2025 GAA Annual Meeting
Post-Event Resources and Feedback
Thank you for attending this year's GAA Annual Meeting in Savannah, Georgia! We hope you had an excellent experience this year, and can't wait to see you next in Chattanooga! Below you will find speaker information and presentations, as well as a feedback form to help our team improve your experience next year.
Feedback Form
Please submit your feedback by September 22nd, 2025 to be entered into a $50 Visa Gift Card drawing. Thank you!
Speakers and Presentations
Day 1 | September 3, 2025
The ABC of Happy Teams: Accountability, Belonging, and Communication
Presented by Ishea Shepherd, Monica Frazier, and Dana Duckworth
Thriving teams are built on the foundation of emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and strong communication. This session explores how accountability, belonging, and communication work together to create inclusive and emotionally intelligent teams. Learn how to foster connections that drive productivity while embracing the diverse strengths of your team.
The Chatter That Matters
Presented by Virginia Love and Lia Nichole Smith
“I honestly just can’t take it anymore, I’m exhausted and ready to quit!” Employees are increasingly turning to online safe spaces like Reddit and private Facebook groups to share their unfiltered thoughts, frustrations, aspirations, looking for training and support, and even supplier feedback and recommendations.
This session isn’t about catching your teams in the act of censorship; it’s about understanding why and what these employees are chatting about on these platforms instead of having those critical conversations with their employers or supplier partners.
Day 2 | September 4, 2025
Creating a Culture of Trust (Opening Keynote)
Presented by Pamela Barnum
Former undercover police office and federal prosecutor emphasizes creating a culture of trust to navigate uncertainty, blending stories, humor, and intrigue.
Embracing Conflict Resolution
Presented by Maria Pietroforte
Conflict is an inevitable aspect of bringing people together to work. The danger for any team is letting the conflict escalate or go untended. The key for leaders is to understand how to manage and resolve disputes, turning conflicts into moments of learning and growth. This will be an exploration of emotional awareness and empathic skills while also developing a toolkit – active listening, reframing, and negotiation.
Personal Branding
Presented by Russ Webb
Whatever someone says about you when you aren’t around...that’s your brand! Learn ways to take control of that narrative and promote your brand through all you do.
Advocacy - Why it Matters
Presented by Preston Thompson, GAA Government Affairs
Day 3 | September 5, 2025
Breakfast of Champions (Closing Keynote)
Presented by Dr. Debbie Phillips
Discover how to fuel your mind like a world-class athlete and achieve personal mastery in the ‘What are you eating? What’s eating you?’ workshop, focusing on mental meal plans, balance techniques, and strategies for success.