Heidi Anaya

Trainer, Signature Worldwide

In her role, Heidi has extensive experience training in hotels as well as in the equipment, insurance, casino, financial, and trucking industries. She is certified to teach a wide variety of courses ranging from Sales to Prospecting to Negotiating to Presentation Skills to Customer Service. Prior to joining Signature Worldwide in 2011, Heidi was an integral part of the Signature Canada team for three years where she was the lead trainer for the company. Her career in the hospitality industry has spanned over 30 years and has included roles ranging from Guest Services to Sales & Catering to her final role as Corporate Director of Catering for SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts (Canada). It was that role that cultivated her passion for training as she was responsible for on-boarding all new Sales & Catering personnel across the company. Heidi holds an Associate’s Degree (with Honors) in Hotel & Restaurant Administration from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta (Canada). She also holds a Certification in Hospitality Business Acumen from the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and is a certified trainer of the course. Heidi lives in Tucson, Arizona with her husband.

Marie Conley

Senior HR Business Partner, IGS Energy

Marie is an accomplished Senior HR Business Partner with a strong track record of supporting organizations in achieving their goals through strategic talent management. Currently serving as a Senior HRBP at IGS Energy, an energy retailer who is building a sustainable energy future for a healthier planet and just recently re-named Certified by Great Place to Work with 94% of employees saying it’s a great place to work. Here, Marie provides comprehensive talent lifecycle support, coaching, and HR guidance to a diverse range of employees, including Executive Leadership and non-exempt staff. Her expertise is marked by the successful creation and execution of talent strategies, building robust relationships, fostering team development, and employing creative problem solving. In her personal time, Marie has a passion for sustainability at home too, running a small homestead with husband and 3 children.

Chelsea Dodson

Advocate, Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program

Chelsea served as a domestic violence and sexual assault advocate with Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program for a year before transferring into a case management role. She is especially focused on educating the general public about human trafficking, stalking, and signs of domestic violence. Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Chelsea has found a new forever home in Athens county working with SAOP and completing a masters in social work.

Amir Eylon

President, CEO & Partner, Longwoods International

A 35-year veteran of the Travel & Tourism industry, Amir Eylon is President & CEO of Longwoods International, a premier market research consultancy that specializes in the travel and tourism industry. In this role, he oversees all aspects of daily operations, thought leadership, product & business development, and partnerships for this recognized brand in tourism market research. Amir joined Longwoods international in 2015 from his previous role as Vice President, Partner Engagement with Brand USA, the public-private partnership serving as the destination marketing organization dedicated to increasing international visitation to the US. He led the team responsible for helping to increase its partnership base and focused on exceeding service expectation for those partners. During his tenure, Brand USA grew its base to 475 partners, comprised of destination marketing organizations, state tourism offices, attractions, hotels, travel brands, airlines, and tour operators. Prior to joining Brand USA, Amir served as Director of the Ohio Office of Tourism. He has also served as Executive Vice President of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association, Assistant Director of the Ohio Tourism Division, and Sales & Marketing Manager with the Steuben County Conference and Visitors Bureau. 

Kelly Fuller

Vice President Talent & Workforce Development, Columbus Chamber of Commerce

Kelly Fuller has over 25 years in talent and workforce development. Her career began with the launch of the Discover Card, where she served in several learning and development roles. Kelly also has a long career in public education in the career tech space, helping businesses connect to emerging talent from both high school and adult populations. Her current role as VP Talent and Workforce Development at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce allows her to continue connecting businesses to many under represented talent pipelines. She is a Miami Ohio and MVNU grad.

Lisa Gutierrez

CEO, Dos Hermanos

In 2012, Lisa Gutierrez left her Cheesecake Factory manager position of 10 years to follow a wild dream of starting a food truck business with her husband. They started with nothing but a borrowed food truck, $2,000 in savings, and a whole lot of ambition. Through these hopes and aspirations, they brought Dos Hermanos Taco Truck to life, bringing Vicente’s family’s authentic Oaxacan-style recipes to their community. This authenticity is what would eventually lead long lines and raving fans to their truck. 11 years later, Dos Hermanos has 4 brick and-mortar locations, mobile food trucks, catering services, and concession stands in both the new Crew Stadium (Lower.com Field) and inside the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Through hard work and strategic connections, Lisa has grown Dos Hermanos to a 7-figure business. Over the years, Lisa’s hard work did not go unrecognized. In 2019, the SBA named Lisa as Minority Owned Small Business Person of the Year. Also, Dos Hermanos was recognized by the ICIC as one of the fastest growing inner-city companies in America in terms of revenue and job creation. As Lisa works to keep her business growing, create new job opportunities for her community, and collaborate with other small businesses, she also finds time to sit on the advisory board for the Women’s Center of Economic Opportunity. 

