Spring 2026 Speakers

is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian, as well as a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, with over fifteen years of experience in the health and wellness field. She is deeply passionate about nutrition and dedicated to helping others discover their own path to lasting wellness.

Wendy is the founder of One Bite Nutrition Consulting, a private practice specializing in diabetes education and management, weight loss, food sensitivities and allergies, kidney disease, gastrointestinal disorders, heart health, and more. Her philosophy centers on meeting clients where they are, helping them set realistic goals, and guiding them toward their personal vision of success.

A bit of background… Originally from a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, Wendy earned her bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She completed her dietetic internship with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and later obtained a Master of Public Health from Missouri State University.

In addition to her professional work, Wendy is an active volunteer with the Missouri Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Diabetes Dietetic Practice Group, and the Westside Soccer Association, reflecting her commitment to both her profession and her community.

Jay Chase is a dynamic leadership development expert with a mission: to empower individuals and teams to rise above circumstance, build lasting influence, and lead with clarity, confidence, and compassion. Based in Columbia, Missouri, Jay brings a unique blend of real-world resilience, high-level sales leadership experience, and transformational coaching to every stage.

Having worked in automotive sales and leadership since 2013 (including roles in Business Development, F&I training, and team leadership), Jay intimately understands the challenges of performance, accountability, and culture in high-stakes, high-velocity environments. He also knows what happens when mindset, identity, and communication are neglected.

On February 5, 2017, Jay made the courageous decision to turn his life around — embracing sobriety and personal growth. That journey of self-leadership became the launchpad for his message: when you master your mindset, you unlock your performance, purpose, and path to influence.

Today, Jay is the founder of Don’t Touch My Mindset, a podcast and community platform that has become a trusted resource for leaders committed to growth, integrity, and influence. He is known for bringing high energy, authenticity, and practical frameworks to audiences of HR professionals, small business leaders, municipal managers, and seasoned executives alike.

Jay’s signature workshop blends self‐leadership principles, communication mastery (including the Flight Assessment™ style framework), and actionable team‐building strategies. With curriculum designed to be immediately implementable, Jay helps organizations reduce friction, improve clarity, and elevate culture from the inside out.

Whether delivering a high-impact one-hour session or facilitating a deeper two-hour interactive workshop, Jay’s engagements are experiential, engaging, and designed to catalyze real change — not just inspiration. Participants leave with clear steps, renewed energy, and a personal leadership roadmap.

If you’re looking for a speaker who can bring bold energy, deep authenticity, and strategic impact — someone whose story connects, whose tools land, and whose delivery leaves a mark — Jay Chase is ready to bring that to your next event.

Rex P. Fennessey represents the interests of employers in all areas of labor and employment law. Prior to joining McMahon Berger, Mr. Fennessey served for six years as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Missouri, where he defended the interests of the State, its agencies, and its elected and appointed officials in civil rights, employment discrimination, education law, and professional licensing matters.

His current practice includes all facets of employment law, including employment discrimination cases under Title VII, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, and the Missouri and Illinois Human Rights Acts. Mr. Fennessey also routinely represents both public and private employers in cases brought under the Fair Labor Standards Act and state wage and hour laws, such as the Missouri Minimum Wage Law, the Illinois Minimum Wage Law, and the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. Mr. Fennessey is recognized in the field of wage and hour litigation and has extensive experience representing employers in complex class action lawsuits.

Mr. Fennessey litigates before administrative agencies, Missouri and Illinois circuit courts, the Missouri Court of Appeals for the Eastern and Western Districts, the Missouri Supreme Court, both United States District Courts in Missouri, the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Illinois, the U.S. District Court for the Southern Division of Texas, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Mr. Fennessey further represents employers in U.S. Department of Labor investigations and audits, and represents management before the National Labor Relations Board in representation matters and unfair labor practice charges.

Mr. Fennessey is a sought-after speaker for companies and organizations on a broad range of employment topics. His many presentations include wage-and-hour compliance, how employers can systematically handle complicated ADA, FMLA and Workers’ Compensation leave issues, garnishments, and other continually developing federal and state labor laws.

