Speakers

Joan Burge is known as the red-lipstick-wearing “Rock Star” of administrative and executive assistant training and a successful entrepreneur who created a unique niche in 1990 by founding a training company that would uniquely provide sophisticated, robust educational programs and information to administrative professionals.

Joan is an accomplished author (8 books), professional speaker, consultant and corporate trainer. She is the creator of The Annual Conference for Administrative Excellence™; World Class Assistant™ Certification course; Star Achievement Series® Certification and Designation course; 30+ customized workshops, 200+ educational videos, 150+ articles and nearly 1,000 blog posts for executive and administrative assistants.

Her company, Office Dynamics International, is a global industry leader which offers a broad range of solutions and provides high-performance, sophisticated executive and administrative assistant training and coaching. One thing is clear: Executive assistants, their executives, HR business partners, administrators, and managers have come to rely on Office Dynamics International, because “only Joan is Joan.”

Joan Burge is an original; the foremost expert in the demanding field of management support. She put in the hard work and high investment required to earn the reputational excellence and uncompromising trust of leaders in business. She illuminates through her empowering teaching, building better work relationships between executives and their assistants.

Joan’s never-ending quest to provide top-notch educational programs has earned the respect of premier clients like Cisco Systems, AT&T, Kindred Healthcare, The Boeing Co., Humana Inc., Sunoco, Nokia, Procter & Gamble, Nationwide Insurance, and Chevron.

Courtney Clark is a globally recognized speaker and change resilience strategist who helps growth-minded professionals adapt faster and achieve more. Drawing on her two major national research studies on adaptability as well as her unique experience as a four-time 9/11-related cancer survivor, Courtney teaches individuals and teams how to change their plans to meet their goals.

Her breakthrough work reveals the critical challenges modern teams face when responding to transitions and obstacles, and she delivers proven strategies that create lasting transformation. Dozens of Fortune 100 companies, including Amazon, Google, and Nike, have relied on Courtney to deliver her practical and actionable insights on adapting to change.

Courtney’s expertise and approachable style have earned national media features on CNN, Forbes, and USA Today. Known for her clarity and actionable guidance, she helps leaders and professionals alike turn resistance into opportunity by embracing flexibility, creative problem-solving, and sustained success.

Now Courtney is on a mission to correct what she believes is a fundamental misunderstanding of resilience. Instead of thinking of resilience as unrelenting optimism, her research shows that true resilience comes from adapting to change and challenge.

If you feel like you’re hearing about resilience over and over again, but it never sticks, you might need a new type of resilience.

Peggy Vasquez is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, best-selling author, and empowerment coach dedicated to helping professionals build confidence, navigate change, and step into their full potential. With decades of experience as a trusted executive business partner and a dynamic career spanning leadership, mentorship, and coaching, Peggy offers an unparalleled perspective on resilience, self-leadership, and professional growth.

A former Chief Executive Assistant turned full-time entrepreneur; Peggy has successfully navigated her own journey of transformation—from supporting high-level executives to becoming a sought-after speaker who inspires audiences worldwide. She understands firsthand the challenges of stepping outside comfort zones, adapting to change, and thriving in unpredictable environments—making her a powerful voice on resilience and reinvention.

Peggy’s impact extends beyond the stage. Her best-selling books, Not Just an Admin and Mean Girl No More, have empowered thousands of administrative professionals across the globe, equipping them with the tools to lead, influence, and succeed. She is deeply passionate about elevating the administrative profession, fostering authentic connections, and helping individuals turn obstacles into opportunities.

Connect with Peggy before, during, or after the conference to continue the conversation on resilience, leadership, and professional empowerment.

Mike Song is the bestselling author of the Hamster Revolution book series and the world’s 6th most-followed time management blogger. With years of experience as a digital skills transformation and training expert, Mike has revolutionized how organizations approach tech training. For one thing, he always makes it fun, practical, and highly relevant.

For twenty years, Mike has inspired and engaged audiences around the world. He’s reached millions via interviews with CNN, FOX, NPR, and the Wall Street Journal.

But that’s not all there is to Mike. Here are some fun facts:

He’s an All-American Distance Runner, a talented singer-songwriter who once opened for Bon Jovi, and a devoted dad and husband who loves fishing from his kayak.

So, let’s welcome Mike Song and get ready to get more done and have more fun at work!

