Joel Zeff, Opening Keynote Speaker

Joel Zeff creates energy. His spontaneous humor and vital messages have thrilled audiences for more than 25 years. As a national speaker, work culture expert, author, and humorist, Joel captivates audiences with a unique blend of hilarious improvisational comedy and essential ideas on work and life. 

His interactive performances invite members of the audience to participate in hilarious improvisational exercises that illustrate Joel's central message: That organizations and individuals should CELEBRATE their successes to increase collaboration, productivity, passion, and innovation. 

The TA DA of Teamwork: Succeeding During Change and Disruption:

We are all improvising. We face challenges, disruption, change, and obstacles without a script or rehearsal. To find success, we need to work together, build trust, and create opportunity. During this session, Joel will discuss how the tenets of improvisation create successful teams during change and disruption. Joel has spent the past 30 years performing and teaching the lessons of improvisation. This interactive, engaging and hilarious session will focus on staying in the game; facing fear; building trust, and asking the important question, "How do I help the people around me be successful?" Joel will also bring his famous TA DA energy as he discusses the importance of opportunity, positive support, and active listening in collaboration. Yes, you will have fun and laugh during this session.

Karen Manthey, Breakout Speaker

Karen Manthey is a speaker, communication strategist, leadership trainer, and lifelong improviser who helps people become more confident, connected, and effective communicators. For more than 20 years, she has used applied improv, experiential learning, and a healthy dose of humor to help teams strengthen trust, navigate change, listen better, and communicate with greater impact. Karen has worked with business leaders, educators, government organizations, nonprofits, and community groups across the country. Her highly interactive sessions get people out of their seats and give them practical tools they can use immediately, whether they’re leading a team, speaking to a crowd, handling a difficult conversation, or trying to figure out what to do when the plan completely falls apart. 

She holds a master’s degree in Professional Communication and is the co-founder of Motivational Leadership. At the heart of her work is one simple idea borrowed from improv: accept what’s in front of you, listen well, and build something better together.