At the 2026 Global Leadership Summit you’ll be equipped and inspired to lead where you are.
Because everyone has influence.
Meet our speakers
Globally recognized as a leader of leaders, Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of Life.Church, a three-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient. Known for its missional approach to leveraging the latest technology, Life.Church is the creator of the YouVersion Family of Bible Apps — installed on over a billion unique devices worldwide. He hosts the top-ranked “Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast” and is a New York Times bestselling author. His latest book is “Heal Your Hurting Mind: Biblical Hope for Anxiety, Depression, Burnout, and the Emotions No One Talks About.”
Some of the most frustrating moments aren’t new problems — they’re familiar ones that refuse to go away. The same tension resurfaces. The same conversations repeat. The same outcomes show up again and again. What feels like a people problem is often something deeper. Join Craig Groeschel as he unpacks how the repeated behaviors leaders tolerate, reward and reinforce quietly shape culture and determine results. You’ll learn how most leaders spend their energy solving issues without realizing they may be reinforcing the very dynamics that created them. Discover why what you repeat becomes what you produce and how to recognize what’s really driving your outcomes, disrupt what isn’t working, intentionally design better rhythms and reinforce what moves your mission forward.
Priscilla Shirer is the cofounder of Going Beyond Ministries, which creates books, Bible study resources, conferences and films such as “War Room,” “I Can Only Imagine” and “The Forge.” Shirer has authored more than two dozen books and two New York Times bestsellers, including “Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer,” which was named the 2016 Christian Book of the Year.
A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Priscilla holds a master's degree in biblical studies and considers it a privilege to serve people from every stream of the global Church. Shirer’s latest offering is a book on discipleship called “I Surrender All.”
Great leadership demands passion and purpose — yet pace and persistent demands can quietly erode both. The outcome is a loss of clarity, conviction and the sense that what you do truly matters. Join Priscilla Shirer as she invites us to rediscover the sacred nature of work, challenging us to consider a deeper question: What if the work you do every day is more than responsibility — what if it’s your assignment? Walk away with renewed clarity that your role is not accidental and that how you lead within it shapes what matters for eternity.
Jim Collins is a student and teacher of exceptional human endeavor and a Socratic advisor to leaders across all sectors. Having invested more than three decades in rigorous research, he has authored or coauthored books that have sold more than 11 million copies, including the #1 bestseller “Good to Great” and the enduring classic “Built to Last.” His newest book, available April 2026, tackles the big question implicit in its title: “What to Make of a Life.”
In 1995, Collins founded a management laboratory where he conducts research and engages with CEOs and senior leadership teams. Concepts that emerged from his earlier work have become part of the leadership lexicon, such as Level 5 Leadership, the right people on the bus, the Hedgehog Concept, the Flywheel and Big Hairy Audacious Goals. In 2017, Forbes selected him as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.
At some point every life encounters cliffs — moments when something ends, unravels or changes course without warning. Success can give way to scandal. Purpose can stall. Clarity can dissolve into fog. And in those disorienting seasons, the question becomes deeply personal: What do you make of this life now? Join Jim Collins as he shares what he uncovered through a decade-long research project exploring how lives are built, fractured and rebuilt through inevitable turning points. Studying remarkable lives at critical inflection points, he reveals how you can reignite the inner fire and build renewed momentum across a lifetime. You’ll gain a framework for navigating fog, overcoming fracture points and discovering a role you are uniquely encoded to fulfill — even if you must find one more than once. Leave with practical wisdom to rebuild after setbacks, sustain purpose and shape a life that remains creative, resilient and deeply fulfilling over its long arc.
Vanessa Van Edwards is a renowned behavioral researcher, international bestselling author and instructor at Harvard University. Her books “Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People” and “Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication” have been translated into over 18 languages. More than 100 million people watch her YouTube tutorials and TEDx Talk.
Van Edwards shares tangible skills to improve interpersonal communication and leadership. She has taught science-backed people skills to audiences worldwide, including Harvard, SXSW, MIT and Stanford. Hundreds of thousands of students have taken her popular communication courses on LinkedIn Learning, and thousands have taken her advanced social skills course, “People School.” Van Edwards has also been featured on CNN, BBC, CBS Mornings, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, USA Today, The Today Show and many more. She regularly speaks to innovative companies, including Google, Facebook, Comcast, Frito Lay, Microsoft, Amazon and Univision.
Many leaders work hard to increase their impact — yet the most effective leaders know how to focus their energy on what matters most. The difference isn’t more effort, but applying effort in the right ways with the right tools. Join Vanessa Van Edwards as she shares insights from two decades of research on high-performing leaders, revealing the patterns that consistently drive results. Unpack the micro-habits, rituals and mindsets that set standout leaders apart — and learn how small shifts in behavior can create outsized results. Walk away with five practical ways to strengthen your influence and leverage your expert power.
