The Access and Eligibility Services Leadership Conference is an immersive, three-day event that will provide vision, inspiration, and actionable training designed to increase leadership effectiveness. The conference will focus on connecting AES leaders to our mission by reaffirming agency values and defining our collective purpose.
This year’s conference theme, “Next Level Leadership: The Power of Us” encourages leaders to have a growth mindset and be intentional about their own development, so they can better serve and develop those around them.
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Open to all. This individual makes a true and definitive impact on those around them by persevering through times of difficulty, pursuing meaningful and innovative solutions, and exemplifying an uncompromising standard of excellence within AES.
Inspiring Connections
Open to all conference attendees.
This individual fosters an inclusive environment that promotes positive and engaging interactions through collaborative practices across various teams, departments, and divisions.
Living the Mission
Open to all conference attendees.
This individual is well respected for their ability to passionately pursue the agency’s mission and demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to connecting people with services and supports
Next Level Leader
Open to all conference attendees with direct reports.
This individual personifies the 2024 conference theme, Next Level Leadership: The Power of Us by modeling behaviors that inspire, encourage, and motivate team members to connect their work to the organization’s mission and take greater ownership of their professional development.
Rising Star
For new Supervisors only (in role for two years or less).
This individual demonstrates a commitment to developing their leadership abilities, to expanding their responsibility, and supporting development of all their direct reports.
This session covers what psychological safety is and its importance to high performing teams. Learners will explore the four stages of psychological safety and the key role leaders play in their team’s psychological safety.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Define psychological safety.
Assess their team’s psychological safety.
Identify interventions they can take as leaders to “level up” their team’s psychological safety.
Area Manager, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Native Texan Neika Clark embarked on her professional journey in August 1998 with the Department of Human Services, starting as a clerk for Community Care Aging and Disabled. Steadily advancing through various roles within the agency, her commitment to excellence led her to join the... Read More →
Interim Director, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
I’m currently the interim director of Leadership and Professional Development (LPD). Prior to that, I was a Leadership and Professional Development Specialist within the department for 2 years. I bring more than 10 years of experience in learning and development and designing learning... Read More →
This training covers effective communication skills essential for fostering a psychologically safe environment in the workplace. By communicating courageously, mastering the art of listening, and managing your reactions, leaders can create a workplace environment where everyone feels empowered to share ideas, concerns, and ask questions.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Program Specialist, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Elizzett De Hoyos began her journey with HHS AES in 2013 as an MEPD I in the Laredo, Tx; region 11 office, progressing to MEPD III before becoming a Supervisor at the TW Virtual Interviewing Center in 2018. In 2022, she graduated from QUEST Leadership Academy and recently celebrated... Read More →
Program Specialist, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Destiny Jimenez is a Program Specialist IV with Strategic Engagement and Employee Support (SEES).She began her tenure with HHSC as a Texas Works Advisor I in 2016. She has served in various positions but has found a passion in developing others through facilitation.She has also completed... Read More →
This interactive session will guide participants to discover the power of a growth mindset and learn how to apply it to their personal and professional lives. Learners will practice habits that turn adversity into opportunity and failure into learning.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Differentiate between a fixed and growth mindset.
Apply practical techniques to develop growth mindset in yourself and others.
Develop strategies for embracing challenges and view them as opportunities to learn and grow.
Dominque (Dom) Marshall joined Vendor Operations, effective August 1, 2023, as a Director overseeing the Eligibility Support Services (ESS) team. Dom brings over 14 years of experience with federal assistance programs, including expertise in adult Medicaid, cash programs, community... Read More →
Before joining the state, Jason was a professor of Communication Studies at Texas Tech University in Lubbock Texas specializing in adult learning and leadership and professional development. He has published statistical research analysis in Communication Quarterly and co-authored... Read More →
This session will emphasize the importance of creating a psychologically safe work environment through continuous, genuine communication. It compares fostering workplace trust and openness to hosting a party, where leaders and team members build authentic connections that promote comfort and collaboration. Each interaction contributes to a supportive culture, and effective communication requires understanding each person's perspective. Ultimately, the goal is to build a workplace where meaningful, connected conversations lead to stronger teams and more fulfilling work relationships.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Recognize the important roles leaders have in establishing good communication practices in their teams.
Understand why building authentic relationships with team members is crucial for psychological safety.
See how a connected team leads to a strong team.
Identify the three levels of conversations and how to approach them.
Internal Communications Director, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Ryan is the director of the AES Internal Communications team, which supports all areas of AES. The team helps spread the word about projects, initiatives, and organizational updates that affect team members across the state.Ryan has a journalism degree from San Diego State University... Read More →
Information Specialist, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Since 2020, Matt has served as a Communications Specialist on the Internal Communications team, doing “jack of all trades" work” that includes everything from writing and editing to coming up with silly skits and activities for SEES to do at State Office Staff Meetings, being... Read More →
This session focuses on designing inclusive practices to foster effective team meetings using five key strategies. Through discussions and activities, participants will learn how to implement these practices to create more inclusive and psychologically safe meeting environments.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Define effective meetings and inclusive practices.
Understand how to design inclusive practices that support effective meetings.
Develop inclusive practices to begin implementing in your meetings.
