ROI of Why 2025 Speakers

Entrepreneur and Founder
Do More Good Movement®

Jay Wilkinson

Jay Wilkinson is the founder and CEO of Firespring—a Certified B Corporation. In 2016, Firespring was featured in Inc. Magazine as one of the Top 50 Places to Work in America. It has been listed on the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies list seven of the last eight years. As a philanthropist, Jay has raised millions of dollars for nonprofits. He spends half of his time helping nonprofit organizations leverage their mission and deepen their impact. Jay has been among the highest-ranking speakers at conferences all over the United States for two decades, and has informed and educated thousands of nonprofit professionals with his empowering messages. His TEDx talk on company culture has more than 1 million views. A graduate of MIT’s Entrepreneurial Masters Program, Jay has appeared on CNN and other national news outlets discussing the important role nonprofits play in the U.S. economy.

Co-Founder
Do More Good Movement®

Graham Pansing Brooks

Graham Pansing Brooks is the Co-Founder of the Do More Good® Movement. A proud Nebraskan, Graham is excited to convene this impact-driven conference for community-minded business leaders in his home city of Lincoln. Graham works at the Arbor Day Foundation as a Corporate Partnership Manager, where he supports businesses looking to amplify their corporate social responsibility, sustainability, employee engagement, and philanthropic initiatives through tree planting projects around the world. Prior to his work at the Arbor Day Foundation, Graham founded a purpose-driven business consultancy, helping organizations bring strategic alignment to their philanthropic and business impact initiatives including the facilitation and management of corporate B Corp Certifications. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Emory University and a Master of Legal Studies with a concentration in Corporate Law from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Law. Graham enjoys playing guitar, collecting rocks (feel free to ask him about his agates), and exploring the world with his life-partner, Arianna Elnes.

JD Messinger

Jonathan D. (JD) Messinger is a visionary leader and transformative thinker dedicated to helping individuals and organizations unlock their fullest potential. As the Executive Director of the Do More Good Movement and founder of The Messinger Institute, a transformational leadership academy class of 1981, JD empowers people with timeless knowledge, universal laws of success, and actionable wisdom to navigate personal and professional growth.

Often described as a modern-day Renaissance man, JD has an unparalleled range of accomplishments. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the United States Naval Academy and began his career as a fireman and nuclear submarine officer. His journey led him to serve as the CEO of EY Management Consulting (Southeast Asia) and as a crisis response leader for the Valdez Oil Spill. Along the way, he innovated multiple world-firsts, became a #1 Amazon best-selling author in spirituality, created and produced hit TV and radio shows, and inspired over 30,000 people as a sought-after speaker. A serial entrepreneur, JD has founded and advised dozens of businesses, helping them craft strategies, pitches, and implementation plans.

JD’s thought leadership is featured in prominent publications, including The Chief Executive Magazine, Leadership Excellence, Texas CEO, and Far East Economic Journal. He has served on the boards of Calvin Kerry Press and the Wolf Center for Entrepreneurship and as an advisor to organizations such as the Salvation Army, Holt International Children’s Services, and Unity Church. As an Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship Week, JD champions the power of possibility and self-mastery.

Sarah Fruehling

Sarah Fruehling coaching is a high-level, sacred coaching container designed to elevate ultra-successful founders, CEOs, and impact leaders who feel they should be happy – but somehow it’s never enough – take command of their future, excel beyond high performance, and find quantum growth in every area of life.

After 23 years as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Sarah pivoted to executive coaching, racking up impressive credentials: An ICF Master Certified Coach, a Board Certified Coach with endorsements in Executive, Leadership, and Corporate Coaching, and an international Forum Facilitator and Speaker for EO, YPO, R360, Tiger21, and other mastermind Forums. She is now renowned for tackling ambitious goals at high velocity, transmuting both big life and business challenges seamlessly, and leading an era of self-expansion amongst the world’s most influential leaders.

Sarah creates the space where giants leverage it all – synergistic brain science + mystic magic for EQ mastery, vast self-expansion, and true happy success. Better men, leaders, and lovers, creating a life extraordinary.

Rand Stagen

Rand Stagen is the CEO of the Stagen Leadership Academy. Established in 1999, the Academy trains thousands of leaders annually from across North America who are committed to long-term personal development and using their organizational platforms for positive impact. Prior to founding Stagen, Rand was a co-founder and Group Publisher of Presido Media, a publisher of newspapers and magazines in the Southwest.

A passionate advocate for elevating humanity through business, he is a co-founder, past-Chairman, and current board trustee of the non-profit Conscious Capitalism. Rand is also on the board of the Institute for Cultural Evolution, a think tank developing solutions to overcome the hyper polarization that threatens American democracy.

