NACURH, Inc. Speakers List

Please note that NACURH, Inc. does not endorse any one or team of particular speakers over others.

This list appears in alphabetical order, by speakers’ last names.

Melisa Alaba | (770) 235-4187 | visionworkscoaching@gmail.com

https://wiseintro.co/melisaalaba

Topics: Courage to Lead | Mindful Mediation | Being a Change Agent

Biography: Melisa Alaba is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Speaker and Author. She is a graduate

of Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL. Melisa speaks around the country at college campuses, women

empowerment events and on community forums on the topics of Mindfulness Leadership, Mindfulness

Meditation, and Women’s Issues. Melisa helps audiences connect the dots so they can lead a more

meaningful life. Melisa Alaba is the author of Live Out Loud, 52 ways to Reawaken Your Spirit and Live a

Life of Purpose. Live Out Loud is featured in the movie, “72 Hours” which is a Chris Nolen Film. Melisa

has appeared on; Fox News, Ebony Magazine, Parents Magazine, ABC.com, BBC.com, Redbook

Magazine, US News and World Report.com, and in many other notable publications, radio broadcasts

and television appearances. Melisa Alaba is also the founder and CEO of Elevate Me Global Network

LLC, a global organization that connects, educates and advocates for women of color. Melisa has helped

thousands of clients liberates their dreams and rock their life for over 15 years. Melisa is the architect

behind the acclaimed Elevate Me! 90 Day Mastermind program which delivers on increasing profitability

and mastery in leadership development. Melisa is a strong advocate for women’s rights, economic

empowerment for women and supports domestic violence initiatives. When Melisa is not working she

can be found eating her favorite chocolate, traveling to a new destinations and meditating on a wooded

trail.

Educational Experience: M.A. Psychology, Roosevelt University

Accolades: Community Business Award, SWIBA 2014

John (JM) Alatis | (303) 871-0901 or (202) 265-7500

jalatis@naspa.org | naspa.org

Topics: Peer Educator Certification Course | Diversity and Social Justice | Alcohol and Other Drugs |

Bystander Intervention | Listening Skills | Translating RA Work to Resume | Custom-Built Topics

Biography: JM Alatis serves as a professional Training Coordinator for NASPA – Student Affairs

Administrators in Higher Education. With over 1,500 institutional members and nearly 15,000 individual

members, NASPA is “the leading voice for the student affairs profession worldwide,” and strives to

support our college and university staff and students who spend time working on their campuses.

NASPA offers a Certified Peer Educator (CPE) Program, a 12-hour, nine-module course, which leads to a

certification focusing on skills that student leaders find vital in their day-to-day work. In addition, JM and

NASPA are able to provide training and consulting on a number of topics based on a campus’ individual

needs. Past topics include: diversity, inclusive excellence, and social justice; alcohol and other drugs;

bystander intervention; listening skills; and, translating RA work to resume. JM has a long history of work

within housing and residence life, serving for three years as a Resident Assistant at this alma mater,

Georgetown University, before attending the University of Denver and serving as a Graduate Residence

Director for two years. As someone who has always wanted to “find a job where he could do

icebreakers for a living,” he is excited to be able to work with students and student affairs leaders on

campuses.

Educational Experience: M.A. Student Affairs, University of Denver | B.A. Sociology, Georgetown

University

Accolades: Certified Peer Educator | NUFP Fellow | OPE Attendee | Former Hall Council Member and

Advisor

Shannon Arnett | (928) 606-7293 | shannon@arnettinnerpeace.com

www.arnettinnerpeace.com

Topics: Stress Management | Mindfulness | Increasing Peace Series (Multiple Topics Including Peace in

Relationships, Finances, Work and Student Self, and Body Image) | Conflict Resolution and Mediation |

Group Dynamics and Positive Change | Student Development and Engagement | Empowering Leaders |

Train the Trainer Facilitator Series Including: Establishing Presence, Compassionate Engagement, Power

of Listening, Diverse Service Delivery, Reducing Anxiety and Low Mood for College Students, Increasing

Overall Emotional Balance, SMART Goal Setting and Team Building/Group Cohesion

Biography: Shannon Arnett, Director of Inner Peace Facilitation and Training, LLC, has been inspiring

and working closely with many groups in Student Affairs for 18 years. Her passion for connecting

college students, community members, and groups to their best potential began in 1997, when she was

a Resident Assistant. Since that experience, she has worked in mental and community health

organizations, multiple roles training Resident Assistants and Student Affairs staff members in

Community and Staff Development, Advising, and leading workshops through her business both locally

and nationally. Her experience in Student Affairs and Holistic Health lead her to create Inner Peace in

2009, to serve as a platform for what she saw such need in students and professionals with whom she

worked; ways to cultivate peace, calm, and strength in the face of serving others. Since then, she has

presented over 300 workshops, retreats, classes, and sessions for clients and students toward this end.

