Speaker Bureau Profiles

“Dr. Robert DeHaas is a passionate educator who dedicates his career to making a difference in the lives of students and teachers. As a leader inside and outside of classrooms, Dr. DeHaas’ passion lies in nurturing the next generation of teachers and educational leaders so they can continue to provide endless opportunities for students.”

“Dr. Tetsuya Umebayashi is a motivated nurse-turned-educator whose goal is to help cultivate a skilled and compassionate health care workforce. His experience in the medical field has enabled him to contribute effectively to the advancement of health sciences education and practice.”

“Josh Skolnick is a caring leader who dedicates his career to empowering local communities to change the status quo by developing innovative solutions to longstanding challenges. Skolnick is particularly passionate about finding ways for philanthropy to invest in public sector innovation and help close our local and national opportunity divides.”

“Tiska Thomas is a collaborative leader who dedicates her career to seeing the bigger picture and finding organizational solutions. With over 20 years of progressive experiences across different industries, Thomas brings a refreshing perspective to the landscape of strategic finance.”

“Dr. Carlos Cruz is a people-first leader who believes education has the power to transform socioeconomic mobility — and he makes it his mission to open doors for students to experience this impact. As a first-generation college student himself, Dr. Cruz is passionate about advocating for the importance of higher education in underserved communities.”

“Dr. Kirksey is a motivated leader who dedicates her career to creating countless, life-changing opportunities for students. With the majority of her career spent in higher education, Dr. Kirksey observes daily the impact education can have on individuals, and she works to help students expand their scholarly potential.”

“Scott Wright is a reliable leader who values integrity, trust and punctuality, embodying these values in his daily operations to create a safe and functional environment for both students and employees. Having spent the first half of his career in the Air Force, the experiences he gained there prepared him for success in facilities management.”

“Dr. Shawnda Floyd is a down-to-earth leader who believes in the transformative power of education. With decades of experience in higher education. Dr. Floyd uses her connectedness to create pathways of preparation for students entering the workforce.”

“Dr. Beatriz Joseph is a principled leader with one focus: to positively impact student success. With 30 years of experience in higher education, she is a true believer in the power of education and how it can transform lives and future opportunities.”

“Dr. Kay Eggleston has demonstrated a progressive path of proven leadership in her ability to influence change and positively impact lives, groups and institutions throughout her career. With a passion for both science and administration, Dr. Eggleston has combined her analytical thinking, management skills and empathy to excel in her current position.”

“Dr. Stephanie Hill is an authentic leader who strives to create, refine and adjust spaces for people to feel welcomed and supported. As a true follower to the mantra “love what you do,” Dr. Hill has led with a strong passion for education for three decades.”

“Dr. Macario Hernandez is an authentic leader passionate about community engagement and student success. Having spent the first part of his career in K-12 education, Dr. Hernandez took the leap into higher education to make a larger impact across the community — and that risk paid off.”

“Perla Molina is a detail-oriented leader who prides herself on her ability to remain calm in all situations. With a long tenure at Dallas College, Molina has worked in various departments, ultimately landing her current leadership position.”

“Juan Garcia is an ambitious leader who first learned about the field of education during his time as a Dallas College student. Now, he dedicates his efforts to uplifting the community and driving organizational excellence.”

“Dr. Madeline Burillo-Hopkins is a dynamic and inspirational leader with over 30 years of experience in higher education, dedicated to leveraging education as a transformative tool for the future. She is the current president of Dallas College Brookhaven Campus, where she directs campus operations, leads strategic planning and actively engages with community and business stakeholders.”

“Gloria Smith is a seasoned transformational leader focused on leadership, innovation and dedication to advancing adult education and workforce development. She is proudest of the impact her work has on students as it helps improve the quality of life for present and future generations.”

“H. Louis Burrell III is a disciplined leader with over 25 years of human resources experience across various industries. Motivated by the desire to create positive work environments, Burrell believes that high-performing cultures start with strong leadership supported by a strategic human resources team.”

“Dr. Bradford Williams is a motivated leader whose passion for making a difference fuels his everyday efforts. The field of higher education offers the unique opportunity to observe how education changes lives — and this is Dr. William’s favorite part about his work.”

“Dr. Karen Stills is a dedicated leader who leverages her own experience as a first-generation student to empower diverse learners. Starting as an administrative assistant at Dallas College, Dr. Stills worked her way up to her current leadership role.”

“Dr. Pamela Luckett-Smith is a collaborative leader passionate about building and guiding teams to achieve what once seemed impossible. Throughout her 30-year career, she has learned the value of forming community partnerships and digital transformation. ”

“Katherine Beaumont Doss is a compassionate leader who anchors her leadership in three core pillars: service, encouraging the heart and communication. She deeply enjoys guiding others, serving alongside her team and watching each person grow.”

