2025 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

JOBS, SKILLS, HOMES - A FUTURE FOR ALL

2025 Conference Agenda & Event Program

Flip through the full conference program using the arrows — and start mapping out your day of insight, connection, and impact! Already thinking ahead? So are we — stay tuned for opportunities to help shape next year’s conference. Want to get involved in planning the 2026 program? Email us at team@hvnexus.com.

AGENDA

MORNING KEYNOTE

HAMZA KHAN

A best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur, and globally renowned keynote speaker, Hamza has inspired millions with his TEDx talk "Stop Managing, Start Leading."

As a top-ranked educator and thought leader, he has shared insights on leadership, resilience, and productivity with Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Deloitte.

With a career spanning higher education, entrepreneurship, and executive coaching, Hamza’s expertise empowers individuals and organizations to thrive in the future of work. Get ready to be inspired!

www.hamzakhan.ca

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE

Brandon Gaydorus

Brandon is a 5x Author and Founded Warm Heart Life in 2019. On the day-to-day, he focuses on helping individuals execute on personal, professional, and financial goals.

He has been passionate about bringing personal development to his town of Stamford, CT, through events like A to B Con (2022, 2023, 2024), TEDxStamford (2024), Map Your Way to Financial Freedom (2021), and a combination of both In-Person and Virtual Speaker Schools.

After being the youngest voted on Golf Digest's Top 50 Trainers in America List in 2019-20. Brandon decided to shift his focus from Fitness to Personal Development with the intention of growing together with as many people as possible. Through his speaking schools, mentorship programs, comedy shows, and guest speaking engagements, Brandon has completed over 250 speaking gigs!

www.warmheartlife.com

OPENING PANEL

Jeffery Fox

President & Chief Executive Officer, Abilities First
Joseph Horesky

Program Manager, Mental Health America
Randi L. Rios-Castro

Chief Executive Officer, Jawonio
Adam Roche

Director, Office of Veterans Affairs
Peter van Geldern

Communications, Futur.Earth

2025 SPEAKER LINEUP

Caroline Angiello, LCSW-R

President Emeritus, Community Nexus
Ary Aranguiz

Founder & CEO, Future-Ready AI Group
Miguel Baltierra

Director, Sustainable Strategies for the Universe
Chester Birchwood

Heating & Ventilation Engineer/ Renewable Energy Engineer
Hennie Botes

President, Moladi Housing Solutions
Ralph Brill

Founder, PureHempNY
Nicholas Clay

Integrative Coach, Being One World
Michele Curtis

Director of Social Enterprises & New Business Development, Jawonio
Nadine Daley

Senior VP of Organizational Engagement, Innnovations & Advocacy, The Center for Family Support
Gregory L. Deshields

Executive Director, Greg DeShields Consulting LLC.
Bretagne Elia

Futur. Earth, CO-CEO
Ronald Ferris

Business Development, Mid Hudson Works
Sims Foster

Sims Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
Torrance Harvey

Mayor for The City of Newburgh
Joseph Horesky

Program Manager, Mental Health America
Sarah Kadish

First Member, Hudson Valley Clubhouse
Itai Kaitano

Founder, BK Climate Solutions
Sean Kearney

East End Lofts Developer
Laura Kiesbye

Executive Director, Mid Hudson Works
Charles Kovess

President, Australia Industrial Hemp Association and Executive Board Member of FIHO
Elliot Livingston Wilson

Founder & CO-CEO, Futur. Earth
Kirk Maraglia

Board Member, Mid Hudson Works
Stacy Mason

LCSW, Certified Spelling to Communicate (S2C) Practitioner & Director, Infinite Possibilities, NY
Trevor Mason

Nonspeaking Autistic Self-Advocate
Tyler Mason

Nonspeaking Autistic Self-Advocate
Kristin Mayo

Founder & CEO, Community Nexus
John Muir

Hemp and Kenaf Agronomist and Educator
Meghan O'Sullivan

North East Regional Sales Representative, SimplyHome
Philippe Pierre

Miss FaireFax Restaurant & Housing Developer
Dennis Ramdahin

Founder Vihara Foundation, Green Building Professional
Randi L. Rios-Castro

Chief Executive Officer, Jawonio
Adam Roche

Director, Dutchess County Office of Veterans Affairs
Tom Rossmassler

Chief Embodied Officer, HempStone
Sarah Santos

Program Director, Hudson Valley Clubhouse
Andrew Schrijver

Housing Developer 50 Liberty Street Foundry Apartments
Jhack Sepulveda

Executive Director, Orange County FoodTec
Johan Tijssen

President, HempblockUSA
Sara Trowers

Chief Program Officer, Jawonio
Peter van Geldern

Communications, Futur.Earth