2026 Speaker Highlights

Dr. Gary Sanchez is an International speaker, author, dentist, and inventor. He is best known as “Dr. WHY” for discovering the 9 WHYs, developing the WHY Discovery Tool, the WHY.os Discovery(WHY Operating System), as the Founder and CEO of the WHY Institute. Many people talk about the power of knowing your WHY, but Dr. Sanchez took it from concept to reality to application when he created the world’s first WHY Discovery tool to help people accurately and quickly discover their WHY in under 5 minutes. In 2021, WHY Institute launched the WHY.os Discovery which discovers your WHY, HOW, and WHAT and creates your personal brand message for you in under 10 minutes.

From a successful dentist to now helping hundreds of thousands discover their WHY.os, Dr. Sanchez’s journey shows the impact of understanding and living your WHY.os. He is now on a mission to help 1 Billion people unleash their true self by discovering their WHY.os.

Dr. Sanchez is a Bestselling author of the book You Had Me at WHY which helps readers deep dive into understanding who they are, strip away their mask to see their real gifts and then equip them to be themselves by living their WHY.os.

Dr. Sanchez believes that success happens when we find a better way and share it. HOW he does that is by making things clear and understandable. Ultimately WHAT he brings are simple solutions to help others move forward. He did this for 32 years as a Cosmetic and Sedation Dentist and currently as the CEO of WHY Institute. He earned his degree in biology from the University of Colorado in Boulder and his D.D.S. from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Sanchez’s favorite saying is “There’s always a better way!”

Dr. Mostafa Maita, D.O. is a double board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain medicine specialist with a focused expertise in spine and joint disorders. He completed his fellowship in interventional pain medicine at the renowned Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he received the Above and Beyond Award for exceptional patient care.

Dr. Maita completed his anesthesiology residency at the University of Texas Health in San Antonio, where he served as Chief Resident and distinguished himself through both leadership and clinical excellence. During his training, he was recognized with several honors, including the Gold Humanism Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Best in Research Award, and the Award for Outstanding Achievement in Acute Pain Medicine.

A recognized leader in the field of regenerative and minimally invasive spine therapies, Dr. Maita is a Discseel® Master Instructor and qualified to perform the cervical and lumbar Discseel® procedure. 

Driven by a passion for innovation and whole-body healing, Dr. Maita integrates cutting-edge regenerative medicine with a comprehensive understanding of how each organ system contributes to overall wellness, empowering his patients to live pain-free and perform at their highest potential.

Sydney Harrington is an Account Executive at Zocks. Her experience spans across financial services and technology which helps her bring a fresh perspective on how advisors can streamline workflows and create more meaningful client experiences. Her work centers on bridging the gap between financial services, and technology to create more efficient, client-centered solutions.

Kevin Knull, CFP®, serves as Chief Executive Officer of TaxStatus, a groundbreaking fintech company transforming financial services through seamless IRS account monitoring and consent-based access to IRS-Verified Financial data. With more than 25 years of experience in financial services and financial technology, Kevin has built a career defined by innovation, growth, and leadership — continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in financial services.

Before joining TaxStatus, Kevin held prominent executive roles at leading organizations including MoneyGuidePro, YCharts, Symetra Investment Management, Symetra Services, Inc., and Hartford Financial Services, as well as serving as CEO and President of multiple registered investment advisory firms. Most notably, he led MoneyGuidePro through a period of hyper-growth, culminating in its landmark acquisition by Envestnet.

In addition to his corporate leadership, Kevin has provided strategic guidance to numerous public and private financial services and fintech organizations as a consultant. He is also the co-founder of Integrated Wealth Platform and the author of Exploring Advice: What You Need to Know About Good Financial Advice — a respected guide that empowers advisors to elevate their practices and helps consumers better understand the value of quality financial advice.

A veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, Kevin completed three tours, including serving as Commanding Officer of the USCGC Point Countess, and is a proud graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He continues to champion progress in the financial services industry by improving the quality of advice delivered to clients and driving innovation that supports advisors’ long-term success.

John Lucas II is a retired American professional basketball and tennis player and current professional coach. He started his career with the Houston Rockets as the first overall pick in the 1976 NBA after being named an All-American in both basketball and tennis at the University of Maryland. Lucas’ playing career spanned 14 years until his retirement in 1990. He was Head Coach for the NBA San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the first assistant coach for the Houston Rockets for six years before transitioning to the front office. He also served as the head of scouting and with the leadership team that ran day-to-day operations for the NBPA’s Top 100 Program. Lucas entered the North Carolina Hall of Fame in 1995, being recognized for both basketball and tennis and the D.C. Hall of Fame in 2021. In 2025, ABIS (Advancing Beyond in Sports) honored him with the Legacy Award. He was born and raised in Durham, NC.

