Speakers
Who We Are
Dr. Armando Ponce
Founder & CEO
Executive Leadership Consultant | Keynote Speaker | Higher Education & Organizational Development Expert
Dr. Armando Ponce is an accomplished executive leadership consultant, keynote speaker, and higher education professional with more than 20 years of experience in student development, athletics administration, and community engagement. As a first-generation college graduate and the son of migrant farmworkers, Dr. Ponce’s journey reflects resilience, service, and transformational leadership, values that define both his career and his consulting practice.
As Founder and CEO of MVP Collaborative Consulting, Dr. Ponce partners with colleges, universities, school districts, nonprofits, and organizations to deliver high-impact training in leadership development, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, team building, and organizational culture transformation. His people-centered approach equips students, educators, executives, and emerging leaders with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s competitive and fast-changing environments.
Dr. Ponce’s expertise includes student success strategy, Title IX compliance, behavioral intervention team leadership, project management, athletics leadership, and large-scale program development. Throughout his career, he has launched institutional initiatives, designed leadership summits, developed student engagement frameworks, and built systems that promote accountability, inclusion, and measurable growth.
A former executive-level administrator and longtime advisor to student governments and leadership teams, Dr. Ponce is widely recognized for turning bold vision into mission-driven results. His keynote addresses and professional development workshops inspire audiences to lead with integrity, cultivate emotional intelligence, and invest in what matters most, people.
Through speaking engagements and consulting services nationwide, Dr. Ponce continues to help organizations strengthen leadership pipelines, enhance workplace culture, and empower individuals to become the “Most Valuable Player” in their communities and careers.
College President | Higher Education Leadership Expert | Keynote Speaker
Dr. Ángel Reyna is an accomplished college president and nationally recognized leader in higher education transformation, equity in education, and community college innovation. As President of Madera Community College, he made history in 2019 as the institution’s first on-campus president and successfully led the college to independent status in 2020—establishing it as California’s newest accredited community college.
Under Dr. Reyna’s executive leadership, Madera Community College earned national recognition as a 2022 Equity Champion of Higher Education and won Lumina Foundation’s prestigious Million Dollar Community College Challenge for advancing student success and institutional innovation. His leadership model emphasizes access, workforce development, racial equity, and data-informed strategic planning.
A first-generation college graduate and former migrant farmworker, Dr. Reyna’s personal story reflects resilience, upward mobility, and the transformative power of education. His executive experience includes senior leadership roles at Renton Technical College, Walla Walla Community College, and Yakima Valley Community College, where he championed workforce innovation, student completion initiatives, guided pathways, and inclusive leadership practices.
Beyond higher education administration, Dr. Reyna has demonstrated civic leadership as Mayor of Mabton, Washington, reinforcing his lifelong commitment to community development, public service, and economic opportunity.
He holds a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Northeastern University, along with advanced degrees in Educational Administration and History Education from Washington State University.
As a keynote speaker, Dr. Reyna delivers a powerful message through his presentation, “The Power of Education.” In this transformational keynote, he inspires students, educators, and leaders to view education as the ultimate equalizer—capable of breaking cycles of poverty, strengthening communities, and creating generational change.
Daniel Garza, M.S
Leadership Development Coach | Student Engagement Strategist | Motivational Speaker
Daniel is a proud graduate of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a dedicated leadership development professional who believes true growth is forged through challenge. A Golden Gloves boxer, 1st-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, and multi-sport competitor, Daniel has built his life around resilience, discipline, and high-performance mindset training. His athletic background shapes his philosophy: success is not created through comfort — it is developed through perseverance, accountability, and belief in one’s potential.
Beyond competition, Daniel has coached professional athletes, elite competitors, and high-performing individuals seeking to elevate their mental toughness, focus, and performance. His experience in performance coaching and resilience training translates seamlessly into leadership development and student success programming.
With more than a decade of experience in leadership development, student engagement, and fitness-based mentoring, Daniel currently serves as Associate Manager of Engagement for Texas State Technical College. In this role, he designs and leads student engagement programs that strengthen confidence, emotional intelligence, accountability, and personal responsibility — all essential components of career readiness and professional growth.
Daniel specializes in:
-
Leadership development training for students and emerging professionals
-
Mental resilience and performance mindset coaching
-
Student engagement and retention strategies
-
Personal growth and confidence-building workshops
-
Motivation and goal-setting frameworks
As a motivational speaker and higher education professional, Daniel challenges students to take ownership of their journey, embrace adversity as growth, and discover the leader within themselves. His approach aligns with MVP Collaborative Consulting’s mission: empowering individuals to build confidence, cultivate discipline, and lead with purpose.
Daniel lives by the principle that success is not a destination — it is a mindset built daily through grit, heart, and intentional action. His mission is to inspire others to keep pushing forward, keep growing, and become champions in their own arena.
Dr. Brian McCormack
Performance Psychology Consultant | Leadership Coach | Licensed Counseling Professional
Dr. Brian McCormack is an experienced performance psychology consultant, licensed counseling professional, and leadership development expert with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and organizations achieve measurable personal and professional growth. His integrated approach blends counseling, executive coaching, and performance psychology to enhance mental wellness, leadership effectiveness, and resilience in high-pressure environments.
As Founder of the Integrated Performance Division at MVP Collaborative Consulting, Dr. McCormack delivers evidence-based training and coaching designed to improve focus, emotional intelligence, stress management, and peak performance. His methods draw from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based practices, and solution-focused strategies to help leaders, educators, athletes, and corporate teams strengthen mindset, clarity, and adaptability.
Dr. McCormack specializes in:
-
Leadership and executive performance coaching
-
Emotional intelligence and workplace resilience training
-
Stress management and burnout prevention
-
Team communication and organizational culture development
-
Athletic performance optimization
-
Mental health and wellness strategy for professionals
His consulting and training programs are designed to elevate workplace engagement, enhance communication, and build high-performing teams across education, corporate, nonprofit, and athletic sectors.
Known for his empathetic yet strategic coaching style, Dr. McCormack helps clients develop clarity of purpose, mental resilience, and sustainable performance growth. His philosophy aligns with MVP Collaborative Consulting’s mission: performance excellence is not just about achieving results — it’s about building the mindset, leadership capacity, and emotional strength to thrive through every challenge.
Alex Salinas, M.O.L, MBA
Alejandro Salinas is a seasoned higher education leader with more than 24 years of experience in enrollment management, student success, and K–12 to college transition initiatives. As Director of Admissions for Graduate & Medical Education at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and a Lecturer in Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility, Alejandro brings deep expertise in college access, leadership development, and ethical decision-making.
Throughout his career, he has led admissions, advising, financial aid, dual enrollment, and student success divisions—helping thousands of students and families successfully navigate the pathway from high school to higher education. His work in expanding dual enrollment programs, coordinating financial aid initiatives, and launching enrollment centers reflects his commitment to access, equity, and career readiness.
At MVP Collaborative Consulting, Alejandro specializes in college and career readiness training, leadership development, ethical decision-making, and student success strategy. His bilingual (English/Spanish) communication style and servant leadership approach empower students, educators, and organizations to build clear pathways to academic achievement and professional growth.
Alejandro’s work aligns with MVP’s mission: equipping individuals with the soft skills, confidence, and strategic mindset needed to succeed in college, career, and leadership.