Chatter Talks

Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds – “When Things Don’t Go Your Way”
Aoifa O’Donnell – “The Courage to Be Happy”
Renee Flagler – “You’re a Badass—Now Show Your Greatness”
Gary Brown – “Believe…You Are Halfway There”
Speaker TBA – “Stop Waiting—The 5 Second Rule”

Chatter Talk Moderator

Michele Rebetti

President
Crestcom KEY Alliance

Michele Rebetti, M.A., is the President of Crestcom KEY Alliance with over 25 years of experience in the learning and development field. She holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Hofstra University and specializes in creating effective management and employee development programs. Michele’s expertise includes Leadership Presence, Customer Service, Emotional Intelligence, Strategic Thinking, and Time Management. For the past decade, she has successfully owned her own company, working with Long Island businesses to improve productivity and profitability through leadership development. Additionally, Michele is an Adjunct Professor at Farmingdale State College and a professional speaker.

Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds

CEO
Family & Children’s Association

As one of Long Island’s largest and oldest health and human service organizations, Family & Children’s Association goes above and beyond to care for the region’s most vulnerable, serving over 35,000 individuals annually and helping them prepare for the future. Amid rising costs and increased demand for mental health and support services, FCA’s work is more crucial than ever. The organization provides services for clients aged 2 to 102, including comprehensive addiction prevention, treatment, and recovery programs, along with wraparound services. Since joining FCA as President and CEO, Dr. Jeffrey L. Reynolds has secured over $18 million in new funding and launched several innovative services, including three THRIVE Recovery Centers and a Certified Recovery Peer Advocate program. He also helped secure funding from SAMHSA to establish a new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic in Nassau, integrating mental health and substance use disorder treatment. An influential thought leader, Jeff has earned seats at significant tables, contributing to discussions on gaming, cannabis/opioid use, human trafficking, mental health, and more. He has authored more than 250 news and op-ed articles that have appeared in a wide variety of publications and is consistently used as an expert source by local and national radio, television, online and print outlets. Dr. Reynolds holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Dowling College (1988), a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) with a specialization in health administration from Long Island University (1997), and a doctorate from Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare (2007). With a dedicated team of over 360 staff members, 200 volunteers, and over 40 programs, Jeff ensures FCA remains at the forefront, making Long Island a better place. As a lifelong Long Islander and two-time cancer survivor, he brings his drive, passion, and unwavering commitment to everything he does.

Aoifa O’Donnell

CEO
National EAP

Aoifa O’Donnell, LCSW, is the CEO & President of National EAP, Inc., a provider of EAP (Employee Assistance Programs) and Corporate Development and Training solutions nationwide. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work from Stony Brook University, Aoifa is a passionate problem solver dedicated to delivering top-quality business solutions that transform workplaces. In high-pressure situations, Aoifa excels as a crisis navigator, guiding organizations through crises involving employee suicide, violence, substance abuse, and more. She coaches HR departments nationwide on managing human behavior challenges. Aoifa’s work has been featured not only in TIME magazine, but also in Long Island Business News, Pulse, Newsday, and HR Benefit News. As an active supporter of her community, Aoifa dedicates her time to organizations that contribute to the economic advancement of women and those that protect and support LGBT people’s rights. She currently serves on the Board of the National Behavioral Consortium, an organization dedicated to improving employee wellbeing and setting workforce support standards.

Renee Flagler

Executive Director
Girls, Inc

Renee is an effective and passionate non-profit leader whose passion is empowering girls everywhere. Her proven track record in organizational growth and sustainability speaks for itself, with both programmatic and revenue growth year over year. She is an experienced business strategist, an award-winning writer, adjunct professor, and speaker who is passionate about encouraging women and youth to pursue their passion and purpose.

