OPPORTUNITY SUMMIT - 2025 Sessions

Leading Mission in a World of Legend vs. Legacy Norm Johnson, Chief Executive Officer at Family YMCA of Black Hawk County CULTURE TRACK Discover how to lead with purpose in a diverse workforce by balancing metrics with mission, practicing servant leadership, and leading by listening. This session explores how to build a culture of excellence that keeps organizations relevant, transforms products into the “Product of Choice,” and leaves a lasting legacy over fleeting legend.

From Vision to Action: Aligning Business Strategy and Company Culture to Drive Results Lynette Hemann, Senior Director of Brand & Communications at CCR Technologies STRATEGY TRACK Even the best strategies fail without a culture to sustain them. This session shows how to align culture with strategy to drive the right behaviors, accelerate performance, and achieve organizational goals. Attendees will gain practical tools to embed strategy into daily actions, measure alignment, and inspire ownership across every level of the organization.

Leadership as the Business of Connection Amy Eastman, VP Human Resources at Viking Pump, Inc. CULTURE TRACK True leadership is built on relationships—not just results. This session explores how connected leaders leverage curiosity, clear expectations, and regular feedback to strengthen trust, support accountability, and create high-impact teams. Attendees will learn how to use effective questions, foster coaching moments, and lead through meaningful connections that differentiate both leader and organization.

Breaking Down Silos: Building True Teams Employees Want to Stay In Erika Kramer, Senior Director of Wellness Services at Thrivera STRATEGY TRACK With over half of U.S. employees open to leaving their jobs, leaders must go beyond departments to build true teams where people feel connected, valued, and engaged. This session highlights simple, low-cost ways to break down silos, foster open conversations, and create a workplace culture where employees want to stay and thrive. Attendees will leave with practical tools to strengthen relationships, tap into team strengths, and drive positive results across the organization.

Redefining DEIB: Human Innovation as a Business Asset Kyle Roed, CHRO at CPM INNOVATION TRACK Innovation isn’t just about products—it’s about people systems. This session challenges traditional DEIB playbooks and introduces a redefined framework for Human Innovation, rooted in neuroscience, accountability, and real-world lessons from high-growth environments. Attendees will gain a practical blueprint for embedding belonging into business systems, tools to drive cultural accountability, and strategies to influence change across every level of the organization.