Opening Keynote Speaker - Louie GravanceFormer Disney Institute Facilitator, Actor, Comedian. Focused on Creating the Happiest Workplace on EarthLouie Gravance is a top business keynote speaker, actor, comedian, and former Disney Institute Facilitator. Beginning with the training and orientation program “Traditions” at The Disney University, Louie designed, developed, and delivered countless presentations. First, at the University for literally thousands of Disney World employees from all disciplines, and then for visiting corporate clients through the Disney Institute Professional Development Programs.
Plenary Keynote Speaker - Dr. Camesha Whittaker-SamuelChief Executive Officer Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties
Dr. Camesha Whittaker-Samuel brings over two decades of innovative leadership experience in nonprofit management, education technology, and community advocacy to her role as Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Volusia/Flagler Counties (BGCVFC). A visionary leader and audacious innovator, Dr. Whittaker Samuel has a distinguished record of launching transformative initiatives, fostering strategic partnerships, and advancing organizational growth. Before joining BGCVFC, Dr. Whittaker-Samuel served as the Chief Learning & Innovation Officer at the Propel Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Under her leadership, the Propel Center launched its inaugural tech product, Propel Learn, in 2023, impacting nearly 7,000 users in its first year and providing career upskilling opportunities for over 300,000 HBCU students nationwide. Dr. Whittaker-Samuel has led Propel’s virtual campus operations, overseeing product development, instructional design, curriculum innovation, and faculty development. Her work has been pivotal in equipping students with the tools and knowledge to advance the global workforce.
Dr. Whittaker-Samuel’s influence extends beyond education technology. She is a nationally recognized thought leader whose expertise has been showcased on platforms such as C-SPAN and PBS. Before her time at Propel, she served as the inaugural Director of the BJ Moore Center for Faculty Innovation at Bethune-Cookman University, where she managed e-learning and faculty development while mentoring hundreds of educators and students. An award-winning academic and business communication expert, Dr. Whittaker-Samuel holds a Ph.D. in Communication Studies from Regent University, a Master’s degree in Public Communication from American University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Bethune-Cookman University.
 AACRAO Session Presenter - Julia FunakiDirector, International, AACRAO, Research & Policy DivisionJulia Funaki received her Bachelor of Science from The Ohio State University and worked for the Columbus Council on World Affairs. Julia attended a graduate program at American University and worked in domestic and international admissions for the University. Upon completion of her Master’s in International Communication, she took a job in the foreign student services office at Ohio Wesleyan University. After returning to Washington and completing a Master’s in International Education with an emphasis in Higher Ed Administration, Julia worked for the University of Maryland College Park in International Education Services.
In 1996, Julia joined the staff at AACRAO. She has collaborated with NACAC, NAGAP, PESC, and NAFSA: AIE, LSAC, and others. She has served as an author, editor, presenter, committee member, and chair, and serves on the faculty for AACRAO.
 AACRAO Session Presenter - Dale KingAACRAO Senior FellowDale King is a leading authority on student privacy law and has 13 years of experience administering the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA). Prior to his current position as Senior Fellow, Dale served as Senior Policy Advisor on student privacy within the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development (OPEPD). Dale also served eight years as director of the Department’s Student Privacy Policy Office. Dale’s federal experience extends well beyond student privacy. He served as director of Policy, Research, and Evaluation Services within the Department’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, which administers the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins Act) and Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA). He began his federal career in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services working to improve the services to individuals with disabilities. Dale started his career as a special education teacher and has held leadership positions at both the local and state levels. Dale has dedicated his entire professional career to the betterment of the education of our nation’s students. Dale earned an MS degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee. |
