Leadership Experts to Headline the Greater Irvine Chamber’s ASPIRE Half-Day Power Conference on Nov. 20

Two leading experts in organizational and leadership development will take the stage at the Greater Irvine Chamber’s 2025 ASPIRE Half-Day Power Conference on Thursday, Nov. 20, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., at The Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa.

ASPIRE is designed for ambitious professionals ready to elevate their leadership, sharpen their skills, and expand their circle of influence. Whether you’re an early- or mid-career professional striving to rise, or a seasoned leader seeking fresh strategies to inspire and connect with today’s multigenerational workforce, ASPIRE delivers insights you can apply immediately.

The conference will open with keynote speaker Chris Rosenberg, founder of The Meridian Advisory Group, presenting The Leadership Growth Ladder. In addition to the keynote, Rosenberg will lead the “Advance” breakout session, guiding attendees to:

Rosenberg is recognized for her dynamic speaking style and results-driven approach that inspires professionals to rethink how they lead, collaborate, and unlock their full potential. A published author and contributor to Fortune and Business Insider, she translates complex leadership challenges into actionable frameworks.

With more than 20 years of executive and entrepreneurial experience, including scaling a startup to eight-figure revenue and earning three consecutive spots on the Inc. 500 list, Rosenberg equips leaders with proven tools for growth and lasting impact. She has built and led global sales and service teams, designed curricula to accelerate leadership pipelines, and facilitated executive roundtables with C-suite leaders and founders worldwide.

Concluding the program, Colin Diaz, founder of Focus on Win 360, will deliver a summation presentation titled "Build & Maintain Momentum for Operational Excellence." He will weave together the day’s learnings into a clear roadmap, leading attendees to craft individualized action plans that ensure they hit the ground running in 2026 with a clear vision and achievable goals. He will observe the event’s three breakout tracks—Connect, Develop, Advance—to inform his closing address and deliver practical, high-impact takeaways.

Drawing on more than two decades of executive leadership, Diaz has guided organizations through complex challenges, managed multimillion-dollar budgets, and driven sustainable growth. As president & CEO of two prominent chambers of commerce, he brings deep expertise in strategic planning, financial management, stakeholder engagement, and business advocacy.

Diaz’s philosophy of focusing on “what’s important now” has made him a sought-after consultant, recognized for his analytical approach and innovative, results-centered strategies.

Stay tuned as additional ASPIRE breakout facilitators and conference programming will be announced soon!

 

The Chamber’s annual 40 Under 40 Awards have been reimagined as the Aspiring Leaders Recognition, to be presented during ASPIRE. This program honors Orange County’s early- to mid-career professionals under 40 who are making a difference in their organizations, industries, and communities.

Nominations are open through Friday, Oct. 10.

Check-in and registration are 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. The ASPIRE conference will begin promptly at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 12:30 p.m. The admission price includes buffet breakfast and lunch, complimentary parking at The Westin South Coast Plaza, and access to Orange County business professionals.

For information on becoming a sponsor for ASPIRE, contact events@irvinechamber.com.