Conference Speakers

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.

Vince DiPofi joined SSOE in 2000 and has more than 40 years of professional experience. He has risen through the ranks at the firm as a Business Leader, Corporate Director of Business Development, and Chief Strategy Officer, prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer. Throughout the years, he has been instrumental in developing numerous new accounts for SSOE and starting up the company’s operations in Mexico. Today, he has the company focused on a technology-driven strategic plan that is positioning SSOE as one of the fastest-growing firms in the country and a leading edge thought leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and design automation. DiPofi holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toledo and is a licensed Professional Engineer in both Ohio and Michigan. He is active in the Toledo Society of Professional Engineers and was named the 2022 Engineer of the Year. DiPofi is also active in several non-profit organizations and serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board for the University of Toledo College of Engineering, where he was named a Distinguished Alumni in 2019.

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.

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.

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). 

Dr. Stephanie L. Covington is a visionary leader with over 20 years of experience driving innovation in higher education, workforce development, and student success. She currently serves as the Commissioner of Educational Engagement and Workforce Development for the City of Toledo, where she leads transformative initiatives that connect education, career readiness, and community impact—particularly for underserved populations.  

Her career spans executive roles across community colleges, public universities, and municipal government. From increasing student retention rates and securing over $10 million in grants, to leading regional equity initiatives and launching pioneering urban agriculture workforce programs, Dr. Covington is widely recognized for her ability to turn complex challenges into sustainable solutions. She has served as Vice Chancellor for the City Colleges of Chicago, Director of Retention at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Acting Chief Community Development Officer at Washtenaw Community College.  

An accomplished educator, Dr. Covington has taught at institutions including Ohio University, Wright State University, and American College of Education, shaping future leaders through courses on student development, legal issues in higher education, and culturally responsive leadership.  

She is also the author of The Power of the Promises and two books in the children's book series I Think, I Say, I believe- The Astounding Faith Adventures of Abraham and Aurora and My Faith is Bigger, blending her commitment to faith, family, and education. Astounding Faith Adventures was Debuted as #1 New Release in Children’s Noah’s Ark Books and Top 100 Best Seller in Children’s Christian Bible Stories on Amazon.  

With a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Ohio University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Toledo/Bowling Green State University, Dr. Covington brings a holistic, purpose-driven approach to every role she embraces. Her work continues to center equity, access, and opportunity as tools for generational change.  

Samuel Chang is the President and Co-founder of Midstory, a nonprofit media thinkhub that progresses the Midwest narrative through educational multimedia, solutions-oriented research and programming. He received his B.A. from the Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs, where he also earned a certificate in East Asian Studies. After graduation, Samuel was awarded the Puttkammer Fellowship through the Princeton Pace Center of Civic Engagement and spent the next two years in Cambridge, Massachusetts managing a prison education nonprofit that provided resources to incarcerated people across seven states. He returned home to Toledo in 2018 and has since devoted his efforts to uplifting this region’s stories. Samuel also serves on the board of Live Arts Toledo and the Ohioana Library. 

Anthropologist, Elizabeth K. Briody, Ph.D., has been involved in cultural-change efforts for 40 years—first at General Motors Research and later through her consulting practice, Cultural Keys where she conducted research and consulted with a broad array of industries. Among her books are Transforming Culture and The Cultural Dimension of Global Business (9th ed.). She is Founder and Co-Chair of the Anthropology Career Readiness Network. She also served as Secretary of the American Anthropological Association and President for the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology. In 2020, she received the Bronislaw Malinowski award for lifetime achievement from the Society for Applied Anthropology.

For more than three decades, Dr. Valerie S. Walston – affectionately known as Dr. Val – has inspired audiences to rise above life obstacles and step boldly into their next chapter. As The Perseverence Expert™, she believes that for every obstacle, a reward exists – with the right mindset and support, we can all SOAR.

Currently serving as Coordinator of Community Engagement, Health & Wellness at ProMedica, Dr. Val is a dynamic thought leader, author, and community champion who empowers individuals–especially women–to prioritize their wellness, embrace their God-given purpose, and live with perseverance and joy. Her work blends faith, wellness, leadership, and real-life experience to deliver messages that are both practical and powerful. 

Whether on stage, in the boardroom, or in the community, Dr. Val creates transformative experiences that leave audiences motivated, equipped, and ready to take action.