This free summit, facilitated by leadership experts, features sessions designed to equip business leaders with the skills they need to drive their workplace vision forward.
Save the Date
Date: Thursday, October 16th
Time: 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Location: Illinois Central College Peoria Campus, Student Center
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Keynote Address
The Future of Leadership: The value of knowing you can lead at any level
Presented by Melissa Bloom, Expense Strategists
Leadership is no longer reserved for the top—it lives in how we communicate, make decisions, and build momentum at every level. In this keynote, Melissa Bloom will challenge traditional ideas of leadership and introduce a practical framework for identifying and activating leadership energy throughout an organization. Participants will explore the four core leadership styles—Visionary, Operator, Processor, and Synergist (VOPS)—and how each contributes to results and team culture.
The keynote also previews the Predictable Success leadership tiers (T1–T4), showing how VOPS styles map across levels of influence and responsibility.
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership is a role we practice, not a title we wait for
- Overview of the VOPS leadership styles and how they show up in organizations
- Introduction to the T1–T4 leadership tiers and their value at every level
- How to recognize and develop leadership in yourself and others
Schedule
View the Schedule for Elevate Together: Empowering Leadership at All Levels
| Activity |
Time |
Description |
| Registration & Networking Breakfast |
8 am |
Join us for breakfast, pick up your name badges and materials, and connect with peers and industry leaders. |
| Welcome & Opening Remarks |
9 am |
We'll introduce our host, give housekeeping announcements and a brief overview of goals for the day. |
| Keynote Address, Melissa Bloom |
9:15 am |
The Future of Leadership: The value of knowing you can lead at any level |
| Networking Break |
10 am |
Take a break and network with participants |
| Breakout Sessions |
10:15 am |
|
| Breakout Sessions |
11:30 am |
|
| Lunch |
12:30 pm |
Lunch is provided in the Student Center |
| Leadership Round Table Sessions |
1 pm |
Hear from industry leaders on leadership topics |
| Breakout Sessions |
2 pm |
|
| Leadership Lab: Collaborate, Innovate, Lead |
3 pm |
An interactive group simulation or problem-solving session where participants from all tracks collaborate to solve a fictional business scenario. Promotes inter-level learning and networking. |
| Closing Remarks & Takeaways |
4 pm |
Reflect on the day and identify key takeaways |
Session Descriptions
From Contributor to Connector: Building Influence with Systems & Culture
Presenter: Melissa Bloom
Leadership without a title still requires structure and collaboration. This session focuses on how emerging leaders can lead through personal organization and by fostering a healthy culture.
Key takeaways:
- Understanding structure and systems at your level (T3)
- Becoming a culture carrier using T4 leadership energy
- Leading from where you are through clarity and connection
Productivity Power Up: Using AI for Productivity
Presenter: Brittney Richardson
Learn how to integrate AI tools into their daily work routines to optimize productivity and time management.
This session focuses on how AI can enhance personal productivity by automating tasks and streamlining workflows. Participants will gain hands-on experience with AI tools and learn actionable strategies to save time and boost efficiency in their professional lives.
Beyond the Big Picture: Making Vision Tangible for Teams
Presenter: Janelle Reeb
Great leaders don’t just see a better future—they rally people to build it. This session is designed for leaders at every level who want to connect daily work to a compelling vision. You’ll explore practical tools from Patrick Lencioni (Working Genius, Five Dysfunctions of a Team) to help you inspire others, get the right people in the right seats, and develop the trust needed to bring bold ideas to life.
Resilience and Stress Management in the Workplace
Presenter: Brittney Richardson
Learn strategies to build resilience and manage stress in high-pressure environments to maintain productivity and mental wellness.
This class explores the science behind stress and resilience, providing practical techniques for stress management in the workplace. Participants will engage in exercises that promote mindfulness, relaxation, and the development of personalized stress-management plans.
Scaling Execution: Turning Strategy into Sustainable Action
Presenter: Melissa Bloom
Execution is core to mid-level leadership- but doing it sustainably requires systems. This session helps leaders operate effectively (T2) while building repeatable, scalable structures (T3).
Key Takeaways:
- Translating strategy into consistent execution
- Identifying gaps in handoffs, systems, or communication
- Leading with consistency, structure, and influence
The Feedback Loop: Using Emotional Intelligence Concepts in Coaching
Presenter: Dean Heffta
One of the core skills of modern leadership for building team commitment and competency is effective coaching. This session explores the five practices for high-impact coaching, equipping leaders to be more confident and teams to be more connected.
Leading Up: Increasing our Influence at Every Level of the Organization
Presenter: Dean Heffta
Leadership isn't about power; it's about trust. In this session, we dive into understanding the dynamics of influence and identify practical applications for leading up, across, down, and out from our position.
Inclusive Leadership: Demonstrating a Community of Care in the Workplace
Presenter: Brittney Richardson
Participants will explore the principles of inclusive leadership and develop actionable strategies to foster belonging and diversity in their teams.
This course helps leaders build inclusive workplaces by addressing unconscious bias, diversity, and equity. It provides practical tools to create environments where all voices are heard. Participants will engage in exercises to foster empathy and develop action plans for promoting inclusion within their teams.
Vision in Motion: Leading with Clarity, Speed, and Follow-Through
Presenter: Melissa Bloom
T1 leaders cast vision- but scaling requires strong T2 execution partners. This session explores how senior leaders can activate balanced leadership systems across their organizations.
Key Takeaways:
- Clarifying your leadership tier and tendencies
- Bridging vision and execution through aligned systems
- Building teams that complement-not duplicate-your leadership
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