You Have Influence
…And Your Leadership Health Matters
Whether you’re a business leader, CEO, pastor, teacher, nurse, student, artist, parent, doctor, volunteer, entrepreneur, or simply finding your place, you have influence. Every day you impact those around you through your influence—for better or worse, in both big and small ways. During a season that may have depleted your energy, stunted your growth or left you in the dark, it’s time to rediscover a new hope for your future in order to amplify the positive difference you can make.
What is the turning point for positive change? Your capacity to thrive and help rejuvenate the best in those around you, both personally and professionally, is dependent on your leadership health.
Your leadership matters. When you invest in developing your leadership skills, you also give back to everyone around you. You strengthen your relationships, build trust on your team, innovate toward a better future and face challenges head-on with fresh perspective—not only do you thrive, but your family thrives, your business thrives, your church thrives and your community thrives.
For more than 25 years, The Global Leadership Summit has delivered leadership insights with attendees reporting positive outcomes. (based on independent research by Excellence in Giving).
Get Your Infusion of Actionable Leadership Insights & Inspiration
The Global Leadership Summit is your infusion of fresh ideas, actionable concepts, leadership principles and heartfelt inspiration.
We’ve convened a unique group of world-class faculty who will share their distinct perspectives, inspiring and equipping you with practical skills you can apply right away.
Topics our faculty will dive into this year include:
- Breaking free from the lies we believe about work
- Becoming more agile and inventive
- Identifying five permissions to multiply your time
- Overcoming fear and problematic power dynamics in teams
- Leveraging science-based research to increase connection opportunities
Craig Groeschel
United StatesCraig Groeschel
Globally recognized as a leader of leaders, Craig Groeschel is the founder and senior pastor of Life.Church, rated the #1 place to work in 2020 for small and mid-size companies by Glassdoor. Known for their missional approach to leveraging the latest technology, Life.Church is the innovative creator of the YouVersion Bible App—downloaded in every country worldwide. In 2020, Life.Church provided free tools to thousands of churches who quickly transitioned to a virtual church experience in the wake of the global health pandemic. Traveling the world as a champion of The Global Leadership Summit, Groeschel advocates for building leaders in every sector of society. He is also the host of the top-ranked Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast. A New York Times best-selling author, his latest book is Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.
Juliet Funt
United StatesJuliet Funt
Juliet Funt is the CEO and founder of WhiteSpace at Work, a training and consulting firm helping organizations, their leaders and employees reclaim their creativity, productivity and engagement. With thought-provoking insights and actionable tools, she has become a globally-recognized expert in helping leaders cope with the “age of overload” in which we all live and work. A warrior against reactive busyness and a force for change in organizations around the world, Funt teaches a streamlined method for personal process improvement that reduces complexity in the workplace. Teams that incorporate a WhiteSpace mindset and skill set increase creativity and engagement, reclaim lost capacity and execute at their finest. Her clients include a number of Fortune 100 companies and span a wide array of industries, from financial services to technology, manufacturing to the military. Funt’s new book, A Minute to Think, releases at the 2021 Summit.
General Stanley McChrystal
United StatesGeneral Stanley McChrystal
Recognized as a transformational leader with a remarkable record of achievement, Stanley McChrystal is a retired four-star Army General widely praised for leading a comprehensive counterterrorism organization that fused intelligence and operations, redefining the way military and government agencies interact. Over the course of his career, he led a number of elite organizations including the International Security Assistance Forces, Joint Special Operations Command as well as the 75th Ranger Regiment. In 2009, the President of the United States and the Secretary General of NATO appointed him to be the Commander of U.S. Forces Afghanistan and NATO ISAF. His command included more than 150,000 troops from 45 allied countries. Since retiring from the military, McChrystal founded the McChrystal Group to deliver innovative leadership solutions to businesses and multinational corporations around the world in order to help them build stronger teams and succeed in challenging, dynamic environments. A passionate advocate for national service, McChrystal is also Chairman of Service Year Alliance. Additionally, McChrystal is a senior fellow at Yale University’s Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, where he teaches a course on leadership. McChrystal is the author of New York Times best-selling books, My Share of the Task and Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World. McChrystal is also the co-author of The Wall Street Journal best-selling title, Leaders: Myth and Reality.
