Thought Leadership Conference 2025: Full Schedule

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**American Sign Language is provided for general sessions.

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7:30am EDT

Registration | Check-In Station

Thursday May 8, 2025 7:30am - 9:00am EDT

120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

Thursday May 8, 2025 7:30am - 9:00am EDT
Century Center - Foyer

Making Connections

8:00am EDT

Welcome, Making connections, Acknowledgements

Thursday May 8, 2025 8:00am - 8:30am EDT

120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

Presenters/Speakers

Tessa R. Sutton, Ph.D. (*)

Founder/President, Intercultural Relations Institute, Inc.

Tessa is an interculturalist and Diversity and Inclusion strategist with a proven track record of facilitating inclusion as a culture-change process to build a connected culture: leading, engaging, and working together in the community for the common good.As the Founder and President... Read More →

Drake Shrader

Executive Director, United Youth Theatre (UYT)

Drake Shrader is a member of the 2025 Michiana Forty under 40 Class. He is a passionate advocate for youth empowerment and development. He has a long track record of designing, developing, and implementing performing arts-based programs that foster collaboration, build community... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 8:00am - 8:30am EDT
Century Center - Discovery Ballroom South

General Session

8:30am EDT

Featured Speaker: Innovation as Problem Solver

Thursday May 8, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT

120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

Providing the steps taken to ingratiation new innovative approaches to compliance and ensuring diversity goals and transformative commitments are met.

By the end of this session attendees will:

Feel inspired to think more about their approach to impact and diversity
Want to update their approach on how they are monitoring their compliance
Connected to the work they are doing and want to explore more options

Presenters/Speakers

Tammi Davis

Director of Business Diversity and Workforce Development, Obama Foundation

Tammi Davis is a third-generation legacy of the Civil Rights Movement. She was born into the work of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and has continued the work in her own right for over 20 years. With the experience of working in the public, private and non-profit industry... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Century Center - Discovery Ballroom South

General Session

9:15am EDT

Collective Generosity: Participatory Giving Circle

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

Attendees will discover how collective giving is creating a new movement of diverse and representative voices that is changing who and what receives philanthropic funding. Participants will actively decide how to allocate funding to local organizations in a "pop-up" style giving circle. This experiential learning session has an impact -- highlighting why collective giving is important and how it can benefit communities in real-time generosity.

At the end of this session, attendees will:

Understand the nature and scope of collective giving: participants will be introduced to the concept of collective giving and learn about the latest findings in the field.
Participate in a giving circle: attendees will participate in a pop-up giving circle so they can experience firsthand the power of collective philanthropy. This process consists of a values-driven conversation that will enable a deeper connection between community members, a broader understanding of causes, and a greater connection to the impact donations create.
Redefine generosity moving forward: Exposure to the research and participation in a pop-up giving circle will give attendees a firmer understanding of this form of philanthropy's potential to transform the field.

Presenters/Speakers

Mandy Sharp-Eizinger

Program Manager / Adjunct Professor, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy / Grand Valley State University

With more than 15 years of experience leading and facilitating training and professional development for nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, I bring a practitioner-based approach to nonprofit strategy, board development, volunteer management, and community engagement.Find me... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Notre Dame Room

Economic Climate & Business Development Business

9:15am EDT

Bridging Gaps: Education, Workforce, and Community Partnerships for Economic Growth

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT

305 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, USA

This session explores the critical interdependence of education and workforce development, emphasizing the intentional strategies needed to align the two for maximum impact. Dive into the challenges posed by unmet social and emotional needs, particularly for students who often go unseen—the quietly disengaged. Learn how their struggles affect future workforce readiness and economic development. Discover how nonprofits serve as vital catalysts for bridging gaps between education and employment. Through actionable insights and real-world examples, we’ll explore how partnerships between schools, businesses, and community organizations can create meaningful, long-term solutions for empowering students and building stronger communities.

Presenters/Speakers

Tiffany (Reddick) McDaniel

Educator, Elevate Youth Mentoring

Tiffany McDaniel is a forward-thinking educator, dedicated mentor, and passionate advocate for growth and innovation in education. With a professional background that blends industry experience with education, she is dedicated to creating opportunities that empower young people to... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT
St. Joseph Public Library - Classroom B

Educational Leadership

9:15am EDT

Somethings Up! Leadership Begins with You

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

Are you feeling overwhelmed? Do you feel like the ground you stand on is in constant flux? Is there so much information coming at you that you are becoming dizzy? We live in fractious times, making leadership complex. These challenges require us to have a firm grounding into who we are and our purpose. We need to develop the deft ability to dance with the chaos that surrounds us. Personal Leadership (PL) is school of self-leadership that offers both principles and practices to support you in finding & maintain your highest & best self.

