Opening Keynote
Jill Filer

Jill Filer is a Lead Strategist with CESO Communications, where she partners with school districts nationwide to provide strategic communications support and guidance. Her work often focuses on helping smaller districts strengthen their communications efforts despite limited staff and resources. 

Prior to her work with CESO, she spent 32 years in Harrisonville (MO) Schools serving as the Director of Communications and Community Relations for 24 years. She has served as the President of the Missouri School Public Relations Association and presented at many local, state and national conferences. She has been named a National School Public Relations Association Front Runner and was the 2022 NSPRA Barry Gaskins Mentor Legacy Award recipient.

She started her career as a teacher and has spent her entire professional career in public education. Passionate about giving back to the profession, Jill enjoys mentoring and sharing her knowledge through training and presentations, combining her background in education and communications to support and empower school teams.

Opening Keynote
Erica Chandler, APR

Erica Chandler, APR, is a nationally recognized school communications leader with more than 25 years of experience in PR, marketing, and strategic communications. As Director of Communications for Affton School District, she specializes in crisis communications, leadership messaging, and community trust.

Erica has served in leadership roles at both the state and national levels, including with the National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) and the Missouri School Public Relations Association (MOSPRA). She has been honored as MOSPRA Professional of the Year, NSPRA Front-Runner, and recipient of the MOSPRA Spirit Award.

With roots in concert and entertainment marketing, Erica brings both strategic insight and human-centered storytelling to her work.

Closing Keynote
Dr. Jamie Burkhart

Dr. Jamie Burkhart has dedicated over 32 years to leading and supporting Missouri’s public schools, with a steadfast commitment to equity, opportunity, and excellence for all students. As a former rural school district superintendent, she now serves as the Director of Women in Leadership for the Missouri Association of School Administrators (MASA), where she designs meaningful professional development experiences that inspire, connect, and empower female school leaders across the state.

Jamie’s leadership journey hasn’t slowed in “retirement.” She continues to serve Missouri’s schools through her work as a Superintendent Search Consultant with the Missouri Association of Rural Education (MARE), helping rural districts find strong, mission-driven leadership. As MARE New School Board Member Trainer, she also supports new board members through MARE training programs, believing that great governance is foundational to great schools. Jamie walks that talk as apublic school board member, herself. When the Missouri legislature is in session, Jamie proudly assists MASA as a lobby assistant, advocating for public education with passion and purpose.

Adding to her impact beyond schools, Jamie is also a Jon Gordon Certified MLT (Mindset, Leadership, Teamwork) Trainer, equipping students, athletes, teachers, administrators, and businesses with the skills and mindset to thrive together. She delivers keynotes and workshops on The Energy Bus, The Power of Positive Leadership, The Power of a Positive Team, and Difficult Conversations Don’t Have to Be Difficult.

At the heart of all she does is a deep belief in the power of women in leadership and the transformative impact of public education. Whether she's mentoring superintendents or aspiring school superintendents, facilitating learning networks, or lifting voices at the Capitol, Jamie leads with authenticity, compassion, and courage.