Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Caroline Beteta | President & CEO, Visit California

Caroline Beteta serves as president & CEO of the industry-led Visit California, a nonprofit organization created to market California as a premier travel destination to increase the state’s share of tourism-related revenues. She simultaneously serves as a strategic advisor for the Governor’s Office of Business & Economic Development (GO-Biz). She is responsible for implementing Visit California’s global marketing program on behalf of the organization’s more than 18,000 investors and serves as the lead spokesperson for California’s travel industry. In her tenure, she has overseen a decade of growth for California’s travel industry, peaking in 2019 with a record $144.9 billion in economic benefit to the state. She has shepherded the growth of Visit California into a global marketing franchise and helped restore travel and tourism following numerous natural and economic crises.

Caroline serves as a member of the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, which advises the Secretary of Commerce on issues that affect the U.S. tourism industry. She also currently serves on the Executive Committee of the World Travel and Tourism Council — Visit California was the first destination marketing organization invited to join the WTTC.

Education Session Speakers

Sergeant Daniel DeLeon | Sacramento Police Department, Team 16 – Central Command
Be Prepared: Active Shooter Training

Sgt. Daniel DeLeon has 17 years’ experience with The Sacramento Police Department. He has worked patrol, crime suppression, as an Academy Recruit training officer, worked on Sacramento County Sheriff Department SWAT team, and was recently promoted to Patrol Sergeant.

Rachael DiCicco | Strategic Communications Manager, Randle Communications
Association Marketing 360° - It Begins and Ends with Strategic Content

Rachael serves as the firm’s strategic communications manager where she develops and implements communications plans and public relations strategies on behalf of a variety of clients, including Dignity Health, Covered California, California Family Fitness, and Golden State Water Company. Previously, DiCicco served as the Director of Marketing for a company specializing in public affairs where she was responsible for managing all aspects of marketing and supporting the networking, prospecting, and new business development efforts for more than 13 different companies. In addition, she has experience developing grassroots public relations and communications plans for Fortune 500 clients across multiple industries, including automotive, food and beverage, finance, healthcare, nonprofit, tourism and hospitality.

Nancy Drapeau | VP Research, Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR)
Beyond the Transaction: Designing Mutually Beneficial Partnerships

Nancy Drapeau, IPC. A 29-year market research veteran with more than 20 years in the business-to-business exhibitions industry. As CEIR’s Vice President of Research, Ms. Drapeau conducts industry-wide studies and reports on current trends in the exhibition industry. In 2019, she was named to BizBash’s 1,000 Most Influential People in Events list. She holds a BA in Government from Georgetown University and a Master’s in Advanced European and International Studies from l’Institut Européen des Hautes Études Internationales. She is an AC Nielsen Burke Institute-trained focus group moderator. She is a well-respected industry speaker and an active member of the Industry Insights Association and a member of the Event Industry Council’s (EIC) Research & Advocacy Task Force. She lives in Maine, with her husband and a border collie named Moxie.

Kim Gusman | President & CEO, California Employers Association
From Theory to Tactics: Diverse, Inclusive, and Effective Accommodations for Associations

Kim Gusman is the President and CEO of the California Employers Association. She is an experienced HR Generalist, a dynamic speaker, and a proven leader who has been successfully leading CEA since 2002. Thoroughly immersed in human resources and operations for over 25 years, Kim has a variety of HR experience in retail, insurance, and manufacturing environments. Kim exhibits her comprehensive bank of knowledge and crystal-clear strategic guidance with CEA members and staff every day.

Kim earned her BA degree in Business Administration, with a minor in Human Resources, at the University of Puget Sound. Kim is a founding member of the Employers Association of America and sits on their board of directors. She also currently serves on the board of directors for CalSAE.

Jessica Hawthorne | JD, SVP, California Employers Association

Jessica is the Senior Vice President of California Employers Association (CEA). Jessica has conducted hundreds of investigations over the years, including sexual harassment investigations. She understands the complexities of workplace situations and is an expert at helping to determine credibility during the investigation process. She is always an engaging and dynamic speaker, including many real-life examples in her training programs. Jessica joined CEA in 2016 after serving as Sr. Employment Law Counsel and manager of the Labor Law Helpline at the California Chamber of Commerce. She used her employment law knowledge and expertise to produce and conduct webinars and seminars, as well as contribute to CalChamber publications. Jessica Hawthorne is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh (B.A.) and Widener University School of Law (J.D.).

Wade Hughes | Greenergy and Carbon Offset Program Manager, SMUD
Leading with Your Green Foot Forward

Wade has been with SMUD since 1998 and continues to gain experience in managing SMUD programs and services. These programs have primarily been energy efficiency and solar programs for new construction and retrofit including SMUD's Carbon Reduction Portfolio including Greenergy and Carbon Offset programs. Gary helps SMUD to lead the Sacramento region in the deployment of voluntary renewable power and carbon offset projects by offering the very best Utility Green Power and Carbon Offset programs in the nation.

