Thursday Morning Keynote
Carole Chabries wrote her first story when she became a big sister to her baby brother Ian; she loved stories so much she went on to earn three degrees in English Literature, mostly in the hopes she could stay in school and read great books forever. An award-winning teacher, long-time higher ed administrator, and now founder of her own consulting firm, Carole loves creating space for women’s stories to come alive.
Thursday Afternoon Keynote
Dr. Mays Imad’s academic journey began at the University of Michigan–Dearborn, where she pursued philosophy and minored in chemistry. She earned a doctoral degree in cellular & clinical neurobiology, with a minor in biomedical sciences, from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. After a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Arizona’s Department of Neuroscience, she joined Pima Community College (PCC), as an adjunct faculty member from 2008 until 2013 and as a full time faculty member from 2013 until 2021 teaching a variety of biology-related subjects. During her time at PCC, she founded their Teaching and Learning Center (TLC).
Currently an associate professor at Connecticut College, Dr. Imad is interested in understanding the social determinants of student wellbeing and success and conducts research on equity pedagogy. She recently co-authored the Norton’s Guide to Equity-Minded Teaching. Since the pandemic, Mays has facilitated over 150 workshops and keynotes on trauma-informed teaching and learning and published a variety of articles about trauma-informed practices within higher education. Mays’s work reflects a deep commitment to equity and justice in and through education. With fervor, she advocates for institutions to pay close attention to intergenerational trauma and cultivate spaces for intergenerational healing and resilience. Mays is a Gardner Institute Fellow, AAC&U Senior STEM Fellow, and Mind and Life Institute Fellow.
Friday Morning Keynotes
Originally from Romania, Anca Castillo is a human-centered design strategist, and Co-Founder and Co-CEO of DesignConvo, a trailblazing Strategy and Consulting firm rooted in Chandler. With her deep expertise in strategic storytelling, she stands as a well known storytelling facilitator of the Storytelling Leaders program.
Her certifications and a rich background in performance, spanning a 16-year professional dance and improvisation career, equips her with a unique perspective on storytelling, enhancing her facilitation prowess. This diverse experience feeds into her mission at DesignConvo: to address organizational challenges through powerful narratives and human-centered strategies.
Beyond her professional realm, Anca’s passions encompass travel, DIY projects, and performing at the Bridge Improv Theater, all while cherishing moments with her young family.
A distinguished scholar and organizational transformation architect, Dr. Cary Lopez seamlessly combines human-centered methodologies with an expansive HR background to craft powerful strategic frameworks. Her doctoral research in team hope co-creation and an impressive array of certifications – PMP, CCMP, and CPA – highlight her dedication to fostering positive, purpose-driven work environments.
As a driving force behind DesignConvo, Cary empowers teams and organizations with innovative tools and techniques, guiding them towards collaborative success and meaningful change.
Outside her transformative work, Cary’s passions lie in the arts, often seen with a paintbrush or a riveting book, all while enjoying cherished moments with her family.