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Humans Still Matter™: Leading and Succeeding in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Morning Keynote

Location
Sinclair Conference Center Great Hall
Speakers
  • Eric Sinoway - CEO & Co-Founder, Humans Still Matter
    Eric Sinoway speaks to one of the defining leadership challenges of our time: as technology expands what is possible, who remains accountable for the decisions that shape organizations and lives? A bestselling author of Howard’s Gift and the CEO of Pravi, Sinoway helps leaders strengthen judgment, decision making, and accountability in the age of AI. He is the architect of Humans Still Matter®, the operating lens he uses to help organizations determine what should be delegated to technology and what must remain an act of human judgment. At the center of his work is Decision Wisdom™, a framework for making deliberate trade-offs, choosing what matters, and owning consequences over time. His signature keynote, “Humans Still Matter: Life and Leadership in the Age of AI”, gives leaders a clear and practical way to respond to rapid technological change without diffusing accountability, eroding culture, or weakening trust. Drawing on insights shaped by his long collaboration with Harvard Business School professor Howard H. Stevenson, as well as his own executive leadership experience across corporate, nonprofit, and academic institutions, Sinoway translates complex pressures into decisions leaders can act on immediately. His thought leadership has been featured by Harvard Business Review, CNN, and Fortune. He is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and the Harvard Kennedy School.
Summary
As artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations and people plan, work, and interact, a deeper truth is becoming clear: technology alone does not create the trust, loyalty, or meaning that organizations and individuals need for long term success and satisfaction. In a compelling keynote, Eric Sinoway reframes leadership, work, and service for the AI era by focusing on what cannot be automated—human judgment, empathy, values, and intentional choice. Drawing on frameworks developed with iconic Harvard Business School professor Howard H. Stevenson, the father of entrepreneurial thinking, real-world leadership experience, and his bestselling book Howard’s Gift, Sinoway flips the AI narrative from fear and disruption to opportunity and hope. Through vivid, real-world examples of “winners and whoppers”—technology strategies that elevate customer experience and those that undermine it—audiences gain a clear, practical guide to building cultures, organizations, and careers where technology amplifies humanity rather than erodes it.

We Don’t Work Like You: Why Great Minds Don’t Work Alike

9:45AM - 10:45AM Breakout Sessions

Location
Sinclair Conference Center
Speakers
  • Nathan Floom - Senior Manager of Learning and Development, Sinclair Workforce Development
    Nathan Floom is the Senior Manager of Learning and Development in Sinclair’s Workforce Development Department. For over a decade, he has helped leaders and teams across industries become rock stars in their roles. Each year, Nathan delivers more than 100 high-energy training sessions, known for their engaging, practical, and interactive approach to building real-world leadership skills. He is a certified facilitator of Patrick Lencioni's The 6 Types of Working Genius and a qualified facilitator of the AFS Global Up–Global Competence program. In 2023, he was nominated for Teacher of the Year in Adult Education for the Southwest Ohio region. Nathan holds a BFA, an MA, and a certificate in Instructional Design from the Association for Talent Development. He is also an Eagle Scout.
Summary
People rarely approach work in exactly the same way—and those differences can be a powerful advantage. When leaders and HR professionals understand how employees naturally contribute, where they find energy, and what creates frustration, they can make more thoughtful decisions about development, communication, and how work is assigned—helping teams move beyond good ideas and actually “land the plane.” Using Working Genius as a practical lens, this interactive session explores how greater people-insight can strengthen trust, improve teamwork, and help employees do more of the work they do best. Participants will leave with practical questions and strategies for better understanding their people and creating stronger, more productive ways to carry work and projects through to completion.

