal of Kandu Leadership and has more than 25 years of experience helping organizations strengthen leadership, navigate change, and build collaborative, high-performing teams. Her career has spanned executive leadership, global human resources, organizational development, and strategic transformation, with a particular passion for helping mission-driven organizations turn challenges into opportunities for growth.
Known for her thoughtful, authentic approach, Esther helps leaders and teams navigate complexity with clarity, curiosity, and confidence. She believes that even in times of uncertainty, organizations can foster innovation, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful impact when people are empowered to think differently and lead together.
Christine Duer
Christine Duer is Co-Founder and Principal of Kandu Leadership, bringing more than 20 years of experience in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, coaching, and talent development. She has designed and facilitated leadership programs for nonprofit organizations, healthcare, manufacturing, and global organizations, helping leaders build confidence, strengthen relationships, and navigate change with resilience.
A certified leadership coach and facilitator, Christine believes the most meaningful learning happens when people connect new ideas to their own experiences and leave with practical tools they can immediately put into action. Her engaging, conversational style combines research, storytelling, and real-world application to inspire leaders to think differently and lead intentionally.
About Kandu Leadership
At Kandu Leadership, we believe that constraints can become catalysts for creativity, that leadership is a practice rather than a position, and that the greatest impact happens when people are equipped to adapt, innovate, and lead together.
We are a woman-owned leadership development and organizational consulting firm dedicated to helping leaders, teams, and organizations thrive. We partner with nonprofits, educational institutions, mission-driven organizations, and businesses to strengthen leadership, improve collaboration, and build healthy, resilient workplace cultures.
Our approach combines evidence-based leadership practices with real-world experience. We believe leadership development should be practical, engaging, and immediately applicable, not something that stays in the classroom. Whether we're facilitating a workshop, coaching leaders, or guiding organizational change, our goal is to equip people with the confidence, skills, and mindset to lead with purpose, adapt to challenges, and create lasting impact.
MEET OUR SESSION SPEAKERS
Monday, Professional Development Tours & Classes
Abby Bennett
PhytoFocus: How Phytochemicals Fit into Nutrition Education
Are you interested in learning more about phytochemicals and how you can incorporate them into your nutrition programs? Join us for a training session on PhytoFocus, a new one-off series on phytochemicals and how they can benefit your health. At the end of the session, you will have the knowledge and materials to pilot PhytoFocus in your county.
Chef Vivian Howard
Culinary destination tour & live cooking demonstration at the Theodosia. Learn more about Vivian here: https://www.thesanderling.com/restaurants-bars/about-theodosia/
Tuesday, Track 1: Seafood Adventure (Rotation)
Smart Sourcing: Seasonality, Safety & Sustainability
(CSI’s Classroom #242) Scott Baker, fisheries extension specialist, and Barry Nash, retired seafood marketing & technology specialist, both with North Carolina Sea Grant
From Boat to Counter: Working Waterfront Tour
Sara Mirabilio, fisheries extension specialist with North Carolina Sea Grant: Stroll the Wanchese Marine Industrial Park’s working waterfront to view commercial fishing boats and go behind the scenes of O’Neal’s Sea Harvest Seafood - a working fish house. Watch vessels offload and see workers sort, ice, and cut the daily catch for the retail market—with a chance to chat with a local fisher. Along the tour, you will learn about the strict harvest restrictions, sustainability regulations, and landing reports that govern the modern seafood industry.
Hook to Cook: Hands-On Fish Cutting Tutorial
(CSI’s Wet Lab Classroom #251) Eric Jackson, Wanchese resident and fisherman: Step up to the cutting table for a hands-on fish cleaning and filleting workshop guided by a local expert who cuts for both Fresh Catch Seafood's retail market and Safe Harbor Outer Banks charter services. A chef with Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café will be cooking up the very fish you filleted for you to enjoy as your lunch, learning regional preparation techniques along the way.
Tuesday, Track 2: Concurrent Sessions
Candice Christian, MPH:
Extension Associate in Consumer and Retail Food Safety
Virginia C. Stage, PhD, RDN:
Associate Professor Nutrition Education and Behavior Specialist
Katie Sanders, PhD:
NCSU Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist of Food Systems Communication
Katryn Eske:
Nutrition Specialist/Assistant Professor of Practice
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