Keynote Speakers:

Session:  The Power of Positivity 

During this session, you will discover the benefits of being positive (and the costs of being negative).  You will learn how you can use positivity to make yourself AND those around you better.  The goal is to take much of the research on positivity and make it simple, fun and actionable so anybody can benefit.  These strategies have worked for companies, sports teams, schools and organizations of all kinds and they can work for you too!

Julie Nee

 
Biography:  Julie’s career in Sales and Marketing enabled her to develop an expertise around leading teams and developing people. Heart-centered leadership and enthusiasm are her trademarks. She brings a high level of energy and passion to every group she engages. Julie believes strongly in the power of positive leadership and loves to share the “Rules of The Road” woven together with personal anecdotes and relevant calls to action for the specific audience. She has spoken to groups as small as 15 and as large as 600+. Julie inspires and energizes groups of all kinds, even the tough crowds!  Julie is passionate about happiness, health, and wellness and loves to share ideas and solutions with others, including her husband and two children. She shares her stories and experiences with others to make a difference in as many lives as possible.

 Ken Medema

Session:  We Learn from Each Other

Ken Medema, a registered music therapist and life-time member of the American Music Therapy Association will invite participants to share stories about their experiences and moments when therapy and healing truly came together and turning those stories into songs. We can learn about best practices by listening to each other, noting mistakes and successes and repeating to each other the lessons we learn while doing the work we love.

Biography:  Across the years, Ken has shared his passion for learning and discovery through storytelling and music with an ever-growing circle of followers around the world. Ken has been performing for over 40 years in many different venues: churches, conventions, colleges, corporations and more, for groups ranging from 50 to 50,000 people. Through the Interlude Project, Ken and partners are now conducting retreats, workshops, and special programs for small churches. Though blind from birth, Ken sees and hears with heart and mind, singing stories from his audience and accenting themes and perspectives from speakers and workshop leaders. Ken custom designs every musical moment through improvisation and new composition to bring each event to life. Ken and his wife, Jane, make their home in Alameda, California. Together they work on program designs and song lyrics, making time to explore new developments in religion, psychology and culture. They share a passion for movies (yes, Ken is an avid movie consumer), books, new music, politics, and love keeping up with two feisty grandchildren.