Andres Aguilar
Education Chair
| Keynote Speakers |
| Friday Dinner – Greg (G-wiz) Rutledge |
Greg (G-wiz) Rutledge
Sponsored by:
Phylliss Christian-Daniels
Letting Go to Lead With Passion and Purpose
What if the only thing stopping you from your next level isn’t what you need to do but what you need to let go of? G-Wiz shares his journey from ego-driven success to purpose-driven leadership in this powerful keynote. Through raw storytelling and the ‘G-Wiz Framework,’ you’ll discover how releasing pride, fear, and distractions can ignite your fire and transform the way you lead, live, and inspire others.
What’s holding you back from living and leading with passion? In this engaging and interactive session, Gregory Rutledge, known as G-Wiz, will share how cutting away the weight of pride, fear, and distractions can unlock your true potential. Using the “G-Wiz Framework,” you will learn to align with purpose, reignite your fire, and lead with clarity and humility—even in the most challenging times.
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.
| Breakfast – Richard Marquez |
Richard Marquez
Sponsored by:
Oliver Cozby
The Danger that Illiteracy Poses to the Economy
Welcome to this crucial and thought-provoking keynote session. Today, we have the privilege of hearing from a distinguished leader in the field of education, a person whose dedication and innovative approaches have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals. As the former president and CEO of Texans Can Academies, Richard led the organization from the brink of financial and academic bankruptcy to becoming an award-winning institution. Under his leadership, Texans Can Academies received the D Magazine Non-Profit of the Year Award in 2019. His efforts have greatly enhanced graduation rates and established educational standards that benefit students today. Please welcome our keynote speaker, Richard Marquez.
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.
| Lunch Keynote – Steph Valadez |
Steph Valadez
Sponsored by:
Burleson Toastmasters Club
Finding Passion in Vulnerability: A Visionary Tale of Resilience and Inspiration
Life has a way of unraveling when we least expect it, and for Steph Valadez, that moment came all at once. Stripped of the life she had envisioned; she was forced to ask: Who am I now? Through resilience, vulnerability, and the courage to rebuild, Steph discovered not just a new path, but a deeper sense of purpose. In this keynote, she shares her journey of transformation—one that proves even in our lowest moments, we have the strength to rise, redefine, and rebuild.
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.
| DTM Dinner Keynote Immediate Past International President Morag Mathieson, DTM |
Immediate Past International President Morag Mathieson, DTM
Sponsored by:
San Angelo Toastmasters
Releasing Hidden Leaders
The journey of leadership in Toastmasters can be as unique as we are! There is no single way to release the leader within you. Through it all we can grow ourselves as leaders and empower others to release their hidden potential.
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.