MASA’s Midwinter Conference is an annual members-only event that includes carefully curated learning opportunities specifically for Michigan’s district leaders. Participants will engage with educational thought leaders, explore opportunities to improve the education landscape, and walk away with innovative strategies to advance both their district and their own professional development.
When: January 15-17, 2025
Where: Grand Rapids
Hotel Information
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel – Rooms Available!
187 Monroe Northwest, Grand Rapids
Rate: $172 per night
Cutoff Date: Dec. 18
The room block is now open to all attendees.
Rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Grand Rapids Guide
Learn more about Grand Rapids with this handy guide from Experience Grand Rapids!
Keynote Speakers
Vedant is an 18-year-old entrepreneur, speaker, and author, best known as the President of Global Kid Media. He has conducted over 2,000 celebrity interviews and hosted 200+ shows. Vedant authored Global Kid Media – A Kid Entrepreneur’s Time-Traveling Journey, a 330 page book offering guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs, filled with celebrity stories and business lessons.
Vendant is well-versed speaker and advocate for social causes. Now, a business student at Michigan State, he aims to expand his reach and continue to inspiring young entrepreneurs.
Vedant Gupta
President | Global Kid Media
Vic Strecher is the Founder & CEO of Kumanu and a Professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. He pioneered digital health initiatives, founding the UM Center for Health Communications Research and HealthMedia, which was acquired by Johnson & Johnson in 2010.
A recognized leader in behavior change and wellbeing, Vic has received numerous awards, including two Smithsonian Awards. His TEDMED talk is among the “Top 10 TED Talks on Public Health,” and his course Finding Purpose and Meaning in Life has over 250,000 enrollees. His work focuses on purpose and wellbeing.
Victor Strecher
Founder & CEO | Kumanu, Inc.
Thomas (Tom) Brady is the former Director of the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA), where he led global efforts to provide high-quality education. Under his leadership, DoDEA surpassed all U.S. states in math and reading, according to the NAEP. Brady is committed to ensuring every child has access to exceptional learning opportunities.
He has a proven track record, including reducing a $181M budget shortfall to $20M in Philadelphia and transitioning 12,000 students to remote learning during COVID-19. Brady focuses on driving policy reform and innovation to enhance education systems.
Thomas Brady
Executive Pioneer of Education, Public Policy, and Thought Leadership
Matt Johnson is the President of On Target Living, a leading authority on Human Capacity Training. He specializes in unlocking high performance, driving engagement, and empowering leaders to expand their human capacity.
Matt and his team at On Target Living have partnered with numerous Fortune 500 companies and organizations to break down barriers and foster collaborative cultures that thrive in today’s knowledge economy. Through his work, Matt helps individuals and teams achieve their full potential and build high-performing, engaged workplaces.
