2025 Speakers

Past Summit speakers have included, 3 former U.S. presidents, dozens of Fortune 500 CEOs and leadership legends like Jim Collins, Condoleezza Rice and Simon Sinek.

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  Craig Groeschel

  Founding & Senior Pastor,
  Life.Church

  Bestselling author

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Craig Groeschel
Founding & Senior Pastor,
Life.Church
Bestselling author
Globally recognized as a leader of leaders, Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of Life.Church, a three-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient. Known for its missional approach to leveraging the latest technology, Life.Church is the creator of the YouVersion Family of Apps — installed on nearly one billion unique devices worldwide. He hosts the top-ranked “Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast” and is a New York Times bestselling author. His latest book is “The Benefit of Doubt: How Confronting Your Deepest Questions Can Lead to a Richer Faith” (February 2025).

Craig's Talk:
Boring Your Way to Success

In a world that glamorizes youth, charismatic leadership and bold moves, the pressure to constantly innovate and inspire is real. But long-lasting leadership often lies in mastering the "boring" things — consistent, intentional actions that drive progress over time. Join Craig Groeschel as he challenges the myth that great leaders thrive on excitement and glamour, revealing the quiet power of persistence, discipline and keystone habits. Walk away with strategies to harness the power of "boring" and cultivate habits that yield extraordinary results.
• 

  Thasunda Brown Duckett

  PRESIDENT & CEO, TIAA;

  Former CEO of Consumer Bank & Auto Finance, JP Morgan Chase

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Thasunda Brown Duckett
PRESIDENT & CEO, TIAA;
Former CEO of Consumer Bank & Auto Finance, JP Morgan Chase
Thasunda Brown Duckett is a visionary leader dedicated to fostering financial opportunity for all. She is the President and CEO of TIAA, a leading provider of secure retirements and outcome-focused investment solutions. Before joining TIAA in 2021, she held several key executive roles during a 17-year career at JP Morgan Chase, including CEO of the Consumer Bank and Auto Finance. In 2024, Duckett was listed as one of the TIME100 Most Influential People in the World and named a CNBC Changemaker. Duckett serves on various boards, including NIKE, Inc., Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and the Dean’s Advisory Board for Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. Duckett has received a wide array of accolades from financial media, including Fortune, Forbes, Barron’s and American Banker.

Thasunda's Talk:
One on One with Thasunda Brown Duckett

Leaders know that it’s not enough to simply succeed—you must deliver results, stay personally grounded and create spaces where others can thrive. In this candid live interview with David Ashcraft, CEO Thasunda Brown Duckett will share how she built inclusive cultures that truly worked and found support from unexpected allies along the way. Through personal stories and meaningful insights, she’ll open-up about overcoming imposter syndrome, navigating setbacks, and using every challenge as a catalyst for growth. Be inspired to lead with confidence and chart a path to even greater impact.
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  Nick Saban

  ESPN Sportscaster; 7-Time National Championship-Winning Coach, Hall of Fame Inductee

  Former Head Football Coach at Alabama

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Nick Saban
ESPN Sportscaster; 7-Time National Championship-Winning Coach, Hall of Fame Inductee
Former Head Football Coach at Alabama
Nick Saban is widely regarded as one of the greatest football coaches of all time. He served as head coach for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide from 2007-2023, leading the team to six national championships. He holds the record for the most national titles, with seven overall. Saban also coached the LSU Tigers from 2000-2004 and the Miami Dolphins from 2005-2006. Now an analyst for ESPN’s “College GameDay,” he will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025.
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  Christine Caine

  Cofounder, The A21 Campaign & Propel Women

  Bestselling Author

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Christine Caine
Cofounder, The A21 Campaign & Propel Women
Bestselling Author
Christine Caine is a speaker, activist and bestselling author of more than a dozen books and studies. In 2008, Caine and her husband founded the anti-human trafficking organization The A21 Campaign, a recipient of the Mother Theresa Memorial Award for their work combating human trafficking among refugees. They also founded Equip & Empower, a ministry mobilizing people to live on mission for Jesus, and Propel Women, which comes alongside women all over the globe to activate their God-given purpose. Their ministry has also planted three life-giving Zoe Churches in Europe, bringing the Gospel to the region and serving the most vulnerable during times of crisis. She is the author of “Don’t Look Back: Getting Unstuck and Moving Forward with Passion and Purpose.”

