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More information on 2012 Summit coming soon! Please check back often:
We have a full day of innovative breakout sessions and a dynamic keynote luncheon featuring adventurer Eric Alexander. Click Eric's photo for a preview.
 Eric helped guide his blind friend on the first ever blind accent of Mt. Everest and skillfully negotiated the first ever blind ski descents from two more of the seven highest points on our seven continents. He has survived challenges such as a 150' fall in the Himalayas and pulmonary edema without air rescue. Today he continues to inspire professionals around the country by focusing on overcoming the "Everest's" in their own lives and redefining the limits of what we can achieve. When Eric is not traveling he teaches disabled skiers in Vail, Colorado, and directs Adventures Beyond Limits, an organization that educates and encourages youth with disabilities in the outdoors.
Professionals of all ages throughout the state are encouraged to attend, regardless of whether or not the individual is affiliated with a Young Professionals Organization. Attendees will have the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, network and discover ways to get involved in their communities. Past YP Kansas Summits have drawn more than 250 attendees and many more are expected in 2012 making this a great opportunity for sponsors to get in front of some of the strongest midwest professionals. In addition to our attendees, our sponsors will be exposed to many more thousands of people through Fast Forward and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce summit marketing and all of our related social media. Register right away to get the early bird discount.
Register Now!
Rebecca Ryan will deliver the keynote address at the Kansas Young Professionals Summit on Thursday, April 21. A successful entrepreneur, author and advocate for the next generation, she is the perfect fit to headline the 2nd annual conference for young professionals across the state of Kansas.
Named "Communicator of the Year" in 2006 by Women in Communication, Rebecca will share her insight on the young professional generation in our communities and workplaces. Rebecca commands attention - and delivers clear, take-home value - to audiences committed to building better places to live and work...for the next generation, and all generations.
Under Rebecca's leadership, her firm Next Generation Consulting, has helped some of America's best workplaces achieve rankings in the Fortune 100 Best Places to Work, and helped cities including Nashville, Milwaukee, and Columbus, OH design award-winning workforce strategies. In the past, both Young Professionals of Reno County and Young Professionals of Wichita have worked with Rebecca and Next Generation Consulting, gaining valuable information to move their organizations forward.
The luncheon with Rebecca Ryan will begin at noon. Tickets are included with conference registration, though the general public can purchase tickets for the luncheon only.
Bill D. Cordes is a speaker, consultant and author. He has keynoted programs for conventions, conferences, schools and universities nationwide. His programs have been featured in 47 states, to well over 2 million participants. Bill is the author of The YOGOWYPI Factor, and has co-authored Lead Now or Step Aside. He will close our day at the Kansas YP Summit and will leave us with an energized presentation challenging us to go home to our businesses, communities and organizations and "do what it takes" to make them better places to live, work and play.
Originally from Kansas, Bill did his graduate and undergraduate work at the University of Hawaii and Fort Hays State University. He was awarded Graduate Student Teacher of the Year by the International Communication Association while attending Fort Hays State University.
Bill is a committed Christian, husband and father. In his programs, Bill combines humor, enthusiasm and draws on his extensive life experience from being a former school teacher, college instructor, coach and television talk show host.
As president of Laham Development, George Laham has been involved in shaping Wichita’s energetic retail and master planned development growth over the last 20 years.
Laham Development created one of the nation’s first lifestyle centers with Bradley Fair, bringing a succession of new, national retailers and restaurants to Wichita including Banana Republic, Talbots, Chico’s, GAP, Williams-Sonoma, YaYa’s Eurobistro and the recently announced Sephora, to name a few. Other Laham Development properties include: Wilson Estates and Cornerstone at 21st and Andover Road; Plazzio, which includes Warren Theatre East; one of Laham Development’s newest developments is Berkeley Square at 13th and Greenwich; and Regency Lakes, anchored by SuperTarget and the recently announced Cabela’s.
