Frank C. Kitchen

CSP, motivational speaker and author

Frank C. Kitchen, CSP, has over 30 Years of Talent Development experience as an award-winning retail manager, trainer, college educator, performer, Fundraising Auctioneer and Motivational Speaker. Born in Bad Kreuznach, Germany, Frank Kitchen spent over twenty years educating, energizing, and empowering thousands of students and professionals to transform their loftiest aspirations into reality. On Father’s Day weekend 2015, Frank was fired by his employer and his world changed. That weekend, the expectant father committed to cooking up the 5-Star Masterpiece he'd been dreaming about for years...to become a Professional Keynote Speaker. After years of teaching students, volunteers, and professionals how to transform their personal and professional dreams into reality, it was time for Frank to apply his teachings to his life.

Today, Frank is a highly sought-after motivational speaker for organizations who want to fire up the performance of their teams. All of Frank’s "Kitchen Inspired” programs are interactive learning experiences that provide you with the proven recipe, needed to flip your mindset and cook up the amazing results you and your team hunger for! The same recipe Frank used to go from unemployed, to being recognized as one of the top Professional Speakers in the world by the National Speakers Association.

A graduate of Lakeland Community College (A.A.) and David N. Myers University (B.S), Frank is the author of “Fresh from the Kitchen, 44 Tasty Techniques to Cook Up the Professional Dreams You Hunger For” and “52 Ways to Shine, Discovering Your Value and Leaving an Impact".

When he isn't speaking, you can find Frank volunteering as a coach for his children’s sports teams, assisting his Homeschool Teacher Wife, and traveling the world with his family. Frank resides in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Kelly and their two children, Elijah and Olivia.

Katie Goodman

Award-winning comedian, author, international speaker

Katie's work in comedy has amassed over 3 million online views. She can be seen on Showtime, Impractical Jokers, and, more often than she would admit, in line getting a mocha latte with extra, extra whipped cream. Katie literally wrote the book on using improv comedy to improve your life. Her show "Broad Comedy" plays Off Broadway and tours nationally. Her love for self-help and comedy lands her career somewhere in between Tina Fey and Deepak Chopra. Her work has been celebrated by Arianna Huffington, Comedy Central, Leslie Stahl, Time Out New York, and her Pilates teacher in Brooklyn who says she is "getting better." Katie holds a degree in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, and was nominated for the MacArthur Genius Grant for her work in theater. She got beat out by the astrophysicist who discovered the multiphase liquid behavior of nuclei, but better luck next time! With over 20 years of experience with training and speaking, Katie has taught over 40,000 people how to use the tools of improv comedy in their lives to handle absolutely anything, and to be more creative, courageous, and confident. When she's not at home in New York City, Katie can be found traveling the country for speaking events, comedy shows, and corporate workshops and trainings, teaching participants how to thrive at handling anything that comes their way.

Session Speakers

Rachel Christensen

Safety Representative, Michigan Dining

Rachel Christensen currently serves as the Senior Safety Representative for Michigan Dining. She leads a comprehensive safety program encompassing food safety, occupational health and safety, illness prevention, and Smartsense, Michigan Dining’s digital temperature tracking software and hardware. Committed to fostering a culture of safety, Rachel acts as a liaison connecting Michigan Dining operations with broader university, local county, and state health and safety initiatives. Rachel received her Master’s degree in Food Safety from Michigan State University and is currently working toward her Master’s in Public Health from University of Michigan-Flint.

Amanda Ewing

Director of Culture & Engagement, Michigan Dining, University of Michigan

Amanda Ewing (she/her/hers) is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion educator and facilitator. She has a range of experience in DE&I programming and specializes in creating and delivering a curriculum that uses storytelling and creative skills for engaging in memorable learning experiences. In her role as Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Michigan Dining, Amanda’s work falls into three major categories: education, consultation, and coaching. Amanda provides professional development opportunities to staff and leadership, advises on DE&I incidents and strategy, and provides individual guidance to leadership and management.

Crytsal Lente

Marketing coordinator, UNM Food

Meet Crystal Lente, the Marketing Coordinator for UNM Food, operated by Aramark Collegiate Hospitality at The University of New Mexico. As a proud UNM alumni, she brings a unique perspective that helps her connect with the student population through her creative marketing efforts. Outside of work, Crystal embraces her heritage as a member of the Pueblo of Isleta, celebrating her rich traditions while exploring new experiences. She also cherishes time with her beloved family and her two canine companions.