Dr. Cady Coleman, Chef Jeff Henderson to keynote APTA’s TRANSform Conference

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) TRANSform Conference and APTA EXPO, which will be held Nov. 7-10, 2021, in Orland, Fla., has secured two keynote speakers meant to inspire and leave attendees empowered through their messages. Dr. Cady Coleman will deliver the opening keynote on Monday, Nov. 8, and Jeff Henderson will deliver the general session keynote on Wednesday, Nov. 10.

Dr. Coleman is a former NASA astronaut and Air Force colonel who has spent more than 180 days in space during two shuttle missions and a six-month expedition to the International Space Station, where she acted as the lead robotics and lead science officer.

She also served in a variety of Earth-bound roles with the Astronaut Office at NASA, including chief of robotics, lead for tile repair efforts after the Columbia accident and lead astronaut for integration with NASA's commercial partners, which includes SpaceX. Her work is credited with paving the way for commercial spaceflight collaborations.

Dr. Coleman is a vocal advocate for inclusion in STEM/STEAM fields, serves as the Global Explorer in Residence at Arizona State University and is also a research affiliate at the MIT Media Lab.

Her keynote will draw from her time at NASA and in extreme "remote work" situations to discuss team building, leadership and innovation.

Jeff Henderson is a bestselling author, philanthropist, TV personality and leader in personal and professional development. He is also an award-winning American chef, which is how many around the world know him.

Chef Jeff’s dynamic teaching and powerful story of personal transformation illuminates audiences with proven, high-impact strategies that empower change and inspire fulfillment.

Henderson discovered his passion for cooking while serving a near 10-year stint in federal prison. Upon his release in 1996, he started as a dishwasher, eventually working to become the first African-American Chef de Cuisine at Caesars Palace, being named Las Vegas Chef of The Year and then executive chef at Café Bellagio.

Following the publishing of his bestselling memoir, cookbooks and self-help story, Henderson travels the world teaching his life-changing lessons and working with at-risk young people through his non-profit.