Mr. Fennessey is recognized for his experience guiding new and existing non-profit organizations on a broad range of issues, and regularly assists these clients in obtaining 501(c) exemption recognition before the Internal Revenue Service.

Jack Fleming grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 2015 from St. Louis University School of Law. Jack began defending employers and insurers after law school, as an associate attorney in St. Louis.

Since August 2018, Jack has defended state agencies and employees in civil rights and discrimination lawsuits while working in the litigation section at the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. Jack started at Vessell Bridges Murphy in January 2022.

Kent joined Bukaty Companies with 30 years of experience building, running and consulting for companies ranging from small to Fortune 500.

He understands what it takes to design an employee benefits program that is attractive to both employers and employees. With all his talents in the finance and operations world, Kent works diligently to provide solutions across the nation the many services Bukaty Companies can assist companies and executives with — Group Health Insurance, Commercial P&C, HIPAA compliance, COBRA administration and payroll, to mention a few.

By keeping the client’s needs as the driver, Kent implements a strategy that allows his clients to stay focused on what they do best.  His new clients have been averaging over a $1,600 per year savings per employee… and they now have better benefits.

Kent is a seasoned public speaker on multiple topics and is known a ones of the nation’s leading expert on Wellness programs, Contributions Strategies, Strategic Plan Design, Direct Contracting and Cost Containment programs. No one brings more passion to their clients than he does.  Kent and his team deliver a world class benefit / insurance experience -so his clients can stay focused on running their company. 

Kent graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia, with a combined degree in Marketing/ Management/ Public Relations.

Licensed in Life & Health / Commercial Property & Casualty 

Verticals

 All companies over 10 employees – Associations, Auto, Banks, Churches, Construction, Distribution, Food Industry, Gaming and Hospitality, Manufacturing, Marine, Medical providers, Public, Schools, Utilities, 501-c3’s,

KFriend@bukaty.com
www.bukaty.com

John Grisham is a Human Capital consultant focused on helping organizations move from reactive HR processes to intentional workforce strategy. He brings experience across HCM technology, workforce planning, and organizational change, with a passion for designing solutions that get adopted. John partners closely with leaders to translate complexity into clarity and action. He lives in Moberly, Missouri, with his wife and two daughters, and enjoys spending his free time golfing, hunting, and fishing.

Reggie Harris — Educator. Coach. FinTech Trainer. Influencer. Game-Changer.

Born and raised in Mississippi, Reggie Harris is a powerhouse of purpose, passion, and versatility. A proud graduate and former football player for the Mississippi State Bulldogs (#hailstate), Reggie’s journey has taken him from the classroom to the boardroom—and everywhere in between.

With roots as a high school Biology and AP Biology teacher and multi-sport coach, Reggie built a foundation of discipline, mentorship, and leadership. He later transitioned into the banking industry, where he spent nine years earning seven ABA certifications and mastering the art of financial services. Today, he thrives in the FinTech space as a trainer, consultant, and culture-builder.

Reggie is also a certified fitness and yoga instructor, a globe-trotting philanthropist, and a passionate entrepreneur. Whether he’s managing retail teams, refereeing high school and college games, or hosting his podcast, Reggie brings a holistic and enthusiastic approach to every role he plays.

As a social media influencer and dynamic presenter, Reggie is known for his ability to connect, motivate, and elevate. Trained in emotional intelligence, time management, diversity and inclusion, and personality assessments, he draws on a rich tapestry of life experiences to inspire transformation in individuals and organizations alike.

Reggie doesn’t just wear many hats—he wears them with purpose, authenticity, and impact.

Brent has practiced in a variety of areas of law and was previously appointed as an Assistant Warren County Attorney from 2006-2011 where he tried dozens of civil and criminal cases on behalf of the County and served as counsel for its elected officials and department heads in matters concerning labor and employment law.

