Elizabeth K. Hunt is an professor of leadership and Director of Character in Leadership at the University of Jamestown in Jamestown, ND. Hunt holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, a master of arts in communication from NDSU, and a bachelor of arts in History-Political Science and English from the University of Jamestown. Her research interests include sensemaking, leadership communication, organizational culture and climate, servant leadership, and values and character education. In her spare time, Dr. Hunt enjoys reading, writing, playing piano, walking her black labs, and spending time with her family.

Emily Ford is a dynamic entrepreneur, speaker, and the visionary founder of FORTITUDE, a mentorship program and agency dedicated to empowering individuals to thrive amidst challenges. Since 2011, she has made significant strides in the entrepreneurial, wellness, and lifestyle sectors, establishing herself as a trailblazer who inspires others to achieve their dreams.Ford's approach is rooted in the belief that resilience is key to success. Through her mentorship program, she guides aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the complexities of business with confidence and clarity. Her commitment to fostering a supportive community is evident in her work, as she has successfully mentored thousands, encouraging them to reach new heights in their personal and professional lives. As a sought-after speaker, Emily captivates audiences worldwide with her engaging keynotes. She addresses a variety of topics, including business strategies, mindset challenges, and motivational anecdotes, making her a favorite at conferences and events. Her ability to connect with people on a personal level has solidified her reputation as a trusted voice in the entrepreneurial landscape. In addition to her speaking engagements, Ford has been featured on major media platforms such as KTLA and Good Morning America, where she shares her insights and inspiring stories. Her contributions have also been highlighted in Forbes, further establishing her as a thought leader in her field. Through her work, Emily Ford continues to leave an indelible mark on the entrepreneurial community, demonstrating that with faith and fortitude, anyone can overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

Jake Havron is a dynamic transformational speaker and business strategist known for his ability to empower leaders and drive success across organizations. His unique journey from healthcare professional to entrepreneur has equipped him with a profound understanding of how to inspire change and lead with influence.Transitioning from a career as a nurse, Jake has built multiple successful businesses, including a consulting firm and a personal branding agency called FORDIFY. This agency has supported a range of clients, from startup entrepreneurs to internationally recognized brands like Life Time Fitness. His rapid ascent in the business world has provided him with real-world insights that resonate deeply with audiences across various industries.Jake's expertise is particularly valued in the franchise sector, where he has assisted numerous franchise owners and managers in overcoming critical challenges such as maintaining brand consistency and improving operational efficiency. His ability to connect with audiences, regardless of size, and deliver actionable strategies has made him a trusted partner for organizations seeking to enhance their leadership capabilities.He has been invited to speak at prestigious events, including the ACCA Conferences, where he addressed 1,000 HVAC owners and operators, and in London, where he optimized leadership teams for UNTIL Co. His engaging speaking style combines inspiration with practical advice, ensuring that attendees leave motivated and equipped to implement the 4 Pillars of Influence in their leadership practices.Jake's journey is marked by a commitment to helping others achieve their potential. He co-leads the ITfactor Mentorship Program with his partner, Emily Ford, where they mentor aspiring entrepreneurs in personal branding, speaking skills, and sales mastery. Together, they embody a mission to inspire and uplift others, living a life aligned with their values and purpose.

Emmanuel “Manny” Ohonme serves as the Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Samaritan’s Feet International, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to giving hope by giving new shoes to those in need. Additionally, he is the Founder and Chairman of World Shoe, Inc., a multinational social enterprise focused on manufacturing innovative footwear in Africa. Growing up in Nigeria, Manny received his first pair of shoes at nine years old from a visiting "Good Samaritan." These shoes sparked a transformative journey, leading Manny to earn a college basketball scholarship in the U.S. and a career in technology. But, Manny remained committed to giving back so in 2003, he and his wife Tracie established Samaritan’s Feet, which has since distributed over 11 million pairs of shoes across 109 countries and 625 U.S. cities. 

Tracie  Ohonme serves as the Co-Founder and Vice President of Samaritan’s Feet International, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to giving hope by giving new shoes to those in need. In 2003, Samaritan’s Feet has distributed over 11 million pairs of shoes across 109 countries and 625 U.S. cities. 

With over 22 years of experience, including her current role as Chief of Staff, Tracie brings a wealth of leadership and operational expertise. She possesses a strong skill set in nonprofit organizations, strategic planning, human resource management, fundraising, development, and marketing strategy. She has developed a unique ability to navigate complex challenges, build meaningful partnerships, and create opportunities for growth, all while staying grounded in the values of compassion, service, and equity. 