Kwame Christian is a bestselling author and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute. His podcast, "Big Swings Only"— formerly "Negotiate Anything,"the number one negotiation podcast in the world for nearly 10 years — has surpassed 15 million downloads. His books, “Finding Confidence in Conflict” and “How to Have Difficult Conversations About Race,” are both bestsellers that have made significant impacts.
As a LinkedIn Top Voice, Christian partnered with LinkedIn to create the platform’s only negotiation certificate program — a certificate that has been earned by more than 30,000 negotiators worldwide to date. Featured in Forbes, NPR, USA Today and CNBC, Christian has collaborated with Fortune 500 companies like Google, Apple and NASA.
Using his personal journey from a people pleaser to a master negotiator, Christian will empower you to handle challenging conversations confidently.
Every leader has moments when the conversation doesn’t go how they hoped. The facts are solid. The logic is sound. And still — the room goes quiet, resistance rises or alignment slips away. When influence breaks down, the issue is often relational, not informational. Drawing from his experience as a lawyer, mediator and negotiation expert, Kwame Christian helps leaders rethink how they approach high-stake conversations. You’ll discover how everyday interactions become micro-negotiations that either build trust or create distance. Using Christian’s Compassionate Curiosity™ framework, you’ll walk away with practical tools to overcome emotional and psychological barriers, reduce defensiveness and move people toward agreement.
Andy Stanley is a globally renowned pastor, communicator, bestselling author and leadership expert. He founded North Point Ministries in Atlanta in 1995, which has grown to eight church campuses in metro Atlanta and a network of more than 210 churches globally, serving hundreds of thousands of people weekly. As the host of “Your Move,” Stanley brings clarity to complex cultural issues using a practical communication style built on helping people make better decisions and live a better life. And as the voice behind “The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast,” he provides pragmatic wisdom and advice to help leaders go further faster.
Millions of his messages are consumed monthly through television, YouTube, podcasts and more. Stanley is a bestselling author of over 20 books, including, “Not In It to Win It,” “Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets” and “Visioneering.” His latest book, “What Great Leaders Do,” releases August 2026.
While it’s true that leaders are learners, they are doers as well. That’s what distinguishes a leader from the rest of the pack. Doing is what makes the difference. Which leads us to ask, what do great leaders do? Join Andy Stanley as he explores the answer to this important question. As both an accomplished leader and student of leadership you’ll find his answer to be insightful, helpful and ultimately practical. Because after all, leaders are doers!
Candace Cameron Bure is an actress, producer, entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author with a career spanning more than three decades. Known to millions as D.J. Tanner from “Full House” and “Fuller House,” she has starred in more than 50 films across the Christmas, family and mystery genres and previously served as a cohost of “The View.”
Beyond her on-screen work, Cameron Bure is a seasoned executive and creative leader. She is CEO of Candy Rock Entertainment, overseeing film, television and media projects, including her self-titled podcast. Her entrepreneurial portfolio includes a successful clothing line with QVC and Bure Family Wines, reflecting leadership across entertainment, consumer goods and media.
The more responsibility you carry, the greater the pressure to compromise what matters most. Whether your leadership is visible or behind the scenes, staying true to your values isn’t always easy. Join David Ashcraft as he interviews Candace Cameron Bure, who will share insights from her journey in the public eye and her leadership as chief creative officer of CandyRock Entertainment, which produces inspirational, family-focused content. From early success as an actor to building a purpose-driven company, Candace offers insight on the decisions, tensions and convictions that have shaped her path. You’ll gain perspective on leading with authenticity, making values-driven decisions under pressure and building a platform that reflects your deepest convictions. Walk away encouraged to stay anchored in your purpose and to use your influence to create meaningful impact.
Arthur C. Brooks is one of the world’s leading experts on the science of human happiness, appearing in the media and traveling the world to teach people in private companies, universities, public agencies and faith communities how they can live happier lives and bring greater well-being to others. Brooks is a professor at Vanderbilt University and a senior fellow at the Harvard Business School. He is a CBS News contributor, columnist with The Free Press and host of the weekly podcast "Office Hours with Arthur Brooks."
He is the author of 16 books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers “The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness,” “Build the Life You Want” (coauthored with Oprah Winfrey) and “From Strength to Strength.”