Passive Candidates 101: A Practical Framework for Reaching People Who Aren't Applying

9:45AM - 10:45AM Breakout Sessions

Location
Sinclair Conference Center
Speakers
  • Aaron Davis - Founder & Principal, Reliant Search Group
    Aaron Davis is the Founder & Principal of Reliant Search Group (RSG), a boutique executive search firm based in the Dayton region. RSG specializes in placing technical leaders and hard-to-find experts for technology, engineering-driven, manufacturing, professional services, and government contracting firms. Before founding RSG, Aaron spent over 20 years as an operator, holding roles including COO, director, and interim CEO, and he currently serves on multiple boards. That operating background shapes how he approaches search: understanding a business well enough to represent a role strategically, not just fill it. Aaron also hosts the podcast Being Built, where he interviews with leaders about the work of growing organizations. He lives in the Dayton area and works with employers across the region's technical and industrial base.
Summary
Ever wonder how the companies that always seem to land the best people actually do it, even for the roles that are hardest to fill? Reaching passive candidates isn't a sourcing gimmick. It's the result of a disciplined process. This session unpacks what it actually takes to get a technical expert, executive, or other hard-to-find professional to take interest in your role: understanding the business case behind the role well enough to represent it honestly, building a case for the opportunity that holds up under real scrutiny, and being willing to lead with the details most companies hide until the final interview. Drawn from years of retained search work across technical and executive functions, attendees will leave with a repeatable method they can apply to their own hard-to-fill roles, whatever they happen to be.

Beyond the Paycheck: Building a Benefits Strategy that Attracts and Retains Talent

9:45AM - 10:45AM Breakout Sessions

Location
Sinclair Conference Center
Speakers
  • Rocco Pangallo - New Business Consultant, EB, HUB International
Summary
Details coming soon!

The Ripple Effect of Leadership: How Human-Centered Skills Transform Teams and Cultures

11:00AM - 12:00PM Breakout Sessions

Location
Sinclair Conference Center
Summary
In today’s multigenerational workplace, great leadership is defined by the ability to connect with people. This session explores how human-centered skills such as empathy, communication, emotional intelligence, coaching, and adaptability, to build stronger teams, enhance client experiences, and create cultures where people thrive. Participants will discover how intentional leadership behaviors transcend generational differences, strengthen trust and engagement, and create a lasting ripple effect across teams and organizations. By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1. Recognize the impact human-centered leadership skills have on employee engagement, team effectiveness, and client experiences. 2. Identify key leadership behaviors including empathy, communication, emotional intelligence, coaching, and adaptability, that build trust and connection across generations. 3. Apply practical strategies to strengthen relationships, foster collaboration, and create a workplace culture where people feel valued and empowered. 4. Challenge generational assumptions by understanding the shared needs that unite employees across different stages of life and career. 5. Create a personal action plan to amplify their leadership ripple effect and positively influence their teams, culture, and organizational outcomes.

Beyond Good Intentions: Why Good People Still Misunderstand Each Other—and What Great Leaders Do Differently

11:00AM - 12:00PM Breakout Sessions

Location
Sinclair Conference Center
Speakers
  • Lindsay Pitstick - Founder, Moxie by Nature
    Lindsay Pitstick is the founder of Moxie by Nature, a leadership and organizational development consulting firm that helps leaders and teams build clarity, strengthen collaboration, and maximize their impact. A Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach with a background in higher education, recruiting, and organizational consulting, Lindsay has partnered with schools, nonprofits, and businesses throughout the region and across the country to strengthen leadership, improve team dynamics, and create healthier, more effective organizations. She holds a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from Western Kentucky University and a master's degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Louisville. Lindsay is also a graduate of Leadership Dayton's Class of 2026 and has been recognized as a Dayton Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and a BBB Women in Business Networking Woman to Watch. Beyond her consulting work, Lindsay serves on the Board of Directors for Dayton Leadership Academies and the Friends of CARE House Committee at Dayton Children's Hospital, supporting organizations dedicated to helping children, families, and future leaders thrive. Lindsay lives in Centerville with her husband and their four children.
Summary
Today's workforce has five generations, hybrid work, AI, increased polarization, different expectations – the list goes on. The common denominator? Interpretation. The greatest communication challenges in today's workplace rarely begin with bad intentions—they begin with different interpretations. Every employee experiences conversations through a unique lens shaped by their experiences, priorities, and natural patterns of thinking. In this engaging session, participants will discover why misunderstanding happens even on healthy teams, learn to recognize the gap between intention and perception, and leave with practical tools to reduce friction, strengthen trust, and create a culture where people feel understood. Using the Ladder of Inference and the Fundamental Attribution Error as practical leadership tools, participants will learn why we instinctively create stories about one another's behavior—and how great leaders interrupt those stories before they become conflict. Participants will leave able to: 1. Explain why good people often interpret the same interaction differently. 2. Recognize how assumptions shape workplace relationships. 3. Replace judgment with curiosity using a practical decision framework. 4. Identify communication habits that reduce misunderstanding and increase trust.