Rand has been an active YPO resource over the past two decades – working extensively with chapters, regions, and the global organization. He graduated from Southern Methodist University with a BA in Political Science and lives in Dallas with his wife and two daughters.

Christopher Marquis

Christopher Marquis is the Sinyi Professor of Management at the University of Cambridge and author of The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profits and Socializes Costs. His research and writing examine business sustainability and social entrepreneurship, and he has written two prior award-winning books, including Better Business: How the B Corp Movement Is Remaking Capitalism and Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise, the latter was a Financial Times Best Book of 2022. Marquis is passionate about how academic research can help people around the world address some of the biggest crises of our day — including climate change, inequality, and discrimination. Before Cambridge Marquis worked at Cornell for 6 years, and Harvard for 11 years. He has a PhD in sociology from the University of Michigan and previously worked for six years in the financial services industry, most recently as a Vice President at JP Morgan Chase.

Miren Oca

What 3 Million Swimming Lessons Taught Me About Building a Culture of Ownership

This talk dives into how Ocaquatics Swim School built a culture of ownership that empowered teams, drove impact, and created lasting success. Drawing on over 30 years of leading Ocaquatics Swim School, Miren shares how a commitment to purpose, lifelong learning, and a relentless pursuit of continual improvement can transform a business. Ocaquatics created a culture where team members feel truly invested in their work and this foundation made the transition to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) a natural evolution—a bold step that formalized the culture of ownership already thriving within the organization.

Learn how aligning your values with innovative business models like the EOT can protect your legacy, share success with your team, and drive meaningful change. Packed with powerful stories of resilience, courage, and purpose, this talk is perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries seeking new ways to inspire their teams and build a better future for their organizations and communities.

Tawnya Starr

Tawnya Starr is a dynamic force of entrepreneurial energy, creativity, and passion. As a serial entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, she channels her zest for life into inspiring others to thrive. Tawnya is the Founder and CEO of Starr Group, an executive advisory firm specializing in scaling businesses and optimizing talent. Through her analytical precision and deep understanding of human potential, she helps organizations align the right people with the right roles, building thriving cultures where individuals can excel in what they love doing, unapologetically.

A fearless adventurer, Tawnya embodies the spirit of exploration both in her professional journey and personal pursuits. She has traveled to more than 60 countries, engaging in extraordinary experiences such as trekking to Everest Base Camp, spelunking in Vietnam’s largest cave, heli-skiing at 50, and camping on Antarctica’s icy expanse. Her passion for diving has led her to the pristine waters of the Galapagos, Maldives, and Red Sea, reflecting her endless curiosity and love for discovery.

Known for her unwavering commitment to excellence, Tawnya is a trusted mentor and coach who empowers others to lead with purpose and resilience and her insights inspire transformative growth for individuals and organizations alike.

Tawnya’s approach to leadership is as innovative as it is authentic. She combines a keen strategic mind with a genuine care for people, creating environments where teams are motivated to push boundaries and achieve their highest potential. Her peers describe her as “boundlessly energetic,” “contagiously optimistic,” and “a mentor who challenges you to be your best while accepting who you are.” Her work ethic, infectious enthusiasm, and dedication to helping others succeed make her a rare and inspiring leader in today’s business landscape.

When she’s not shaping organizations or mentoring the next generation of leaders, Tawnya enjoys gardening, culinary adventures, and spending time with her family—pursuits that reflect her belief in balancing hard work with a life richly lived.

Mercedes Martin- Burgess, MSc, MCEC

Mercedes Martin, Founder, and CEO of Mercedes Martin & Co., leverages her diverse background as a former US Air Force Officer and Corporate Executive to lead this dynamic organization. With expertise in leadership development, change management, consulting, executive coaching, and global diversity, she employs storytelling and metaphors to provide cultural insights to leaders and organizations.

Mercedes, a Cuban-born Afro-Latina from Miami, Florida, has dedicated her career to global initiatives while rooted in Northern California. She boasts an impressive international client roster across industries with companies like Bayer, Fluke, MasterCard, Swire Properties, and The Gates Foundation. She has been pivotal in global transformation initiatives across various regions and industries. As a Latina leader, Mercedes has used her leadership identity and stories to inspire others and drive meaningful change.

Through the MMC Learning Framework and Learning Labs, Mercedes Martin collaborates with interdisciplinary experts to foster sustainable leadership and organizational transformation. They guide individuals and organizations through business change and personal, social, and environmental transformation. Her forthcoming book, “Rewiring the Leadership Mindset for Human-Centered Business Transformation,” exemplifies her dedication to reshaping leadership practices with a focus on human-centered, ethical, and sustainable approaches. Mercedes Martin & Co. is more than a consultancy—it embodies a vision for the future of leadership.

