Event Sessions

Erica N. Hruby, M.A.

Erica is a national speaker, educator, coach, and consultant specializing in professional development and curriculum design for youth-serving organizations. With over 25 years of experience, she empowers camp professionals and parents to better understand and engage Generation Z through practical strategies and compassionate leadership. As the founder of Anchored Parenting, Erica helps families and organizations build strong, grounded relationships that support today’s youth.

Jeff Leiken 

Jeff is a coach, trainer, and author with over 30 years of experience consulting with camps and youth development organizations worldwide. As the founder of Evolution Mentoring, he helps professionals and parents elevate their impact by fostering confidence, purpose, and authenticity in young people. Jeff’s work has been featured in USA Today in the article “There is an Urgency to Move Beyond Diagnosing: Instead, We Must Elevate Youth’s Mental Health,” highlighting his mission to help youth thrive beyond labels.

Allison Corey Miller 

Allison is a veteran camp director with 28 years of experience and a board-certified coach who leads Summer Camp Coaching, a program designed to help camp professionals strengthen their leadership, management, and coaching skills. Before her career in camping, Allison worked as an attorney and served as Head of Human Resources for Sotheby’s, specializing in training and development. She is also an ACA Lead Visitor, a mentor in the ACA Mentorship Program, and the CEO of Happy Camper Live, a platform that brings the magic of summer camp to kids year-round.

Kim Aycock, MST

Kim equips emerging leaders with skills robots are unable to do. While blending the talents of a master teacher with the knowledge of a seasoned camp expert, Kim ignites learning for varying levels of camp pros worldwide through her interactive & innovative presentations. Kim speaks at regional/national conferences, contributes regularly to Camping Magazine and serves as co-chair of ACA’s Staff Recruitment & Retention Committee/Staffing Summit. She can be reached via kimdaycock@gmail.com or kimaycock.com.

Jolly Corley, M.S. 

Jolly develops emerging leaders and fosters dynamic, thoughtful cultures. As Director of Camp Robindel, she oversees staff training, camper recruitment, parent engagement, and facilities—driving 25% annual enrollment growth since taking the helm. Each summer she mentors 350 staff & campers to turn their experience into tools for reflection and lifelong leadership. Through jolly corley, llc, she partners with organizations across industries to strengthen leadership, engagement, and team culture. She can be reached at jollycorley@gmail.com or jollycorley.com.

Bekah Carmichael

Bekah served as a volunteer with ACA for almost 20 years before joining ACA staff in 2023. She is currently the Assistant Director of Accreditation, supporting the accreditation program nationwide. Prior to joining ACA, Bekah worked for many years in the disability camp community and also with Girl Scouts and other nonprofit organizations. Her favorite job at camp is working in the kitchen.

Kristina Lee

Kristina is the Eastern Region Membership Manager at the American Camp Association, where she supports camp professionals in building connections, strengthening their networks, and accessing resources for success. Before joining ACA, Kristina led zoo and aquarium-based day camps, an experience that deepened her love for unique and specialized programs. She is passionate about fostering inclusive and supportive communities and creating spaces where camp leaders can learn from one another.

Liia Richmond

Since 2021, Liia has directed The School in Rose Valley’s summer camp, leading its recovery from COVID-19 back into a progressive, choice-based program for children ages 3–15. Under her leadership, enrollment has grown from 160 to 240–260 campers weekly, with registration filling in under 60 seconds. She has built a strong staffing community from solely high school students to an even distribution of teachers, college students, and high schoolers with a 98% return rate, while growing gross revenue from $500,000 to over $1 million annually. Liia has also expanded auxiliary programs from 3% to 20% of the school’s total revenue, strengthening both the camp’s impact and the school’s long-term sustainability.

Samantha Rubenstein

Samantha began her career as a preschool teacher and first joined The School in Rose Valley’s summer camp as a counselor before moving into the administrative team in 2021. She has streamlined operations, developed progressive curriculum to serve both private and public school students, and played a key role in growing the camp from 160 to more than 240–260 campers weekly. Her leadership has also contributed to doubling gross revenue from $500,000 to over $1 million and increasing auxiliary programs from 3% to 20% of the school’s total revenue. Now serving as Assistant Director of Summer Camp, Samantha continues to champion a progressive, whole-child, and tech-free approach to learning and play.

Matt Cornish

Matt has served as the Camp Director of Camp Beech Cliff, an independent, non-profit, summer day camp and year-round outdoor education center on Mount Desert Island in Maine since 2018. Coming from the short session overnight camp world, Matt has brought has passion for building community and culture into his work in the day camp realm. He brings his experience as a theatrical artist and musician with him everywhere, and is a certified instructor of both Youth and Teen Mental Health First Aid. Matt also serves as the Secretary for Maine Summer Camps, supporting, promoting, and engaging in activities that enhance the quality and effectiveness of Maine Youth Camps.