Chart the Course: HR Strategies to Retain Your Top Talent

11:00AM - 12:00PM Breakout Sessions

Location
Sinclair Conference Center
Speakers
  • Nichole Sims - Founder/Owner, Bold Career Consulting, LLC
    Nichole Sims is a career strategist, speaker, trainer, and author with a heart for helping people and organizations succeed at work. After a 27-year corporate career, and more than 22 years in talent acquisition, she launched Bold Career Consulting, LLC to offer companies fractional recruiting and training for leaders and hiring managers who want to improve hiring processes, avoid costly missteps, and build strong, high-performing teams. For teams, Nichole provides one-to-one career and leadership coaching, helping professionals gain confidence, navigate challenges, and grow as leaders and team members. She is the co-author of Your Career: How to Make It Happen (11th ed., Cengage Learning) and the creator of Career Quest, a signature program and workbook for career growth. A former adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and a two-time Exceptional Achievement Award winner, Nichole brings practical strategies and heartfelt encouragement to every client engagement.
Summary
Attracting top talent is only half the battle—keeping them is where many organizations falter. Why are your best people leaving, and what actually makes them stay? Join us for an honest discussion on the root causes of turnover and the high-impact retention strategies HR leaders need to build a resilient, committed workforce.

Employment Law and Workers' Compensation Law Updates

Lunch Keynote

Location
Sinclair Conference Center Great Hall
Summary
Coming soon!

The Future Workforce Is Already Here: What Employers Need to Know About Hiring, Engaging, and Retaining the Next Generation

2:00PM - 3:00PM Breakout Sessions

Location
Sinclair Conference Center
Speakers
  • Lissa Cupp - Faculty, University of Dayton
    Lissa Cupp is an award-winning marketing executive, educator, international speaker, and leadership strategist who helps organizations prepare for the future of work. Drawing on more than 25 years of executive leadership experience and her work as a nationally recognized marketing professor, she brings a unique perspective on the intersection of higher education, workforce development, employee engagement, and organizational change. Lissa is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Dayton, where she teaches digital marketing, omnichannel marketing, social media marketing, and new product development at both the undergraduate and MBA levels. Through experiential learning, employer partnerships, internships, and study abroad programs, she works closely with hundreds of students each year while collaborating with organizations to help prepare the next generation of talent. In 2025, she was recognized as one of Poets & Quants' Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors in the nation. Before joining academia full time, Lissa served as Chief Marketing Officer of Berkshire Hathaway Media Group and held senior executive leadership positions with Angie's List, Scotts Miracle-Gro, and ACCO Brands. Throughout her corporate career, she led marketing organizations through periods of rapid growth, digital transformation, and organizational change, building high-performing teams and customer-focused cultures. Beyond the classroom, Lissa consults with organizations around the world on leadership, marketing strategy, and change management. She has served as a coach and speaker for Meta Accelerator and Google News Initiative programs, supporting startups, nonprofits, publishers, and growing businesses across North America, Europe, Australia, Asia, and South America. She also facilitates leadership development programs for executives and emerging leaders, helping organizations strengthen culture, lead through change, and develop future-ready teams. Currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Leadership at the University of Dayton, Lissa's research explores workforce readiness, experiential learning, and how employers and higher education can work together to better prepare graduates for long-term career success. Her engaging presentations blend research, real-world business experience, and practical strategies that audiences can immediately put into practice.
Summary
Today's workforce is changing faster than ever. AI is reshaping jobs, employee expectations are evolving, and organizations are competing for talent in new ways. As a marketing executive turned university professor, Professor Lissa Cupp works with hundreds of college students each year while partnering with employers across the region. In this engaging session, she'll share what today's emerging workforce really wants, where employers and graduates often miss each other, and practical strategies leaders can use to attract, develop, and retain top talent in an increasingly competitive market. Attendees will leave with: • A clearer understanding of what motivates emerging talent • Practical strategies for improving recruitment and retention • Insights into how AI is changing workplace expectations • Ideas for developing employees through meaningful experiences

