Time Machine

As we move forward and grow GCLC into an experience worthy of the next generation of leaders we take this time to look back and appreciate the diversity and brilliance of our past keynote speakers. Each and every one of them has faced adversity head on and fiercely conquered it. Take a moment to note the variety of stories that each has brought to the table, as we look forward to GCLC 2016!

Al DuncanKeynote Speaker- GCLC

2013 Al Duncan is an award-winning youth advocate, publisher, and an internationally recognized authority on soft skills. He is the publisher of DuncanNuggets.com a resource center packed with free videos articles, and activities on character education and soft skills. Duncan Nuggets have been used by over one million young people in hundreds of schools and youth serving organizations. Al is the founder of Young Scribe, a free marketing and fundraising program that allows schools and youth organizations to raise money and increase tangible outcomes by publishing books written by their young people. He is also the author of 4 books including My Success Journal for Young People. Born to teenage parents, raised in a poverty stricken neighborhood in North Philadelphia, being molested as a child, and his father’s addiction to crack cocaine left Al devastated, but not defeated. He went on to enjoy careers as a professional saxophone player, a professional chef, and he is the former executive producer and host of his own television show. At the age of 24 he walked away from his musical career in order to raise his youngest brother who was 12 years old at the time.

http://www.alduncan.net

Victor AntonioKeynote Speaker- GCLC

2012

Author, trainer and speaker Victor Antonio is proof that the American dream of success is alive and well. A poor upbringing from one of the roughest areas of Chicago didn’t stop Victor from earning a B.S. Electrical Engineering, an MBA and building a 20 year career as a top sales executive and becoming CEO of a multimillion dollar high-tech company. Prior to being CEO he was President of Global Sales and Marketing for a $420M company. He was tasked with building a global sales force, establishing contract agreements, developing financial pricing models and in charge of developing the corporate brand and marketing the company’s services for worldwide acceptance. Before that he was Vice President of International Sales in a Fortune 500 $3B corporation at the time. Within a two and half year time period he grew their business from $14M to $98M in annual revenue. During that time period his sales totals were $162M and was selected from over 500 sales managers to join the President’s Advisory Council for excellence in sales and management

http://www.sellingergroup.com/

Victor AntonioKeynote Speaker- GCLC

2011

Rochester, NY, January 3 - For the past 15 years, the Georgia Collegiate Leadership Conference has been attracting hundreds of students and advisors from colleges and universities across the state and Southeast to receive practical training in their personal, academic, and career development. Held at the University of Georgia, the conference is designed to enhance the leadership skills and abilities of students and to foster interaction amongst campus leaders and advisors. This year’s conference, to be held February 12 with the theme “Leadership: Is it in you?” will feature an opening keynote address delivered by Kristin Skarie of Fairport, NY, founder and president of Teamworks, a teambuilding and leadership consulting company.

“I’m honored to be part of this exciting event to share my ideas with conference attendees on sustainable leadership, excellence and accountability for maximizing personal, professional and organizational impact,” said Skarie. A 2010 Athena Award Nominee for her work in business, mentoring, leadership and service, Skarie is currently working with the Henry Hudson Elementary School in Rochester through the City School District’s Pencil Partner program, which pairs local business leaders with a school principal to create unique learning opportunities for students and staff related to the businessperson’s expertise.

www.betterteams.com

Jullien GrodonKeynote Speaker- GCLC

2010 My speaking career began on the college circuit after receiving standing ovations at my UCLA and Stanford graduation speeches. Since then, I’ve been blessed to touch thousands of students’ lives at 70+ colleges nationwide.

My message has grown with my generation as millennials enter Corporate America and my Fortune 500 clients include companies such as JPMorgan Chase, Pepsico, and Daimler. And I’ve also had the honor of speaking at TED 4 times on how to motivate millennials, the new American Dream, exploring our self-worth through entrepreneurship, and the purpose of college today.My favorite part of speaking is after the speech at the book signing when I get to meet audience members 1-on-1, shake their hands, look them in the eyes, and hear their personal stories. I get inspired when I connect with someone else who has a similar story and the same struggles as I did trying to experience more happy hours.

http://julliengordon.com/

Joshua FredenburgKeynote Speaker- GCLC

2009 Joshua Fredenburg is a nationally acclaimed speaker, media commentator, leadership/diversity consultant, relationship expert, and author of five books. He has served as a keynote speaker for different lectures, conferences, retreats, and trainings at various colleges, non-profit organizations, and corporate events in forty four different states. In addition to a highly successful speaking career, Joshua is also the President and Founder of the Circle of Change Leadership Conference and World Leaders Institute. The Circle of Change Leadership Conference is an award winning leadership development program that was not only recognized by the NASPA (Student Affair Professionals in Higher Education) Student Leadership Programs Knowledge Community as the “Top Student Leadership Development Program in 2015”, but it’s also an incredible conference that prepares student leaders for career leadership success in the 21st Century. It also connects these students with executives from companies such as Pepsi, Columbia Pictures, Hewlett Packard, CNN, UPS, MTV, Mattel, Starbucks’s, VH-1, Verizon Wireless, NBC Universal, IBM, Warner Brothers, Chipotle, Disney, and Fox to name a few.

