2026 Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Chris Singleton
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Chris Singleton is a former professional athlete drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2017. Following the loss of his mother in a racially motivated mass shooting, Chris has now become an inspirational speaker and best-selling author who has shared his message of unity and racial reconciliation with NFL and NBA teams as well as multiple Fortune 500 companies across the country. He shares with over 100 organizations and over 50,000 students annually and resides with his spouse Mariana and 3 children in Charleston, SC.
Keynote Speaker
Tony Melendez
Originally from Rivas, Nicaragua, born without arms and a clubbed foot due to the drug, Thalidomide. Tony's mother was prescribed this drug for morning sickness by her doctor and had no idea how it would affect her unborn son. At the age of one Tony's family immigrated to the USA so Tony could have corrective surgery on his left foot in order for him to walk.
Tony grew up in a home where mom protected and cared greatly for him and at the same time had a father who encouraged and pushed him to do things on his own. As he had no arms Tony had to learn to do almost everything with his feet and at the age of sixteen taught himself how to play the guitar with his toes. As he grew proficient at his guitar playing, he also matured as a singer and composer. In 1987 he was selected by the youth of Los Angeles to be their gift to Pope John Paul II. It was this internationally broadcast event that set Tony's career in to high gear, now more than 39 years later Tony has traveled to all fifty states and more than 44 foreign countries.
Tony has been on shows such as Good Morning America, Arsenio Hall, 700 Club, Jerry Lewis Telethons, and prime time network specials for Variety Clubs and Very Special Arts. In June of this year Tony was on the 1st episode of Gifts of Hope on EWTN, a new series. As one of the main presenters at the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis Tony gave an inspiring presentation in the main arena where over 60 thousand Catholics came from all over the USA and beyond.
Tony travels with his brother Jose and together they share with young and old their message of hope, encouragement, and faith. Tony's message and story are presented with music and his personal life stories. As they continue to travel they focus on young people by going into elementary, Jr. high schools, high schools, colleges and universities. Tony presents himself as a victim of drugs and the harm they can cause. Tony and Jose also include in their program how important self esteem is to young people and incorporate how any kind of substance abuse is dangerous. They also talk about how they deal with issues such as Disability Awareness, Cultural Awareness and Family Support. Todays most troubling issue is bullying and both Tony and Jose share their stories of overcoming this issue through changes in attitude and discipline.
Tony has recorded 6 albums, Never Be The Same, Ways of The Wise, El Muro se Callo, Cup Of Life, Hands In Heaven and Hope/Esperanza! He also has his autobiography, A Gift Of Hope, published by Harper and Row!
Tony is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including special commendations from President Reagan, State of California, The City of Los Angeles, and countless other civic and charitable organizations, as well as the first annual Inspirational Hero Award from the NFL Alumni Association at Super Bowl XXIII in Miami.
Tony moved from California and now resides in Branson with his wife Lynn and two kids, Marisa and Andres. Despite all the travel over the last 38 years, Tony continues to resist the siren song of stardom, hoping only to develop his musical career and share his God given gifts. " I don't feel like a celebrity," he says with a smile, " I just feel like me!"
Breakout Speakers
Mike Bell
Past Mayor / Fire Chief
City of Toledo
Mike is the former Mayor of Toledo 2010-2013, former State Fire Marshal - State of Ohio, former Toledo Fire Chief and first African American, as well as the youngest person ever to lead the department. He has served multiple community-related civic organizations, volunteering his time and serving on such boards as the Boys & Girls Club, Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, and Salvation Army just to mention a few.
Brady Fineske
President and Family Wealth Strategist
TFO Wealth Partners
Brady has served as a trusted adviser to helping individuals, families, and closely-held business owners for more than 20 years. His passion for helping high-net-worth families connect their wealth and purpose through the integration of investment, tax, financial planning, estate planning, and charitable planning is evident in each meeting. In his role as President and Family Wealth Strategist at TFO Wealth Partners, Brady brings a disciplined approach to ensuring his clients’ long-term focus is at the forefront of every conversation and enjoys empowering his client families to identify the purpose for their wealth and develop custom strategies designed to help achieve that purpose.
Prior to joining the TFO Wealth Partners team in 2011, Brady spent 10 years as an investment adviser with Savage and Associates. Today, as President of our firm and lead strategist, Brady leads the long-term vision of TFO Wealth Partners and is also a member of both the firm’s executive and investment committees.
Brady and his wife, Katie, share six children and reside in Monclova, Ohio where they are active in their parish. Brady also started Catching Up With Jack, an annual event to remember his son, Jack, and raise money for pediatric cancer research and help local families. Established in 2016, Catching Up With Jack has raised over $1,200,000 to help researchers and institutions find a pediatric cancer cure.
