Speakers
April Hernandez Castillo
Best known for her riveting performance as “Eva” in the hit movie, Freedom Writers, starting Hilary Swank, April Hernandez Castillo was living the Hollywood dream. She started on tv shows such as; Person of Interest, Law & Order: SVU, Dexter, and New Amsterdam to name a few. However, behind the glitz and glamor was a woman dealing secretly with a traumatic past.
April’s inspirational story of resilience, overcoming adversity, and choosing to move forward no matter what happens in life is a message that resonates with audiences across the globe. In her keynote entitled, Moving Forward, April intimately describes how she was able to take all her tragedies and turn them into triumphs by choosing to never give up. Form growing up in the tough streets of the Bronx during the Crack Epidemic Era, to being in an abusive relationship as a teenager, to almost taking her own life, April truly understands what it feels like when the odds are up against you. In order to move forward in life we must first make a choice to do so.
“My life dramatically changed when I made two critical decisions during my abuse. I made a choice to leave, and I made a choice to live.”
Understanding her platform as an actor and speaker has allowed April to grace an array of audiences all the way from juvenile detention facilities to one of the most prestigious stage to date, TEDx.
Her message has reached thousands of students and conferences nationwide and internationally. April is also an author who is set to release her highly anticipated work, her memoir, Embracing Me.
One of her favorite quotes is from the movie “Rocky Balboa”.
“It’s not how hard you hit. It’s how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward, how much you can take and keep moving forward that’s how winning is done.” - Rocky
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L. Maren Wood
L. Maren Wood, PhD is CEO and Director of the Center for Graduate Career Success, a mission-driven organization that partners with universities to prepare master’s and doctoral students for career success. The Center provides digital training platforms (Beyond the Professoriate and Beyond Graduate School) through which graduate students explore career options and learn job search strategies. In 2022, the Center formed a sponsorship partnership with ETS Global Higher Education Division to provide virtual trainings for master’s and doctoral students.
Since 2013, Dr. Wood has dedicated her career to supporting universities in preparing graduate students and PhDs for meaningful careers in academia and beyond. Her expertise has been featured in Inside Higher Ed, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and peer reviewed books. She also serves as external advisor on committees such as the Council of Graduate Schools Humanities Advisory Committee and the ETS Graduate Education Advisory Council, and is regularly sought as a keynote speaker.
Dr. Wood earned her PhD in American History from UNC Chapel Hill. A proud Canadian, she now lives in Denver.
Paul Krismer
Paul Krismer teaches the practical application of positive emotions to achieve corporate and personal excellence.
Paul is a noted public speaker and trainer. His authentic and passionate commitment to his subject matter shines through his work. Playful and captivating storytelling complements his intelligent and accessible presentation of the science of success. His teaching is powerful, authoritative, and convincing. At the same time, Paul is exceptionally practical, providing tools that audiences and entireworkforces can immediately use.
Paul Krismer has a proven track record as an inspirational leader. For twenty years, he has served in senior management roles—overseeing hundreds of employees, multi-million dollar projects, and cheerfully growing future leaders. As a Certified Executive Coach, Paul is appreciated for his kindhearted, yet relentless pursuit of the client's best life. Helping people to reach greater happiness and success is his trademark promise.
Paul is the best-selling author of Whole Person Happiness: How to be Well in Body, Mind and Spirit.As a teacher of cutting edge positive psychology, he is truly a "Happiness Expert".Paul is a proud member of the International Positive Psychology Association and the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers.