George received his BGS degree, with a concentration in Economics, from The University of Kansas. He serves on the boards of Fidelity Bank, Wichita Grand Opera and Wichita Collegiate Schools. George has been associated with J.P. Weigand & Sons for twenty-five years.
Marci Penner, director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation, would jump off tall buildings for rural communities. With a mission to preserve and sustain rural culture, the Foundation is known for projects like the 8 Wonders of Kansas, the Whiting Café Makeover, the Kansas Explorers Club, the Lizard Lips campaign, and the Kansas Sampler Festival. And, Marci went to every city in Kansas to research for Kansas Guidebook for Explorers. But her smartest move, along with hiring WenDee LaPlant, might be hooking up with Abby Amick , Wabaunsee Co. Eco. Devo.; Julie Roller, Pottawatomie Co. Eco. Devo.; Ashley Bogle; Greenwood Co. Eco. Devo.; Christy Hopkins, Greeley County Community Development; Jennifer Arnold , Clearwater Chamber of Commerce; Kristy Rupe , Golden Belt Foundation, Claflin; Erika Nelson , World’s Largest Things, Lucas; and Liz Sosa, Inkt Graphics, Garden City to form PowerUps, the 21-39s who are Rural By Choice.
Dr. Michelle Robin has been passionate about wellness for nearly 30 years. She is the Chief Wellness Officer (CWO) and Founder of Your Wellness Connection, PA in the Kansas City Metro area. She graduated Cleveland Chiropractic College in 1991 and opened her own practice shortly thereafter, in 1992. In 2001, her vision to change people's lives by connecting them to holistic wellness practices and treatments led her to build a state-of-the-art healing facility. She leads a team of 30 members and operates one of the most successful healing centers in the nation, focused on integrative healing disciplines such as chiropractic, Chinese medicine, massage therapy, functional medicine, behavioral counseling, nutritional counseling and coaching, wellness coaching and movement arts. Dr. Robin and her dedication and service to the Kansas City Community has been recognized in a myriad of ways, including Speaking of Women's Health (2010); national recognition by the Master's Circle, Chiropractor of the Year (2007); House of Menuha, Community Service Award (2005); designation as one of Kansas City Business Journal's Women Who Mean Business (2003); Member of the elite Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentoring Program (2003); and named by Kansas City Small Business Monthly as one of the Top 25 Under 25 Small Businesses (2002). She is a regular contributing writer for flourish! magazine, a publication for executive business women, a regular contributor to other community publications focusing on health and wellness.
Christopher Orwoll is President and CEO of the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center in Hutchinson. Orwoll will be presenting Business Ethics at the 2011 Kansas YP Summit. He began his career in the Navy in 1982, serving aboard the submarines USS OHIO (Division Officer and Tactical Systems Officer), USS TUCSON (Operations Officer), and the USS DOLPHIN (Executive Officer). Orwoll also worked in the education field, teaching leadership, management and ethics for the U.S. Navy at both Cornell University and the University of Kansas. While at KU, Orwoll also served as the Naval ROTC unit’s commanding officer. Orwoll earned his bachelor’s in Naval Architecture from the United States Naval Academy and his master’s in Strategic Studies from the Air War College.
Commissioner Sandy Praeger has served as Kansas' 24th Commissioner of Insurance since Nov. 2, 2002. Commissioner Praeger is responsible for regulating all insurance sold in Kansas and overseeing the nearly 1,700 insurance companies and more than 94,000 agents licensed to do business in the state.
She was elected previously to the Kansas Senate in 1992, 1996 and 2000, and before that served one term in the Kansas House of Representatives. While in the legislature, she worked to gain passage of patient protection laws, external review of health plans and insurance, and the Kansas expansion of children's health insurance. In 2001 she led the successful campaign for mental health parity in Kansas. A resident of Lawrence, Kan., she served as mayor of Lawrence from 1986-87, and she served on the Lawrence City Commission from 1985-89.
Commissioner Praeger was president of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) in 2008. She serves as chair of the NAIC Health Insurance and Managed Care Committee and a member of other NAIC Committees and task forces.