By the end of the session, attendees will:

Learn how to use their whole selves when responding to challenges in their communities
Create a Personal Vision Statement
Practice deep reflection to uncover their ‘right-action’ in complex situations

Presenters/Speakers

Chris Cartwright, Ed.D.

Consultant, Portland State University

Chris Cartwright, MPA, Ed.D. is an assessment consultant, trainer, and instructor supporting individuals and organizations in assessing and developing inclusion, intercultural, and global competencies. He has 40+ years of experience in multiple sectors. He assesses, consults, coaches... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Bethel Room

Educational Leadership

9:15am EDT

Build the Board to Launch Your Mission

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT

305 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, USA

This interactive session will focus on recruiting, orientating, and empowering a board of directors to be ambassadors and fundraisers for your mission. Come and learn tactics, strategies, and intangibles for empowering a Nonprofit board of directors. Learn the important dynamics between the CEO and the Board President and the importance of strategic planning within Board Development. Don't like your organization's board culture? Change it.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

Be able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of their board members.
Know how to recruit and orientate a strong board of directors.
Be able to move from static board meetings to active board meetings.

Presenters/Speakers

Kevin Deary

Director of Professional and Organizational Development, Community Foundation of Elkhart County

Kevin is a former 30-year CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Elkhart County serving 4,500 members and six different Boards of Directors. Under Kevin's leadership the budget grew from $94k to $8m over that 30-year period. Kevin now is the Director of Professional/Organizational Development... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT
St. Joseph Public Library - Classroom D

Organizational or Community Culture

9:15am EDT

Emotional intelligence for Resilience in Challenging Times

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

Presenters/Speakers

Anita Rowe

Partner, Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Institute

Anita Rowe, Ph.D. Is a partner in the Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Institue. For over 40 years she has been helping organizations develop more productive and inclusive cultures through her consulting , training and writing. She is co-author of Managing Diversity: A Complete... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Salon A

Organizational or Community Culture

9:15am EDT

Exploring the Subconscious Brain's Influence on Your Mind: Behaviors, Actions, Beliefs and Choicess

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

Have you ever made a decision that you knew in your gut was not the correct one? Do you know your brain makes an unconscious decision seven seconds before your conscious brain? This explains the basis of our perceptions and unconscious expectations. Come and learn more about how the brain processes information and how it impacts our perceptions and defines our cultural worldviews. This program will highlight how “we” process differences and similarities, maintain and deepen our understanding of our individual cultural heritage as we adapt our individual brain processes and develop inclusive behaviors. This is strategic leadership communications.

During this session attendees will gain:
1. Recognize how the brains' processes connect with our mind and our body.
2. Recognize how are subconscious brain records and interprets our experiences and our perceptions, that determines our values, beliefs, choices and ultimately our behaviors.

Presenters/Speakers

Darlene von Behren, Ed.D.

President, Strategic Leadership Communications, LLC

DARLENE VON BEHREN She has spent over 30 years in public education as a teacher and administrator in both USA and Canada. As an experienced teacher, she has taught at all education levels; elementary- multiage, middle, and high school curriculum for at-risk youth and adult education... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Indiana Room

Organizational or Community Culture

9:15am EDT

Leadership Stories: Cultivating Civility and Connection in the Workplace

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

In a highly polarized society, workforce relationships are strained, making civility and connection difficult. While this may be viewed as a challenge to some; it could be an opportunity.

Leadership stories can promote understanding, resolve conflict, and facilitate civil discourse and connection. This workshop offers a framework to understand how such stories can improve civility and connection in workforce relationships for increased community and organizational productivity.

Attendees will…

1. Create awareness of your stories to cultivate civility and connection.
2. Understand a framework for sharing attractive stories.
3. Identify opportunities to share your leadership stories in the workplace.

Presenters/Speakers

Thresette Briggs, DDI, MBA

Chief Performance Officer, Performance 3, LLC

Thresette is an award-winning author, speaker, facilitator and coach who is the Founder & Chief Performance Officer of Performance 3 (P3), a certified national leadership development firm with offices in Indiana and Virginia. P3 believes every leader can be high performing with the... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 9:15am - 11:45am EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Saint Mary's Room

Organizational or Community Culture

11:45am EDT

LUNCH BREAK: CONNECT-DISCOVER-DINE IN THE CITY

Thursday May 8, 2025 11:45am - 1:00pm EDT

Experience Downtown South Bend and Make Meaningful Connections
Savor the incredible restaurants downtown South Bend, where towering skyscrapers and historic architecture set the stage for unforgettable dining and conversation.

Take this opportunity to meet new people, each bringing unique stories and perspectives.
Make time to build meaningful connections and engage in thought-provoking conversations.
Spark new collaborations that inspire fresh approaches to leadership and "glocal" impact.

Your next great idea or partnership might be just one conversation away.

