2026 MCAP(Mid-Career Accelerator Program)
Speakers and Coaches
Speakers
Tracy Graf increases success for a variety of prestigious organizations across the globe via customized, engaging Leadership and Team Development workshops. She has 20 years of leadership experience in Learning and Development, Marketing, and Public Relations with Vail Resorts, Life Time Fitness, Disney on Ice, and Ruder Finn Public Relations. Her company, Fuse, customizes workshops to strengthen how teams Communicate, Connect, and Collaborate!
AJ Lauer helps leaders thrive both inside and outside of the workplace. She is an expert on STEM diversity and workforce development. After 20 years working in the higher education and non-profit research fields, AJ founded her company Thriving Ibis Leadership Solutions. Through Thriving Ibis, Dr. Lauer provides a tailored-to-you mix of workshops, coaching, retreats, and consulting to provide individual and team leadership development, and help build inclusive workplaces. Dr. AJ Lauer holds an EdD in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, MS in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University, and BA in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her coaching certification from the Center for Executive Coaching.
Dayanne Izmirian, PhD SHRM CP, worked in Higher Education as an administrator and faculty before moving to her first Human Resources role at Regis University. Dayanne is currently the Culture & Engagement Specialist at StarRez, Inc, a global SaaS company. In her current role, she specializes in Onboarding, Engagement and Operations. Dayanne’s skills include coaching, leadership development and training, restorative practice and program planning and implementation. Dayanne values service to the profession and constant learning, which led to her involvement in MSHRM.
Courtney Murphy , SHRM-SCP, brings two decades of experience in corporate HR with degrees in Strategic HR Management, Psychology, and Diversity and Inclusion. With a passion for social and organizational psychology, she has extensively studied occupational stress to discover effective and sustainable methods to improve engagement and motivate performance. Courtney is the bestselling author of Life After Burnout: Reclaim, Recover, Renew, a Career & Leadership Coach, and HR Consultant. Her work focuses on helping employees and companies thrive in their success.
Jeremy Edmonds Jeremy Edmonds is the Executive Vice President of People and Culture for Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. His love for people, process, and the employee experience led him to his career in Human Resources. Jeremy’s relentless pursuit of the best of the best employee experience and passion for culture has been a driving force throughout his career. Jeremy is certified as an Emotional Intelligence Practitioner by the American Psychological Association. With a passion for leadership development, Jeremy is committed to helping to grow and develop emerging leaders. Jeremy serves on the board of directors for The Snooze Compass Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on helping employees at Snooze who are facing emergencies caused by financial hardship. Jeremy is a founding member of the advisory board for FSR and QSR magazines and is a proud partner and advisor to the tech platforms goHappy and AirVet. Throughout his career, Jeremy has been a champion for diversity, leading multiple programs focused on the acquisition, development, and employee experience for underrepresented employees. Being a foodie at heart with a love for all things food and beverage, he is thrilled to spend his days creating moments and experiences for Snoozers across America!
Coaches
AJ Lauer helps leaders thrive both inside and outside of the workplace. She is an expert on STEM diversity and workforce development. After 20 years working in the higher education and non-profit research fields, AJ founded her company Thriving Ibis Leadership Solutions. Through Thriving Ibis, Dr. Lauer provides a tailored-to-you mix of workshops, coaching, retreats, and consulting to provide individual and team leadership development, and help build inclusive workplaces. Dr. AJ Lauer holds an EdD in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, MS in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University, and BA in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She received her coaching certification from the Center for Executive Coaching.
Gillian Faith is the founder of Next Level Coaching and Consulting, designed to offer coaching services for individuals and groups for leadership and personal development. Originally from Scotland, she is experienced working in both the UK and the US and draws from a background in healthcare delivery and leadership, and human resources and business management. Gillian holds a Masters degree in Management, and is SHRM-SCP and SPHR certified, having worked as an HR Consultant, providing services for small businesses and nonprofits. She has completed coach training with the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) and holds the ACC accreditation from ICF, as well as being a certified Positive Intelligence Coach. Gillian currently volunteers as the facilitator for the Mile High SHRM Senior HR Leader program. Outside of work, she is passionate about fitness and wellness and loves the outdoors.
Rachel Lucas helps HR professionals and leaders navigate tough conversations, build confidence, and develop the skills needed to grow their careers. With over 15 years of experience in HR, leadership development, and workplace conflict resolution, she understands the challenges HR professionals face—especially when stepping into new roles, managing difficult dynamics, or striving for the next level in their careers. As the founder of TrustWorks Coaching, Rachel specializes in leadership development, workplace conflict resolution, and career growth strategies. She combines her expertise in Energy Leadership™ with her "Unstuck" methodology—a practical approach that helps professionals move past frustration and overwhelm so they can see new opportunities and take action. She is an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC), holds a PHR and multiple certifications in leadership coaching, and is trained as a trauma-informed coach.
Rachel is passionate about helping emerging HR leaders strengthen their skills, gain clarity in their careers, and develop the confidence to lead effectively.
Yvette Costa is a Team Dynamics Coach + Consultant. Her passion is to help create teams that are HIP – Happy in Place; through Full Circle Coaching + Consulting. Her background is diverse, eclectic, and non-linear. She worked in corporate for 25+ years, has been trained as a yoga teacher and yoga therapist, continues to teach, and earned certifications in coaching from iPEC, The Science of Well Being from Yale, and Facilitating Happiness from Harvard’s Tal Ben-Shahar. Yvette is best known for taking a practical approach to melding eastern concepts with western logic to help clients become more self-aware, happier, productive, and solution-focused and to intentionally create the lives they want to live.
