Keynote & Super Sessions

Sarita Maybin

Sarita Maybin is a dynamic and seasoned speaker, known for empowering audiences with the skills to transform uncomfortable conversations into constructive communication. With a career spanning over two decades as an international speaker and communication expert, Sarita has shared her insights in all 50 states, 10 countries—including Iceland—and on the prestigious TEDx stage.

Sarita blends real stories, practical solutions, and a relatable presence that engages her audience and inspires positive action. Her universal message has resonated with a diverse range of clients, including American Dental Association, Million Dollar Round Table, National Conference of State Legislators, Department of the Navy, and the University of California.

Leveraging her background as a former university dean of students with a master’s degree in counseling, Sarita shares strategies for enhanced collaboration and communication. As a “military brat” who thrived in a life of constant change, she brings a unique perspective, emphasizing that the power of communication is not just in what you say, but how you say it.

Sarita is also an author, having literally written the book on how to respond to the question: If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say? Her commitment to fostering positive dialogue continues with her latest book, Say What You Mean in a Nice Way.

Say What You Mean in a Nice Way: Practical Communication Strategies for Every Conversation 

Kick off the NACUFS conference in this high-energy, interactive keynote presentation and learn practical communication strategies to forge new horizons. Take home tools for positive conversations across all areas of the campus you serve and gain practical strategies for engaging your own team.  

PLUS, learn techniques for moving past setbacks and rekindling passion for your food service career. 

Keynote highlights include:

• Three P’s for staying positive in challenging situations
• Sarita’s Top 10 Positive Communication Phrases (Including Take-home Card)
• How to effectively respond to negative feedback—without getting defensive
• A proven process for constructively conveying concerns 

Rick Lozano

Rick Lozano helps people unlock potential and amplify their talent, and he does it all with his unique blend of energy, expertise, and a musician’s soul.

After twenty years of experience in award-winning talent and leadership development programs, Rick founded his own business, Unlock & Amplify®, to help develop leaders, teams, and workplace cultures that resonate, engage, and unleash the power of their people.

He brings his creative approach to audiences across the globe combining his skills as a world-class speaker and facilitator with his creative talents as a singer/songwriter and musician - and occasional game show host!

And in the process, he has built a reputation for his refreshing delivery that leaves audiences raving, and - more importantly - with action items they can immediately implement to produce change.

He is the author of two books, Acoustic Leadership – Develop A Leadership Culture That Resonates and Find Your Jam: Create Momentum, Unlock Potential, and Rock What’s Next.

He served as president of the Austin Chapter of the National Speakers Association, and has the industry’s CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) designation, a credential only held by 18% of the thousands of members worldwide.

Engage. Develop. Inspire. These are the things Rick does best, sometimes with a guitar in hand.

Find Your Jam: Create Momentum, Unlock Potential, and Rock What’s Next 

In college and university food services, the demands are high, budgets are tight, and resources often feel scarce. But great leaders and teams don’t just make do—they find creative ways to innovate, engage their people, and create momentum despite the challenges. 

That’s where Finding Your Jam comes in. 

In this high-energy keynote, Rick Lozano brings his signature blend of music, humor, and interactive storytelling to help NACUFS members leverage their existing resources, develop their teams, and create sustainable momentum—no matter how tight the budget or how big the challenge. 

Using Rick’s signature RIFF™ model, you’ll learn to: 

• Rewrite – Challenge outdated beliefs and shift from a mindset of scarcity to one of resourcefulness and creativity, where constraints fuel innovation rather than limit it. 

• Integrate – Discover how to make the most of what you already have—talent, skills, relationships, and technology—to create new opportunities for efficiency, service improvements, and team growth. 

• Focus – Cut through the noise and prioritize what truly matters— building strong teams, improving service, and fostering a culture of learning and adaptability in campus dining operations. 

• Flow – Develop a rhythm of continuous improvement and engagement, where teams feel energized, empowered, and ready to tackle whatever comes next. 

This isn’t just another keynote—this is a unique, interactive, high-energy experience that will leave you inspired and equipped with real, practical tools to create momentum, unlock potential, and rock what’s next in campus dining. 

