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Started as an initiative to help build leadership, networking, and collaboration among Walker County leaders, Leadercast at SHSU has grown to be much more than that. Several years ago, Dr. Kristy Vienne, Assistant Vice President for Student Services, heard about the program and thought it would be great to provide it for their division of about 60-80 people. About that same time, several other leaders in the community, one being Dr. Richard Rogers from University Heights Baptist Church, had reached out to Dr. Dana Hoyt asking if SHSU might be interested in bringing this program to community leaders in Huntsville. Hoyt put the two of them together, and the rest is history.
According to Vienne, the role of this program is first and foremost to bring community leaders together. “Think of the growth we’ve had in Huntsville in the past five years,” she said. “The focus was to get all these leaders in a room together and focus on something positive–church leaders, business leaders, school leaders, government leaders; let’s refill our buckets with positive influences, then continue these conversations outside this one day event. That was the inspiration behind it, and we’ve seen that happen. All the community leaders came together and realized everyone had programs they attended, but this could be something where we all came to the table and put sweat and equity into it.” This year marks the fifth year for SHSU to host Leadercast, with attendance each year ranging from 550 to 800 participants.
All proceeds from this event are put back into the community. Two $1,000 scholarships are given to Walker County students who plan to attend Sam Houston State University, along with scholarships for local school students and non-profit organization leaders to attend Leadercast. Additionally, the event helps to fund the Choices program for 8th grade students presented by the Chamber of Commerce. “The school district has been a big part of our growth. Dr. Howell Wright and Shannon Duncan of HISD both serve on the Leadercast host committee and continue to grow that partnership with us,” says Vienne. Students identified as leaders within HISD, Alpha Omega Academy, Premier High School, New Waverly, and homeschool are also invited to attend.
“99% of the population don’t see themselves as a leader, but we are all leaders to somebody–nieces , nephews, neighbors, friends,” reminds Vienne. “ We want people to come. We want people to know what we’re doing. Send your staff, send yourself! We want to keep this conversation going year ‘round.” According to Vienne, the host committee also wants to reach out to those in our community who are retired. “It’s easy to think, ‘I’m retired – I’m not a leader.’ Yes you are! These citizens still give back to our community in so many ways through mentorship and volunteerism.”
Breakfast and lunch are included in the ticket price
Vienne says they do not want cost to be a reason people don’t attend. “We strive to keep our costs down and have not increased prices since we began the program; plus, we provide breakfast and lunch with our ticket price. In fact, we’ve found that other host sites charge two to three times what we do.”
Hundreds of locations simulcast the live event from Atlanta each year. Because Leadercast was so impressed with what had been done in Huntsville, Vienne and her group were invited to Atlanta to learn more. This year’s speakers are especially visionary in nature, and there appears to be something for everyone…sports enthusiasts, business people, creative types, educators, and more. Says Vienne, “Come enjoy a day of professional development, build up the community, and continue to give back to the community.”
Architects of Tomorrow imagine a future that is rich and full of hope—where problems are solved, questions are answered, and confusion gives way to clarity. Join Leadercast on the campus of Sam Houston State University, May 6, 2016. The event is from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center. Visit shsu.edu/leadercast for more information or tickets.
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Andy Stanley
Leadership Author and Communicator
Andy Stanley is a bestselling author and communicator and the founder of North Point Ministries. Each Sunday, more than 36,000 people attend NPM’s six Atlanta-area campuses. Every month, over two million of Andy’s messages are viewed or downloaded from North Point websites. More than 36 million episodes of Your Move with Andy Stanley television program have been viewe and he has written over 20 books.
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Steve Wozniak
Co-Founder of Apple, Inc.
Steve Wozniak has helped shape the computing industry with his design of Apple’s first line of products, the Apple I and II, and influenced the popular Macintosh. Wozniak and Steve Jobs founded Apple Computer, Inc. For his achievements, Wozniak was awarded the National Medal of Technology by the President of the United States in 1985, the highest honor bestowed on America’s leading innovators.
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CMDR Rorke Denver
Navy SEAL Commander and Author
Commander Rorke T. Denver has run every phase of training for the U.S. Navy SEALs and led special-forces missions in international hot spots. He starred in the hit film Act of Valor, which is based on true SEAL adventures. His NY Times Bestseller, Damn Few: Making the Modern SEAL Warrior, takes you inside his personal story and the fascinating, demanding SEAL training program he oversaw.
Denver led more than 190 combat missions and never lost a member of his team.
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James Brown
Network Broadcaster, CBS Sports and News
James Brown is a three-time Emmy award winning network broadcaster and in 2010 was named SI.com’s “Best Studio Host of the Decade.” He is the host of The NFL Today on CBS and Super Bowl 50, host of Thursday Night Football on CBS and Special Correspondent for CBS News, contributing to various programs including 60 Minutes.
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Kat Cole
Group President at FOCUS Brands (Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, and more)
Kat is responsible for building FOCUS Brands revenues and profits through global licensing, manufacturing, and ecommerce. Previously, she was President of Cinnabon, Inc. accountable for leading and growing the multichannel brand team that drove record comp sales growth, brand expansion, and franchise evolution during her tenure.
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Nick Saban
Head Football Coach at University of Alabama
University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban is in his ninth season with the Crimson Tide. Saban has compiled an 86-17 record at Alabama while leading the Tide to five SEC Western Division championships, three conference titles, and three national championships. Saban won his first national championship as head coach of the LSU Tigers in 2003. Overall, Saban has coached six conference championship teams and 16 of his 19 teams have played in postseason bowl games under his direction. Saban is also one of two coaches to win at least two BCS national championships and the first to accomplish the feat at two different schools.
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Chris Barez-Brown
Author and Creativity Guru
Bestselling author, speaker, and creativity guru Chris Barez-Brown has been unleashing the creative potential of worldwide organizations including Unilever, Nike, and Diageo for years. He is a master of metamorphosis, challenging and transforming businesses through embedding Creative Leadership as part of the DNA of the culture.
Chris founded Upping Your Elvis in 2009 to help people reconnect with their inner creative genius and once again become confident in being who they truly are.
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Dr. Henry Cloud
Acclaimed Leadership Expert, Clinical Psychologist, and Bestselling Author
Dr. Henry Cloud is an acclaimed leadership expert and bestselling author. He draws on his experience in business, leadership consulting, and his practice as a clinical psychologist to impart practical and effective advice for improving leadership skills and workplace performance. Dr. Cloud has written or co-written over twenty books, including the bestseller Boundaries, which sold over two million copies. He devotes the majority of his time to improving leadership capabilities of CEOs and their executive teams.
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Tripp Crosby
Comedian and Director, Host of Leadercast
Tripp Crosby is widely known as the taller half of Tripp and Tyler, a world famous YouTube sketch comedy duo with over 50 million views. Their sketches have been featured on the Today Show, The Tonight Show, CNN Headline News, and many other national media. They recently hit the top 20 on iTunes with their brand new podcast, Hello Today With Tripp and Tyler.
Tripp is also a film director and when he’s not producing new sketches with Tyler or leading his production team at Green Tricycle, Tripp can be seen either performing at comedy clubs and corporate events around the globe, or at home watching television with his expectant wife Hannah.
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Postcards Magazine
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