Theme: Spark Your Imagination

This topic promotes thinking outside the box to improve quality of life in all areas including mental health, physical health, relationships, and finance after one of the biggest global pandemics. We have overcome unimaginable obstacles over the past three years, but how will our society continue to move forward? Now, more than ever, it is important to challenge and expand one’s own way of thinking during ever-changing times. Talks that fit this theme will provide a call to action to “spark” positive change, with the overarching goal of having motivating and inspiring ideas spread throughout an ever so interconnected world.

Harre Union - Valparaiso University
1509 Chapel Dr
Ballroom A, B, C
Valparaiso, Indiana, 46383
United States

Azeez Lakhani

Student

Azeez Lakhani ‘23 is a fourth-year undergraduate student at Valparaiso University majoring in psychology with a minor in chemistry. At Valpo, he has been a part of the MSA (Muslim Student Association) club, College Mentor for Kids, and was a learning assistant for general chemistry students. Also, he spent time researching the regenerative ability of Zebrafish with the neurobiology department. Outside of school, Azeez teaches English online to students all over the world helping them with pronunciation, comprehension, and conversational ability. In his free time, he likes to learn about spirituality and faith, play basketball and tennis, volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club, and spend time with family. After completing his undergraduate education, he plans on pursuing a career in the field of dentistry.

Daniel Faill

Speaker

Over-involved student leader. Fraternity member. Advisor. Husband. Dad. Ex- husband. Entrepreneur. Failure. Imposter. These are just a few of the titles Daniel Faill has had over the course of his life. As an accomplished storyteller and international speaker, Dan incorporates his own lived experiences, in addition to blending industry-proven research, to craft engaging and relatable experiences for audiences. Having worked for over 15 years on college campuses advocating for safe and positive student communities, Dan now travels the country as a full-time speaker and consultant, engaging audiences in hard but needed conversations. Dan creates spaces that engage and inspire us to be our authentic selves, and be brave enough to have the conversations that matter.

Eric Beschinski

Chief Navigation Officer for Greenfire Innovations,

Eric Beschinski is the chief navigation officer for Greenfire Innovations, and is also a “B2B Missionary.” His higher purpose is helping others find and fulfill their purpose and then take their organizations to the next level. The iNautilusTM methodology he developed over the last 14 years is designed to provide a visual, progressive, functional system of organizational navigation. With more than 20 years of experience as a business owner and over a decade in the financial services industry, Eric combines a strong mind for details and numbers with an eye for the big picture to deliver a holistic approach to business and personal development. Eric has written several books. His first was “The iNautilus Guide for Organizational Navigation,” which details the iNautilusTM methodology for organizational leaders. The “Nautilus Guide for Personal Navigation” re-frames the iNautilusTM methodology for the individual rather than organizations.

Karleen Savage

Certified hostage and crisis negotiator

Karleen Savage is a certified hostage and crisis negotiator with years of experience in business and domestic mediation. She’s also an expert on conflict resolution, with a master’s degree in the subject. Karleen has made it her life’s work to help others resolve their conflicts peacefully and amicably. She has come up with the Savage Theory of Resolution®, a five-skill model that can be used to resolve any conflict. Formerly an adjunct professor, Karleen has negotiated to open up mediation for counties impacting hundreds of thousands of people into the future. She also started a mediation internship program with a local university. She currently offers various online courses on conflict communications through her site: KarleenSavage.com. A mom to seven children and married more than three decades, Karleen knows a little about resolving conflicts! With her vast experience and knowledge in the field, she is dedicated to helping others learn how to confidently resolve disagreements.

Kevin Gary, Ph.D.

Faculty Member

Kevin Gary, M.A., M.Ed., Ph.D. is a professor of education at Valparaiso University. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy of education from Loyola University Chicago with an M.A. in systematic theology from the University of Notre Dame. Professor Gary’s teaching experience includes 10 years of teaching theology at Loyola Academy High School in Wilmette, Illinois, seven years as a professor of education and philosophy at Goshen College in Goshen, Indiana, eight years as a professor of education and theology at Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana, and one year as faculty director of Goshen College’s international studies program in Lima, Perú.

Mark Wilson

Dale Carnegie of Chicago Facilitator

Mark Wilson began working with Dale Carnegie of Chicago in 1988 as a senior account executive and facilitator. As a facilitator, he delivers training on a public and in-house basis, manages select client relationships, and maintains certification to instruct multiple core programs and seminars. One of his passions is strengthening the next generation of leaders, reflected in his 18 years of instructing at Valparaiso University. He received consistent Dale Carnegie International Sales Awards between 1989– 2011 and served on the Dale Carnegie Delivery Council from 2016–2018. He served as a Joliet (Illinois) Chamber of Commerce ambassador from 1984–2014, and is a member of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce currently. Mark received the Roger Osman Distinguished Volunteer Award from the United Way of Will County in 2009. He received the Honorary Alumni Award from the Valparaiso University Alumni Association in 2022.

Natalie Gold

Founder of GOLD Legal LLC

Natalie Elisha Goldberg is the founder of GOLD Legal LLC, a law firm which focuses on asset protection trusts and estates. As an award-winning attorney, a Rising Star “Super Lawyer,” five-time best-selling author, and a nationwide speaker about families, the transition of wealth, and money issues, Natalie prides herself on being a fearless cheerleader for her clients’ success. Natalie is an influential industry leader, thriving on and off the camera. She has appeared on television networks and shows including CNBC, Fox News, CBS, HLN, BBC, and Good Morning America, as well as being featured in articles in CNN World, Parents Magazine, The New York Post, Star Magazine, and Cosmopolitan, to name a few. Her greatest success? Being a wife and mother to two perfect children and, of course, teaching her clients how to powerfully have the money talk.

Sara Strauss

Student

Sara Strauss ‘25, a sophomore at Valparaiso University, hails from Spring Lake, Michigan and is studying exercise science – pre-physical therapy. When she’s not working towards her degree as a student-athlete on the swim team, Sara stays busy as a member of the Kappa Delta Sorority and as a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC). Some of her hobbies include hiking, reading, being outdoors, and hanging out with friends. She was inspired to speak in the TEDxValparaisoUniveristy event this year as she has always loved watching previous TED talks at Valpo and beyond. Sara is very excited and grateful to have the opportunity to give a TEDx talk of her own here at Valparaiso University.

Shereen Thor

Author

As a former comedian, Shereen Thor uniquely inspires employees, managers, and leaders to source solutions from within. She is the bestselling author of “Revolutionary Woman,” and has shared the stage with greats like Serena Williams, Prince Harry, Pau Gasol, and Les Brown. Shereen has been featured in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Insider, Medium, Spike TV, 97.1 AMP Radio, and more. She has also worked with organizations of all types and sizes like Google, Facebook, Salesforce, Chevron, Capital One, Yale, USF, LAUSD, and The Social Justice Learning Institute. Shereen is a certified professional coach (CPC) from the Institute of Professional Excellence in Coaching (IPEC), obtained a bachelor of arts in human communication studies from California State University Fullerton (CSUF), earned her certification as a mediator through the Orange County Human Relations Commission, and has a certificate in the science of well-being through Yale.

Terri Britt

Spiritual Coach

Former Miss USA, Terri Britt, is a spiritual coach, award-winning author of “The Enlightened Mom,” and the founder of the Women Leaders of Love global community, as well as a wife, mom, stepmom, and nana. For over 20 years, she has been inspiring people to claim their crowns and own their worth, so they feel nurtured, loved, and supported in every area of life, and become pioneers of change for their families, communities, and the world.