When individuals and groups have support in harnessing their greatest potential, resources, and true

gifts, incredible things happen! Shannon Arnett revels in the opportunity to reflect this truth back to her

audiences, empowering them with tools to use that benefit their organizational goals and personal

dreams. Bringing Shannon, her experience, and education to your group is an opportunity to discover

the absolute best within each person in your team, be that a team of one or 300. She has lead training

for the Housing and Residence Life entire staff of 300 for Texas Tech University, The Housing

Professional Staff of Arizona State University, and multiple student leadership and community groups.

She can be reached with questions at shannon@arnettinnerpeace.com. She invites you to witness her

greater experience, training, information about her facilitator certification program, and testimonials at

www.arnettinnerpeace.com.

Educational Experience: M.A. Counseling Psychology, University of San Francisco | B.A.,

Psychology, Northern Arizona University | Certified Energy Health Practitioner, Associate for

Comprehensive Energy Psychology | Registered Yoga Teacher | Intercultural Language Spanish

Immersion Program in Costa Rica | Other Professional Trainings---Complete List May Be Found on

Website

Accolades: Selected as National Speaker for Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (CE

Unit Provider) 2015 | Top 10 Speaker Award, NACURH 2011 | NACURH Bronze Pin Recipient.

Sidd Chopra | (919) 859-3048 | chopra@lookwiser.com | www.LookWiser.com

Topics: Intercultural Communication | Brain-Friendly Communication | How to Sell an Idea

Biography: Sidd Chopra is a software developer, entrepreneur, certified project management professional, author, award-winning speaker, and the CIO of a medical practice. In his career, he has developed critical systems for the Neurotoxicology Department of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SAS Institute, the U.S. Army, and several Fortune 100 companies. He was a finalist in a national public speaking contest and, in 1999, Toastmasters International awarded him the Distinguished Toastmaster Award, its highest award. In 2010, the Project Management Institute (PMI) Global declared him a Subject Matter Expert. He is a founding member of the Indus Entrepreneur (TiE) Carolinas. He served 6 years on a Strategic Advisory Board at N.C. State University and currently serves on an advisory board at Wake Technical Community College. In his quest to understand and reinvent the science of presentations, he has worked with over 150 leading scientists, inventors, investors, professional public speakers, top military generals, thought leaders and government officials to develop cutting edge systems to make presentations more efficient, effective and reliable. He has traveled to over 35 countries on six continents. He introduced Apple Co-Founder, Steve Wozniak, his content has been reviewed by "Father of the Internet" Dr. Vint Cerf, and he has pitched to the elite US Joint Special Operations Command on behalf of the four star Gen. Hugh Shelton's Leadership Center.

Accolades: Asked by Natl. Science Foundation to coach students from all 17 Engineering Research Centers in the nation. | Distinguished Toastmasters Award | 1 of 8 worldwide selected to present at Intl. Toastmasters Conference. | Coached winning team at TiE's Young Entrepreneurs Global Business Plan Competition.

Corey Ciocchetti | (303) 522-7110 | corey@coreyspeaks.com | www.coreyspeaks.com

Topics: Character Development | Integrity | Ethics | Values | Stress Reduction | Values-Based Leadership

| Character is Residence Life

Biography: An Associate Professor of Business Ethics and Legal Studies in the Daniels College of

Business at the University of Denver, Corey Ciocchetti is one of the University’s most popular and

highest-rated professors. Corey joined DU after graduating with a law degree from Duke University

School of Law, a Masters degree in Religious Studies, and two Bachelors degrees in Finance and

Economics---Summa Cum Laude---from the University of Denver. In August 2006, Corey won the

Charles Hewitt Master Teacher competition at the national meeting of the Academy of Legal Studies in

Business, and, in March 2007, he was awarded the Outstanding Professor of the Year Award by the

University of Denver Alumni Association. Recently, the Daniels College of Business awarded him with

the Scholarship of Teaching Award and the Scholarship of Discovery Award. Corey currently teaches

classes on Business Ethics, Business Law, Employment Law, and Constitutional Law in a department

ranked by the Wall Street Journal as seventh in the world for producing students with high ethical

standards. Corey also speaks to tens of thousands of individuals each year about “authentic success”

and living an ethical life and is the author of the book Real Rabbits: Chasing An Authentic Life. A

Colorado native, Corey resides in Westminster, Colorado with his wife, Jillian, and daughter, Sophia.