http://www.visionxy.com/joshua/

Andrew JohnstonKeynote Speaker- GCLC

2008 Dr. Andrew Johnston is a sought after speaker, teacher, and consultant whose personal style and practical approach distinguish his work in corporate, academic, and church-related contexts. Clients connect easily, deeply and genuinely with him as he helps them increase their potential and inhabit it fully. 

Dr. Johnston meets leaders and organizations where they are because he knows the charms and challenges of leadership himself. Twenty-five years of surviving and inspiring transformation as a senior-level leader have tested and tempered his own leadership, and left him committed to empowering and encouraging others who want to lead and live well. This heart for leaders is coupled with a head for leadership. Dr. Johnston knows how to move others and make the most of them. He draws from extensive academic preparation in Interpersonal Communication, Counseling Psychology, and Leadership as well as diverse experiences as an executive, psychologist, faculty member, NCAA coach, and counselor to create unusually pertinent and powerful experiences for his clients. In them, they discover new skills, new energy, and new vision for the future.

http://www.johnstonconsulting.net/aj-bio/

Amy GallimoreKeynote Speaker- GCLC

2007 Someone once said that you can alter your life by altering your attitude… and this is what The Sweet Corn Company is all about! The Sweet Corn Company was created in memory of Amy Gallimore’s grandmother, who left her the legacy of humor and an appreciation for seeing the positive side of life. Amy is the owner of this small company which provides a fun, motivational message to others through stories and experiential activities– proving the theory that laughter, is indeed, the best medicine! Amy has presented her “Laugh It Off,” “GET LOUD”, and “Walking Tall” messages to numerous college campuses, church organizations, fraternities and sororities, collegiate leadership conferences, health care providers, as well as various professional and corporate organizations. Amy’s messages have been described as “inspiring, witty, creative…they leave a lasting impact so you are sure to remember her stories and lessons.” Amy received her B.A. in Speech Communications from The University of Tennessee- Knoxville, and received her Masters Degree in College Student Personnel Administration from The University of Georgia. She is also a member of the staff at The University of Tennessee where she is a Youth Extension Specialist for Tennessee 4-H where she plans leadership and citizenship opportunities for over 300,000 youth.

http://www.teamtri.com/index.asp?page=2012

Kyle MaynardKeynote Speaker- GCLC

2006 Kyle Maynard was born March 24, 1986 with a rare disorder called, "Congenital Amputation.” Despite his physical differences, Kyle was one of the top high school wrestlers in Georgia during his senior season. He qualified for and competed in the 2004 Georgia High School Wrestling Championships. Also, he narrowly missed All-American status at the NHSCA Senior National Wrestling Championships.

However, as impressive as his academic and sport accomplishments are, it is Kyle's attitude towards life that makes Kyle a truly unique person. Kyle does not think in terms of limitations, but only in accomplishments. One of Kyle'sfavorite sayings is, "It's not what I can do; it's what I WILL do." The attitude Kyle approaches life with is the result of numerous failures, the perseverance to overcome his limitations, and the loving, but strict care of his parents.

The story of Kyle Maynard transcends the sport of wrestling. It sends a message of hope to those who must persevere in overcoming insurmountable odds. What many of us would consider a handicap, Kyle uses as a gift. It is not only Kyle's attitude towards wrestling that endears him into the hearts of those he comes into contact with, but also, his passion and zest for life that is equally contagious. He may only stand three feet tall, but he is a giant amongst men.

http://kyle-maynard.com/

Debra LassiterKeynote Speaker- GCLC

2005

Ms. Debra Lassiter is one of two founders of Perfectly Polished, Inc., The Etiquette School. She and co-founder Cindy Haygood responded to the need for instruction in social graces for young people in theAthens community. Founded in 1986, the school’s mission is as follows; “Perfectly Polished, Inc., The Etiquette School recognizes the value of individual excellence in young people. Perfectly Polished is devoted to the promotion and development of poise, confidence, and a higher level of standards.” Ms. Lassiter, who also serves as an instructor for the school, is certified by the Protocol School of Washington, D.C. During our lunch, she will provide instruction on proper dining etiquette.

http://www.etiquetteleadership.com/staff-profiles/1/Debra-Lassiter