Dr. Jessica Sharp

Sunday, April 27 | 5:00-6:15 p.m. 

The brain is the root of every being. From our emotions to our thoughts and behaviors, the brain influences everything we do. In our opening keynote, Dr. Jessica Sharp, organizational psychologist and founder and CEO of Sharp Brain Consulting, will explore the intersection of neuroscience and effective leadership and how we can use this understanding of how our brains work to transform our leadership approach, improve workplace interactions, and foster a sense of psychological safety and trust with those with whom we interact.

About Dr. Jessica Sharp:
Dr. Sharp is founder and CEO of Sharp Brain Consulting, where she works with organizational leaders striving to create strong workplace cultures. As a social entrepreneur, her professional life and purpose intersect in a way that allows her to do her part in making the world a kinder and more loving place. She holds a doctorate in leadership psychology from William James College and a master’s of public affairs from the University of Missouri. Her doctoral research examined the relationships between workplace belonging and race, organizational identification, and employee well–being. 

Sponsored by   

Jennifer Parker and Melissa Fuesting

Monday, April 28 | 11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Monday’s keynote session is a two-for-one! In the first segment, we’ll explore how AI can transform employee engagement and simplify HR processes in practical, achievable ways. Jennifer Parker of Colorado Community College System will provide a demonstration of how her HR team is using AI and will share tools and resources you can use on your AI journey.

In the second segment, Melissa Fuesting of CUPA-HR’s research team will share results from CUPA-HR’s new Benefits, Employee Experience, and Structure (BEES) Survey and how you can use them to inform policies and practices at your institution.

About the Presenters:

Jennifer Parker is the assistant director of HR operations at Colorado Community College System. She is committed to making AI approachable and useful for HR professionals. She has produced AI-driven training campaigns, written articles, presented at CUPA-HR conferences, and led live demonstrations showcasing how tools like ChatGPT can enhance employee engagement, streamline HR processes and address workplace challenges.

Melissa Fuesting, Ph.D., is associate director of research at CUPA-HR, where she manages CUPA-HR’s annual workforce surveys. She also conducts research on benefits in higher education. Prior to joining CUPA-HR, she conducted research on recruitment and retention within in the U.S. science and engineering workforce. She earned her bachelor’s in psychology from Illinois Wesleyan University and her master’s and doctorate in social psychology from Miami University.

Sponsored by   

Cheryl Cofield

Tuesday, April 29 | 3:00-4:15 p.m.

Drawing on the empirically based, courage-building program developed by bestselling author Dr. Brené Brown, Cheryl Cofield will dive into the art and science of what it means to be brave in the workplace.  Attendees will learn skills to help them bravely navigate risk, uncertainty, and emotional exposure; explore behaviors that characterize courageous versus armored leadership; explore how shame and empathy manifest on college campuses; learn to cultivate trust; and learn skills for leaning into tough, delicate workplace conversations.

About Cheryl Cofield:
Cheryl Cofield is a corporate leadership trainer, executive coach, race dialogue facilitator and Certified Dare to Lead^TM Facilitator (Brené Brown Education & Research Group). She assists leaders with increasing authenticity, deepening emotional literacy, building courage and evoking powerful transformation. She has managed complex human capital portfolios for Fortune 10 corporations and served as a civil rights attorney, dean of inclusive leadership, chief dialogue officer and international humanitarian. A seasoned storyteller who masterfully holds space for courageous conversation, her work has been featured in publications such as Psychology Today, The Academic Leader, Journal of Profiles in Diversity, and Higher Ed HR Magazine. She is the CEO of Culture of Civility International, a leadership development firm with operational presence in more than 20 countries.