Scott McGohan is the recently retired Co-Chairman of McGohan Brabender, where he dedicated 35 years to leading and shaping the organization. He is the author of Culture Is an Inside Job: Embracing Self-Awareness to Inspire an Authentic Organization and the co-founder of the Culture Is an Inside Job Podcast, both of which reflect his passion for intentional leadership and organizational authenticity. Scott is also the founder of One Morning, a mental health engagement initiative designed to spark meaningful cultural change and promote deep adoption of mental health and substance use disorder resource in workplaces and communities. Through his work, he champions love, acceptance and vulnerability as powerful forces for positive transformation and human connection. Scott has been married to his his best friend, Lori, for 37 years and is the father to 2 beautiful children and grandfather to 4 grandchildren.

Diane brings over 27 years’ experience in Executive Coaching, Leadership Development and Organizational Consulting to provide all aspects of Leadership Development, Executive and Team Coaching and High Performing Teams. Diane works collaboratively with clients to create talent strategy and develop high performing teams. This may include: coaching executives, facilitating senior leadership teams, as well as assessing organizational capacity to improve performance. Diane holds a Master’s Degree in Executive Human Resources Development from Xavier University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Economics from the University of Cincinnati. She is an inspirational facilitator who challenges audiences to heighten their potential by focusing on the latest research, proven strategies, mindsets, and skill sets that create successful leadership.

Whitney L. Barkley, M.S. is the CEO of Speakerazzi, a content marketing firm specializing in AI-powered, value-based content for authors, service providers, nonprofits, and speakers. She is the former director of the award-winning Greater West Dayton Incubator at the University of Dayton. With over a decade of experience, Whitney has worked with nonprofits, startups, organizations, and influencers nationwide, leveraging storytelling through repurposed and original content. She has taught entrepreneurship at the University of Dayton and social media at Ohio Media School and the International College of Broadcasting. She is the host of the Pink Lemonade Podcast, an international self-help show with over 89K downloads in 50+ countries. Recognized for her impact, Whitney has received numerous honors, including Dayton Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 (2022), the Outstanding Community Voice Award (2023), and the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award (2024).

Dr. Tiffany R. Taylor is the Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion at the University of Dayton. While leading the implementation of the university’s diversity and inclusion strategic plan, Dr. Taylor strives to create a culture of creative collaboration with leadership, faculty, staff and student programming to build relationships across campus and the greater Dayton community. For over 30 years she has worked with leaders and organizations to develop cultural competency and diversity programs while also presenting and speaking nationally on related topics. Her experience includes 10 years as an adjunct professor in child, adolescent and social psychology at Kean University and Seton Hall University in New Jersey, over 10 years in human resource development, diversity, recruiting and sales management at Procter & Gamble, and the founding of Culture Learning Partners, a consulting firm focused on building cross-cultural relationships and increasing cultural awareness in schools, businesses and community organizations. Tiffany holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Rochester, a M.S. Ed. in counseling and personnel services from Fordham University, and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Dayton. She is the proud mother of three daughters and an avid sports fan.

Dyann McDowell is a powerhouse in the world of Human Resources and Training. As the President and HR Business Partner at Training Marbles, Inc., a company that's revolutionizing HR Consulting and training. With a mission to elevate conversations and exceed expectations, Dyann takes complex HR policies and transforms them into engaging, understandable training programs. She's a strategic thinker who creates and implements high-performance solutions that directly impact growth, engagement, and compliance. Known for her thought-provoking insights, she helps others contemplate the changes necessary to achieve success.

Casey Webster is the Founder of My HR Extension and a nationally recognized expert in gamified training, leadership development, and behavior-driven HR strategy. With a background in sales psychology and compliance consulting, she helps companies replace boring PowerPoints with unforgettable, behavior-shifting learning experiences. Casey’s training programs have been used by organizations across healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and education to drive engagement, retention, and results. Her company is best known for turning complex workplace topics like coaching, compliance, and culture into immersive games that stick.

Alyssa Jacobs is the Refugee Services Program Manager at Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley, where she leads initiatives that promote the successful integration and self-sufficiency of refugees through supportive services, employment opportunities, and community engagement. With a background in social services and a deep commitment to human rights, Alyssa and her team collaborate with local employers, vocational training providers, and community organizations to help create inclusive workforce pathways. Her work focuses on removing systemic barriers and empowering newcomers to thrive economically and socially. Alyssa brings over 11 years of experience in refugee services and is passionate about building equitable systems that benefit both individuals and communities.