Gail Kelly, CAE | Senior Vice President, Safety Center Incorporated
Building a Culture of Employee Engagement

Gail’s strengths are developing presentations, educational programs, competency-based training, and coaching programs to improve the capacity and confidence of employees to achieve growth goals. At Naylor LLC, she was responsible for leading the development of recruiting and training for salespeople and other staff positions.

Currently, Gail is Senior Vice President of Programs at Safety Center and oversees three departments with regular and on-call staff working in the office and in five locations. The focus throughout the pandemic has been on creating a culture of ongoing improvement and developing a growth mindset to help us attract and retain qualified staff to support Safety Center’s current and future success.

Christine Locke | Director of Marketing, and Membership Services, SAMPE
From Theory to Tactics: Diverse, Inclusive, and Effective Accommodations for Associations

Chris Locke has more than 20 years’ experience as a creative leader with expertise in integrated marketing strategies, and also in leading education and membership teams. She is proudest of elevating her group and personal performance levels through skillful leadership and fearless, yet graceful, decision-making outcomes. One of her biggest achievements was breaking down long-established siloes between departments to create a new level of cooperation between the membership and marketing teams. As a result, one organization was able to raise over $15MM in an 18-month period, a record for this particular non-profit. Chris is adept at developing unique marketing campaigns that breathe fresh life into routine membership drives and fundraising efforts. She has a strong belief that change can be good, and without strategic change, stagnation is eminent.

Jennifer Luebke | Chief Workforce Inclusion Officer, PRIDE Industries
From Theory to Tactics: Diverse, Inclusive, and Effective Accommodations for Associations

Dr. Jennifer Camota Luebke is the Senior Vice President and Chief Workforce Inclusion Officer for PRIDE Industries, a social enterprise and the largest employer and job creator for people with disabilities in the United States. Jennifer leads the company’s workforce inclusion programming strategy and operations, using innovation and data to develop competitive, integrated, community-based employment pathways for people with disabilities. Additionally, she influences employment policies that impact people with disabilities by working with local, state, and federal legislative offices, and community advocacy organizations. Jennifer received a Jefferson Award in 2017 for her portfolio of work in disability advocacy. In 2018, Jennifer produced an award-winning documentary, “You Can Be BRAVE: Breaking Barriers to Inclusion” about her struggle to have her son Antonio included in all areas of society.

Kirsten Machi | Founder, Association Management Solutions
From Theory to Tactics: Diverse, Inclusive, and Effective Accommodations for Associations

Kirsten has over 30 years of experience in association management, with a focus on operations, meetings and events, legal and contracts, human resources and new business development. Kirsten started AMS in 1997 with her two business partners, Karen Moreland and Lisa Winkler. AMS is a 100% women owned boutique AMC based in the Silicon Valley. She is most proud of some of the current programs that she has helped launch at AMS, including a successful virtual meeting planning division and an internal sustainability initiative endorsing the Events Industry Council Sustainability Program. Kirsten is dedicated to supporting young adults on their education and career paths and to encouraging young professionals to set big goals and create plans to achieve them. She is passionate about collaborating with and encouraging other women to create their own successful businesses. Kirsten is a long-standing member of ASAE, MPI, and an active committee member of CalSAE.

Tiffany Martin | Owner & CEO, TKMartin Consulting
From Theory to Tactics: Diverse, Inclusive, and Effective Accommodations for Associations

Throughout her careers in Technology, Federal Law Enforcement and Athlete Coaching, Tiffany knows first-hand the value of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), and the impact to organizations when diversity is not intentionally incorporated into the day-to-day business culture. Tiffany is passionate about helping organizations understand the importance of cultivating an internal business culture where diversity, equity and inclusion are not just administrative check boxes, but inherent to everyday business operations. Tiffany believes that the key to promoting authentic DEI practices is to recognize the value of diversity and to acknowledge that although everyone’s life experiences are different, their perspectives are valid.

Barry Moline | Executive Director, California Municipal Utilities Association
Leading with Your Green Foot Forward

As the Executive Director of the California Municipal Utilities Association, Barry represents California’s municipal electric and water utilities before the legislature and state agencies. Barry has worked in the energy industry since the early 1980s and previously represented the Florida Municipal Electric Association from 1996-2016. In Washington, D.C., he worked for the American Public Power Association, the national trade association of municipal electric utilities. He has done oil and natural gas research for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Fuels, investigated renewable energy and energy efficiency for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Guatemala. Mr. Moline holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in Vocational and Technical Education (1979) and a master’s degree from Washington University in Engineering and Policy.

Anne Marie Mourhess, DES | Associate Director, Visit Greater Palm Springs
Leading with Your Green Foot Forward

Anne Marie is an Associate Director of Sales with Visit Greater Palm Springs (Visit GPS) which is the official tourism marketing agency for the destination. Founded in 1989 with a mission to positively affect the local $6.8 billion tourism economy, Visit GPS provides sales, marketing, and PR targeted to potential leisure travelers and event, meeting, and convention group markets. Anne Marie has been in hospitality for over 20 years and we will leave it at that.

