Keynote Speaker

Chuck Moss grew up in a military family, experiencing life across the United States and overseas. By the time he graduated from George Washington High School in Denver, he had spent equal amounts of time abroad as he had in the U.S. He began his higher education at Colorado State University before transferring to Metropolitan State University of Denver. As a first-generation college student, Moss navigated the adjustment to university life with the support of CSU staff, campus programs and student organizations, experiences that built a solid foundation for his success at MSU Denver.

There, Moss expanded his academic and professional development through leadership opportunities, mentorships and engagement within the university community. These experiences further strengthened his commitment to lifelong learning and service, shaping a career grounded in resilience and dedication to supporting others in achieving their goals.

After graduating from MSU Denver with Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and Accounting, Moss began his career in public accounting with the Big Eight firm Arthur Andersen. Working on special projects with Arthur Andersen’s Tax Technology Group helped him develop a strong interest in tax and accounting software platforms. He gained invaluable experience in product management, software development, product implementation and client support.

Building on this foundation, Moss transitioned to Wolters Kluwer/CCH, an international leader in tax and accounting software and professional content platforms and solutions. There, he continued to expand his role and expertise in accounting technology, financial systems and process optimization with the goal of delivering innovative tools for tax professionals worldwide. Over the course of a three-decade career with Wolters Kluwer, Moss has held leadership roles in product management, solution design, professional services and consulting, guiding teams, clients and organizations through complex tax and accounting system transformations.

Janet Damon’s father was raised in Texas during Jim Crow segregation. He enlisted in the military at 18 to seek a better life and serve his country. Her mother was born in Korea and grew up when girls were not encouraged to go to school. Her mother was so determined to make a better life for her daughter, she cleaned the classrooms to offset Damon’s tuition so she could attend classes. Her parents understood the transformative power of education and instilled this in their daughter. They surrounded her with books, nature and the habits of curiosity, lifelong learning and community service. 

Working in urban schools for more than 25, Damon saw firsthand how poverty, community violence and stress affected her learners and their sense of well-being at school. She began to incorporate mindfulness, art and advocacy as part of their learning experience. These healing-enhanced lessons allowed her students to increase academic achievement and learn advocacy skills that helped them feel more empowered.   

Ultimately, her students were featured on Colorado Public Radio. They highlighted the lack of mental health resources in schools, resulting in a partnership with a local mental health provider that provided care through a state grant. Today, her students feel more empowered than ever as they launch successful careers in four-year institutions and certificate programs to reach their goals.  

As an advocate for community health and literacy, Damon leads a nature-based book club that partners with Barr Lake, Lincoln Hills Cares, Audubon Society of Denver, Highline Canal Conservancy, Arapahoe Basin and Wildlands Restoration Volunteers. She has taken more than 400 children to learn archery, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, zip-lining, art-making, hiking and preservation on Colorado trails, and she has given them more than 1,000 books.   

Damon earned a B.A. in History from Metropolitan State College of Denver, a Master of Library Science and Information Studies from the University of Denver and her Specialist in Education Degree at the University of Colorado at Denver. She speaks widely about the impact of integrating well-being and advocacy in the classroom to cultivate empowered learners who are able to take ownership of their educational journey and well-being.   

Among her many awards are a 2026 Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence, 2026 NEA Travelers Award, 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year, 2024 Extraordinary Teacher Award from Suntec Concrete, 2023 African Americans Who Make a Difference Award, 2022 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award, 2022 inaugural Making our Futures Brighter Award, and a 2020 Library Journal Mover and Shaker Award. She is also the recipient of the Facing History Fellowship and Fund for Teachers Fellowship.