Christine's Talk:
A Vision That Anchors

Deep down, every leader longs to know their work truly matters — but staying anchored to a clear vision isn't always easy in the midst of constant demands. Christine Caine — who has led teams across industries and continents — will inspire leaders to reclaim a vision that fuels real impact. She’ll share how to recognize the subtle ways leaders can drift off course and why vision is one of the greatest sources of strength and clarity, especially in seasons of turbulence and instability. You’ll leave with a renewed sense of purpose, fresh vision and practical strategies to lead with confidence and hope.
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  Jon Acuff

  INC Top 100 Leadership Speaker

  Bestselling Author

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Jon Acuff
INC Top 100 Leadership Speaker
Bestselling Author
Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of 10 books, including his most recent, “All It Takes Is a Goal: The 3-Step Plan to Ditch Regret and Tap Into Your Massive Potential.” When he’s not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He’s spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Nissan, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Chick-fil-A, Nokia and Comedy Central. He’s also helped some of the biggest brands tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose and Staples.

Jon's Talk:
Procrastination Proof: The Four Permissions that Give You the Life You've Been Waiting For

"When I woke today, suddenly nothing happened. But in my dreams, I slew the dragon." Too many of us find ourselves living out these lyrics — stuck between what we want to do and what we actually do, endlessly putting off the things that really matter most. Boomers wrestle with seeing the next chapter as a chance to thrive, not retire, Gen X and Millennials wonder if it’s too late to pivot and Gen Z grapples with the myth of work-life balance in search of true meaning. Join Jon Acuff as he redefines procrastination as a storehouse of untapped creativity, energy and time — waiting to be unlocked. Explore how applying four cornerstone permissions work together to create a success loop. Walk away equipped with a proven framework to stop procrastinating and take the first step toward leading a remarkable life.
• 

  Tasha Eurich, Ph.D.

  Organizational Psychologist Researcher

  Bestselling author

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Tasha Eurich, Ph.D.
Organizational Psychologist Researcher
Bestselling author
Tasha Eurich is an organizational psychologist, researcher and New York Times bestselling author whose mission is helping people thrive in an ever-changing world. With a PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Eurich has been recognized as the world’s leading self-awareness coach and communication expert, working with clients like Google, Salesforce, the NBA, Nestlé and the White House Leadership Development Program. As principal of The Eurich Group — a boutique firm helping executives transform when stakes are high — she is a truth teller to some of the world’s most powerful people. She’s written three books, “Bankable Leadership,” “Insight” (which famed Wharton professor Adam Grant calls one of the three books he recommends most often), and most recently, “Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And Why Resilience Alone Isn’t Enough).”

Tasha's Talk:
Shatterproof: How to Thrive When Resilience Alone Isn’t Enough

In today’s unpredictable world, stress isn’t just occasional — it’s constant, and most of us leaders are barely keeping up. We say we’re “fine” while silently drowning under endless demands. We're told to “bounce back” and “be resilient,” even when we’re running on empty. But here’s the truth: while resilience helps us survive, it won’t help us thrive. Join Tasha Eurich as she unpacks the results of her five-year research program and shatters the myth of resilience. She'll reveal a second, more sustainable skillset to turn setbacks into strength. You will walk away with new ways to become truly shatterproof — gaining the tools to transform stress into growth, challenges into advantage, and uncertainty into unshakable confidence for you and your team.
• 

  John C. Maxwell

  Leadership Expert

  Founder, Maxwell Leadership; Bestselling Author 

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John C. Maxwell
Leadership Expert
Founder, Maxwell Leadership; Bestselling Author 
John C. Maxwell has spent his life helping people. His mission is to add value to leaders who multiply value to others. In pursuit of this desire, he has founded multiple organizations, written more than 90 books selling 38 million copies, produced six New York Times bestsellers including a number one, trained more than 5 million leaders in 180 countries and created the largest coaching company in the world. Business Insider called him America’s #1 leadership authority, and Inc. Magazine identified him as the most popular leadership expert in the world. The recipient of the Horatio Alger Award and the Mother Teresa Prize for Global Peace and Leadership from the Luminary Leadership Network, Maxwell is still growing, writing, speaking and creating transformative programs in the U.S. and around the world. John is joining us as a speaker for his 6th Global Leadership Summit!

John's Talk:
Bringing People Together in a World That Divides

Leadership can lift people up or tear them down — and right now, too many leaders are doing the latter. In a world filled with conflict and division, it’s not enough to lead with talent. We must lead with character. Join John C. Maxwell as he unpacks the three paths every leader can take — and why only one leads to lasting influence. Discover how emotional resilience, authenticity and the ability to lead without keeping score can help leaders rise above the chaos and bring unity in divided times. Walk away with practical tools to lead well, live with purpose and become the kind of leader the world desperately needs.
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  Walker Hayes

  GRAMMY-Nominated Singer & Songwriter;

