Keynote Presenters
Monique Bell
As an experienced executive leader with a demonstrated history of working in the media, events and publishing industry, Monique Ruff-Bell has over 20 years’ experience within brand leadership, marketing, and strategic growth.
As Chief Program & Strategy Officer for TED, she oversees TED’s flagship global events and conferences, TEDx programs and initiatives, global partnership sales and key marketing verticals for the organization. She plays a vital role in shaping and executing TED’s strategic plan, contributing to the advancement of its mission, operational excellence, and overall organizational growth.
Her former roles have included Head of Events for TED and leading one of the largest Fintech shows in the USA as Vice President for Money20/20 USA.
Monique is also a public speaker, podcast host and mentor based out of the New York City Metro Area in which her speaking engagements include strategy and business development for organizational growth, career sponsor and mentorship, and ways to become a successful leader.
Nathan Heidger
Nathan serves as the SVP of sales at MeridianLink. He has spent the last 20 years helping financial institutions grow, while focusing on developing personal relationships and helping individuals become the best versions of themselves. Nathan focuses on cultivating excellent interpersonal communication skills and is adamant about maintaining a positive attitude while encouraging all to have a growth mindset. He enjoys spending his free time coaching middle school and high school volleyball teams, helping athletes progress.
Pam Devata
Pamela Devata is a Labor and Employment Partner at Seyfarth Shaw LLP in Chicago, IL. Pam leads Seyfarth’s nationwide Background Screening, Litigation and Compliance Team. She’s a national authority and firm go-to for all issues related to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), background screening compliance, use of criminal and credit history, and Electronic Signature issues as well online and manual employment applications. A nationally recognized employment counselor, Pam has participated in numerous interviews, speeches, webinars, and trainings to employers on the subject of criminal history and credit checks. She has leveraged her niche area of expertise into a thriving class action practice.
She represents employers, resellers, and consumer reporting agencies of background information on compliance requirements under FCRA and related state laws, develops procedures for appropriately handling high-volume national hiring needs, and she regularly litigates these issues on a single-plaintiff and class-wide basis throughout the country.
Pam also testified before the EEOC at a Public Meeting regarding the use of credit checks in employment in Washington, D.C. Pam is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt and was formerly an adjunct professor of Legal Writing at Chicago-Kent College of Law.