Bob Pacanovsky

An entrepreneur for 30 years, primarily in the hospitality industry, Bob Pacanovsky, and his team created over 7,000 meetings, events, and receptions (including catering 25 of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction events), and had one opportunity to create both a “wow experience” and a lasting impression (or a Black Tie Experience) on his clients and guests. 

Now as a keynote speaker and strategic trainer, he uses his two decades of work to teach companies and organizations how to focus on Hospitality, Service Excellence, and Selfless Leadership to create Black Tie Experiences for every client and guest. 

Bob has worked with organizations and associations across the country in industries such as attractions, travel/tourism, healthcare, hospitality, association management, education, banking,  and more.  He has achieved Professional Membership in the National Speakers Association (NSA).

Bob lives in Akron, Ohio, and is a graduate of The University of Akron with a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance.  He is a passionate volunteer and has served on numerous non-profit boards, including the Alzheimer’s Association, OPEN M (a Christian Ministry), Jennings Senior Living, Goodwill Industries, Humane Society of Summit County, and others.

Becoming REMEMORABLE! (Transforming Service into Storytellers) 

Why do some organizations effortlessly capture the hearts and minds of their members, while others struggle to stand out in the crowd? What sets these exceptional organizations apart? 

In today's competitive landscape, it's no longer enough to simply provide good service. To thrive, organizations must create rememorable experiences that leave a lasting impression. This session will equip you with the strategies and tools to elevate your hospitality and service excellence, transforming your organization into a customer-centric powerhouse. 

In this session, Bob will share his research as he has talked to organizations like yours to learn about their efforts to boost loyalty, engagement, retention, and revenue, and to cultivate more storytellers for their organization. You will discover some of the traits they have in common, like-  

• The Power of Rememorable Experiences: Discover how exceptional experiences drive member/customer loyalty, and referrals, and create Brand Ambassadors. 

• Building a Culture of Excellence: Learn how to foster an organizational culture that prioritizes hospitality, service excellence, and employee empowerment. 

• Balancing Technology with Human Connection: Explore how to leverage technology to enhance member/customer experiences while maintaining the warmth and authenticity of human interaction. 

• Measuring and Improving Hospitality: Learn how to focus on the importance of ROR (Return on Relationships) measuring the impact of key soft skills that can help create a stronger ROI for organizations, which leads to growth, innovation, and revenue. 

Join us as we delve into the secrets of creating unforgettable and rememorable member/customer experiences. You'll gain valuable insights and practical tools to elevate your brand, foster loyalty, and drive business growth. 

Lucas Irwin

Lucas G. Irwin is the founder of RebelHealth.org and a globally recognized health and performance coach. His comprehensive approach to wellness has earned the trust of some of the world’s most respected organizations, including Google, ABB, Christian Dior, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Covering topics from mindfulness and exercise to communication and time management, Lucas provides clear, actionable guidance to help people live healthier, happier lives. 

Start Again:  Practical steps to reclaiming your path forward 

Rebounding from setbacks isn't solely about mental toughness; it's a skill we can cultivate. When life veers off course or we get knocked down, knowing how to navigate back is essential. In this session, we'll explore this process and how mastering it can help us be more resilient, responsive and propel us forward in our lives. 

Student Panel: Next-Gen Leaders: Forging New Horizons Through Campus Dining

This engaging student panel will highlight how on-campus dining programs are not only feeding students—but also forging future leaders. Hear directly from student leaders who have taken on meaningful roles within collegiate dining and discover how these experiences have shaped their personal and professional development.

Panelists will share how working in or alongside campus dining has helped them build critical leadership skills, develop confidence, and find their voice. They’ll discuss what motivates them, how they’ve been empowered by their roles, and the real changes they’ve been able to implement.

This session offers an authentic look at the student experience and provides inspiration for how your operation can be a powerful platform for student leadership and professional growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the leadership journey of student workers and advocates in campus dining.
• Learn how campus dining roles can build transferable skills that support long-term success.
• Gain ideas for fostering environments where students feel empowered to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully.