Conference Speakers
Demi Clark
Founder, Spark Building Group Demi Clark has done everything from swing a hammer to lead thousands of team members to goals in publicly-traded companies. She helps individuals, employee resource groups, businesses & trade associations throw their own sparks in equity, inclusion, goals & “crucial conversations” to move the needles within groups on ROI. A founder of She Built This City, empowering women+ & girls in trades with onboard programs. Now, she’s one of only 2% certified Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in Construction with her company Spark Building Group - with an emphasis on welding/metal fabrication & general contracting.
Princess Sarah Culberson
Humanitarian, Author, and Keynote SpeakerPrincess Sarah Culberson has an extraordinary journey that has been featured on CNN, GMA, BBC among numerous other publications worldwide which has trended #1 globally in over 60 countries. She is an internationally-known thought leader, TEDx speaker, artist and educator whose work addresses biracial and cultural identity and raises awareness of issues impacting Sierra Leone.
She shared the story of reuniting with her birth father in A Princess Found: An American Family, an African Chiefdom, and the Daughter Who Connected Them All, coauthored with Tracy Trivas and published by St. Martin’s Press. A Princess Found is now being adapted into a major motion picture for Disney Studios by award-winning filmmaker Stephanie Allain.
Princess Sarah and her brother, Hindo Joseph Kposowa, founded the non-profit Sierra Leone Rising which provides clean drinking water, sanitary pads for girls, education, medical attention, resources to build schools and technology centers, and more throughout Sierra Leone. Her work in business and technology has led her to create upcoming projects including an animation show with Randy Jackson as well as a Roblox game to connect and educate children about cultures around the world.
Song Division
Engagement Specialists Song Division is a people engagement company. Since 2003, they've helped thousands of organizations around the world to strengthen connections among peers. Using the science of music and the art of engagement, Song Division aims to build bonds between people to create more interactive, positive, and productive teams.
Education Speakers
Alex Willis
Founder & CEO, Leadership Surge
Alex Willis, founder and CEO of Leadership Surge, is a dynamic speaker, motivator and innovator of corporate and frontline change management programming. The comprehensive training programs available from Leadership Surge help develop leaders at all levels: from the frontline to the board room. Alex has worked directly with more than 2,000 executives, foreman leaders, and front-line team members embedding the values of diversity and inclusion in every area of the leadership mindset resulting in improved communication, engagement, productivity, creativity and job satisfaction. He pushes the boundaries with his training — first, grabbing attention through innovative edutainment experiences then, winning hearts and minds through his authentic approach and relevant, activity-based modules.
Rick Gopffarth
VP of Preconstruction, Dynamic Systems, Inc. | MCAA President Elect
Rick Gopffarthis VP of Preconstruction in Dynamic Systems’ North Texas Division and oversees business development, estimating and engineering activities. He manages mechanical projects within the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, mission-critical, healthcare, laboratory and large commercial industries. Additionally, Rick serves as President-Elect on MCAA’s Executive Committee and Chair of MCAA’s Education Committee.
Shaabini Alford
Consultant, Speaker, and Facilitator
Shaabini Alford is a seasoned professional in the plumbing and mechanical contracting industry, with a career spanning back to 2003. Shaabini has worked for two of Southern California's leading MEP contractors, and is known for consistently delivering excellence.
Having served as Executive Vice President of Southern California Operations, Shaabini led several departments to make sure they continuously delivered on-schedule and maximized the profit. Shaabini’s strengths include contracts, crisis management, risk mitigation, conflict resolution, cultivating a culture of trust and accountability, teamwork, integrity, and, of course, fun!
Shaabini is a proud alumna of California State Polytechnic University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology, specializing in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Shaabini’s academic foundation laid the groundwork for her career within the plumbing and mechanical industry.
Shaabini has established collaborations and partnerships with the California Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association (CPMCA) and has served on the Board of Directors for the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA).
Currently, Shaabini is a full-time consultant, speaker, and facilitator. Shaabini’s passion is to motivate, inspire and leave a lasting impression on others as so many have done for her fueling her successful career.
TALLsmall
Communication Strategist & Coach
Keith Scott and Rebecca Klein, of TALLsmall Productions, coach clients internationally on how to communicate in a simple, confident style in which words, tone and body language are aligned. They provides private executive and leadership coaching; group workshops, keynotes and panel facilitation for corporate, government and non-profit clients. Niche topics include public speaking, LinkedIn strategy, media relations, banishing imposter syndrome, presentation creation, and conflict resolution.
Committee Speakers
Charlotte Flesher
F.E. Moran, Inc. Mechanical Moran Group of CompaniesCharlotte Flesher
F.E. Moran, Inc. Mechanical Moran Group of Companies
Clare Shropshire
Total Facility Solutions, Inc.Clare Shropshire
Total Facility Solutions, Inc.
Elisabeth Howard
Postler & Jaeckle CorporationElisabeth Howard
Postler & Jaeckle Corporation
Ellen Geiling
JPG Plumbing and Mechanical Inc.Ellen Geiling
JPG Plumbing and Mechanical Inc.
Kelly Goldovich
Trane TechnologiesKelly Goldovich
Trane Technologies
Kelsey Johnson
MCA of OmahaKelsey Johnson
MCA of Omaha
Kori Gormley-Huppert
Gormley Plumbing + MechanicalKori Gormley-Huppert
Gormley Plumbing + Mechanical
Kristy Willis
Bradley UniversityKristy Willis
Bradley University
Laura Loziuk
McWane Plumbing GroupLaura Loziuk
McWane Plumbing Group
Michelle Thrailkill
Denali Construction Services, LLCMichelle Thrailkill
Denali Construction Services, LLC
Stacy Johnson
Auburn MechanicalStacy Johnson
Auburn Mechanical
Stacy Johnson has worked at Auburn Mechanical since 1976. In that time, she has held many different positions including project manager and estimator. She is well connected to other businesses through her involvement in the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), chair of the Mechanical Contractors Association of Western Washington Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (MCAWW DEI) committee, and chair of the Mechanical Contractors Association of America (MCAA) Women in Construction initiative. Stacy’s responsibilities at Auburn Mechanical include providing leadership, direction, and support for day-to-day operations. She also oversees our strategic commitment to maintaining the strong infrastructure that’s made Auburn Mechanical a leading full-service mechanical contractor.
Wendy Glauber
John W. Danforth CompanyWendy Glauber
John W. Danforth Company