Leadership Conference 2024 Workshops and Presenters!

If you participated in last year’s book discussion at the Leadership Conference, we’ve got another one for you!  Join us for a book discussion about Gentelligence – The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce.  You can find an excerpt about the book here, or look for the book on your preferred bookseller/library to prepare. Led by Melissa Everhart, this session is designed to be interactive to share thoughts and ideas about how to put this “revolutionary approach” into practice at your Ys.
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Melissa Everhart, Director of Engagement and Education

Melissa is a proven and trusted professional with over two decades of experience in fields ranging from office administration, training and leadership development, event planning/coordination, coaching, facilitation, and board consulting. She is passionate about being a connector for people and values the relationships she builds because of these connections.

Melissa currently serves as the Indiana Alliance of YMCAs’ Director of Education and Engagement. She holds an Associates’ degree in Office Administration, a Bachelor’s degree in Business - Management and Leadership, and a Certificate in Organizational Leadership.  Melissa is also a coach/facilitator/consultant with Path & Purpose, LLC. She believes leaders never stop learning and strives to help others grow in their own journey.

Melissa lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Wes, and two sons, Jacob and Emerson. She enjoys travel in her spare time and has a dog, Blu (husky/American eskimo mix), and a cat, Duchess. 

Let’s get on the same page with Inclusion. It is the intentional work we do every day, planning for the success of ALL. Building a strong foundation of proven disability inclusive practice is the best defense to navigate the inevitable hurdles you will face on this journey. Join us in this session as we explore what Inclusion IS and ISN’T, and the principles and strategies needed to be embraced by your YMCA organization-wide.  We’ll wrap up the session with a review of suggested empowering and positive language when discussing disability and/or interacting with a person who has a disability. You’ll leave with a starter toolkit and the confidence to increase the successful participation of members with diverse abilities.

Measurable learning objectives - Participants will be able to:
-Identify at least 3 principles of inclusion and apply it to their work at their YMCA
- Differentiate the steps in the journey from access to inclusion to belonging, and understand the importance of creating and identifying social roles for members with disabilities to help them to be valued members of the YMCA community.
-Learn proper terminology, empowering language and suggested disability etiquette and interactions, giving them the tools and confidence to welcome, engage and support members with diverse abilities. 
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Lisa Drennan - Founder - MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting
Lisa's career is marked by a profound commitment to fostering inclusion and improving the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Her journey starts at New England Village in Pembroke, Mass, where she moved from direct support professional to designing and opening the Sollar Wellness Center, a unique facility offering aquatics, fitness, music, art, and education specifically designed for persons with disabilities.

Transitioning to the South Shore YMCA as the Association Director of Inclusion in 2014, Lisa expanded her impact by developing innovative programs and playing a crucial role in staff training, emphasizing the importance of social and recreational inclusion. Her national recognition as a leader in the field and appointment as the Co-Chairperson of Y-USA’s Diverse Abilities Working Group underscore her influence and commitment on a broader scale.

In 2018, Lisa founded MERGE Inclusion Consulting, extending her expertise beyond the YMCA to offer consultation, staff training, and systems implementation to various community entities dedicated to disability inclusion. This move exemplifies her desire to share best practices and contribute to the broader mission of creating inclusive communities.

Unlock the potential of your non-profit board with our insightful session on the role of a Chief Volunteer Officer (CVO). Whether you're aspiring to be a CVO, already serving on a board, or working alongside one as staff or a volunteer, this presentation will challenge you to rethink traditional methods of board leadership. Learn how to run high-functioning board meetings, engage your team effectively, and create a culture of collaboration and commitment. Join us to discover how a more engaged model can transform your organization and amplify its impact.
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Wade Hampton, CEO Indiana Alliance of YMCAs

As a certified executive and life coach, expert facilitator, and organizational consultant with an educational background in Organizational Leadership, Wade Hampton excels at engaging individuals and teams to get to what matters, release their potential, and commit to action.

