SPEAKERS
SPEAKERS
Check Out Our Developing List
Of EntreCon® 2025 Speakers!
Day 1 Keynote Speakers
Quint Studer
Founder of SCI, Co-Founder & Partner of HealthCare Plus Solutions Group
Quint is a lifelong student of leadership. He worked for multiple healthcare systems, the last stop being president of Baptist Hospital in Pensacola, FL. In 2000, he founded Studer Group, a healthcare and education coaching company that received the 2010 Malcolm Baldridge National Quality Award. The company was sold in 2015, and Quint left in 2016.
He went on to found the Studer Community Institute, a not-for-profit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people. He is a current Partner of HealthCare Plus Solutions Group, which focuses on diagnosing the most urgent pain points of an organization, collaboratively designing solutions, and helping in the implementation of the solutions.
Quint has authored many books, with several listed-on bestseller lists. He serves on various healthcare boards and is a frequent speaker, workshop facilitator, and mentor to individuals and organizations. The tools and techniques Quint has created over the years are now staples in healthcare systems throughout the world.
Joe Steier
President and CEO of Signature HealthCARE
Joe is a dynamic healthcare entrepreneur and business leader who has helped found many startup companies, owned various small businesses and continues to provide advisory services to various profit and non-profit boards while becoming an author, public speaker and a respected healthcare expert.
During two decades of healthcare leadership, he has founded Professional Healthcare Services, a specialized strategic planning and reimbursement consulting firm, and helped build Home Quality Management (HQM) from a small, family-owned nursing home chain to a top 20 regional chain focused on quality of life. Mr. Steier was President and Chief Operating Officer until HQM was sold in 2007, and has since served as a co-founder, President and CEO of Signature HealthCARE.
Amelie Haram
Millennial Consultant and Specialist
Amelie combines her generation specialist expertise with her musical theatre performance background to inform, educate and entertain her audiences. Amelie speaks and consults both nationally and internationally about how organizations and industries can better work together to attract, retain and ultimately, bring together the different generations. Through her work over the last 10 years, Amelie has helped industries and organizations improve their culture, employee satisfaction, staff retention, and overall, elevate their organizations.
Day 1 Collectives
Leadership Collective
“Playing the Long Game: Leadership Lessons from the Field”
Jackie Biggs – SVP, Greater Pensacola & Contact Center Operations – NFCU
Entrepreneur Collective
"The Three SOPs of Leadership"
Renee Walter – Community Outreach Coordinator at Oyster Bay Boutique Hotel
Non-Profit Collective
"Board’ing School: Finding Your Seat, Knowing Your Why, and Serving With Impact"
Troupe Brewer, Shareholder – Clark Partington, Whitney Fike, Internal & External Communications Leader, Nicole Stacey, VP Destination Development, Andrea Krieger, Executive Director of Institutional Development, and Ruthie Noel, Executive Director Corporate Training and Continuing Education
Leadership Collective
"The Importance of Making a Great First Impression (and How to do it Every Time)"
Bert Thornton – President/COO-Vice Chairman Emeritus Waffle House
Entrepreneur Collective
"VC or Not VC? A Founder’s Framework to the Right Capital Path"
Mort O’Sullivan – Retired Managing Member, Warren Averett LLC, and Kelly Reeser – Business Analytics at Navy Federal Credit Union
Non-Profit Collective
"Non-Profit Financial Check-Up: Diagnosing Today, Designing Tomorrow"
Emily Kosan – Manager, Audit and Assurance Service Department at Saltmarsh Cleaveland
Day 1 Lunch + Learn:
Your EntreCon® ROI:
From Conference to Community Builder in 90 Days
Kelsey Paasch
Founder of Contour Consulting
Kelsey founded Contour Consulting in August 2022 and began expanding in January 2025, now leading 12 professionals. Inspired by EntreCon® 2024, she’s hosting four summits in 2025. With leadership experience at Target and Amazon, Kelsey specializes in building high-performing teams, streamlining operations, and implementing intentional strategies. She empowers businesses and nonprofits to develop leaders and drive sustainable success through collaboration.
Nate Burkart
Executive Director, JPAC (Janesville Performing Arts Center)
Nate is Executive Director of the Janesville Performing Arts Center (JPAC), championing diverse programming that enriches the local arts scene. He joined Contour part-time, playing a key role in launching the 2024 Summit Series and collaborating on the 2026 lineup. His expertise in event planning, community engagement, and creative programming drives initiatives that inspire connection, foster professional growth, and strengthen Janesville’s cultural community.