Recent research shows people invest more deeply in their work when it feels meaningful, yet only about one-third of U.S. employees are engaged at work. At the same time, global trends point to a growing hunger for meaning in life itself. That tension makes the challenge especially personal for leaders, who are trying to help others find meaning in their work while asking many of the same questions about their own lives. Join Arthur C. Brooks as he names the forces making meaning harder to find — and offers a way forward. Drawing on research in behavioral science, psychology and human flourishing, Brooks reveals how modern life has reshaped the way we think about purpose, fulfillment and significance. Walk away with practical, evidence-based wisdom to pursue a more meaningful life and a clearer vocabulary for your desires. Learn to rewire your mind for deeper reflection and find greater purpose even in life’s hardest places — while helping the people you lead do the same.
Julio García, cofounder and CEO of Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen, is a visionary entrepreneur committed to creating opportunities for others. Born in Mexico City, he came to the U.S. with no English but with big dreams and relentless drive. Early on, he witnessed the darker side of the restaurant industry — where hard work was often met with mistreatment and little opportunity. García promised: “If I ever get the chance to build something of my own, I’ll build it differently.”
Ambriza Kitchen was born from that promise. Now with three locations and three more underway, it has grown into a recognized name in Houston’s culinary scene. García, who holds a degree in economics and finance from the University of Houston, is passionate about developing future leaders within his company, helping them become franchisees and business owners.
Many leaders pursue success with the hope that one day the sacrifices will pay off — through recognition, financial security or the honor that comes with achievement. But what if leadership was never meant to be a reward? Julio García’s journey began in survival mode, working as a dishwasher and doing whatever it took to move forward. But along the way, he discovered something that changed the trajectory of his life: Purpose is not found in status or success, but in using your gifts to serve others. Join Julio as he challenges us to rethink what we are working for. Drawing from pivotal moments in his own story, he reveals how leadership becomes truly meaningful when it moves beyond personal ambition and toward helping others grow. Walk away with three essential questions every leader must ask. Gain a renewed vision for how purpose is often forged through struggle, how pain can shape your calling and how putting people first leads to a life of deeper meaning and impact.
Alison Levine has climbed the highest peak on every continent, served as the team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition and skied across the Arctic Circle to the geographic North Pole. In January 2008, she made history as the first American to follow a remote route across west Antarctica for 600 miles to the South Pole. Her success in extreme environments is noteworthy given she had three heart surgeries and suffers from a neurological disease that causes the arteries that feed her fingers and toes to collapse in cold weather, leaving her at extreme risk for frostbite.
Levine spent four years as an adjunct professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where she focused on leading teams in extreme environments. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller “On the Edge.”
Whether navigating a crisis, a setback or an unexpected change, leaders are required to move forward in difficult situations before they know how things will unfold. Leadership rarely affords the luxury of bluebird days or clear trails. Drawing from her experience serving as the team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, Alison Levine draws authentic parallels between the mountains and the unpredictable realities leaders face every day. She shares hard-earned lessons about navigating ambiguity, managing fear and leading when circumstances are constantly changing. Explore practical strategies for how resilience is built one decision at a time, why clarity of intent matters more than certainty of outcome and why the right path forward isn't always the fastest — it's the one that keeps you moving in the right direction.
Ryan Leak is a New York Times bestselling author, podcast host and strategic advisor renowned for his ability to inspire and transform individuals and organizations. As the CEO of a leadership development firm based in Dallas, Leak and his team train over 30,000 leaders annually — from Fortune 500 companies to professional sports teams — using research-backed strategies that drive real results. He is the author of “Chasing Failure,” “Leveling Up” and his latest release, “How to Work With Complicated People.”
Leak also hosts “The Ryan Leak Podcast,” where he shares short, impactful leadership insights drawn from his coaching, research and real-world experience. His work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including “Good Morning America” and “The Today Show.” Whether through his powerful keynote speeches, bestselling books, podcast or social media presence, Ryan Leak inspires over 50,000 individuals every month to reach their God-given potential.
People rarely leave a job suddenly — they leave mentally and emotionally long before they turn in their resignation. Disengagement shows up quietly and is often missed by leaders who focus on retention instead of culture. In this talk, Ryan Leak unpacks research and real-world insights on what the best leaders do to build environments where people don’t just stay, but grow and flourish. Learn how to engage your team early, recognize warning signs before turnover happens and create conditions where staying feels like progress — not compromise. Walk away with practical language, simple frameworks and actionable steps to build a culture where people do their best work and reach their full potential.
Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten is the CEO of Wonder Project, an entertainment brand that produces and curates premium theatrical films and series for the global faith and values audience. Under her leadership, Wonder Project has raised more than $100 million from investors, launched a subscription service on Prime Video and released original programming, including the biblical epic “House of David,” the family drama series “It’s Not Like That” and the biographical drama “Sarah’s Oil.”
