Keynotes

2025 Aspire Convention

Keynotes

2025 Aspire Convention |  April 29 – May 2, 2025 | Harrah's Las Vegas & Ceasars Forum - Las Vegas, NV

The 2025 ANPD Aspire Convention welcomes two incredible keynote speakers.

Schedule subject to change

Ben Whiting

Tuesday, April 29 | 5:30 p.m. — 6:45 p.m.

Details Coming Soon

Ben Whiting achieved international success as an award-winning magician and mind-reader by creating an atmosphere on stage where the impossible was possible and where human connection had no limits. As an entertainer, he’s performed in over 30 countries, had multiple television appearances, and his clients include the likes of Crystal Cruises, Oprah’s HARPO studios, and Facebook. 

Recognizing his passion for helping others in their careers and day-to-day lives, Ben began focusing on keynote speaking and leadership development in 2014. Shortly after delivering his first TEDx talk, he was hired by an international leadership development firm to create and deliver content around the globe. His consulting clients have included international companies like UNiDAYS, as well as Fortune 50 corporations such as Schlumberger. 

Today, Ben combines his backgrounds in leadership development and corporate entertainment to help organizations create cultures that can achieve the impossible (while having A LOT of fun). He’s been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, the New York Times, and his clients include Apple, Google, American Express, and Amazon.

Donna Wright, MS, RN, NPD-BC

Friday, May 2 | 11:45 a.m. — 1:15 p.m.

Details Coming Soon

Donna Wright is a nurse and professional development specialist with Creative Healthcare Management in Minneapolis, MN. Donna has degrees in Nursing, Family Sociology, and Adult Education. Donna has worked with many health care organizations to help them create meaningful, effective programs that support professional development and competency assessment for all departments. She is the author of the book, The Ultimate Guide to Competency Assessment in Healthcare – which has been translated into Japanese, and is being used throughout Japan. Her other competency book is: The Competency Assessment Field Guide. 

She is also one of the co-authors of two national award winning books, Relationship-Based Care: A model for transforming practice and Advancing Relationship-Base Cultures. 

Donna has also worked with organizations across the globe with competency topics. She has worked on six out of seven continents. The only one she has not worked on is Antarctica. 

Donna received her degrees from the University of Minnesota. She has worked in both staff and leadership roles. Her experiences have taken her around the globe to a variety of health care settings including rural Africa. Donna is a member and past president of the Association for Nursing Professional Development and is a recipient of their “Promoting Excellence in Consultation” award and the Marlene Kramer Lifetime Achievement award. Donna is known for her energy and refreshing approach to education and learning.