“Martha Fernandez is an innovative leader who leverages her broad range of expertise across varying domains to guide others. Her experience ranges from community and workforce employer engagement to advocacy, policy and continuous improvement. ”

“Dr. Joe Seabrooks Jr. is a supportive leader with a deep commitment to student success and community engagement. With over 30 years of experience in higher education, he believes workforce development is key to transforming lives and communities. ”

“Dr. Greg Morris is an approachable leader focused on bringing innovation to programming, academics, enrollment management and workforce education. Serving in a variety of educational environments throughout his career, Dr. Morris is passionate about thinking outside of the box and delivering strong ideas through thought leadership.”

“Ahava Silkey-Jones is a passionate arts leader and seasoned administrator who believes deeply in the power of connection, creativity and community. She prides herself on bringing joy and creating meaningful opportunities for students that have the potential to change the trajectory of their lives.”

“Lenora Reece is an authentic leader who enjoys celebrating growth, whether it's her own, that of her team members or the progress of Dallas College itself.”

“Dr. Terry Di Paolo is a dynamic leader, passionate teacher and innovative strategist who blends design thinking with risk-based management. As a first-generation student himself, his academic career began in the social sciences with a focus on the sociological and psychological aspects of the college student experience.”

“Dr. Raghunath Kanakala is a purpose-driven leader fueled by curiosity and commitment to making a meaningful impact. He brings a thoughtful blend of vision and adaptability to every challenge — two qualities that are essential for working in higher education. ”

“Dr. Rick Smith is a purpose-driven leader dedicated to creating meaningful impact within the community. With over three decades of experience across higher education, health care and nonprofit leadership, he brings a dynamic, cross-industry perspective to his work.”

“Dr. Christa Evangelisto is a lifelong animal lover turned educator with a deep-rooted passion for improving teaching and learning. Her journey into education was driven by a desire to make a lasting impact — not just on students, but on the systems and practices that shape their success. ”

“Carol Holmes is a dedicated real estate professional and educator who thrives on helping students connect classroom learning with real-world application. Her work is driven by a belief that education should empower students to enter the workforce with confidence. ”

“Dr. Jeffrey Miller is a humble and committed educational leader who believes in the power of service, continuous learning and leading with integrity. His leadership philosophy centers on empowering others and creating meaningful impact for students and communities. ”

“Adrian Silva is a caring leader with a strong work ethic and a passion for adult education. His leadership approach is grounded in discipline and service — values shaped by his experiences at the U.S. Naval Academy and his time leading education departments at federal correctional institutions. ”

“Dr. Sharon Manna is a professor-turned-administrator who is passionate about connection and collaboration. A first-generation college student herself, she is driven by one mission: helping students succeed. ”

“Dr. Jennifer Hudson is a transatlantic historian with more than two decades of classroom experience. While her love for history runs deep, her greatest passion lies in teaching — meeting students where they are and helping them discover the power of critical thinking. ”

“Amber Bonasso is a dynamic leader with a lifelong passion for the arts. From feature films and theatrical productions to parades and live performances, Bonasso has always delighted in bringing people together through meaningful, immersive experiences. ”

“Qu’Wanua Robinson is a purpose-driven leader passionate about helping individuals unlock their full potential. For her, coaching is more than a profession — it’s a calling. ”

“Shaneika Nelson Frazier is a passionate leader focused on building authentic connections that create lasting impact. With more than a decade of experience in community engagement and workforce innovation, she specializes in designing initiatives that empower stakeholders and strengthen community ecosystems. ”

“Brett Dyer is a compassionate leader who credits art and education with transforming his life. Ever since discovering his own passion, he has dedicated his career to helping others experience the same power of creativity and learning. ”

“Shellye Lyons is an authentic and empathetic leader who believes it’s never too late to invest in yourself. Returning to school after age 50 taught her that with faith, discipline and determination, anyone can redefine their story. ”

“Dr. Jasmine Parker is a thoughtful and dynamic leader who never stops learning and growing. Her career in higher education began as a college sophomore and has spanned multiple areas, including academic affairs, student success and operations — giving her a holistic view of the student and employee experience. ”

“Dr. David Mahan is a curious and compassionate leader who has built his career around a unique niche: using data and research to improve student learning and institutional effectiveness. With more than 20 years in higher education administration, he remains deeply committed to advancing student equity. ”

“Russ Pearlman is an authentic leader passionate about leveraging technology to solve real-world business challenges. While many have only recently recognized the rise of artificial intelligence, he has been developing AI solutions for both business and entertainment for more than two decades, reflecting his commitment to innovation and practical impact. ”

“Dr. Adrienne Thompson is a strategic and community-driven leader who believes in the power of partnerships to transform lives. With more than two decades of experience in higher education, she has built a career focused on creating innovative models that connect institutions, students and communities for lasting impact. ”

“Dr. Jason Treadway is a passionate and approachable leader who has always been drawn to math and science. With more than 30 years of experience in STEM, his career spans aerospace engineering, structural design, museum education and higher education — reflecting a lifelong commitment to innovation and learning. ”

“Nickie Ray is an authentic and passionate educator who discovered her calling through a love of helping others learn. Her career began in customer service and training roles, where she found joy in guiding people and witnessing those “light bulb” moments.  ”