Speakers
Keynote Speakers
Steve Browne
Steve Browne is the Chief People Officer for LaRosa's, Inc. - a regional Pizzeria restaurant chain in Southwest Ohio with 10 locations and over 1,000 Team Members.
Steve has been an HR professional for 35+ years and has worked in the Hospitality, Manufacturing, Consumer Products, and Professional Services industries in various HR roles.
He was recently a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Board of Directors and has held several other national, regional, state, and local SHRM volunteer leader roles. He facilitates a monthly HR Roundtable as well as an HR internet forum, called the HR Net, which reaches over 15,000+ people globally each week.
Steve is an accomplished speaker who has been featured at local, regional and national Conferences, Chambers of Commerce, HR chapters, businesses and several podcasts.
He’s very active in social media, has a nationally recognized HR blog – Everyday People. (http://sbrownehr.com), and he has authored three bestselling books on HR – HR on Purpose!! – HR Rising!! and HR Unleashed!!
Simon T. Bailey
Simon T. Bailey is the world’s leading expert in Brilliance. His groundbreaking research, State of Working America Report – Thriving in Resilience and Brilliance, solidifies his insights in his 11th book, “Resilience@Work – How to Coach Yourself into a Thriving Future.” His dedication to transformation and brilliance has earned him a spot as one of Success magazine’s Top 25, joining Brené Brown, Tony Robbins, and Oprah Winfrey, as well as leadersHum Top 200 Power List in 2023 and named a Top Keynote Speaker in 2024. For more than two decades, he has mesmerized the world, leaving an indelible mark on 2,400-plus organizations across 54 countries. Corporate giants such as American Express, Deloitte, Marriott, Visa, Stanford Health Care, and Taco Bell have all experienced his magnetic allure. Simon has also received his executive MBA with distinction from Ducere Global Business School, based at the University of East London – United Kingdom. But his accomplishments don’t end there. His remarkable books and 14 groundbreaking courses on the LinkedIn Learning platform are translated into eight languages and consumed by over 400,000 professionals from more than 100 countries. Through a transformative three-month coaching program, Simon virtually mentored 3,000 managers, empowering them to transition from a command-and-control leadership approach to a heart-centered style rooted in Caring Science. This strategic coaching was particularly vital in the retail sector, known for its high turnover rates, and the results were remarkable. Participants scored between 94% and 97% in categories reflecting their confidence in their ability to coach effectively, allowing the Fortune 500 company to nurture and retain top talent while fostering a healthier and more productive workplace. In order to equip companies, Simon offers Brilliant Coaching.™ This transformative growth experience offers tailored solutions to meet unique needs and align with specific goals and objectives, empowering both individuals and organizations to unlock their full potential. In this new chapter, aligned with his brand’s mission to ignite your innate BrillianceDNA™ to thrive, Simon T. Bailey launched BrilliantU.™ This digital experience transcends the boundaries of imagination, equipping and mentoring leaders to thrive and flourish in tumultuous economies. With a commitment to practical strategies that transform lives and ignite change within communities, Simon’s mission is clear: to kindle brilliance within leaders, forever altering the way they steer nations, corporations, and societies.
April Simpkins
APRIL SIMPKINS PHR, SHRM-CP, CDPÒ - April is a multi-certified HR Professional with 30 years of executive-level Human Resources experience. Shel is the Chief Human Resources Officer for Questco, a human resources services firm focused on supporting the HR needs of small- to midsized businesses. Prior to holding this role, April was a senior level HR consultant. In this role she helped over 1000 business owners shape and develop their human capital.
April's experience and expertise, coupled with her continued study of Human Resources trends, have made her a trusted advisor for many in the business community. It also led to an invitation to The Business Journal Leadership Trust, allowing April to share her expertise with leaders nationwide. She has been a requested presenter and guest speaker for organizations that include Harvard University Extension School, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, The Citadel, EEOC, and The National Urban League, to name a few.
April is a board member of the York County Regional Chamber and the SC Small Business Development Centers (SBDC). She also sits on the Duke Energy Advisory Board in the Upstate of South Carolina.
April chaired the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee for Greenville SHRM. In 2020 April received Greenville SHRM’s Unsung Hero Award for her exemplary leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Her service and commitment to the HR community and the profession's advancement led to her selection as a member of the HR Advisory Board for Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC. There, she works with a team of HR thought leaders charged with designing the
human resources undergraduate and postgraduate degree curriculum and programs.
April has received many awards and honors for her business acumen. Her awards include The 2020 Women In Business Achievement Award from the Charlotte Business Journal, the 2018 Fort Mill/ Tega Cay Business Person of The Year Award from the York County Regional Chamber, and the Movers & Shaker Award given by Business Leader Magazine. In 2016, April was named one of Charlotte's 50 Most Influential Women by Mecklenburg Times. In 2021 April received the
prestigious WPO Presidents Award. And in 2022 April was named to the impressive list of 100 Women to KNOW In America.
April is an advocate for mental health. She became a more visible advocate following the passing of her beloved daughter, Miss USA 2019, Cheslie Kryst who battled depression for many years. April, an ambassador for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and board member for NAMI Piedmont Tri-County, is committed to breaking the stigma of mental illness and promoting mental wellness in the workplace. April is certified in both Mental Health First
Aid and Emotional CPR (eCPR). She has shared Cheslie's story emphasizing the importance of mental health with audiences nationwide and on national programs including Red Table Talk, CBS Mornings, and ExtraTV. She has also contributed to print media, including the New York Times.
April is a classically trained pianist, an avid runner, athlete, mother, wife, and entrepreneur.
Workshop Speakers
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Workshop Speakers
Workshop speakers will be announced when the agenda has been confirmed. Check back in June.