Keynote Speakers

We are thrilled to announce the keynote speakers for the NAGW National Conference in Denver, CO, Oct. 14-17, 2025.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025: Scott Tolinski

Keynote Session

In this energizing and honest keynote, Scott Tolinski pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to keep pace with modern development. From battling burnout to staying focused amid constant distractions, he shares practical strategies, personal stories, and tips for lifelong learning in tech. You’ll leave inspired, informed, and better equipped to thrive in an industry that never stops moving.

Time and place: Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 9:00 a.m., Hilton Garden Inn Denver Union Station.

About Scott

Scott Tolinski is an Executive Producer at Sentry, where he works on Syntax, the popular web development podcast and YouTube channel. Since 2012, he has created clear, friendly lessons for developers through Level Up Tutorials.

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025: Brian Elms

Keynote Session: Useless Work Sucks the Joy Out of Our Jobs

The stresses are from within: insufficient services, inefficient systems, slow technology deployments, and rising requests for service. Government transitions, pressure on public servants, quiet quitting, and tightened budgets only make every challenge greater.

Nationally recognized Innovation and Performance expert Brian Elms can’t give you more hours in your day, dollars in your treasury, or personnel on your team – but he can show you how to do far more with what you have. In this session, Brian will teach participants proven tools and techniques that anyone at any level can use to find efficiencies and fight fatigue. Built on his own decades of experience working in and with governments – and sparking real change in places rarely known for it – Brian’s approach will help departments large and small improve their service tomorrow, improving the work-lives of public servants and residents alike.

About Brian

Brian Elms is the author of Peak Performance and an Urban Leadership Fellow at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.  He served as the Director of Peak Academy and Analytics for the City and County of Denver for more than five years. Brian specializes in government innovation and process improvement providing management expertise to government agencies, elected officials, and nonprofits. Brian is a Lean Black Belt, a certified Six Sigma Green Belt, and a Change
Management Professional. In his prior role as Director of the Peak Academy, he developed curriculum, training, and consulting services that focus on employee-led performance management and continuous improvement. Since its inception in 2012, Peak Academy initiatives have saved the City and County of Denver more than $30 million and the Academy has provided training to more than 7,000 public and nonprofit professionals. 

Brian is the CEO and Founder of Change Agents Training to focus on creating employee-driven innovation programs around the country. Recently, Brian Co-Founded RVRWRK to Ai enable process improvement workshops and service transformation.

Friday, Oct. 17, 2025: Alexa Heinrich

Keynote Session: Accessibility is a common priority for web development but often overlooked when it comes to content creation for social media. In this session, participants will learn about the importance of producing digital marketing content that everyone—including disabled users—can access and enjoy and discover how easy it is to make their social media inclusive.

Topics of discussion will include:

About Alexa

Alexa Heinrich is an award-winning social media manager in northern Illinois and the creator of the popular website Accessible Social. She is a passionate advocate for creating accessible and inclusive content for social media and has given presentations on the subject to digital professionals at numerous brands, organizations, and events around the world including Harvard University, the National ADA Symposium, the World Health Organization, and the U.S. Congressional Progressive Caucus.