Keynote Speakers
Design Matters: Rethinking Learning Environments
Presented by Niki Spears
Niki Spears, Author, Motivational Speaker, Educator, Change Leader Passionate, Inspiring, Moving, Authentically Engaging! Niki Spears is ready to take your team on a journey to enlightenment as she opens their minds, hearts, and spirits! A former educator and school principal, Niki understands the struggles in education today and has supported hundreds of school leaders, districts, and administrators in finding the beauty underneath the struggle as they embrace strategies that will create and sustain a positive culture. Niki is the author of three books- one non-fiction titled, The Beauty Underneath the Struggle, and two children’s books, The Hand Hug and Kindness Is Contagious Too! Niki is currently touring the country empowering school leaders and educators to take 100% responsibility for their thoughts, actions, and attitudes. Her talks inspire teams to move beyond a victim mindset to that of a victor allowing them to take the pencil of life and create their masterpiece. www.nikispears.com
California’s Labor Market in Ten Years: Which Jobs will be In-Demand in 2033?
Presented by Luke Meyer
Luke Meyer is the director of the Los Angeles Center of Excellence for Labor Market Research (LA COE), hosted at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut. Luke holds a Master’s degree in psychology and evaluation from Claremont Graduate University as well as an MA in education from the University of La Verne. Prior to joining the COE team in 2017, Luke conducted research for the Department of Public Social Services, evaluating the effectiveness of various social programs and services. Throughout his professional career, Luke has worn many hats– from group home treatment counselor and manager to community-based caseworker, to community college professor and after-school enrichment teacher, to research assistant and program evaluator– his path has veered and winded, but at the heart of each step along the way one thing has remained constant, Luke’s desire to help others. His current research with the COE directs community college students towards living wage jobs in growing fields, especially in middle-skill occupations that support the fabric of LA’s labor market.