Liz Higgins
Vice President, Retail Business
Owens Corning
Liz Higgins serves as vice president of the retail business at Owens Corning, a building products leader committed to building a sustainable future through material innovation.
Appointed to the role in January 2020, Ms. Higgins is accountable for overseeing the company’s strategic business relationships within this key growth channel across the Roofing, Insulation, and Doors segments.
Ms. Higgins joined Owens Corning in 2000 and most recently served as vice president and general manager of Components for the company’s Roofing segment. Here, she had responsibility for the growth and profitability of roofing accessory products and led a successful acquisition that expanded the Roofing footprint.
Previously, Ms. Higgins held various roles in sales, marketing, product management, and supply chain management.
She has received the company’s top sales awards, including the President’s Cup and induction into the company’s prestigious Chair’s Club. Ms. Higgins has twice been named a winner of the Owens Corning Board of Directors’ Cup, in 2016 and 2023. This is the company’s highest honor.
Ms. Higgins earned a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in business administration from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan.
Ms. Higgins currently serves as a trustee for the ProMedica Metro Operating Board and a board member for the YMCA of Greater Toledo.
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Tom Hosler
Chief Executive Officer
Ohio School Boards Association
Thomas L. Hosler is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA), bringing more than 34 years of experience in private and public education and over 25 years as a superintendent in Ohio and Michigan. He began serving as OSBA CEO in September 2025, following an 18-year tenure as Superintendent of Perrysburg Schools, one of Ohio’s fastest growing and consistently high performing districts.
At the state level, Hosler is widely known for his leadership on school funding policy. He has served as a co-chair of Ohio’s Fair School Funding Workgroup since its inception in 2017, helping to shape a bipartisan funding framework grounded in the real costs of educating students. That work included developing and refining the base cost methodology that underpins the Fair School Funding Plan, now adopted as the funding model formula for Ohio. His advocacy has focused on transparency, adequacy, and equity, ensuring that funding discussions are rooted in data, local impact, and the longterm health of communities.
Throughout his career, Hosler has been recognized for blending educational leadership with fiscal stewardship, community engagement, and practical governance.
Hosler has also held numerous leadership roles within professional associations, including serving as chair of the Alliance for High Performing Schools, president of Michigan’s Tri County Alliance, and founder of CAPE K 16, a regional coalition promoting educational alignment from early learning through postsecondary pathways.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and a master’s degree in educational administration from The University of Toledo, along with an education specialist degree in educational policy and leadership from Wayne State University. Before becoming a superintendent, Hosler served as a teacher, principal, and coach. He remains deeply committed to strengthening public education through thoughtful governance, collaborative leadership, and policies that reflect both educational values and fiscal realities.
Matt Knaggs
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Matt Knaggs graduated from St. Francis de Sales in 2002, where he performed in musicals and choir and served as the school mascot during his senior year. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and International Business from the University of Toledo and a Master of Business Administration from Bowling Green State University.
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Throughout his more than 20-year career, Matt has held a variety of leadership roles spanning Business Value, Pricing, Strategy, Sales, and Consulting. He also taught a course focused on leadership and public speaking for nearly 15 years.
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Outside of his professional career, Matt is an endurance runner and advocate for people living with multiple sclerosis. In 2026, he and fellow runner Colin Goodman completed a 353-mile run across Ireland to raise funds and awareness for multiple sclerosis charities. The effort was an official Guinness World Record for the Fastest Crossing of Ireland on Foot with Multiple Sclerosis
Tom Moreland
Vice President and Director of Athletics
University of Toledo
​Tom Moreland was named Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of Toledo in April of 2026.
Moreland, who previously served as the Chief Commercial Officer at the University of Illinois, began his term at Toledo on May 11.
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Moreland earned a master’s degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership from the University of Washington and a master’s in business administration from Purdue University Global. He has two bachelor’s degrees – sports management and journalism and mass communications – from the University of Iowa where he played baseball for the Hawkeyes.
A native of Shorewood, Wis., Moreland and his wife Jen are parents to two sons, Hayes and Jones.
Christina Rodriguez
Executive Director
Mom's House Toledo
Christina Rodriguez serves as the Executive Director of Mom’s House of Toledo, where she has led with vision, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to breaking cycles of poverty for 19 years. Under her leadership, the organization has flourished, raising nearly $10 million for operations, launching innovative programs, and developing a Gold Star Rated Early Learning Center that ranks among the top 10% in Ohio.
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Her most recent achievement was co-leading a transformational $12.1 million collaborative effort to establish a second Mom’s House location and shared community resource center, reimagining how single parents and children access support throughout Lucas County. Through strategic partnerships and collaborative leadership, Christina has helped position Mom’s House as a model for two-generation family success and community impact.