Trina Jones

Senior Administrator, Turning Point House

Trina Jones is a social worker, storyteller, and encourager with a passion for seeing others overcome the barriers they face. Trina seeks to offer solutions through sharing her lived experience in the foster care system and to provide hope for healing and healthy relationships. Trina over the years has had many professional accomplishments that show she continues to grow and develop opportunities for people to live thriving lives. She started her professional career providing direct services to women coming out of trafficking through Safe Harbor House in Springfield Ohio. Trina has unique experience training and vetting foster families to care for those in the system. She has since linked arms with Think Tank Inc and helps co-facilitate trainings around helping people understand the human experience of poverty. Trina has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Liberty University and is the Senior Administrator for Turning Point Home in Columbus Ohio.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose

Frank LaRose is Ohio’s 51st Secretary of State. In this role, he oversees a statewide constitutional office responsible for administering elections and incorporating new businesses. As the state’s chief elections officer, he has modernized the operation and works to ensure the security, accuracy, and accessibility of Ohio’s voting process. In 2020, he helped guide the state through the unprecedented challenges of a presidential election conducted at the height of a global pandemic, successfully managing the highest voter turnout election in state history. Leading the agency responsible for helping businesses get organized and opened in Ohio, Secretary LaRose assisted job creators in registering more new ventures than at any time in history. He also worked with the General Assembly to enact business modernization and reforms that provide new options for organizing LLCs and improving the office’s electronic filing system for business start-ups. Prior to election to his statewide office, LaRose served as a member of the State Senate, where he was named the Legislator of the Year by the Ohio Association of Election Officials for his efforts to improve Ohio’s election process. A graduate of Copley High School, he served in the United States Army with the 101st Airborne, and as a U.S. Special Forces Green Beret. During his decade in uniform around the globe, LaRose received numerous commendations and honors, including the Bronze Star. He continues to serve as an Army Reservist and helps to support his fellow veterans and advance the cause of patriotism as a member of the VFW and as a local board member for the Green Beret Foundation. LaRose graduated from The Ohio State University.

Brent McMahan

Head of Strategy & Growth, Wrkspot

With over 15 years of experience in sales, Brent brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. In a bold move, he started his career by starting his own company. As co-founder, he also held multiple positions, all focused on sales and marketing. After several years, and the sale of his company, Brent moved on to the hospitality tech space. Most recently, he spent the last 8+ years as Enterprise Sales Director for SiteMinder, leading efforts out of North America to drive net new logos and revenue growth. There, Brent earned multiple awards as top revenue producer in the US and globally, playing a key role in the company’s growth leading up to their IPO i 2021. Brent is a born and raised Louisville (KY) native who graduated from the University of Louisville and was a former collegiate athlete at Thomas More. He is also a fitness enthusiast and enjoys a healthy lifestyle, training and participating in almost anything fitness-related, while still occasionally challenging himself on the basketball court.

Staci Olney

Vice President National Sales, Red Roof

Staci Olney is the Vice President, National Sales for Red Roof and is responsible for the production, strategy, and deployment of the National and special market Sales Teams, supporting the brand’s nearly 700 hotels. With her primary focus on achieving Red Roof’s annual goals and objectives, Staci’s responsibilities include strategic planning of vertical markets, interacting with the franchise community, and maintaining relationships with top customers. Staci spent 10 years in independent hotel operations prior to joining Accor in 1998 and when Westmont Hospitality Group acquired Red Roof in 2007 she was responsible for implementing the sales program to support the brand. Staci is a member of the Global Business Travel Association, the Ohio Valley Business Travel Association, Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International and the newly formed Ohio Travel and Tourism Committee with the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

Krista Powers

Author & CEO, Potere Coaching

Krista Powers offers 24 years of experience moving beyond surface solutions and diving into the deep work of innovation and transformation in healthcare, nonprofit, education, and business. In three years of being the CEO and Founder of Potere Coaching, Krista has worked with 12 companies, hosted 3 retreats, facilitated 22 workshops, coached 273 clients, and published her first book and sold 625 books. Krista is dedicated to supporting individuals and organizations with tools to accomplish immediate momentum, enduring success, and extraordinary impact. Krista’s career has offered opportunities in direct service, program development and evaluation, fundraising, and leadership with local, regional, and national audiences. She is a public speaker and coach for teams at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, Boston Breakthrough Academy and Next Level, a Columbus, Ohio based transformational leadership program. In 2022 her first book, Midlife Calm: An Alternative to Midlife Crisis, was published, accompanied by a song to support the Midlife Calm movement. 

