2025 Leadership Academy Sessions

Wednesday, December 3rd

Basically Incredible 
Matt Booth
Our news feeds are full of “overnight successes,” twenty-one-day fixes, diet pills, and sensational viral videos. We’ve feasted upon the false and fake for so long that we’re empty on the inside. As much as Facebook ads and Instagram influencers want to convince us otherwise, it is the basics that lead to an incredible life! These basics, done consistently, will transform your life and career. Are you ready to live a basically incredible life? 

How to Give & Receive the Gift of (Critical) Feedback
AJ Kruse 
Do you see critical feedback at a “gift?” Giving and receiving feedback is an essential capability for people-leaders and team members alike, but it’s also one of the most challenging interpersonal skills to develop. In this workshop, participants will explore practical tactics for effectively giving “the gift” of critical feedback as well as how to receive feedback from others with gratitude, empathy and confidence. 

Thursday, December 4th

High Voltage Leadership
Jeff Joiner 
Leading people can be gloriously rewarding and painfully frustrating - sometimes, both in the same day! In this powerful session, attendees will learn the difference between managing and leading. You’re going to have to do both at work, but if you don’t know the difference and how to grow as a leader, you are always going to be frustrated. 

The Power of Developing Team Standards
Jeff Joiner 
Ordinary organizations have a long and ever-growing list of rules. World-class winning organizations have rules, too, but they focus less on the rules and more on their standards. Standards determine who you want to be as a team, how people communicate with each other, and unity. Standards lead to accountability and great results, and keep employee teams focused on the vision of serving the families of your community. 

Building a Powerful Leadership Brand
Monica Guzman 
Every great manager and supervisor has a leadership brand-whether they know it or not. This reputation helps to build credibility, improve performance, and build relationships with employees, colleagues, and partners. In this presentation, Leadership Coach Monica Guzman shares strategies for building a powerful leadership brand that builds self-awareness and sets leaders apart in the workplace. 

Friday, December 5th

Leading with Intention and Emotional Intelligence
Monica Guzman 
To inspire confidence and promote collaboration, every great leader must build self-awareness and develop emotional intelligence. In this presentation, Leadership Coach Monica Guzman helps leaders to understand themselves and make their emotions work for them. In doing so, they will become empathetic leaders who can inspire their teams to go the extra mile and work towards mutual goals. 

2025 Speakers

	Matt Booth Matt Booth is the ATTITUDE EXPERT. Matt is an engaging speaker and author who encourages people to chase their dreams. He is direct, thought-provoking, and inspiring. To achieve Personal Satisfaction and Professional Success, Matt’s philosophy is simple: You Must Be Yourself and Improve Yourself.
	AJ Kruse AJ needs to make things make sense, not only for himself, but for you as well. This quality, along with his knack for joining backstage design and front stage presentation has guided him through a dynamic professional career that began in elementary education and has continued in organizational development. After making the leap to corporate education, AJ led learning & development at two Milwaukee area businesses before embarking with three remarkable colleagues to launch humanworks8 in 2019. As the Concept Illustrator at humanworks8, AJ guides strategic planning and leadership development for clients throughout the US.
	Monica Guzman Monica Guzman is a leadership speaker, coach, and author of the books “Fearless by Choice” and “Stop Being a Lazy Leader.” Her areas of expertise include leadership, communication, and personal branding.  Monica has over 20 years’ experience speaking to various audience groups including the corporate sector, the nonprofit sector, and the education sector. She was recently voted as one of Atlanta’s Top 15 Coaches by Influence Digest Media, coaching CEO’s, business owners, and professionals to become the CEO’s of their lives and careers. Monica’s clients include Chevron, McDonald’s, Tik Tok, Howard University, and more. Monica’s high energy and direct approach has gained her a huge following on social media and her books have inspired professionals, business owners, and leaders across the globe.  Monica lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her 7-year-old Spider-Man, Nikolas.
	Jeff Joiner Jeff Joiner combines his experience as a college instructor, professional speaker, entrepreneur, author, and consultant to provide relevant, useful training to organizations nationwide. Jeff has spoken at conferences and workplace training events for more than 2,000 organizations in 49 states, helping them improve their businesses, teams, and workplaces. He is the author of the book, Say It Like It Matters When It Matters: Communicating with Power, Effectiveness, and Authenticity.