Suzana Dobrić Veiss, Ph.D., is a nationally and globally regarded consultant, educator and speaker specializing in organizational leadership, communication, change leadership, collective efficacy, resilience and organizational development. 

As an associate professor and program director for MA in Strategic & Organizational Leadership at Fresno Pacific University and a seasoned consultant, Dr. Veiss brings knowledge and experience to her work. 

With a Ph.D. from Regent University and extensive experience serving on executive leadership teams and non-profit organizations, Dr. Veiss has impacted her students and clients, helping them improve communication, navigate change, build efficacy, and develop

 followers and leaders. Dr. Veiss has presented on these topics at the International Leadership Association’s Annual Global Conferences and is a sought-after speaker and trainer for national and global settings. 

Dr. Veiss' experience as a child in a war-torn country shaped her perspective on resilience and hope and informs her work with organizations.

In this interactive workshop, leaders will discover how humility can transform conflict into genuine collaboration by first understanding its root causes and four resolution styles—coercion, outside authority, mediated dialogue, and full cooperation—and then shifting power through humble engagement. Participants will practice opening difficult conversations, learn to craft apologies that acknowledge harm and rebuild trust, and use inquiry to co-create social agreements . This humility-driven framework will offer guidance for leaders and their teams.

Dr. MaryJo Burchard has spent two and a half decades helping leaders, teams, and organizations build clarity, cohesion, and alignment while facing change and uncertainty. Her dynamic blend of storytelling, humor, and audience interaction when she speaks enables participants to feel safe, grow in awareness, regain hope and focus, and rediscover what is within their power to do the most possible good, right now. 

Dr. Franco Gandolfi is a globally recognized academic leader, author, and executive with over 30 years of experience across higher education, finance, and pharmaceuticals. He currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Management at the California Institute of Advanced Management (CIAM) in Los Angeles and holds an adjunct faculty role at Georgetown University. Dr. Gandolfi has held senior leadership roles worldwide—including Vice-Chancellor and CEO—and has consulted for multinational firms such as Novartis, Roche, Credit Suisse, and UBS. He is a former Swiss Army First Lieutenant and an experienced board member and public speaker.

Dr. Seth Stone is the Associate Professor of Leadership at the University of Jamestown. In addition to his work at UJ, he is a researcher, consultant, and executive advisor. Seth has 15 years of higher education experience and more than 20 years of experience serving in corporate and nonprofit organizational settings. He holds a Doctor of Strategic Leadership and MBA from Regent University, a BS in Management & Business from Skidmore College, and is current pursuing a MSc in Applied Neuroscience at King’s College London.

Jake Havron is a dynamic transformational speaker and business strategist with a proven track record of empowering leadrs to drive success across their organizations. With a unique journey from healthcare as a nurse to building companies alongside his wife, to becoming a highly sought-after speaker, Jake has developed a deep understanding of what it takes to inspire change and lead with influence. In just a few years, Jake transitioned from the medical field to entrepreneurship, building multiple successful businesses including a business consulting firm and a personal branding agency called FORDIFY that has helped start-up business owners to internationally known brands such as Life Time Fitness. His rapid rise in the business world and creating teams has equipped him with real-world experiences and insights that resonate deeply with audiences across industries. Jake's expertise is particularly valued in the franchise sector, where he has helped numerous franchise owners and managers overcome critical challenges such as maintaining brand consistency, improving operational efficiency, and scaling their businesses all through leading with influence. His ability to connect with audiences, regardless of size, and deliver actionable strategies has made him a trusted partner for organizations. Jake has been trusted by the top HVAC organization at the ACCA Conferences to speak to 1,000 owners and operators, spoke in London to optimize the leadership teams of UNTIL Co. as they expand their multiple locations providing wellness solutions to the public, and even leading events of 300+ saleswomen for Mary Kay Poland. His engaging speaking style combines inspiration with practical, hands-on advice, ensuring that attendees leave not only motivated but also equipped to implement the 4 pillars of influence with their leadership.

