2025
SUMMIT
SPEAKERS
APRIL 24 | 12:30–6:30 PM | DOWNTOWN BEND
Curt Steinhorst, Leadership Strategist, Bestselling Author, and Executive at Venus Aerospace
My 20-year career includes studying generational dynamics at a leading research firm, writing a best-selling book on attention and leadership, coaching elite athletes, public figures, and executives, delivering over 500 keynotes to global companies like JPMorgan, Nike, SAP, and Deloitte, and most recently, launching an aerospace startup.
I focus on the human factors that shape high-performance teams and leaders. In a world where leaders often feel the weight of isolation, my mission is to help them build bigger, better, and faster—without having to do it alone.
Lynsey Harris, News Anchor, KTVZ
Lynsey Harris is a news anchor at KTVZ, bringing Central Oregon the latest stories with passion and professionalism. Originally from Los Angeles, she unexpectedly found her way into anchoring after moving to Bend—a career shift that quickly became her calling. With a deep appreciation for storytelling and community connection, she’s dedicated to delivering news that matters. She’s honored to host the Emerging Talent Summit and is looking forward to celebrating innovation, ambition, and the next generation of industry leaders.
Justin Coats, Co-Founder, Neesh AI
Justin Coats has seen firsthand how AI can transform businesses and lives—but he’s equally committed to ensuring we don’t lose the human touch in the process. From the Marine Corps to his leadership in the AI space, Justin’s career has been about embracing change and helping others do the same. He specializes in breaking down complex AI concepts into simple, effective strategies that leaders can use to drive innovation and success without forgetting the human element.
Lisa Flexner, Founder and Principal, FlexHealth Consulting
Dr. Lisa Flexner, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, is Founder and Principal at FlexHealth Consulting (FHC), which helps organizations improve their internal health so they can focus on building health in the community. Dr. Flexner brings 30 years of cross-industry experience and 20 years in health and wellness, leadership, education, and coaching, working with clients, patients, and customers to identify new opportunities for growth and development, barriers to change, and strategies to move over, around, and through the challenges. She has demonstrated success building and scaling programs, establishing innovative healthcare ventures, and delivering exceptional customer care in organizations from startup to Fortune 50.
Brett Larson, Leadership Development Program Facilitator and Leadership Coach
Brett is a Certified Professional Coach and a Leadership Development Professional at Humessence, LLC. He has been supporting Leaders for years helping them develop interpersonal skills that make them better leaders and creates high-performing teams. With a BS in Industrial Engineering from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Colorado University. Brett has led teams for 29 years and has 6 years of experience developing and applying a leadership development program known as HUMan-Based LEadership development (HUM-B-LE). This program is detailed in his book, Discovering Leaders Within: A modern guide for cultivating your team’s potential.
Connor McCullough, Financial Advisor
Connor, originally from Tualatin, Oregon, is a University of Oregon graduate with a degree in Math and Physics. After three years as an analyst at a hedge fund, Connor founded his own financial planning firm in 2022. With a specialized focus on tax strategies, he serves small and medium-sized businesses, medical professionals, attorneys, and executives. His expertise spans tax law, estate planning, and comprehensive financial strategies. A former athlete in basketball and football, Connor is passionate about using his analytical skills and community-focused mindset to make a positive impact.
Jay Garcia, Certified Professional Coach
Jay is a professional coach with nearly 15 years of experience in high-performance industries, including sales, financial services, management consulting, and technology. He has held roles in business development—managing multi-million-dollar portfolios and driving organizational growth—and global operations, where he led initiatives and collaborated with executives to achieve strategic goals. Jay’s work at industry leaders like Wells Fargo, Accenture, PwC-Guidehouse, and Uber has given him deep insights into workplace culture and organizational dynamics.
Kurt Barker, Partner, Best Best & Krieger LLP
Best Best & Krieger LLP Partner Kurt Barker is the practice group leader of the firm’s multi-state Labor & Employment practice group. He provides counsel and defends clients in most all employment-related matters, including discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, tort, non-compete enforcement, and trade secret obligations. He frequently lectures on employment law topics around the state and has been featured at the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries Annual Conference. Kurt also thrives on conducting trainings for managers and employees on topics such as anti-harassment, medical leave, accommodations, and more.
Marielle Gallagher, Founder, Crunch HR
Marielle founded Crunch HR in 2024 because she recognized most small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and startups lack internal HR Resources and the ability to address emerging HR needs.
After building a strong background as in-house head of HR for SMBs and startups, she leveraged her experience to provide flexible HR solutions to clients.
Our sponsors make this event possible with their investment in the continued learning and connection of our emerging workforce. Thank you!
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