
CONVENTION KEYNOTES
OPENING KEYNOTE
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Presented by Global Prairie
Sunday, 10/12 - 4:30-5:45PM
ERIN KING
The Energy Instinct: Tap Into Your Natural Power for Transformative Leadership
Discover Your Energy Instinct: Learn which of the five unique energy instincts fuels you naturally and how to tap into yours early and often to raise your energy sustainably.
Shift from Effort to Alignment: Discover why energy management is the new time management and how aligning with your instincts creates effortless flow and focus.
Peak Energy, Peak Performance: Develop a tailored strategy to show up fully charged for high-stakes moments, driving stronger, more favorable outcomes in your work and life.
Practical Energy Hacks: Walk away with simple, science-backed habits to pre-charge your energy before critical tasks and avoid the burnout cycle.
This keynote empowers leaders, teams, and organizations to move beyond surviving to thriving by tapping into their natural energy instincts and raising their performance to the next level.
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They call her “The Energy Expert.”
After a serious health scare, three-time entrepreneur Erin King put her entire life on pause, and spent a full year conducting the world’s largest study on personal human energy management alongside a team of award-winning PhD researchers.
Fast forward to today, and King is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading energy management experts. SUCCESS Magazine named her one of their “Top 10 Must-See Motivational Speakers” alongside Mel Robbins and Jay Shetty.
As the creator of The Energy Exam®, the world’s first scientific assessment to discover your unique “energy instinct”, King has been hired by Google, Disney, The Academy Awards, VISA, Adobe, and even the United States Navy to unlock peak performance, transformative leadership, and more intentional living.
King has delivered standing ovation keynotes from Bali to Amsterdam and everywhere in between. Her peak performance insights have been featured in Forbes, Harvard Business Review, Psychology Today and other global publications and her podcast consistently ranks in the top 1% of all downloads on iTunes.
Off-duty you’ll find her playing all the outside sports with her husband Hartman, or hanging out with her huge, lively Irish family. And finally: if kissing your dog (Miss Betty White) directly on the mouth is wrong- Erin does not want to be right.
Tuesday, 10/14 - 7:45-8:30AM
A CONVERSATION WITH NCAA PRESIDENT BAKER
CHARLIE BAKER
A candid conversation about the state of college athletics moderated by Nicole Auerbach
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Charlie Baker became the NCAA’s sixth president in March of 2023 and has pursued a mission to improve the student-athlete experience, increase national office efficiency and advocate for college sports. In less than two years, he expanded support for student-athletes by launching a post-eligibility insurance program for all three divisions and worked with membership to enact Division I core guarantees — mandatory health and wellness benefits for student-athletes andnew academic protections such as guaranteed scholarships if a student-athlete stops competing.He led the negotiation of a landmark media rights agreement with ESPN, increasing visibility for college athletes as they compete for a national championship. Additionally, Baker initiated the development of a fan database that will enrich the atmosphere for student-athletes competing, increase fan attendance and drive innovative ideas to enhance the championship experience for all.
Baker and college sports leaders continue to enact an array of policy changes enhancingcollegiate athletics oversight – including Baker’s leadership in advocating for the banning of prop bets on college sports to protect the health, safety and well-being of over 500,000 student-athletes and the integrity of NCAA competition. On his first day in the position, Baker committed to meet with individuals from every conference office annually — a first for any NCAA president— and he has been intentional about soliciting feedback from student-athletes, coaches, administrators, athletics directors and conference commissioners. Baker thinks college sports are a uniquely American treasure, provide unmatched opportunity for young people to access higher education and in turn serve as one of the greatest human development programs in the world.
Before assuming his current role, Baker served as governor of Massachusetts — winningreelection in a landslide — and was consistently ranked as the most popular governor in America. He is credited with bringing bipartisan leadership to the state, successfully guiding Massachusetts through exceptionally turbulent periods. He led the commonwealth out of a billion-dollar budget deficit and into a surplus while cutting taxes and boosting investments in education and infrastructure. In addition to his two terms as governor, he has decades of experience spearheading transformations at high-profile institutions in the private and public sectors. During this time, he also co-authored “Results: Getting Beyond Politics To Get Important Work Done.”