John Lucas resides in Houston, Texas where he runs the JL3 Elite Program, which is part of the Nike EYBL Circuit and has over 100 alumni who earned college scholarships, John Lucas Enterprises, and The John Lucas Foundation. He is regarded as one of the world's best resources for basketball training, player development, and grassroots basketball. His camps and clinics have built a reputation for being among the best organized and professional events with a strong focus on fundamentals. Additionally, Lucas is nationally renowned for the work he has done in support of athletes overcoming substance abuse. After a personal struggle with drug dependencies, Lucas dedicated himself to helping others battling mental health issues regain control of their lives. In 1990 Lucas founded John Lucas Enterprises, a network of drug-treatment programs for young athletes. He has written the mental health player policies for all four major sports leagues and authored a top selling book ‘Winning One Day at a Time’. Lucas celebrated his 39th anniversary of sobriety on March 14, 2025, and continues to live out his mission to help anyone struggling with mental health achieve greatness again.

In furtherance of his personal mission, Coach Lucas is available for professional speaking engagements, wellness training, and basketball clinics. In these sessions, Lucas focuses on pulling people and organizations together using basketball and business scenarios; sharing his secrets on how to maximize and bring out the best in people; mental wellness and holistic health.

“What I thought was the worst possible deal in life turned out to be the best gift I've been given. My addiction carried me past my sports life. It gave me my best trophy. It gave me John Lucas. It gave me life."

According to her mother, (an extremely reliable source on the subject), Randi Brill first announced she was going to be in charge of something at the ripe old age of 14. Randi has been in charge of many creative “somethings” ever since. As Chief Creative Officer of JUST CALL RANDI, the graphic design agency exclusively for entrepreneurs, visionaries, and their companies, Randi combines graphic design and business savvy to infuse Differentiation By DESIGN into businesses to help them thrive. And she loves it!

Randi’s team “designs great results” with wealth advisories all over the country—in creative and compliance-friendly ways. When Randi identified the pattern of challenges that wealth advisors face in differentiating their businesses, offerings, and the unique value they add, she created “The David Factor™", an innovative graphic design process expressly for wealth advisors.

Randi’s also an avid and entertaining speaker, podcast guest, and author. In 2024 alone, she wrote, designed, and self-published four books FOR entrepreneurs, and through her LITTLE BOOKS, BIG RESULTS™ process, also creates many books BY entrepreneurs. Randi adores her family, is a dedicated audiobook-walker, and possesses a wicked sweet tooth. A lifelong night owl, Randi admits to getting too little sleep. Yet, for someone who’s awake as long as she is, Randi still dreams up a seemingly endless array of creative results!

Every organization has its odd ducks and outliers — talented individuals each playing from their own sheet of music. The challenge for leaders is turning that noise into harmony.

International speaker, consultant, and creator of The Flying V @ Work, Warren Barry has devoted his career to helping leaders transform that noise into an Aerial Symphony—where every individual’s unique instinct, strengths, and rhythms come together to create something extraordinary.

An award-winning researcher recognized for his groundbreaking work on chronic pain and conative stress, Warren bridges science and storytelling to reveal how instinctive energy, when misaligned, creates tension in both people and performance. His insights empower CEOs, executives, and teams across North America to reduce resistance, restore alignment, and soar together—just like geese in the V formation, achieving 71% greater efficiency when they fly as one. Imagine the efficiency of the V formation, with the harmony of a symphony orchestra.

Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Warren is a highly rated TEC Canada and Vistage International resource speaker. A die-hard Saskatchewan Roughrider fan, beer-league goaltender, and musician, he brings Canadian prairie heart, humor, and human insight to every stage—helping teams and leaders compose their own symphony in flight

Scott Danner, Head of the Legacy Division at Steward Partners, is a transformative force in the financial services industry. As the architect behind M&A strategies at Steward Partners, Scott empowers advisors to grow, transition, and secure their legacies. Previously, as the Founder of Freedom Street Partners, he built a small firm into an almost $3.5 billion AUM powerhouse with over 40 advisors across seven states, redefining the next-gen advisory model to ensure practices thrive beyond retirement.