  AUTHOR

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Walker Hayes
GRAMMY-Nominated Singer & Songwriter;
AUTHOR
Walker Hayes is an RCA Records recording artist, singer and songwriter. His smash hit “Fancy Like” spent more than six months at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart, hit the top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songs and gave Hayes his first GRAMMY Award nomination for Best Country Song. He is one of the top-selling and streamed artists in country music and is opening for Brad Paisley in 2025, after wrapping his own headlining arena tour in 2024. Hayes has appeared on Good Morning America, Late Night with Seth Meyers, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, TODAY and CBS Sunday Morning. He also released a book in 2022 with his best friend, Craig Allen Cooper, called “Glad You’re Here.”
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  Bradley Rapier

  Founder, Groove Theory

  Award-Winning Choreographer

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Bradley Rapier
Founder, Groove Theory
Award-Winning Choreographer
Bradley Rapier is an award-winning, Emmy-nominated choreographer with over three decades of experience in dance, production and leading teams and talent from Hollywood to Broadway. He has made guest appearances on “The Ellen Show,” “So You Think You Can Dance” and “Dancing with the Stars.” He is also creator of the acclaimed Off-Broadway production “GROOVALOO,” creative director of L.A.’s Cantinas Arts Foundation and has collaborated with the Tony-winning directors of “Hamilton” and “Jersey Boys” multiple times. Bradley developed Groove Theory, a framework which helps leaders create atmospheres where productivity, creativity and well-being soar. His first book, “Step in the Circle,” is set to be released soon.

Bradley's Talk:
Step in the Circle

Our culture faces an epidemic of disengagement. Fear of authentic interaction and stepping into uncomfortable situations has us in retreat, stuck in stagnation, disconnected personally and professionally. Join Bradley Rapier as he draws from his experience in hip-hop dance culture from Hollywood to Broadway, to challenge you to rethink traditional boundaries and our approach to engagement. Learn how to ‘Step in the Circle’, into endless creativity, where teams are re-engaged, re-activated and united in purpose.
• 

  Juliet Funt

  Founder and CEO, Juliet Funt Group

  High Performance Expert

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Juliet Funt
Founder and CEO, Juliet Funt Group
High Performance Expert
A regular feature in top global media outlets, including Forbes and Fast Company, Juliet Funt is a tough-love advisor to the Fortune 500. As the founder and CEO of the firm Juliet Funt Group, she is an evangelist for freeing the potential of companies by unburdening their talent from busywork. She has brought her powerful concepts to Spotify, National Geographic, Anthem, Vans, Abbott, Costco, Pepsi, Nike, Wells Fargo, Sephora, Sysco and ESPN. Juliet is also the author of “A Minute to Think,” nominated for the Next Big Idea Club curated by Malcolm Gladwell, Dan Pink, Susan Cain and Adam Grant.

Juliet's Talk:
Leadership Gluttony

Work is not a pie-eating contest, and professional success isn’t about the sheer quantity of effort. Yet in their ambition to achieve more, leaders often lose sight of this truth. They overwhelm their teams with too many projects, goals, and initiatives, unintentionally derailing the very progress they seek. Join Juliet Funt as she introduces the Reductive Mindset — a transformative approach to balancing the additive demands of modern work. She will help you eliminate overload and restore your team’s energy and focus. Walk away with actionable tools to uncover planning blind spots, refine your leadership, and adopt strategies that unlock clarity, capacity, and results.
• 

  James Hewitt, Ph.D.

  Human Performance Scientist

  Author

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James Hewitt, Ph.D.
Human Performance Scientist
Author
James Hewitt is a human performance scientist who provides some of the world’s top-performing businesses with science-backed strategies for achieving sustainable high performance. Combining firsthand experience as a full-time racing cyclist with ground-breaking research, proven on Formula 1 tracks and in Fortune 500 companies, Hewitt integrates endurance sports strategies with insights from neuroscience, physiology and psychology to reveal a future where well-being fuels business success. Hewitt holds a doctorate in performance science and is the founder of the Knowledge Work Lab, a human high-performance consulting firm that serves some of the world’s leading companies.

James' Talk:
Regenerative Performance

Leaders are under immense pressure to deliver results, often at the cost of their own and their team’s well-being. Burnout, disengagement and turnover are common pitfalls of the relentless pursuit of performance. Join James Hewitt as he explores how to achieve sustained peak performance without sacrificing well-being or productivity. Learn how to leverage Hewitt’s Cognitive Gears framework to enhance mental clarity. Discover how aligning work with natural energy rhythms can improve efficiency and leadership effectiveness. You’ll walk away with strategies to cultivate environments where performance and well-being thrive together.
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  Erica Dhawan

  Leading Authority on 21st Century Teamwork, Collaboration & Innovation

  Bestselling Author

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Erica Dhawan
Leading Authority on 21st Century Teamwork, Collaboration & Innovation
Bestselling Author
Erica Dhawan is an internationally recognized authority on 21st-century teamwork, collaboration and innovation. Named by Thinkers50 as the “Oprah of Management Thinkers,” Dhawan shares innovative strategies to unlock the collective power of teams, build a culture of trust across any distance and create authentic engagement to ensure competitiveness. Considered one of the management thinkers most likely to shape the future of business, Dhawan frequently appears in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company and Wall Street Journal. She is the author of two books: “Get Big Things Done: The Power of Connectional Intelligence” and “Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance.”

