Dr. Ali Atkison

Dr. Ali Atkison is a keynote speaker, author, and leadership-development expert who helps leaders challenge assumptions, avoid thinking traps, and make better decisions in complex environments. As Vice President of Learning & Development at HRD – The Leadership Development Company, she brings more than 20 years of experience helping organizations turn insight into action and learning into lasting performance. Ali is the author of How's Your Computer-side Manner? and a frequent conference speaker known for blending research, practical tools, humor, and audience engagement to create experiences that are both thought-provoking and immediately applicable.

Amanda Areces

In her role as President of HRD, she gets to focus on her two passions — people and results — all the time. She has spent the last 20 years developing leaders to elevate business performance. She is a talented facilitator and creative problem-solver. She enjoys brainstorming and partnering with clients to take risks and seize opportunities for greatness. An incredibly engaging presenter, she has facilitated a variety of topics including strategic HR, coaching, leadership development, and talent processes that drive organizational impact.