Speaker Biographies

Ted Schick, Schick Corporate Learning

Residing in Fredenberg Township, just north of Duluth, MN, Ted Schick is a professional speaker, corporate trainer, and consultant with his own business since 2009, Schick Corporate Learning. A retired naval officer who rose from the enlisted ranks, Ted has over 30 years of experience leading people.

With over 30 years in teaching, Ted holds a BA in Business from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, received a teaching certificate from Bemidji State University, and a Master of Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth.

Ted has served his community with Spirit Mountain Ski Patrol, local animal humane societies including Animal Allies and Friends of Animals as well as a mentor for Mentor Duluth. Currently he is a Board member and volunteer for Wildwoods Wildlife Rehabilitation. Ted believes in all aspects of Servant Leadership.

Garrison Wynn, CEO Wynn Solutions

Garrison Wynn fuses comic timing and research to deliver motivational business and safety expertise. For over 25 years, he has engaged clients (such as Amazon, Exxon-Mobil, Caterpillar, Walmart, Verizon, the NFL, and NASA) at corporate and association events.  He is also an Amazon bestselling author who has been featured in Forbes & Inc. magazines and has developed industrial products still being sold in 30 countries.

Reyna Lex, Senior Environmental Health and Safety Program, Medtronic

Reyna is a Senior EHSS Program Manager at Medtronic, where she leads global Industrial Hygiene initiatives and supports enterprise Occupational Health and EHS strategies. Throughout her career spanning consulting, healthcare, and the medical device industry, she has helped organizations manage risk, protect employees, and improve operational performance through effective health and safety programs. At Medtronic, she partners across global operations to advance employee health and safety and drive progress toward world-class performance.

Nancy Bendickson, CSP, ARM, ALCM – Director of Client Services, Aon Global Risk Consulting

Nancy is a Managing Consultant with Aon Global Risk Consulting – Casualty Risk Consulting practice. She works with clients to create business solutions that reduce loss and injury potential associated with fleet, general liability, and workers’ compensation exposures.

Prior to joining Aon, Nancy was a Corporate Safety Specialist for Cargill, Inc. She managed global health & safety audits; conducted safety audits for meat processing, salt, food additives, corn milling, oil seed processing, and grain elevators; chaired global vehicle safety task force; statistical support for corporate safety reports; and supported business units on various loss control issues.

She has over 40 years’ experience in safety management and insurance risk control that includes over 29 years’ experience with Aon.

Joni Hokenson, Safety and Risk Manager, Department of Natural Resources

Joni Hokenson is the Safety & Risk Manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, where she leads the agency's statewide safety program. She works with employees and leaders across the state to improve workplace safety through training, incident prevention, risk management, and continuous improvement. Joni is passionate about creating practical safety solutions and fostering a culture where every employee has the knowledge and resources to return home safely each day.

Tom West, SPHR, SHRM,-SCP, COSS, Vice President & Global Practice Leader. MakuSAFE

Tom West is Vice President & Global Practice Leader at MākuSafe, a SHRM & HRCI Senior Certified HR Professional, and a Certified Occupational Safety Specialist. With extensive executive leadership experience throughout his career, Tom has led various companies in the learning & development and technology spaces. He also served as a College Professor for nearly 30 years, shaping future leaders in management. An Avetta Fellow and member of the National Speakers Association, Tom serves on the ASSP Task Force for AI in Safety, is active in organizations such as AIHA, NSC, and VPPPA, and presents regularly at conferences globally. He co-authored the book Safety and Wearable Technology: Impact, Applications and Implementation in Industry (available from CRC Press).

Gabe Johnson, Attorney, Minnesota Department of Administration, Risk Management Division

Gabe Johnson is an attorney with the State of Minnesota Department of Administration.  He represents many agencies within the State, including the Department of Corrections, Department of Transportation, and Department of Natural Resources. Prior to joining the State in June of 2025, Gabe spent half of his 20-year career representing employees, and the other half representing employers and insurers. 