A.R. Bernard
United StatesA.R. Bernard
A.R. Bernard is an influential religious leader and transformative visionary, leading one of the largest congregations in the United States with more than 40,000 members. Before following his calling into ministry, Bernard enjoyed a successful career in finance which has positioned him in a place of influence among top leaders in business, entertainment and politics. In addition to mentoring pastors, has also counseled leaders while serving with the NYC Economic Development Corporation and the NYC School Chancellor’s Advisory Cabinet. He is a premiere thought leader in faith and culture and has been featured on Fox News, CNN, NBC’s Today, MSNBC, CBS News, BET, TBN and Daystar TV. He is a radio host for the New York based program, The Rev and The Rabbi on WABC radio. As a visionary who witnessed how faith has brought hope into communities that were mostly ignored or underserved, Bernard has led the Christian Cultural Center in a partnership with the Gotham Organization for a major development project to create over 2,000 units of income-based workforce housing, healthcare and educational facilities, retail stores, performance arts center and community service spaces. His transformative messages are also shared in his books, Happiness Is…Simple Steps to a Life of Joy and Four Things Women Want from a Man.
Dr. Francesca Gino
United StatesDr. Francesca Gino
Dr. Francesca Gino is a professor in the Negotiation, Organizations & Markets Unit at Harvard Business School recognized for her award-winning research and teaching on how to have more productive, creative and fulfilling lives. Dr. Gino has a diverse expertise on the psychology of organizations. She is a sought-after consultant and speaker—some of her clients include Disney, Goldman Sachs, Honeywell, Novartis, P&G, as well as the U.S. Military. Dr. Gino’s research has been featured in The Wallstreet Journal, The Economist, Harvard Business Review, Financial Times, The New York Times, Newsweek, National Public Radio, Scientific American and Psychology Today. She has been honored as one of the world’s Top 40 Business Professors under 40 and one of the world’s 50 most influential management thinkers by Thinkers50. In Dr. Gino’s latest book, Rebel Talent, she shares her research behind why it pays to break the rules at work and in life.
Richard Montañez
United StatesRichard Montañez
While working at Frito-Lay as a janitor early in his career, Richard Montañez developed the ingenious idea for Flamin’ Hot Cheetos—now the Flamin’Hot line is a billion-dollar business and cultural phenomenon. During his leadership tenure at PepsiCo, Montañez was recognized for his visionary leadership, innovation and commitment to diversity. He has been named one of the most influential Latinos in corporate America and is the only four-time recipient of PepsiCo’s Chairman’s Award, the highest honor given to employees based on performance and work ethic. He has been featured for his leadership and innovation on Good Morning America, The Washington Post, Vanity Fair, Fortune and Newsweek. His story is also the subject of a forthcoming biopic by Fox Searchlight Films. Montañez’s inspiring leadership journey has made him a sought-after speaker for organizations including Target, Walmart, and universities including University of Southern California and Harvard. In addition to his corporate leadership, Montañez is a committed philanthropist and founder of Onelite, a nonprofit providing high-need families in the U.S. with food and school supplies. His new book, Flamin’ Hot: The Incredible True Story of One man’s Rise from Janitor to Top Executive, releases in 2021.
Michelle Poler
United StatesMichelle Poler
When Michelle Poler, Venezuelan native, art director and branding strategist, decided to start a project to overcome her own personal fears, she didn’t expect it to go viral—100 Days Without Fear caught the attention of the Today Show, Forbes, CBS, CNN, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed, Fox News, Telemundo, Glamour, Elle, The Rachael Ray Show, Refinery29 and Daily Mail among many others. Gaining an audience captivated by her passion, bravery, creativity, humor and practical life-changing advice, Poler founded Hello Fears, a social movement reaching more than 70 million people worldwide, empowering them to step outside their comfort zone and tap into their full potential. She is a sought-after keynote speaker, having spoken for TEDx, Google, Yum Brands, Facebook, Wells Fargo, ESPN, Netflix, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, Toyota and many more. Poler is the author of, Hello, Fears: Crush Your Comfort Zone and Become Who You’re Meant to Be, which helps people be their best selves and focus on the best possible outcomes.
Rich Wilkerson Jr.
United StatesRich Wilkerson Jr.
Rich Wilkerson Jr. is a dynamic communicator and author with a passion to encourage and inspire young adults. Born into four generations of church planters and leaders, Wilkerson started a young adults ministry called “The Rendezvous.” In 2010, this ministry grew to form both the VOUS Leadership Conference and later in 2015, VOUS Church where he serves as a lead pastor. Through his leadership, VOUS Church has become known as a catalyst of faith, creativity and diversity celebrating the unique culture of its vibrant city in Miami, Florida. Each Summer, he and his wife and co-founder, DawnCheré continue to host thousands of young adults at the annual VOUS Leadership Conference. Wilkerson Jr. is also the author of two books, Sandcastle Kings: Meeting Jesus in a Spiritually Bankrupt World and Friend of Sinners: Why Jesus Cares More About Relationship Than Perfection.
