PIONEER VALLEY Conference Speakers

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Sold Out for 2025!

2025 Keynotes & Special Guests:

KEYNOTE

Krystal Say
KEYNOTE

Dr. Jacqueline Johnson
EMCEE

Xiomara Albán DeLobato
Goddess Award 2025

Mary Custard

KEYNOTE

Krystal Say

Krystal Say is a visionary leader, global educator, and wellness entrepreneur dedicated to helping others discover their purpose, ignite their passion, and create a fulfilling life.

As the co-founder of The Hyouman Experience and owner of SWEAT Power Yoga, Krystal creates spaces where movement, mindfulness, and self-exploration converge. Through The Hyouman Experience, she curates immersive retreats across the U.S., Europe, and Central America, guiding individuals through transformative experiences rooted in movement, mindset, and intentional living. At SWEAT Power Yoga, she fosters a community where people come to reconnect with themselves, gain clarity, and step into a more purposeful, fulfilling life.

Her passion for education has also led her to develop and expand TRX Yoga, traveling globally to train leaders and share the power of movement and mindset.

Krystal believes true transformation begins with listening to that little whisper that lives within—aligning our actions with our deepest values to create a life of purpose and impact.

KEYNOTE

Dr. Jacqueline Johnson

Dr. Jacqueline M. Johnson has over 20 years of experience leading diverse teams and community-based organizations across the education and healthcare sectors. She currently serves as the Chief Facilities Expansion and Sustainability Officer at Caring Health Center, Inc. (CHC), a Federally Qualified Health Center. Throughout her 16 years at CHC, Dr. Johnson has held various leadership roles, including Chief Operations Officer. In addition to her work at CHC, Dr. Johnson has been an adjunct faculty member at Bay Path University for nine years, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses. She serves as the Vice President of the Springfield Technical Community College Foundation Board. She is actively involved in several other boards, contributing her leadership and expertise to a variety of initiatives. Prior to her work in the healthcare sector, Dr. Johnson’s earlier focuses included youth development, justice-based advocacy, and the prison industrial complex. Her ability to understand and address injustice is informed by her lived experiences. Dr. Johnson’s upbringing motivated and instilled in her an unwavering determination that has guided her educational and professional journey. She has earned recognition at the state and national level, including receiving the Business West “40 Under 40” award, being recognized by MassLive for her efforts in highlighting Black leaders in Massachusetts, and being named a Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women and the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus of Excellence on the Hill. Dr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science and Urban Development from Mount Holyoke College, a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership and Organizational Studies from Bay Path University

EMCEE

Xiomara Albán DeLobato

Xiomara is a dynamic and accomplished professional with over 15 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. As Vice President and Chief of Staff for the Western Massachusetts Economic Development Council (EDC), she is instrumental in facilitating the growth and development of the region’s economy. In her role, Xiomara has focused on industry sector and workforce development, recognizing the full activation and support of community, entrepreneurship, and business development as integral ingredients to the success and prosperity of an economy.

Throughout her career, Xiomara has been a change agent and advocate for equitable access to economic and academic opportunities. She has held leadership roles at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Elms College, Springfield College, and the University of New Hampshire. Xiomara has also worked with the Office of Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield, MA, and the Office of Congressman Richard Neal.

Xiomara is an active member of various boards and committees, Girl’s Inc. of the Valley, Veritas Prep Charter School in Springfield, MA, Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the Wilbraham Finance Committee, and Governor Appointed Board Member of the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO).

Goddess Award 2025

Mary Custard

Mary has worked at Amherst Regional High School for 28 years, serving as Dean of Students for 26 of those years, with one year as Interim Athletic Director and one year as Interim Assistant Principal. While her primary responsibilities include discipline, attendance, safety and supporting a positive school climate, she has expanded her role to promote and support student leadership, community service, social justice and activism throughout the school and community. She serves as an Advisor to three student organizations: Sene-Gambian Scholars, a cultural/educational exchange and travel program partnered with schools in Senegal and The Gambia, People Of Color United (POCU) and the Multicultural Student Achievement Network Scholars (MSAN). Both POCU and MSAN focus on leadership development, mentoring, achievement, community service, social justice and providing safe and supportive spaces for students of color.

