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Dr. Willie McKether
Dr. Willie McKether
Business trained cultural anthropologist, Dr. Willie McKether is a leader, educator, and advocate dedicated to building workplaces where every generation and culture can thrive together. With over two decades of experience in higher education and community leadership, he brings a unique anthropological perspective on how diversity, equity, and inclusion drive innovation and connection.
As the founder of WLM Cultural Communications, Dr. McKether partners with organizations to bridge generational divides, strengthen leadership capacity, and create cultures of belonging. His work blends academic insight with real-world application, helping teams understand one another, communicate effectively, and lead with empathy.
A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Dr. McKether has inspired audiences across industries to embrace generational differences as a strategic advantage. His mission is simple: to help people see differences not as barriers, but as opportunities to learn, grow, and lead together.
Dr. Tim Elmore
Dr. Tim Elmore
Tim is the Founder of Growing Leaders, an Atlanta‐based non‐profit organization created to develop emerging leaders. His work grew out of 20 years of serving alongside Dr. John C. Maxwell. Elmore has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, USA Today, Psychology Today, and been featured on CNN’s Headline News, Fox Business, Newsmax TV and Fox & Friends to talk about leading multiple generations in the marketplace. He has written 40 books, including Habitudes: Images That Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes, and Eight Paradoxes of Great Leadership. His latest book, The Future Begins with Z: Nine Strategies to Lead Generation Z As They Disrupt the Workplace, was released fall of 2025. You can find his work at: TimElmore.com.
Sheila Eason, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Sheila Eason, SHRM-SCP, SPHR
Sheila Eason is the Founder and CEO of Elevate People Solutions, a leadership development and human resources consulting firm dedicated to helping organizations elevate leaders, strengthen teams, and transform workplace culture. With more than 30 years of experience in human resources, leadership development, executive coaching, and organizational effectiveness, Sheila partners with organizations to develop confident leaders, build high-performing teams, and create workplaces where people and organizations thrive.
A dynamic keynote speaker, executive coach, and leadership consultant, Sheila is known for transforming complex leadership and workplace challenges into practical, actionable strategies that leaders can immediately apply. Her engaging and interactive approach combines real-world experience, compelling storytelling, and evidence-based practices to help leaders strengthen communication, build trust, navigate difficult conversations, foster accountability, and lead with greater confidence and emotional intelligence.
Erica M. Parish, MBA
Erica M. Parish, MBA
Erica M. Parish, MBA, is a workforce engagement and culture expert with more than 25 years of experience in leadership, employee engagement, organizational culture, and workforce development. She has held executive leadership positions in higher education and state government, including serving as Deputy Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Correction and Executive Dean of Academic Affairs at Owens Community College.
As an instructor at The University of Toledo and other institutions of higher learning, Erica has taught courses focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, workplace communication, employee relations, and leadership. A frequent presenter on generational differences, allyship, and workplace culture, she is passionate about creating environments where people feel heard, valued, and connected.
Riley Runnells
Riley Runnells
Riley Runnells is a media professional with expertise in editorial, digital content, and podcast production. She is currently the Director of EPIC Toledo for the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, connecting young professionals to the community. Riley co-hosts the "On the Come Up with Libby and Riley" podcast for WGTE Public Media. She has held roles as an editor at Adams Street Publishing, a writer for Static Media, and editor-in-chief of Thread Magazine at Ohio University. An alumna of Ohio University with a degree in Journalism, Riley serves on boards for the Press Club of Toledo, Chicks for Charity, and Issue Box Theatre and works as a choreographer.
Heather Mallette, SHRM-CP
Heather Mallette, SHRM-CP
Heather Mallette is the Founder and CEO of The Decision Line®, an executive advisory firm dedicated to helping leaders strengthen the one capability technology can't replace: judgment. With more than 20 years of executive human resources leadership experience across manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and distribution, she has led organizational transformation, workforce strategy, labor relations, and culture initiatives that improve business performance.
A nationally recognized thought leader, Heather challenges conventional thinking about leadership in the AI era. Her work focuses on helping executives make better decisions under uncertainty, build AI-ready organizations, and create cultures where clarity, accountability, and execution thrive. She believes that while technology accelerates execution, judgment determines direction.
Heather serves as President of the Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association (NOHRA) and is a sought-after keynote speaker, moderator, and advisor on executive leadership, AI, organizational culture, and the future of work. Through her writing, speaking, and advisory work, she equips leaders with practical frameworks to navigate complexity, strengthen decision quality, and lead with confidence when the stakes are highest.
Heather's mission is simple: Better judgment builds better leaders, stronger organizations, and lasting results.
Jay Martinez
Jay Martinez
Jay Martinez. is a Production Supervisor at Cintas located in Westland, MI. In that role, Jay leads daily operations in a high-volume production environment, focusing on developing people, improving processes, and creating a culture built on accountability, communication, and continuous improvement.
Before joining Cintas, Jay spent four years at FedEx Ground where he was promoted from a Package Handler to Operations Manager. Throughout his career, he's had the opportunity to lead teams, mentor employees, solve operational challenges, and learn that every generation brings unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences to the workplace. Those experiences shaped his leadership philosophy and reinforced the importance of listening, adapting, and leading by example.
Jay earned his Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications from The University of Toledo and also served as a head wrestling coach. Jay learned that great leadership is about building trust, developing others, and helping people reach their full potential both on and off the mat.
Outside of work, Jay is an avid runner and is currently training for his first marathon. Running has taught Jay many of the same lessons that he applies in leadership: consistency, resilience, discipline, and the value of showing up every day ready to improve.
Amira Welch
Amira Welch
Amira Welch is a senior at Bowling Green State University where she is pursuing an architecture and environmental design degree. Her passion for design and creating, combined with a deep appreciation for art and science, played significatnt roles in her decision to pursue this challenging yet rewarding field. Amira is particularly interested in designing for underrepresented communities, ensuring that architecture remains accessible and beneficial to all.
As the President of the Iota Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, Amira has successfully led award-winning initiatives that have earned recognition at the local and regional levels while fostering a culture of leadership, service, and excellence. She also serves as the Northern Ohio Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator for the Great Lakes Region, where she oversees chapter presidents, facilitates regional initiatives, and works to ensure chapters remain informed, connected, and equipped for success. Furthermore, Amira is actively involved in professional organizations, including the National Organization of Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS).
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