The region’s largest communication & collaboration event
The LeadingBetter™ Summit brings together global and regional experts for a full day of relevant, leading-edge guidance that you can apply right away – to boost performance and your ability to lead with courage and confidence.
From influence and AI to generational collaboration and leadership accountability, each session is built to help leaders communicate better, work smarter, and lead with greater impact.
Best-selling author of "Likeable Badass"
Alison Fragale
Leading from Where You Are: The Art and Science of Building Status
Build influence, credibility, and presence — even without formal authority. Alison Fragale is an organizational psychologist, professor, and author whose research on status, influence, and negotiation has shaped how leaders think about their own power and how they use it to lift others. Her work is equal parts rigorous and immediately actionable.
Why this matters: Leaders who understand status communicate better and move work forward faster.
Leading Through AI Disruption: Intentional Choices for Uncertain Times
Navigate AI with intention, responsibility, and clarity. Diya Wynn leads Responsible AI at Amazon, where her work sits at the intersection of ethics, innovation, and human-centered leadership. In a moment where AI is reshaping every industry, she offers a framework for leading with clarity and intention rather than reaction.
Why this matters: Trust and decision-making will define success in the AI era.
Generational Synergy: Building Success Through Generational Synergy
Dr. Derek Greenfield
Better Together
Dr. Derek Greenfield is a scholar, speaker, and leadership educator whose work focuses on how teams with different generational perspectives can stop tolerating each other and start building something better together. His session is part research, part call to action.
Why this matters: Bridge generational differences and unlock stronger collaboration. The best teams turn differences into performance advantages.
Marcus Canady, Former U.S. Coast Guard Commanding Officer
Intrusive Leadership: The Most Critical Leadership Style for the Future
Lead with clarity, connection, and accountability in high-stakes environments. Marcus Canady commanded at the highest levels of the U.S. Coast Guard, where leadership failures have life-or-death consequences. His concept of intrusive leadership challenges the hands-off management norms that quietly undermine team performance and safety. In every industry.
Why this matters: Teams need leaders who engage early and lead decisively.
Win-Win Negotiation: Listening Is Your Strategic Advantage
Negotiate more effectively through listening, clarity, and alignment. Cynthia Knapek brings decades of experience in leadership development, negotiation, and organizational strategy to a session that reframes listening as one of the most undervalued leadership tools available. Her approach is practical, grounded, and immediately transferable to the conversations you're already having.
Why this matters: Leaders who listen well negotiate better and build stronger relationships.
Attendees can join in person or experience a high-quality and interactive virtual event, both with features that will leave participants feeling engaged, connected, and prepared to lead now and into the future.
In-person attendees will have access to the virtual event platform and main stage session recordings after the event. Attendance includes food, beverage, interactive breakout sessions, and special venue features. Virtual event attendees have live access to all main stage sessions, as well as recordings of these sessions after the event. Breakout sessions will not be available for virtual ticket holders.
FEATURING ADDITIONAL INTERACTIVE BREAKOUT SESSIONS FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDEES:
“This was one of my top 5 leadership events in my 35 years of leadership. The content was clear, applicable, and presented in very engaging ways. Our team is already excited about next year!”
Chris Hahn COO, Dean Dorton
The Summit is a great blend of strategic and tactical learning. I came away with practical applications and felt motivated to be a better leader!
Carlie Palmer Principal, Cerity Partners
LeadingBetter™ Summit Agenda Details
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026 | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (ET)
In-person attendees will have access to the virtual event platform and main stage session recordings after the event.
Virtual Event
Virtual attendees have live access to all main stage sessions, as well as recordings after the event.
Breakout sessions will not be available for virtual ticket holders.
Get Tickets Today
In-person seats are limited and we expect to sell out. Save up to $700 when you send your team.
This annual event offers your organization the opportunity to be among an elite group of businesses and leaders who are the pulse of our community’s success.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2026 LEADINGBETTER SUMMIT SPONSORS!
PRESENTING SPONSOR
SPEAKER SPONSOR
RECEPTION SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
Why Attend
ACCESS CUTTING EDGE CONTENT
Gain deeper knowledge around interpersonal dynamics, developing high-performance teams, and becoming a leader that people want to follow.
INVEST IN YOURSELF & YOUR TEAM
By encouraging the attendance of your colleagues, you can demonstrate their value and encourage a learning culture – improving job satisfaction and increasing innovation and productivity to drive your mission forward.
MEET LIKE-MINDED CHANGE MAKERS
You’ll connect with some of the region’s most influential leaders from Fortune 500 companies, businesses large and small, and across a variety of industries.
Interested in Learning More?
Get in touch with a member of our team to see how your organization can send a group to the LeadingBetter Summit or become a sponsor.
April 22, 2026
8:00am-4:30pm ET
Hybrid Event - In-Person (Louisville, KY) & Virtual Option
