Meet Our Speakers

Mark W. Schaefer is a globally recognized author, keynote speaker, futurist, and business consultant who blogs at {grow} — one of the top five marketing blogs in the world. He teaches graduate marketing classes at Rutgers University and has written 12 best-selling books. Mark’s new book Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World describes an essential framework for businesses to stand out and be seen in a noisy world. His many global clients include Pfizer, Cisco, P&G, Dell, Adidas, and the US Air Force. He has been a keynote speaker at prestigious events worldwide, including South by Southwest, Marketing Summit Tokyo, and the Institute for International and European Affairs. Mark has appeared as a guest on various media channels, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and CBS News. businessesGROW.com

Brian Garver is a nationally recognized leader in the healthcare revenue cycle space, bringing over 20 years of hands-on leadership experience. His deep expertise in patient experience, organizational culture, and business leadership has made him a trusted voice for healthcare finance professionals looking to drive meaningful, measurable change. Brian’s presentations aren’t just talks—they’re experiences. Known for his ability to blend strategic insight with humor, empathy, and authenticity, he connects with audiences on a personal and professional level. He delivers practical, actionable takeaways that spark transformation—helping teams rethink how they lead, engage, and perform in a complex, ever-evolving healthcare environment. Brian has inspired audiences across the country—from New York to Los Angeles—with his unique ability to challenge assumptions and ignite new thinking. His sessions are consistently rated among the most impactful, engaging, and relevant to today’s revenue cycle and finance challenges. Brian is also the host of the popular LinkedIn Live series “The Revenue Cycle Rundown,” where he interviews industry leaders and explores the future of healthcare finance. Based in Lima, Ohio, he is an active member of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management (AAHAM) and the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

Known as the Queen of Relationship Marketing, Jessika is on a mission to redefine corporate America and create something she wanted to be part of. Jessika founded NOW Marketing Group in 2010 with only a laptop and a vision to give people with heart an upper hand. NOW Marketing Group was recognized as Inc. Best places to work 2022, is a Forbes-recognized Agency Partner, Partnered with Facebook, Google and is a certified inbound partner with Hubspot. NOW Marketing Group works with more than 100 clients across the United States and beyond, choosing to serve – not sell. Jessika lives by a personal mission of helping inspire people to love more, give more and be more through authentic relating and proving doing what’s right, not what’s easy, can turn a vision into a profitable agency that produces results.

Sabine Kvenberg is a bestselling author, speaker, and communication coach who helps entrepreneurs and professionals speak with confidence, craft compelling messages, and connect authentically with any audience. With a background as an actress and director in Europe and 27 years as the founder of a U.S.-based Performing Arts School, she brings unmatched stage presence and storytelling expertise to her work. A Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), Sabine has been at the forefront of using AI in business since ChatGPT became publicly accessible. She leverages AI tools to streamline content creation, marketing, and client communication—scaling her business efficiently while staying creatively inspired. Her signature programs, Camera Confident Fast Track and Confident Speaker, equip clients with the tools to present powerfully on stage and on screen. She also leads the Vibrant Voices Network, which helps aspiring and emerging speakers build confidence, clarify their message, and show up with impact through monthly coaching, connection, and practice opportunities.

Cindy Dodd is an award-winning marketing leader, LinkedIn authority expert, and global speaker who has helped over 150,000 professionals and 1,000 businesses elevate their visibility, build authority, and generate leads and clients on LinkedIn. As the Co-Founder and Chief Strategist of PEMA.io, one of the fastest-growing marketing agencies in the U.S. (ranked #526 on the Inc. 5000 List), Cindy leads global campaigns that connect ambitious brands with high-value clients through strategy, storytelling, and human-centered marketing. Recognized by SUCCESS Magazine, FOX, and INC, and named one of SUCCESS Magazine’s Top 50 Women of Influence (2025), Cindy is passionate about helping leaders transform their online presence into a platform for influence and opportunity. Her signature talks and workshops teach professionals how to go from invisible to in-demand—reframing LinkedIn as a stage for leadership, not just a profile. With her mix of data-driven insight and down-to-earth delivery, Cindy empowers audiences to own their worth, show up with confidence, and position themselves as their greatest asset, including generating inbound leads through LinkedIn.

