2013 Speakers

Monday, Sept. 23

Opening Session Keynote

Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, Educational Achievement Services, Inc.

Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch is a renowned charismatic, passionate and influential speaker who carries a powerful message of what it takes to be an effective leader in today’s global marketplace. Consuelo has spoken at hundreds of schools, colleges, universities, corporations, and government institutions both in the U.S. and abroad.

Since 1996, Consuelo has dedicated her life to empowering a new generation of leaders. She has worked with over one million children and their parents across the United States through Educational Achievement Services, Inc. (EAS), her human development company.

Born and raised along the border in a small barrio in Laredo, Texas, Consuelo Kickbusch overcame poverty, discrimination and illiteracy to become the successful community leader she is today. Although she grew up without material wealth, Consuelo was taught by her immigrant parents that she was rich in culture, tradition, values and faith.

The values Consuelo learned during childhood were reinforced throughout her career in the United States military. After graduating from Hardin Simmons University, she entered the U.S. Army as an officer and served for two decades. While in the military, she broke barriers and set records to become the highest- ranking Hispanic woman in the Combat Support Field of the U.S. Army. In 1996, she was elected out of 26,000 candidates to assume a command post, which would put her on track for the rank of general officer. She respectfully declined the honor and retired as a 22-year veteran of the U.S. Army to fulfill her mother’s dying wish - for her to return to her roots and become a community leader. In realizing her dream, she founded Educational Achievement Services, Inc. with a mission to prepare tomorrow’s leaders.

Consuelo currently shares her story with people of all ages and creeds. She is doing exactly what she preaches - living a legacy. She maintains a strong dedication to saving the youth of America by mentoring students and parents across the United States. In addition to her work with American youth, Consuelo reaches audiences in the corporate, professional, non- profit, and multi-cultural markets.

Consuelo is the proud mother of five daughters and currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband, David.

Luncheon Keynote

Glen D. Johnson, Chancellor, Oklahoma State System of Higher Education

Glen Johnson Professional
Dr. Glen D. Johnson is the chief executive officer for the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education. Johnson leads a state system comprised of 25 state colleges and universities, ten constituent agencies, two higher education centers and independent colleges and universities coordinated with the state system. He reports to a constitutional board whose nine members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.

Background
Johnson became 8th Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System in January 2007 after a national search. Before assuming the role of chancellor, Johnson served as the 16th president of Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant for ten years.

Johnson served as Director of Public Policy and Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Oklahoma, College of Law. Prior to his work at the University of Oklahoma, Johnson served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives from 1982 to 1996 and was Speaker of the House from 1990 to 1996. At the time of his election as Speaker, he was the youngest sitting Speaker in the United States.

Academic Credentials and Honors
Johnson is an honors graduate of the University of Oklahoma, with an undergraduate degree in political science and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma’s College of Law. He was selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa in 1976.

Johnson holds memberships in numerous professional, state and national organizations and has been the recipient of many awards and honors during his career. In 2012, he was elected to the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) and currently serves as vice chairman. In 2013 he was appointed to serve on the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Board of Directors.

He is also a founding member of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence in 1986. He is a member of the Oklahoma Heritage Association’s Executive Board of Directors and was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in November of 2006. He is a member of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum Board of Trustees, a member of the Epworth Villa Board of Directors and the Oklahoma State Fair Board of Directors. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Oklahoma City University in 2009 and has been named as a Life Fellow of The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation.

Personal
Johnson is the son of former United States Congressman Glen D. Johnson, Sr., and Imogene Johnson and was born in Oklahoma City. He attended grade school in Washington, D.C. and graduated from Muskogee High School in 1972. Johnson and his wife Melinda, a teacher at Edmond Memorial High School, live in Oklahoma City.

Tuesday, Sept. 24

Luncheon Keynote

Justin Draeger, President and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

Justin Draeger is a first-generation undergraduate and graduate degree recipient, who has spent his career assisting disadvantaged populations to achieve their goals and better their communities. Since 2002, Justin has been engaged in administering, interpreting, communicating or developing student financial aid policy. He serves as the primary voice of NASFAA and as the liaison between the association and members, education community partners, Congress, the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, other government agencies and the media.