Over the past 20 years, Hoogstraten has held senior leadership roles at major media organizations. At Netflix, she spearheaded the company’s international expansion and at YouTube, she served as Vice President of Content where she led the Americas business, including the launch of YouTube TV.
We all feel the weight of decisions that can’t wait, even when the right path isn’t clear. We aren’t just managing risk for ourselves; we’re carrying it for our teams and customers. Drawing from experience leading in complex, fast-moving organizations, Kelly Merryman Hoogstraten helps us rethink our relationship with risk and uncertainty. She challenges leaders to become more comfortable making critical calls without complete clarity. Walk away with fresh ways to assess risk and move forward decisively, eliminating unnecessary bottlenecks and reducing the tendency to push every call up the organization. Learn how to build a culture where people are equipped and empowered to exercise sound judgment and act with confidence.
David Ashcraft is president and CEO of the Global Leadership Network. He is also the founder and president of The Advantage, a leadership collaborative that mentors and encourages pastors across Pennsylvania. As senior pastor of LCBC Church in Pennsylvania for 32 years, David helped grow weekly attendance from 150 people to a combined average of more than 22,000. He is the coauthor of “What Was I Thinking? How to Make Better Decisions So You Can Live and Lead with Confidence.” He also hosts The Global Leadership Podcast, featuring conversations with leaders from diverse fields about their leadership journey.
Leaders work tirelessly to build strong teams and organizations, yet few pause to consider what happens when they eventually step away. What follows can strengthen the organization or quietly undermine it. Drawing from decades of leadership experience, David Ashcraft challenges leaders to rethink legacy, succession and what it truly means to lead at the highest level. Through real-world stories and hard-earned wisdom, he reveals why intentional transition planning matters more than most leaders realize — and how it determines what endures. Walk away with vision and practical guidance to prepare others to lead well — and confront the hidden force that can quietly dismantle your legacy.
Growing up as a homeschooled preacher’s kid, it was unlikely that Andrew Stanley would ever find love, become a comedian or contribute to society in a meaningful way. Two out of three is not too bad! Now a husband and fast-rising stand-up comedian, Stanley has been performing all over the United States since 2016. His unique perspective pairs well with his dry delivery and observational nature. Stanley can be heard regularly on Sirius XM radio, he was selected as a New Face of Comedy at Montreal’s prestigious Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and he appeared on Nate Bargatze’s “The Showcase” on Nateland. Stanley’s parents are still alive, so he works clean.
Ways to participate
Register by July 17 & receive an exclusive gift
Arthur C. Brooks — Vanderbilt professor, bestselling author and Summit speaker — has something special just for you. “Called to Lead: 10 Essays on Leadership and Happiness” will help you lead with purpose, relationships and joy at the center.
Register by July 17* and it's yours.BONUS: Early bird ticket holders also receive 20% off Brooks’ Happiness Scale assessment and from $20 to $150 off their Summit ticket!
* We’ll send you access to your gift by July 24!
Explore our schedule
Both days run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Times reflect the Studio Audience schedule in Central Time. Download Online and Partner Site schedules below.
What to expect at the Global Leadership Summit
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Practical Tools
Walk away with fresh insights and tools you can put into action immediately — individually or with your team.
World-Class Faculty
Learn from global thought leaders, CEOs, faith leaders, creatives and culture-shapers who bring diverse insights and practical strategies.
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Dynamic Environments
Whether attending in person, online or at a local host site, you'll experience an atmosphere designed for learning and connection.
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Global Community
Join leaders from 100+ countries, sharing a vision for better leadership in every sector of society. You will not be disappointed.
Dream and grow with likeminded leaders across the world
Educators, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, disruptors, builders. At the Summit, you’ll join a community that cares as much as you do — all in one room, all pushing for better.
Attendees
Countries
Industries
Leadership with a higher purpose
Leadership can be exhausting and isolating. That’s why the Summit offers more than another to-do list. It gives you space to reset your vision, clarity to refine your strategy and the courage to take your next bold step.
Whether you’ve led for decades or are just starting out, you’ll leave refreshed and ready — because your leadership has a higher purpose.
Bring the Summit to your community
Interested in hosting the Global Leadership Summit? Whether you're a church, organization or business, bring leaders together in your community to amplify your impact.
- Turn-key support and training
- Resources to invite and engage your community
- Connection to a global network of hosts
- No cost to host the Summit
Frequently asked questions
Dates & Location
Schedule
Pricing
Registration & Tickets
Studio Audience
What is the Global Leadership Network?
Continuing Education
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Our work is only possible because of the generosity and shared vision of our partners and sponsors.
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