Michael King is a seasoned executive coach, speaker, and multi-business owner with a background that’s as dynamic as the leaders he serves. A former professional musician and executive pastor, Michael brings a unique blend of creativity, emotional intelligence, and business acumen to every stage and coaching session. He is the founder of Teams.Coach, a leadership development company, and Gawker Traffic, a client-facing agency focused on growth strategy and digital presence. Michael works with a wide range of clients—from high-performing entrepreneurs and small businesses to some of the most innovative and influential leaders in the Fortune 500. Known for his direct, no-fluff communication style and strong sense of humor, Michael delivers high-impact insights paired with inspirational, real-world stories that drive clarity and action. His passion lies in helping leaders cut through the noise, simplify their strategies, and lead with confidence. Michael has been married to his wife Beth for 26 years and is a proud dad to three amazing kids—and three dogs that require just as much attention. He’s a fan of all things Apple, a regular at Starbucks, and finds his balance riding his Ducati motorcycle whenever possible.

Katie Brinkley is revolutionizing social media marketing with her less is more approach. With over 19 years expertise, Katie has developed a unique 4 post strategy that helps clients achieve more growth while posting less. This game-changing method leverages Katie's platform-agnostic storytelling tactics tailored to each brand's goals. From implementing social media growth for AT&T and DirecTV to providing done-for-you services for solopreneurs, Katie understands social media's evolution. Blending journalism and social media savvy, Katie helps clients attract their ideal audience and drive measurable results efficiently.

Marc Bowker is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience as the owner of Alter Ego Comics, an award-winning comic book store located in downtown Lima, Ohio. With deep expertise in comic retail, Marc has helped shape the local and national comic book community, offering valuable insights into building a successful and sustainable business in the niche world of comics. A certified Heroic Coach and personal development mentor, Marc specializes in guiding small business owners to increase their energy, productivity, and connection. Drawing from personal experience with anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder after a nervous breakdown in 2016, Marc is dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of mental health while achieving peak performance in both business and life.

Tracy Phillips is an Emmy-nominated video and visibility expert who has harnessed her 23 years of video production experience and award-winning documentary skills to help businesses create testimonial videos that do the selling, recruiting, or fundraising for them. Tracy is celebrated for her unmatched expertise, her quick wit, and her boundless enthusiasm for guiding her clients and students in the effective use of video to impact both internal and global audiences. Her signature 'laugh & learn' style of presenting has made her one of the most sought-after speakers, trainers, and workshop facilitators in her field. Tracy's client roster boasts New York Times best-selling authors, top players in the real estate industry, and Fortune 500 companies.

George Whitcher is a seasoned programmer from New Hampshire. With professional experience dating back to 2006, he specializes in complex back-end programming, database queries, and server management. Beyond coding, he's a devoted husband and father, an avid snowboarder, a musician and composer, and a lifelong gamer—even writing cheat codes still found online. Proudly embracing his "nerd" identity, he’s always eager to learn and take on new challenges. He’s open to discussing projects, helping bring ideas to life, and sharing his wealth of knowledge with others.

Tony Christensen is the co-founder of Brick Social, a 7-figure international eCommerce growth agency responsible for billions of impressions and millions in monthly ad spend for its clients. Tony helps brands stand out by reverse-engineering virality and crafting bold, memorable creative. As the youngest child, he learned early how to get attention; now he teaches brands how to do it at scale. An international speaker and unapologetic data nerd, Tony specializes in virality, performance creative, and online selling. He has managed hundreds of millions in ad spend and has built a reputation for breaking down complex marketing ideas into simple, actionable strategies that drive revenue.

I’m a diverse social media specialist who has seen it all. My career beginnings are in broadcast journalism where I learned to master the art of “telling a story.” Since then my journalistic approach to social media has led the charge in successful campaigns in a wide variation of industries such as radio, healthcare, personal branding, restaurant, fitness, retail, b2b, museum, higher education among many others. At my day-to-day, I’m a Sr. Content Solutions Consultant at LinkedIn. Bringing over 15 years of digital media experience to marketing teams across the nation and in Canada, I strive to bring the best out of their skillsets. From brand to demand to video to thought leadership, I'm at the pulse of their next LinkedIn launch enabling teams to get the best results. My philosophy for digital is a cross between 2010s let's throw a dart at the wall to 2020s data-driven approaches. Blending the two, allows us to maximize our potential as marketers. I'm passionate about teaching, and being an ambassador for our community.

Jeremy Vest is the founder of Creator Unlock and Niche King, where he helps creators become the king or queen of their niche on YouTube—and get paid for it. His strategies have powered growth for Grant Cardone, Roger Wakefield, and dozens of Fortune 100 brands, contributing to 50+ billion views across student channels. Jeremy teaches creators how to show up as the clear niche leader, not just another voice chasing views. Own the niche. Lead the conversation. Win.