Mimi Brown empowers individuals and organizations to communicate with clarity, lead with authenticity, and sell with confidence. Renowned for her dynamic programs, she teaches professionals how to master the art and science of influence to achieve extraordinary results in leadership, communication, and sales.

As a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)—a designation held by fewer than 800 speakers worldwide—Mimi combines her deep expertise with an engaging style that captivates audiences and drives transformative outcomes. She is also the host of the AMP Up Your Impact podcast and a seasoned media personality, sharing actionable strategies with global audiences to inspire immediate change.

A sought-after speaker, Mimi delivers 50–60 presentations annually for Fortune 500 companies, top organizations, and high-profile events. Known for her relatable humor and compelling storytelling, she equips audiences with proven tools to build trust, foster meaningful connections, and amplify their impact long after the event concludes.

Mimi is the author of three insightful books:

• AMP Up Your Success: 52 Tips Every Leader Should Know
• AMP Up Your Success: 70 Tips to Skyrocket Your Sales
• Be a Communication Rockstar: 52 Tips to Gain Connection, Reduce Conflict, and Skyrocket Confidence

Her work has earned her recognition as Michigan Meetings and Events’ Best Speaker and as a trusted authority in leadership, communication, and sales.

When Mimi isn’t delivering keynotes, coaching leaders, or hosting her podcast, she’s channeling her energy into kickboxing classes or perfecting her swing on the golf course.

Dr. Kurt Senske is the Founder and Principal of CEO-Board Services, a consulting firm that specializes in working with mission-oriented organizational leaders and boards around issues of governance, strategy, organizational structure, succession planning, coaching, and mergers and acquisitions.

Previously, Senske served as Chief Executive Officer of Upbring (formerly Lutheran Social Services of the South) for 23 years.   Upbring is a multi-faceted, multi-state, social service agency with an annual operating budget of over $100 million and 1000 employees. At Upbring, Dr. Senske has been responsible for more than quadrupling the size of the agency and steering the once-troubled agency back to financial strength.  During his tenure the organization eliminated an indebtedness of $60 million and currently enjoys an endowment of over $40 million.  

 Dr. Senske completed his undergraduate work at Concordia University-Texas and Valparaiso University in Indiana, majoring in Accounting with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois College of Law, a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from Schiller International University in Paris, France, and a PhD in Government from the University of Texas at Austin.

 Prior to his work at Upbring, Dr. Senske served as Assistant to the President at Concordia University-Texas. Dr. Senske also practiced law in Chicago, Illinois with several law firms, including the firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson.  In addition, he has served as a senior staff member and policy advisor for government leaders at local, state, and national levels for both the Republican and Democratic Parties.

 Dr. Senske’s extensive board service includes having served as Chair of the Board of Directors of Thrivent Financial, a Fortune 500 financial services organization and the Thrivent Charitable Foundation.  He currently serves as Chair of Lutheran Hour Ministries.   

 Dr. Senske is the author of five books, The CEO and the Board:  The Art of Nonprofit Governance as a Competitive Advantage; Wine and the Word: Savor and Serve; The Calling:  Live a Life of Significance; Executive Values: A Christian Approach to Organizational Leadership, and Personal Values. 

A gifted public speaker, Dr. Senske has been a guest columnist on a variety of issues for newspapers and magazines as well as a regular commentator on television, radio, and podcasts.

 Dr. Senske and his wife Laurie live in Austin, Texas and are the proud parents of their daughter Sydney, son-in-law Cody, and grandson, Nolan.

Ms. Marziani is a prominent civil rights litigator with more than fifteen years of experience in constitutional law and civil rights advocacy; she is a nationally recognized expert in voting rights and Texas politics. Ms. Marziani is commonly featured in the press, and has appeared in the Texas Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News, Austin American-Statesman, Washington Post, Guardian, Mother Jones, NPR, CNN and ABC News in recent years alone. She is a frequent speaker in a variety of public forums, and has testified before the U.S. Congress and other governmental bodies on numerous occasions. In 2020, she was recognized with an “Austin Under 40” award. 

In 2023, Ms. Marziani co-founded Marziani, Stevens & Gonzalez PLLC, a boutique law firm providing battle-tested legal counsel to politically active nonprofits, candidates, election officials and similar clients, focused on legal needs arising under Texas and federal law. For over a decade, she has been a trusted lawyer and strategist for progressive candidates and campaigns in Texas, including running the first coordinated, statewide voter protection program for Texas Democrats in 2014. 

For years, Ms. Marziani has taught constitutional law and mentored young lawyers. Today, she serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law, an instructor at NYU Abu Dhabi (January 2023), and on the NYU School of Law Board of Trustees. She also proudly chairs the board of Way to Rise, a national hub for donors working toward a multiracial democracy, and serves as Senior Policy Counsel for democracySENTRY, a unique national project focused on achieving federal democracy reform at the first politically viable opportunity. 

From 2016 to 2023, Ms. Marziani was the President of the Texas Civil Rights Project, a position she assumed in early 2016 at the age of 33. Under her leadership, TCRP tripled its budget and transformed into a national model for community lawyering, providing excellent legal representation to traditionally marginalized Texas communities and forcing the State of Texas to be accountable to the rule of law. Ms. Marziani has also worked as Counsel for the Democracy Program of the Brennan Center for Justice, and as a litigation associate of Sullivan & Cromwell LLP.   