Educational Experience: J.D., Duke University | M.A., University of Denver | B.S.BA and B.A.,

University of Denver

Accolades: Spoken in 40 states and over 125 cities on the topic of authentic success, chasing an

authentic life, and stress.

Karith Foster | (917) 533-5990 | karith@karith.com | www.FosterRussell.org

Topics: Diversity & Inclusion | Leadership | Self-Empowerment | Orientation | Humorous Programming

Biography: Karith Foster is a humorist, speaker, TV & radio personality, author, entrepreneur, wife, and mother whose sense of duty, service, along with her riotous sense of humor, have made her a positive force of change. The words “no” and “impossible” are not in her vocabulary as evidenced by her career path, life challenges, chosen adventures and desire to help others. Karith is also a Diversity Engagement Specialist whose signature programs “Stereotyped 101™”, “You Are E.N.O.U.G.H™” and “The Humor Initiative™” and “Can We Speak Freely? ™” are impacting lives at academic institutions, organizations and corporations across America in a time when humor, understanding, acceptance and respect are so desperately needed. In 2017 Ms. Foster founded the Foster Russell Family Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, whose mission is to inspire free speech, social change and empowerment through education and mentorship. www.FosterRussell.org Karith is an alumna of Stephens College (Missouri) and St. Peter’s College at Oxford University. In March 2017, Karith joined one of the highest echelons of the speaking world when she delivered her TEDx Talk “The Art of Defying Stereotypes: Learning to be True to Your Voice” at the TEDx LincolnSquare Risk Takers and Change Makers event in New York City.

Educational Experience: B.S. Mass Comm and Broadcast Journalism, Stephens College (Columbia,

MO) | Study Abroad, Oxford University, St. Peter’s College

Accolades: TEDx Speaker (TEDx Lincoln Square in New York City) | On Air Radio/TV Personality:

Former Co-Host of Imus in the Morning, Regular on Sirius XM

Thomas Frank | (515) 480-7044 | thomas@collegeinfogeek.com

http://collegeinfogeek.com

Topics: Study Skills | Habits and Productivity | Internships and Careers

Biography: Thomas Frank is an author, speaker, and all-around geek who is passionate about helping

students hack their learning, becoming amazing job candidates, and pay off their loans. During his

sophomore year of college, he founded College Info Geek---a blog, podcast, and YouTube channel that

now reaches over 250,000 students every month. As a student, he also paid off $14,431 in student debt

before graduating, worked as an RA and an orientation leader for new students, consulted for Adobe,

and traveled to Japan. Thomas has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News, FOX Business,

LifeHacker, and more. He’s spoken at major universities, including Iowa State University and Simpson

College, conferences, and student organizations.

Educational Experience: B.S. Management Systems, Iowa State University

Joshua Fredenburg | (310) 562-2998 | joshuavisionxy.com | www.visionxy.com

Topics: Leadership | Diversity | Motivation | Orientation | Healthy Relationships

Biography: JoshuaFredenburgisanationallyacclaimedspeaker,mediacommentator,leadership/diversity

consultant,relationshipexpert,andauthoroffivebooks.Hehasservedasakeynotespeakerfordifferentlectures,conferences,retreats,andtrainingsatvariouscolleges,non-profitorganizations,andcorporateeventsinforty-fourdifferentstates.Heisalsoadynamicspeakerwhoisknownfordeliveringaninspirationalmessagewithexpertadvicethatleadstoimmediate,lifechangingandtransformationalresults!

Educational Experience: Ed.D. Organizational Leadership | M.A. Organizational Leadership | B.A.

