Join us for the inaugural LeadOn Summit, where leaders from across the region will gather for powerful keynotes, dynamic breakout sessions, and meaningful networking — all in the heart of Downtown Huntsville.
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July 23, 2026 at the Embassy Suites in Downtown HuntsvilleÂ
Request for Proposals: LeadOn Summit 2026 – Breakout Session Speakers
Leadership Greater Huntsville is now accepting proposals for breakout session speakers for the LeadOn Summit, to be held on July 23, 2026, at the Embassy Suites Huntsville-Downtown.
We invite dynamic presenters, thought leaders, and practitioners to lead interactive, high-impact sessions that align with one or more of our summit’s key themes:
- Education – Inspiring innovation and lifelong learning in our schools, workplaces, and communities.
- Collaboration – Strengthening partnerships across sectors to solve challenges and drive progress.
- Stewardship – Promoting civic responsibility and sustainable growth for the greater good.
- Leadership – Empowering others, cultivating talent, and shaping the future through servant leadership.
Session Details:
- Breakout sessions will be 45–60 minutes in length.
- Presentations should be engaging, practical, and designed to spark discussion and connection among attendees.
- Proposals should include opportunities for audience participation or key takeaways participants can apply immediately.
Deadline: Proposals are due by January 16th. Selected speakers will be notified by January 31st.
Please note that speakers will not receive financial compensation for their participation. However, this is a valuable opportunity to share your expertise, connect with community leaders from across the region, and gain visibility among a diverse and engaged audience.
Click here to submit your speaker proposal.
Keynote Speakers
Edward Byers
Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor - Our Nation’s 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 Nation’s 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!
Whether you're leading a team, a business, or a cause, the LeadOn Summit is for you!
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