A sought-after coach, dynamic speaker, and author of Freedom Street, Scott blends financial expertise with a deep commitment to health, faith, and family. He is also the host of The High Performance LIFE podcast, where he interviews top performers across business, sports, and leadership to explore what drives true success and fulfillment.

Scott’s impact extends beyond business. He founded a wine festival that has donated over $2.7 million to local charities in the past 15 years, reflecting his dedication to giving back.

Recognized for his leadership and innovation, Scott has earned multiple accolades, including Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors (2021, 2022, 2023) and Raymond James Chairman’s Council (2019 – 2024). He has been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, Barron’s, Financial Advisor Magazine, InvestmentNews, and Yahoo! Finance, and is a frequent guest on podcasts and national platforms discussing advisor succession, leadership, and legacy planning.

Scott’s voice is one of clarity and conviction in the industry, whether he’s sharing his vision at national conferences or through media appearances. Driven by relationships and a desire to create meaningful change, he continues to live a lasting legacy in both his profession and his community.

Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Advisors ranking was developed by SHOOK Research and is based on in-person, virtual and telephone due diligence meetings to evaluate each advisor qualitatively, a major component of a ranking algorithm that includes: client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations; and quantitative criteria, including: assets under management

Rob is a Vice President and Performance Coach at First Trust. For nearly 30 years, he has assisted financial professionals, business leaders, and institutions in maximizing efficiency and business growth. Rob’s objective for every client relationship is to become so essential to their success that he becomes their “first call” for anything related to the “business of running the business.” While any topic of conversation is within scope, Rob specializes in:

Rob spent 15 years at Goldman Sachs as a Senior Strategist in their global consulting business, where he has captured and documented the practices of the elite around the world. His groundbreaking work in emotional intelligence in the financial services industry was featured in the book Educating People to be Emotionally Intelligent.

Josh VanDervort is seen by his peers as a thought leader in the investment advisory community who are focused on tax efficient solutions for clients and business owners. With his extensive knowledge in the RIA and Broker Dealer marketplace, he’s a valuable resource for those firms focused on holistic financial planning to the clients they serve. Josh supports his partners with:

-Non-Qualified Tax Efficient Retirement Planning

-Legacy and Estate Planning

-Alternatives to Private Placement

-Policy Reviews and Analysis

As a Regional Vice President supporting Nationwide’s Advisory Life Distribution, he’s responsible for supporting RIA’s, Broker Dealers, and BGA’s in the Eastern part of the country.

Josh is from Columbus, Ohio, but currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his fiancé. The soon to be newlyweds are avid travelers and die-hard Xavier Basketball fans, which is also their alma mater. Josh graduated with a degree in finance and business management.

Peter Campagna is the Managing Partner at Wise Rhino Group. His career in financial services and M&A spans over 30 years. He has held a variety of senior roles in both the retirement consulting and wealth advisory industries. He was Director of Institutional Accounts at BlackRock before joining Wise Rhino and has also worked with Putnam Investments and Eaton Vance. He is a graduate of Cornell University and lives in the Lake Tahoe area.

Scott is a partner at Wise Rhino Group. He started his career in financial consulting before transitioning to Mergers and Acquisitions in the insurance brokerage industry. With hands-on experience in over 350 acquisitions, Scott has gained a deep understanding of the process from the buyer's perspective, offering invaluable insights to clients. His true passion lies in fostering strong relationships with entrepreneurs, guiding them through the intricate journey of selling and scaling their businesses.

Scott currently lives in Orlando, FL with his wife Kristal and two young daughters. In addition to providing valuable M&A insights and guidance, Scott also offers free Disney vacation consulting at no additional cost.

Michael Belluomini is responsible for shaping and executing Carson Group’s external mergers & acquisitions strategy. In his role, Michael leads the firm’s efforts to identify and evaluate new opportunities, acting as the primary liaison with centers of influence (COIs), investment bankers and other key deal-makers to ensure a steady pipeline of high-quality transactions.

Michael regularly represents the company in media engagements and speaks at major industry events—sharing insights on strategic growth, deal structuring and the evolving financial advisory landscape. His visibility helps broaden Carson Group’s reach and reinforces trust among partners and prospects.

Prior to joining Carson, Michael amassed over 17 years of experience at Securities America (now Osaic), where he served as a business development executive and consultant. In those roles, he built deep relationships across the financial advisory ecosystem, honed his ability to assess both tactical and strategic opportunities and cultivated a reputation for thoughtful, results-oriented leadership.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Creighton University. Outside of work, he loves traveling with his wife and two children and finds great fulfillment in the kitchen. A passionate foodie and voracious reader, Michael also enjoys exploring new restaurants and continually expanding his perspective through books.

