Learn how to spot scams, protect your assets, and keep your community safe.

Facilitator: Mary Speer, Grand Junction Police Department.

Social media turns identity into brand, fueling division and eroding empathy as algorithms amplify outrage and isolate users in echo chambers, intensifying conditions for real-world unrest.
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Ryan Biller is a journalist covering U.S. politics and global conflict, revealing how social media distorts truth, erodes empathy, and accelerates division in an increasingly polarized world.

@rybiller

Xavier Crockett shares hard-won lessons from leading COVID-19 response and public health crises, offering practical insights on building adaptable teams and systems in times of rapid change and uncertainty.

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Xavier Crockett is a public health leader and emergency medical professional advancing community resilience through strategic programs, crisis response, and evidence-based leadership at local and state levels.

Emotions are intelligent signals. R. Sean Rollinson reveals how personal healing sparks emotional intelligence, transforming relationships, culture, and ultimately, the world—one authentic, hopeful interaction at a time.

Bio:

R. Sean Rollinson is a Licensed Professional Counselor and founder of a practice dedicated to helping clients heal relational and emotional wounds through trauma-informed therapies, fostering self-awareness and meaningful, fulfilled lives.

Website: https://ensocounseling.com

We’re not lacking creativity—we’re lacking clarity. In an AI-driven world of endless content, the real challenge is creating with depth, purpose, and meaning instead of speed and noise.
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Dmitry Chislov-Starkin is a filmmaker and creative director who helps brands and creators craft original, emotionally resonant stories—merging AI, identity, and artistry to connect without compromise.

A comedy magician and chaos coordinator, he blends surprise, wit, and barely legal antics to create unforgettable, fast-paced shows where nothing goes as expected—and that’s exactly the point.

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“Just Joe” Chasney is a premier comedy magician, fusing sharp wit, real wonder, and chaotic charm into live shows that turn skeptics into believers.

Kuiper advocates for dignity through their work with Toilet Equity, challenging stigma and fostering compassion by supporting unhoused communities and sharing the human stories behind public access and empathy.

Kuiper Curtis is an Environmental Science student and outdoor worker advocating for dignity through sustainability and public access, including work with Toilet Equity to support unhoused communities in Grand Junction.

Website: https://www.toiletequity.org/

The Western Colorado Community Foundation is a major force for good, driving impact across the region by managing over $186 M in assets and distributing $8.3 Million annually in grants to nonprofits and scholarships to students. Since 1996, it’s been amplifying generosity and sparking lasting change in Western Colorado. A slice of that funding powers YouthStrong initiatives—like Heads Up Parenting to foster digital wellness to help families thrive in today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world.

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Tedi Gillespie is a nonprofit powerhouse in Western Colorado, leading transformative youth initiatives at the Western Colorado Community Foundation. With a background spanning politics, healthcare, and radio, she brings empathy and innovation to programs like YouthStrong and Heads Up Parenting. After adventures across the U.S.—including Alaska—she’s now rooted in Grand Junction with her husband Joey and their two dogs, Sugar Bear and Kenai, connecting philanthropy to real solutions for thriving youth.

Workplace cliques kill collaboration. David and Aaron reveal how hidden biases and siloed decisions sabotage team performance—and how intentional design can reverse the damage. Learn bold, practical strategies to build inclusive, high-impact cultures where connection isn’t accidental—it’s engineered.

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David Loya shapes people-centered organizations through HR expertise and creative leadership, guiding teams with insight, authenticity, and a passion for culture, storytelling—and the occasional Taylor Swift anthem.

Website:  inhumanresources.net

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Aaron Hammel empowers communities by modernizing tech, fostering inclusive safety solutions, and inspiring collaboration through bold, purpose-driven leadership.

Website: aaronhammel.com

Asking for help is a radical act of strength. It builds trust, fuels collaboration, and unlocks the transformative power we need to create meaningful change in today’s world.

Bio:
Brenda Gleason is a bold strategist and entrepreneur who turns big ideas into real-world impact, helping organizations navigate health policy, tech, and innovation with clarity, creativity, and purpose.

In a noisy world of quick chats and shallow bonds, this presentation dives into the power of real listening and vulnerable storytelling. When we move past small talk, we unlock deeper connection, healing, and empathy—fueling communities that thrive on understanding.

Bio:
JJ Caric is a dynamic theater artist and mentor with Rocky Mountain PBS in Grand Junction. With roots in Pennsylvania and training in New York, she brings bold creativity and infectious energy to every project. Whether she’s directing youth productions or painting pop-art-inspired pieces, JJ thrives on storytelling that sparks connection and joy. Her work celebrates authenticity, imagination, and the power of community through the arts.