Free up more Strategic HR energy by becoming more efficient in the ERA of AI

2:00PM - 3:00PM Breakout Sessions

Location
Sinclair Conference Center
Speakers
  • Diane Egbers - President & Founder, Leadership Excelleration
    Diane is the visionary founder and leader of Leadership Excelleration (LE), a consulting firm renowned for transforming organizations, teams, and individuals to achieve high performance. With over 25 years of experience, LE has partnered with more than 300 organizations and 1,500 executives, along with thousands of leaders, to enhance organizational performance and future talent readiness. Her firm is celebrated for its unique process, which includes talent assessment, prioritization, a strategic roadmap, and ROI outcome measurement. Diane’s team of servant leaders, each with decades of experience, serve as trusted advisors, partners, coaches, and facilitators under her expert guidance. They deliver customized, best-in-class solutions tailored to each client’s needs, offering Executive Coaching, Executive Team Development, Leader Development, Talent Strategy, Culture Development, and Performance Enhancement. Their impressive client list includes Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, GE, Moderna, the US Military, Patient Point, 8451, Ohio State University, University of Dayton, Kroger, the University of Kentucky, and more. In addition to her work at Leadership Excelleration, Diane founded and served on multiple boards throughout her career serving the community. She has been recognized in the Top 300 Most Powerful Leaders by Cincinnati Magazine 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Diane has also received the prestigious Kent Clapp CEO Leadership Award and Pillar Award in 2022 for business and community leadership contributions. Holding 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, Diane listens deeply and offers a strategic, direct, nurturing, and transformative perspective to her work. She is deeply committed to advancing her clients' needs. She succeeds when they succeed.
Summary
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how work is completed, creating new opportunities for HR leaders to elevate their impact across the organization. As AI tools automate routine tasks and accelerate decision-making, HR professionals have a unique opportunity to shift from primarily operational responsibilities to more strategic leadership roles. In this interactive session, HR leaders will explore how AI is transforming the workplace and what it means for the future of HR. Participants will examine emerging AI trends, understand the concept of the “Brain Economy,” and learn how to leverage AI tools to improve efficiency, enhance decision-making, and strengthen HR’s strategic influence within their organizations. Learning Objectives: 1. Understand key AI trends shaping the future of work and the evolving role of HR. 2. Explain the concept of the “Brain Economy” and why human capabilities remain essential in the age of AI. 3. Enhance strategic HR leadership with this new understanding. 4. Apply practical tools to enhance HR efficiency.

Supporting the Whole Employee: The Power of Wellness Programs & EAPs

2:00PM - 3:00PM Breakout Sessions

Location
Sinclair Conference Center
Summary
Details coming soon!

Hiring in 2026: What Every Employer Needs to Know to Attract Better Talent

Afternoon Keynote

Location
Sinclair Conference Center Great Hall
Summary
The hiring landscape has changed dramatically, and many of the recruiting strategies that worked just a few years ago are no longer producing the same results. Join recruitment industry expert Amanda Massey from Cox First Media for an interactive presentation as she shares current hiring trends, practical recruiting strategies, and actionable tips to help employers attract, engage, and hire qualified talent in today's competitive market.
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