Website Sponsored by:

Speakers

 Keynote Speakers   |   Industry Sessions 

Keynote Speakers

 

TUESDAY, January 14
 

9:00 am – 10:30 am    

Strategy Keynote Presentation: Adapt and Thrive

Ryan Estis, Strategist and Sales & Leadership Expert

Sponsored by:   

Dave Barry

The need to lead change is growing, but our ability to do it is shrinking.

7 out of 10 CEO's say their current growth strategy is obsolete and the World Economic Forum is indicating 1 in 4 jobs is going to change over the next five years as a result of trends like artificial intelligence, digitization, the green energy transition, and supply chain-reshoring creating unprecedented transformation.

Our job as leaders is to help our people and teams navigate the mindset shift and reskilling needed to embrace change and the new behaviors needed to thrive through it.

But 70% of change efforts fail and it isn't because of the strategy…it's people, psychology, and resistance.

Traditional models of change management and leadership no longer support what is needed in our forever changed world. The new model for navigating transformation and growth is Human Centered.

In this dynamic and interactive keynote presentation, Ryan teaches entrepreneurs and executives how to leverage this defining moment as a catalyst to improve performance and empower our people to unleash their full potential while finding meaning and fulfillment in their work. Blending surprising truths with actionable insights and inspiring stories, he empowers leadership teams to build change ready, high growth organizations.

Ryan has more than 20 years of experience as a top-performing sales professional and leader. He was the former chief strategy officer for the McCann Worldgroup advertising agency NAS. He is known for his innovative ideas on leading change, improving sales effectiveness, and preparing for the future of work. He was recently recognized as one of “the best keynote speakers ever heard” by Meetings & Conventions magazine alongside Tony Robbins, Bill Gates, Colin Powell, and Mike Ditka.


10:45 am - 12:00 pm     

Economic Keynote Presentation: Align Resources for the Rise Ahead

Brian Beaulieu, CEO & Chief Economist of ITR Economics™

Sponsored by:   

Brian Beaulieu is coming back to the Leadership Summit! 2025 looks to be a year of recovery for some markets and real growth for others, while still others can expect a measure of cyclical decline. Attendees will be able to see the future before it is here so that the scarce resources can be properly allocated. Tracking the leading indicators and being nimble as plans are drawn for beyond 2025 is imperative.

The winds of growth, inflation, and interest rates are likely to shift as we go beyond 2025. Brian will present his forecasts for inflation and interest rates as well as our outlook for the forces that drive your markets. This outlook will require a change in perspective so that you can successfully plan and change to maximize your profits in both the near and longer term.

Brian has served as CEO and Chief Economist of ITR Economics™ since 1987, where he researches the use of business cycle analysis and economic forecasting as tools for improving profitability. Brian has shared his highly valued research results via presentations, workshops, and seminars in numerous countries to hundreds of thousands of business owners and executives for the last 39 years. He is coauthor of Prosperity in the Age of Decline, a powerful look at how to make the most of the US and global trends over the next 20 years, as well as Make Your Move, a practical and insightful guide to increasing profits through inevitable business cycle changes. Brian also coauthored But I Want It!, ITR Economics’ first children’s book.


WEDNESDAY, January 15

9:00 am – 10:30 am     

Leadership Keynote Presentation: Game Plan for Success

Joe Theismann, Former Star Quarterback of the Washington Redskins

Sponsored by:   

This inspiring presentation outlines the game plan that brought Joe Theismann success both on and off the football field. Former NFL MVP quarterback and Super Bowl champion, he reveals his Game Plan for Successby drawing parallels between winning in football and in business. Joe Theismann focuses on how to succeed under pressure -- when it's "4th and 1" -- and how to adapt quickly to unexpected situations -- when you're faced with a "blitz" instead of a "zone." He urges individuals and organizations to set goals and correct errors each step of the way, an approach that builds momentum, which, once on your side, would be hard for even the best "defense" to stop!

Joe Theismann is an entrepreneur and the former star quarterback for the Washington Redskins.  Most recently, he spent the last 2 decades working for ESPN and the NFL Network as an NFL analyst.

A 12-year NFL veteran, Joe played in 163 consecutive games from 1974-1985 for the Washington Redskins and holds Redskin records for passing yardage (25,206), completions (2,044) and attempts (3,602).  He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and Pro Bowl MVP leading the Washington Redskins to a 27-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII.

With every chapter of his life, Mr. Theismann evolved from an athlete to the ultimate businessman.  An Emmy award winning analyst, business man and athlete, he utilizes his gifts, talent and high energy to share his strategies for handling unforeseen change.


10:45 am - 12:00 pm     

Technology Keynote Presentation: AI Strategy Simplified

Zack Kass, Futurist and Former Head of GTM at OpenAI

Sponsored by:   

Zack Kass provides a comprehensive roadmap that charts the trajectory of AI from its humble beginnings to its future potential. He condenses his vast experience and deep knowledge into a practical guide that demystifies the complexities of AI, offering an insightful perspective on the evolution of this disruptive technology.

Delivering pragmatic strategies, Zack demonstrates how organizations can adapt and thrive amidst the rapid advancements in AI. This keynote arms your leaders with an understanding of AI's past to leverage its present and shape your future, positioning your organization at the forefront of this technological revolution.

Zack Kass is an AI Futurist, consultant, and the former Head of Go To Market for OpenAI. His mission is to ensure businesses and governments are active participants in the AI-powered future by demystifying AI, making it accessible and understandable for everyone, and helping leaders navigate the rapidly evolving environment.

Today, he is considered one of the foremost thinkers in Applied AI. His thought leadership and techno-optimist views have been featured in countless publications, such as Fortune, Newsweek, Entrepreneur, AdAge, and Business Insider to name a few. Zack has also advised many top companies on AI, including Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, and Agmen.

Beyond the corporate world, Zack is a staunch techno-optimist, an advocate for AI’s potential to revolutionize the human condition and reduce suffering. He works tirelessly to promote the promise of AI, serving as a counter-narrative to the prevailing media cynicism.


Industry Sessions


TUESDAY, January 14


1:00 pm – 3:15 pm

Stay tuned for details on the three Industry Sessions! 

Back to Top