Communication Studies

Accolades: 2015 Award Winning Leadership Conference | Young Professional Community Service

Award

Karin Hurt | (443) 750-1249 | karin.hurt@letsgrowleaders.com

http://letsgrowleaders.com

Topics: Making the Most of Your College Leadership Experience | Building Your Social Media Brand |

How to Get the Job You Want | How to Get the Job You Want | Communicating With Impact | Building

Trusted Partnerships

Biography: Karin Hurt is a keynote speaker, leadership consultant, and MBA professor. A former

Verizon Wireless executive, she has over two decades of experience in sales, customer service, and HR

which she leverages to help clients turn around results through deeper engagement. She was recently

named on Inc’s list of 100 Great Leadership Speakers, AMA’s 50 Leaders to Watch in 2015, and a Top

100 Thought Leader in Trustworthy Business. Her book, Overcoming an Imperfect Boss, is available on

Amazon. She knows the stillness of a yogi, the reflection of a marathoner, and the joy of being a mom

raising emerging leaders.

Educational Experience: M.A., University of Maryland | MBA and M.S. Programs

Accolades: Inc’s 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference | American Management

Association’s 2015 50 Leaders to Watch | Trust Across America Top 100 Thought Leaders in Trusted

Business Behavior

Adam C. James | (412) 779-5977 | acjames@SightsSoundsSuccess.com |

www.AdamJSpeaks.com

Topics: Leadership | Mentoring | Overcoming Adversity | Time Management | Conflict/Resolution |

Diversity Inclusion | Teamwork | Risk/Reward | Comfort Zone

Biography: Adam James grew up in a small steel-mill town outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He

didn’t begin speaking until age 4 and when he did talk, he had a speech impediment that required he

go to a speech therapist up until his high school years. Upon graduating high school, Adam decided

he’s move to Florida for a new beginning and to attend Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). After

graduating from FGCU, he spent a year teaching school before setting out to begin his own motivational

speaking business. In the beginning months, Adam found himself unable to make ends meet and left

having to sleep from his car. Fast forward a few years later and Adam has spread his message of hope

and inspiration to varying corporations, colleges, and conferences around the country. When not

speaking, he can be found officiating NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball games. He credits many of the

lessons he’s learned on the floor as a basis through which he’s built his business and continues to inspire

others.

Educational Experience: B.A. Education, Florida Gulf Coast University

Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos | (862) 215-6026

Shawnsimons.afterthefire@gmail.com | www.alvaroandshawn.com

Topics: Safety | Overcoming Adversity | Fire Safety | Friendship | Leadership | Motivational and

Inspirational Speaking

Biography: Shawn Simons and Alvaro Llanos were both inner city kids from New Jersey, who despite

violence, drugs, and bad influences in their neighborhoods, made education a tool to finally get out of

those conditions. Both first generation college students, they attended Seton Hall University in South

Orange, NJ in the fall of 1999. Meeting for the first time after being assigned to room together in the

freshmen residence hall, Boland Hall, they hit it off and found they had many things in common. Though

Alvaro was very shy and reserved and Shawn was very outgoing and the life of the party, they found an

equilibrium that complemented each other. Shawn and Alvaro did well in their classes their first

semester, but little did they know their biggest test would come on the morning of January 19, 2000.

While the two roommates slept, two classmates, as a drunken fraternity prank, set a banner on a bulletin

board on fire in the 3rd floor lounge and ran off without pulling any alarms or alerting any of the

residents. As a result of prior months of false fire alarms in the freshmen residence hall, many students,

including Shawn and Alvaro, took their time getting out of the building when the alarm was finally

pulled. Three students perished and 58 others were injured due to the arson. Shawn and Alvaro were

amongst the most severely burned and injured. Their journey of recovery and the investigation into the

criminal acts of the arsonists are documented in the New York Times Bestsellers book “After the Fire: A

True Story of Friendship and Survival” and later turned into an award-winning documentary “After the

Fire: A True Story of Heroes and Cowards.” Shawn and Alvaro travel the country speaking to college

and high school students and administrators about the most difficult time of their lives and the

importance of fire safety and prevention on and off campus. Their story is one of overcoming adversity

despite the challenges, becoming comfortable in their burned skin, and how their bond with each other,

as well as their families, friends, and campus community, helped them get their lives back.

Educational Experience: B.A. Business Management

Accolades: Presented at over 100 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. Been in and on

several local newspapers and news programming. Keynote speaker at several college safety-related

conferences across the country.