Mary is a proud alumna of the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education degrees. As a first-generation college graduate, Mary believes in and emphasizes the importance of K-12 education along with higher education/continuing education and training and how that education can positively influence the trajectory of individuals and their family’s opportunities. She strongly advocates for breaking down the barriers which challenge educational equity, access and achievement at all levels.

Mary is actively and intentionally involved in her community and believes that we all should be contributing to our communities in some way. Mary currently serves on the Amherst Survival Center Board of Directors, the Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan’s Citizen Advisory Board (CAB), the Amherst Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and as an event volunteer for WGBY Public Television and the UMass Amherst Alumni Association.

Mary’s community service and activism have led to her being awarded the Norma Jean Anderson Civil Rights and Academic Achievement Award, the Amherst Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Citizen Community Service Award, the Fresh Anointing Ministries Church Of God In Christ “Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things” Award, the Big Will Fruits of Labor Award for Commitment to Community Service and Education, a 100 Women of Color Award, an Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Hidden Figures Community Enrichment Award, a Massachusetts Teachers Association Louise Gaskins Lifetime Civil Rights Award, an Unsung Heroines of Massachusetts Award from the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, an Amherst A Better Chance (ABC) Local Hero Award and a Community Achievement Award.

Panels

The Embodied Woman: Transformative Wellness Practices for a Resilient, Balanced, & Vibrant Lifestyle

Panel Description:
What if balance wasn’t something you chased but something you embodied? The Embodied Woman Panel is your invitation to step into this reality by exploring actionable steps for wellbeing through the five pillars of wellness. This esteemed panel of experts in women’s health, fitness, and integrative medicine invite you to explore powerful strategies to optimize hormones, boost energy, and build resilience. You’ll gain the tools to reclaim your vitality and thrive at every stage of life.

Key Takeaways:

  • Explore how holistic nervous system care fosters resilience, balance, and vibrant well

being.

  • Discover how healthy lifestyle choices like gut health and daily movement can powerfully transform your energy and well-being.
  • Achieve true functional wellness through hormonal balance and intentional lifestyle

changes.

Panel Coordinator: Alyn Caley

Panelists: 

Unbreakable: Turning Pain into Power and Purpose

Panel Description:
Three women. Three stories of resilience. One powerful conversation on reclaiming strength, revealing and healing wounds, and stepping into unstoppable purpose through movement, energy, and mindfulness. Empower yourself to step boldly into a life of intention and holistic wellness.

Key Takeaways:

  • Discover powerful techniques to release emotional blocks and rewrite your story
  • Explore how immersive movement can fuel deep transformation
  • Tap into mindfulness practices that awaken your inner wisdom

Panel Coordinator: Michelle Broughton

Panelists: 

Title: Empowering Growth for Entrepreneurs: Deconstructing Blocks Through Authenticity, Mindset & Self-Care

Description:
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about strategy, it’s about mindset, identity, and resilience. And for women navigating both motherhood and business, the stakes (and the rewards) are even higher.

In this dynamic and heartfelt discussion, panelists from different stages of motherhood and entrepreneurship will reflect on the real journey—how they’ve navigated imposter syndrome, self-doubt, burnout, and the pressure to perform. Together, we’ll explore how authenticity, self-care, community, and mindset shifts create a sustainable foundation for growth.

Through vulnerable storytelling, practical insights, and encouragement, attendees will walk away reminded that the most powerful thing you can do in business… is show up as yourself.

Key Takeaways:

  • Overcoming Fear & Imposter Syndrome How to move from self-doubt to confidence—and build a business from a place of truth and clarity.
  • Passion & Purpose Over Perfection Embrace the messy middle. Reframe fear and resistance as signs that you’re leveling up.
  • Celebrate Your Progress Why recognizing wins (big and small) matters—and how community helps reflect your growth back to you.

Panel Coordinator: Robyn Miller

Panelists:

Title: Reclaiming Power: Integrating Body & Mind for Leadership and Life Alignment

Description:
Join us for a transformative experience designed to help you reclaim your power by reconnecting with your body and mind. In this immersive workshop, you’ll be guided by a dynamic team of women with deep expertise in healing, performance, and leadership. Together, we’ll explore how disconnection from the body can limit your creativity, decision-making, and capacity to lead with authenticity and strength. Through a blend of teaching, discussion, and embodied practice, you’ll gain insight and tools to support your personal and professional growth.

