Conference Speakers

Rich Rogers

Augusta University

After a decade-long career as a local broadcast meteorologist, Rich Rogers returned home to his alma mater in 2016 to work in Web Services at Augusta University. He has been in his current role as a Web Developer since 2018. He joined AU Staff Council in 2019. Rich is currently the Chair of Staff Council and has previously served as the Chair of the council's Administrative Committee. He also served as president of the Augusta University Alumni Association from 2019 to 2021. Outside of work, Rich and his wife Stephanie—also an AU alum—are focused on raising their active 7-year-old boy and beautiful 2-year-old girl, and serving in their church.

Kristina B. Baggott

Augusta University

Kristina Baggott currently serves as the Interim Executive Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development (SPED) while also serving as the Interim Vice President for Development in the office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement (PAE) at Augusta University. In her SPED leadership role, Tina is responsible for the development and implementation of an integrated, innovative community and economic development partnership strategy for the university. She and her team serve as liaisons between AU and its surrounding communities, developing community connections and programs that maximize relationships, drive economic growth in the region and support the university’s education, research, and service mission. She chairs the university’s Community Engagement Leadership Council, AU’s campus-wide community-engagement-focused leadership group as well as the Carnegie Community Engagement by 2026 Application project. She also serves as co-chair for the APLU’s Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation project. She is focused on working extensively in the community to support the university in ensuring strategic priorities are met while maximizing responsiveness to the needs of the community in an effort to grow and strengthen mutually beneficial, collaborative and productive partnerships.

Since starting at AU in 2012, Kristina has served in a variety of leadership roles that more closely connect the university with our external stakeholders. She joined AU in 2012 in the Office of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement serving as a liaison for the foundation boards and successfully building and leading teams in annual giving, special events, philanthropy communications, and alumni engagement during her time with that unit.

Kristina holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing) degree from the University of South Carolina as well as a Master of Business Administration degree from Augusta University. She is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Public Administration degree from Valdosta State University. In addition to serving on a variety of university leadership committees, she is actively involved with a number of professional and community organizations including her current service on the board of SafeHomes of Augusta, the leadership advisory board for the Junior Achievement Discovery Center of the CSRA, as well as being actively involved with the University System of Georgia’s Regents Advisory Committee for Community Engagement and Service. Kristina is a graduate of both Leadership Columbia County and Leadership Augusta, and is a past recipient of Augusta Magazine’s Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch award.

Dr. Russell Keen

Augusta University

Dr. Russell Keen joined Augusta University in 2015 and was named AU's President in 2024 upon the retirement of Dr. Brooks Keel. He received a bachelor’s degree in Finance, master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University, and Doctorate of Higher Education degree from the University of Georgia. He is a graduate of the 2016 Class of Leadership Columbia County and serves on the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Rotary Club of Augusta, and Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

Traci Stromie

University System of Georgia

Traci Stromie is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Leadership and Institutional Development at the University System of Georgia. Her professional development and coaching offerings focus on leadership development, flourishing (doing well and being well), productivity, building community and connections, and emotional intelligence. As a trained instructional designer, Traci takes an intentional, systematic, and research-based approach to all the programs and workshops she designs and facilitate and as a coach, she helps others gain clarity on their goals and identify pathways to reach them. Traci has an M.S. in Instructional Design from Georgia State University, a B.S. in Social Science Education from the University of Georgia and is an Associate Certified Coach with the International Coaching Federation.

Amber Routh

Augusta University

Amber Routh is senior lecturer in the Department of Communication where she teaches Communication for Professionals, Professional Internship, and Public Speaking. She currently oversees up to 100 communication internships annually. She started at Augusta University in a staff role within the College of Business & Career Center where she managed community partnerships and worked on projects in cooperation with staff throughout Augusta University in a wide variety of contexts. Her educational training was focused on intercultural communication, and she spent five years teaching abroad in university settings. She is passionate about helping others identify and achieve their professional goals, and her current work is focused on mentoring others through career progression effectively.

Bennish Brown

Keynote Speaker
Destination Augusta

With a career spanning more than two decades in the tourism industry, Bennish Brown has built a reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking leader. His passion is helping to develop people of impact and influence on the teams and in the communities where he has worked. Since 2018, he has served as President & CEO of Destination Augusta, where he has played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s tourism landscape. Under his leadership, Destination Augusta has undergone a transformative rebrand and developed a bold Strategic Plan using the industry’s DestinationNEXT platform.

Before coming to Augusta, Bennish led tourism organizations in Tacoma, WA, and Rock Hill, SC, always bringing a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to each community he served. His career began in communications, where he honed his storytelling skills as an on-air radio personality and radio station manager before transitioning into newspaper reporting, and public relations roles in government and corporate sectors. He connects with the Augusta community by serving on several local Boards of Directors. A dedicated Gamecock, Bennish holds a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism and a master’s in communications from the University of South Carolina. He and his family are avid explorers, and have traveled across six continents, with only Antarctica left to experience.

Za'Cuan McNeil

Augusta University

Za’Cuan McNeil is a native of Florence, SC. He moved to Augusta after graduating from Claflin University with his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications in 2022. Upon graduation, Za’Cuan began teaching in the Richmond County School System. Working with middle grades students allowed Za’Cuan the opportunity to expand his skills and knowledge on building curriculum, leadership and facilitation.

With this growth in skillset, Za’Cuan joined the Office of Institutional Access, Success, and Belonging in January 2024. He serves as the Learning and Development Coordinator where his primary focus is the ASB Certificate Program. In this role, Za’Cuan is responsible for developing and facilitating courses for faculty and staff that promote belonging and encourage employees to cultivate a welcoming environment for the AU community.

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