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.
Leadership & Professional Development Area Manager, Strategic Engagement and 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 and 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:
Leadership & Professional Development Specialist, Strategic Engagement and 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 →
Leadership & Professional Development Specialist, Strategic Engagement and 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 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.
Leadership & Professional Development Specialist, Strategic Engagement and 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 →
Leadership & Professional Development Specialist, Strategic Engagement and 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 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
Leadership & Professional Development Specialist, Strategic Engagement and 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 →
Leadership & Professional Development Specialist, Strategic Engagement and 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 →
