June 26 - 27, 2024
Omaha, NE
Keynote Speakers
Damon West
With a master’s in criminal justice, Damon West is a college professor, national keynote speaker, and best-selling author. His book, The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World, was published after his release from a Texas maximum-security prison after a 65-year sentence where he had a spiritual awakening giving him a second chance. West has also co-authored The Coffee Bean: A simple Lesson to Create Positive Change, which won Forbes “Top Twenty Books You Need to Read to Crush 2020.” As a Division I starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, West suffered a career-ending injury and had turned to drugs to cope with the disappointments of life. Over the past few years, he has been sharing inspiration with college football teams such as Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and countless schools and businesses.
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.
Chris Singleton
Chris Singleton is a former professional athlete drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 2017. Following the loss of his mother in a racially motivated mass shooting, Chris has now become an inspirational speaker and best-selling author who has shared his message of unity and racial reconciliation with NFL and NBA teams as well as multiple Fortune 500 companies across the country. He shares with over 70 organizations and over 30,000 students annually and resides with his spouse Mariana and his sons CJ and Caden in Charleston, SC.
Inky Johnson
Inky Johnson is an author, inspirational speaker, and former collegiate athlete for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Whether the topic is leadership, teamwork, or perseverance, Inky inspires his audiences to embrace the challenges of life. With his unique talents, Inky seemed destined for the riches and glory of the National Football League, but his future was dramatically altered. Inky suffered a severe injury that threatened and ultimately altered his life in a matter of seconds, crushing the plans he had for a career in the NFL and beyond. Through it all, Inky never gave up hope or faith in the One whose plans are perfect.
Terry Pettit
For 23 years Terry Pettit was the head coach of one of the most successful athletic teams in NCAA history. Under Terry’s leadership the University of Nebraska’s women’s volleyball team won 21 Big 8 and Big 12 conference championships while leading the nation in both All American and Academic All American selections. He directed the Nebraska volleyball team to forty-three NCAA tournament victories and the school’s first National Championship in women’s volleyball 1995. Whether he is conducting a workshop on leadership and team building or making a keynote presentation on the characteristics of great coaching and team building, Terry Pettit will motivate you to rethink the patterns that lead to success.
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.
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.
#hxvsummit24
