Speakers

Matt Phillips

Global Keynote Speaker on Innovation and Breakthrough Thinking, Phillips & Co.

For over 20 years, Matt Phillips has led mission-critical strategy engagements for global clients, including Paramount Pictures, Bath & Body Works, Macy’s, Dell, Verizon, MillerCoors and Wells Fargo.

In 2003, Matt founded the leading innovation consulting firm, Phillips & Co., where his team delivers an accelerated approach to innovation. During a career that’s included working as a designer, creative director, ideator and strategist, Matt earned an MBA in marketing at The Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University and graduated from the Conservatory Program in Improvisation at The Second City in Chicago.

Kristen Soltis Anderson

Pollster & Founding Partner, Echelon Insights

What’s Trending: How Polling & Competitive Intelligence Can Make Your Business Smarter

A renowned pollster, commentator and thought leader, Kristen brings a unique blend of political insight, data fluency and business acumen to the stage.

As founding partner of Echelon Insights, Kristen helps organizations across sectors understand public opinion and consumer behavior through advanced polling and analytics. Her strategic insights support Fortune 500 brands, trade associations, nonprofits and political leaders alike.

Nick Arkle

Chief Executive Officer, Gorman Group

Nick Arkle is the chief executive officer of the Gorman Group, a family-owned forest products company based in West Kelowna, British Columbia, with operations across BC and Washington State. The company produces specialty forest products sold in more than 35 countries worldwide. Nick has been connected to the Gorman Group since 1975 and previously served as its Chief Forester. He holds a diploma from the BC Institute of Technology, a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of British Columbia, and became a Registered Professional Forester in 1987.

A long-time leader and advocate for the forest industry, Nick has represented the sector on numerous regional and provincial initiatives. He served as chair of the Council of Forest Industries (COFI) from 2011–2014 and currently sits on its CEO-led board, in addition to serving on the BC Lumber Trade Council concerning the U.S.–Canada lumber trade dispute. His past leadership includes serving as president of the Association of BC Forest Professionals, an appointed director of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, and co-chair of the Okanagan Partnership. Nick is also deeply committed to community and global service, including decades of involvement with Hope for the Nations and education initiatives in Nepal. He remains passionate about balancing the economic, environmental and social values of forests in British Columbia and beyond.

Derrick Coder

President & Chief Executive Officer, Forest City Trading Group

Derrick Coder is the president and chief executive officer of Forest City Trading Group (FCTG). He joined Forest City Enterprises and FCTG as the chief financial officer in 2007, was promoted to chief operating officer in 2020 and elected to the board of the company in March 2022. Derrick was appointed as president at the beginning of fiscal 2023 and chief executive officer at the beginning of fiscal 2024.

Prior to joining FCTG, he was the general manager of Shell Energy’s Commercial and Industrial Gas and Power group in the western United States. He's also served as the vice president of risk management for Avista Energy, before its sale to Shell Energy, where he led the company’s financial and commodity trading risk management group. Previous to Avista Energy, Derrick was a senior manager in Deloitte and Touche’s Capital Markets group, where he focused on advising companies on trading and risk management practices in the commodity and energy trading industry.

He has over 25 years of experience in accounting, finance, risk management and executive management in commodity trading industries. He is a graduate of Washington State University with degrees in accounting and finance.

Shyam K. Reddy

President & Chief Executive Officer, BlueLinx Corporation

Before assuming his current role, Shyam held multiple leadership positions at BlueLinx, including chief legal and sustainability officer, chief administrative officer, chief transformation officer and senior vice president of corporate development and corporate secretary. Prior to BlueLinx, he served as senior vice president, chief administrative officer, general counseln and corporate secretary at Euramax International, Inc., the predecessor of OmniMax International, Inc.  

Earlier in his career and prior to transitioning to public service building products, Shyam practiced corporate law as a partner in the Atlanta office of Kilpatrick, Townsend & Stockton LLP, a top tier global law firm, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, technology and commercial transactions. 

An active civic leader, Shyam serves on the executive committee and board of directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and has held numerous board of directors positions and advisory roles, including with The Carter Center, The Woodruff Arts Center, the U.S. German Marshall Fund and the University of Georgia.

Shyam holds a bachelor of arts in political science and a master of public health from Emory University and a juris doctor from the University of Georgia. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Renee, and son, Beckett.

Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, CPA, CAE

Chief Executive Officer, Association for Supply Chain Management

Abe Eshkenazi, CSCP, CPA, CAE, is chief executive officer at the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), the largest organization for supply chain and the global pacesetter of organizational transformation, talent development and supply chain innovation. During his tenure, ASCM has significantly expanded its services to corporations, individuals and communities; its revenue has more than doubled; and three mergers were completed in response to heightened industry awareness and the vast and ongoing global impact of supply chains.

Previously, Abe was managing director of the Operations Consulting Group of American Express Tax and Business Services. Abe holds a Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University, Kellogg Graduate School of Management; a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in business from Northeastern Illinois University.

Eric Hoplin

President & Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors

Eric Hoplin is president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW), which represents the $8.2 trillion wholesale distribution industry powering one-third of the American economy. Since joining NAW in 2020, he has led a period of significant growth, more than doubling the organization’s size and expanding its capabilities in analytics and AI. He also oversaw the acquisition of Modern Distribution Management (MDM), launched NAW’s Legal Policy Center and broadened the association’s advocacy efforts to include both state and federal issues. A strong advocate for the critical role distributors play in commerce and everyday life, Eric focuses on driving long-term success for the industry through innovation, thought leadership and policy engagement.

Before leading NAW, Eric held senior roles in finance, consulting and politics. He served as head of external relations for Wells Fargo, executive director at the Financial Services Roundtable (now BPI), and a management consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton. Earlier in his career, he worked on numerous political campaigns at the state and national levels. Beyond his professional work, Eric is deeply engaged in charitable leadership, serving on boards including the Trust for the National Mall, the Reagan Ranch and So Others Might Eat (SOME). A Minnesota native, he holds advanced degrees from Columbia University and Augsburg College and currently lives outside Washington, DC, with his wife and three sons.

Anne Chettle Reinke

President & Chief Executive Officer, Intermodal Association of North America

Anne Reinke became the fourth president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) in December 2024. Prior to her arrival at IANA, she served as president & CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) from 2020-2024.

She has held roles in the private, public and association transportation sectors, including as the deputy assistant secretary (DAS) of congressional affairs and  DAS intergovernmental affairs at the United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) and as the top government affairs official at CSX Corporation during her 16-year tenure. Before joining CSX, she worked at the Association of American Railroads and the High-Speed Ground Transportation Association. She and her husband, two sons and dog live in Alexandria, Virginia.