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Christina currently serves as Former Chair of the State of Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Commission, appointed by Ohio’s Governor. She also serves as Co-Chair of the Lucas County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board and the Lucas County Fatherhood Coalition. Her past appointments include the City of Toledo Human Relations Commission, where she co-chaired the Equality and Social Justice Committee. In addition, she serves on the Board of Directors for La Prensa, Compassion at Calvary and co-hosts Proclaim FM's Morning Mix, helping elevate conversations that strengthen and unite the community.
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With more than 30 years of community service, Christina’s work is more than a profession, it is a calling. Born to a young mother and the daughter of a Latin King gang member, she understands firsthand the challenges that can shape a child's future. Yet her life stands as a testament that beginnings do not determine outcomes. That belief has become the driving force behind her life's work: ensuring that young parents, children, and families have access to the opportunities, support, and relationships needed to build a different future.
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Known for her authenticity, compassion, and ability to bring people together around a common purpose, Christina has dedicated her career to creating lasting change. Through collaboration, advocacy, and an unwavering belief in human potential, she continues to help transform lives and strengthen communities throughout Northwest Ohio.
Jeff Smith
Main TV News Anchor
WTOL-11
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Jeff Smith is once again glad to be doing what he loves in a place he adores. Since 2020, he is the main TV news anchor at WTOL-11.
Jeff is originally from the Toledo area. He grew up in Temperance and Sylvania. He graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School and is an alumnus of Indiana University, Bloomington. Because of his local roots, Jeff makes it a point to give back to the community. Over the years he’s been involved in activities and programs at his former high school and is at the beck and call of those who knew him back when and need help from him today.
In 2008, Jeff took his love for journalism and education to his alma mater (St. Francis) and began teaching a journalism class and moderating the production of the school’s newspaper. He’s also taught at BGSU where he received a Master’s in Strategic Communication in 2020. Jeff’s journalistic journey started in 1995. He spent two years in northern Michigan at WPBN/WTOM (Traverse City). He lived in Gaylord, Michigan as a bureau reporter - responsible for 500 square miles stretching from Grayling to Alpena to Cheboygan… from the Soo Locks to Petoskey and Charlevoix. In addition to his work behind the desk, Jeff has been a producer, reporter, photographer, and editor.
In September of 2008, Jeff along with three co-workers, spent a week in Houston covering the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. He’s an award winner for reporting and has been involved with numerous presidential visits. He once traveled with the Coast Guard during an 11-hour trip across a frozen Lake Michigan to deliver fuel oil to a struggling island (it had been a long, hard winter). That trip during the summer takes 30 minutes! In his spare time, Jeff loves to cook, find his old albums on Spotify, and coach baseball. Jeff is married to Lisa (Key Realty) and is the proud father of a daughter, Parker Jayden (P.J.), and sons Dugan Jeffrey (D.J.), and Keaton James (K.J.). Join Jeff on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/jeffsmithwtol11, Twitter (https://twitter.com/JDSmithMedia) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/journalismjeff/)
Jay Updegraff
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Jay Updegraff is a 1986 graduate of St Francis de Sales HS. While at St Francis, Jay played on the Knight football that won the State Title in 1984, the baseball team, and was a 3-year member of the Quiz Bowl team. Jay is a former Boy Scout and also served as a Troop Master as an adult. He has attended both a National Scout Jamboree, and Philmont Scout Ranch as an adult Scout Leader.
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After SFS, he attended the US Air Force Academy, commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1990. Upon completing USAF pilot training, Jay completed his MS in Engineering Mechanics at The Ohio State University in 1994. Jay served 24 years on active duty in the Air Force, retiring in 2014 with the rank of Colonel. Highlights of his career include serving as an Evaluator Pilot in the KC10 Extender air refueling aircraft, Instructor Pilot in the C5 Galaxy cargo aircraft, and a Staff Officer at US Northern Command, in Colorado Springs. Jay served as a Squadron Commander while at McGuire AFB, NJ and served as Interim Commander of Civil Air Patrol-USAF, at Maxwell AFB, AL. Jay’s military deployments include Operation Southern Watch, Global War on Terror, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Joint Guardian (Kosovo), and Unified Response (Haiti earthquake relief in 2010). He is a combat aviator, flying 21 missions in the C5 into Iraq. He was a Distinguished Graduate of Squadron Officers School and Air Command and Staff College, and also a graduate of the US Army’s School of Advanced Military Studies, and the Air War College. During his military service Jay was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, five Air Force Meritorious Service Medals, and four Aerial Achievement Medals.
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After retiring from the Air Force, Jay was hired by FedEx Express Airlines, where he continues to fly as an MD11 First Officer. Jay has been married to his wife Rebecca of 35 years, and they have two adult children. They currently live in St Augustine, Florida where they enjoy traveling and attending college football games.