As an attorney for both private and public employers and employees, he has advised and litigated a variety of areas including employee policies and handbooks, discrimination, harassment, wage and hour law, workplace safety, disability accommodations, civil service law, and other issues affecting laws and conditions of work for both public and private employers and employees. Brent has experience in labor law including, but not limited to, negotiating both public and private collective bargaining agreements, grievance hearings, and arbitrations.  Brent also has experience in investigating a variety of employment claims for employers of all types and sizes.

As an attorney for government bodies, Brent has substantial experience in advising boards, councils, districts, and commissions on legal matters, interpreting ordinances and statutes, writing policies, reviewing and recommending modifications to ordinances, drafting inter-governmental agreements, representing municipalities in court and has tried numerous jury and non-jury trials. He has represented clients on cases involving a wide variety of municipal law issues, including: statute and ordinance issues, open records and open meetings issues, constitutional issues, contract interpretation issues, zoning issues, takings issues, and writs of certiorari and mandamus.

Brent is a frequent and esteemed speaker on a wide variety of employment and municipal issues throughout the State of Iowa and the upper Midwest.

Brent has been named a “Best Lawyer” in the State of Iowa since 2020 in the following areas of law: Employment benefits law; Employer and Employee Labor law; Employer and Employee Employment law; and, as a litigator in the following areas of law: labor, employment, and municipal law.  Brent was named “Lawyer of the Year” in 2025 for municipal litigation.

Brent currently serves as chair of the Iowa State Bar Association Government Practice Section and is a member of Iowa State Bar’s Labor and Employment Section Council. Brent currently serves as the Managing Shareholder for Hopkins & Huebner, P.C.

I’m deeply committed to the success of small businesses. I’ve seen firsthand that many people have the talent and drive to thrive, but roadblocks—often avoidable ones—hold them back.

My background blends both blue-collar grit and white-collar expertise. I hold a master’s degree in education and have spent years in the classroom, but I’ve also built and led a thriving lawn and landscaping company, working shoulder-to-shoulder with my team. Over the years I’ve employed hundreds of people, using that platform to not only provide opportunity but to help them envision a higher path for themselves and take real steps toward it.

This mix of hands-on experience and people-centered leadership shapes my mission: to empower individuals, elevate their potential, and help small businesses grow from the inside out.

Ed is the Talent Transformation Expert for businesses looking to achieve 8 figure growth. He delivers captivating, high-energy keynote presentations that challenge the traditional model of HR and prepare decision makers for motivating their people with a win-win strategy.

In his career, Ed has helped over 250 clients, including Fortune 500 companies, achieve talent and culture transformations. As a result, audiences value Ed’s deep understanding of the employee/employer dynamic and his ability create a connection with them right away. On stage, he provides practical approaches, tools, and relevant stories to inspire action.

A speaker, trainer and coach certified by The John Maxwell Team; Ed’s topics bring a refreshing perspective on how to leverage what is commonly viewed as “people problems” and turn negative growth into business success.

Ed is a member of the National Speakers Association, and has been featured in USA Today, Business Insider and Yahoo Finance. He is the author of Strategic HR: Driving Bottom Line Results Through Your People.

When he’s not on stage or helping clients, Ed teaches at Millersville University. His first love is family, with golf vying for a tight second. If you do catch him at home, he’s likely cheering for the Notre Dame or Baltimore Ravens football teams.

Rae Lyon is an ICF-certified executive coach, trainer, and keynote speaker who helps leaders shift from reactive to intentional so they can lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. As the founder of Lyon Coaching Group, Rae partners with organizations to strengthen leadership, communication, and culture through mindset-based development programs that create real, lasting change.

Drawing from certifications in EQ-i 2.0 Emotional Intelligence, the Energy Leadership Index (ELI), and CliftonStrengths, Rae blends science-backed insight with practical tools that equip HR professionals and leaders to communicate better, coach effectively, and build accountability with empathy.

