Presenters Preview
At WTT, you can count on Experts over Influencers™.
Our presenters are real-world practitioners who lead with purpose, not just popularity. Expect education you can trust, inspiration you need, and resources so you can take action.
Featured Presenter: Paul J. Zak, PhD. (he/him)
Dr. Paul J. Zak is Distinguished University Professor at Claremont Graduate University and is in the top 0.3% of most cited scientists. Paul’s two decades of research extending the boundaries of behavioral neuroscience have taken him from the Pentagon to Fortune 50 boardrooms to the rainforest of Papua New Guinea. In 2017 he founded Immersion Neuroscience, a software platform that allows anyone to measure what the brain loves in real-time that is used to improve outcomes in entertainment, education, advertising, and emotional health. He is a regular TED speaker and appears in the media regularly.
Featured Presenter: Imran Haider, MA (he/him)
Imran Haider is a Scholarly Assistant Professor in Strategic Communication and the Director of Online Programs at Washington State University’s Edward R. Murrow College. A seasoned educator with over 15 years in higher education and previous experience leading operations at a small business. Imran brings a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world savvy.
Passionate about helping students and professionals harness communication as a tool for influence and wellbeing, Imran is known for his conversational teaching style that builds emotional intelligence, active listening, and persuasive storytelling. He teaches courses including Stereotypes in the Media, Workplace Culture and Communication, and Public Speaking. Through his work, Imran inspires, connects, and creates meaningful opportunities that support both professional growth and personal wellbeing.
Session Panelist: Katrina Williams, SPHR, CPC (she/her)
Since 2015, Katrina Williams has led Human Resources across eight locations at DKS Associates, a 100% employee-owned company since 2011. She founded the firm’s Wellness Committee in 2015, fostering a culture of wellbeing and engagement across the organization. She was names Principal in 2022 and joined the DKS Board of Directors in 2023. Katrina brings 26 years of HR experience to her leadership role as Chief People Officer.
A graduate of Alaska Pacific University with a master’s degree in psychology, Katrina holds certifications as a Senior Professional in Human Resources and Certified Professional Coach. She is an active member of the National Society for Human Resource Management, serves on the board of the Portland HR Management Association, and participates in the Northwest Chapter of the ESOP Association. Katrina’s strategic insight, collaborative approach, and dedication to people make her a cornerstone of the DKS leadership team.
Session Panelist: Thalía Diedrick(she/her)
Thalía Diedrick is the Vice President of Marketing at GoTu, the largest dental workforce platform in the U.S. She leads brand, growth, and go-to-market strategy for a company redefining flexibility, career longevity, and access within dentistry. Passionate about the intersection of wellbeing, technology, and meaningful work, Thalía focuses on building systems that empower professionals to thrive while driving sustainable business growth.
Summit Co-host: Derek Bell, MS (he/him)
Derek is a nationally recognized expert in health and wellbeing, known for his focus on gratitude, resilience, and helping people find meaning and purpose in their work. Currently Vice President of Solutions & Clinical Operations at VITAL WorkLife, Derek leads teams dedicated to supporting healthcare professional wellbeing. Previously, he served as Executive Director of the National Wellness Institute and National Wellness Conference, where he helped shape the conversation around workplace wellbeing at a national level. His career also includes leadership roles at Ascension and Employer Solutions, designing enterprise-wide wellbeing programs and strategies that have impacted thousands of employees.
Derek teaches “Finding Purpose and Meaning in Our Work” in the MBA program at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and the host of the podcast Highway to Well with Derek Bell. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, a Bachelor’s from Knox College, and holds numerous industry certifications.
Summit Host: Chase Sterling, MA (she/her)
Chase Sterling is the Founder and Executive Director of Wellbeing Think Tank. A recognized leader in workplace wellbeing and organizational health, she brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of business strategy and human performance. She has helped hundreds of organizations design and sustain cultures of wellbeing by aligning individual needs with corporate strategies and implementing evidence-based strategies that drive lasting change.
An international speaker, Chase has presented for SHRM, IFEBP, Harvard, NASA, and more. Her professional background includes leadership roles with Cigna, Google, and Wounded Warrior Project. A U.S. Army veteran, she holds an MA in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with a concentration in Occupational Health, a BS in Exercise Science, and multiple industry certifications. She often reminds audiences: “When it comes to wellbeing at work, all you need to do is… everything.”