2026 Speakers

Joan Burge

Founder and CEO of Office Dynamics International

Joan Burge is well-known as the groundbreaking pioneer of the administrative training industry. After working 20 years as an administrative assistant and C-Suite executive assistant, Joan identified a gap in the level of training and information provided to administrative professionals.

In 1990, Joan created a business in an untapped niche, overcoming monumental obstacles involving corporations' and managers' attitudes, prejudices, and stereotypes about executive assistants and administrative professionals. Joan dedicated herself to inspiring excellence and encouraging administrative professionals to reach for the stars! Her company, Office Dynamics International is a global industry leader that offers a broad range of solutions and provides high-performance, sophisticated, executive and administrative assistant training and coaching.

Everything Joan produces, creates and teaches is specific to the administrative profession and the relationship between executives and their assistants.

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Administrative Roles

In today's fast-paced and high-pressure workplaces, administrative professionals are called on to do far more than manage schedules and tasks. They serve as connectors, problem solvers, and trusted partners to their executives and teams. To succeed, assistants must tap into a skill set that goes beyond technical expertise: emotional intelligence (EQ).

Pioneered by Daniel Goleman, the "godfather" of EQ, the four dimensions of emotional intelligence - Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Social Skill/Relationship Management - are critical to navigating challenges, reducing stress, and communicating with clarity and impact. This engaging session translates EQ into practical applications specifically for administrative roles, empowering assistants to use it in everyday scenarios, from high-stakes travel planning to conflict management and executive communication.

Learning Outcomes

By attending this session, participants will:

Understand Daniel Goleman's four dimensions of emotional intelligence and how they apply to the admin role.
Strengthen self-awareness to better recognize emotional triggers and maintain composure in demanding situations.
Apply self-management strategies to reduce stress, stay adaptable, and make sound decisions under pressure.
Build social awareness to foster empathy, collaboration, and stronger workplace relationships.
Practice real-world scenarios to apply EQ principles directly to administrative challenges, enhancing influence and effectiveness.

William Huneycutt aka Andy Huneycutt

Senior Systems Engineer, Microsoft 365 Collaboration Team

Andy Huneycutt is a Senior Systems Engineer on the Microsoft 365 Collaboration Team at Advocate Health, where he leads the Microsoft 365 Copilot program. In this role, Andy is responsible for driving the adoption and integration of AI-powered productivity solutions across the enterprise, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to deliver transformative outcomes for clinicians, staff, and patients.

With over a decade of experience in enterprise IT and digital transformation, Andy is recognized for his deep technical expertise and his passion for empowering users through intelligent tools and automation. He has played a pivotal role in advancing Advocate Health's digital workplace strategy, enabling secure, scalable, and innovative collaboration environments.

A frequent speaker and trusted advisor on Microsoft 365, Copilot, and modern workplace technologies, Andy has been recognized as a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) since 2017 - a distinction awarded to technology leaders who demonstrate exceptional community leadership and technical excellence. He is known for his ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical solutions that drive real-world impact.

Andy is based in Charlotte, NC and is committed to fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning within Advocate Health and the broader technology community.

AI for the Administrative Professional

Discover how Microsoft 365 Copilot is transforming the way we work - streamlining communication, organizing information, and saving valuable time. From drafting emails and summarizing meetings to preparing agendas and tracking action items, Copilot acts as your intelligent assistant across. Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, and more!

Learn how to get the most from Copilot, whether you're recapping a busy day, catching up on long email threads, or generating creative content. Explore mobile capabilities that keep you productive on the go, and see how Copilot helps you stay ahead of your schedule with real-time insights and personalized support.

Candace Wright Williams, MHA

Speaker, Author, Life Coach, Career Coach, Emcee, Facilitator, Healthcare Executive

Candace Wright Williams is a dynamic speaker, author, podcaster, and facilitator known for engaging audiences through authentic storytelling and relatable personal insights. She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her master's degree in healthcare administration from Pfeiffer University.

With more than 2 decades of strategic experience and operational leadership experience in healthcare, Candace has built a career rooted in elevating patient and guest experience, advancing service excellence, and driving team member engagement. Her people-centered leadership and ability to translate strategy into action have shaped high-performing teams and cultures of compassion and accountablity.

A Certified-Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) Practitioner, Candace integrates mindset and communication strategies into her coaching and facilitation, helping individuals and organizations unlock potential and sustain success. Deeply committed to service, she lends her expertise and time through leadership roles on multiple community and professional boards, as well as through her active membership in her beloved sorority.

Beyond her career in healthcare, Candace shares her voice and expertise on stages locally, nationally, and internationally. Her sought-after topics include Sustaining Your Success, Addressing and Assessing Self-Care, The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace, My Story: Overcomer, Imposter Syndrome, Superwoman Syndrome, Self-Limiting Beliefs, and The Discipline Diary - insprired by her published workbook and journal of the same name.

Candace's greatest joys are her husband and four young adult children, who continually remind her of life's purpose, balance, and the importance of leading with love, laughter, and grace.

https://www.candacewrightwilliams.me/

Addressing & Assessing Self-Care

Session Description:

Are you finding it challenging to maintain balance in your life? Do you struggle to show up as your best self for your team? Do thoughts of imposter syndrome or burnout creep in? If so, this session is for you. Candace Wright Williams provides practical strategies and reminders to help administrative professionals protect their goals, prioritize well-being, and sustain personal and professional success. You will leave with actionable tolls to manage stress, maintain focus, and strengthen the mindset and stamina needed to thrive in your role.

Learning Objectives:

Learn how to protect your professional vision and define balance for yourself.
Increase awareness of self-limiting beliefs and strategies to overcome them.
Understand the importance of rest, sleep, and self-care on your performance.
Gain an appreciation of why prioritizing self-care isn't selfish.
Recognize the value of having guidance and support as you navigate career and life growth.