Take your business to the next level with our popular Distinguished Speaker Series. Dealership managers will especially benefit from these five dynamic sessions, which go beyond the traditional workshop tracks to discuss key topics in leadership, dealership culture, team building and personal success. All speaker locations will take place in W232.
Read more about these exciting speakers.
Stay Strong Enough, Long Enough
Jesse Iwuji—Thursday, March 10, 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Race Car Driver and Military Officer
In all things Jesse Iwuji does, there are two constants: his devotion to service and his inspirational nature. Iwuji went from competing at the top level of Division-1A college football to rising through the ranks of the military to lieutenant commander, and is now a reservist and the only driver in all of national-level NASCAR currently in the military. It should come as no surprise that Iwuji has championed companies and charities that give back to our men and women in uniform.
More about Iwuji
Iwuji is also a big supporter of NASCAR diversity, equity and inclusion. Today he is one of two African Americans competing at the NASCAR level of racing. He was honored by NASCAR for two years in a row with the Diverse Driver of the Year Award. It is fair to say that in many ways Iwuji is a first in NASCAR. While fighting toward the top tiers of NASCAR, he continues to take us all along for a memorable ride, showing people who dare to dream that life truly rewards those who stay strong enough, long enough.
Harnessing Headwinds of Change
Col. Nicole Malachowski—Friday, March 11, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
First Woman Thunderbird Pilot, CombatVeteran, Fighter SquadronCommander, White House Fellow and Adviser, and Indomitable Spirit
Col. Nicole Malachowski, USAF (Ret.), defies stereotypes. Yes, she was a jet fighter pilot, but she’s far more. A leader, a combat veteran, the first woman pilot in the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, Malachowski had a distinguished 21-year Air Force career that exceeded her wildest dreams. Drawing on stories from both her career and personal life, she inspires audiences to rethink the challenges they face every day, urging them to go beyond being resilient to become resurgent. She empowers people with three key beliefs: Failure and risk are the price of entry for achieving something great; sometimes you need to yield to overcome; and her personal mantra: “Nobody wants to lead a scripted life.”
More about Malachowski
Malachowski was born in Santa Maria, Calif., and graduated from high school in Las Vegas. She earned a master of arts, with honors, in national security policy from American Military University and a second master of arts, with highest distinction, in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Malachowski and husband Paul, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former F-15E Evaluator weapons systems officer, have twin children: son Garrick and daughter Norah.
The Human Art of Hacking: Social Engineering Self-Defense
John Sileo—Saturday, March 12, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Corporate Cybersecurity Strategist and Advisor
Anti-fraud and social engineering training only works when your people experience a fraud situation for themselves. Humans can be the weakest link or the strongest competitive advantage in the security and profitability of your information. But people are the most commonly underutilized weapon in the fight against cybercrime. Don’t surrender to “death by PowerPoint”; to be effective, training needs to be engaging. John Sileo’s presentation makes security interactive, so that it sticks. He uses his own losses to social engineering to illustrate the tools and tricks used to separate you from your critical data, including System 1& 2 reflexes, social media harvesting, trust shortcuts, ego stroking, greed appeals and cortisol flushing. His audience will be fully empowered to detect and deter social engineering and fraud.
More about Sileo
Sileo is an award-winning author who has been a highly sought-after cyber expert for everything from 60 Minutes to the Pentagon and USA Today to the Rachel Ray show. His satisfied clients include a “who’s who” of the Fortune 1000, government, associations and small business. But even though he’s the CEO of a Denver-based cyber think tank, an honors graduate of Harvard University and an inductee into the National Speakers Hall of Fame, Sileo nevertheless says his greatest successes are his remarkable wife and their highly spirited daughters.
The Bucket List Life
Kenyon Salo—Sunday, March 13, 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m.
Professional Skydiver, Adventurist and Inspirational Speaker
Kenyon Salo, known as the “James Bond of Speaking,” shows you how his three simple concepts of living “The Bucket List Life” will guide you to fulfillment on your lifelong journey. During this highly energetic and engaging presentation, learn how to create phenomenal experiences, share powerful stories and help others along the way. The Bucket List Life and Kenyon Salo will help you elevate your life, both personally and professionally.
More about Salo
One of five members on the Denver Broncos Thunderstorm Skydive Team, Salo is seen each week flying into Broncos Stadium at 60-plus mph, ending with a soft tiptoe landing on the 10-yard line. With over 6,000 skydives under his belt and travels that have taken him all over the world, he’s determined to live life to the fullest and help others do the same. Through his passion for adventure, storytelling and connecting with people, Salo found a simple process to guide others on a path to what most of us crave: living a more fulfilled life. In this session, you’ll learn actionable steps that will help you, both personally and professionally, to achieve anything you desire.
Breaking Through
Sarah Thomas—Sunday, March 13, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
The NFL’s First Female Official
On April 8, 2015, Sarah Thomas was one of nine new game officials added to the NFL officiating roster for the 2015 season, becoming the first full-time female official in NFL history. Her history-making game—between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans—took place on September 13, 2015. Thomas’ hat, whistle and flag from that game are now on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Thomas began her football-officiating career in 1996 after attending a meeting for aspiring football officials with her brother, Lea. She worked 10 years in high school football, officiating as many peewee, middle school and junior varsity games as possible. In 2007 she was hired by Conference USA, becoming the first woman to officiate for the NCAA’s Major College Football Bowl Division. The hard work allowed her the opportunity to work numerous bowl games, championship games and All-Star games, giving her exposure to NFL officials who were scouting other officials.
More about Thomas
Thomas is also a marketing specialist for Mid-South Rehab Inc., national speaker for Keppler Speakers Bureau and skin care consultant for Rodan & Fields. She was born in Pascagoula, Miss., and graduated from the University of Mobile, where she earned a full scholarship as a basketball player as well as Academic All-American honors. Among the many national recognitions of her accomplishments was being named Sports Illustrated’s 100 Most Influential NFL Figures of All Time, yet, for Thomas, nothing compares with being a mom to her three beautiful children: Bridley (20), Brady (17) and Bailey (8).
