The University of North Georgia (UNG) has selected four keynote speakers for its spring commencement ceremonies May 14-15. They are:

• 10 a.m. May 14 — Bárbara Rivera Holmes, Georgia commissioner of labor.
• 3 p.m. May 14 — Derek Schiller, president and CEO, Atlanta Braves.
• 10 a.m. May 15 — Carol Burrell, retired president and CEO of Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS).
• 7 p.m. May 15 — Dr. Parker Hyde, UNG assistant professor of kinesiology.

Holmes is the state's first Latina constitutional officer and took her current role April 4.

Holmes' experience includes appointments by former Gov. Nathan Deal to the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, which oversees Georgia's 26 public colleges and universities, and by former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan as co-chair of the Georgia Innovates Task Force, which helped design the state's technology blueprint. Her contributions have been recognized with a Congressional Commendation from U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and multiple accolades from the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Trend.

A former journalist, Holmes has earned awards for excellence in journalism from the Georgia Associated Press. She holds degrees in journalism and Spanish from Florida Southern College and studied at Estudio Sampere Internacional in Spain.

In his 22nd season with the Atlanta Braves, Schiller manages all business and ballpark functions of the team. Schiller oversees revenue-driven areas including corporate partnerships, ticket sales, broadcasting, licensing, special events, retail merchandise, and concessions.

Additionally, Schiller manages all service-driven departments including client and guest services, ticket operations, alumni relations, communications, community relations, marketing, people capital, and ballpark operations. Within his capacity, Schiller establishes the strategic direction for the Atlanta Braves, steers the Braves brand, advocates for innovation throughout all aspects of the enterprise, and oversees the diverse and skilled Braves workforce.

Schiller earned a degree in engineering from Vanderbilt University. 

Burrell served as president and CEO of NGHS from 2011 until her retirement in March 2025, leading the health system through an era of unparalleled success and growth. Under Burrell's leadership, NGHS grew from a one-hospital system with a few employed physician practices and satellite outpatient locations to one of the largest and most well-respected health care organizations in the state — with an estimated economic impact of nearly $7.5 billion each year.

Today NGHS includes five acute care hospitals (including one of only six Level I Trauma Centers in the state), the sixth-largest multispecialty physician group in the state (Northeast Georgia Physicians Group), the state’s most forward-thinking heart and vascular program (Georgia Heart Institute), one of the state’s largest graduate medical education programs (260 physician learners), plus dozens of medical office buildings, urgent care centers, imaging centers, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation clinics and more.

Burrell earned her bachelor's degree in medical technology from Georgia Southern University and Emory University, and she earned her master's degree in health care administration from Central Michigan University. She has been named Georgia's Most Respected Business Leader by Georgia Trend magazine and has appeared on the list of the 100 Most Influential Georgians for 12 years in a row. She is also included in Atlanta Magazine's 2025 Atlanta 500.

Hyde earned the 2025 Distinguished Professor Award for the Dahlonega Campus from the UNG Alumni Association. He mentors multiple students pursuing degrees in kinesiology with an exercise concentration.

His current primary research emphasis is focused on the potential use of carbohydrate-restricted metabolic therapies in combination with current standard of care treatment regiments for the treatment of metastatic cancer. He is also actively involved in research involving human performance and precision nutrition for the tactical and performance athlete.

Hyde holds a Ph.D. in kinesiology from The Ohio State University, a master's degree in kinesiology from Georgia Southern University and a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Kennesaw State University.