Marie Fitzpatrick and Angela Navarro
Marie Fitzpatrick is a survivor of human trafficking whos lived experience informs her work improving systemic responses to trauma. She has navigated healthcare, child welfare, and justice systems firsthand, giving her deep insight into institutional harm. Marie now trains professionals on survivor-centered, trauma-informed practices that promote dignity, safety, and long-term stability.
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Angela Navarro is a social work student at The University of Toledo and founder of Sweet Sisterhood. Her work focuses on emotional intelligence, survivor empowerment, and system navigation. She challenges traditional responses to trauma and exploitation by integrating lived experience with practice to create spaces where women rebuild, lead, and thrive.
Brandy Alexander-Wimberly
Brandy Alexander is an enterprise digital strategist, entrepreneur and marketing agency leader with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations build brands, accelerate growth and navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.
Her experience spans business development, integrated marketing, ecommerce, social media, video, digital product development and emerging technology, working with organizations ranging from Fortune 1000 companies to high-growth startups. She specializes in connecting business strategy, creative, media and technology to develop integrated solutions that drive measurable growth.
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Throughout her career, Brandy has led multidisciplinary teams responsible for digital strategy, performance marketing, social media, brand development, ecommerce, UI/UX, CRM and marketing automation, enterprise websites and custom digital products. She has also built and led sales and account teams, overseeing new business development, revenue forecasting, strategic partnerships and complex enterprise engagements.
Increasingly, her work has focused on the convergence of video, social media, commerce and paid media. She helps brands use video not simply as content, but as a powerful storytelling and commerce channel—connecting short-form video, creator content, live shopping and shoppable media with ecommerce, retail media and performance advertising. Her work reflects a broader shift in consumer behavior as social platforms increasingly influence how people discover, evaluate and purchase products.
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A recognized thought leader in digital marketing, technology and entrepreneurship, Brandy has been published in Fast Company, Inc., VentureBeat, Women 2.0 and TechCocktail and has presented at industry events including SXSW and Cannes Lions.
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Today, her work is focused on what comes next in digital commerce: the intersection of social, paid media, ecommerce, AI and emerging technology and how brands can connect these channels to create stronger customer experiences and sustainable growth.
Clint Longenecker, Ph.D.
Master of Ceremonies
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Clinton Oliver Longenecker, Ph.D., an award-winning educator, is one of “America’s leaders in creating high performance leaders and organizations” and is a Distinguished University Professor of Leadership Excellence Emeritus of The College of Business and Innovation at The University of Toledo.
His teaching, research and consulting interests are in high performance leadership and creating great organizations. He has been the recipient of over sixty (60) outstanding teaching, service and research awards and numerous industry awards including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Toastmasters International Leadership Award, The Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service, and numerous “Best Professor” recognitions. In addition, he has also been recently recognized by The Economist as one of the Top Fifteen Business Professors in the World. In 2017, Clint was recognized as one of the top three University Professors in the USA as a Finalist for Baylor University’s Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching and as one of the top thirty (30) “transformational leaders” in America by The John Maxwell Organization.
He has published over 200 articles and papers in leading academic and professional journals including the Sloan Management Review, Industrial Management, Business Horizons, European Business Review, and Organizational Dynamics among others. He is a frequent media source and his research has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, MSNBC, NPR, and a wide variety of media outlets. Clint is also a critically acclaimed professor in The Great Courses Critical Business Skills Series – Organizational Behavior Course released in 2015. His newest book, The Successful Career Survival Guide is a chronicle of best practices and key research findings designed to help readers improve their personal effectiveness and career trajectory. He is also the co-author of two best-selling leadership books, Getting Results: Five Absolutes for High Performance and Two-Minute Drill: Lessons for Rapid Organizational Improvement from America’s Greatest Game.
Clint is an active management consultant, educator, and executive coach whose clients include a wide variety of Fortune 500 firms and entrepreneurial organizations including: Harley-Davidson, ConAgra, SSOE, ProMedica Health Systems, Whirlpool, Eaton Corporation, Cooper Tire, Dana Corporation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and O-I Inc. among others. Clint has been described by Career Publications as, “one of the top motivational speakers in the U.S. who can blend cutting edge research, common sense, humor and conviction into a real and inspiring call for better performance that can help us all!”
Dr. Longenecker has also served as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of the West Indies Barbados and has also lectured extensively in Poland, Hungary, and Russia. He holds a B.B.A. in marketing, an M.B.A. in management, both from the University of Toledo, and a Ph.D. in management from The Pennsylvania State University.
Clint is an active community servant, a committed member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, and an active Bible study leader and Christian speaker. He has spent extensive time working in the country of Haiti managing missionary school and hospital construction projects. Clint is very happily married to the former Cindy Breese, and they have three children: Clinton Charles, Shannon Marie, and Stephen Lorenzo.​