Ibukun Awosika
United StatesIbukun Awosika
Ibukun Awosika’s has vast combined entrepreneurial and high-level corporate and not-for-profit board experience across various sectors and geographies spanning over three decades. Globally recognized, she has received multiple awards, including the 2020 Forbes “Woman Africa Chairperson” award, and was also the first Nigerian recipient of the prestigious “International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge” award in 2008. Today, Awosika leads as chairman of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the country’s premier and most valuable banking brand. Additionally, as founder and CEO of The Chair Centre Group, she leads manufacturing, retail and bank-way security system services. Over the course of her career, her leadership has given her the honor of influencing Nigeria’s economic growth by chairing a number of corporate and nonprofit boards including, d.light Design Inc., Convention on Business Integrity, Digital Jewels Limited, and Afterschool Graduate Development Centre, a facility which she promoted to help address youth employability and enterprise issues in Nigeria. She also sits on the boards of Cadbury Nigeria Plc and the International Advisory Board of IESE Business School in Barcelona, Spain. She was Chairman of GEMS Africa Limited, FBN Life Insurance Limited, FBN Capital Limited and Kakawa Discount House Limited. She also served on the pioneer board of Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority, as well as the National Job Creation Committee. Awosika is a graduate of Chemistry from The University of Ife, Nigeria; an alumna of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School; the Global Executive MBA of IESE Business School (Barcelona); and Global CEO Programme of Wharton, IESE and China European International Business School. With high interest in social issues, including the plight of women in society, Awosika is co-founder and former chairperson of Women in Business, Management and Public Service, as well as the president of International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge Foundation. An ordained pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, her faith-based organization works with hundreds of missionaries across Nigeria to change lives with the provision of medical and educational supplies and resources. As a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative, Aspen Global Leadership Network, Institute of Directors and Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Awosika aspires to use her opportunities in life to further the greatness of her country by raising entrepreneurs to create jobs. She is a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, served on National Job Creation Committee, and sits on the International Advisory Board of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain, and the Governing Council of Pan-Atlantic University.
Albert Tate
United StatesAlbert Tate
Everyone right now feels the pandemic was a big test! But, what if it wasn’t the test but the lesson! What lessons did we pull out over the past year and are we now in one of the biggest tests of our lives? Join Albert Tate as he uses the exodus story to help us investigate three ways a leader needs to define reality.
Adrian Bukovynskiy
UkraineAdrian Bukovynskiy
Adrian worked in business and managed a state-owned enterprise. At the age of 30 he began working in the Family Commission at the Greek Catholic Church (Lviv Archdiocese). Since 2005 he has been the President of the All-Ukrainian Charitable Foundation "Family". Since 2006 he has been the head of the Happy Family program at the Main Department for Family, Youth and Sports of the Kyiv City State Administration. In March 2012 he defended his dissertation for the degree of Candidate of Philosophical Sciences at the National Pedagogical University. Dissertation topic: "Family as a socio-cultural phenomenon in Ukraine". Author and presenter of programs for further, closer and direct preparation of young people and brides for married life. Organizer, author and leader of courses, seminars, lectures on family topics (for the last 10 years - more than 40,000 participants).
Maksym Komashnya
UkraineMaksym Komashnya
Maksym are Ukrainian designer. He has his own brand KOMASHNYA. In 2015, the brand debuted on the Ukrainian Fashion Week with the autumn-winter 2016 collection. The starting point for Komashnya was the creation of a mini-collection of knitted T-shirts, followed by men's and women's clothing collections, accessories, jewelry, children's line and perfumes. Maxim and his wife Margarita are the official designers of Eurovision-2017. The brand is the creator of the stage image for Eurovision by O.Torvald.
Roman Polikrovsky
UkraineRoman Polikrovsky
Since August 2007 Roman is co-founder and head of the Ternopil regional charity organization House of Mercy. Member of the Zbarazh District Council (2010). Since 2014 - Mayor of Zbarazh city. With his wife have five children. Awards and honors: 1. Order "For Merits" III degree ( 2015) - for a significant personal contribution to state building, development of local government, many years of hard work and high professionalism; 2. Diploma of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (2017) - for significant contribution to any sphere of state activity, outstanding socio-political activity, merits to the Ukrainian people in promoting the establishment and strengthening of Ukraine as a democratic, social, legal state, implementation of measures to ensure the rights and freedoms of citizens, democracy, parliamentarism and civil harmony in society, active participation in legislative activity.
Ihor Fostenko
UkraineIhor Fostenko
Ihor Fostenko the street kid who became a millionaire. He is owner of the company "Enjoy the wood". He makes international deals and is not going to slow down. He has a large family, a loving wife and three children. It would seem that it is difficult to imagine a cloudless picture. But, as Igor himself said, the path to success was thorny. Poverty, parental divorce, the death of a mother, and three years of homelessness are part of a past that many would rather forget. And Igor remembers and learns lessons.