With more than 40 years of nonprofit program, executive, and operations experience, Wade has a rich portfolio of consulting with CEOs, CVOs, and boards of directors on governance and board development, CEO search processes, strategic planning, and operational issues. As a nonprofit CEO for thirteen years, in addition to thirteen years as a branch executive and program director in large, midsize, and small YMCAs, and as a policy volunteer on several community boards, Wade’s firsthand knowledge and experience in nonprofit management is foundational to his unique ability to serve as a catalyst in empowering executives, teams, and boards to shine.

In his current role as the CEO of the Indiana Alliance of YMCAs, Wade is leading the efforts to enhance the relevancy and sustainability of all Indiana YMCAs through advocacy, public policy, board governance, strategic planning, shared services, and networking efforts.

Learn the importance of self-awareness, first, and others awareness, second...through this interactive, fun workshop demonstrating the healthy, effective use of a terrific tool.

Matt Lesser started his career leading his family’s struggling business. It quickly failed, and Matt experienced a suicidal depression. Out of the ashes, a new business emerged and grew from three people to nearly two hundred while experiencing a twenty-fold increase in revenue, before selling to trusted competitors. Matt then served in a C-Suite role in private equity for 12 years, before serving transitional C-Suite roles in banking and commercial uniforms.

Matt is the best-selling author of unSatisfied: When Less is More and has served as a keynote speaker as well as a facilitator of rooms packed with leaders around the world for more than twenty years. As a dedicated lifelong learner, Matt earned two bachelor’s degrees from Indiana University in 1995 and an MBA from Taylor University in 2009, he is a certified executive coach, and certified in nearly twenty personality, preference, and leadership assessments. Matt married his elementary school sweetheart in 1996 and lives in northeast Indiana with his family.

Matt founded Uniquely Normal, LLC in 2021 to equip leaders to solve their costly people-related challenges by building flourishing organizations on the pillars of Empathy, Empowerment, and Excellence, which is the focus of Matt’s second book, unEngaged: Building Flourishing Organizations. Uniquely Normal offers workshops, seminars, training, coaching, strategic planning, and fractional COO and Integrator services.

Contact:

• Email: Matt@uniquelynormal.com
• Website: www.uniquelynormal.com 

Mental Health Community Care is defined as what it means to build communities where everyone has what they need to be effective at taking care of ourselves and each other. Join Jasmine and Christina as we discuss the upcoming training opportunity that will be made available to the Indiana Ys in 2025 and how to select and prepare your staff to participate in this impactful training.
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Jasmine Hardy works as a Manager, Movement Engagement with the Network Experience team, specifically focused on the management and implementation of the Lilly Grant received for Indiana YMCAs. Through the facilitation of the grant and innovation process, Jasmine engages the Indiana YMCAs, partners, and collaborators, thought leaders, innovation teams, learning cohorts, and others to promote mutual understanding, to cultivate shared responsibility, to identify inclusive solutions, to implement quality improvement strategies, and to propose sustainable pathways in response to an identified critical issue among local Ys.

Jasmine started at Y-USA in January 2023 after over 12 years of working for the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, her last role being the Association Director of Community Health. A Charlotte, NC native, she is an advocate for viewing community health as extending beyond the "walls" of traditional chronic disease prevention programs to include all areas in which the YMCA can make an impact on improving the social determinants of health (SDOH) for communities. She is a trainer for Introduction to Listen First, Leading & Coaching Others and the Mental Health Community Care Model.  

When she isn't looking for ways to integrate SDOH in all areas of work, Jasmine loves spending time in the kitchen creating cakes and desserts that have been featured in major bridal publications, with friends and family, listening to music, and watching Disney or Marvel movies.  

A focused workshop designed to equip board leaders with the skills to facilitate innovative and strategic conversations within their organizations. This session emphasizes the importance of moving beyond routine discussions and traditional decision-making processes to engage board members in open-ended, creative dialogue. Participants will learn techniques to foster an environment where diverse perspectives are valued, and new ideas are generated, ultimately leading to more informed, engaged, and forward-thinking governance.
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Wade Hampton, CEO Indiana Allinace of YMCAs

As a certified executive and life coach, expert facilitator, and organizational consultant with an educational background in Organizational Leadership, Wade Hampton excels at engaging individuals and teams to get to what matters, release their potential, and commit to action.