Thursday May 8, 2025 11:45am - 1:00pm EDT

Making Connections

1:15pm EDT

Championing Youth Through the Arts

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

305 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, USA

In this session, we will explore the transformative power of the arts in shaping the lives of young people. Participants will gain deeper insights into how the arts can foster confidence, creativity, and community among youth, especially in underserved areas. We'll discuss the importance of cross-sector collaboration and how partnerships between organizations, schools, and communities can increase access, inclusion, and sustainability in the arts. Attendees will also receive practical tools for designing arts programs that promote leadership, empathy, entrepreneurship, and positive youth development. Through interactive discussions and real-world examples, we will demonstrate how creating access to the arts can positively impact youth, enhance academic outcomes, and equip them with essential life skills.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

Understand the transformative impact of the arts on youth and their development.
Recognize the importance of cross-sector collaboration in creating access and inclusion in the arts.
Gain practical tools and strategies for designing arts programs that foster leadership, empathy, and positive youth outcomes.

Presenters/Speakers

Drake Shrader

Executive Director, United Youth Theatre (UYT)

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
St. Joseph Public Library - Classroom D

Educational Leadership

1:15pm EDT

Leadership Stories: Cultivating Civility and Connection in the Workplace

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

Presenters/Speakers

Thresette Briggs, DDI, MBA

Chief Performance Officer, Performance 3, LLC

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Saint Mary's Room

Educational Leadership

1:15pm EDT

Somethings Up! Leadership Begins with You

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

Somethings Up! Leadership Begins with You
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Do you feel like the ground you stand on is in constant flux? Is there so much information coming at you that you are becoming dizzy? We live in fractious times, making leadership complex. These challenges require a firm grounding in who we are and our purpose. We need to develop the deft ability to dance with the chaos surrounding Leadership (PL), a school of self-leadership that offers principles and practices to support you in finding and maintaining your highest and best self.

Learners will:

Learn how to use their whole selves when responding to challenges in their communities
Create a Personal Vision Statement
Practice deep reflection to uncover their ‘right-action’ in complex situations

Presenters/Speakers

Chris Cartwright, Ed.D.

Consultant, Portland State University

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Bethel Room

Educational Leadership

1:15pm EDT

Culture as a Catalyst: Building Inclusive Organizations & Communities

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

Culture isn’t just a set of values written on a wall—it’s the lived experience of people within an organization or community. It determines how work gets done, who is included, and whose voices shape decisions. In this interactive session, we’ll explore how shared beliefs, values, and behaviors create the foundation for culture, and how leaders can intentionally foster equity, social justice, and inclusion. Participants will gain practical tools to assess, shift, and sustain a culture that reflects their deepest commitments to justice and belonging. Whether you are shaping organizational policies or community practices, this workshop will equip you with actionable strategies to move from intention to impact.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

Identify key cultural dynamics within their organization or community that influence equity, social justice, and inclusion.
Learn practical strategies to assess and shift organizational culture toward greater belonging and accountability.
Develop an action plan to implement culture-driven change that aligns with their values and leadership goals.

Presenters/Speakers

Melannie Denise Cunningham

President/CEO, The Cunningham Network, Inc.

Melannie Denise Cunningham is a visionary leader, peacebuilder, and advocate for racial reconciliation with a lifelong dedication to justice and equity. She is the Founder, President, and CEO of Peace Works United, an organization committed to fostering peace in communities through... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Indiana Room

Organizational or Community Culture

1:15pm EDT

Emotional Labor: Fostering Connection Without Burnout in Polarized Times

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

305 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN, USA

A CILMAR staff member once told me: “One of the kindest things that you ever did for me as a supervisor was to introduce me to the theory of emotion labor.” In this workshop, facilitators will give insight as to how the theory of emotion labor plays out in education and other sectors, and who Dr. Acheson’s research suggests may be especially susceptible to burnout. Through experiential activities and group dialogue, participants will consider how they can use knowledge of emotion labor theory to monitor and manage their own wellbeing as well as to create a more supportive environment for their peers, employees, students, and community members. Attendees will also learn practical strategies for recovering from periods of intensive emotion labor demands, discuss why people of some social identities may feel more pressure than others to perform emotion labor, and question the application of the theory to our institutions and communities’ current climates. Along the way, participants will be given the opportunity to examine their own experiences with emotion labor and reflect on their own more and less sustainable responses to it.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

Articulate Emotion Labor theory in everyday language
Reflect on their own and others’ experiences performing emotion labor
Imagine how an intentional application of emotion labor could impact their institutions and communities as well as their own personal wellbeing

Presenters/Speakers

Annette Benson

CILMAR's Senior Public Relations Consultant, Purdue University

Since 2003, Annette Benson has served in a variety of administrative roles at Purdue University,including oversight of an ESOL program, HR training in diversity and inclusion, creation ofintegration and intercultural learning programs, management of the Intercultural Learning Hub,and... Read More →

Kris Acheson-Clair, Ph.D.

