Curt Steinhorst
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A leading voice on strategic communications in the age of distraction, Curt Steinhorst’s insights are sought out by organizations including General Motors, Raytheon, United States Naval Academy, Aspen Skiing Company, Hotel Association of Canada, and Young Presidents’ Organization. Through customized presentations, he reveals practical insights to help audiences better connect with their most important stakeholders, and better focus on their work, so they can be more productive, effective and ultimately more successful. A certified speaker at the Center for Generational Kinetics, Steinhorst draws from his experiences leading Gen Y and working with business leaders and top performers to deliver expertise on effectively managing, communicating with and engaging a multigenerational workforce.
The founder and president of The Promentum Group, a communications consultancy that crafts messages for today’s distracted audiences, Steinhorst has advised a variety of companies and public figures, including counseling the largest record label in country music on its marketing to digital consumers.
Steinhorst’s first book “Can I Have Your Attention?: Inspiring Better Work Habits, Focusing Your Team, and Getting Stuff Done in the Constantly Connected Workplace” explains how to cut through workplace distractions to increase productivity (released in October 2017).
Dr. Joanne S. Avery
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Dr. Joanne S. Avery began her tenure as Superintendent of Anderson School District 4 on July 1, 2015. She previously served the district as the Deputy Superintendent from 2006 until 2015.
Dr. Avery grew up in Anderson County, Tennessee, before earning her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Tennessee. In 1980, she began her career as a biology teacher before returning to earn a Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology where she served as a health industry teacher/trainer, corporate fitness director, and co-owner of a health facility. For the past 29 years in public education in SC, she has served as a teacher and has held numerous administrative roles.
On the state level, she has co-chaired the SC NCTAF (National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future) Coalition, which designed and opened two schools of the future in 2009. In addition, she served as president of the Personnel Division for SCASA (SC Association of School Administrators) in 2009, and President for SCASA (SC Association for School Administrators) in 2010. In 2007 she was named Personnel Administrator of the Year by SCASA’s Personnel Division and was a finalist for the 2010 Award of Professional Excellence in Human Resources Management by the SC Chamber of Commerce and the SC Society for Human Resource Management. She is the 2018 Chairman for the Anderson County March of Dimes "March for Babies Walk," a graduate of the Riley Institute’s Diversity Leadership Initiative, and served as a National Healthy Schools Ambassador for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation through 2016.
In 2016, under Dr. Avery’s leadership, Townville Elementary School was the victim of a fatal school shooting. As a second year superintendent, Avery had to respond to the magnitude of challenges from immediate response to recovery. She is known for her candidness in telling her story, which really drives home the message of preparedness.
A lifelong learner, Dr. Avery earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Education Leadership from Clemson University. She and her husband live in Pendleton, SC.