With more than 40 years of nonprofit program, executive, and operations experience, Wade has a rich portfolio of consulting with CEOs, CVOs, and boards of directors on governance and board development, CEO search processes, strategic planning, and operational issues. As a nonprofit CEO for thirteen years, in addition to thirteen years as a branch executive and program director in large, midsize, and small YMCAs, and as a policy volunteer on several community boards, Wade’s firsthand knowledge and experience in nonprofit management is foundational to his unique ability to serve as a catalyst in empowering executives, teams, and boards to shine.

In his current role as the CEO of the Indiana Alliance of YMCAs, Wade is leading the efforts to enhance the relevancy and sustainability of all Indiana YMCAs through advocacy, public policy, board governance, strategic planning, shared services, and networking efforts.

A Christian mindset and leadership perspective of how we can model and practice positive employee relations actions which generate employee connection, commitment, and confidence

Learn about how a positive employee relations mindset can influence employee motivation, performance, and satisfaction. Workshop content: Fundamental characteristics of fully engaged employees and leaders, 6 E’s and 11 drivers of engagement, and proven positive reinforcement methods to strengthen working relationships, self-esteem, and trust.

Alan Siepker, HR Ideas Unlimited Training Coach, with 40 years of human resource and positive employee relations experience will facilitate an entertaining and fast-paced discussion of practical, actionable, positive employee relations tips and techniques.

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Alan Siepker is a full-time professional training coach and facilitator, with 40 years of HR experience generating positive employee relations, at all levels. He is a Christian, married to his wife, Denise for 40 years, with 3-adult daughters, 3-Son-in-laws, and 3-grandchildren. They are both active in their church and in the Gideon ministry. Alan is an adjunct instructor at Indiana Tech and Huntington Universities and has earned certification as an SPHR/SCP and degrees in Business Management, Communication, and a Master’s In Business Administration.

This panel discussion will explore innovative ways to enhance membership benefits beyond traditional discounts and early registration. We'll discuss exclusive perks like free 30-minute programs (e.g., story time, music and movement) designed specifically for family memberships. Learn how these unique offerings can drive membership growth and be seamlessly integrated into a monthly program model, setting your organization apart from day pass holders and guests.

Hailey Jackson is mom to three fantastic children, Carter (9), Charlie (3), and Clara (7 months). Hailey has been with the Washington Co. Family YMCA since 2018. Like many, she has worked in a few different areas of the Y, and had the opportunity to grow with each position. Hailey is grateful for these experiences and loves sharing them with others.

Tameeka Sizemore is the Membership Director at the YMCA in Batesville, IN. Her journey with the YMCA began many years ago as a preschool teacher in the Learning Center. Over the years, she's moved through various roles, from Assistant Director to Child Care Manager, and now as Membership Director. She's passionate about supporting members and their families and loves seeing how the YMCA enriches their lives.

Tameeka is aproud mom of four—three girls and one boy—and lives in Batesville. When not working, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, crafting, and exploring the outdoors. Her social nature and dedication to her community keep her engaged and energized every day.

The YMCA is data rich, but insight poor, so let’s change that! Join this Qualtrics learning session to become more familiar with the platform and its vast capabilities, including (but not limited to): Building surveys that tailor to specific audiences, uploading complementary data, automation of various tasks, open-ended response analyses, and building dashboards to tell the story.
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Cody Sáraco-Polner, Evaluation & Well-Being Collaborative Manager for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati
He began in the Y movement fresh out of the University of Cincinnati in 2020, amidst the pandemic, when the opportunity to intern with the Y fell in his lap. Since then, he has grown quickly in their association and the movement.