CILMAR, Purdue

Dr. Kris Acheson earned a PhD in Intercultural Communication from Arizona State University in 2008. Before coming to Purdue University in 2016, she served as a faculty member in Applied Linguistics at Georgia State University for 7 years and was awarded a yearlong Fulbright Scholar... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
St. Joseph Public Library - Classroom B

Organizational or Community Culture

1:15pm EDT

Inclusion as a Culture Change Process: A Strategic Approach

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

Leaders face demographic shifts and the need for agile, innovative workplaces in today's dynamic landscape. To thrive in this era, thought leaders must collaborate across organizational, industry, and community lines to achieve goals and meet the bottom line. Our interconnected spaces require three key actions: understanding the various dimensions of difference, recognizing their impact on the organization, and executing a systemic approach to drive a culture of inclusion.

During this session, participants will gain insight into elements of the organization's structural system that operationalize inclusion as a culture change process essential for fostering growth and innovation.

At the end of this session, participants will leave with tools and frameworks to use in your organization to help people:

Understand the inclusive and wide range of human dimensions
Assess the impact of diversity and inclusion in your organization
Turn inclusion into everyday practices by analyzing the organizational structure to change the culture

Presenters/Speakers

Tessa R. Sutton, Ph.D. (*)

Founder/President, Intercultural Relations Institute, Inc.

Anita Rowe

Partner, Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Institute

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Salon A

Organizational or Community Culture

1:15pm EDT

Sharing Fire: A Philanthropic Approach to Leadership that Ignites the Possibilities in Others

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT

123 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, South Bend, IN 46601

Sharing Fire is a form of leadership that emphasizes "teachership" over "beatership." It embraces the new area of positive psychology that is currently being advanced by thought leaders such as Simon Senik and Adam Grant and businessmen such as CEO Bob Chapman and Jason Lippert. It is a leadership approach that will help you leave a legacy that will be talked about positively for many years, and create impacts on peoples lives that are profound.

By the end of this session, attendees will:

Know how to become one of the most powerful philanthropist in the world - without using money!
Realize why it is crucial we must surround ourselves with people who are different from us.
Have the knowledge and tools to help others create a better personal and professional Life.

Presenters/Speakers

Marc Hardy, Ph.D.

Owner, Sharing Fire

Marc Hardy, Ph.D. has taught at Indiana University, Indianapolis, the University of Notre Dame and has taught nonprofit leadership and Butler University. Hardy is a graduate of the Ph.D. program in Philanthropic Studies at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 1:15pm - 3:45pm EDT
Doubletree Hotel - Notre Dame Room

Organizational or Community Culture

4:00pm EDT

Worldview Religion and Peace Perspectives | Panel

Thursday May 8, 2025 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT

120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

Presenters/Speakers

Mana Derakhshani, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus, Saint Marys College

Experienced Professor with a demonstrated history of working in higher education. Skilled in Intercultural Communication, Lecturing, and Diversity Training. Strong education professional with a Ph.D. focused in French from University of Utah.

Kendra Key

General Cousel, South Bend Community School Corporation

Kendra Nicole Key serves as General Counsel for the South Bend Community School Corporation. She rejoins the South Bend area after supporting access efforts with the Indiana Supreme Court as Staff Attorney for the State's Coalition for Court Access and Director of the ICLEO pre-law... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 4:00pm - 4:45pm EDT
Century Center - Discovery Ballroom South

General Session

5:00pm EDT

Meet and Greet with Lex Gillette

Thursday May 8, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

Presenters/Speakers

Lex Gillette

USA Paralympian, Athlete + Motivational Speaker

Lex Gillette is a world-renowned Paralympic track and field athlete for Team USA. Specializing in the long jump, he holds five Paralympic medals, four world championships, and the current world record. Lex is the only totally blind athlete to surpass 22 feet in the event. Losing his... Read More →

Thursday May 8, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Century Center - Bendix Theatre 120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

General Session

6:00pm EDT

Thought Leader Awards | Continuing the Conversation: No Need For Sight When You Have a Vision | Book Signing

Thursday May 8, 2025 6:00pm - 7:30pm EDT

120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

The evening will begin with the presentation of the Thought Leader Excellence Awards to community members. This will be followed by a special performance, concluding with an exclusive interview with Lex Gillette.

The event is FREE and open to the public.
Download Flyer

Presenters/Speakers

Lex Gillette

USA Paralympian, Athlete + Motivational Speaker

Thursday May 8, 2025 6:00pm - 7:30pm EDT
Century Center - Bendix Theatre 120 Doctor M.L.K. Jr Blvd, South Bend, IN 46601

General Session