Mercedes holds esteemed certifications, including MEECO Master Corporate Executive Coach, 360 Assessment Coaching from CCL, and Executive Coaching from Result Coaching Systems. She is an active participant in LEAP!, a member of the PRME Working Group on the Sustainability Mindset, and the Cambridge Sustainability Cohort. Mercedes holds a Bachelor of Science in Transcultural Nursing from the University of Miami and a Master’s in Leadership Development from the University of San Francisco. Her contributions to the Global OLDN Zimbabwe Transformational Framework have earned her recognition, and she serves on the Advisory Board of the FIU Executive Women Program. Mercedes is also a respected expert panelist for GDEIB and has co-authored works such as “Rewiring the Leadership Mindset for a Preferred Future in a Post-Covid World,” in addition to contributing numerous articles on Sustainability benchmarks.

Co-Founder and Managing Director
Econic

Joshua Berry

Joshua Berry is a world-class facilitator of change. As an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and director of Econic, Joshua has spent the last two decades evolving the what, who, and why of Fortune 500 companies and venture-backed startups. Joshua will DARE TO BE NAIVE. Did you know the best leaders choose to be naive? Oftentimes what keeps people from doing the best work of their life is a limiting belief about how things should be done. And yet, challenging these stories and ideas is exactly what is needed to unlock more impact and fulfillment in life and work. Through an interactive experience, Joshua shares key tips and a simple framework to start challenging limiting beliefs today.

Molly Coke

Molly Coke is a visionary leader with a proven track record of building high-performing teams, exceeding client expectations, and setting new benchmarks. As a client relationship expert, she excels in fostering team development, ensuring client satisfaction, and driving measurable success through innovative strategies.

Renowned for her dedication, positivity, and problem-solving abilities, Molly consistently delivers results that enhance both team and client experiences. She leads with a rare combination of diplomacy, intellect, and an infectious enthusiasm that inspires those around her to think creatively and strive for excellence.

Cohagen Wilkinson

Cohagen Wilkinson is a dynamic entrepreneur, leadership coach, and strategist committed to empowering organizations to achieve operational excellence and sustainable growth. He serves as a Bloom Growth Coach, Chief Operating Officer at STACKS, and Managing Partner at Bluefog Group, where he works with leadership teams to simplify execution, enhance communication, and prioritize what matters most.

After earning degrees in Business and Computer Science from Southern Methodist University, Cohagen began his career at Microsoft as a Technology Strategist, aligning innovative technology solutions with the strategic goals of Fortune 500 companies. Since then, he has served on more than a dozen diverse leadership teams and advised dozens more, bringing a wealth of experience in navigating complex business challenges and fostering transformative growth.

Cohagen’s passion lies in helping entrepreneurs and businesses thrive. His expertise in leadership coaching, team development, and strategic execution enables him to provide tailored solutions that drive measurable results. Whether streamlining operations, refining communication, or building cohesive, high-performing teams, Cohagen leverages his unique blend of corporate and entrepreneurial experience to help organizations make a greater impact and do more good.

Brett Hoogeveen

Brett Hoogeveen is the cofounder of Better Culture and Mindset LLC, two prominent leadership development and consulting firms with clients spanning from entrepreneurial startups to fortune 500 companies.

Following a faithful early career change, Brett became the youngest person ever asked to serve on the executive team at the nationally renowned healthcare company QLI — the only Omaha organization ever to be voted the number one Best Place to Work five consecutive times.

An international speaker and member of the National Speakers Association, Brett provides practical and actionable advice on leadership and culture. In recent years, Brett has built upon lessons learned from working with world class leaders and organizations to help audiences learn the secrets of becoming more personally happy and successful.

Brett and his wife have three delightfully spunky young children. He loves jumping on his trampoline with his kids, dabbles in angel investing, is a self proclaimed personal finance nerd, and mows his own lawn.

Robert Blackwell Jr.

Robert Blackwell Jr. is a pioneering entrepreneur, innovative strategist, and dedicated advocate for the power of math and technology to transform business and society. As the Chairman of Quant16, he helps innovation-minded financial executives achieve a statistical edge through Quantitative FP&A, and as the CEO of Killerspin, he has built the world’s leading table tennis engagement brand.

