Speakers | Staffing Summit

Featured Speakers

Meet the influential speakers who will share their expertise and insights at Staffing Summit 2026. Get ready to be inspired and gain valuable knowledge from industry leaders.

KEITH PABIAN

Founding Partner, Pabian Law

Co-Founder & President, Seasonal Connect

Keith Pabian is the Founding Partner of Pabian Law, a national hospitality immigration firm that specializes in H-2B visas and year-round immigration options. Keith is also the Co-Founder/President of Seasonal Connect, a staffing and operational solution for seasonal organizations across the country. Keith has a unique specialization in working with hospitality and tourism organizations from coast to coast with H-2B visa petitions. Keith regularly presents at conferences on immigration topics affecting hospitality organizations and has received numerous awards for his success in providing solutions for employers’ most pressing staffing issues.

Keith graduated from Union College and the Villanova University School of Law. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two sons.

Sessions:

H-2B Visa Basics & Refresher Course (Pre-Conference Workshops)
Compliance Training for Hospitality Organizations' Managers and Supervisors (Pre-Conference Workshops)
Navigating Immigration in an Evolving Landscape

CARLY EGLIN

Co-Founder & CEO, Seasonal Connect

Carly Eglin is the Co-Founder & CEO of Seasonal Connect, a staffing & operational platform serving seasonal organizations across the U.S., & a Consultant for Pabian Law, a national immigration law firm. With over fifteen years of experience in the seasonal employment space & nearly a decade in immigration law, Carly brings a unique blend of strategic insight & hands-on industry expertise.

A frequent conference & webinar speaker, Carly is passionate about helping organizations navigate the challenges of seasonal employment. She shares best practices, highlights emerging trends in hospitality, & offers innovative solutions to improve recruitment, retention, & operational success.

A native of Cape Cod, Carly’s early experience as a seasonal hospitality worker gives her a rare dual perspective—both as an industry professional & as someone who has lived the seasonal experience firsthand. She currently lives in central Massachusetts with her wusband and their 3 dogs.

Sessions:

Inside the Hospitality Industry: Live Employer Insights

ASHLEY MCNEIL

Vice President, Federal Government Affairs, American Hotel & Lodging Association

Ashley has over a decade of experience in political strategy, fundraising, coalition building and nonprofit leadership. Currently, she serves as the Vice President of Federal Affairs at the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) where she advocates on a variety of issues critical to the ongoing success of the evolving hotel industry – including but not limited to immigration and workforce issues, sustainability priorities, and human trafficking awareness and prevention.

Ashley comes to AHLA after working as a political fundraiser and strategist at the local, state, and federal levels. Her previous role was at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee where she served as the Director of Battleground Fundraising and oversaw the fundraising operation and campaign strategy for Frontline Members and Red to Blue Candidates. During her tenure, her team raised a record breaking $48million.

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Ashley graduated from Spelman College with a degree in Economics and from American University with a Master’s in Public Policy.

Additionally, Ashley was recently on the board of Stable Arts, is the Chair of the H-2B Coalition, a board member for Running Start and is an Alumnae Advisor for Spelman College.

Ashley is the mom of two sons and resides in Northeast DC.

Sessions:

Government Affairs

AMY LANDERS

Executive Director, Lakes Region Tourism Association

Amy is the Executive Director of the Lakes Region Tourism Association. The Association promotes the Lakes Region and Central NH to bring more visitors; second home owners; groups; weddings and events to the area to have a positive economic impact on businesses. The Association represents over 450 businesses.

Amy also works with businesses to assist with economic development; legislative issues; developing and implementing new partnerships to assist their business.

Amy has been with the Association for over 26 years. She is active and partners with many regional; statewide and national organizations to name a few: NH Travel Council; Discover New England; our State Tourism Office; Leadership Lakes Region; Ski New Hampshire; Business and Industry Association; and White Mountain Attractions.