Commissioner Praeger testified several times before the U.S. Senate Finance Committee on health reform issues in 2009. She is frequently called upon by national media to discuss health insurance issues. She has also testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee about small business health insurance, appeared before the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee to express concerns about association health plans, and appeared before the Senate Select Committee on Aging concerning qualifications of investment advisers.
She has been recognized numerous times and has received many awards for her leadership and work no health care issues.
Her community involvement includes the United Way of Douglas County Board of Directors, and she is a founding member of three local boards: Health Care Access (a clinic for the medically indigent), the Haskell Indian Nations University Foundation and C.A.S.A. (Court Appointed Special Advocates), an organization dedicated to helping children who come under the jurisdiction of the court.
Commissioner Praeger is a graduate of the University of Kansas. She lives in Lawrence with her husband, Dr. Mark Praeger, where she is active in several community organizations. They have two children: Gretchen (son-in-law Erik and granddaughter Clara Lee) and J.D. (daughter-in-law Sevrin, grandson Jakson and granddaughter Ava Margaret).
Amy Hilbrich Davis is the mother of seven, founder/CEO of inspiring Moms and author of the award-winning balance MAP. Her company helps parents achieve greater balance, success, and happiness in their family life. Amy works with a number of Fortune 500 and the Working Mother 100 Best Companies to increase employee engagement and productivity through greater work-life balance. Her award-winning balance MAP is an online tool that creates customized action plans with the strategies and best practices to help moms reduce stress and take control of their busy lives.
DeAnn Sullivan, president of Sullivan & Associates, provides business and project management consulting and training. She is an instructor for the Center for Management Development at WSU and for Protégé Project Management delivering leadership and Project Management classes nationwide. DeAnn is a certified Project Management Professional and holds a Masters Certificate in Project Management from the Stevens Institute of Technology. She graduated with honors from Emporia State University earning degrees in Math and Latin.
Christine Pechstein is everything life management and embraced as the real deal when it comes to managing chaos, finding focus, and developing leaders on all levels. Her background, expertise, and passion for helping people live sane lifestyles and grow into purpose filled lives has led her to become a leading voice and teacher in the life management world.
Christine is:
A Professional Life Management Trainer, A Leadership Self-Development Trainer, A Professional Life Management Coach, The Author of "Take This Life and CHUNK It" and 7 other workbooks, Author of the online Life Management Magazine, A full-time mother and manager of three active teenagers, A ministry leader in church, Active Community volunteer
From her first workbook, Move Into Action, Christian Life Management Agenda, to her seventh and latest workbook, The 7 Day Sermon, her passion is unmistakably teaching others how to eliminate and manage the chaos and insanity of everyday life by focusing on what matters.
Christine earned degrees in film and video production, and a Bachelor's in Business Administration, and has worked extensively as a job and career coach, leadership trainer, and her built her company, Move Into Action, where she most recently opened her first training room in Wiley Plaza, downtown Hutchinson, Ks. Christine is sought by churches, businesses, organizations, and wellness centers alike for her life management, self leadership expertise, and humor about everyday life events.
Lisa Ward is an attorney and owner in the statewide law firm of Gilliland & Hayes, P.A. Lisa creates customized estate plans needed to assist families in transfer of wealth, protection of assets, and end-of-life decisions using trusts, wills, powers of attorneys, and living wills. She routinely represents clients in Medicaid qualification, guardianship, conservatorship, and probate proceedings. She is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Lisa also practices in the areas of business law, nonprofit law, and real estate development. Lisa graduated summa cum laude from Washburn University School of Business and Washburn School of Law with Dean’s Honors. She currently serves as a director of Hutchinson Community Foundation, Wamego Community Foundation, Kansas Children's Service League and RSVP of the Flint Hills. Lisa, her husband, and three children reside in Wamego.
