5 speakers not to miss at this year’s Missouri State Public Affairs Conference

Humorist and former professional golfer David Feherty will open Missouri State University’s 22nd annual Public Affairs Conference with a talk the evening of Sept. 16.

Feherty’s keynote speech, and the rest of the conference, is free and open to the public.

This year’s theme is “Resilient People, Resilient Future.”

“Our focus on resilience is timely because of the constant and unpredictable challenges we face. Resilience is not just about bouncing back, but moving forward,” said Tina Liang, public affairs fellow, conference chair and professor in the School of Hospitality and Agricultural Leadership, in a news release.

“Open conversations about resilience help people adapt, maintain well-being, reduce stigma around struggles and build the flexibility needed for individuals, communities, and organizations to recover and thrive.”

There will be a mix of live and streamed discussions, bringing a range of scholars, experts and leaders to the campus and Springfield community.

Panel sessions will cover a range of topics from art and agriculture to mental health and cybersecurity. A few experts with a connection to the Springfield area are participating:

• Philip Arnold, director of instructional support, Ozarks Technical Community College;

• Robert Border, outreach coordinator for Veterans Upward Bound, Ozarks Technical Community College;

• Suzie Dains, Art Academy instructor, Abilities First;

• Leslie Forrester, executive director, Springfield Regional Arts Council;

• Christina Ford, founder of the Rebound Foundation;

• Randi Hammond, graduate student in psychology at Missouri State University:

• Brandy Harris, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Springfield;

• Kyle John, medical director Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Clinic, Arc of the Ozarks;

• Addison Jones, architect, Dake-Wells Architecture;

• Josiah Overton, police area representative for northwest Springfield, Springfield Police Department;

• Nacy Tai Ryerson, co-founder and chief academic officer, EnCompass Academy;

• Kara Wolfe, director of the School of Hospitality and Agricultural Leaders at Missouri State University;

• Larry Woods, director of the Office of Emergency Management;

For in-person events, visitors may park in the Bear Park North garage without a permit and the free Bear Line shuttle will provide transportation to the Plaster Student Union, where nearly all events will be held.

The full schedule can be found at publicaffairs.missouristate.edu. Here are five highlighted speakers:

David Feherty

Feherty will speak at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. His talk is titled “A Pathway to Healing and Resilience.”

A former professional golfer who became a golf analysist has been open about his struggles with depression and addiction. The New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Troops First Foundation, has used homor as a path to healing and resilience.

Christina Meredith

Merideth will speak at 12:15 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Plaster Student Union Theater. Her talk is “CinderGirl: My Journey Out of the Ashes to a Life of Hope.”

She experienced foster care, abuse and homelessness growing up but went on to become Miss California and serve the U.S. Army as a signal intelligence officer. Her first book “CinderGirl” was a national bestseller and is slated to become a movie. She started a nonprofit foundation and has shared her story widely to help others overcome trauma and achieve their dreams.

Ben O’Keefe

O’Keefe will speak at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 at the Plaster Student Union. His talk is titled “The Power of Everyday People.”

The chief executive director of Chaotic Good, he advises leading U.S. organizations about how to support transformative change in their work and workplaces. He has spoken at more than 50 universities. He is an activist, storyteller and social entrepreneur.

Nell Greenfieldboyce

Greenfieldboyce will speak at 12:30 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Plaster Student Union Theater. Her talk is titled “Science, People, Connection.”

Her reporting has been focused on general science, NASA and the intersection between technology and science. She has been on the technology beat since joining NPR in 2005. Her first book “Transient and Strange” was published in early 2024.

Rachel Knight, general manager of Ozarks Public Broadcasting, said, in a release: “Her deep experience in science journalism and her ability to connect complex scientific ideas to everyday life make her an ideal speaker for a theme focused on resilience and the future.”

Following her presentation, she will take questions from the audience.

Courtney Clark

Clark will speak at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Plaster Student Union Theater. Her talk is titled “Realistic Resilience.”

Clark, who witnessed the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack in New York City, has repeatedly overcome cancer. She is a research and author who has studied resilience. Her most recent book was called “ReVisionary Thinking.”

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 5 speakers to catch at MSU’s 2025 Public Affairs Conference