Denis Podorozhniy
UkraineDenis Podorozhniy
Denis Podorozhniy was ordained and has been in the pastoral ministry since 1991. Since 1996 Denis Podorozhniy began to actively carry out preaching ministry in different parts of the world - the CIS countries, the Baltic States, Europe, the USA and South Korea. In 2005, he graduated with honors from the Russian Christian Humanitarian Academy (RHGA, St. Petersburg), specializing in religious studies. In 2009 he received the title of Honorary Doctor of Theology from the Latin University of Theology (USA). Denis Podorozhniy is a dynamic preacher of the Word of God. In his characteristic balanced, meaningful, but also interesting and easily digestible form, he reveals the Biblical approach to various aspects of Christian life.
Oleksandr Tretyak
UkraineOleksandr Tretyak
He was born on December 13, 1985 in the village of Lypne, Volyn region, and all his conscious life he lived in Rivne city. He studied at the International University of Economics and Humanities named after Academician Stepan Demyanchuk at the Department of Romance and Germanic Philology, Faculty of History and Philology, as well as at the Lviv Theological Seminary. In 2011 he became the youngest rector of Rivne Theological Seminary and Academy. Founder and coordinator of volunteer and social initiatives in Rivne. From 2009 to 2014 he participated in the implementation of educational and medical projects for children in the African countries of Ghana and Burkina Faso. Since 2014, he has been actively volunteering in the anti-terrorist operation zone. Takes an active public position. From 2017 to 2019, he was the leader of the Reformation Movement in Rivne region. Since 2019 - coordinator of the All-Ukrainian Cathedral in Rivne region. In early 2020, he reached an agreement with the city of Federal Way in the United States to establish a partnership with Rivne. As a result, the mayor designated August 24 as the Day of Ukraine in his region. He is the initiator of many social and educational activities. In particular, Family Festivals and actions "Carriage of a doctor". Strongly does not support the ratification of the Istanbul Convention as one that deliberately destroys family law and is ineffective in combating domestic violence. A Christian of the Protestant Church of Evangelical Christians - participates in the establishment of interfaith dialogue in the city of Rivne. In 2018 and 2019 he organized prayer breakfasts at the Rivne Regional State Administration. From November 24, 2020 - the mayor of Rivne city.
Invest in Yourself and Grow Your Influence
When it comes to leadership development we all have good intentions, but distractions abound. Yet, research says learning happens most effectively in community…a team setting. That’s why we partner with 1536+ sites in 124 countries to bring the Summit to your local community. In fact, we work year-round to ensure your Summit experience is the best possible for you and your team.
We are committed to creating a world-class environment that enhances your Summit experience.
What Attendees Are Saying
Everyone has the capacity to lead—because everyone has influence.
Whether you’re an executive or a student, you can experience growth when you invest in developing your leadership skills.
“Go to the Summit for your growth, because what you bring back to your company or district is amazing. You’re going to be uplifted and reenergized in your role. And we all need that. You’re worth the time. You won’t regret it.”– Dr. Lily DeBlieux, Superintendent, Arizona
“Everyday people can be great leaders. The GLS puts people in front of us to remind us of who we are. It reminds us that our leadership matters, wherever we are—what we do and who we are really matters. And then it stretches us to be better.” – Albert Tate, Pastor, Fellowship Church
“The Summit gave me the practical leadership tools I needed to make my vision for my nonprofit a reality. It’s one thing to dream. It’s another to be able to lead people in the fight.”– Rebecca Bender, CEO & Founder, Elevate Academy
“The Global Leadership Summit is quite arguably the most effective, purpose-filled leadership development experience in the world. I can say, without reservation, the high quality, inspiring content delivered via the Summit has made many people within our organization, better leaders…including me.”– John Venhuizen, President & CEO, Ace Hardware Corp.
“I’m thankful for the Summit helping me realize that I still have a life to lead and people to love. God made my calling clear to me all over again. He granted me a story to tell and not telling it would be a waste. Thanks to God speaking to me through the Summit, I decided to keep sharing my story and being a voice for the vulnerable.” - Tori Petersen, Advocate for Foster Youth
Register for a Location in Ukraine
Join the GLS Movement
Leverage Your Influence.
As someone who has benefited from the Global Leadership Summit, you can leverage your influence to add momentum to this transformational movement.
There are several ways you could play a significant role:
• Promote the GLS through your network of influence
• Provide financial support to enable others to participate in the GLS
• Join a local GLS organizing team
• Bring the GLS to your community
To find out how you can become more involved in the GLS movement, email us at glninternational@globalleadership.org.