Baker is a graduate of Harvard, where he was a member of the men’s varsity basketball team. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.
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Nicole Auerbach is a nationally acclaimed sports journalist and on-air personality for NBC Sports, covering college football, basketball, swimming, and gymnastics. She joined NBC in 2023 as a college football insider, expanded to basketball in 2024, and began Olympic sports coverage in 2025. She appears weekly on Big Ten College Countdown and College Countdown, and serves as a columnist and podcast co-host on NBC Sports Digital. She also hosts on SiriusXM’s College Sports Radio.
A University of Michigan alum, Auerbach rose to prominence at USA Today and The Athletic, where she became one of the most trusted voices in college sports. She was named the 2020 National Sportswriter of the Year by the NSMA and The Big Lead’s 2023 Insider of the Year. Known for her clarity and authority on NIL, realignment, and NCAA reform, her reporting is widely respected across the sports media landscape.
Presented by Adidas
WOMEN OF COLOR CONVERSATION
Monday, 10/13 - 7:45 - 8:45 AM
A WALK IN HER SHOES
Don't miss this powerhouse panel of women leaders of diverse backgrounds who OWN their story and voice, no matter the room
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Kimmi Chex is rewriting the rules of sports media. She began her career as a business analyst in the NFL’s prestigious Junior Rotational Program, quickly proving that a sharp understanding of the business side of sports could translate to an equally sharp on-camera presence. By 2020, she made the leap to full-time host on NFL Network, where she now delivers bold insights and dynamic coverage of the league’s biggest events—from the Super Bowl and NFL Draft to the Combine and beyond.
Chex’s career is a case study in versatility and innovation. With a natural gift for storytelling and a background rooted in business analytics, she’s carved out a lane entirely her own—earning nods from Forbes’ 30 Under 30, The Athletic’s 40 Under 40, and Front Office Sports’ 25 Under 25.
A graduate of the University of Iowa with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communication and a Certificate in Critical Cultural Competence, Chex brings both intellectual depth and cultural fluency to every conversation. She’s not just covering the game—she’s redefining how it’s seen.
Beyond the NFL, Chex is a sought-after live-event host and panelist, with extensive experience leading conversations on major stages, moderating at conferences, business off-sites, and more. She is also a Board Member at United WE, a non-partisan national non-profit focused on women’s civic and economic engagement.
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Appointed in 2018, Vicky Chun made history as the first woman and first Asian American to lead Yale Athletics. A dynamic and visionary leader, Chun has overseen a transformative era marked by athletic success, major facility upgrades, and a strong focus on student-athlete well-being, diversity, and academic achievement.
Under her leadership, Yale teams have won 11 national championships and 38 Ivy League titles. She has led over $100 million in facility renovations and raised more than $65 million in capital funding. Her tenure includes national honors like NACDA Athletics Director of the Year (twice), and appointments to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee and Division I Council.
Chun is a former standout volleyball player and coach at Colgate University, where her jersey was retired. She’s also a co-founder of 4AAPI, advancing AAPI voices in sports, and a champion for mental health and inclusion through initiatives like Yale Bulldogs for Change.
A respected national voice in college athletics, Chun continues to inspire through her trailblazing leadership and deep commitment to excellence on and off the field.
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Lauren Lopez is a seasoned Human Capital Executive with nearly 20 years of experience in shaping healthy, inclusive company cultures rooted in equity, transparency, and intentional employee experiences. With expertise in talent management, employee relations, inclusion, and workforce development, Lauren is a proven leader who delivers innovative and sustainable enterprise solutions during periods of transformation.
Throughout her career, Lauren has served as a strategic advisor, culture architect, and advocate for underrepresented talent across multiple industries, including financial services, technology, journalism, digital media, and sports. Her work is driven by a deep passion for eliminating systemic barriers and biases, from the boardroom to the field, and empowering individuals to thrive regardless of background.
