2026 Speakers

Chris Cournoyer is the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Iowa, appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds in December 2024. Before taking on this role, she served in the Iowa State Senate, representing Clinton, Jackson, and Scott counties. Elected in 2018, she chaired the newly formed Technology Committee, where she played a key role in crafting legislation that made Iowa the sixth state in the country to establish consumer data protection laws.

Lt. Governor Cournoyer has a strong background in technology, particularly in artificial intelligence, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science from the University of Texas. She began her professional career as a senior consultant in the Technology Division at Andersen Consulting, a Fortune 500 company that eventually became Accenture. Deeply committed to advancing STEM education, Lt. Governor Cournoyer has worked to create opportunities for underserved children through work-based learning initiatives. She has served on the Governor's STEM Advisory Council and was previously a member of the Quad Cities Engineering and Science Council. Raised by an engineer and a teacher, she is passionate about expanding access to STEM opportunities for young people across Iowa.

Celina Peerman, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, CSP is an organizational psychologist with over 30 years of experience helping leaders and teams thrive. She has worked across industries, from frontline operations to senior leadership, bringing a deep understanding of workplace behavior and organizational health. Dr. Celina is a strategist with a sense of humor and a love for building capacity in organizations. A dynamic speaker, strategist, and storyteller, Dr. Celina has presented at more than 250 events annually, engaging audiences at local, state, and national levels, as well as internationally in Asia, Canada, Central, and South America. She is a two-time TEDx presenter, podcast host, and author of three upcoming books in 2025. 

Dr. Celina holds a Ph.D. in Psychology, a master’s degree in business, and undergraduate degrees in psychology and international studies. She has earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation from the National Speakers Association—one of the highest honors in the field. Known for her humor, insight, and practical approach, she challenges leaders to rethink how they communicate, adapt, and lead for lasting impact.