Day 2 Keynote Speakers
Veronique Zayas - Founder/Owner, HatchMark Studio
"The Power of Brand Story in the Age of AI"
Veronique founded HatchMark Studio in 2015 to create the kind of agency she’d want to work at, rooted in purpose, creativity, and collaboration. She leads client strategy, brand positioning, and business development, helping brands cut through the noise with clarity and consistency. Passionate about thoughtful AI integration, she explores how technology can scale storytelling without losing the human touch. Her guiding belief: great brands connect deeply, and connection always starts with people.
Debbie Ritchie, KC Gartman, Mike Clarke & Kara Bloomberg
"Growing Your Business Through Community Investment"
Debbie Ritchie is an accomplished leader with over 20 years of executive experience driving growth, cultural transformation, and performance excellence. As former Managing Director at Huron Consulting Group and President of Studer Group, she led major initiatives that advanced engagement, organizational effectiveness, and national recognition. A former Florida state representative, Debbie has held leadership roles across healthcare, business, and public service. She is Founding President and President-Emeritus of IMPACT 100 Pensacola Bay Area
KC Gartman is Vice President of External Relations for Baptist Health Care, a community owned not-for-profit health care system in Pensacola. KC has over 20 years of experience in non-profit and health care leadership as well as major gift fundraising initiatives.
Mike Clarke, a Pensacola native, has over 20 years of leadership in engineering and construction. He earned degrees from Florida State University and the University of Texas at Austin before spending a decade in Houston as a Senior Project Manager. Since founding Hanto + Clarke, a commercial construction firm in 2014, Mike has led with a mission of building peace of mind—exceeding client expectations, valuing partners, supporting employees, and serving the community.
Kara Bloomberg is the President of Landrum HR. She is responsible for Landrum’s growth and operations across the business. Kara has a strong background in relationship building, strategic planning, business development, benefits administration, account management, HR consulting, and human resources information systems (HRIS).
Therese Gopaul-Robinson - Security Stacking™ Creator | Confidence & Leadership Speaker
"Design, Don't Drift: Security Stacking for Real-World Confidence"
Therese works with organizations that want to stay ahead of the competition by developing confident, impactful leaders who fuel better performance, stronger engagement, and lasting success.
Through her unique approach, she helps leaders dismantle insecurity stacking, and build a foundation of intentionality, evidence, and action—the Security Stacking™ blueprint for transformative leadership.
With a background in healthcare leadership and over 20 years of experience, Therese has seen firsthand how confidence—or the lack of it—impacts decision-making, team dynamics, and organizational outcomes.
Her mission is to equip leaders with the mindset and tools to navigate uncertainty, make bold decisions, and inspire their teams to thrive.
Day 2 Collectives
Leadership Collective
"Building the Future: How Entrepreneurs Can Win in a Disrupted Labor Market"
David Salters – Business Consultant at Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors
Entrepreneur Collective
"Structuring Success: Legal and Accounting Insights on Growth, Investors, and Incentives"
Glenn Lovett – Managing Shareholder, Clark Partington and Ryan Campbell – CPA, CVI/Partner – Frazier & Deeter Advisory, LLC
Non-Profit Collective
"The Best Talent- Finding It, Growing It, and Keeping It"
Amie Remington – Author & Human Resource expert
Leadership Collective
"Team Mentoring: How it Works & What it Can do For Your Business:
Panel includes members of SCI’s Venture Mentoring Service (VMS); Moderated by Bob Hart
Entrepreneur Collective
"From ChatGPT User to App Builder: How Any Entrepreneur Can Create Custom AI Solutions"
Christian Williams – Director of Communications and Data at Metaculus and Ben Cheatham, CTO of Kiss & Tell, CEO of Voice8
Non-Profit Collective
"Beyond Charity: Why Non-Profits Matter"
Laura Gilliam, President/CEO – United Way Pensacola
Day 2 Lunch + Learn:
Clear Mind, Resilient Body:
The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Growing Through Every Season
Dr. Justine Williams Roper, PT, DPT
Founder, InHer Physique Pelvic Therapy
Dr. Justine Williams Roper is a women’s health expert, award-winning entrepreneur, and founder of InHer Physique Pelvic Therapy. With a passion for merging wellness with leadership, she empowers business owners to grow sustainably by prioritizing physical, mental, and emotional resilience. A frequent speaker and advocate for inclusive wellness, Dr. Jus helps leaders thrive through every season of business and life.