Allison Steele became Director of The Trades Institute in September 2023. With a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University, she transitioned from public school teaching to adult education. Over the past 18 years, she has worked across ministry, non-profit, and for-profit sectors as a certified trauma-informed life coach, speaker, and leader. For the last decade, she has focused on supporting recovery and workforce reentry for the fair chance population.

Pamela Toliver was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. After graduating from high school, she briefly attended college before enlisting in the United States Air Force. During her nearly 15 years of honorable active-duty service, Pamela held various roles in military personnel and served as a career advisor. Her assignments included a special duty with the Air Force ROTC at the University of Washington in Seattle and an overseas tour in Germany. Following her military career, Pamela transitioned into workforce development, where she has continued to make a difference by helping veterans, older adults, and individuals with disabilities navigate today’s job market. She currently serves as an Employment Specialist with Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley. Pamela holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Averett University and a master’s degree in education with a concentration in Adult Learning and Human Resources from Virginia Commonwealth University. Pamela is a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her daughter is an elementary school teacher. Her granddaughter works for a nonprofit organization. Her two grandsons are both active duty serving in the in the United States Marine Corps and United States Army, respectively. She also cherishes her two great-grandchildren ages 11 and 9 years.

Donna is Managing Director at Age Well Dayton, a dynamic hub that connects the age 60+ segment with insights and resources to help them age more gracefully. As a champion for happy and healthy aging, she's producing podcasts, publications and events to help modern elders (and their families) connect the dots faster and better.

Ben is a shareholder in Coolidge Wall’s Labor and Employment and Public Sector Departments. Ben represents and counsels private and public sector employers in personnel matters, employment litigation, and collective bargaining. Ben has extensive experience with counseling and defending clients before administrative agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC), in employment discrimination and public accommodation claims. Ben assists clients in navigating issues under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Title VII and anti-discrimination laws, Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), and other federal and state employment laws. Ben assists clients in drafting and updating personnel policies and employee handbooks to ensure policies remain compliant with federal and state laws. Ben also regularly assists clients with drafting of employment agreements, separation agreements and release of claims, confidentiality/non-disclosure agreements, and non-compete/non-solicitation agreements. Ben is an advocate for clients in labor negotiations and collective bargaining with organized labor and has experience representing employers in mediation, fact-finding, and arbitration on matters of collective bargaining and grievances. As an attorney in Coolidge Wall’s Public Sector Department, Ben regularly advises municipal clients on matters involving Ohio Public Records law, Open Meetings Act, zoning, housing issues, public nuisance law, drafting legislation, pre-disciplinary conferences and internal investigations, and many other matters unique to public sector law. Ben previously served as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Montgomery County, Ohio, in the Civil Division where he defended Montgomery County in 42 U.S.C. 1983 lawsuits and employment litigation, which included regularly arguing matters before the Ohio Industrial Commission on behalf of Montgomery County in Workers’ Compensation claims. Ben is a graduate of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and received his juris doctorate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Ben has been listed in Best Lawyers in America in the fields of “Employment Law- Management” in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

With nearly 30 years of media leadership experience, Lisa is known for transforming revenue strategies through creative partnerships and brand-first thinking. Lisa now leads the Cox First Media team as Director of Sales and Marketing, with experience as Chief Operating Officer at the Wilderness Agency, a local full-service marketing firm, and top executive roles at several tech start-ups and within local TV media. Lisa has a mass communications degree from Miami University and is deeply involved in the Dayton community with past board roles on the Dayton Chamber of Commerce and the BBB. Lisa currently serves on the board of Brigid’s Path and has been recognized as a Top 25 Women to Watch by WiBN and a Power 50 honoree.

With more than 25 years of experience collaborating with employers across a wide range of industries and company sizes throughout the United States, Kat is a seasoned expert in recruitment strategy and workforce solutions. Her deep understanding of hiring trends, coupled with hands-on experience, enables her to address almost any recruitment challenge with tailored advice and actionable strategies. Known for her engaging and practical approach, Kat shares tips, best practices, and innovative ideas that can be implemented immediately to help organizations attract, hire, and retain top talent. Whether you're navigating complex hiring needs or looking to optimize your talent acquisition processes, Kat's insights will leave you equipped for success.

Steve Black is a Partner and HR Practice Line Leader at Brixey & Meyer, with over 15 years of experience in human capital management. His expertise spans Employee Relations, Talent Management, Organizational Development, and Leadership Development & Coaching. Steve works across industries—from small businesses and high-growth entrepreneurial ventures to Fortune 500 companies—helping clients build strong HR structures, foster engaging cultures, retain top talent, and unleash people and teams to maximize their potential in alignment with organizational goals.