Rooted in Region. Rising in Leadership.
A one-day leadership experience designed to challenge perspectives, strengthen leaders, and move our community forward.
๐ July 23, 2026
๐ Embassy Suites Downtown Huntsville
๐๏ธTickets: $249
Spots are limited and expected to sell out.
Join leaders from across North Alabama for a full day of inspiration, practical insight, and meaningful connections.
What is LeadOn Summit?
The LeadOn Summit brings together national speakers, regional leaders, and community changemakers for a day of strategic learning and meaningful networking. Participants gain practical tools and fresh perspectives to strengthen organizations, inspire teams, and drive impact across North Alabama.
Through powerful keynotes and dynamic breakout sessions, attendees will explore leadership, collaboration, education, and stewardship in ways that translate directly to their work and communities.
Who Should Attend LeadOn Summit
The LeadOn Summit is designed for leaders at every stage who want to strengthen their impact and grow their network.
This event is especially valuable for:
โข Emerging professionals preparing for leadership roles
โข Managers and team leaders developing stronger teams
โข Executives navigating growth and change
โข Entrepreneurs building organizations and culture
โข Educators and nonprofit leaders shaping the next generation
โข Public servants and community leaders working to strengthen our region
Whether you lead a team, an organization, or a community initiative, LeadOn Summit will provide practical insights and meaningful connections to help you lead with greater purpose and effectiveness.
Keynote Speakers
Edward Byers
Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor - Our Nationโs Highest award for Valor
Edward Byers is a serial entrepreneur - Founding member and partner of the Minerva 6 Group, Holt St, and Safe Life Policies. As an Executive Optimization Coach, he works with the best in their industries to ensure they not only stay at the top, but continue to expand their edge in performance, leadership, and longevity. As a Professional Speaker, he shares his message on adversity, inspiration, the hard pivot, and faith across Industry, Government, and Academia. In addition, he founded the Untold Journey Foundation - focusing on the rediscovery of our Nation's most elite warriors.
Prior to his transition into the private sector, Edward served 21 years in the Navy as a Navy Corpsman and a Navy SEAL. He served with 2/2 Marines, SEAL Team 4, SEAL Team 6 as a Team Leader, and the Pentagon Joint Staff J-39. He retired as a Master Chief in 2020.
While serving at the Pentagon in the J39, Edward was part of the In-Q-Tel Interface Center - DOD (QIC-D) where he was responsible for investing a multi-million dollar budget focused on AI/ML Predictive Analytics, LEO (Low Earth Orbit) SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) SAT (Satellites), and Autonomous Maritime Unmanned Systems
(AUMS).
Edward is the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor - Our Nationโs Highest award for Valor. He is the 1st person from SEAL Team 6 and the 6th Navy SEAL in history to be awarded the Medal of Honor. He is also the recipient of Bronze Star with Valor (5 awards), Purple Heart (2 awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal , Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal (2 awards, 1 with Valor, Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards, 1 with Valor), Combat Action ribbon (2 awards), Presidential Unit Citations (3 Awards) and Good Conduct Medal (7 awards).
Read more about Edward here.
Jimmy Yeary
Famous Songwriter, with 14 number 1 songs, as recognized by Billboard Magazine
Jimmy Yeary is the rarest of speakers. Because his content is filled with instantly recognizable moments, audiences are quickly taken to a high level of energy. For well over a decade, he has influenced millions of people--how they think and what they think about--on a daily basis. Jimmy Yeary is not only a highly sought-after speaker, he is a hugely successful songwriter and his music is all around you.
Jimmy Yeary was writing songs long before becoming the lead singer of the Grammy Award winning supergroup SHENANDOAH. These were years that saw Jimmy performing #1 hits like Mama Knows, Somewhere In the Vicinity of the Heart, and Sunday in the South. Today, in Nashville and Los Angeles, one of the most common calls in the music industry is from an artist's representative to Sony Publishing requesting availability on songs from Jimmy Yeary's catalogue of music. It's not surprising.
Jimmy has written more than two-thousand songs, many of which have been featured on albums selling millions of copies--Grammy winners, gold and platinum awards among them. Nine of Jimmy's songs have been certified "Number 1" hits as singles by Billboard Magazine. Recently, both the CMA and ACM awarded Jimmy Yeary with "Song of the Year" for I Drive Your Truck--the inspiring song he wrote about the father of a fallen soldier and how he continues to remember his son. Jimmy's most recent Number 1 was Everything's Gonna Be Alright, a song he wrote for Kenny Chesney and David Lee Murphy. He has also been called "one of the most engaging speakers in the country".
Jimmy takes the lessons he has learned and the experiences he has encountered in his music career and applies them to the process of creating results for businesses, organizations, and teams. Facilitating growth while creating and maintaining significant relationships has become Jimmy's trademark as a communicator. Emotional awareness, a greater understanding of other people, and the shared experiences that build an effective team herald the genius of Jimmy Yeary. Not only can he speak to who you are as an organization, he will put it to music!
Breakout Sessions
In addition to keynote presentations, participants will choose from breakout sessions led by experienced professionals across our region. These sessions focus on practical leadership development and collaborative problem-solving.
Breakout topics include:
โข Leadership
โข Education
โข Collaboration
โข Stewardship
Attendees will leave with strategies they can immediately apply in their organizations and communities.
Morning Speakers
Andrew Jennings
The Tell - Six leadership truths youย can'tย help but reveal!ย
Vitale Buford Hardin
Trust Catalyst: The Formula for Building a High-Trust, High-Impact Cultureย
Ray Allister
Sealing the Leaks: Designing Systems Where Effort Countsย
Sonia Robinson, APR
Practical Resilience: Leading When Capacity Changesย
Dr. Mat Parker
ONE: A Framework for Service in the Pursuit of Excellence
Afternoon Speakers
Steve Ingalls
Beyond the Hype - Getting Down to the Brass Tacks of Servant Leadership
Cierra Johnson-Belser
Decoding the Generational Code: Leading Across Decades of Difference
Daniel Kasambira
High Road Leadership: Equipping Leaders to Respond to Challenges with Character and Influence
Georgina Cross
Career Change: Taking the Next Big Leapย
Dave Rudko
Exceptional by Design: Building Teams Rooted in Trust and Committed to Excellenceย
Agenda At A Glance
8:30 AM
Registration & Networking
9:00 AM
Opening Keynote
10:30 AM
Break
11:00 AM
Breakout Sessions
12:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 PM
Breakout Sessions
2:15 PM
Closing Keynote
3:15 PM
Summit Concludes
4:00 PM
VIP Reception
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The LeadOn Summit is made possible through the support of organizations that believe in strengthening leadership across our region.
Their investment helps equip leaders with the tools and connections needed to move North Alabama forward.
Presenting Sponsor
Legacy Sponsors
Champion Sponsors
Partner Sponsors
Become a LeadOn Sponsor
Sponsorship provides meaningful visibility with hundreds of regional leaders while supporting leadership development across North Alabama.
Opportunities are available at multiple levels:
Legacy โ $15,000
Connector โ $10,000
Champion โ $5,000
Partner โ $2,500
Interested in sponsoring the LeadOn Summit?
Contact:
Sam Cooper
scooper@leadershiphsv.org
Whether you're leading a team, a business, or a cause, the LeadOn Summit is for you!