Program Specialist, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Erian was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UTSA and a Master of Arts in Sociology from the University of Houston. Throughout her career, Erian has held multiple titles including Educator and Instructional Designer. She loved designing... Read More →
Program Specialist, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Earl Gants is a Program Specialist IV Educator with Strategic Engagement and Employee Support (SEES).Earl graduated from Prairie View A&M University with a BA and the University of Phoenix with an MA in Criminal Justice.Earl launched his career with the State of Texas in 2004, serving... Read More →
This session will emphasize the importance of creating a psychologically safe work environment through continuous, genuine communication. It compares fostering workplace trust and openness to hosting a party, where leaders and team members build authentic connections that promote comfort and collaboration. Each interaction contributes to a supportive culture, and effective communication requires understanding each person's perspective. Ultimately, the goal is to build a workplace where meaningful, connected conversations lead to stronger teams and more fulfilling work relationships.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Recognize the important roles leaders have in establishing good communication practices in their teams.
Understand why building authentic relationships with team members is crucial for psychological safety.
See how a connected team leads to a strong team.
Identify the three levels of conversations and how to approach them.
Internal Communications Director, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Ryan is the director of the AES Internal Communications team, which supports all areas of AES. The team helps spread the word about projects, initiatives, and organizational updates that affect team members across the state.Ryan has a journalism degree from San Diego State University... Read More →
Information Specialist, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Since 2020, Matt has served as a Communications Specialist on the Internal Communications team, doing “jack of all trades" work” that includes everything from writing and editing to coming up with silly skits and activities for SEES to do at State Office Staff Meetings, being... Read More →
This interactive workshop will address team ecosystems that impact performance, dynamics that drive both positive and negative outcomes, and trust as it relates to psychological safety.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Understand how the team ecosystem impacts performance and identify steps to improve their team’s environments.
Make trust actionable to improve trustworthiness and psychological safety.
Identify the most common derailers of high performance and understand how to manage these.
Evaluate their team’s performance and identify actions for growth and improvement.
Note: This is a two-part workshop. Both sessions are required.
Maureen Breeze is a leadership development specialist, executive coach, corporate trainer and public speaker. She has worked with organizations across the U.S. and in Germany, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and China. Recent clients include KraftHeinz, Johns Manville, Children’s... Read More →
This interactive workshop will guide participants to discover the power of a growth mindset and learn how to apply it to their professional lives. By discovering how to shift from a fixed- to a growth mindset, embracing challenges, and viewing failures as learning opportunities, participants will level up and unlock their full potential.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Differentiate between a fixed and growth mindset
Apply growth mindset principles to real-world situations
Develop strategies for embracing challenges and learning from failure
Program Specialist, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
Ms. Chapman’s State of Texas tenure spans 24+ years, sixteen with Access and Eligibility Services. She has spent the last 12 years in training delivery and development.Ms. Chapman is family-oriented, a music lover, and an avid reader. It is common to find her dancing or working... Read More →
Program Specialist, Strategic Engagement & Employee Support
I’m currently a Training & Development Specialist V where I focus on the Keys to Leadership program (formerly SBST) and ongoing training requests. I’ve spent more than a decade working in education and technology, where I’ve had the opportunity to design impactful, engaging... Read More →
This session will explore the transformative power of Purpose Driven Leadership. By empowering employees, peers, and stakeholders to discover personal meaning in their work, Purpose-Driven Leaders foster a highly engaged and committed workforce united by shared goals and aspirations. Purpose-driven leaders model values-based decision-making, take the time to learn what truly matters to those they manage and work with, and connect their work to a greater objective. Purpose driven leaders also understand the organization’s mission and finds ways to personally connect to it. Join us to discover how Purpose-Driven Leadership can revolutionize team performance and impact.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Identify key principles of purposeful leadership.
Use methods to identify your “why” and those of your team.
Identify ways to increase authenticity in daily work.
Area Manager, Office of Learning & Professional Development
Patty Garcia-Cooper is a dedicated professional with over 27 years of experience in Access and Eligibility Services (AES). As an Area Manager in Curriculum Development, in the Office of Learning and Professional Development (OLPD), she spearheads instructor-led training initiatives... Read More →
Program Specialist, Office of Deputy Executive Commissioner
Tracie Hunt is a Program Specialist VII in the Office of the Deputy Executive Commissioner in Access and Eligibility Services. She is deeply involved in the activities pertaining to the unwind of the Public Health Emergency by helping facilitate and coordinate unwind activities.She... Read More →
This interactive workshop will address team ecosystems that impact performance, dynamics that drive both positive and negative outcomes, and trust as it relates to psychological safety.
After participating in this session learners will be able to:
Understand how the team ecosystem impacts performance and identify steps to improve their team’s environments.
Make trust actionable to improve trustworthiness and psychological safety.
Identify the most common derailers of high performance and understand how to manage these.
Evaluate their team’s performance and identify actions for growth and improvement.
Note: This is a two-part workshop. Both sessions are required.
Maureen Breeze is a leadership development specialist, executive coach, corporate trainer and public speaker. She has worked with organizations across the U.S. and in Germany, Mexico, Spain, Switzerland, and China. Recent clients include KraftHeinz, Johns Manville, Children’s... Read More →