Sessions:

A Local Look at National Issues: The State of the Hospitality Industry

KATHRYN FERENCE

Director of Workforce Development, Maine Tourism Association

Kathryn Ference is the Director of Workforce Development for the Maine Tourism Association, a non-profit trade association that represents the hospitality and tourism industry in Maine. She works with its nearly 1500 member businesses in lodging, culinary, outdoor recreation, retail, and attractions to find creative ways to address workforce shortages and staffing challenges. Before coming to the Maine Tourism Association, Kathryn graduated from George Washington University and worked in the staffing and human resources industry. She is passionate about inspiring young people to pursue careers in the hospitality and tourism industry and loves connecting talent with great businesses in Maine.

Sessions:

A Local Look at National Issues: The State of the Hospitality Industry

LEANNE LAGASSE

HR Consultant, LeAnne Lagasse Coaching & Consulting

LeAnne Lagasse is an HR consultant and keynote speaker who helps leaders and organizations improve their employee engagement and retention and develop their people managers. LeAnne is a SHRM-SCP, a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths© Coach, and also serves as Adjunct Faculty at Missouri State University, where she teaches professional communication courses to MBA students. Before launching her consulting business, LeAnne was a faculty member and the Director of Public Speaking in the College of Media and Communication at Texas Tech University, where she served for 14 years. Alongside her husband, Ben, she is a proud mom to three children and two pet prairie dogs.

Sessions:

The Next Generation Workforce: What the Data Reveals About Retaining the Next Generation of Talent

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Title, Organization

Speaker bio coming soon!

Sessions:

To be announced

DAVID CHAG

Partner, The Club Council LLC

Speaker bio coming soon!

Sessions:

Empowering Emerging Leaders

JIM TURNER

Global Labor Specialist, JTP Agency

Speaker bio coming soon!

Sessions:

Partnering for Success: Making the Most of Your Relationship with Recruiters

KEZIAH ABERILLA

Human Resources Manager, Lafayette Hotels

Born and raised in the Philippines, KC began her journey as a seasonal worker, gaining experience through both the J-1 and H-2B programs. She is now part of the Lafayette Hotels management team, based in Portland, Maine. Passionate about hospitality and team development, she brings firsthand experience to her role. In her free time, she loves traveling to beach destinations and exploring new coastal escapes.

Sessions:

Bridging Perspectives: Insights from Former H-2B and J-1 Workers

CARLEEN ANDERSON- LALOR

General Manager, The Colonial Inn (Uncommon Hospitality)

Carleen is a dynamic hospitality executive with over 15 years of experience leading teams and elevating guest experience across the industry. Her journey began as a housekeeper on an H-2B work visa, a role that ignited her passion for service and laid the foundation for a career marked by resilience, excellence, and heart.

She has held nearly every frontline and leadership position in hotel operations, including Housekeeping Supervisor, Front Desk Agent, Front Desk Supervisor, Assistant General Manager, Co-General Manager, and now General Manager. Carleen’s leadership is defined by strategic clarity, emotional intelligence, and a deep respect for every role that contributes to a guest’s stay.

Beyond hospitality, Carleen is a Certified Paralegal, a Notary Public, and a Marriage Officer—roles that reflect her commitment to justice, precision, and human connection. Whether she’s resolving operational challenges or officiating a wedding with grace, Carleen brings integrity, warmth, and wisdom to every space she enters.

She speaks with the authority of lived experience and the heart of someone who’s never forgotten where she started. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, purpose-driven leadership, and the belief that every role, no matter how humble, is a stepping stone to greatness.

Sessions:

Bridging Perspectives: Insights from Former H-2B and J-1 Workers

TO BE ANNOUNCED

Title, Organization

Speaker bio coming soon!

Sessions:

Bridging Perspectives: Insights from Former H-2B and J-1 Workers

TAMMY ADAMS

Director of Talent Acquisition & Retention, Ocean Reef Club

Speaker bio coming soon!

Sessions:

Creating Successful Recruiting Trips