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Rooted in Region. Rising in Leadership.

A one-day leadership experience designed to challenge perspectives, strengthen leaders, and move our community forward.

๐Ÿ“… July 23, 2026

๐Ÿ“ Embassy Suites Downtown Huntsville

๐ŸŽŸ๏ธTickets: $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:

โ€ข Emerging professionals preparing for leadership roles
โ€ข Managers and team leaders developing stronger teams
โ€ข Executives navigating growth and change
โ€ข Entrepreneurs building organizations and culture
โ€ข Educators and nonprofit leaders shaping the next generation
โ€ข 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

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Edward Byers

Recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor - Our Nationโ€™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 Nationโ€™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.

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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:

โ€ข Leadership
โ€ข Education
โ€ข Collaboration
โ€ข Stewardship

Attendees will leave with strategies they can immediately apply in their organizations and communities.

Morning Speakers

15

Andrew Jennings

The Tell - Six leadership truths youย can'tย help but reveal!ย 

13

Vitale Buford Hardin

Trust Catalyst: The Formula for Building a High-Trust, High-Impact Cultureย 

9

Ray Allister

Sealing the Leaks: Designing Systems Where Effort Countsย 

7

Sonia Robinson, APR

Practical Resilience: Leading When Capacity Changesย 

11

Dr. Mat Parker

ONE: A Framework for Service in the Pursuit of Excellence

Afternoon Speakers

14

Steve Ingalls

Beyond the Hype - Getting Down to the Brass Tacks of Servant Leadership

6

Cierra Johnson-Belser

Decoding the Generational Code: Leading Across Decades of Difference

8

Daniel Kasambira

High Road Leadership: Equipping Leaders to Respond to Challenges with Character and Influence

12

Georgina Cross

Career Change: Taking the Next Big Leapย 

10

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

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Legacy Sponsors

4

Champion Sponsors

3
5

Partner Sponsors

2

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

Join Us at LeadOn Summit!

Spend a day learning, connecting, and growing alongside leaders from across North Alabama.

๐Ÿ“… July 23, 2026
๐Ÿ“ Embassy Suites Downtown Huntsville

Whether you're leading a team, a business, or a cause, the LeadOn Summit is for you!

 

Have questions? Want to partner or sponsor?
๐Ÿ“ฉ Contact us at info@leadershiphsv.org