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 husband and their 4 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

LYNDA ADAMS

Transformational Love Coach/Matchmaker, Cara Matchmaking

Lynda Adams is a professional matchmaker, certified health and relationship coach, and the owner of Cara Matchmaking, based in Falmouth, Maine. With a diverse background spanning health and wellness, marketing, public service, operations, and coaching, Lynda has spent her career building communities, developing teams, and helping people form meaningful, values-aligned connections—both personally and professionally.

As a former city leader, operations manager, and business owner, she brings a unique blend of structure, emotional intelligence, and intuition to her work. Lynda believes strong relationships—whether in leadership, teams, or personal life—are built on shared values, clear communication, emotional maturity, and mutual respect.

Lynda lives in Westbrook, Maine with her husband of 23 years, Shawn, and their rescue dog, Brook.

Sessions:

Applying Matchmaking to Finding Opposite-Season Recruiting Partners

DAVID CHAG

Partner, The Club Council LLC

David began his private club management career working thirteen years at Houston Country Club. In 1987, he became the General Manager at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts, during which time he oversaw four U.S.G.A. Championships as well as the 1999 Ryder Cup matches. David is a past Chair of the National Club Association and past President of the South Texas and New England Chapters of Club Management Association of America (CMAA).

He began the private club management course at Boston University in 2000 and was the adjunct professor for several years. In 2023, David was honored with a Lifetime Excellence Award by the National Club Association.

Sessions:

Empowering Emerging Leaders

JIM TURNER

Global Labor Specialist, JTP Agency

Jim Turner is an executive leader and entrepreneur whose career is defined by high performance and adaptability. Born into a life of service as the son of a Navy Warrant Officer, Jim developed a foundation of integrity and grit at an early age, values he carried from his upbringing to the football field at Syracuse University and eventually the NFL.

Following his athletic career, Jim successfully pivoted to the corporate sector, rising through the ranks at State Farm to become the Vice President of Agency. In this role, he was responsible for the strategic hiring and training of massive networks of new agents, giving him a firsthand understanding of the recruitment and retention challenges HR professionals face daily.

Today, Jim is the founder of The JTP Agency, where he combines his executive expertise with a passion for social impact. He is dedicated to solving complex labor challenges by connecting workers with legal, ethical employment opportunities. Jim champions the belief that compliant employment is not just a regulatory requirement, but a moral imperative. With a unique perspective shaped by the military family lifestyle, professional sports, and the C-Suite, Jim empowers HR leaders to build resilient, high-integrity teams.

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

MARIA CHAMBERLAIN

HR and Communications Manager, Wianno Club

Maria is a native of Sofia, Bulgaria, where she earned her Master's degree in Human Resources Management. She relocated to the United States in 2001 and began her career at the Wianno Club where she is still employed today in the dual role of HR and Communications Manager.

The Wianno Club is a private country club in Cape Cod with an active summer season. The Club has been participating in the H2B program since 2008, working with Pabian Law since 2014. The Wianno Club has about 240 employees in peak season, around 80 of which are H2B workers over nine petitions.

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

DAVID JURCAK

President, Grand Hotel (Davidson Hospitality Group)

David Jurcak, an award-winning hospitality leader with 35 years of industry experience, is in his fifth season as president of Grand Hotel. David is highly regarded in the hotel and resort world for his leadership and commitment to the local community. His passion for iconic American resorts was ignited when he was tapped to lead The Omni Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia in 2013.

Prior to joining Grand Hotel, Jurcak oversaw the transition and pre-opening team for Aimbridge Hospitality, working on more than 850 hotels in his role as vice president of operations. Prior to joining Aimbridge, David had a successful career with Omni Hotels and Resorts where he served as general manager for 20 years for hotels in Missouri, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Colorado, Virginia, Texas and Arizona. In addition to The Homestead, he was the managing director for Omni’s Barton Creek Resort, Spa and Country Club in Austin, Texas. David was recognized as the Omni Hotels Ideal General Manager in 2002 (RevPAR performance), 2007 (financial performance) and 2008 (associate relations).

As a hospitality leader, David seeks to enhance the strengths of each associate and provide opportunities for growth. Associates who have worked with him often point to his remarkable teambuilding skills and ability to create genuine connections with his teams.

David brings a deep appreciation for historic destinations and enjoys learning about the past of each hotel, resort and community where he lives. Throughout his career, David has embraced the local communities in multiple roles from city councilman and county commissioner to volunteer firefighter and has been engaged in industry tourism and community boards in each city he has worked.

Sessions:

Forming Recruiting Partnerships & Securing Leadership Buy-In

JACQUELINE NICHOLS

Founder, Jacqueline Nichols

Jacqueline Nichols built and led a successful professional matchmaking agency for 15 years, ultimately transitioning the company to new ownership. She guided hundreds of singles into high-quality matches, shaping a proven approach grounded in trust, clarity, and long-term connection.

She now mentors professional matchmakers and business leaders, supporting clear direction, confident decision-making, and measurable progress. Known for strong intuitive insight, Jacqueline works through her step-by-step, results-oriented strategy.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Jacqueline is the mother of three adult children living successful lives with their partners. She is recognized for her ability to see what matters most and help others move forward with intention.

Sessions:

Applying Matchmaking to Finding Opposite-Season Recruiting Partners