Marques Ogden – August Speaker

Marques Ogden

Marques Ogden – Growing up in a single parent home with a father that inspired perseverance and fairness, Marques Ogden learned how to define his values and set goals. Ogden attended Howard University from 1998-2002 where he played Division I football.

He then followed his dream and his brother Jonathan’s footsteps, eventually getting drafted into the NFL in 2003. Overall, he played for 5 years as an offensive lineman with the Titans, Bills, Ravens and Jaguars. Even during the off season, Ogden helped train football players in Europe, both physically and mentally.

 

 

Mark Whitacre—June Speaker

Mark Whitacre is Executive Director of the t-factor initiative at Coca-Cola Consolidated, Inc. From 2003-2019, Mark served as COO of Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC). From 2006-2013, he was the COO and Chief Science Officer at Cypress Systems, Inc., a California biotechnology company where Mark still serves on their advisory board today.
After completing his B.S. and M.S. degrees at Ohio State University, Mark earned his Ph.D. degree at Cornell University in biochemistry. He worked as an executive for multiple Fortune 500 companies, including Ralston Purina, Degussa (Evonik), and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM). He was recruited at ADM when he was 32 as the President of the Biotech Division. Mark has extensive international business experience, having lived in Germany for four years working for Evonik at their world headquarters in Frankfurt.

Mark is considered the highest-ranked executive of any Fortune 500 company to become a whistleblower in U.S. history. He wore a wire for 3 years for the FBI and was responsible for uncovering the ADM price-fixing scandal in the early 1990s. His story inspired the major motion picture “The Informant” starring Matt Damon as Mark.

Hazel Herrington—April Speaker

Hazel Herrington is one of the world’s leading marketing and personal branding experts. With years of experience developing successful strategies for c-suite executives, entrepreneurs, speakers, authors, coaches, and businesses of all sizes, Hazel has a wealth of knowledge and expertise to share with others who want to achieve similar success, and her passion for helping others succeed is evident in her writing, which is often described as “engaging”, “inspiring”, and “informative”. She is the Editor in Chief of publications such as Lady Politico Power, Lady Speaker Power and I Am Woman Global magazine. Hazel is also a celebrity interviewer who has worked with and met with a list of Celebrities, Global Leaders, Politicians, Billionaires, Millionaires, and Influencers such as Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen, Jason Alexander, Jewel Kilcher, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Douglas, Quincy Jones, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jonah Hill, John Travolta, Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, Africa’s first billionaire Patrice Motsepe and the former advisor to Donald Trump George Ross.

Hazel’s drive and determination have led her to become one of the most sought-after personal branding experts in this world. Her expertise is Personal Branding, Business Branding (especially online marketing), Event Planning, Strategic Planning for companies – both new startups and established organisations; Executive Coaching with a focus on surrounding yourself with great people who will give you another perspective when needed most! And lastly, Social Media Marketing & Management which helps manage your brand across all platforms so it can be seen more easily.”

Hazel is a multiple award-winning entrepreneur who has won and been nominated for the following awards: 2021 Most successful women in the world; World Greatness Honorary Award, Gold Coast Woman of the year Award, Australia Top 100 Women of Influence Year, 2021 Exemplary Leadership Award and the Pan African Thrive global award.

When she’s not working, Hazel enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring new places. Hazel holds a bachelor’s degree in business from Griffith University and is passionate about helping others succeed.

Her motto is “Live life to the fullest, put God first and never give up on your dreams!”

Darla Noble—March Speaker

*Freelance author and ghostwriter with twenty-eight years of experience in the nonfiction and Christian markets; specializing in Bible studies and devotionals, historical nonfiction, elementary curriculum, character education resources and inspirational nonfiction and self-help resources for women, parents, tweens and teens.

*Motivational speaker for women, tweens and teens.

I am passionate about equipping families and young people to become the wonderful, unique and amazing people God designed them to be. Through stories, scripture, listening and sharing, both in books and through speaking, it is my desire to help young people and families love, respect and appreciate who they are and what they are capable of.

I am happy to announce that in early 2018 my latest book, “Faith is Like Chocolate” will be available for your reading pleasure. Kindle? Nook? Hard copy? Don’t worry-I’ve got you covered.

“Faith is Like Chocolate” is a collection of short-read devos/inspirational messages for tweens, teens, and beyond. So if you like chocolate, cheesy pizza, “A Christmas Story”, “The True Story of the Three Little Pigs”, plus a whole lot more, AND you want to know what they all have in common, then this is the book for you!

