COOKEVILLE – The Impactful Leadership Conference, sponsored by IMPACT Leadership, announces its keynote speakers for the event Oct. 1-3. The three-day conference is focused on leadership, ethics, diversity and inclusion and is open to anyone looking to strengthen their leadership skills.
“Leadership is the absolute need of being aware and relevant,” remarked Cindy Schueman, executive director of IMPACT Leadership. “We bring that to the community through our adult leadership program, high school program, our multicultural Building Bridges, in-service programs and now in this conference.”
Dr. Ming Wang opens the conference on Tuesday, Oct. 1 with a presentation on his journey out of communist China and his story of becoming a Harvard and MIT graduate specializing in ophthalmology. Dr. Wang will offer a profound and thought-provoking view of the freedoms he found in the United States and will encourage each citizen to take the responsibility and opportunity to be leaders in their community.
Tom Pearce, president and chief encouragement officer for iLead USA, keynotes the Wednesday morning session. Pearce is one of six global training partners and one of 50+ certified masters around the world who teach The Leadership Challenge with the approval of Wiley Publishing and the authors, Jim Kouzes and Barry Posner. He is a contributing author to both the fifth and sixth editions of “The Leadership Challenge.” His company, ILead, provides consultation to businesses, governments and other groups to build stronger leaders, better teams and healthier organizations.
Dr. Marvin Thompson will engage the audience on Thursday, Oct. 3 with a dynamic and energetic discussion on leadership and education challenges in communities. Highlighted in the Oprah Winfrey documentary series, “Blackboard Wars,” Thompson’s experience in some of America’s most poverty-stricken neighborhoods, gang related activity, diversity issues and the effect on education has given him unique insights about diversity and inclusion in society.
During the conference, participants will also be able to participate in the Strong Communities session hosted by founders Lori Weir and Shari Strong. Participants will take part in the CliftonStrengthsGenius™, an in-depth program that orients participants to the strengths-based philosophy of leadership and teams. Strong and Weir have received multiple awards from the state of Tennessee in recognition of the development tool this approach brings to the infrastructure of community leadership.
The conference offers a host of certified continuing education credit opportunities for all participants including elected officials and attorneys. Each day, participants regardless of age, ethnicity or level of experience, will learn about leadership and diversity through a variety of sessions. Dr. Michael Torrence, president of Motlow State Community College, will discuss civil discourse, and Charles McCann is presenting on minority impact throughout history in building wealth through property ownership. Kim Fisher, corporate vice president at New York Life, will discuss target markets and recruiting women, while Coleman Craddock Willis, program manager for marketing at Facebook Automotive, will share the challenges of being a black man in 21stcentury social media. Drs. Andrea Arce-Trigatti and Dorota Silber-Furman of TTU will present on intentional inclusion and support of diverse groups in increasingly complex global challenges
Tennessee CLE Certified continuing legal education topics include Judicial Settlements and the roles of attorneys by Judge Jonathon Young; Legal Ethics and Challenges of Small Town Practices by Kevin Balkwill; Criminal Justice Reforms by Brandon Gibson, Senior Advisor to Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee; legislative updates by State Senator Paul Bailey and U.S. Rep. John Rose; and a round-table discussion on Concerns of the Bar with Judges Amy Hollars, Wesley Bray, and Chancellor Ron Thurman.
“We want our community and region to grow and thrive, and that will be through effective leadership,” said J. Mark Hutchins, chair of IMPACT Leadership. “This training should be available in the Upper Cumberland, so we have found experts who present the highest level of ethics and integrity in leadership. Participants will leave informed, enthusiastic and energized.”
The conference is headquartered at the Cookeville Performing Arts Center, and local hotels are offering special rates to overnight participants. The conference early bird rate is $149 and a student rate of $79 is also available. To register for this conference, see a list of speakers, and learn the daily schedule, go to www.impactleadershiptn.com/conference.
