RENEW EXPERIENCE 2024 SPEAKERS
Leida Centeno
Leida Centeno is a seasoned human services professional with over 25 years of experience in counseling, substance abuse treatment, advocacy, and program development. Her personal journey through unexpected loss and hidden trauma has deepened her commitment to helping those who struggle in silence, fueling her passion to bring hope and freedom. A committed advocate for personal growth and resilience, Leida has a profound understanding of life’s challenges and the transformative power of faith. Her approach empowers women to overcome their circumstances through personal and spiritual renewal.
Integrating her professional expertise with personal insights, Leida equips women with the tools needed to rejuvenate their sense of well-being. She holds a Master’s degree in Community Psychology and Human Services Administration, specializing in clinical supervision, crisis intervention, and psychological assessment.
Dr. Maria Keckler
Dr. Maria Keckler is a distinguished leader in higher education, a strategist, and a behavioral researcher. Her groundbreaking research explores the power of storytelling to change our brains, enhancing empathy and trustworthiness in individuals and among teams. This research has gained global recognition for its potential to improve learning, patient outcomes, wellness, and human connection. In 2023, the San Diego Business Journal honored her as one of the “Top 50 Latino Leaders of Influence in San Diego,” acknowledging her significant contributions to the business community.
As the visionary founder of Keckler and Co., Dr. Keckler brings over 15 years of consulting expertise, primarily assisting healthcare and life sciences organizations in developing stronger communicators and leaders. She has authored numerous scholarly articles, and her book, "Bridge Builders: How Superb Communicators Get What They Want in Business and in Life," was recognized by INC Magazine as one of the "60 Great Business and Leadership Books Written by Women." Dr. Keckler earned her Ph.D. in Educational Research from Claremont Graduate University.
Dr. Jay Morris
Dr. James Morris is a distinguished leader with a 35-year career that includes a wide range of leadership roles, from vice president to director, manager, executive coach, and social worker within prestigious organizations such as Yale New Haven Health, Trinity Health, Merck & Company, Ernst & Young, Allstate Insurance Company, and the Lehigh County Agency on Aging. He is also the author of “Masterpiece: Our Journey to Spiritual Transformation.”
Dr. Morris holds a PhD in Adult Learning and an MA in Organizational Design from Loyola University Chicago, as well as a JD from Woodrow Wilson College of Law. Certified as a professional coach by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), he is a committed lifelong learner who has impacted thousands of leaders by integrating spiritual principles into professional practices. He and his wife, Maria, have been married for over forty-five years and currently reside in Georgia.
Jennifer Olson
Jennifer Olson is the CEO of KGO, a leading project and construction management company. Her leadership experience expands 25 years, beginning with a career in the U.S. Air Force where she held a Top Secret security clearance and worked under the NSA. With an MBA focused on Leadership, Jennifer has successfully transitioned across diverse fields, from education to finance, leveraging her expertise in special project management. Known for her exceptional leadership skills, she excels in building successful cross-functional teams that embody her philosophy of high performance through clear, trust-based communication.
Jennifer's leadership is guided by the principle that innovation stems from connection, creativity, and camaraderie. She is dedicated to building resilient organizations by cultivating a sense of belonging among people through shared values and meaningful interactions. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, alongside her values of kindness and a continual love of learning, drive her and her teams to embrace new challenges and focus on what is possible.
Jeffrey Su
Jeffrey Su, founder of First Call Out Fitness, skillfully blends his extensive background in corporate finance with a lifelong passion for fitness to offer clients an integrative approach to transforming both mind and body. After earning his MBA from Bentley University in Waltham, MA, Jeffrey spent several years in the retail and healthcare sectors, mastering the complexities of corporate finance. Despite the demands of his career, his dedication to fitness never wavered, and his success in several bodybuilding competitions garnered significant attention. Holding certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and American Fitness Professionals and Associates (AFPA), Jeffrey demonstrates a commitment to rigorous, scientifically-backed training methods.
Jeffrey has facilitated some of the most inspiring transformations in individuals who previously doubted their potential. By merging his analytical skills from finance with his acumen in fitness, Jeffrey designs tailored, effective workout regimes that have promoted optimal health and performance for hundreds of people across the country. His approach not only achieves physical transformations but also empowers individuals to reach their peak potential in all aspects of life.
RENEW Founder, Karen Hinds
Karen Hinds, CEO of Workplace Success Group, brings over 25 years of experience advising C-Suite executives and teams on strategy, leadership development, and fostering inclusive cultures.
Under her leadership, Workplace Success Group has provided global leadership training and strategic consulting for Fortune 500 companies. Karen is also an accomplished author with 5 books to her name, covering topics such as workplace best practices, developing powerful networks, and global career guidance. She has worked with organizations such as the United Nations, Turner Construction, Avangrid Corporation, and the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, just to name a few.
With a wealth of experience working with accomplished leaders and from personal experience, Karen understands the unique challenges professional women face in the workplace: slow or no meaningful professional growth, stress from juggling career and family priorities and experiencing burnout and a growing sense of professional dissatisfaction despite successes and achievements.
Karen's firsthand understanding of these challenges led her on a transformative journey: relocating 1,200 miles to a new state, acquiring a small farm to nurture her mental, physical, and spiritual well-being, shedding over 35 pounds, and venturing into amateur body-building—all while deepening a sense of clarity, purpose, and joy.
Expanding on her renowned global women’s leadership conferences, which began in the Caribbean in 2012, Karen unveils RENEW—an immersive experience for empowering professional women to prioritize mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness to fuel their leadership, resilience, and impact.
Originally from St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Karen's journey from the Caribbean to the United States as a teenager underscores her ability to adapt and build relationships and opportunities in diverse environments. She remains committed to empowering women globally, through philanthropy, immersive leadership development experiences, and creating mentorship communities.
In 2024, she was honored by The United Way of Greater Waterbury, Connecticut, for her volunteer work and impact on the community.