In a fast-paced world with ever-increasing demands on our time, attention, and energy, Executive Function skills have never been more important.

In this special 20th anniversary keynote, our founder and CEO will look back at the evolution of Executive Function coaching - from the relatively niche field it was when Beyond BookSmart began 20 years ago to the increasingly mainstream understanding of Executive Function today.

He’ll also share how our work has evolved along with the field. What began as 1:1 Executive Function coaching for K-12 students has grown into a range of Executive Function solutions supporting students, adults, educators, schools, managers, and organizations - all built around the same core belief: Executive Function skills can be learned, strengthened, and applied at every age and stage of life.

And because no Executive Function presentation would be complete without practical tools, he’ll share some of his personal favorites - giving you the chance to take away strategies you can put to work right away.

Speakers:

Michael Delman
CEO of Beyond BookSmart, BrainTracks, and WorkSmart Coaching

Victoria Bagnall
Co-Founder of Connections in Mind

Self-regulation is the foundation of executive function skills, and it begins with us. In this practical and compassionate workshop, caregivers will explore how stress and strong emotions affect both adults’ and students’ ability to plan, communicate, problem-solve, and follow through. Participants will learn simple strategies for noticing early warning signs, pausing before escalation, recovering after difficult moments, and using routines and supportive communication to help children develop increasing independence. Participants will leave with concrete, age-responsive ways to support elementary through college-aged student.

Speaker:

Amy McDuffie
MEd, Executive Function Coach, Beyond BookSmart; BrainTracks Training Specialist

Video games, social media, and other digital technologies are designed to capture our attention - but for teens with Executive Function challenges, ADHD and Autism, stepping away can be especially challenging. This session explores why screens are so stimulating, how to recognize when digital use is becoming problematic, and how parents can promote healthier, more balanced technology habits without making screens a constant battleground. Attendees will learn practical approaches to balanced use and parenting while exploring how young people can stay engaged in academics, family, relationships, and activities in a world where an incredibly stimulating virtual environment is always within reach.

Speaker:

Dr. Clifford Sussman 
Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, Screen Use Disorder Specialist

Work can feel like a never-ending cycle of demanding deadlines, overflowing inboxes, competing priorities, and the constant pressure to get more done. But what if work could feel less overwhelming - and you could end the day knowing you made progress on what actually mattered? In this interactive panel, some of our top WorkSmart coaches will share the Executive Function tools and strategies they use to help working professionals prioritize, plan, manage their time, get started, stay focused, and follow through. They’ll tackle common workplace challenges, answer audience questions, and offer practical ways to cut through the busywork without sacrificing your sanity in the process. You’ll walk away with concrete strategies you can put to work immediately to better manage your workload, protect your time and attention, and turn all that effort into meaningful results.

Panelists:

John Osborne 
Executive Function Coach

Mesha Rookard 
Executive Function Coach

Paulette Szalay 
Executive Function Coach

 

Have something on your to-do list you’ve been meaning to tackle? Bring it with you! In this live, interactive group coaching session, you’ll experience body doubling - a simple but powerful Executive Function strategy that uses shared presence, structure, and gentle accountability to make it easier to get started, stay focused, and follow through. You’ll choose a real task or priority to work on, set an intention for the session, and then put the strategy into practice alongside others in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Along the way, you’ll learn why body doubling works, how to use it in your own work and daily life, and other practical strategies for overcoming the “I know what I need to do, but I just can’t get started” feeling. You’ll leave with a better understanding of what Executive Function coaching can feel like - and with one more thing checked off your list.

Moderator:

Ira Lawson
Client Success and Outreach at Beyond BookSmart

What does Executive Function coaching actually look like - and what makes it effective? In this panel discussion, you’ll meet experienced Beyond BookSmart coaches and get an inside look at how we help students turn effort into meaningful progress. Our coaches will share the approaches, tools, and practical strategies they use to help students get started, stay organized, manage their time, follow through, build independence, and navigate the inevitable challenges along the way. Prospective families and referring professionals will gain a better understanding of the Beyond BookSmart approach, what happens in coaching sessions, and how coaches build relationships that support lasting growth. Current BBS families will get a deeper look at the coaching journey and how progress develops over time. Bring your questions - our coaches are ready to answer them!

Panelists:

Alyssa Smith
Executive Function Coach and Educator

Jeanette Wilson
Certified Trauma-informed Executive Function Coach

Junius Roberts
Executive Function Coach and Risk Management & Process Improvement Specialist

Khaleem Ali
Certified Academic Executive Function Coach

Teaching becomes more satisfying when educators can spend more time teaching and less time managing the same frustrations over and over. Many of those daily challenges—students who struggle to start, stay focused, manage emotions, remember directions, organize materials, or work independently—are connected to executive function skills.

In this session, participants will explore how student executive function challenges contribute to classroom friction, teacher workload, and stress. They will examine the brain-based factors that influence student regulation, engagement, and independence and learn practical teacher moves that help students take greater ownership of their learning.

Through strategies that support self-regulation, task initiation, productive struggle, and gradual release of responsibility, educators can reduce repeated reminders and problem-solving for students while creating classrooms that feel calmer, more productive, and more rewarding to teach in.

Speaker:

Julie Johnson 
Director of Learning and Development at Beyond BookSmart

Speaker:

Dr. Margaret Sibley  
Professor of Psychiatry & Behahvioral Sciences

Help us close out The Executive Function Showcase - and celebrate 20 years of helping people turn effort into results! Beyond BookSmart CEO Michael Delman will wrap up the day with a few closing thoughts, reflections, and a look ahead at what’s next in the world of Executive Function. And because no anniversary celebration is complete without a few surprises, we’ll end with special offers and giveaways exclusively for live attendees. Whether you joined us for one session or spent the whole day with us, come celebrate, connect, and help us bring an incredible day to a close. You’ll want to stick around - you just might leave with more than great Executive Function strategies!

Speakers:

Michael Delman 
CEO of Beyond BookSmart, BrainTracks, and WorkSmart Coaching

Melissa Doody  
Director of Sales and Marketing at Beyond BookSmart

Aubree Carter 
Marketing Specialist at Beyond BookSmart