Sept. 9-10 • Milwaukee, WI

Lead FWD

Speakers

TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY. TOMORROW'S LEADERS TODAY.

LEAD FWD Keynotes

Get ready to be inspired by our lineup of dynamic speakers. They will empower you to explore and push beyond your limits, overcome limiting beliefs, and drive meaningful communication and collaboration in your workplace. Meet some of our featured speakers who will be taking the stage this September (with many more speakers to be announced!).

Connor Emeny

Connor Emeny

On Feb. 21, 2024, the Canadian athlete conquered Antarctica, becoming the first person in the world to complete an Iron-distance triathlon on all seven continents.

Already the youngest person to complete an Ironman triathlon on six continents, Connor’s odyssey began not as a quest for personal glory, but as a testament to the boundless potential within every individual.

From South Africa to Spain, Tennessee to New Zealand, Connor has written his own page in the history books, standing at the forefront of human achievement as a beacon of tenacity, leadership, and unwavering determination. Through his remarkable feats, he seeks to inspire others to unlock their innate abilities and embrace the extraordinary within themselves. His message resonates with audiences worldwide, urging them to cultivate a mindset of resilience in both their personal and professional lives.

Read more!

 

Jasmine Brett Stringer

Jasmine Brett Stringer is a keynote speaker, award-winning author of Seize Your Life: How to Carpe Diem Every Day, on-air TV personality, and host of the podcast and lifestyle blog Carpe Diem with Jasmine.

In the early 2000s, Jasmine was living her life like so many others — on autopilot, without vision or purpose — until she was given an unexpected gift. A layoff! As she said goodbye to her “corporate gig,” she realized she hadn’t been truly happy or fulfilled in years. So, she chose not to stay miserable any longer and to do whatever work was required to find happiness wherever she could.

Jasmine leveraged a pivotal moment in her life to learn the true meaning of carpe diem. She found endless, little ways to connect with herself and others through “JAZZ’ed UP” DIY projects, style, entertaining, and travel on a budget. Today, Jasmine is on a mission to help people live empowered and authentic lives. Through her Seize Your Life keynotes, workshops, and customized coaching sessions, Jasmine guides clients and audiences through a simple process to identify their goals and achieve their personal definition of success.

Jasmine Brett Stringer
Katie McCleary and Jennifer Edwards

Katie McCleary + Jennifer Edwards

Fortune 500 leadership and communication coaches and engaging keynote speakers, Jennifer Edwards and Katie McCleary, are passionate about curiosity, conversations, culture, and collaboration. They are the authors of BRIDGE THE GAP: Breakthrough Communication Tools to Transform Work Relationships from Challenging to Collaborative, which shows everyday professionals how to use the social psychology of human connection and behavior to drive meaningful communication and collaboration at work by operationalizing curiosity. Bridge the Gap is a thoroughly researched book, featuring credible data and best practices from 59 thought leaders and professionals.

Edwards and McCleary know the power of collaboration between diverse, talented, and smart people. They embrace their own dichotomies: Conservative/Liberal; Country/Rock-n-Roll; Christian/Buddhist; Executive/Creative; Wealth/Upper Middle Class, Jennifer and Katie have succeeded in helping thousands find the sweet spot in their relationships by transforming how they think, communicate, and behave across the divide. Their work has appeared in Fast Company, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Inc., Apple News, PBS, NPR, New York Post, Shondaland, ComputerWorld, and more.

Deanna Singh

Deanna Singh is a renowned speaker and trailblazer in the field of social change, impacting over 100,000 people annually with her dynamic presence and inspirational messages. As an award-winning author, educator, business leader, and social justice champion, she has dedicated her life to creating positive change.

She holds degrees from Fordham University, Georgetown University, and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and has received a multitude of awards and recognitions.

Deanna leads four social ventures as the Founder and Chief Change Agent of Flying Elephant, all of which work towards creating a more equitable society. These ventures are united in their mission to shift power to marginalized communities, covering inclusion in the workplace, healthcare, children's literature, and leadership. Deanna's impact extends beyond her social ventures, as the author of six books including Actions Speak Louder and A Girl's Guide to Race & Inclusion in partnership with American Girl.

Katie McCleary and Jennifer Edwards

LEAD FWD Speakers

Kyle Hershberger

President

Cross Financial

Email

Tom Hershberger

Chief Executive Officer

Cross Financial

Email

Marty Mosby

Co-Founder & CEO

ERMA Strategies, LLC

Email

Aaron Stetter *

EVP, Affiliate and Volunteer Relations

ICBA

Email X

Lindsay LaNore

SEVP, Chief Learning & Experience Officer

ICBA

Email X

Derek B. Williams

ICBA Immediate Past Chairman

President & CEO, Century Bank & Trust, Milledgeville, GA

Kristina Morris

VP, ICBA Innovation

ICBA

Email

Nick Meyer

Principal

CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP

Alex Brown

Signing Director

CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP

Derek Baker

Executive VP, Growth and Innovation

Mills Marketing

Maggie Dennis

Senior Account Manager

Mills Marketing

Ken Royal

EVP, Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer

Email