How can professionals strengthen their leadership, build high-performing teams, and harness emerging technologies to stay competitive? A lineup of accomplished speakers will address these opportunities through the lens of Talent. Team. Tech., the theme of the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2026 ASPIRE half-day power conference on Thursday, Nov. 12, at UCI Beall Applied Innovation, 5270 California Ave., #100, Irvine.
Joining keynote speaker Jessica Chen, best-selling author, global speaker, and CEO of Soulcast Media, four experts will offer perspectives on the skills, strategies, and technologies shaping the future of work. Through a fast-moving program of expert presentations, audience engagement, and practical takeaways, participants will gain strategies they can put to work immediately to strengthen their leadership, improve team performance, and leverage emerging technologies in their careers and organizations.
Featured speakers and their areas of focus include:
- Stefan Bean, Orange County Superintendent of Schools
TALENT: Exploring how leaders recognize potential, develop talent, and prepare people for the evolving demands of the workforce. - Kristine “Krissy” Collins, Dean, UCI Division of Continuing Education
TECH: Examining how professionals and organizations can approach artificial intelligence thoughtfully, practically, and responsibly to navigate an increasingly technology-driven workplace. - April Diaz, Founder & CEO, Ezer + Co.
TEAM: Sharing insights into building the trust, communication, adaptability, and organizational culture that enable teams to perform and thrive through change. - Colin Diaz, Founder & Owner, Focus on Win 360
TALENT + TEAM + TECH: Bringing the three pillars together with a practical framework for translating the day's strategies into actionable next steps.
Jessica Chen will open ASPIRE with Humanity at Scale: The New Rules for Achieving Peak Performance in an AI-Driven Workplace, exploring the balance between AI fluency and the distinctly human skills professionals need to thrive amid constant change and rapid technological innovation.
A former Emmy Award-winning journalist and author of the best-selling communication book Smart, Not Loud: How to Get Noticed at Work for All the Right Reasons, Chen draws on her experience teaching human skills to engineering students at Columbia University. She will introduce her signature Yin-Yang approach to developing the hybrid competencies that create a competitive edge. Attendees will gain practical strategies to increase productivity, adapt to change with confidence, collaborate more effectively, and achieve peak performance in an AI-driven workplace.
Dave Coffaro, President & CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber, will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the 2026 ASPIRE half-day power conference.
ASPIRE is designed for ambitious professionals ready to elevate their leadership, sharpen their skills, and expand their circle of influence. Early- and mid-career professionals striving to advance, as well as seasoned leaders seeking fresh strategies to inspire and connect with today's multigenerational workforce, will gain insights and professional connections they can put to work immediately.
The program will also include a presentation of the Greater Irvine Chamber's Aspiring Leaders Awards, recognizing Orange County's early- to mid-career professionals under 40 who are making a difference in their organizations, industries, and communities.
Check-in and continental breakfast begin at 8:00 a.m., with the conference starting promptly at 9:00 a.m., followed by lunch from 12:30–1:00 p.m. Admission also includes opportunities to connect with Orange County business professionals and career and peer mentors, and an ASPIRE workbook featuring exclusive content from conference speakers, with space to capture key strategies, develop action plans, and identify steps participants can implement immediately upon returning to work. Convenient complimentary parking is available.
Regular Admission Registration
- Greater Irvine Chamber Members - $260
- Non-Members - *$305
At-the-Door Registration (pending available space):
- Greater Irvine Chamber Members - $265
- Non-Members - *$330
*Apply $55 of your registration fee toward a new Chamber membership within 30 days of the event.
For information on becoming a sponsor for ASPIRE, contact events@irvinechamber.com.