A champion of continuous learning and development, Julie Reed is an elite corporate trainer, eloquent speaker, and inspirational coach for administrative professionals. Both a Certified Star Achievement Series® Trainer and World Class Assistant™ Trainer with Office Dynamics International (ODI), Julie aligns with the vision and mission of ODI Founder/CEO, Joan Burge.

Julie Reed brings with her more than 20 years of administrative professional experience, including nine years of providing C-Suite support. By demonstrating her skills in building strategic partnerships and showing her ardent support of those in the administrative field, she fortified her value in her position.

Throughout her career as an Administrative Professional, Julie Reed embraced a growth mindset. Achieving success in multiple roles and working with varied management styles, she has developed an impressive core power skills set. Having first-hand experience in the power of power skills, Julie has designed this Series for you.

Starla West is President and Founder of Starla West International – a Business Leadership and Executive Coaching Firm. With over 20 years of experience in the corporate world, she knows first-hand how to help business professionals reach their highest level of interpersonal and leadership effectiveness in order to build their executive presence and breakthrough to the authoritative place they need to be.

After graduating from the University of Evansville in 1995, Starla entered Corporate America, where she enjoyed 15 successful years in various financial and pharmaceutical leadership roles. Then, in 2009, she left Corporate America and formed Starla West International, where her tailored strategies and proven solutions empower business professionals to be more influential and persuasive in their environment.

Starla has an extraordinary grasp of and insight into what it takes to empower decision-makers with the right tools and resources to achieve their highest level of executive performance. She understands their challenges and knows how to identify their opportunities to bring out the best in them. Leveraging their sustainable value and true potential within their organization, Starla shows business professionals how to combine soft skills with hard skills to better manage their relationships, lead others more effectively, and communicate their value. As a result, they make better decisions, achieve superior results, and become more visible and promotable.

Sheryl Green has taken “people-pleasing” to Olympic levels. For decades, she put everyone else’s needs above her own… until she hit a metaphorical brick wall.

After committing to one too many responsibilities, Sheryl discovered the importance of boundaries… okay, she actually discovered that boundaries were even “a thing.” Now, she works with individuals and organizations to build stronger self-leadership, protect capacity, and create healthier, more productive workplaces using boundaries as a strategic framework.

Sheryl has a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology and is the author of six books, including “You Had Me at ‘No’: How Setting Healthy Boundaries Helps Banish Burnout, Repair Relationships, and Save Your Sanity.”

Learn more at www.SherylGreenSpeaks.com

Lisa advocates continuous learning and encourages administrative professionals to expand their potential, take initiative, and practice being “relationship engineers.” An enthusiastic and sought-after international speaker, her presentation style is engaging, educational, and motivational.

Her successful career as a senior executive assistant, administrative manager, and educator spans over 30+ years. She is an experienced professional development workshop facilitator and engaging conference speaker. Her passion is to help elevate the administrative career and share her knowledge and experience to help others recognize their potential and build empowered confidence in their administrative roles.

She has been a repeat keynote and concurrent session speaker at the following professional conferences:

• Office Dynamics Conference
• Executive Secretary Live Conferences
• IAAP International Forum
• Professional Business Women’s Conference (PBWC)
• Central CA Women’s Conference (CCWC)
• Admin Pro Forum
• Administrative Professionals Conference (Canada and U.S.)
• Executive Leadership Forums

Since earning her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership in 2018, she has continued to support education and opportunities for professional development. As an adjunct faculty member at Ensign College in Salt Lake City, Utah, she teaches courses on Business Communication and Leadership Principles.

She is a Certified World Class Assistant and is certified to teach the Star Achievement Series® and World Class programs through Office Dynamics presenting them both in Las Vegas and virtually for over 15 years. She was one of the original members of the Advisory Council for the Administrative Professionals Conferences, serving two years to assist in conference educational planning and session content.

Her administrative career includes work in the healthcare and engineering industries, partnering with CEOs and senior executives, as well as the public sector, where she supported the CEO of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments. She has experience as a Community Board Coordinator, Administrative Manager and Human Resource Generalist.

Currently, she is a Senior Executive Assistant on the Executive Leadership Team at Intermountain Health in Salt Lake City, Utah, providing strategic support and partnership to the President of the Intermountain Health Foundation.