Whether you’re navigating leadership in work, spiritual calling, or personal life, this workshop is for you. Come ready to move, reflect, and reclaim your power.

Key Takeaways:

  • A deeper understanding of how body-mind disconnection affects your leadership and success
  • Experiential practices to expand your capacity, presence, and alignment
  • Practical tools to regulate stress, trust your intuition, and show up powerfully in every area of your life

Panel Coordinator: Jaimye Kelley

Panelists: 

” The Glow Up “

Description:
Three powerful women. Three raw journeys. One unforgettable conversation.

This panel features three women who turned pain into power, fear into fuel, and doubt into unstoppable success. This isn’t just a panel ,,,, it’s a movement ! A space for bold conversations about business, resilience, reinvention, stepping into your power, and finally letting go of what doesn’t serve you. It’s time to let go, level up, and own your power !!

Key Takeaways:

  • Letting go and starting over
  • Begin with the end in mind
  • Challenging your journey while building on your resilience

Panel Coordinator: Cheri Burton

Panelists: 

Propel Yourself: Overcoming self-doubt to become the person you’re meant to be.

Description:
Is your story holding you back or driving you forward? In this panel, we’ll discuss how the stories we tell about ourselves impact our confidence, resilience, and vision for the future.

Key Takeaways:

  • How to accept yourself for who you are and celebrate the obstacles you’ve overcome
  • The importance of how you frame the story of your life
  • Tools you can use to take ownership of your story – past, present, future

Panel Coordinator: Jenifer Ohanesian

Panelists:

Resilience, Readiness & Reinvention

PANEL DESCRIPTION:
As a modern woman life is hard and the constant pressure can leave you with stress, anxiety and feeling like an imposter or failure; but it does not have to be that way.  This panel will examine how to handle the curve balls life throws at you, develop strategies to handle the constant internal and external pressure that try to keep you down and emerge as the best version of you.

TAKEAWAYS:

  • Turning pain into power: no matter your experiences you can change your life, be successful and give back
  • Say Goodbye to Guilt!: We are under so much pressure to always be perfect but we are human and imperfect and wonderful and that is a good thing!
  • The Confidence to Be the Best You: Saying “fake it to you make it” is easy, having the true confidence to be your most authentic successful self takes work but you can do it

Panel Coordinator: Dana Chaffiotte-Thibodeau

Panelists: 

Bold Visions: You Can Lead, Innovate & Succeed in Entrepreneurship

Description:
Join us for an inspiring and insightful panel featuring three dynamic women who will share their entrepreneurial expertise. We’ll explore the challenges, successes, and key lessons learned, offering practical insights, real-world experiences, and actionable strategies for women looking to start, grow, or scale their businesses. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or aiming to expand your venture, this interactive session will equip you with tools for success!

Key Takeaways:
Learn why it is important to 1) Tap into your “why”  to serve as your North Star to motivate and light a fire to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. 2) How to develop strategic relationships to advance your vision, and 3) The importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship.

Panel Coordinator  – Dawn Creighton

Panelist: 

OWN IT: Deciding for yourself what “having it all” means

DESCRIPTION:
Women face immense pressure to excel in every aspect of life—career, relationships, friendships, and motherhood. But what does “having it all” truly mean? It’s different for everyone, and this panel is here to help you discover what it means for you. The panelists will encourage engagement, self-reflection, and introspection to guide confident decision-making so you can OWN IT – your life, your choices, your happiness.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Explore the unique, and often competing, roles and expectations women navigate in our daily lives
  • Gain skills to understand boundaries, selfcare and how saying “no” is a superpower
  • Learn how to make empowered choices and set limits in competing parts of life to prioritize YOU

Panel Coordinator: Cecille Youmans

Panelists: 

Lessons from Trailblazing Women in Diverse Industries

Description:

Women face many challenges today balancing work, family life, financial decisions and showing up as their authentic self. Being your authentic self may feel uncomfortable or not allowed at times. Join these engaging and motivating women to learn ways to manage your financial power, set boundaries and lead with your authentic self.

Key Takeaways:

· Lead with authenticity and confidence
· Set guilt free boundaries

· Own your financial power

Panelists: