Guest Speakers' Bios
for the 2024 Nauvoo Single Adult 31+ MEGA Conference
BIO of THURSDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER: DAN CLARK
DAN CLARK is CEO of an International High Performance Consulting Firm; an Alumnus of the University of Utah; an Award Winning Athlete who fought his way back from a paralyzing injury that cut short his football career; a New York Times Best Selling Author of 37 books; a primary contributing author to the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series; an Adventurer; Gold Record Songwriter; Film Maker; and a former Brigham Young University Professor. Dan was inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame. He has been named one of the Top Ten Motivational Speakers In The World, he and has delivered more than 6000 speeches, to over 6 million people, in all 50 states, in 74 countries, on 6 continents. Most significantly, Dan served a fulltime mission for the Church in Ireland; was married to his sweetheart in the Salt Lake Temple; is the proud father of four amazing children; grandfather to four incredible grandchildren; and was named 2012 Utah Father of the Year. Dan has served in the Stake Young Men's Presidency; as a Gospel Doctrine Teacher; High Counselor; as a Young Single Adult Bishop twice; Missionary Prep teacher; as a Veil Worker in the Salt Lake Temple; and as a Service Missionary with his wife at the Primary Children’s Hospital.
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BIO of FRIDAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER: PAUL JENKINS, PhD, LP
Dr Paul is a clinical psychologist specializing in the science and practice of positivity. As a coach, keynote speaker and trainer, author, and host of a popular podcast and YouTube channel, he empowers individuals, families, and influencers to go far beyond traditional therapy or positive thinking programs to create and live the life they love through powerful positive psychology processes. For over two decades now, he has been "accused" by his clients , colleagues, family and friends of being pathologically positive. Because of this, he decided to embrace that title as the theme of his practice (and the title of his first book)
BIO of Workshop Presenter: Scot Allgood
Dr. Scot Allgood is a professor and head of the department of Human Development and Family Studies in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services at Utah State. He was recently presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (UAMFT).Dr. Allgood received his PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University in 1988 and practiced family therapy for 30 years. At Utah State, he teaches an undergraduate course in family crisis and intervention, as well as an assortment of graduate courses in marriage and family therapy. His current research focuses include rituals in marriage and family relationships (especially new marriages and adoptive families), family therapy and education interventions, and healthy relationships with an emphasis on father-daughter relationships, spirituality, and adoption.
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BIO of Workshop Presenter: Ed Cunningham
Meet Ed Cunningham, a man who has lived his life by his mother's of "make all your choices the brave ones". From serving in the military to his music career, years as a firefighter/paramedic, and restaurant owner.
Ed brings a unique blend of personal stories and lessons that help others build a bridge from their own trials to a successful life. With his open and relatable style, anyone can see how it is possible to create the same results that he has. As a convert for over 25 years, he brings a deep and unshakeable testimony of the Gospel and the Church's role in his life.
BIO of Workshop Presenter: Isaac Freestone
Isaac Freestone spent nearly twenty years working for a major metropolitan police department. During his law enforcement career, Isaac spent years working deep undercover where he performed hundreds of undercover operations. Later in his career, Isaac held positions as a homicide detective, intelligence task force officer at the DEA, and concluded his career as a helicopter pilot in the Special Operations Division. Isaac attended law school as he was completing his last three years of his law enforcement career and now works as an attorney specializing in transactional and business law. Isaac is married to his wife Tina and lives in the Liberty, Missouri Stake.
BIO of Workshop Presenter: Douglas Mock
Doug Mock is a Certified Financial Planner™ based in Minneapolis, MN. With over 35 years of experience, he specializes in creating cohesive retirement strategies that integrate investments, IRAs, 401(k)s, tax and estate planning, and Social Security. This comprehensive approach helps executives, families and individuals plan for a confident retirement. Doug holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from BYU – Provo and served as a missionary in Vienna, Austria. He has held positions in the church as a missionary, High Priest Group leader, Singles Rep, Ward Clerk, Financial clerk and member of the High Council. He has two sons and a daughter, and four granddaughters all under age 3. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, canoeing, exercising, yoga, social dance and eating healthy.
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BIO of Workshop Presenter: Kimberly Jo Smith
Kimberly Jo Smith is a second great granddaughter of Joseph and Emma Smith and a convert to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She has spent the last 20 years telling her story of conversion, emphasizing the need to heal, unite, forgive, and gather as a people. Kimberly has written for books, and has produced one CD with her son with original music, as well as songs written by children of Joseph and Emma Smith. She is a poet and a writer of historical fiction. Kimberly travels extensively, sharing her adventures to historical places on her YouTube channel, LDS Generations. Along with genealogy, she believes that history is something that should be explored and shared. It has always been her hope to help others learn of their history, mend fences, and come together as a people of God.
BIO of Workshop Presenter: Scott Sumner
Scott Sumner, born in Colorado, has lived in Utah for the majority of his life. Served an LDS Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Belgium and France, married to Stacie Jo Duran and together they have six beautiful children.
Scott is a professional photographer with clients throughout the United States. His images have been published in many books, book covers, billboards, television, and in magazine ads. His work depicting the Savior Jesus Christ can be found in many countries throughout the world.
Scott has been a guest artist at BYU Education week and Women’s Conference in Provo Utah. His work has been exhibited in the 7th, 9th & 10th International Art Competition sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Scott recently received his bachelors of science degree from Weber State University, served four years as a board member for the Intermountain Professional Photographers Association (IPPA), and is a founding board member of the Inspirational Art Association (IAA), where he served as President of their Board of Directors, and currently serves on their advisory board.
“I witness that anything I have ever done of value or worth on this earth has been achieved in and through the mercy, kindness, and grace of my Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ and I testify the Lord magnifies our talents as we adhere to His commandments and apply ourselves with honest effort; I have no other explanation for the blessings I have been given.”
BIO of Workshop Presenter: Jody Van Drimmelen
Jody is a native Texan born in Oak Cliff hospital in Dallas during the time of poodle skirts and car hops. She can make potato salad for 100 and the boy scouts say her cinnamon rolls are to die for! She has served in too many positions to list them all here. But the ones she would take back in a minute are Seminary teacher, Temple worker and Institute teacher.
When all the children flew the nest, she returned to school to complete a lifelong goal and received her Master’s degree and is now Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has a private practice working as a Mental Health Therapist. She recently moved to Utah and now practices vis telehealth.
Jody joined the ranks of the singles in 2008 when her sweetheart was given a calling on the other side of the veil. She stays busy helping others through her work and in the community, being the grandma to 18 of the most fabulous grandkids, traveling, cruising, teaching workshops, trying out new recipes, planning parties!
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