July 29 - 30, 2025
Kalamazoo, MI
Keynote Speakers
Don Yaeger
Twelve-time New York Times Best-selling author, host of the top-rated Corporate Competitor Podcast, Storyteller in Residence for National Geographic, Executive Leadership Coach, and longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated, Don Yaeger has fashioned a career as one of America’s most provocative thought leaders. A graduate of Ball State University where he was selected as one of the university’s “50 Graduates of Distinction” over its first century and subsequently was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2022.
Stephen Mackey
Stephen Mackey, is a character and leadership development coach, keynote speaker, and Wall Street Journal Best Selling author. He serves as the character and leadership development coach of numerous organizations, including the Texas High School Coaches Association, the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, and 8X NBA All-Star, Damian Lillard’s initiative, Formula Zero. Mackey has an uncanny ability to connect with audiences of all backgrounds through humor, timeless wisdom, and an infectious energy. More coach and teacher than motivator, Mackey goes beyond lighting a fire in the ‘should’ of a team and gives them the tools needed to live and lead with character and reach their biggest goals.
John U. Bacon
John U. Bacon has worked nearly three decades as a writer, public speaker, and a college instructor, winning awards for all three. In 1986, Bacon earned an honors degree in history from the University of Michigan, where he currently teaches, and a master's in education in 1994. He has authored ten books on sports, business, health, and history; the last six of which are national bestsellers, including Bo’s Lasting Lessons, Endzone, and The Great Halifax Explosion. Bacon has also pursued his passions for radio, television, coaching, and teaching. In 2007, he was invited to give weekly sports commentary on Michigan Radio, he also appears weekly on Michigan Radio’s Stateside, and occasionally on National Public Radio. Bacon delivers speeches on the themes taken from his books, and his coaching and teaching experiences (including leadership, diversity, motivating millennials, and creativity) to corporations, universities, and other groups around the world.
Julie Nee
Julie brings 25 years of business experience in Sales, Sales Leadership and Marketing, including 19 years at The Hershey Company building business, leading teams and developing people. She has worked with clients across a wide variety of industries to drive positive change into their organizations. Julie also leads the Training team at The Jon Gordon Companies, and she is the co-creator of The Power of Positive Leadership and Day of Development training programs. Julie focuses her sessions on helping each organization, team, and individual build more positive minds, teams, and cultures.
Tim Elmore
Dr. Tim Elmore is founder and CEO of Growing Leaders, an Atlanta‐based non‐profit organization created to develop emerging leaders. Since founding Growing Leaders in 2003, Elmore has spoken to over 500,000 leaders in businesses, universities, athletic teams, and non-profit organizations including The Home Depot, Coca-Cola Company, American Eagle, Chick-fil-A®, the San Francisco Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ohio State University, Stanford University, and the University of Alabama Athletics. Dr. Elmore’s work grew out of twenty years serving alongside Dr. John C. Maxwell where he focused on leadership for emerging generations. Tim was listed as one of the top 100 leadership speakers in America by Inc. Magazine.
Join us for our annual leadership event!
Take advantage of this exciting opportunity with us in Kalamazoo, Michigan or virtually from the comfort of your workspace and learn from some of today's best leaders.
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