Andres Aguilar
Education Chair
| Education Session Presenters |
| Education Session – Friday 5:15 PM |
| Immediate Past International President Morag Mathieson, DTM |
Immediate Past International President Morag Mathieson, DTM
The Art of Mentoring
Mentoring creates a ripple effect that has an impact on both individuals and their organization, today and tomorrow.
We’ll look at best practices and share experiences about what it takes to have mentoring that leaves a lasting imprint.
Biography
Morag Mathieson, Immediate Past International President of Toastmasters International, is an enthusiastic and experienced Professional Development Consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the healthcare and the education management industry. She is skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Business Planning, Operations Management, Analytical Skills, and Coaching. She exhibits strong human resources skills. Morag lives in and joins us in person for a very special DTM Dinner keynote presentation at the District 25 2025 Conference in Fort Worth, Texas.
| Education Session – Saturday 9:00 AM VIP=Purpose |
| Richard Marquez |
Richard Marquez
Sponsored by:
Club Name
Critical Thinking and Developing Vision, Inspiration, and Passion
In this workshop, Richard Marquez will guide us through a thoughtful discussion on how strategic and reflective thinking can shape our vision, fuel our inspiration, and ignite our passion. Drawing from his wealth of experience, he will delve into how thinking critically and creatively can lead to remarkable achievements, both personally and professionally. Prepare to be inspired as we embark on this journey together, exploring the transformative impact that thinking can have on developing a clear vision, finding inspiration, and fostering passion. Let’s engage, share, and learn from each other as we dive into this vital topic.
Biography
Richard Marquez, a national expert in dropout prevention, has dedicated his professional life to education, especially for at-risk youth. As president and CEO of Texans Can Academies (2007-2020), he led the organization from financial and academic challenges to award-winning success. His career includes roles such as special advisor to the Secretary of Education, superintendent, principal, teacher, and entrepreneur. He has served as the annual presenter for Leadership Dallas and Leadership North Texas. Marquez’s innovative initiatives have significantly impacted education, earning him numerous accolades. With degrees from the University of North Texas and personal experience as a high school dropout, he deeply understands the challenges students face.
| Scott Prickett |
Scott Prickett
Sponsored by:
Club Name
Right People in the Right Seats
In this presentation, Scott will show you how to transform organizational dysfunction into a competitive advantage and how to flourish where you may have been stuck suffering.
Biography
Scott Prickett works with business owners and executives to help them drive company sustainable results by putting the right people in the right seats and then managing the right way. He will discuss the power of leveraging human analytics in your own professional and personal development as well as the potential of multiplying your influence when considering how you communicate with and motivate others. Moving beyond gut instincts, personal bias, and unknown blind spots,
| Education Session – Saturday 10:00 AM VIP=Drive |
| Steph Valadez |
Steph Valadez
Sponsored by:
Club Name
Navigating Life’s Lows: and the Power of Passion
Life’s unexpected challenges can leave us feeling lost, but they also hold the power to reshape us. In this session, Steph Valadez shares her journey of rebuilding after personal and professional upheaval, offering a framework for resilience and reinvention. Through storytelling, reflection, and guided discussion, participants will explore how to navigate life’s turning points, shift their mindset, and take meaningful action toward personal growth. This interactive session will leave you with practical tools to embrace change, redefine success, and move forward with purpose.
Biography
Steph Valadez is a dynamic leader with over nineteen years of experience in talent strategy and workforce development. In January 2023, she joined Heidelberg Materials North America—one of the world’s largest manufacturers of building materials and solutions—as the Talent Program Manager. In this newly created role, she designs and leads initiatives to attract, develop, engage, and retain top talent across the organization. She partners with business leaders to strengthen talent pipelines, drive innovation, and support long-term growth.
Previously, Steph was the Managing Director for Per Scholas in Dallas/Fort Worth, where she expanded training programs and built employer partnerships to connect individuals with in-demand tech careers. Under her leadership, Per Scholas was a finalist for the 2021 “Outstanding Innovation” award, and she was recognized with the Tech Titans’ Technology Advocate Award in 2020.
Steph holds a B.A. in Mass Communication from Texas State University and an Executive and Professional Coaching certificate from UT Dallas.
| Lorie Burch |
Lorie Burch
Sponsored by:
Leaders-Speakers of Tomorrow & IT Egos
Wabi-Sabi: Imperfect, Broken, and Beautiful
Wabi-Sabi is a Japanese philosophy that centers on appreciating the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and incompleteness. Lorie will share her journey of how broken dreams, broken roads, and broken hearts all led to making something beautiful from the broken pieces.
From not realizing her dream of being a civil rights lawyer, to the ghosts of high school bullies in her head, to the sudden death of her father, Lorie was left standing among the broken pieces of the life she thought she was meant to live. In the wake of loss, she started over—building her own law firm, redefining success, and ultimately discovering her true path.
Lorie’s story is not one of seamless success but of resilience, reinvention, and finding grace in life’s messiest moments. Life rarely, if ever, turns out how you envisioned, but if you embrace the failures, the missteps, and the twists and turns, you can create a life better than you could have imagined. Discover how Wabi-Sabi’s belief that “nothing is perfect, nothing is forever, nothing is finished,” reflects Lorie’s philosophy of embracing life’s journey and finding beauty in every step along the way. Attendees will walk away with a renewed perspective, understanding that every crack and scar in their lives adds character. By embracing the beauty of impermanence and the wisdom in life’s unfinished chapters, they, too, can craft a life story that is beautifully, unapologetically imperfect—just as it should be.