Regan Archibald, Lac, FMP, is one of the leading Peptide, Functional Medicine and Longevity Specialists in the nation. His award-winning center, EastWest Health (agelessfuture.com) has performed 10,000+ labs and counting. These comprehensive blood labs include 100 important markers that allow Regan and his team to understand the root cause of health issues. 

Regan is an international speaker and is the author of 9 books including The Peptide Blueprint and Ageless Future. His podcast, Ageless Future has featured thought leaders from many industries. 

When not traveling, Regan can often be found deep in the Utah mountains with his wife Jessica or his kids, Zoe, Dominic and Jonah.

Liam Heffernan is a Vice President on Carson Group’s M&A team, where he plays a central role in driving the firm’s external acquisition strategy. He works closely with advisors, investment bankers and other industry professionals to cultivate and manage a strong pipeline of opportunities, guiding firms as they explore a potential partnership with Carson Group. Liam is also an active voice for the firm in the marketplace, sharing perspective on deal activity and the advisor-first culture that underpins Carson Group’s growth.

Before joining Carson Group, Liam was the Director of Corporate Development at SageView Advisory Group, leading efforts to identify and close acquisitions that supported the firm’s national expansion. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.

He and his wife, Nicole, live in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago with their Bloodhound, Alfie. Liam serves on the PAWS Chicago Professional Board and is actively involved with the Tourette Association of America. In his free time, you can find him reading, golfing, or watching the Giants and Knicks.  

Barry Garapedian is the President and CEO of MAG 7 Consulting, a boutique coaching, mentoring, and advisory firm that caters to high-school and college-aged students. The MAG 7 program has distilled and codified key principles of achievement and paths to success which propel young people to meet their highest potentials in all aspects of life.

Barry spent 39 years as a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley, where he was Managing Director, a team founder, and the recipient of national recognition from The Financial Times and Barron’s. Throughout his career on Wall Street, Barry worked closely with clients and their children. He looked to foster value that extended beyond a family’s balance sheet, helping families create positive dynamics through strategic advice, practical guidance, and a forthright perspective.

A native Southern Californian, he graduated from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in Public Policy. While studying at USC, he worked as a private tennis instructor and also worked as a performing magician at the iconic Magic Castle in Los Angeles. Barry remains an avid tennis player and still enjoys doing magic as a hobby.

Eric is the CEO of Scribe Media, the largest Professional Publisher. Scribe helps entrepreneurs, executives, and experts write, publish, and market their books.

Eric is the author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant, A Guide to Wealth and Happiness and The Anthology of Balaji. He has sold over 1 million copies.

He is also an investor in dozens of deeptech startups through Rolling Fun.

Eric writes at ejorgenson.com and hosts the podcast, Smart Friends. His blog has educated and entertained more than one million readers since 2014. He is on a quest to create—and eat—the perfect sandwich.

David is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gondola Partners, LLC. As CEO at Gondola, he sets the overall strategy and culture of the Firm. As the founder of Gondola, David’s vision is to eliminate the many obstacles associated with implementing alternatives. Today, he continues his passion to challenge the status-quo by unlocking unique alternative investments for a select group of Advisors.

David cofounded CAPTRUST, one of the largest Registered Investment Advisor firms in America with $1 Trillion Assets Under Advisement currently (as of July 2024). Prior to CAPTRUST, in 1990, David and Fielding Miller, partnered together to take the innovative fee-based advisory approach to the market at Interstate Johnson Lane. This Partnership later evolved into CAPTRUST.

David received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and earned his designation as a Chartered Alternatives Investment Analyst (CAIA) in 2004.

Having been recognized in major publications such as Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Private Wealth Magazine, AssetTV, Inc and more, Brittany’s efforts in helping to create possibility for the advisor community, high net worth clients and highly successful business owners has been globally recognized.

A true entrepreneur by nature, Brittany has led, founded and helped grow multiple 7-figure businesses both in and outside the wealth planning world. A coach to entrepreneurs and CEO’s across the nation. Brittany has helped create multiple platforms that provide life changing (and even lifesaving) experiences for highly successful individuals.

As a four-time author, Brittany has had the opportunity to speak at exclusive events like the Million Dollar Round Table global conference, David Bayer’s Legendary Event, Raymond James national conference, and many others.

You will soon find that Brittany's energy is contagious, her love of business is apparent and her ability to help people create profound impact is unparalleled.