Thought Leadership Conference 2025: Full Schedule

TO PURCHASE TICKETS CLICK HERE

Once purchased you will receive an email with instructions to build your personal schedule.
**American Sign Language is provided for general sessions.

arrow_back View All Dates

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 a connective leader, founder, and president of the nonprofit Intercultural Relations Institute and its Glocal Thought Leadership Conference. She is also the founder, president, and CEO of the Intercultural Relations Group consulting firm. Tessa is a Certified Connective Leadership... 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

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

FREE COMMUNITY EVENT: 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