Biography
Meet Lorie Burch, the driving force behind Burch Law in Dallas, focusing on estate planning and probate law. Burch Law has been recognized as one of the 500 fastest-growing small law firms in the country for three consecutive years.
Lorie is deeply involved in her community, serving on the Leadership Plano Board and chairing the Diversity Advisory Committee. In 2018, she ran for U.S. Congress for Texas’ 3rd District. She has held leadership roles such as National President of the American Business Women’s Association and Chairwoman of the North Texas LGBT Chamber.
Recently, Burch Law received the “Best Marketing Ad Campaign” award from Plano City Lifestyle Magazine. In 2004, for the fifth time, Lorie was voted Dallas’ Best Civil/Family Law Attorney by Dallas Voice readers. Burch Law was also honored as Business of the Year by the North Texas LGBT Chamber in 2022. Lorie has been recognized as a 2013 Woman in Business by the Dallas Business Journal and one of the 2010 Top Ten Business Women by the American Business Women’s Association.
Lorie’s dedication to law, advocacy, and community service makes her a remarkable attorney and a true community leader.
| Education Session – Saturday 11:00 AM VIP=Creativity |
| Claire Daigle |
Claire Daigle
Sponsored by:
Club Name
You ARE Funny: Finding the Humor in Your Unique Story
Do you envy speakers who are able to warm up any crowd with disarmingly funny remarks? You may think it’s a skill some are born with and some are doomed to suffer without. Guess what? Comedy is an art form that can be learned! This workshop breaks down core principles of comedy into useful tools that you can use on the fly. You’ll soon realize you’re way funnier than you ever thought!
Biography
Claire Daigle has been hooked on performing since her first ballet recital at four years old. A lifelong southerner, she strongly believes that the Dallas comedy scene has potential to be among the best in the nation. As Director of Education at Dallas Comedy Club, her goal is to introduce more Dallasites to the performing arts through classes in various modalities of comedy. In just two years she has nearly doubled the size of DCC’s Training Center class offering in her efforts to create a nationally renowned comedy hub in DFW. Claire performs regularly at Dallas Comedy Club and throughout the DFW area. Her favorite venue (after DCC, of course!) is telling jokes to her two dogs, who may or may not understand comedy.
| Christian Straffon |
Christian Straffon
Sponsored by:
Club Name
Living with intention: Uncovering your WHY?
This session will provide you with practical tools to uncover your WHY, empower you to design a life of intention, and help you build meaningful relationships. You’ll also gain insights into emotional intelligence, guiding you to connect more deeply with yourself and others, while defining the legacy you wish to leave behind.
Biography
Christian Strafford is an experienced educator and leader with a strong background in character education, restorative practices, student discipline, and behavior management best practices. Currently serving as the Director of Character, Conduct, and Support at Uplift Education, Chris has significantly grown the department by 300% in the last 3 year, has coordinated and developed equity-based student behavior systems across the network. Chris supervises a team of 27 character specialists and collaborates with campus leaders to implement equitable student behavior management practices at 45 campuses for over 23,000 students.
With over 15 years of experience in education, including roles as a Manager of Restorative Practices, Behavior Interventionist and Spanish Teacher, Chris has a proven track record of improving school culture, enhancing student engagement, and fostering positive relationships. His expertise in data-driven strategies and leadership continues to drive student success and community growth.
| Education Session – Saturday 1:45 PM VIP=Empowerment |
| Cameron Hernholm |
Cameron Hernholm
Sponsored by:
Club Name
Strength, Love, and Legacy: My Journey of Purpose
Cameron explores overcoming adversity, from a traumatic brain injury to personal struggles, and embracing the power of giving back. She highlights the joy of motherhood through open adoption, the beauty of a transracial family, and the fulfillment of a lifelong career in fundraising. Centered on love, diversity, and legacy, Cameron inspires others to lead with compassion, embrace challenges, and create lasting impact. Join her on a heartfelt journey of resilience, purpose, and connection.
Biography
Cameron Hernholm, CFRE, is a seasoned nonprofit fundraising and development expert with over two decades of experience. As the Chief Philanthropy Officer at Nexus Family Recovery Center since 2021, she has raised over $20 million to support programs for women and their children. Known for her collaborative approach and effective donor engagement, Cameron has led successful multimillion-dollar campaigns and built lasting community relationships. Beyond her professional roles, she holds leadership positions in various nonprofit and civic organizations, including AFP Dallas and League of Women Voters Dallas. With her deep commitment to philanthropy, Cameron continues to make a significant impact in fundraising and development.
| Greg (G-wiz) Rutledge |
Greg (G-wiz) Rutledge
Sponsored by:
Club Name
From Waiter to Greater: How to Level up From Where You Are
Presentation description: G-Wiz, known as the Shaman of Connections, shares info from his first soon-to-be-released publication. This presentation is perfect for leaders, entrepreneurs, and individuals seeking to grow purposefully, build resilience, and inspire others. You will learn practical tools to overcome challenges and lead with integrity in your professional and personal lives.
Biography
Gregory Rutledge, known as G-Wiz, is a dynamic speaker and mentor whose mission is to inspire individuals to align with their purpose and ignite their passion. He combines personal stories of transformation with timeless principles to teach humility, resilience, and bold leadership. Rooted in faith and fueled by experience, Gregory Rutledge uses his unique “G-Wiz Framework” to help leaders identify their strengths, release their burdens, and step into their full potential.
He combines personal stories of transformation with timeless principles to teach humility, resilience, and bold leadership. Rooted in faith and fueled by experience, Gregory Rutledge uses his unique “G-Wiz Framework” to help leaders identify their strengths, release their burdens, and step into their full potential.