Taylor Peyton, Ph.D., is a Workplace Psychologist who guides organizations to cultivate effective leaders and teams in their workforce. With over 20 years of experience in leadership education, organizational behavior, and motivation science, she has worked with respected companies like Sandals Resorts, Hyatt Hotels, and Omni Hotels and Resorts. Formerly a Professor of Leadership and Workplace Psychology at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, her areas of expertise include leader and employee authenticity, trust, motivation, and passion for work. She completed a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at the University of San Diego and an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at San Diego State.
Leading Through Uncertainty: Calm, Clarity, and Contingency
How do you stay steady when the ground is shifting?
In this keynote, Dr. Taylor Peyton will show how organizations can create better workplaces for employees during turbulent times in the hospitality industry.
She will combine workplace psychology and emotional intelligence to equip leaders with tools to support their teams—and themselves—through uncertainty.
Dr. Peyton will share research-backed approaches for leading through change. Techniques to be covered include how to identify the type of challenge at hand, contingency planning, and remaining emotionally resilient amid chaos. Attendees will learn how to move away from reactivity to instead practice intentional, strategic leadership.
Expect vivid storytelling, live polls, and practical tools participants can use immediately to navigate change.
In the afternoon, Dr. Peyton will lead an interactive workshop where participants will create a personalized “resilience toolkit,” reflect on their own leadership and workforce challenges, and collaborate on planning for uncertainty through hands-on activities and guided discussion.
Other Presenters
Keith Pabian, Founding Partner of Pabian Law, Co-Founder/CEO of Seasonal Connect
Impacts on Employment-Sponsored Immigration in the Trump Era
With his extensive experience working with hospitality organizations nationwide, Keith will guide attendees through the fundamental aspects of the H-2B visa process and discuss the evolving landscape of immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Attendees will gain insights into this complex environment, better understand how these policies may reshape the workforce, and learn strategies to remain compliant and adaptable.
Chris Adams, Head of Research & Insights, Miles Partnership
Insights Into the Future of Maine's Tourism and Hospitality Workforce
Chris Adams is Head of Research & Insights at Miles Partnership, a global tourism marketing and management agency. Miles is a marketing agency partner of the Maine Office of Tourism. Chris has worldwide experience in senior tourism, marketing, and sustainability roles across the US, New Zealand, Australia, the South Pacific, and the UK. This includes the last 20 years at Miles Partnership, the last 12+ as its Head of Research & Insights in charge of the company’s extensive research programs and partnerships. Recent initiatives include extensive research on workforce development in Maine, a major study of sustainable tourism plans across the US, tourism taxation & funding, and global sports and music event travelers. Amongst a range of tourism and sustainability volunteer roles, Chris is on the US Travel’s Research Advisory Board and is co-founder of ‘Travel with Care’ – a major not-for-profit knowledge-sharing platform on responsible traveler education and marketing.
Panel: Supporting Employee Mental and Physical Health
Hilary Schneider is the Director of Maine DHHS’ Office of the Health Insurance Marketplace (OHIM), which operates Maine’s state-based marketplace. Hilary has two decades of health policy experience, primarily in government relations and consumer advocacy. She has also worked in marketing, program evaluation, and economic and management consulting. She holds a BA in Economics from Bates College and a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Liz Nitzel, DVR Regional Manager, CRC is an experienced Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/ Windmills Facilitator with a demonstrated history of engaging businesses with local resources and assisting career seekers with developing their skills and access to local opportunities. She specializes in increasing employment disability etiquette and awareness of accommodations to assist in workforce development which advances employment for individuals with disabilities.
Mary Gagnon is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and the Director of Suicide Prevention at NAMI Maine. A graduate of the University of Connecticut, Mary has over twenty-five years of experience in the mental health field, including agency and private practice counseling, training, and supervision of outpatient, targeted case management, and community integration programs. Mary is a passionate educator and learner, spending her career inspiring and teaching thousands of individuals and groups on suicide prevention and other mental health topics. She brings that passion for learning into her hobbies of traveling and writing.
Panel: When Lightning Strikes: Dealing with Disasters
Stuart Snyder has been an owner of Beal's Lobster Pier in Southwest Harbor since 2014. In the aftermath of two powerful storms in 2023 wreaking havoc on Maine’s coastline, homes, and businesses, Beal’s Lobster Pier found itself grappling with significant damage. With winds exceeding 70 miles per hour, water surges, and high waves coinciding with high tide, the challenges were unprecedented. In response, their team mobilized swiftly to devise an action plan, recognizing the urgency to ensure the continuity of their 92nd year of operation and the upcoming 2024 summer season.
Sarah Brooks is the Vice President & Portage Checkpoint Coordinator for the 250 Mile race for the Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Races, a multi-length sled dog race through Maine’s northern woodlands and qualifier for the Iditarod. In addition to her role at the Can-Am, Sarah is an Academic Advisor/Tutoring Coordinator for the TRiO Upward Bound program at the University of Maine Presque Isle. Prior to her current role, Sarah was a teacher at MSAD #32 Ashland Community High School, and she received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Maine. In addition, Sarah is also a Registered Maine Guide and a hay farmer.
Caleb Jones is a native of Midcoast Maine. He has worked at Schooner Landing in Damariscotta for the past 16 years and became a part-owner of the beloved local restaurant in January 2024. Caleb is also a musician, singing and playing guitar and harmonica both solo and as a member of the band Driving Charlie Home.
