Speakers range from industry leaders and respected insurance analysts to high-profile business transformation and innovation experts.

The 2019 Speaker Lineup :

Erik Qualman

Erik Qualman

Bestselling Author and Motivational Speaker on Digital Leadership

Erik Qualman has performed in over 50 countries and reached 25 million people this decade. He was voted the 2nd Most Likeable Author in the World behind Harry Potter's J.K. Rowling. Erik Qualman has been called the Digital Dale Carnegie and the Tony Robbins of Tech. His entertaining, educating, and empowering style is made possible by his revolutionary video-storytelling capability. His business books are used in over 200 universities and have been translated into 8 languages. He has received an honorary doctorate for his groundbreaking work. Qualman was formerly a sitting professor at Harvard & MIT's edX labs. NYU Stern signified Qualman is to digital leadership what Deming is to quality and Drucker is to management. Qualman is also the founder of Equalman Studios which has produced film and animation projects for the likes of Disney, Cartier, CompuCom, Chase, Hearts on Fire, IBM, and many other global brands.

Mark Breading

Mark Breading

Partner and Chief Research Officer at Strategy Meets Action

Mark Breading is well known for his perspectives on the future of the insurance industry and innovative uses of technology in insurance. His specialty areas include InsurTech, emerging technologies, customer experience, and digital strategies. Mark is ranked as one of the "Top Global Influencers in InsurTech" by two organizations, InsurTech News and Onalytica. He was one of the 10 finalists for the "Top Global IoT in Insurance Influencer Award."

Before joining SMA in 2009, Mark spent 25 years with IBM as the global insurance strategist, and had leadership roles in consulting and marketing. Mark consults with both insurers and tech companies on forward thinking strategies and plans for success in the digital age. Mark is a frequent speaker at industry events; an InsurTech mentor with the Global Insurance Accelerator; and a frequent contributor of articles to Insurance Thought Leadership, Digital Insurance, ITAPro, PC360, LOMA Resource, and many other industry publications.

Herm Edwards

Herm Edwards

Arizona State Head Coach; Former ESPN Football Analyst, NFL Head Coach

Whether it is his faith, his family or his football team, Herman Edwards exudes passion in all areas of life. Herm's career is defined by his energetic and enthusiastic attitude, first as an NFL player and coach, then as an NFL studio analyst for ESPN, and now as the head football coach at Arizona State University. Edwards joined ASU in December of 2017 after nine years at ESPN.

At ESPN, Edwards' voice was fully integrated into all of the network's platforms, from radio and digital to television. Edwards utilizes his diverse background in pro football to be one of the most informed and educated analysts on television. In 2013, Edwards was named the Team ESPN's Commentator of the Year. Also in 2013, Edwards joined elite company as a recipient of the Walter Camp Man of the Year Award. Most recently, Edwards was honored with the 2015 Shell Legacy Award, a recognition celebrating individuals with a legacy of charitable giving.

Ginger Hardage

Ginger Hardage

Former SVP of Culture & Communications, Southwest Airlines

Ginger Hardage recently retired as Senior Vice President of Culture and Communications at Southwest Airlines after an illustrious 25 years, where she served as a member of the CEO's executive leadership team.  At Southwest, Ginger led a team of 150 people responsible for building and sustaining the organization's legendary culture and communications enterprise.

Recognized by many as a foremost global authority on building and sustaining organizational culture, Ginger was responsible for the activities that nourished the culture and the internal and external communications function. At Southwest, Ginger was a tireless ambassador of the world-famous Southwest Culture, leading to honors like 23 consecutive years on FORTUNE's "Top 10 Most Admired Companies in the World" list.

In 2017, Ginger launched Unstoppable Cultures, a brand designed to help organizations create and sustain cultures of enduring greatness.

John Rossman

John Rossman

Former Amazon Expert on Digital Disruption, Innovation & IoT; Author of book series "The Amazon Way"

John Rossman is most known for launching and scaling the Amazon Marketplace business which now accounts for over 50% of all Amazon units sold and shipped.  While at Amazon he also served as Director of Enterprise Services at Amazon.com, where he managed worldwide services to enterprise clients such as Target.com, Toys R Us, Sears, Marks and Spencer, and the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Since leaving Amazon he has advised clients across most industry verticals on digital strategy, operations and culture. He is now Managing Partner at Rossman Partners.

John Rossman is the author of The Amazon Way:  14 Leadership Principles Behind the World’s Most Disruptive Company and is an expert in Digital Innovation and helping his clients build and execute innovative business models. His new book, "The Amazon Way on IoT:10 Lessons Every Leader Should Learn from Amazon’s Internet of Things Strategy" came out in October 2016.