Keynote Speakers - Annual Meeting

The best leaders inspire us by exemplifying integrity, vision, and empathy. They foster a culture of innovation and trust that allows their teams to meet big challenges with bold solutions. Our keynote speakers at the 2024 Annual Meeting + E2 will help you examine your leadership skills through a new lens, offering fresh perspectives on how we can all strengthen the ways we lead and function within teams.

On Monday, October 28, researcher and NYTimes bestselling author Shawn Achor will unveil the power of interconnected happiness and its impact on success. Then, Cynt Marshall, President and CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, takes center stage on Tuesday, October 29, to discuss how to lead authentically and nurture talent in ways that are beneficial for your organization and align with your mission.

Monday, October 28 | 9:45–11:30 a.m.

Sparking Our Collective Potential

Achieving success is not just about what we can do individually, research tells us it’s determined by how we complement, contribute to, and benefit from the abilities and achievements of people around us. Shawn Achor, the renowned researcher and NYTimes bestselling author will draw on his rich academic background and a remarkable global journey, to unveil the power of interconnected happiness and its impact on success. From the halls of Harvard to the front lines of global adversity, his battle-tested insights offer a masterclass in elevating mindset and fostering resilience for aging services leaders and their teams.

After spending twelve years at Harvard University, Shawn Achor has become one of the world’s leading experts on the connection between happiness and success. His research has been featured on the cover of Harvard Business Review and his TED talk is one of the most popular of all time with over 25 million views.

Shawn Keynote Mockup Banners

Tuesday, October 29 | 9:45–11:30 a.m.

Igniting Authentic Leadership

As the aging population continues to grow, our field is undergoing profound transformation, demanding visionary leadership to move toward a shared vision and mission. Cynt Marshall, the trailblazing CEO of the Dallas Mavericks and former Senior Vice President of Human Resources at AT&T, has a proven track record of identifying and developing leaders at every level. With over 36 years of experience as a dynamic force for culture transformation, Ms. Marshall has mastered the art of fostering growth, nurturing talent, and aligning employees with the mission and vision of organizations. She will provide us with a blueprint for leading with authenticity and driving meaningful change in our field.

In 2018, Mark Cuban hired Cynt Marshall as the CEO of the Dallas Mavericks, where she became the first black female CEO in the history of the NBA. Most recently, her Dallas Mavericks made a surprise appearance in the 2024 NBA Finals.