Driven by Purpose amplifies from the mainstage—and we’re just getting started! Stay tuned as we reveal additional Keynotes and Catalyst speakers who will challenge assumptions, spark solutions, and propel your mission forward.
Keynote
Monday, August 17
Amy Edmondson
Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School
Amy C. Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, a chair established to support the study of human interactions that lead to the creation of successful enterprises that contribute to the betterment of society.
Edmondson has been recognized by the biannual Thinkers50 global ranking of management thinkers since 2011, and most recently was ranked #1 in 2021 and 2023; she also received that organization’s Breakthrough Idea Award in 2019, and Talent Award in 2017. She studies teaming, psychological safety, and organizational learning, and her articles have been published in numerous academic and management outlets, including Administrative Science Quarterly, Academy of Management Journal, Harvard Business Review and California Management Review. Her 2019 book, The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation and Growth, has been translated into 15 languages.
Edmondson’s latest book, Right Kind of Wrong, builds on her prior work on psychological safety and teaming to provide a framework for thinking about, discussing, and practicing the science of failing well. First published in the US and the UK in September 2023, the book is due to be translated into 24 additional languages, and was selected for the Financial Times and Schroders Best Business Book of the Year award.
Catalyst
Monday, August 17
Anthony McClean
Screenwriter
Called a “master storyteller”, Anthony McLean helps leaders and organizations build mentally healthy workplaces, with past clients including such leading brands as PepsiCo, AT&T, Intel, TD Bank, Coca Cola, and more. He empowers audiences with practical tools to thrive both personally and professionally. He has a particular knack for turning workplace challenges — especially generational divides — into opportunities for connection, using humor and research-backed strategies to help teams collaborate effectively across all ages and perspectives.
A respected voice in his field, McLean has delivered hundreds of inspiring talks across the world, rocking the stage at conferences, colleges, and corporate events. His clients have ranged from non-profits and school districts to Fortune 500s, all benefitting from his research-backed tools and actionable strategies. His first book, All Fired Up: Optimize Mental Health to Ignite Joy and Fuel Peak Performance, explores how personal well-being is the foundation for energy and excellence.
McLean also works in the film and television industry. As a screenwriter, he is currently in development on two feature films. He lives with his wife, their two kids, and an impressive collection of 90s movies.
Catalyst
Monday, August 17
Sheri Jacobs
CEO, Avenue M Group
A three-time bestselling author, researcher, and CEO of Avenue M Group, Sheri has surveyed nearly one million people and worked with over 300 organizations to uncover how leaders can amplify every voice, foster risk-taking, and build greater resilience. Drawing from a unique blend of business acumen and real-world insight—as well as the eye of an award-winning wildlife photographer—Sheri challenges conventional thinking and inspires bold action through her global keynotes, workshops, and consulting.
In addition to leading Avenue M Group, Sheri has helped shape industry standards through her service on the Board of Directors for the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the ASAE Foundation. Her data-driven yet practical approach helps organizations move beyond incremental change to spark meaningful growth.
Based in Denver, Colorado, Sheri draws inspiration from her adventures photographing wildlife from Antarctica to Zambia—and from daily life with her husband, Jon, and their three spirited dogs, Zoey, Ellie, and Jonah.
Catalyst
Tuesday, August 18
Justin Patton
Founder, The Trust Architect Group
Justin Patton is the speaker organizations call when they realize culture isn’t a vibe, it’s a leadership
strategy. Whether it’s managers avoiding tough conversations, teams pulling back, or trust quietly eroding, Justin delivers the reset that re-engages people, rebuilds credibility, and gets everyone aligned on how they show up and lead.
As the founder of The Trust Architect Group, Justin has helped brands like Ford, GE Appliances, Yum! Brands, the NCAA, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce transform how their leaders communicate, take ownership, and rebuild trust when the pressure’s on. His workshops aren’t just motivational, they’re grounded in behavioral science, real-world coaching insight, and the belief that most business problems are just trust problems in disguise.
A former high school English teacher who studied body language with a retired FBI agent, Justin creates spaces where leaders lead more personally, teams take accountability, and people want to keep coming back. His research-backed frameworks help audiences spot the exact moments where trust is built—or broken—through how they show up, how they communicate, and how they follow through. Because when leaders get trust right, teams speak up, move faster, and hold each other accountable without fear. That’s what trust delivers. That’s what Justin teaches.