Emerging Leaders in Action: Building the Next Generation of Industry Champions

Tuesday, February 17 | 9:45 a.m.- 10:45 a.m.

This dynamic panel will feature participants from the 2025 Emerging Leaders Training, offering firsthand insights into how the experience has influenced their growth and engagement within the industry. The session will also explore how local areas can identify high-potential individuals, encourage their development, and create sustainable pipelines for leadership. Attendees will gain practical ideas for launching or enhancing Emerging Leaders initiatives in their own regions, along with real-world strategies for mentorship, training, and engagement. 

Speakers:

Moderator:
Kristi Kromides
Tribus Allen

Kristi is passionate about helping leaders and teams thrive in environments where trust, feedback, and collaboration fuel performance. As a certified coach through New Ventures West and the International Coaching Federation (ICF), I partner with executives, teams, and organizations to strengthen leadership effectiveness, elevate communication, and unlock sustainable growth that creates lasting impact.

With a background in professional communication (M.A.) and business administration (B.A.), Kristi brings both strategic insight and practical tools to her work. Her career includes teaching communications at the collegiate level, managing projects for a global humanitarian nonprofit, and coaching leaders across industries such as technology, M&A, private equity, legal, banking, healthcare, construction, and collegiate athletics.

At TribusAllen, Kristi designs and facilitates leadership workshops, high performing team sessions, and one-on-one coaching experiences. Her areas of expertise include strengthening interpersonal and communication skills, guiding leaders and teams through conflict and change, and using dynamic assessments to increase self-awareness, team alignment, and overall wellbeing.

Kristi believes leadership and team development are ongoing journeys, and she is energized by helping individuals and teams leverage their strengths to create positive impact within their organizations and communities.

Moderator:
Mike Reed
Tribus Allen

Mike Reed holds a certification in Executive Leadership Coaching from Georgetown University and is a member of the International Coaching Federation. He has a B.S. in Business from Messiah University and over 14 years of experience leading and developing teams.

Mike’s experience as the founder of a start-up organization informs his insights in empowering leaders to maximize performance and develop enduring impact in their life. His passion is to see leaders grow, transform and thrive in their personal and professional spheres of influence through innovative advocacy that drives lasting change. He comes alongside leaders across a wide variety of industries and sectors which include: engineering, military, human resources, construction, mergers & acquisitions, non-profit and private equity.

Mike specializes in partnering with leaders to help them be proactive rather than reactive, develop new capabilities, grow in emotional intelligence, and form a thinking path that leads to measurable results.

Mike lives in New Jersey with his wife Kristin and their sons, Jaxson and Rhodes.

Dahlia Johnson
SMART Local Union 9

Dahlia Johnson is a 25-year-old proud member of SMART Local 9 in Denver, Colorado. She is the first Female Shop Steward, E-board Representative, and JATC Instructor. Dahlia has been in the sheet metal industry for 7 years and has been a Journeyman for 2 years. She describers herself as motivated, driven, and hardworking.

 

 

 

Doug Poundstone
Ductmate Industries

Doug joined DMI in March of 2000 and has held multiple supervisory and management positions during his tenure with the company, including most recently, Factory Superintendent for the Monongahela factory. Doug’s commitment to DMI and continued demonstration ofcompetency has earned him the trust and respect of his peers and employees. As Director of Manufacturing Operations, based in Monongahela, PA, Doug is responsible for the performance and functionality of all DMI Companies manufacturing facilities.

Christopher Demers
SMART Local Union 63

Graduated from the University of Massachusetts in 2012 with a bachelor’s in science.  Began my supervising and management career in 2013 for a logistics and food warehousing company.  Placed into a management development role in 2014.  Joined the sheet metal workers union local 63 in July of 2017.  Worked through my 5 year apprenticeship at Kleeberg Sheet Metal,  received my Journeyman license in September 2022, and became the assistant duct shop foreman in December 2022.  Still at Kleeberg Sheet Metal and working towards becoming a Project Manager.

 

Kevin Bartlett
FF Mechanical

Kevin Bartlett, P.E. is the Preconstruction Manager at F+F Mechanical, where he leads HVAC and plumbing preconstruction efforts for large-scale, complex projects throughout Connecticut. He has played a key role in securing significant institutional, transportation, manufacturing, and infrastructure work across the state. A licensed Professional Engineer in multiple states, Kevin brings a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, strategic estimating, and team leadership, with a focus on delivering value-driven solutions and developing high-performing preconstruction team.