KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
Friday Keynote | February 27
Be a Dream Maker: Your Role in Making Fraternity and Sorority Life Great presented by Michelle Guobadia
Supported by DoorList
You didn’t join a fraternity or sorority just to wear letters—you joined to lead, to belong, to build something that matters. But let’s be honest: are you actively shaping the legacy of your organization, or are you letting it drift?
In this high-energy, no-fluff keynote, Michelle Guobadia delivers a powerful call to action for every fraternity and sorority member to wake up, step up, and be a Dream Maker—someone who doesn’t just represent their organization, but redefines it. With unflinching honesty, sharp insight, and dynamic storytelling, she confronts the tough truths: hazing, performative inclusion, harmful traditions, and coasting culture aren’t just problems—they’re threats to our survival.
This keynote sets the tone for the weekend with a unifying and empowering message: you have a critical role in building chapters rooted in values, resilience, and community. You’ll leave with clarity, courage, and a renewed commitment to lead with purpose—on your campus and in the world.
The fraternal movement needs leaders. It needs changemakers. It needs you. Be the reason fraternity and sorority life is still worth fighting for.
Presenter Biography | Michelle Guobadia
Michelle Guobadia might be a little more real and in-your-face than you expect from a speaker—and she’s totally fine with that. Known for telling it like it is, Michelle’s mission is to shake things up, especially when it comes to hazing, toxic traditions, and outdated leadership models. If you don’t leave her session a little uncomfortable (in a good way), she’ll assume the mic was off.
A nationally recognized hazing prevention advocate, speaker, and higher ed pro, Michelle blends truth, humor, and tough love to challenge students to TRY HARDER and DO BETTER. She believes the only way to get to good answers is by asking the hard questions—and that real change starts when students are given permission to tackle scary topics, take risks, and even make a few people uncomfortable in the name of progress.
When she’s not traveling the country lighting fires under audiences, she serves as the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at UNC Charlotte, where she oversees 43 fraternities and sororities. Michelle is a proud Fall 2000 initiate of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. from the University of Delaware.
Learn More About Michelle!
Get in Touch With Michelle!
Email: MGuobadia@Gmail.com
LinkedIn: Michelle Guobadia
Instagram: @mgspeaksup
Saturday Keynote | February 28
More Than Enough: Belonging Starts with You presented by Billy Boulden
When students join a club, team, or sorority, they’re not just joining a name or an activity—they’re joining the people. Whether you’re submitting your resume to the marketing club or sending in game film to your dream lacrosse team, your desire to be part of something bigger is what truly matters. You are already enough. Your passion, energy, and commitment are your credentials.
This session flips the script on how we think about membership and belonging. Instead of asking new members to prove themselves or to speak up if something goes wrong, we’ll explore how current members can lead the charge in building communities where everyone feels welcome from day one. Hazing prevention and belonging shouldn’t start with reporting—they should start with culture.
In far too many organizations, new members are treated like outsiders until they “make the cut.” This mindset can lead to harmful behaviors, exclusion, and silence. But the truth is: people stay where they feel seen, valued, and connected. When we shift our focus to building belonging from the inside out, we reduce harm and increase impact.
Here’s the bottom line. People join people. When we build communities that are intentional, inclusive, and affirming, we create spaces where others can grow, lead, and belong—no proving necessary. Come ready to reflect, connect, and take action. Your organization’s culture starts with you.
Presenter Biography | Billy Boulden
Billy Boulden has been working in higher education for over two decades. In his work, he has focused on the development of student activities boards, fraternity and sorority communities, men’s mental health, graduate student and professional development. Billy believes in investing in the areas that you are most passionate about improving while focusing on your core principles can lead to successful change in any organization structure.
He brings a fun, energetic, positive spin to every encounter. He believes that leadership works best when the heart and the mind are on the same team. Billy embraces vulnerability and sharing personal stories in order to engage in conversations that can sometimes be difficult to talk about.
Billy has been recognized by the National Association of Campus Activities, Chi Phi Fraternity, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Delta Chi Fraternity, Alpha Gamma Rho Fraternity, and the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors for his work. When not developing a new idea or program, you can find him playing with his dog, coaching Crossfit classes, or volunteering for his fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi.
Learn More About Billy!
Get in Touch With Billy!
Email: WRBoulden@Gmail.com
LinkedIn: Billy Boulden
Instagram: @billyboulden
Closing Keynote | February 28
Climb On! Success Strategies from an Everest Mountaineer presented by John Beede
The High-Altitude Formula for Reaching Your Personal Summit
In this inspiring and action-driven keynote, John Beede uses the powerful metaphor of mountain climbing to teach audiences how to identify their goals, build a clear plan, and push through challenges with grit and purpose. Sharing unforgettable stories from his climb to the summit of Mount Everest, John equips the audience with the mindset and tools to pursue their biggest dreams, no matter the obstacles in their way.
Presenter Biography | John Beede
Adventurer John Beede has been struck by lighting, attacked by a 5-foot iguana, and he once did the hokey-pokey in the eye of a hurricane. He’s been swimming with Hammerhead, Great White, and Whale sharks. He was even trapped in the Indonesian jungle between warring tribes and the world’s largest goldmine. His travels have taken him to 56 countries and every continent including Antarctica.
In his presentation, you’re going to learn the peak performance and leadership lessons that John learned while pursuing his life’s biggest dream; reaching the summit of Mount Everest. After two months of climbing, 9 months of full-time preparation, and 17 years of mountaineering, he planted his trusty ice axe into the summit of Mount Everest. Subsequently, he was featured on TV’s 60 Minutes and media outlets across the globe.
He is not sponsored. All funding for his expeditions comes from building and selling his own companies and authoring three books.
Get ready to laugh and be inspired. John’s integration of outdoor adventure stories and powerful success strategies are going to catapult you to a new level of personal achievement.