Debra Punke

Chief Human Resource Officer, Concord Hospitality

Debra Punke is Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO) for Concord Hospitality out of Raleigh NC. She joined Concord in 1994. She has an extensive background in sales, operations, and HR. In her current role, Debra oversees the company’s people and culture strategies, leads diversity and CSR initiatives. She sits on advisory boards within Marriott, Hyatt, AHLA and chairs SIPO, a peer council. Debra was a long time resident of Columbus Ohio and was a former chair of the OSU Hospitality Advisory council and sat on the CVB Board. She’s hear today to speak about cultivating an award-winning culture. 

Joe Savarise

President & CEO, OHLA

Joe Savarise comes to OHLA from his role as a Senior Vice President with BIPAC, the Business- Industry Political Action Committee, based in in Washington, DC. Joe joined BIPAC in January 2007. He oversaw a national field team and the deployment of an employer-to-employee communication and education program known as the “Prosperity Project” in states across the nation. Part of his responsibility was providing a direct channel of service and support and communication to member businesses and business organizations throughout the country. He helped grow BIPAC’s state network from just over 20 partners to more than 70 participating state, regional and local business organizations in 45 states, many of them state Chambers or joint Chamber/Manufacturer affiliates. He worked with statewide business organizations each day to help facilitate more effective communications regarding public policy and elections to employees and associates. He also served as a member of the Boards of Directors of the Ohio Prosperity Project and Prosperity Nevada 501(c)(4) entities. With those organizations, he worked with a number of leading business organizations and corporations in each state to help educate employers and employees about the political process and elections. Prior to working with the Prosperity Project, he served as Director of Communications and Public Affairs for the Professional Insurance Agents Association of Ohio. 

Stephanie Sedar

Director of Sales & Marketing, Hotel Oberlin

Stephanie has been with The Hotel at Oberlin since the opening in May 2016. She came with over 35 years of hotel experience in Catering Sales and recently transitioned to the Director of Sales position only one year ago. Stephanie oversees the Catering Department, negotiates group rates, promotes the hotel through social media and other marketing avenues along with being involved with local organizations/groups. In her off time, she loves to travel, be outdoors and spend time with her family

David Smith

Account Executive, P&G

David is currently an Account Executive with P&G Professional, with a focus in Ohio and Kentucky. Previously he was a Commercial Manager in Cincinnati for Tennant Company and from 1997 – 2010 David was a Sales Executive for Diversey Inc. Outside of work David enjoys off-roading, golfing, and spending time with his wife, Mari and son, Will.

Sarah Voloschuk

Director of Rooms, Hilton Cleveland Downtown

Sarah Voloschuk has been in the hospitality industry for 15 years, starting as a recreation intern at a Westin hotel during a college summer. Since passing out pool towels, she has worked in 6 different hotels, both full and select service, and is currently overseeing the operations of the 600 room Hilton Cleveland Downtown. Sarah has opened 2 hotels, been part of 4 Connie Award (the highest award granted by Hilton Worldwide) winning management teams and was named Manager of the Year in 2017. She is active as President of the Blue Energy committee ensuring the hotels presence in the community, as well as with guests and with team members.

Penny Zenker

Keynote, The Focusologist

Penny Zenker is The Focusologist, an international speaker, business strategy coach, and best-selling author. Before her 31st Birthday, Penny founded, developed, and sold her first multi-million dollar business while living in Zurich, Switzerland. Later at the world’s 4th largest Market Research company, she managed business unit turnarounds and was a Tony Robbins business coach helping entrepreneurs around the world to double their businesses. Penny is one of America’s leading experts in the psychology of productivity to eliminate distraction, perfectionism, and self-sabotage to maximize results in every area of your life. Penny’s book The Productivity Zone was an instant Amazon Best Seller and her TEDx, “The Energy of Thought”, has gained attention around the world with over 1M views. Penny has been featured on NBC News, Forbes, Inc, ESPN, and Wharton Business Radio among others.