Robert’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1998 with the founding of EKI-Digital, a technology consulting firm that revolutionized how businesses, government agencies, and healthcare organizations streamline their processes through innovative IT solutions. His expertise in leveraging algorithmic approaches for opportunity identification has made him a sought-after advisor for government and business leaders, helping them maximize their IT investments and operational efficiency.

As the founder of Killerspin, Robert has elevated table tennis into a global phenomenon, hosting internationally televised tournaments that have reached over 200 million viewers in more than 150 countries. He has used the sport as a medium for connection and engagement, even presenting a custom ping-pong table to Pope Francis and organizing events to promote face-to-face interaction in a digital age.

Robert’s dedication to community impact is evident through his creation of Ali-Yah Ventures, an initiative named after his daughter, aimed at fostering inclusive and sustainable economic ecosystems. His civic contributions include serving on the boards of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, Civic Federation of Chicago, Business Leadership Council, and the executive committee of Choose Chicago.

Known as an “Unemployable Math Misfit,” Robert champions the application of math as a repeatable advantage in everything from corporate decision-making to table tennis strategy. His passion for innovation, combined with his commitment to fostering economic opportunity and diversity, has left an indelible mark on the business world and beyond.

Whether revolutionizing industries, advising leaders, or inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs, Robert Blackwell Jr. continues to push boundaries and redefine what’s possible.

JaQ Campbell

Jacqueline “JaQ” Campbell is a force of nature. She is a dynamic leader, visionary innovator, and dedicated philanthropist whose mission is to transform the wealth management industry and empower the next generation. As the Founder and CEO of Alexander Legacy Private Wealth, JaQ has built a firm rooted in mission-based, values-aligned principles, providing a dynamic platform for advisors to thrive.

JaQ’s journey began in 1993 as a high school intern at Comerica’s Private Bank, setting the stage for a distinguished career that saw her rise to lead a $1.8 billion investment team at Chase Wealth Management. Today, she leads Alexander Legacy Private Wealth, leveraging her extensive experience to foster a culture of innovation, autonomy, and entrepreneurial excellence. Her firm’s strategic partnership with Carson Group, a $32 billion RIA, offers advisors access to cutting-edge technology, advanced investment solutions, and a wealth of expertise to elevate the client experience.

A passionate advocate for community impact, diversity, and inclusion, JaQ serves on multiple boards and committees, including Year Up and Love Joy Special Needs Center, and supports numerous initiatives targeting churches, sororities, and grassroots organizations. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a focus on Diverse Leadership in Financial Services from DePaul University, as well as Series 63 and 65 securities registrations.

JaQ’s guiding philosophy combines purpose with action. As a Mother, Innovator, and Philanthropist (MIP), she draws inspiration from her two children, Austin and Taylor Dion (“TD”), to operate in her true calling. Her innovative approach drives creative problem-solving and blazing new trails in the financial services sector. As a philanthropist, she believes a “giver’s mindset” is the foundation of true wealth, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to building stronger communities and creating opportunities for others to succeed.

Through her leadership, JaQ continues to redefine what is possible in wealth management, creating a legacy of impact and transformation for generations to come.

Dr. Jennifer Bossard

Dr. Jennifer Bossard is a trailblazing leader, educator, and advocate for creating cultures of productivity and belonging. With a unique talent for reimagining organizational structures and fostering collaboration, she has dedicated her career to empowering teams and individuals to excel by leveraging their strengths.

Dr. Bossard’s professional journey spans an impressive array of achievements, including founding a college, launching a conference, holding inaugural leadership positions, and leading diverse teams ranging from 8 to 78 people. She has spearheaded the initial accreditation of four business programs, organized seven conferences, authored six academic papers, edited two publications, and presented at over 20 professional conferences.

As a professor, Dr. Bossard has taught classes in economics, statistics, data analytics, and global human rights, weaving her passion for education and advocacy into every endeavor. Her teaching style is both insightful and engaging, as evidenced by the countless students and professionals who credit her mentorship with transforming their perspectives and careers.

Her leadership style is defined by collaboration and empowerment, supported by her strengths as an Achiever, Learner, Analytical, Responsible, and Focused individual. Known as “The Insightful Collaborator,” Dr. Bossard combines discernment and enablement to inspire innovation and create meaningful impact in the organizations she serves.

Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Dr. Bossard is deeply committed to addressing critical global challenges such as human trafficking, fair trade, and corporate responsibility. Through her research, public speaking, and collaboration with mission-driven organizations, she continues to champion efforts that drive positive change in the world.

Whether shaping organizational strategies, mentoring future leaders, or pioneering new initiatives, Dr. Bossard is a force for progress, innovation, and compassion, leaving an indelible mark on the teams and communities she serves.