Erica's Talk:
Unleashing Connection Through Digital Body Language

"These days we don’t talk the talk or even walk the talk — we write the talk," says Erica Dhawan. In our digital age, building trust and fostering connection has become more complex, especially when teams are separated by generations, work styles and physical distance. Many leaders feel it is harder than ever to inspire engagement, encourage risk-taking and create meaningful bonds within their organizations and teams. Join Erica Dhawan as she unpacks the challenges of virtual communication and introduces the concept of "digital body language." Learn how to identify and interpret the signals and clues that define modern collaboration. Walk away with practical ways to foster trust, enhance connection and inspire confidence — no matter the platform or distance.
• 

  Gabriel Salguero

  Pastor, The Gathering Place President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
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Gabriel Salguero
Pastor, The Gathering Place President, National Latino Evangelical Coalition
The Rev. Gabriel Salguero is pastor of The Gathering Place, a multi-ethnic Assemblies of God congregation in Orlando, Florida. Salguero is also the president and founder of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, a coalition of several thousand evangelical congregations in the United States. Salguero has served on the White House Faith-Based Advisory Council and has been named as one of the U.S.’s most prominent Latino evangelical leaders by the New York Times, CNN Español and NBC Universal. In addition, his leadership on issues of young male education and criminal justice reform has been featured by the Discovery Channel and the Oprah Winfrey Network.

Gabriel's Talk:
Living in the Hyphen

The skillful leader of the future will need to reconcile conflicting perspectives within themselves and within their teams. This will require an approach that honors complexity rather than oversimplification. Join Gabriel Salguero as he challenges leaders, with wisdom and warmth, to be bridge builders who transform differences from a barrier to a source of strength. Learn new ways to leverage cultural and viewpoint diversity as a leadership strength. Walk away with practical tools to foster connection, break down silos, and ultimately lead with greater empathy and impact.
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  Stephanie Chung

  Former Chief Growth Officer, Wheels Up

  Sales and Leadership Expert

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Stephanie Chung
Former Chief Growth Officer, Wheels Up
Sales and Leadership Expert
Stephanie Chung made history as the first African American and second female president of a major private aviation company. As an aviation sales leader, she generated $1B in revenue annually, and she now brings her 30 years of experience to coach others in the neuroscience of sales and leadership. Chung serves on the Make-A-Wish board and collaborates with senior national security leaders through Business Executives for National Security, helping solve some of the nation’s most complex security challenges. A prolific author whose work has been translated into 60 different languages, her most recent book is “Ally Leadership: How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You.”

Stephanie's Talk:
How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You

One of the biggest challenges leaders face today is connecting with team members who think, work and communicate differently than they do. Instead of trying to make everyone fit the same mold, great leaders learn how to unlock the strengths in those differences — because it’s not just the right thing to do, it’s smart leadership that ultimately drives business wins. Stephanie Chung, a proven executive and author of "How to Lead People Who Are Not Like You," brings practical insight and real-world experience, sharing how to build trust, communicate with clarity and create a culture where everyone feels seen, heard and motivated. Walk away with actionable strategies to lead more effectively and gain a competitive edge by leveraging the full potential of every individual.
• 

  David Ashcraft

  President and CEO, Global Leadership Network; Author
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David Ashcraft
President and CEO, Global Leadership Network; Author
David Ashcraft is president and CEO of the Global Leadership Network. He is also the founder and president of The Advantage, a leadership collaborative that mentors and encourages pastors across Pennsylvania. As senior pastor of LCBC Church in Pennsylvania for 32 years, David helped grow weekly attendance from 150 people to a combined average of more than 22,000. He is the co-author of “What Was I Thinking? How to Make Better Decisions So You Can Live and Lead with Confidence.” He also hosts The Global Leadership Podcast, featuring conversations with leaders from diverse fields about their leadership journey.

David's Talk:
Shift Your Question

In leadership, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison — measuring ourselves against others and believing we have to lead like them to make a real impact. Over time, that mindset doesn’t inspire. It wears us down, leaving us discouraged, distracted and doubting our value. David Ashcraft brings decades of real-world leadership experience to this refreshing and freeing perspective: True influence isn’t about imitation, it’s about contribution. In this talk, shift from asking “Am I enough?” to asking a better question — one that changes everything. You will leave encouraged to embrace your unique strengths and equipped to lead in a way that brings benefit to every life you touch.