This year's speakers include nationally recognized leaders, scholars, and innovators who bring fresh perspectives and practical strategies to our work. From policy to pedagogy, from grassroots to global, these voices will challenge, inspire, and energize the field. Their sessions will anchor the conference experience and provide vision for what’s next.
Keynote and Featured Speakers
Opening Keynote: Dr. Sherry K. Watt
Professor, The University of Iowa
Sherry K. Watt has been a professor in the College of Education at the University of Iowa since 2000. She is an educator trained in the areas of counseling, psychology, and human development. Prior to becoming a faculty member, she worked as a residence life director and a career counselor at both of her alma maters (University of North Carolina at Greensboro, North Carolina State University) as well as Shaw University. Dr. Watt is a facilitator prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal and an author/co-editor of The Theory of Being: Practices for Transforming Self and Communities across Difference (May 2022). For over 30 years, she has researched, designed, and led transformative educational experiences that engage participants in dialogue that is meaningful and self-awakening. She partners with collaborators to bring this work into practice by cultivating “ways of being” that build stamina for taking thoughtful and humanizing action.
In addition to being a writer and an educator, Dr. Watt is a dog lover (chocolate labs!), a former college athlete (volleyball), and now a sport enthusiast (wrestling, tennis, college football). She is the director of The Being Institute and The UI Being Research Collaborative.
Featured Panelist: Tim Harding
Assistant Vice President, University of Tampa
Tim Harding serves as the Assistant Vice President for Career Development and Engagement at The University of is the Assistant Vice President for Career Development and Engagement at the University of Tampa, bringing over 30 years of experience in higher education. Since joining the University in 2005, Tim has spearheaded the institution-wide Spartan Ready® initiative, which focuses on career readiness, employability, and competency development. He previously served as Director of Career Services at Butler University and taught career development courses at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI).
Tim is deeply committed to career readiness and competency development in higher education. As a co-founder of the prestigious annual National Competency Development Symposium, Tim has established himself as a thought leader in the field. He has delivered keynote addresses at numerous conferences, and led a wide range of workshops, retreats, and presentations for both professional associations and higher education institutions. Additionally, he has co-chaired the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Task Force on Career Readiness and Competency Development, further solidifying his expertise and leadership in this critical area.
Tim has been widely recognized for his leadership and innovation in the career services field. He was honored with the prestigious Mackes Leadership Award by NACE, and has also received the Southern Star Award from the Southern Association of Colleges and Employers (SoACE), along with the Brownlee Leadership Award from the Florida Association of Colleges and Employers. His contributions to innovation were acknowledged with SoACE's Imaginative Spirit Award, and he also earned the SoACE President’s Award.
Tim holds a Master of Science in Education from Indiana University and a Bachelor of Arts from Anderson University. In 2009, he furthered his expertise by completing the Stetson College of Law/NASPA Student Affairs Policy and Law Certificate Program, demonstrating his commitment to the intersection of education, law, and student success.
Featured Panelist: Dr. Stephanie K. Johnson
Director, University of Colorado Boulder
Dr. Stefanie K. Johnson is the director of CU Boulder’s Center for Leadership and Professor at the Leeds School of Business. Her research focuses on the intersection of leadership and diversity. She has lent her expertise and thought leadership to organizations like The World Economic Forum, NASA, the NFL, and The Conference Board. She is a member of the MG 100 Coaches, was recognized by Thinkers50 in 2020 and 2021, and is the author of the National Bestseller, Inclusify: The power of uniqueness and belonging to build innovative teams. She publishes her work in the top journals and has received $3,800,000 in external grant funding including funding from NIOSH, CDC/NIH, NASA, and Army Research Institute. She has presented her work at over 170 meetings around the world including at the White House for a 2016 summit on diversity in corporate America. Media outlets featuring Stefanie’s work include: The Economist, Newsweek, Time, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, HuffPost, Marie Claire, Washington Post, Quartz, Discover, CNN, ABC, NBC, CNBC. She has appeared on Fox, ABC, NBC, CNN, and CNN International.
Featured Panelist: Vernon A. Wall
Chief of Staff, LeaderShape
Vernon A. Wall has accumulated over 30+ years of professional Student Affairs experience at Iowa State University, the University of Georgia, UNC-Charlotte, and UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience in Greek life, new student orientation, student activities, leadership development, global education, and university housing. Vernon currently lives in Washington DC and is the Chief of Staff at LeaderShape, Inc. Vernon is also President and Founder of One Better World, LLC – a consulting firm specializing in engaging others in courageous conversations on community, relationships and belonging. He is also a past President of ACPA – College Student Educators, International.
With degrees from North Carolina State University and Indiana University, Vernon is the consummate scholar-practitioner. He has received several awards for his contributions to the quality of student life, is a nationally known speaker in the areas of justice and leadership and is one of the founders and facilitators of the Social Justice Training Institute.
Closing Keynote: Dr. Darren Pierre
Senior Lecturer, University of Maryland-College Park
Dr. Pierre is an educator, speaker, author, and leadership scholar who invites people to lead with greater authenticity, courage, and purpose. Deeply grounded in the belief that leadership begins with humanity, belonging, and the courage to show up fully, Dr. Pierre brings a powerful and restorative voice to the work of developing leaders. Inspired by Dr. Maya Angelou’s words, “The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can come as we are and not be questioned,” he has dedicated his scholarship, teaching, and service to helping individuals and communities create spaces where people can thrive, contribute, and lead well. He holds a B.S. from Wingate University, an M.A. in Higher Education, Policy, and Leadership from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Ph.D. in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia. Dr. Pierre currently serves as Senior Lecturer in the A. James Clark School of Engineering and Affiliate Faculty in the College of Education at the University of Maryland. Across more than 20 years in higher education, leadership development, coaching, and student success, his work has centered on leadership development, identity, student engagement, and the ways leaders navigate complexity, change, and possibility. He is the author of The Invitation to Love: Recognizing the Gift Despite Pain, Fear, and Resistance and recently co-authored Considerations for Culturally Informed Leadership: Moving Toward the Future with Dr. Kathy Guthrie. He has also published numerous book chapters, edited volumes, and more than 25 peer-reviewed journal articles, and he helped shape one of the strategic priorities for the 2020–2025 National Leadership Education Research Agenda. A sought-after keynote speaker and consultant, Dr. Pierre has inspired audiences across the country and partnered with universities, associations, and corporations throughout the United States. His leadership and professional involvement include AFA, NASPA, ACPA, LeaderShape, and the International Leadership Association, and his insights have been featured in media outlets such as The Huffington Post, Bustle, and AskMen. Guided, too, by the African proverb, “When deeds speak, words are nothing,” Dr. Pierre challenges leadership educators and learners alike to move beyond intention toward meaningful action, courageous community, and lasting impact.