Ashley Cardinal, Department of Administration, Risk Management

Ashley Cardinal is a workers' compensation adjuster with the Risk Management Division. She manages claims of intermediate complexity and analyzes claim data for proactive claim handling processes. She joined the State of Minnesota in June of 2024. Prior to working for the State of Minnesota, Ashley worked as an Occupational Therapist for 10 years, specializing in the treatment of upper extremity trauma and overuse injuries in the Midwest. 

Katherine Austin, Department of Administration, Risk Management

Katherine Austin has been a Workers’ Compensation Claims Specialist with the Risk Management Division since February of 2025. She previously worked for another state agency, DEED, for 16 years as a Disability Examiner Specialist and was responsible for determining medical eligibility for Social Security Disability benefits.

Ray Peters, Department of Administration, Risk Management

Ray Peters is a Senior Claims Specialist with the Risk Management Division, having joined the department in May 2026. Prior to this, Ray spent 30 years in the workers' compensation field, having transitioned to the role of claims adjuster after 20 years of work experience as a QRC. 

Jolene Ziegler, Workers’ Compensation Supervisor, Department of Transportation

Jolene Ziegler has devoted 19 years to state service, with most of that time dedicated to the Minnesota Department of Health.

She began her career at MDH in the Environmental Health division as an X-ray inspector, gaining hands-on experience in regulatory compliance and public safety. She then moved to the Food, Pools, and Lodging Services section, where she spent 14 years serving as a health inspector, deepening her expertise in environmental health, risk mitigation, and safety standards.

For the next 4 years, Jolene served as the safety administrator/workers’ compensation coordinator at MDH, where she focused on employee safety, injury prevention, and program improvement. She is also a licensed chiropractor, bringing a unique clinical perspective to her work in occupational health and safety.

Jolene currently serves as the workers’ compensation program manager at the Department of Transportation. In this role, her work intersects with safety every day, allowing her to blend her regulatory background, injury management experience, and clinical knowledge to support safer workplaces across the organization.

Wayne Nile, Safety Director, Department of Corrections

Wayne Niles has worked in the Environmental, Safety, and Health industry for 30 years. He is currently the Director of Safety for the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Wayne holds a master’s degree in environmental safety and health, with a minor in Fire Safety Management.

Wayne served as a Paid-On-Call Firefighter from 1989 to 2010 and is a Behavior-Based Safety Specialist with a strong commitment to workplace and community safety.

In his free time, he enjoys golfing and playing softball.

Elisha Engelen, MA, LMFT, AON

Elisha is a Human Capital Solutions Client Leader who helps clients solve complex challenges. Her role is to partner with Aon colleagues and client leaders to understand their business strategy, current priorities, culture, and partnerships to inform needed enhancements for their health, talent and/or wealth strategies. Her role also includes partnering with Risk Capital to bring forth total Aon capabilities to our clients.

Elisha earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and a master’s degree in counseling and psychological services from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Minnesota.

Prior to joining Aon in 2021, Elisha served as the Clinical Director at Cigna Healthcare, and concurrently practiced in the field for 18 years as a Licensed Mental Health Professional.

She first began working in the industry in 2003 as a Mental Health Practitioner. Her background stretches clinical practice in community- based care, school-based counseling, and outpatient services. During her career at Cigna, she was both an individual contributor and people leader. The highlights of her career were that she built Utilization and Case Management Programs in Autism and Eating Disorders and built a Talent Readiness and Sustainment Program for Medical and Behavioral Operations to serve 4000 employees.

Elisha’s expertise includes systemic mental health care, healthcare strategy, talent management and wellbeing. She is a systemic thinker, leveraging her Prosci Change Management Certification to consult on organizational changes. She loves to facilitate design thinking sessions to discover client needs! Her background also includes organizational cultural journey development and sustainment. She is trained in Mental Health First Aid.