Her clients span manufacturing, construction, and corporate sectors, where she has led multi-session leadership initiatives that reduce turnover, improve collaboration, and elevate engagement.

Rae is known for her contagious energy and her ability to make even the toughest topics like negativity, accountability, and change, feel doable and inspiring. She also serves as a volunteer coach for The Honor Foundation, supporting military professionals transitioning to civilian leadership roles and with the Women’s Employment Network.

Camryn G. Huyser joined our Des Moines office as a law clerk in 2024 and then as an Associate Attorney in September of 2025. Camryn currently practices with the employment law and municipal law sections of our Des Moines office.

Camryn graduated from Drake University Law School with high honors after studying Spanish and Law, Politics, and Society, as a Drake undergraduate student. During law school Camryn worked as a Note Editor for the Drake Law Review as well as an Integrated Study Group Fellow where she helped first-year law students navigate the shift into the legal field.

Camryn advises cities, counties, and other public entities on a wide range of legal matters, focusing on risk management and compliance. Her practice includes representing clients in litigation and providing strategic counsel on general municipal law, policy development, open meetings, public records, and land use regulations. She regularly prepares and reviews ordinances, agreements, and resolutions to help clients maintain compliance with Iowa law and achieve their goals. In addition, Camryn works closely with public and private employers of all sizes, guiding them through employment-related disputes and compliance challenges.

Jonathan G. Lewis joined our Des Moines office as an Associate Attorney in September 2024. He is a graduate of Drake University Law School (high honors), earned his master’s in education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (high distinction). During law school, Jonathan worked as an Associate Editor of the Drake Law Review. As a teaching assistant at Drake University Law School, he aided in the instruction of first-year law students on the fundamentals of legal research and writing. Jonathan now practices primarily in our municipal law and employment law groups.

Jonathan advises cities, counties, and public entities on a range of legal issues and risk avoidance, including representing clients in litigation, as well as providing counsel on general municipal law, policy development, public bidding, open meetings, public records, and land use.  Jonathan supports clients in compliance by preparing and reviewing ordinances, agreements, and resolutions.

Jonathan works closely with public and private employers of all sizes in navigating ligation of discrimination claims, FMLA compliance, wrongful termination, retaliation, unemployment claims, and wage and hour matters.  He also conducts internal investigations for employment-related matters.

Jonathan was named a 2026 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America in Labor and Employment Law.

Lillian Manning provides counseling to employers on a broad range of HR and compliance workplace concerns, including leave and accommodations, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, performance management, terminations, and other matters arising under various federal, state, and local laws. Her practice also includes the development of employment policies and procedures, employee handbooks, employment contracts, and separation agreements. She also conducts training and investigations related to employment policies and procedures. She partners with employers of all sizes, including both public and private, nonprofit, and public sector.

In addition to her advice and counseling practice, Lillian regularly represents the interests of employers before state and federal courts in Missouri and Illinois, as well as state and federal administrative agencies. She litigates individual, class, and collective actions on a wide variety of matters, including failure to accommodate, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, and biometric privacy claims brought under the ADA, FMLA, Title VII, MHRA, IHRA, FLSA, MMWL, BIPA, and other state and federal laws governing employment. Lillian enjoys partnering with her clients to obtain results-oriented outcomes, including taking the initiative to engage in early case assessment and to drive the litigation consistent with client objectives.

Lillian also serves as the St. Louis Pro Bono Committee Liaison.

Prior to joining Littler, Lillian’s practice focused on complex civil litigation including extensive work with discovery and motion practice. During law school, she clerked for Supervisory Administrative Judge Tatjana Schwendinger at the EEOC. She was also the primary editor of the Washington University Journal of Law and Policy, and received a CALI Award recognizing her as the top student attorney in the Washington University in St. Louis School of Law Entrepreneurship and Intellectual Property Clinic.

