Join us on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Moraine Park Technical College in Fond du Lac, WI for the Impact 2026: Transformative Leadership Conference! This full-day event filled with inspirational speakers, interactive breakout sessions, and transformative leadership topics is designed to help you grow as a leader, personally and professionally.

Registration Details

Sophia Partners is committed to making this conference accessible and affordable to anyone who wants to attend. Complete this form to be considered for a scholarship.

Meet Your Speakers!

Conversation Starters+

Nick Pretasky

Founder, Humanistic Leadership

Lead Where You Stand: Your Influence Is Your Leadership
There is no need to wait. Your leadership impact does not begin when you receive authority or a title. It begins the moment you choose to take responsibility for your influence. We will discuss how you can leverage everyday moments to multiply potential and build environments where people are engaged, empowered, and inspired to thrive.

Sheri Peitersen

Sr. Talent Development Manager, J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc

Reality Based Thinking: Suffering Is Optional
This module helps leaders recognize how emotions, assumptions, and personal stories distort reality and impact outcomes. Participants learn to shift from blame and reactivity to fact-based thinking and personal accountability, enabling more productive conversations, better problem-solving, and forward-focused leadership actions.

Katie Moder

Regional Special Education Network Director, CESA 6

LeadTime: Leadership Insight in 15 minutes or less
In workplaces everywhere, time is limited, but the need for human-centered leadership is greater than ever. Most teams don’t need more meetings—they need more meaningful leadership moments. Leadership insight often happens in the smallest windows of time. This toolkit of quick, high-impact exercises shifts the energy from managing time to creating leadership insights.

Breakout Speakers+

Kelsey Beine

Foundress & Lead Teacher, Lead with Light

Navigating Change with Creativity: Mandalas as a Tool for Self-reflection
In this experiential session, we’ll explore the change process – create, sustain, destroy/transform – by working with mandalas. This circular art form has been used for centuries to illuminate our inner wisdom and guide us toward clarity. Through creating (and destroying!) your own mandala, you’ll experience impermanence and apply this to a specific situation in your leadership journey.

Carrie Rule

Emotional Intelligence Coach, Carrie Rule Limitless

Feelings Are Data, Not Drama: Using Emotional Intelligence When It Matters Most
Emotions aren’t the enemy but left unchecked; they can derail relationships, decisions, and your reputation. In this lively and interactive session, we’ll explore what happens to us when we’re emotionally charged (spoiler: it’s rarely our finest moment), identify our personal patterns, and develop real-world strategies to turn emotional reactions into thoughtful responses. Come ready to be honest, have some fun, and leave with tools you can actually use.

Jesse Pimental

School Resource Officer, City of Fond du Lac Police Dept.
Owner, Profound Change, LLC

The Silent Organizational Killer: Burnout – Impact, Awareness, and Strategies
Build awareness of burnout by defining it, distinguishing it from normal stress, and understanding its growing prevalence. You’ll learn to recognize key signs and symptoms across emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral areas, along with its impact on performance, health, and relationships. Finally, apply practical, evidence-based strategies—such as setting boundaries, adjusting workload, and adopting recovery habits—to prevent or recover from burnout.

Laurice Snyder

Owner & Human-Centered Leadership Consultant, Rooted Wings

Get Curious, Not Furious: Leading Effectively Across Differences
In complex, fast-moving environments, leaders are often expected to provide immediate answers but the most effective leadership begins with better questions. This session invites leaders to reframe curiosity as a strategic leadership practice that strengthens decision-making, deepens relationships, and drives more inclusive outcomes.

Kristin Blada

Career Coach, Navigate Consulting

Bridging the Gap: Turning Generational Frustration into a Leadership Superpower
Generational differences can create friction—or fuel better outcomes. This interactive session creates space for honest dialogue and shared learning as participants explore how mindset and communication styles vary across generations. Through activities and real conversations, you’ll discover how to adapt, connect more effectively, and tap into the unique strengths each person brings – regardless of their generation in the workplace.

Carrie Reif

Founder, Elevate HR Solutions

With more than two decades of experience in organizational leadership and human resources, Carrie specializes in helping companies transition from founder-driven operations to structured leadership environments that support long-term growth. She is known for her practical, strategic approach to leadership and organizational design, helping companies build strong teams, clear accountability, and systems that support both people and performance.

Spark Session+

Short Talks That Ignite Transformative Ideas! The fast-paced Spark Session is designed to shift thinking, challenge assumptions, and spark new perspectives. In 10 minutes or less, each speaker will deliver a quick and powerful idea to help you lead with impact.

Miriam Borgwardt

Junior, Winnebago Lutheran Academy

Finding the Happier Hour: A step-by-step guide to centering your life around its happiest moments.
Has the hectic pace of today’s world distracted you from really enjoying your day to day? In this presentation, you’ll learn proven, targeted exercises to help you reclaim lost time—and make it more enjoyable.

Greg Giles

Executive Director, Fond du Lac Area Foundation

The Architecture of Awesome: Shoes, Green Lights & Big Buy-In
You know that feeling when you’re driving and you hit every single green light on the way to work? It’s not a miracle, but it feels like the universe is giving you a high-five. Leadership buy-in isn’t built on ‘miracles’ or ‘Grand Visions.’ It’s built on being the person who gives your staff those ‘green lights’ moments.

Day-of Schedule

Subject to Change

7:30 AM Networking & Breakfast

8:00 AM Welcome 

8:15 AM LeadTime: Leadership Activity – Katie Moder

8:30 AM Conversation Starter One – Nick Pretasky

9:30 AM Snack Break

9:45 AM Breakout Session One (Choose 1 of six options)

11:00 AM LeadTime: Leadership Activity – Katie Moder

11:15 AM Spark Session: Short Talks That Ignite Transformative Ideas

11:45 AM Lunch & Networking

12:45 PM Breakout Session Two (Choose 1 of six options)

1:45 PM Snack Break

2:00 PM Conversation Starter Two – Sheri Peitersen

3:00 PM LeadTime: Leadership Activity – Katie Moder 

3:30 PM Closing Remarks

4:00 PM See You Next Year

Need a place to stay before the conference? The Hotel Retlaw is located 1 mile from the venue. Rate: $111.00/night.

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Interested in being a Partner?

Learn more about our available sponsorship packages or complete the form below.

Thank You 2026 Partners!

Impact Partner

Transformative Leader

Scholarship Partner

Snack Partner