Featured Speaker:
Billy Ivey grew up in Franklin, Tennessee before heading to Birmingham, Alabama, where he graduated from Samford University. Today, he is an author, award-winning copywriter, and keynote speaker with more than 20 years experience working with brands like Chick-fil-A, The Home Depot, Major League Baseball, and hundreds of other local, regional, and national accounts.
He now lives in Birmingham with his super-hot wife, Bethany, and their five better-than-average-looking children. He wrote this bio, by the way.
Each morning before his kids catch the school bus, Billy packs their lunches and places a hand-written note next to the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, bruised bananas, and juice boxes.
Big deal, right?
Well, about 5 years ago, Billy began posting his lunch notes to social media, and they went viral. Then, Billy and his Napkinisms partnered with the Chick-fil-A Foundation in Atlanta to provide more than 10,000 lunches and inspiring messages to children in need. He also recently partnered with Children’s of Alabama to share a smile with the hospital’s patients and their families seven days a week!
Billy will be here to give us his thoughts on influence, storytelling, and doing small things to make a big difference in the lives of others.
For more information, and to catch up on Billy’s story, visit napkinisms.com and follow his #napkinisms on Instagram at @wrivey.
Guest Speaker:
Calaneet Balas has served as president and CEO of The ALS Association since December 2017. She joined the organization in 2015 as chief of strategy, leading the Association’s three mission areas including global research, public policy and care services. Ms. Balas is recognized for her leadership and judicious stewardship of the funds generated by the 2014 ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, which led to major advancements in the fight against ALS, including the discovery of five new genes connected to ALS and the expansion of the Association’s clinical network. Since the Ice Bucket Challenge, the Association has funded $118 million in global ALS research, including the nearly 170 active projects underway today. Prior to joining the fight against ALS, Ms. Balas served as chief executive officer of the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance (OCNA). Ms. Balas distinguished herself in the ovarian cancer space by forging a collaboration with Stand Up To Cancer, the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance and the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Together, the organizations organized a Dream Team of leading ovarian cancer physicians and researchers to focus on DNA repair therapies, early diagnosis and prevention. Ms. Balas also served as chief strategy officer of the newly created Mid-Atlantic Region of the Arthritis Foundation from 2010 until September 2012. Previously, she served as president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation’s Metro DC Chapter from 2005-2009, bringing financial stability to the chapter and increasing its fundraising efforts. In December 2018, she was elected as Chairwoman of the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations. She also sits on the board of the Truman State University Foundation. Ms. Balas holds a Master of Business Administration from Herriot-Watt University, a Master of Science in Human Movement Science Education from the University of Memphis, and a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Truman State University.
Singer/Songwriter:
Mark Irwin is an American country music songwriter. In 1990, he co-wrote Alan Jackson's "Here in the Real World", which was twice nominated for Song of the Year by the Country Music Association.He also wrote "Till I Was Loved by You" by Chely Wright, "If the Jukebox Took Teardrops" by Danni Leigh, and "19 and Crazy" by Bomshel. In 2013, he wrote Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift's "Highway Don't Care", which reached number 1,and Tyler Farr's "Redneck Crazy."