Christie Hensler

Christie Hensler is a master of conquering life's challenges and using the wisdom gained from her own journey to inspire others through speaking, writing, and coaching. With 25 years of entrepreneurial experience, Christie thrives on paving her own path and making a difference in the world.

She believes that embracing adversity is the key to unlocking one's true potential and becoming a better self. As the author of 'Life Hacks for Hard Times,' Christie equips individuals with tools to break free from what's holding them back and get the most out of life. A Maxwell certified coach and certified DISC behavioral consultant, Christie is dedicated to empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential.

Married to her best friend and business partner, Matt, for nearly 19 years, their unexpected journey is one full of resilience, determination and pure grit. Captivating and engaging, Christie brings audiences to their feet as a motivational speaker and workshop facilitator who connects with people on a deeply personal level, speaking WITH them rather than AT them.

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Supercharge Your Relational and Emotional IQ: Maximize Influence, Tackle Adversity and Build Trust

Rudy Ruiz

MBA, EFO, CFO

Retired Fire Chief Rudy Ruiz began his fire service career in 1991 as a full-time firefighter in Sandusky, Ohio. He moved to Michigan in 2014 to become the Fire Chief at Bedford Township, Michigan, for approximately two years, then became the fire chief in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Chief Ruiz is a proud Fire Service Executive Development Institute (FSEDI) alum and member of the “First Class” in 2013. He earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree specializing in public administration, completed the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program (EFO) in 2011, and was Designated through the Center for Public Safety Excellence as a Chief Fire Officer (CFO).

Chief Ruiz's leadership roles within the fire service community are a testament to his capabilities. He served as Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs’ (IAFC) Professional Development Committee and is the current co-lead of the IAFC Diversity Executive Leadership Program. His expertise has been recognized on a national level, as he has been a guest speaker at several conferences on fire service wicked issues and leadership development training.

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Harnessing the Power of AI to Optimize Fire Service Administration

This discussion delves into AI in the workplace, exploring its specific applications for administrative tasks, drawing on real-world case studies, discussing implementation strategies, and offering a visionary glimpse into the future of AI in fire service administration. The session aims to deliver a comprehensive and engaging experience, fostering interactive discussions and valuable Q&A sessions.

Dr. Will Anderson

Dr. William R. Anderson began his firefighting and EMS career in 1995 with the Painesville Twp. (OH) FD and retired in 2024 from the Euclid (OH) FD, achieving the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. Dr. Anderson was involved with the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association’s (OFCA) Safety, Health, and Wellness Committee, serving as Committee Vice-Chair from 2015 to 2020 where he collaborated with lawmakers and peers that eventually established cancer presumption laws in Ohio for firefighters as well as recognizing behavioral health as a job-related illness for first responders. Dr. Anderson served on the OFCA Board of Directors and was active with the Northeastern Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association, serving as a trustee from 2018 to 2020. Dr. Anderson earned his undergraduate degree in 2014 from Anna Maria College. He completed his master’s in public administration in 2018 from Grand Canyon University, became a credentialed Chief Fire Officer (CFO) from the Center for Public Safety Excellence in 2021, and recently graduated with his Doctor of Strategic Leadership in 2024 from Liberty University. He remains a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers (MIFireE), the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association (OFCA).

Dr. Anderson is the owner of In Command Consulting, LLC where he specializes in grant writing, strategic planning, and leadership research. His grant writing has garnered nearly $19M for personnel, vehicles, and equipment for clients across five states. He serves as an independent contractor for Lexipol, LLC where he provides grant writing, consultations, and reviews. Most recently, he joined the faculty at Bowling Green State University in Ohio where he is the lead instructor for its Fire Officer 4 course. He resides in Northeast Ohio with his wife of 25 years and their two adult children. For leisure, he enjoys beach vacations, reading, visiting Major League Baseball stadiums, learning about former U.S. presidents, and exercising.

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Establishing the prevalence and causality of burnout among fire chiefs in the Cleveland (OH) metropolitan statistical area and the correlations to negative leadership behaviors resulting in adverse organizational consequences

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