Maribeth Desuyo
Education Chair
| Keynote Speakers |
| Friday Dinner Keynote – Elizabeth McCormick |
Elizabeth McCormick
Sponsored by:
Weatherford Club
YOU. In the Pilot’s Seat
This one-of-a-kind presentation will re-energize YOU to be more present, focused, and motivated in your work and life. Through a unique, interactive experience, Former US Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot Elizabeth McCormick, CSP will SHIFT your paradigm, resetting your mindset and drive an even higher level of performance.
YOU will leave with the ability to Fly a Helicopter and how to apply the #1 success principle used in helicopter flight to make clearer decisions, stay calm in uncertainty, and execute relentlessly.
YES, you will learn how to FLY a Helicopter!
Biography
Elizabeth McCormick, CSP is a former U.S. Army Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, internationally recognized Motivational Speaker, and Inspirational Leadership Keynote Speaker who equips organizations to perform under pressure and lead with clarity.
Flying at a time when less than 1 percent of Army pilots were women, Elizabeth served as a Chief Warrant Officer conducting air assault, VIP, and classified intelligence missions. In the cockpit, hesitation and miscommunication were not minor mistakes. They carried real consequences. That discipline and accountability now shape her high-impact keynotes.
After a career-ending injury forced her transition from military aviation, Elizabeth applied her mission-focused mindset to leadership and performance development. Today, she delivers more than 100 keynote presentations annually across healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, education, finance, and Fortune 500 organizations.
She is the creator of The P.I.L.O.T. Method and FLY First Lead Yourself, frameworks that translate military precision into practical strategies for resilience, safety culture, decision-making, and execution. Her most popular book, The P.I.L.O.T. Method, has sold more than 45,000 copies worldwide.
Recognized as a #11 on the list of the Top 30 Motivational Speaker in the World by Global Gurus, Elizabeth works with organizations and leaders to reinforce standards, elevate performance, and execute at a higher level.
| Breakfast Keynote – Andrea Flack-Wetherald |
Andrea Flack-Wetherald
Sponsored by:
Lubbock Professional Toastmasters: An Advanced Hybrid Club
Ultimate Leadership Superpower
Successful leaders think strategically, take measured risks, put trustworthy people in key positions… and then trust them to get the job done. They prioritize identifying and removing team members’ obstacles to success. They listen well. They stay open and curious. They can rally the troops around a shared vision.
… the truth is, we all pretty much know the behaviors of successful leadership! The real question isn’t “What should we do to succeed?” it’s “Why is it so hard to consistently do what we know we should do?”
The answer to that question does not live in a data center, ready to be conjured by the AI chatbot of your choice. The answer lives in your story. I’ll share a process to make this woo-woo sounding idea extremely practical and you’ll leave clear on how this critical and overlooked leadership skill can improve consistency on key behaviors of success… and also create more joy and inner stability.
Biography
Andrea Flack-Wetherald is a social worker turned comedian and the founder of The Center for Brave Communication. She is the bestselling author of The Funny Thing About Forgiveness (2021) and Mindful Improv Thinking: Build a Culture of Resilient Trust (2024), which equip leaders with the practical skills needed to protect focus, trust and enthusiasm during seasons of change.
Outside of work, Andrea is a scouting leader, cyclist and avid reader. She lives in the Akron, OH area with her husband and two children.
| Lunch Keynote – Valerie Hope |
Valerie Hope
Sponsored by:
Soouthake Club
Leadership is Not a DIY Project
Just as boards guide organizations, public agencies thrive when leaders are connected by trust, shared purpose, and strategic relationships. A strong internal and external circle clarifies goals, aligns resources, and supports individuals facing complex challenges. This interactive session shows participants how to identify, strengthen, and expand their personal circle of influencers, using guided self-reflection to map network strengths, address gaps, and intentionally leverage relationships to achieve professional and personal goals.
Biography
Valerie Hope is a leadership coach, dynamic speaker, and connection strategist who helps individuals and teams lead with purpose, presence, and joy. Known for her insatiable curiosity and creative spirit, Valerie brings over two decades of global experience to her work, having traveled to more than 30 countries and lived with over 400 host families.
Through her company, Connect to Joy, LLC, she has coached and trained leaders from several Fortune 500 organizations such as Google, Hyatt, and Southwest Airlines. She empowers professionals to Own their strengths, Master skills, and Give generously to their teams and communities.
Valerie served Toastmasters District 50 as an Area Director and former member of three clubs, including Fiesta Bilingual, Lennox International, and ProSpeaks.
Originally from Panama, now based in Dallas, Texas, Valerie’s contagious energy and thoughtful facilitation inspire leaders to cultivate strong relationships, unlock their potential, and lead with deeper connection and clarity.
| DTM Dinner Keynote – Karen Gray |
Karen Gray
Sponsored by:
Lakeside TAC Leaders
You’re Not the Rock – You’re the Rock Mover
Karen Gray knows firsthand how our thoughts – and the meaning we attach to them – quietly shape our leadership, voice, and impact. She calls them ROCKS: the internal stories and situations that influence how we show up. Through powerful storytelling and practical tools, she helps participants identify and move the rocks holding them back, strengthening their confidence and capacity as they become “ROCK MOVERS” who rise together in leadership, community and service.
Biography
Karen Gray is the President of Texas Business Women and the founder of Gray Legacy Coaching. A Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and speaker, she works with leaders to strengthen confidence, clarify identity, and elevate communication. With over 30 years of leadership experience and more than 16 years in professional coaching, Karen helps individuals move beyond limiting beliefs and step into intentional leadership.
Known for her grounded presence and practical approach, she integrates storytelling, mindset strategy, and identity-based development into her work. Karen has led statewide initiatives, facilitated leadership programs, and supported professionals across industries in developing their voice and impact.
Through her “Rock Mover” framework, she equips audiences with tools to shift perspective, take aligned action, and grow through community, service, and leadership.