John J. Marino, Jr. represents the interest of management in all facets of Labor & Employment Law. Mr. Marino received his juris doctorate from Saint Louis University School of Law where he earned a Certificate in Labor and Employment Law.
Mr. Marino’s employment practice includes all areas of employment law, including employment discrimination claims under Title VII and the Missouri Commission on Human Rights, the American with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. Mr. Marino also represents management before the National Labor Relations Board in charges of unfair labor practices, challenges to elections and post-election conduct. In addition, he advises clients on employment-related matters such as employment contracts, policy matters and daily human resources issues.

Mr. Marino is very active in the human resource community. He has been on the Board of the St. Louis Chapter of SHRM (SHRM-STL) including serving as President of the organization. Mr. Marino currently serves on the state board for Missouri SHRM as Vice Director.

Outside of his professional interests, Mr. Marino is currently serving an appointment with the City of Chesterfield Planning and Zoning Commission. Mr. Marino and his wife are also very active in their communities through volunteer work with various organizations such as St. Patrick Center, Cardinal Glennon and St. Louis University High School.

Mr. Marino’s experience prior to joining McMahon Berger includes insurance defense litigation representing corporations in a variety of interests. Mr. Marino has argued both in trial and before the Missouri Appellate Court. He has also served as associate in-house counsel, handling a variety of employment and general business issues.

John Miller is owner and principal consultant at High Performance Coaching, Assessment and Teambuilding. He serves clients in the areas of leadership/executive coaching, teambuilding and interpersonal relationships and conflict. John specializes in working in the “tough places”, where communication has broken down or relationships need to be repaired. In addition, John loves to work with leaders to build an authentic “Leadership Platform”, which they can use as a basis to create greater value for their organizations.

John Miller is owner and principal consultant at High Performance Coaching, Assessment and Teambuilding. He serves clients in the areas of leadership/executive coaching, teambuilding and interpersonal relationships and conflict. John specializes in working in the “tough places”, where communication has broken down or relationships need to be repaired. In addition, John loves to work with leaders to build an authentic “Leadership Platform”, which they can use as a basis to create greater value for their organizations.

John holds a Master of Science in Organizational Communication and a Doctorate in Business Administration. He is certified and credentialed as a coach by both the Center for Creative Leadership and the Neuro-Leadership Institute, also holding certifications in Hogan Personality Assessments and the Myers Briggs Trait Indicator. Over the past 30 years, John has coached hundreds of leaders at all organizational levels across many industries throughout the country, including Supply Chain Distribution, Telecommunications, and Healthcare.

While staying true to his academic background and the most current research on leadership, interpersonal relationships and employee engagement, John is a practitioner at heart, having spent most of his career working in “the real world”. He served as Director of Leadership and Organizational Development at Charter Communications. From there, John helped build a small consulting firm that serviced such clients as BJC Healthcare, Philips Electronics, Nestle-Purina, CCL Label, DRS Manufacturing, as well as several local St. Louis organizations. Most recently, John served as Director, Cultural Transformation at St. Louis Children’s Hospital and as a member of the leadership team at the BJC Institute of Learning and Development. He is also an Adjunct Instructor for McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University, St. Louis.

Whether working with individuals, small groups or larger teams, the foundation of John’s work is to get his clients to articulate their “true reality” through self and team awareness, and then build solid plans and solutions that take them from that true reality to a place of greater productivity and optimal results.

Julie previously held the role of Vice President and Head of Human Resources at Cottingham & Butler for seven years before joining the Employee Benefits division. In her role, Julie was responsible for driving the strategic vision for Human Resources and lead the function through double digit headcount growth and navigated challenges through COVID-19.  Julie has served as a member of the Executive Team, Benefits & Retirement Committee, and lead the Human Resources functions of Training, Organizational Design, Payroll, Benefits, Recruiting and Employee Relations.

Julie graduated from University of Northern Iowa. She spent time living in Boston developing her recruiting and HR generalist skills before moving back to Iowa in 2005. She spent over 10 years in Des Moines and has experience working in HR consulting and held roles in corporate procurement as well as HR Leadership in the financial services industry. She now resides in Dubuque, IA with her husband and three children.