NACS Leadership Forum

25 Years expereince in Retail w/ Executove level roles at BP and Circle K running businesses but also in Sales, Marketing, operations, and Fuels. Currently running Retail engagement and membership at NACS as well as Research and Education.

Matt Havens is an international keynote speaker, former corporate leader, son of a comedian, and firm believer we overcomplicate work by overthinking the solutions. Matt’s high-energy, engaging presentations deliver insightful, actionable strategies – all with a surprisingly entertaining twist.

With 14 years of leadership experience in finance, sales, and customer service at a multi-billion dollar company, Matt gained invaluable in-the-trenches experience that informs his approach to solving business challenges and ensures his message relates with his audiences. Whether tackling change management or building dynamic team cultures, Matt has done it firsthand – including leading a massive strategic overhaul which transformed one of America’s most iconic brands.

Those experiences also taught Matt something was missing in the working world. As the son of a headlining comedian, Matt grew up in the back room of comedy clubs around the world, where he witnessed the infectious impact of laughter. He believes business growth and fun don’t have to be mutually exclusive – a philosophy which has made him a trusted partner for organizations like RE/MAX, Lockheed Martin, Baker Tilly, and Allstate, as well as countless government and industry associations from nearly every trade.

Matt doesn’t just speak about personal and professional growth – he lives it. He recently checked off a major bucket list item by completing an Ironman triathlon, cheered on by his wife and twin daughters. They currently reside in Dallas, TX.

Kevin O’Connell is the Executive Director of the NACS Foundation, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) philanthropic arm. Under Kevin’s leadership, the Foundation is advancing its mission to unify and amplify the charitable efforts of the convenience and fuel retailing industry. It focuses on key pillars such as serving first responders, combating hunger, supporting healthy children and families, and fostering environmental stewardship.

Kevin spearheads transformative initiatives, including expanding 24/7 Day—a nationwide event honoring first responders that has grown by over 2,000% in five years—and the strategic development of programs to address food insecurity, educational scholarships, and community resilience. As the Foundation embarks on its next chapter, Kevin is focused on building sustainable revenue streams, fostering strategic partnerships, and elevating the Foundation’s impact on communities across America.

Kevin brings over 18 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and storytelling. Before joining NACS, he founded and served as a strategic advisor to FYN Creative, where he empowered universities and nonprofits through campaigns, digital content, and trainings. Before FYN Creative, he also launched The Niche Movement, a global platform helping thousands of students and young professionals redefine their career paths. Kevin also served as an adjunct professor at The George Washington University School of Business, where he taught courses in leadership and marketing.

An advocate for community engagement, Kevin actively volunteers with organizations such as Food & Friends in Washington, DC. He holds a B.S. in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an M.A. in Leadership and Public Administration from Centenary University.

Kevin’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for storytelling inspire his work in creating impactful programs, mobilizing resources, and redefining the role of convenience stores as community cornerstones. He is a sought-after speaker on nonprofit growth, community engagement, and innovative fundraising strategies.

With a pivotal role in launching IBM’s Watson in 2011, a groundbreaking application of Artificial Intelligence on a global scale, Sol Rashidi has consistently been a trailblazer in the ideation, conceptualization, design, and development of Data & AI applications. Boasting over three dozen large-scale implementations and a remarkable record, Sol holds eight granted patents, with 21 filed, and has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including being recognized as one of the “Top 100 AI People” in 2023.

Sol’s impact is evident in her presence on the “Global 100 Power List” for consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023), recognition as one of the “Top 20 CDOs Globally” in 2022, and being named “Chief Analytics Officer of the Year” in 2022. Further, she earned the “Isomer Innovators of the Year” award for three consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023) and has been acknowledged as one of the “Top 100 Innovators in Data & Analytics” from 2020 to 2023. Adding to her achievements, Sol was listed among the “Top 100 Women in Business” in 2022. Her other accolades include: “Top 75 Innovators of 2023,” “Top 65 Most Influential Women in 2023,” and earning the title of “Forbes AI Maverick of the 21st Century” in 2022. Additionally, she has been honored with the “Top 10 Global Women in AI & Data” award in 2023, the “Top AI 100 Award” in 2023, and inclusion in the “50 Most Powerful Women in Tech” in 2022.

Throughout her career, Sol has held significant C-Suite positions in Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 companies, including roles such as Chief Analytics Officer at Estee Lauder, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at Merck Pharmaceuticals, EVP and Chief Data Officer at Sony Music, Chief Data & AI Officer at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Senior Partner leading the Digital & Innovation Practice at Ernst & Young. Her impactful tenure at IBM as Partner leading Watson Go-To-Market further solidifies her expertise in the field.

Now serving as an advisor, consultant, and fractional CDO & CAIO, Sol is dedicated to assisting companies in advancing their business objectives. As a global keynote speaker, she leverages her technical expertise and storytelling abilities to articulate the business value of data, AI, and technology. Her Amazon bestselling book, Your AI Survival Guide: Scraped Knees, Bruised Elbows, and Lessons Learned from Real-World AI Deployments, is made for business leaders without a technology background. Sol’s hallmark is simplifying the complex and helping leaders realize that innovation doesn’t always require cutting-edge solutions but often involves cutting through the noise.

Kristin K. Seabrook is the Chief Legal Counsel for Global Partners LP, where she leads a multifaceted team responsible for legal affairs, environmental, health and safety (EHS) and fuels compliance. Global Partners, a Fortune 500 master limited partnership, operates or maintains dedicated storage at 54 liquid energy terminals, with connectivity to strategic rail, pipeline, and marine assets, spanning from Maine to Florida and into the U.S. Gulf States. Additionally, Global Partners owns, operates, and/or supplies approximately 1,700 retail locations across the Northeast states, the Mid-Atlantic, and Texas. Prior to joining Global Partners, Kristin spent 18 years at Pilot Travel Centers LLC, serving as General Counsel/Chief Legal Counsel. She is a seasoned legal professional with experience in negotiating and drafting various types of agreements, overseeing corporate policies and procedures, and managing complex litigation matters. Kristin has also served as an Associate at Butler, Vines & Babb, and as a Deputy District Attorney at the Clark County, Nevada District Attorney’s Office. She holds a dual degree in Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of Richmond and has been actively involved in various professional affiliations and community organizations.

Erin Stafford is a marketing guru, burnout survivor, hyper-growth business leader and social psychologist. From working with the world’s highest achievers throughout her 20+ year international career, being a Type A poster child herself and interviewing Olympians, start-up founders, Fortune 500 CEOs, leading researchers and celebrity coaches, Erin has seen firsthand how Type A personalities and constant over-achievement are coveted in the world of business, yet can lead to debilitating burnout.

After six years heading up marketing for the country’s largest healthcare staffing company where she led dozens of marketing professionals and helped the organization grow by 27x in six years, Erin has made it her mission to help leaders everywhere identify and break free from the Type A Trap so they can stay at peak performance for the long haul.