“Faith is Like Chocolate” joins three other books by yours truly: “Love, Momma D”, “Throught the Eyes of a Shepherd”, and “All my love, George…Letters from a WWII hero”. And don’t forget–when you purchase one of my books 20% of the sale goes to a ministry or organization (listed on my website).

For more information on my books, freelancing fees, ghostwriting services and other projects, you can visit my website:
http://www.dnoblewrites.weebly.com

I also invite you to read/share/follow my weekly blogs:
Parenting blog http://www.mommadsays.blogspot.com
Evangelism blog http://www.alittlesaltygrace.blogspot.com

You can also connect with me on Facebook: dnoblewrites

Bob Willbanks—January Speaker

I’ve served the payroll, tech, real estate, and nonprofit sectors throughout my career, with experience in sales, operations management, sales management and service bureau / business ownership. I’ve owned multiple successful business ventures and have experience with Fortune 500 companies at senior management levels.

I’m currently engaged as the CEO of G7 Networking, Inc. and Co-Local Owner (with my wife Barb) of Next Door Photos Twin Cities.

Connect with us online at www.g7networking.com or www.ndp-tc.com.

Specialties: Spiritual Growth, Leadership, Personal Improvement, Events, Fellowship, Networking, Connecting, Influencing, Evangelism, Real Estate, Real Estate Photography and Media

Larry Osborne—December Speaker

I served as the lead pastor at North Coast Church for 38 years overseeing growth from 128 to over 13,000 in weekend attendance. Currently I serve North Coast as a Teaching Pastor and Kingdom Ambassador focusing on teaching the Bible, mentoring, and consulting leaders (in the church, non-profit sector, and marketplace). I’ve also written 10 books and I’m lucky enough to get paid for what I would gladly do for free. The only thing I love more than working on these things is hanging out with my family. For more, see www.LarryOsborne.com

Dan Hudson—November Speaker

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Dan is a product of his own faith journey and has a passion to help people experience what it took him too long to discover: a real, raw and relational walk with Jesus. It was when God intersected with Dan in this way that his path changed and he began pursuing ministry.

Dan has served as a pastor for over 18 years in a variety of capacities: from working in a larger congregation helping start a second campus to launching a new church plant with a small core of people. Most recently, he served as pastor of Mission and Discipleship for Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran in Pewaukee, WI.

In every context of ministry, Dan has a passion to translate the Gospel in tangible ways so that every person can meet and embrace the love of Jesus. He loves walking the path of discipleship alongside others who are discovering a new identity and purpose for their lives. In all things, Dan longs to help people experience the grace and truth of God in real ways that touch down in their lives.

He lives this mission out with his teammate and bride of over 20 years, along with their 4 teenage children who love Jesus and serve the Lord right alongside mom and dad. In his spare time, Dan loves all things Wisconsin: the outdoors, hiking, kayaking, hunting, fishing, restoring old cars, sports – Packers, brats, and cheese curds!

Ben Utecht—October Speaker

Ben has always chased his dreams, finding his way from the river town of Hastings Minnesota to a Super Bowl championship field. He has established himself as a prominent corporate speaker and coach in the areas of organizational Culture and Leadership development. Ben is a high performing Chief Culture Officer and Chief Growth Officer currently working with Behavioral Essentials, True North Equity, and Conquer Ninja Gyms. Ben has had success in many realms, from sitting on the prestigious board of the American Brain Foundation, authoring “Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away” with Simon and Schuster, and releasing award-nominated albums as a professional singer. Recently Ben was awarded Tony Dungy’s Uncommon Leader Award following in the footsteps of athletes like Peyton Manning. Ben would tell you his greatest passion is being a husband to his beautiful wife and a father to their four daughters.

ACHIEVEMENTS
2003 Team Captain – University of Minnesota
2003 First Team All Big Ten Tight End
2007 Super Bowl XLI Champion – Indianapolis Colts
2012 Dove Award Nominee
2013 Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance Ambassador Award
2014 Public Leadership in Neurology Award (American Academy of Neurology)
2019 Tony Dungy “Uncommon Leader” Award Winner

Steve Sonderman—September Speaker

Highly regarded as one of the pioneers of the men’s ministry movement in America, Steve started one of the first ministries in the country for the growing church population at Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. In 1994, he began the annual No Regrets Men’s Conference which today draws thousands of men across the country and around the world. Steve regularly consults churches on leadership issues and leads seminars helping to develop men’s ministries both in the US and abroad. He has authored books on leadership and curriculum studies for men. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a Master of Divinity degree from Bethel Seminary. Steve and his wife, Colleen, have four grown children and are proud grandparents.