What You Will Hear
As disruption accelerates, the very definition of leadership is shifting. This fast-paced, 30-minute panel explores the critical shifts leaders must make to stay future-proof. Through rapid insights, focused discussions, and a lightning round of bold predictions, panelists tackle three pressing themes: Power—how authority evolves in an AI-driven era; Pressure—leading through chaos without burnout; and People—building trust and human-centric strategies for today’s workforce. Expect actionable takeaways and lively debate designed to help leaders thrive in the next three years.
Meet the Moderator Chris
Chris Kovatch is Vice President of Commercial Lending at Rave Financial Credit Union, where he focuses on building long-term relationships with business owners, real estate investors, and community partners across Southeast Texas. With a strong background in commercial credit, real estate lending, and complex deal structuring, Chris is known for blending sound financial analysis with a relationship-first, solutions-oriented approach.
Beyond his professional role, Chris is deeply engaged in civic leadership and community service. He serves as a Trustee for Orangefield Independent School District and is an active leader in the Orange Lions Club, supporting numerous charitable initiatives that strengthen the local community. His involvement reflects a belief that leadership carries both responsibility and opportunity—to invest time, resources, and expertise where they matter most.
Chris is also an educator and lifelong learner. He teaches college-level banking and lending courses, helping prepare the next generation of financial professionals with practical, real-world insight. He is currently completing his MBA, further sharpening his leadership, strategy, and organizational skills.
Chris has been married to his wife, Christi, for 25 years, and together they are raising six children. Family is central to his life and leadership philosophy, grounding his work in values of commitment, service, and long-term stewardship.
Whether in the boardroom, the classroom, or the community, Chris brings a steady, values-driven perspective centered on service, integrity, and sustainable growth.
About Brandy Colunga
Brandy Colunga serves as Vice President of Human Resources at MCT Credit Union, where she champions initiatives that elevate employee experience, strengthen leadership, and build a culture of engagement. She has successfully implemented programs such as a comprehensive employee recognition platform, internal compensation studies, and a new manager training program designed to empower leaders and drive organizational success.
Brandy believes that great leadership begins with investing in people. Her philosophy centers on creating opportunities for growth, fostering trust, and leveraging innovation to prepare teams for the future. With expertise in workforce planning, leadership development, and change management, Brandy is passionate about aligning people strategies with business objectives to create workplaces where employees thrive and organizations excel.
Brandy brings a forward-thinking perspective on the evolving role of HR in shaping organizational resilience and innovation, inspiring leaders to embrace change and lead with purpose.
About Carrie Phillips
Carrie Phillips is the Orange Plant Manager at CPChem. In this capacity, she oversees the strategic implementation of company objectives while ensuring safe and reliable operations. She collaborates with the Orange Leadership Team to care for our workforce, both employees and contractors, to set the expectation that everyone goes home safe every day; to implement continuous improvement opportunities to improve production, product quality, and efficiency; to ensure our plant is a good neighbor in the community and participates in a variety of opportunities to give back.
Phillips has held several roles at CPChem since joining the company in 2011, most recently as Environmental Manager for the company based out of our headquarters in The Woodlands. Phillips led the effort to revamp and roll-out the EHSS company strategy, Our Journey to Zero, and led the efforts to reduce plastics loss to the environment by implementing a company standard, streamlining Best Management Practices and kicking off a remediation project. Phillips has also been instrumental in building and implementing one of the largest land farms in the U.S. and associated operating systems to address soil contamination at the Chevron Phillips Puerto Rico Core facility.
Phillips is a proud graduate of the Women’s Leadership Institute through the Texas Women’s Foundation and has used her learnings to share with other women and men in STRIVE, the CPChem ERG for women and allies. Most recently, Carrie led a women’s leadership panel that was broadcast across the company. She is a member of the boards of the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce, Three Rivers Council Scouting America, Orange Rotary Club, and is Chair of the Southeast Texas Plant Managers Forum. Additionally, she is adamant about employees taking part in volunteer efforts, and in 2023, Carrie’s facility was the top donor in the United Way of Orange County Giving campaign.
Phillips has a bachelor’s and master’s in environmental engineering from Texas A&M University. She and her husband Brad, her son Eli, and her daughter Lucie enjoy traveling, skiing, hiking and spending time with family and friends.
About Daniel
Daniel McLemore is the Director of Marketing Communications at Lamar State College Orange, where he leads institutional branding, strategic communications, and digital engagement initiatives that support one of the fastest-growing two-year colleges in Texas. As part of the Texas State University System, Daniel works within the executive leadership team to translate vision into clear, compelling communication for internal teams, external partners, and the broader community.
With more than a decade of experience at the intersection of leadership, communication, and organizational change, Daniel has overseen messaging during periods of rapid growth, major capital expansion, and executive leadership transitions. His work focuses on helping organizations build trust, maintain clarity, and stay human, especially during moments of disruption. He also teaches business courses at LSCO in marketing, customer service, and supervision.
In his leadership practice, Daniel actively integrates AI tools into marketing, communication, and operational workflows using them not as replacements for people, but as force multipliers for creativity, efficiency, and strategic thinking. He brings a grounded, real-world perspective to conversations about AI in business leadership, focusing on how leaders can leverage technology while preserving culture, trust, and human judgment.
Daniel holds a bachelor's in communication and a master's in business administration from Lamar University. He will also graduate from Lamar University in May with a doctorate in educational leadership.
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