2012 Featured Conference Speakers

Jody Urquhart

Keynote Speaker

Author and humorist Jody Urquhart is passionate about spreading the message of the importance of fun at work. She has been presenting as a motivational speaker for the past 12 years, speaking at over 40 organizations and top conferences.

Ms. Urquhart is author of the book, All Work & No SAY, and her column, Joy of Work, has been published in over 40 magazines and trade journals. She is the 2008 Bronze Winner of the 29th Annual Telly Awards for excellence in programming, and is a featured guest speaker for the GE Healthcare Tip-TV program broadcast in over 2600 healthcare facilities.

Join Jody Urquhart for a presentation that is sure to energize you, make you laugh and get you thinking!

Check out a preview of our Keynote Speaker, Jody Urquhart:

Jody Urquhart - Professional Speaker from S. Darren Wonder on Vimeo.

Simran Sidhu

Closing Plenary Session Speaker

Simran Sidhu has served as executive director of YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School since 2002, a unique one-year program that provides high school dropouts with a chance to earn their diplomas while learning vital job skills and providing valuable community services. Ms. Sidhu oversees the programming, operations, fundraising, and relationship and capacity building for the diploma-based program for out-of-school youth. Ms. Sidhu was honored with YouthBuild USA's Extraordinatry Leadership, Director of the Year and Solidarity awards, is a 2009 graduate of LEADERSHIP Philadelphia and was named to the 40 under 40 awards by the Philadelphia Business Journal in 2009.

Join Simran Sidhu for an inspirational look at what you can do today to connect with young people and help shape the workforce of tomorrow and motivate young peopole to embrace the core values of "Excellence, Respect and Perseverance."

Julia Hearthway, PA Department of Labor & Industry Secretary

Special Guest Speaker, Policy Session

On June 22, 2011, Julia K. Hearthway was unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve as Pennsylvania's 33rd Secretary of the Department of Labor & Industry. As Secretary, Hearthway leads the fifth-largest agency in Pennsylvania state government, with nearly 5,000 employees in 145 locations across the state.

Prior to her nomination, Hearthway worked in the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General since 1993. She served as a chief deputy attorney general since 2001, managing the office's Insurance Fraud Section, investigating and prosecuting all criminal insurance fraud matters. Previously, Hearthway was an assistant district attorney for the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office and worked in private legal practice.

Join Secretary Hearthway at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2012 to learn about the Department's vision and initiatives related to employment and training in the Commonwealth.

Lenita Jacobs-Simmons

Special Guest Speaker

Appointed Regional Administrator, Employment and Training Administration, Region 2 in July 2002, Lenita Jacobs-Simmons is responsible for the oversight of ETA's Philadelphia region. ETA and its state and grantee partners include Workforce Investment Act, Unemployment Insurance, and Adult and Youth Services.

A Philadelphia native, Jacobs-Simmons is a graduate of Temple University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also an outspoken advocate of performance excellence.

Dr. Steve Parese

Speaker

As an educator since 1986, Dr. Steve Parese has been teaching and developing programs for populations with special needs in a variety of therapeutic, community and correctional settings. He has written more than a dozen articles and programs and has spoken at over 100 national and regional conferences for at-risk youth, ex-offenders and welfare to-work individuals.

Join Dr. Steve Parese during sessions, " 'Leave Me Alone!' Understanding Traumatized Youth," and " 'Kids These Days!' Preparing At-Risk Youth for the Workplace," to learn about the youth transition from school to the adult world of work, as well as how to connect with and motivate at-risk youth.