As a first-generation college graduate and executive, Lauren credits the guidance of her informal mentors in shaping her career and personal "roadmap" for success. Motivated by the belief that all talent can flourish when given the right exposure and resources, she is dedicated to providing others with the tools and opportunities needed to successfully navigate their professional journeys and unlock their full potential.
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Neela Seenandan is the President of Leadership Advisory at CAA Executive Search, a division of Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Prior to CAA’s acquisition in 2024, she served as Co-CEO of Hanold Associates. In her advisory role, Seenandan provides interim executive services in senior HR positions for clients, including The New York Times, The Wella Company, and Save the Children, where she also serves on the Board of Directors. She collaborates closely with leadership teams and boards on organizational effectiveness and executive talent.
Seenandan joined CAA from Nielsen, where she was SVP of HR for North America’s Consumer Business. Prior to Nielsen, she had a successful HR career at Aon Corporation, including serving as CHRO of Aon Benfield and Aon Hewitt. She also led integration efforts across the company.
Previously, Seenandan led recruiting and professional development for McKinsey & Company in North America and McKinsey Digital (formerly BTO), focusing on executive development and coaching senior leaders.
Originally from London, Seenandan holds a degree in English Literature and Religion from Newcastle University. She enjoys reading and is actively involved in charitable work.
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Andrea Williams joined UIC as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics in November 2023, bringing 25 years of leadership in collegiate and professional sports. A trailblazer in athletics, she was the first African American woman to serve as an NCAA Division I conference commissioner and most recently held the role of Chief Experience Officer with the Utah Jazz.
Her career includes executive roles with the College Football Playoff, Big Sky Conference, Big Ten Conference, and the NCAA, where she directed the Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. At the Jazz, she oversaw eight business units and managed the Delta Center, a major venue generating over $25M annually.
Williams is a champion for student-athlete success, diversity, and inclusion. She serves on several national boards, including the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the NCAA’s Sexual Assault Prevention Commission.
A former student-athlete at Texas A&M, she holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University.
TUESDAY MORNING KEYNOTE
Tuesday, 10/14 - 9 - 10:15 AM
DOMINATING DISRUPTION
DOMINATING DISRUPTION AND PUSHING LIMITS: Unlocking the mental skills of success in a fast-changing world of sports
The old tools of success won’t take you where you need to go next. As a woman in sports, the stakes are even higher: burnout is real, staying relevant takes work, and too many talented women are being pushed out instead of propelled forward.
In this provocative, high-energy keynote, Workplace Performance Expert and 2x TEDx speaker Henna Pryor shows you how to flip the script on what modern excellence really looks like. Through powerful stories and science-backed strategies, you’ll learn how to strengthen the mental muscles that fuel resilience, career longevity, and personal agency.
You’ll walk away knowing how to break free from the trap of past excellence, stay clear-headed in chaos with tools like cognitive defusion and neutral self-talk, and take small, repeatable “micro-risks” that build courage and creativity.
When disruption hits, your success won’t come from holding on tighter - it will come from letting go faster and leaping forward with a new kind of excellence, the kind we can activate together.
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Henna Pryor is a dynamic Workplace Performance Expert who speaks and writes about performance mindset, interpersonal dynamics, high-impact communication, and embracing bumps in a world that keeps optimizing for smoothness.
She is a regular Expert Columnist for Inc. Magazine, 18x award-winning author of Good Awkward, and an in-demand global keynote speaker. Her playful personality and insightful talks blend 2 decades of working with corporate leaders and teams with a fresh, science-based approach to taking more strategic risks and boosting social and mental fitness for success at work. Her clients call her their “secret weapon for impossible change”-- a title she wears proudly.
In addition to speaking for TEDx, SXSW, and being frequently tapped by media outlets like Business.com, FastCompany, INSIDER, HuffPost, NBC, FOX, and more, she’s a SUCCESS Magazine Woman of Influence, LinkedIn Learning Instructor, and Glassdoor WorkLife Pro. Her book was also named a Kirkus Reviews’ Best Book of the Year.