Gary Brown

Super Bowl Champion
Green Bay Packers

Gary Brown lives a life full of gratitude. His mission is to help others through advocacy and philanthropy. Gary Brown, a Long Island native from Amityville, is a former professional football player. A Georgia Tech alumni, Gary played in the NFL for four years as a Pittsburgh Steeler and Green Bay Packer. On January 26, 1997, Gary Brown was proud to stand on the Louisiana Superdome field as a Packer and Super Bowl Champion. Once his professional football days were behind him, Gary looked ahead to a lifetime of giving back to the community that made him the man he had become. His story isn’t simply a “local boy goes to the Super Bowl” story. It’s the story of a man who had overcome adversity because he was blessed with mentors along the way when he needed them the most. Gary Brown is determined to help those that need it the most and lets nothing stand in his way. Gary has worked with many wonderful charities benefitting so many on Long Island and across the nation. One of Gary’s proudest accomplishments is the formation of his foundation, Gary “Big” Brown 68 Inc., and the work the organization does helping those in need. As a well sought-after speaker, Gary shares insight on the concept of “Team”, overcoming obstacles, the agony of defeat and losing gracefully, being successful, preparing for greatness and good and bad mentorship.

Last Chatter – TBA

Event Speakers

Meet Our Groundbreaker Speaker

Rebakah Gregory

Inspirational Speaker
Founder of Rebekah’s Angels, Boston Marathon Survivor

In 2013, Rebekah was thrust into the public eye as a victim of the Boston Marathon bombing, though she has always preferred the term survivor. That day, she shielded her young son from the blast, losing part of her leg—but gaining an unshakable sense of purpose. Since then, she has endured 76 surgeries, with more ahead, each one reinforcing the same truth: she is still here, still standing, and refuses to be anyone’s victim. In her talks, Rebekah shares the journey of rebuilding her life—from learning to walk again with a prosthetic leg, to facing the bomber in court, to founding Rebekah’s Angels, a nonprofit supporting trauma survivors. Along the way, she has learned that life, despite its hardships, is a precious gift—and it’s up to each of us to make the most of every single day, no matter the obstacles. Rebekah has shared her story on some of the world’s largest stages and in hundreds of media outlets, reaching millions. Her mission is simple: to inspire others to embrace resilience, find strength in adversity, and live with unwavering gratitude. Life may not be easy, but we all have the power to rise, rebuild, and live fully—even when we’re on our last leg.

Meet Our Pinnacle Speaker

Carol Silva

Emmy Award Winning Anchor from News12
Motivational Speaker (TEDx, SPEAK), 3-Time Cancer Survivor

Carol Silva is the veteran Emmy Award-winning anchor from News 12 Long Island, America’s first 24-hour regional news network. She is also a host, a TEDx and SPEAK platform storyteller, a motivational speaker, and a 3-time cancer survivor. For decades, Carol shared thousands of stories from viewers’ kitchen tables, workplaces, schoolyards, and the anchor desk. Special assignments took her to Ground Zero, Papal visits, Presidential election trails, and Congressional and State hearings in Washington, Albany, New Orleans and Texas. A Mexican American wife, Mom, sister and best friend, Carol also speaks about life’s challenges for working families, today’s students, finding your power when it’s gone missing, and coming back from defeat. Carol’s TEDx and SPEAK stories focus on the effects of attitude and faith in life. Carol’s three Emmys are among her more than 50 journalism awards. She is a member of the Emmy’s prestigious NY Chapter of the National Academy of Television, Arts & Sciences’ “Silver Circle.” She is a New York State “Woman of Distinction” and in the LI Journalism Hall of Fame. Carol continues to share people’s comeback stories in her LI Woman Magazine column because she believes everyone has a story worth sharing.

Event MC

Mike Mannix

Co-Author of Best Seller “The 5Ls–The Gift of a Balanced Life”

Mike is fulfilling his lifelong desire to change people’s lives for the better by giving them real tools to deal with stress, anxiety and burnout to find true work-life balance. He brings a passion and energy to his keynote speaking engagements, seminars, and trainings that is unique and impactful. This distinction, supported by a deep expertise in leadership, has made him a sought-after headliner for events on a national and global basis only equaled by the demand for his hands-on, in-person instruction. Mike is the co-founder of Unparalleled Performance, their trademarked wellness program and the co-author of the Bestselling book, “The 5Ls–The Gift of a Balanced Life”, which reached #1 on multiple lists in the first week of its release.