Although I am not a professional speaker, I am a speaker whose profession and passion has been money and the desire for people to become masters of their own money. I am currently serving as President/CFO of Walton, Inc. a specialized human resource development company. Preparation and knowledge for my current position comes from 20 years of banking as a consumer/commercial lender, business development officer and trainer. Diplomacy and grace comes from my stint as a middle child of six. And finally, since 1992, I have been privileged to be a personal financial coach—one of my most rewarding ministries.
Rev. Dr. Kevass J. Harding was born in Wichita, Kansas, and was educated in the Public School System of Wichita. He is a graduate of Wichita Southeast High School. He received his Associate of Art Degree from Hutchinson Community College and his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Texas at El Paso. He received his Master of Divinity Degree (cum laude) from Phillips Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Ministry Degree, specializing in Church Administration and Congregational Growth and Revitalization from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Harding is married to the former Teketa Berry and they have two children: Carnez and Makayla.
In July of 1998 Dr. Harding was appointed by the Kansas West Annual Conference to Dellrose United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas, where he currently serves as Senior Pastor.
Jordan Walker is the corporate communication specialist at Lowen Corporation, where she manages and monitors the social media outlets for each of Lowen’s divisions. Prior to working at Lowen, she was a student at Wichita State University, where she majored in integrated marketing communications. As a student she held internships where she helped small businesses build online brands and performed research on how corporations use social media as an integral part of their marketing and communication efforts.
Rick Kraus is the executive director of human resources for Hutchinson Public Schools. Prior to his seven years in HR, Rick was an assistant principal at Hutch High and a mathematics teacher. He has logged more than 20 years in education. Raised on a farm outside Pretty Prairie, Rick is a graduate of Hutchinson Community College and Peru State College in Peru, Nebraska, earning a degree in Mathematics. He earned his Masters degree in Educational Administration from Emporia State and his district leadership license from Wichita State. Rick and his wife, Stephanie, have three children.
As the first ever President & CEO of the Kansas Leadership Center, Ed O’Malley has a deep passion and commitment to Kansas. Ed oversees all operations of the Kansas Leadership Center, which is funded with a $30 million grant from the Kansas Health Foundation. The Center is charged with cultivating civic leadership all across Kansas to ultimately improve the health of all Kansans.
Ed served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2003 to 2007. The Kansas City Star and the Johnson County Sun described Ed as a “rising star” in civic life. Originally appointed to the legislature, Ed won reelection in 2004 and 2006. Legislative accomplishments include authoring key legislation on school finance, identity theft and asset development for Kansans.
He is a former aide to Governor Bill Graves and served as Director of Government Relations for the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce. Ed earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Kansas State University. Ed met his wife Joanna Leigh O'Malley, on the school bus in seventh grade and they are now the proud parents of Kate, Jack, and Elizabeth O'Malley.
Dr. Melvin Epp has served as the president of the Wichita Organic Garden Club since 2002 and is an Extension Master Gardener of Sedgwick County. He continues to lecture on gardening techniques with emphasis on organics. He is widely published, works as a free lance writer, and has completed a historical anthology of his mother’s Kansas prairie poetry written between 1929 and 1991. He serves as the president of the Frederick Remington Area Historical Society.
Dr. Epp is a Wheaton College (IL) graduate and holds a Master’s degree in Botany from the University of Connecticut and a Ph.D. degree in Genetics from Cornell University. As a Damon Runyon Fellow, he learned the techniques of plant tissue culture. He has been a research scientist working on botanical and production problems for corporate America. This has included working on tropical plantations in the Philippines and in temperate agriculture and horticulture in the U.S. For a time he directed the botanical research activity of a certified organic garden and its herb beds.
If you'd like to look back at last year's speakers, you can find them here.
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Keynote Speaker Rebecca Ryan
Bill Cordes
George E. Laham, II
Marci Penner
Dr. Michelle Robin, DC, FASA, CCSP, CCWP
DeAnn Sullivan
Christine Pechstein
Lisa Ward
Elizabeth Walton
Dr. Kevass J. Harding
Jordan Walker
Rick Kraus
Ed O'Malley
Dr. Melvin Epp
