GEARED UP Mentor Conference: Full Schedule

Welcome to GEARED UP 2026: Mentor Conference! Join us at James Madison University’s Festival Conference & Student Center in Harrisonburg, VA, for two days of learning, connection, and community.

You power 10,000+ students across DC, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. This day is built for YOU. Whether you’re a rookie coach launching your first team or a 20-year veteran looking for fresh ideas, you’ll find sessions, workshops, and conversations designed to sharpen your skills and recharge your passion.

Proudly presented by Aramco Americas. See you in Harrisonburg.

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9:00am EDT

DEEP DIVE: First-Year Mentor Bootcamp - Experiences from the Pit to make it to Second-Year Mentor

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT

Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A first-year mentor bootcamp covering the unwritten rules, the seasonal rhythm, and the places to find help that formal training does not always cover. Equally important, it gives new mentors a peer cohort and a way to stay connected after the conference ends.

Speakers

Ryan Rich

Events & Volunteer Manager, FIRST Chesapeake

Kyle Wolfe

FSM

Shane Donovan

Director of Career and Technical Education, DC International School

Shane Donovan is the Director of Career and Technical Education at DC International School, a public charter school in DC. He is the lead mentor for the school's robotics program which includes a summer camp, an "Academy" program for new 6th graders, 2 or 3 FTC teams, and FRC team... Read More →

Sunday August 9, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am EDT
Conf Room 7 (165) Fundraising & Planning 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Panel

11:00am EDT

Student Mental Health: Knowing When Your Team May Need Help

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT

Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A session on student mental health awareness for mentors — recognizing signs of burnout and stress in students, creating psychologically safe team cultures, and knowing when and how to escalate concerns. Mentors are often the frontline for student wellbeing and this session aims to equip them with the tools to prevent issues where possible and get their students help when needed.

Speakers

Kristin Gallagher

CEO and Co-Founder, MK Leadership

Kristin Gallagher is a passionate advocate for youth wellbeing and emotional safety, Kristin equips educators, leaders, parents, and communities with practical tools to recognize warning signs, strengthen human connection, and create environments where people feel seen, supported... Read More →

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 11:45am EDT
Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Presentation

11:00am EDT

Getting Back Up: The Use of Failure in the Process

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Allegheny Room (80) Technical @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Every team wants to win, but even the most competitive have plenty of failures along the way. Join mentors to discuss how to foster a team culture that embraces and learns from failure as much as success.

Moderators

Shelly Stoddard

Vice President, FIRST Chesapeake

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Allegheny Room (80) Technical 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Panel

11:00am EDT

Life of a Large Team - Managing Team Growth - Make a space for every student without diluting the experience

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT

Board Dining (40) Team Management @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A presentation on running mega-sized teams of 100+ students — subteam management, leadership layers, facility logistics, budget at scale, and engagement strategies that keep students from falling through the cracks. A case study from a program that has scaled successfully, and multiple strategies to consider.

Speakers

Isriah Keila

Coach | Business Development Manager, FRC 321 RoboLancers | FIRST Inspires

Isriah Keila is a Business Development Manager at FIRST, supporting the growth of FTC and FRC programs across Western PA, FIRST Mid-Atlantic, and FIRST Chesapeake. A proud alum of FLL Jr., FLL Challenge, FTC, and FRC, he has spent the past five years coaching FRC Team 321, the RoboLancers... Read More →

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:00am - 12:30pm EDT
Board Dining (40) Team Management 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Panel

11:45am EDT

Preventing Mentor Burnout: Yes, We're Talking About You! - Strategies and considerations to keep mentors at their best when the season gets tough.

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm EDT

Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum @ 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

A discussion of how mentors retain themselves and avoid burnout, drawing on the wider community conversation about why mentor roles can feel like a second unpaid job. Practical tools and peer perspectives for sustaining a long-term commitment to a team.

Speakers

Kristin Gallagher

CEO and Co-Founder, MK Leadership

Sunday August 9, 2026 11:45am - 12:30pm EDT
Conf Room 2 (35) Curriculum 1301 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Team Management, Presentation

9:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:00am EDT

11:45am EDT

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