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. 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 has been driving wellbeing and engagement at DKS, a 100% employee-owned transportation planning and engineering firm, by launching their wellness committee and shaping a people-first culture across eight locations. With 26 years of HR experience and a seat on the Board of Directors, Katrina leads with empathy, strategy, and a deep commitment to organizational health.
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.
Session Panelist: Thalía Diedrick, MBA (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.
Session Panelist: Ashley Ace (she/her)
Ashley Ace is a Senior Manager of Product Development Engineering at Entegris, where she leads global initiatives to advance polyurethane polishing pad technologies for semiconductor manufacturing. With over a decade of experience spanning aerospace, automotive, and semiconductor manufacturing, Ashley specializes in scaling innovations from lab to high-volume production and driving operational excellence across international teams.
A graduate of the University of Michigan with a B.S. in Chemistry and an MBA from Northwood University’s DeVos Graduate School, Ashley combines technical expertise with strategic leadership to deliver sustainable growth and cutting-edge solutions. She is dedicated to building high-performing teams and fostering a positive, collaborative workplace culture.
Workshop Facilitator: Kristen Schier (she/her)
Kristen Schier is an actor, improviser, teacher, and clown. She is the current Education Programs Manager at Kickstand Comedy Theater, and has extensive improv teaching, directing, and performing experience. She holds a BFA in Theater Arts from the University of the Arts where she also taught Acting for Non-Majors, Improvisation for the Actor, and first-year Acting Studio.
She has toured all over the country teaching and performing at various festivals such as the Seattle Festival of Improvised Theater, Chicago Improv Festival, Vancouver International Improv Festival, Boom Chicago Comedy Festival in Amsterdam, and more. Kristen is the former Co-Artistic Director of Curious Comedy in Portland Oregon and former Improv Producer at the Philly Improv Theater. She has studied improv at Second City, Magnet Theater, and Annoyance. Kristen has also studied Physical Theater, clown, extensively with Pig Iron Theater company and Movement Theater Studio.
Summit Co-host: Derek Bell, MS (he/him)
Derek is a nationally recognized expert in health and wellbeing, known for his work in gratitude, resilience, and helping people find meaning and purpose in their work. He currently serves as Vice President of Solutions and Clinical Operations at VITAL WorkLife, where he leads teams dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of healthcare professionals. Previously, Derek was Executive Director of the National Wellness Institute and the National Wellness Conference, where he played a key role in shaping the national conversation on workplace wellbeing. His career also includes leading the design of enterprise-wide wellbeing programs that have positively influenced thousands of employees. Derek teaches “Finding Purpose and Meaning in Our Work” in the MBA program at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, and he is the host of the podcast Highway to Well with Derek Bell.
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 more than two decades of experience at the intersection of business strategy and human performance. Chase has helped hundreds of organizations design and sustain cultures of wellbeing through evidence based practices that create lasting change.
An international speaker, she has presented for SHRM, IFEBP, Harvard, NASA, and many others. A United States Army veteran, Chase holds an MA in Industrial Organizational Psychology with a concentration in Occupational Health, a BS in Exercise Science, and several industry certifications. She often reminds audiences, “When it comes to wellbeing at work, all you need to do is… everything.”