Ms. Marziani graduated cum laude from NYU School of Law, and clerked for the honorable James C. Francis, a U.S. magistrate judge for the Southern District of New York. She received a B.A., magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University.

Vicki Spriggs is a dedicated advocate for children who has worked for more than 50 years in the child services arena. Known for her leadership on youth-related issues, Spriggs is a national speaker, a decisive leader and a fierce believer in the rights of all children, especially the right to a safe, loving and permanent home.

Prior to joining Texas CASA in January 2012, Spriggs served in a variety of positions dedicated to child welfare, including as a foster parent, director of the Travis County Juvenile Court Informal Adjustment unit and executive director at Texas Juvenile Probation Commission. She received a bachelor’s degree in education and Master of Education in juvenile justice and secondary counseling from the University of Massachusetts.

Spriggs was the recipient of the National CASA/GAL Award of Excellence -State Director of the Year in 2022. 

Kezia Stegemoeller is a senior manager for the Catalyst Fund at Fidelity Charitable®, an independent 501(c)(3)
public charity that has helped donors support more than 433,000 nonprofit organizations with more than $100
billion in grants.1 The mission of Fidelity Charitable is to grow the American tradition of philanthropy by providing
programs that make charitable giving accessible, simple, and effective.
Kezia joined Fidelity Charitable in 2023. In her role, she supports grantees to strengthen the capacity of the
nonprofit sector. Given her years working in philanthropy, she approaches her role with empathy and
understanding and is a passionate and fierce advocate of increasing access to opportunity.
Prior to joining Fidelity Charitable, Kezia worked for T.D. Jakes Foundation as chief partnerships officer. In her
previous role, she served at The Dallas Foundation as senior director of donor engagement, where she colaunched the foundation’s Racial Equity Fund and managed the portfolio of Supporting Organizations. Before
that, she served as the founding executive director at Friends of Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, which
supports the first public all-boys school in Dallas. Her previous experience also includes working as development
coordinator and assistant director of community service at St. Mark’s School of Texas.
Kezia is an active community volunteer in Dallas and is passionate about equity and representation. She currently
serves as an advisory council member to the University of Texas at Dallas Public and Nonprofit Management
program. Additionally, she is a Presidential Leadership Scholar, a national leadership program spearheaded by a
joint effort from the LBJ Foundation, the George & Barbara Bush Foundation, the Clinton Presidential Center,
and the George W. Bush Presidential Center.
Education & Credentials
• Master’s degree in public affairs, specialization in nonprofit management from the University of Texas at
Dallas
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from the University of Texas at Austin
• Business Foundations Certificate, McCombs School of Busines

Ms. Sanchez has provided steadfast counsel in many of the areas that the County Attorney
practices, including juvenile prosecution, complex civil litigation defense, and general
counsel to the juvenile probation department and commissioners court.
Christina serves on the board of Project Bravo where she serves on their executive
committee and is a past president of the El Paso Women’s Bar Association. Christina also is
a proud member of the Executive Women’s Lions Club. Familiar with the local political
landscape, Christina successfully campaigned for a seat on the El Paso Community College
Board of Trustees, where she served as the Trustee for District 4 from 2019-2024. In March
2024 Christina won the Democratic primary election for the Office of El Paso County
Attorney. In June 2024, Christina was unanimously appointed as El Paso County Attorney to
complete the unexpired term of County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal through December 31,
2024. On January 1, 2025, Christina officially began her four-year elected term as El Paso
County Attorney.
Christina is a graduate of Burges High School, The George Washington University in
Washington D.C. and the Texas Tech University School of Law.

Heriberto Garcia brings over a decade of experience in higher education to his role as a Program Manager for the Center for Community Engagement at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). With a career focused on student development programming and community engagement, Heriberto had supported various initiatives and committees throughout his tenure.

 Currently serving as the University Staff Council Chair, Heriberto demonstrates his commitment to peer-to-peer support and collaborative leadership within the university community. As a first-generation student himself, he understands the importance of equitable access and support for all students in higher education. 

In addition to his professional responsibilities, Heriberto is pursuing his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Foundations at UTEP, furthering his dedication to academic excellence and leadership development. With his wealth of experience, passion for student success, and commitment to community engagement, he continues to make significant contributions to the educational landscape at UTEP, the El Paso community and beyond.

Georgina Hernández is the President and Chief Executive Officer at United Way of El Paso County. She leads the organization to support our El Paso community by addressing challenges in education, health, basic needs and financial stability. Under her leadership, the organization supports nonprofit agencies with funding and workshops, it provides direct programing with valuable resources and works to engage the community to give back, among other things. Georgina joined the United Way team in March of 2023 as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer before taking over as President & CEO in February 2024. She is a proud UTEP graduate who worked in the advertising industry for almost two decades exploring her passion for creativity and consumer behavior. She is a Leadership Texas graduate and has served on boards and communities throughout her career supporting the El Paso community. Before joining United Way, Georgina lead the GECU Foundation as Executive Director and helped to increase the charitable impact in the community.