Amy Mrugalski, CAE | Senior Strategic Initiatives Manager, American College of Trial Lawyers
Rethinking Association Leadership: Principles and Practices from CalSAE’s Association Leadership Academy

For more than twelve years, Amy has helped further the American College of Trial Lawyers’ mission to maintain and improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice. Her work at the College includes overseeing the College’s numerous committees, liaising with the Board, and developing strategic initiatives, as well as overseeing grants and other activities for the College’s Foundation. Prior to the College, Amy supported Spanish-speaking families at various school and after school programs, building on a passion for language and multi-cultural experiences developed during her post-graduate travels in South America, India, and Europe.

Gary Murakami, GTP, GLP, CMP, CMM, DES | VP, Sales & Industry Relations, Teneo Hospitality Group
Beyond the Transaction: Designing Mutually Beneficial Partnerships

Gary Murakami is VP of Sales & Industry Relations with Teneo Hospitality Group. Gary is a seasoned hospitality sales executive and innovative strategic leader with expertise in the hotel and convention management industries. Gary is an active member in the global meetings, events and travel industry community, currently serving on the CEMA Advisory Board and will begin his term on the Global Board of Trustees for MPI Foundation beginning in 2023. Gary was recognized by Meetings Today with the 2022 Meetings Trendsetter Award and the 2022 Changemaker Award by MeetingsNet. He was also selected as one of MPI’s “50 Most Influential Members” in celebration of the organization’s 50th Anniversary.

Alan Pentico, CAE | Executive Director, Southern CA Rental Housing Association
Working Smarter: Leveraging Data and Technology

Whenever I can, I like to share my expertise in any of the areas mentioned. Feel free to ask. If I don’t know the answer, I can probably give you some good suggestions as to where to look for it. My capability includes: • Extensive experience in local policy inception, development, and implementation through collaborative efforts;• Broad experience in local and state advocacy and program management as well as Political Action Committee management, as a Public Affairs Executive; and• A strong understanding of non-profit management including certification by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) as a Certified Association Executive (CAE) for Non-Profit association management.• A wide-range of knowledge in the rental housing industry. I am always interested in new ways to advance the Rental Housing industry, field of Public Affairs, and Non-Profit industry.

Julie Phillips | Vice President & Managing Director, Randle Communications
Association Marketing 360° - It Begins and Ends with Strategic Content

Julie Phillips is a dynamic leader who manages the firm’s daily operations, working closely with President and CEO Jeff Randle to guide client strategy and support the firm’s senior management team. During her 10-year career at Randle Communications, Phillips has provided strategic communications to C-suite executives for Fortune 500 companies and multi-billion-dollar organizations and gained expertise in health care and utility industries. Phillips previously led Randle’s public affairs practice and managed campaigns in contentious legislative debates, while also pioneering the firm’s award-winning digital public affairs program and the launch of its proprietary Digital Influencer Report.

Julie, who was recognized as one the Sacramento Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” in 2017, is active in the Sacramento community and a proud member of the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Leadership Sacramento Alumni Association.

Sue Reimbold, MA, CAE | CEO-Executive Director, International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
Working Smarter: Leveraging Data and Technology

Sue loves leading teams and working with boards of non-profit organizations, helping turn their dreams into reality when it comes to fulfilling the organization's mission. She joined CalSAE in 2019 after moving to the Bay Area to serve as CEO-ED of ISAKOS, an international society that advances the skills, education, and networking of orthopaedic sports medicine surgeons around the world. Sue hails from the Chicago area, where from 2013 through 2018, Sue served as Chief Marketing Officer and led membership growth for a pulmonary/critical care medicine society based in the Chicago Area called CHEST. At CHEST, Sue also led an AMS implementation, oversaw IT services, and implemented website and grant application portals while also serving as Executive Director of the CHEST Foundation. Before working in associations, Sue led public relations and marketing efforts for major hospital systems in Indianapolis and in Chicago.

Jeffrey Wilcox, CFRE | President & Chief Mission Advancement Officer, Third Sector Company, Inc. and Senior Faculty Director, CalSAE Association Leadership Academy
Rethinking Association Leadership: Principles and Practices from CalSAE’s Association Leadership Academy

Jeffrey a nationally-recognized pioneer in the field of nonprofit executive development, retention and transition. Founder of Third Sector Company and its Interim Executives Academy and Board Chairs Academy, Jeffrey is an author, columnist and popular speaker on succession planning, board and staff talent development and retention, and strategic interim leadership solutions for nonprofit charitable organizations, trade and professional associations, and congregations. Since its founding in 2002, Third Sector Company has provided services to over 700 nonprofit organizations in Southern and Northern California, Arizona, the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada.