2023 Leadership Summit Focuses on Modeling Excellence
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce staged its fifth annual Leadership Summit, a much-anticipated, full day of inspiring speakers, informative breakout sessions, and networking opportunities for Springfield Chamber members, at the Holiday Inn Express on Kruse Way in Springfield. Described as a “transformative event dedicated to professional leadership and organizational management development,” the 2023 Leadership Summit proved to be an enlightening experience centered around the theme of modeling excellence.
The 2023 Summit opened with a welcome by Vonnie Mikkelsen, the Springfield Chamber’s President and CEO, and Storm Kennedy, who returned as the Summit’s emcee.
The opening speaker for the event was University of Oregon baseball head coach Mark Wasikowski, whose presentation, entitled “Building Buy-In,” presented the question Who’s truly in charge of the organization? and focused on leadership performance concepts including: accepting change in the workplace; hiring wisely; and team accountability. Mark’s reference to his “people” (not “employees”) assessing their own performance based on operation “above or below the line” was memorable, and referenced repeatedly by other speakers over the course of the day.
After a Thrive break presented by title sponsor Kaiser Permanente and a coffee break sponsored by Main Street Coffee Co., it was time for the first breakout session. Attendees had to make a tough choice between Cory Burket’s “Building a T.E.A.M. Culture,” or the morning’s panel session, “Navigating Crucial Conversations with Skill and Empathy,” moderated by Assistant City Manager Niel Laudati. Both choices proved worthwhile.
Cory Burket, a managing director, estimator, project manager, designer, and Springfield Chamber board member, offered a thoughtful and inspiring speech that focused on team collaboration. Drawing on personal experience and an exceptional resume, Cory explored the idea of building trust as a leader, harnessing momentum, and working toward a unified focus in order to achieve success as an organization.
Meanwhile, in the breakout session next door, Niel Laudati, City of Springfield’s Assistant City Manager, moderated a remarkable panel consisting of Ken Brown, Community Relations and Engagement at Rexius; Christine Silver, Private Coach at Silver Business Solutions; and Jinoo Hwang, attorney at Northwest Legal; to share their experiences on defining and navigating difficult conversations. Laudati and the three panelists engaged in an informative conversation about the importance of sensitive issues; EQ [emotional quotient] over IQ; and listening with empathy, patience, and humility.
After a lively networking lunch break sponsored by Umpqua Bank and supplied by Sheild Catering, attendees had yet another tough choice to make for afternoon breakout sessions: in one room, Avril Watt delivered her address “Leading an Evolving Workplace,” and in the other, an exceptional panel moderated by Tab Davis discussed the power of confidence. Again, neither choice was a poor decision.
“Lead with a magnet in your heart and a compass in your mind.”
– Avril Watt, General Manager at ASTEC, and 2023 Summit Breakout Speaker
Avril Watt, Site General Manager at ASTEC and the Springfield Chamber’s Board chair, provided a rapt audience with insights on leading teams that was delivered with a casual grace derived from her unique experiences. Watt explored the inevitability of change in the workplace; actual recent shifts in recruitment and retention; and the cultivation of a positive workplace culture.
In the other breakout session, Tab Davis, marketing consultant at Bi-Coastal Media, moderated a singular panel around the topic “The Power of Confidence: Look Good, Feel Good,” and was joined by three business-owner panelists: Ed Emberlin, owner of Visiting Angels Eugene; Valerie Sharr, owner of Sip and Seams; and Rachel Williams, owner of Eugene Stylist; for an inspiring conversation about self-acceptance. From these engaging professionals, attendees got insights into feeling comfortable in your own skin; dressing for success; and cultivating healthy body image.
Later on in the program, Tab Davis would deliver a spotlight speech to the re-combined audience entitled “Bank on Yourself,” with many insights about not getting stuck on a career path; embracing change; and being in tune with your value, both as a contributor and a human being.
The 2023 Summit’s keynote speaker was as memorable as they come – the internationally-acclaimed author, professional speaker, and leadership and engagement expert, Sardék Love. Love’s mixture of insightful humor, charisma, and knowledge was immediately apparent, and for 90 minutes he embodied his reputation as a renowned and sought-after public speaker. Using an approach he calls “Edutainment,” Love used video, hands-on projects, and other unorthodox methods to illustrate eye-opening and salient points about such things as understanding your people, increasing collaboration across teams, and developing leadership protocols that enhance performance and success. His presentation had the whole room buzzing, even as attendees filed out for a networking happy hour that included music, food, drinks, and a book signing by Sardék Love.
A rousing success, the 2023 Leadership Summit was attended by 135 people across all sectors, covering the gamut of business size and scope. The Springfield Chamber would like to thank all the aforementioned sponsors, as well as McKenzie Willamette Medical Center, Springfield Greeters, Chambers Construction, Eugene Area Radio Stations (EARS), LJ Pearson Construction, Oak Hill School, Oakmont Family Dental, OCCU, PeaceHealth, Summit Bank, Willamalane Park and Recreation District, Visiting Angels Eugene, Bi-Coastal Media, and Vollara Air Purifiers. Also, many thanks to the 2023 Summit steering committee: Megan Burrows, Tab Davis, Adam Gutierrez, Storm Kennedy, Kasandra Larsen, Colleen Lawson, Nick Nelson, and Stephanie Robert; and to the many volunteers that donated their time and energy to this effort.
