Judson Laipply ✨

After getting his Master's Degree in 2000, Judson Laipply has been entertaining and educating audiences all over the globe. With energy and engagement, comedy and content, wit and wisdom, Judson provides keynotes and trainings that are as enjoyable as they are impactful.

​On top of that, he is the world's first YouTube celebrity. In 2006 Judson uploaded his video, The Evolution of Dance, to YouTube. The rest is history: it was the first video to reach 100 million views and held the Guinness World Record for most-liked video for three years. As a special treat, Judson will teach all of us a shortened version of his epic dance routine! JudsonLaipply.com

Monte Selby ✨

Dr. Monte Selby is a Grammy® Award winning songwriter, recording artist, educator, author, and speaker. Known as "education's songwriter", Monte has written and performed hundreds of songs with over 42,000 students around the world.

Monte has his roots in education as an award-winning teacher, principal, and professor. He works as a trainer and consultant, has keynoted numerous national and international conferences, and written music with nearly 43,000 K-12 grade students. Over one thousand performances, workshops and leadership presentations have left audiences laughing, singing, and applauding across North America, Europe and Asia. Hundreds of participants have evaluated Monte's sessions as, "the most engaging presentation I've ever attended!" MonteSelby.com

Terri Johnson ✨

Terri Johnson is a former Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Student Councils (MASC), a position she has held for over 20 years. She retired from 30 years in public education in 2011, serving as a school counselor and student council advisor.

Terri served two terms as the President of the National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors. She was inducted into the Missouri Circle of Excellence (2008), was 2000 Missouri Advisor of the Year, and was recognized as the Earl Reum Award winner in 2016. But, she feels her greatest accomplishment is raising three sons, (who all participated in MASC activities), alongside her husband Bruce, a retired superintendent.

Her philosophy – “There is a leadership lesson in everything” is the basis of the way she approaches each day! Terri has been passionate about leadership her entire life and loves sharing tips, tricks and ideas with advisors. masc@masc1.org

Heather Schultz ✨

Heather Schultz's passion has always been to bring positive change to the world. After attending Central Michigan University and earning a degree in the field of nursing, she discovered her life’s calling was to work with youth—helping them deal with the issues they face each day and inspiring them to be leaders of their own lives by challenging them to live extraordinary.

Since 1987 Heather has become a highly-requested youth speaker, working with schools and organizations across the United States. She currently lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia. HeatherSchultz.net

Gary Clark ✨

Gary Clark currently serves as the Executive Director of the Illinois Association of Student Councils (IASC) and President of the National Association of State Student Council Executive Directors (NASSCED). A teacher for 34 years and long-time Student Council advisor at Collinsville High School, Mr. Clark hosted the National Student Council conference in 2005. He has presented workshops at numerous conferences across the United States and was a presenter at the NASSP's national LEAD Conferences for over 10 years.  Now retired from teaching, Mr. Clark runs an antique store specializing in furniture from 1740 - 1840. .

Karen Dawson ✨

Karen Dawson spent 32 years as a high school art and leadership teacher and was also involved in service learning. She was named as an All-American Teacher by USA TODAY and has earned numerous awards during her career, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award from President George W. Bush for her work with Habitat for Humanity.

In 2012, she co-founded a nonprofit weekly community outreach program that provides a meal for anyone in need in the St. Louis area. Since its inception, more than 66,000 meals have been served. This program is now being emulated in 54 communities. Currently she is the co-chair of the Greater St. Louis Area Homeless Task Force.

Zach Baumann ✨

Captan Zach "ZB" Baumann goes by Zach, Uncle Zach, and Captain Zach—in that order. He plays the drums in a band with his best friends (A Brother’s Fountain) and seeks out challenges like climbing Mount Rainier and racing IRONMAN triathlons. Uncle Zach has 6 nieces and nephews scattered across the country that he loves dearly. Captain Zach is an active-duty USAF Force Support Officer who is on a mission to make the world smaller… one relationship at a time. 

In May of 2021 he graduated from the University of Colorado – Boulder with an MBA focused on IT business strategy, marketing, and analytics. His passions are marketing, storytelling, and leveraging the power of networks to solve problems. He co-founded Air Force Gaming, a grassroots movement of gamers which picked up so much momentum that the Air Force essentially “acquired” in the fall of 2020. 

Richard Mark ✨

With a distinguished 20-year career in the energy sector and 45 years of business and civic leadership, Richard J. Mark, is a graduate of Collinsville High School and recently-retired CEO & President of Ameren Illinois, a top-tier midwest power utility company.

Among his accomplishments, Mark is credited with increasing Ameren Illinois' corporate philanthropy efforts and focusing on building stronger local communities. In 10 years, he directed more than $22 million in donations to Downstate Illinois non-profits and service organizations and stepped up the company's volunteer efforts for charitable causes.  As a champion of diversity, Mark opened doors for more minorities to grow into leadership positions in Ameren Illinois and increased the value of goods and services purchased from minority- and women-owned suppliers by 34% over ten years.

Marquita Thomas ✨

Marquita Thomas is a former teacher and school counselor—and former Executive Director of both the Tennessee Association of Student Councils (TASC) and the Southern Association of Student Councils (SASC). She served on NASC Executive Board and NASSCED Executive Board. But of all of her accomplishments, she says that working with student leaders is one of the greatest privileges of her life.