2026 Staff Conference
The UCR Staff Conference is a virtual, two-day annual event organized by and for staff at UC Riverside. Its purpose is to provide professional development, foster engagement, and cultivate a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic environment where every staff member can thrive. This conference is co-hosted by the UCR Staff Assembly, Leaders of Excellence and Distinction (LEAD), and Human Resources Employee and Organizational Development (EOD).
This year’s conference theme is “Together, We Rise: Empower, Evolve, and Excel.” It will feature inspiring keynote speakers and sessions that offer invaluable insights.
Dates: Tuesday, March 24, and Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Locations: Virtual sessions and School of Business, SBB Auditorium for the closing session on March 25, 2026
Day One Keynote Speaker
To be announced
Day One | Tuesday, March 24, 2026
-
Morning Sessions 1 | 10:00-10:45 a.m
Listening That Leads:
Cultivating Empathy
in Higher Education
Kelli Breland | UC Merced
Effective
Email
Management
Aaron Bushong | UC Riverside
From Drained to Driven:
Tap Into
Your Working Genius
Shane O'Brien | UC Riverside
-
Morning Sessions 2 | 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Change is Not the Enemy:
Stagnation Is
Rochelle Settle | UC Riverside
Changes to UC
Nnennaya Akabogu & Kate Dorff | UC Riverside
Making Work Work:
The Positivity Solution
for Any Workplace
Seana Nunez | UC Riverside
-
School's First Federal Credit Union | 12:00-12:45 p.m.
-
Afternoon Sessions 1 | 1:00-1:45 p.m.
Highlander Velocity:
Empowering Success
Through Technology
Lily Barger | UC Riverside
Working Better Together:
Strengths-Based Collaboration
Jessica Saldivar | UC Irvine
Team Based
Problem Solving
Katherine Browder | UC Riverside
-
Afternoon Session 2 | 2:00-3:00 p.m.
To be announced
Will Giangrande
Founder & CEO,
The NextGen Playbook
Day Two Keynote Speaker
Will Giangrande is the founder of The NextGen Playbook, where he helps organizations
bridge generational gaps by translating how younger employees think, communicate,
and grow at work while also creating space for younger professionals to understand the
perspectives, expectations, and experiences of more senior leaders. His work equips
organizations with practical strategies that strengthen communication, alignment, and
performance across generations.
He also serves as a Kindling Ambassador, supporting young professionals through
mentorship, and is a certified Take Flight Facilitator, helping teams leverage individual
work styles for more effective collaboration. Across his work, Will is committed to
helping organizations build stronger, more connected, and thriving teams.
Day Two | Wednesday, March 25, 2026
-
Morning Sessions 1 | 10:00-10:45 a.m.
Staff Scholars:
Who said you can’t do it all?
Shelle Stewart | UC Riverside
Superhero
Marketing
Jeff Girod | UC Riverside
The Nutrition-Cognition
Connection
Hung Wu | UC Riverside
-
Morning Sessions 2 | 11:00-11:45 a.m.
Adapting to Change
Rosemary Tyrrell | UC Riverside
Your Mindset,
Your Message,
Your Wardrobe
Elizabeth Jimenez | UC Riverside
Centralized Search?
Yes Please!
Alex Chrystal | UC Riverside
-
LinkedIn Learning | 12:00-12:45 p.m.
Introduction to LinkedIn Learning/Navigating Career Hub
Lauren Copeland | LinkedIn
-
Afternoon Sessions | 1:00-1:45 p.m.
Growing in Higher Education
Stella Rocha | UC Riverside
Lives Well Led:
Reflections From Leaders
Bridging Campus
and System Leadership
Charron Andrus & Dennis McIver | UC Office of the President
From Role to Impact:
Owning Your Career Narrative
in Higher Education
Yazil Navarro | Former UC Merced
-
In-Person Closing Session | 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Held at the School of Business, SBB Auditorium, co-hosted by the UCR Staff Assembly, Leaders of Excellence and Distinction (LEAD), and Human Resources Employee and Organizational Development (EOD).