Guest Speakers
Vincent Toth
Vincent “Vinny” Toth is the 2022 Armed Forces Insurance Marine Corps Spouse of the Year, a nonprofit president, and a passionate advocate for military spouses worldwide. As President of the North Island Okinawa Spouses Club, he leads initiatives that foster connection, inclusion, and leadership across cultures and ranks. With over 15 years of management experience and as an MBA candidate, Vinny blends strategic vision with a heart for service. His TEDx talk shares his journey as a male military spouse and the lessons he’s learned about building stronger, more inclusive communities.
Dr. Cheri Hayes
Dr. Cheri A. Hayes is a school leader, heart health survivor, and advocate for courageous authenticity. After a life-altering cardiac event, she began redefining what it means to lead—not from perfection, but from presence. Her TEDx talk, “The Courage to Be Seen,” invites listeners to stop hiding, drop the armor, and discover strength through truth. With calm clarity and deep care, Dr. Hayes shows that vulnerability isn’t the opposite of leadership—it’s the doorway to real connection.
Soncheray Hall
Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut, Soncheray Hall is an experienced clinical therapist who has dedicated her career to improving the lives of individuals and groups across the world. Her introduction to social work began with her own experience in the foster care system. As a youth, Soncheray thrived both athletically and academically. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Connecticut State University. She later relocated to Maryland, where she completed her graduate studies in Social Work at Morgan State University.
Bruce Jones
Bruce W. Jones Jr. is a Master Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, a Senior Enlisted Leader, and a career administrative professional with over twenty years of service. He is also an author and motivational speaker focused on helping others stay accountable during life's most difficult moments. Known for his direct approach and grounded leadership style, Bruce draws from real-life experience. Built through recovery, reinvention, and resilience to guide others toward deliberate growth. His mission is simple: help people lead themselves well so they can lead others better.
Joshua Nieubuurt
Dr. Joshua Nieubuurt is a scholar exploring the connections between digital rhetoric, media, and technology. His TEDx talk dives into the surprising cultural power of memes—both online and in everyday life. Based in Okinawa, Japan, he also serves as an Overseas Collegiate Assistant Professor, blending research and teaching to reveal how digital culture and lived experience shape modern communication.
Derek Miles
Master Sergeant Derek F. Miles serves as the Development Advisor for the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan. As the principal advisor to commanders and senior enlisted leaders on professional development, retention, and retraining across the wing, he shapes the growth of thousands of Airmen. Derek is the founder of EnlistedAirmanGuide.com, a grassroots initiative dedicated to mentoring and equipping the next generation of enlisted leaders.
Dr. Will Penner
Dr. Will Penner is Principal of Lester Middle School in Okinawa. After serving for 15 years in local church youth ministry and national youth ministry publishing, he taught high school students for a decade and served as a school administrator for another decade. During the height of the COVID pandemic, he was named Middle Tennessee’s Middle School Principal of the Year by the Tennessee Secondary School Principals Association. He has authored 20 chapters and 24 articles, edited 16 books and 53 periodicals, presented at 28 conferences, and consulted for dozens of non-profit and for-profit organizations. He earned a B.S. in English and Political Science from Baylor University in Waco, TX; an M.S. in Curriculum & Instructional Leadership from Baylor; and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and Strategic Change from Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. His wife, Christine, is a pastor in the United Methodist Church; and they have five children and seven grandchildren. You can connect with him at will.penner@icloud.com
Christi Brent
Christi Brent, from Houston, TX, is a nonprofit leader and community advocate with over ten years of experience empowering others through service, mentorship, and leadership development. Before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, she established her career in corporate America, working in the oil and gas industry for companies such as Shell and Valero. Now, as a Center Operations Manager with USO Camp Foster, Christi offers a unique perspective formed by both corporate and community service experiences. In her talk, she explains how the word "no" shaped her resilience and how it can become a strong force for growth and transformation.
Ron Coia
Ron Coia teaches AP Government and AP English at Kubasaki High School in Okinawa, Japan. He is from Portland, Oregon, and has taught with DoDEA schools for 20 years. One of his favorite topics is the intersection of technology, society, and theology. Ron and his wife Kristie have three middle and high school-aged children. Being a father and a teacher motivates Ron to help parents guide children through the challenges that tech obsession poses. He also serves the military community alongside a team of pastors at Pillar Church of Okinawa.
Alvin Sanga
College Professor
Jacob Stone
Technical Sergeant Jacob Stone has dedicated a decade to the U.S Air Force. Annually, he mentors over a thousand Enlisted personnel and Officers, leading comprehensive Foundations Courses, Flight Leadership Classes, and Professional Development Seminars across Kadena Air Base and throughout the Pacific Air Force. Certified in Emotional Intelligence by The EQ Development Group, Jacob leverages his diverse background and eye-opening deployments across Africa and the Indo-Pacific to equip emerging leaders with crucial skills for navigating conflict and fostering growth.