Amie Patrick has served in a wide variety of ministry settings and leadership roles for 30 years, including education, pastoral ministry, church planting, and leadership development.  Amie's path took a devastating and life-altering turn in 2016 when her husband, Darrin, a prominent pastor and church planting leader, was removed from the church they had planted together 15 years earlier.  Darrin's death by suicide in May of 2020, as well as her father's unexpected death 18 months later, set her on a path of unimaginable loss and significant life transition. They also ignited a spark in her around the necessity of a comprehensive faith that robustly integrates our stories as well as our emotional and relational health. Amie partners with Crosspoint Ministry in advocating for the comprehensive integrity, vitality and resilience of Christian leaders, their families and communities. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri and is a mom to four teenage and adult children.

Bob Upgren believes in every sector of life we lead best when we serve first. He is the CEO of Cross Training Ministries, a sports ministry that annually partners with some of the greatest athletes of his generation to impact tens of thousands of young people each year. He is also founder of The servant-Driven Leadership Academy, where he is consistently called upon to help organizations grow leaders and transform their cultures to be more servant- driven. Described as “a visionary thinker across multiple industries,” Bob has devoted his professional life to mentoring hundreds of thousands of people through the diverse organizations he leads. His innovative views on business and leadership have attracted international attention which has allowed him to speak to over one million people throughout North America. Disney, CoCa Cola, Google, the National Basketball Association (NBA), Microsoft, Cisco and the US Armed Forces and more are just a few of the organizations who have benefited from his mentorship. The results of his teaching produce bottom line results like greater employee engagement, higher retention of talent and thriving organizational cultures almost too good to be true. What makes Bob’s leadership teaching truly transformative is how he inspires audiences through his personal leadership experience rather than simply theory. In short, he doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. His work stretches from rural America to the streets of developing third-world countries; where his organizations serve orphanages, homeless situations and the most poverty stricken areas of the world. It was in these life-changing environments where the undeniable benefits of becoming a Servant-Driven Leader was born.

Suzana Dobrić Veiss, Ph.D., is a nationally and globally regarded consultant, educator and speaker specializing in organizational leadership, communication, change leadership, collective efficacy, resilience and organizational development. 

As an associate professor and program director for MA in Strategic & Organizational Leadership at Fresno Pacific University and a seasoned consultant, Dr. Veiss brings knowledge and experience to her work. 

With a Ph.D. from Regent University and extensive experience serving on executive leadership teams and non-profit organizations, Dr. Veiss has impacted her students and clients, helping them improve communication, navigate change, build efficacy, and develop

 followers and leaders. Dr. Veiss has presented on these topics at the International Leadership Association’s Annual Global Conferences and is a sought-after speaker and trainer for national and global settings. 

Dr. Veiss' experience as a child in a war-torn country shaped her perspective on resilience and hope and informs her work with organizations.

In this interactive workshop, leaders will discover how humility can transform conflict into genuine collaboration by first understanding its root causes and four resolution styles—coercion, outside authority, mediated dialogue, and full cooperation—and then shifting power through humble engagement. Participants will practice opening difficult conversations, learn to craft apologies that acknowledge harm and rebuild trust, and use inquiry to co-create social agreements . This humility-driven framework will offer guidance for leaders and their teams.

Dr. MaryJo Burchard has spent two and a half decades helping leaders, teams, and organizations build clarity, cohesion, and alignment while facing change and uncertainty. Her dynamic blend of storytelling, humor, and audience interaction when she speaks enables participants to feel safe, grow in awareness, regain hope and focus, and rediscover what is within their power to do the most possible good, right now. 

Dr. Franco Gandolfi is a globally recognized academic leader, author, and executive with over 30 years of experience across higher education, finance, and pharmaceuticals. He currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Management at the California Institute of Advanced Management (CIAM) in Los Angeles and holds an adjunct faculty role at Georgetown University. Dr. Gandolfi has held senior leadership roles worldwide—including Vice-Chancellor and CEO—and has consulted for multinational firms such as Novartis, Roche, Credit Suisse, and UBS. He is a former Swiss Army First Lieutenant and an experienced board member and public speaker.

Dr. Seth Stone is the Associate Professor of Leadership at the University of Jamestown. In addition to his work at UJ, he is a researcher, consultant, and executive advisor. Seth has 15 years of higher education experience and more than 20 years of experience serving in corporate and nonprofit organizational settings. He holds a Doctor of Strategic Leadership and MBA from Regent University, a BS in Management & Business from Skidmore College, and is current pursuing a MSc in Applied Neuroscience at King’s College London.