Cody manages the day-to-day operations of the WBC, working with Y partners across the country to strategize and learn from each other. He loves connecting with staff and getting to know everyone he serves. The other 50% of the time, he manages the data evaluation efforts in Cincinnati, helping tell the Ys story from a quantitative lens. He also dabbles in videography and visual storytelling.

Born and raised in New Jersey, 12 miles west of New York City, he has learned to call Cincinnati home after moving there for college. He lives nearby with his wife and two black cats, the 3 loves of his life.

Learn how RCX Sports is mission-aligned with NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLS to transform youth sports, increasing participation with the primary objective of bringing support, standards, affordability, accessibility, and fun across the entire youth sports landscape.

Join Christina Carter to chat about new impactful training options, purposeful certification pathways, and future opportunities for Indiana Ys. Our time together will conclude with an "ask me anything" session. Participants are encouraged to come prepared with questions related to leadership development, training, LCDC, LINK, MOYP etc. 

Christina Carter currently serves the YMCAs in Indiana and Michigan through our regional Learning Center supporting training and event services while concurrently supporting the State Alliance of Michigan YMCAs in HR, risk management, and employee engagement. Throughout her 25-year YMCA career, Christina became a passionate cause driven leader through service in programs and departments including aquatics, family & teen programming, HR, and leadership development. Christina looks forward to continuing the work of strengthening and supporting YMCAs across the movement while building impactful relationships along the way. 

In this interactive workshop, we will dive deep into understanding the experiences of immigrant families as they navigate life in our communities. Together, we’ll explore the unique challenges they face and discover meaningful ways to foster a genuine sense of welcome, belonging, and connection. You’ll learn practical approaches to interacting and serving across cultural boundaries, and we’ll guide you in identifying your fist or next steps on the journey to creating a truly inclusive and supportive environment for immigrants. The session will include ample time for participant questions, ensuring a tailored learning experience.
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Zach Szmara, Founder & Executive Director, Immigrant Connection

Zach Szmara is the Founder and Executive Director of Immigrant Connection. His life was profoundly changed in 2012 when an immigrant family invited his family to lunch. The love, connection, and welcome he experienced during that meal deeply impacted him. In 2014, Zach formally launched Immigrant Connection with the opening of the first local site in Logansport, Indiana. Over the next decade, this sustainable model expanded to include over 43 additional immigration legal services offices across the United States. Through an innovative training curriculum, more than 90 non-attorneys have become Department of Justice accredited legal representatives. Together, these local offices and their legal representatives have ensured access to high-quality, low-cost immigration legal services to over 35,000 immigrant families from more than 170 countries.​

Zach earned his BA in Intercultural Studies and Biblical Studies from Indiana Wesleyan University and his MA in Intercultural Studies, Anthropology, and Ethics from Asbury Theological Seminary. He is also a Department of Justice accredited immigration legal representative.  He has lived overseas in Papua New Guinea and Mozambique. He is married to Lyndy, a special education administrator, and they have one son, Isaac.

In the YMCA, the one thing we all have in common is our desire to transform lives, as our mission calls us to strengthen spirit, mind, and body for all. But if that is our purpose and why we do what we do, how do we get there? Learn about the HOW from the Well-Being Collaborative, a partnership of YMCAs, as far east as New Jersey and all the way to Hawaii, that are working together to continuously improve the Y Experience through shared resources, best practices, and aligned research!
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Cody Sáraco-Polner, Evaluation & Well-Being Collaborative Manager for the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati

He began in the Y movement fresh out of the University of Cincinnati in 2020, amidst the pandemic, when the opportunity to intern with the Y fell in his lap. Since then, he has grown quickly in their association and the movement.

Cody manages the day-to-day operations of the WBC, working with Y partners across the country to strategize and learn from each other. He loves connecting with staff and getting to know everyone he serves. The other 50% of the time, he manages the data evaluation efforts in Cincinnati, helping tell the Ys story from a quantitative lens. He also dabbles in videography and visual storytelling.

Born and raised in New Jersey, 12 miles west of New York City, he has learned to call Cincinnati home after moving there for college. He lives nearby with his wife and two black cats, the 3 loves of his life.