Pat Lencioni (General Session)

Patrick Lencioni is a bestselling author, speaker and consultant for CEOs and their executive teams. He is founder and president of The Table Group, a consulting firm dedicated to building healthy organizations. He is the author of many bestselling books including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, a continual fixture on national bestseller lists; his books have sold over three million copies. His newest is The Advantage: Why organizational health trumps everything else in business.

Lencioni's work has been featured in numerous publications such as Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Fast Company, INC Magazine, USA Today, Fortune, Drucker Foundation's Leader to Leader, and Harvard Business Review. The Wall Street Journal has named him one of the most in-demand business speakers.

Dr. Wesley K. "Wess” Stafford (General Session)

Dr. Wess Stafford, president of Compassion International, is author of Too Small to Ignore: Why Children Are the Next Big Thing and Just A Minute. He is an internationally recognized advocate for children in poverty. His daily radio feature, "Speak Up With Compassion” is heard on over 800 radio stations in the United States. Founded in 1952, Compassion International is one of the world’s largest Christian child development agencies, partnering with more than 60 denominations and thousands of local churches to serve more than one million children in 26 countries.

Stafford joined Compassion International in 1977, with service both overseas and at the organization’s headquarters. He has served as president since 1993.

Ellie Lofaro (General Session, Ladies Luncheon)

A respected author and speaker, Ellie Lofaro has touched the hearts and funny-bones of audiences since 1984. Her ability to discover humor in everyday situations coupled with her deep understanding of God’s grace have brought laughter, hope and encouragement to many.

Equally comfortable sharing the "Great News” alongside acclaimed teachers at national conferences, on a television broadcast, or roaming the halls during a midnight search for chocolate at a women’s retreat, Ellie effuses a natural ease and engaging warmth. Ellie Lofaro is a serious student of Scripture, and a keen observer of culture. She has developed a unique teaching style that touches the heart, stimulates the mind, and nourishes the soul.

Phil Cooke (ITI General Session)

Phil Cooke has produced media programming in more than 40 countries, and in the process, been shot at, survived military coups, and fell out of a helicopter. His company, Cooke Pictures in Burbank, California, has helped some of the largest nonprofit organizations in the world navigate dramatic disruption and change.

He’s founding partner of TWC Films, which produces national advertising for some of America’s largest companies. Phil is a working producer in Hollywood with a Ph.D. in Theology. He’s appeared on MSNBC, CNBC, CNN, and his work has been profiled in the New York Times, The Los Angeles Times and more. An author, his newest book is One B1G Thing: Discovering What You Were Born to Do!

Dr. Leighton Ford (General Session)

Dr. Leighton Ford is president of Leighton Ford Ministries which raises up younger leaders to spread Christ’s message worldwide. He has spoken face-to-face to millions in 37 countries on every continent. He served from 1955 until 1985 as associate evangelist, and later, vice president, of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Dr. Ford is Honorary Life Chairman of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, having served from 1976 to 1992 as chairman of this international body of Christian leaders. He chairs the Sandy Ford Fund, and has served as a board member for World Vision U. S., and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Recently, he was invited to consult with Duke Divinity School on Christian Leadership. Ford has authored or co-authored numerous books.

Israel Gaither (Morning Devotions)

Commissioner Israel L. Gaither is the (retired) past National Commander of The Salvation Army, U.S.A. He was ordained and commissioned as a Salvation Army clergy member in 1964. Commissioners Israel and Eva Gaither retired in 2010 following a four year assignment as National Commander and National President of Women’s Ministries, and 40 years of dedicated service to The Salvation Army.

In addition to service as National Commander, Gaither served in numerous leadership positions, including Chief of Staff in London, territorial commander for the U.S.A. Eastern Territory and for Southern Africa, and divisional commander. His overseas assignments enabled him to travel worldwide in his work for The Salvation Army. Gaither is also a past board member of Christian Leadership Alliance.

Dr. Henry Cloud (General Session)

Dr. Henry Cloud is a psychologist, leadership consultant, best-selling author and speaker whose books have sold more than 5 million copies. Cloud has written, or co-written, more than 20 books, including the 2-million-copy best seller Boundaries. His most recent books are Necessary Endings, Integrity, The One Life Solution, The Law of Happiness and 9 Things You Simply Must Do.

Cloud’s works have been reviewed and featured by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Los Angeles Times and many others. He has appeared on ABC News, CNN, FOX News, ABC Nightline, CBS, PBS and many other networks. He cohosts the nationally syndicated radio program New Life Live, which is heard in 180 markets with 3 million listeners.

Dr. John Townsend (General Session)

Dr. John Townsend is a business consultant, psychologist, and relational expert. He has written or co-written 26 books, selling 5 million copies, including the 2 million best-seller Boundaries; Leadership Beyond Reason; Handling Difficult People; and his most recent releases, Beyond Boundaries and How to be a Best Friend Forever.

For more than twenty years Townsend has engaged with leaders, organizations and individuals around the globe, offering them life-changing solutions to their problems. He is co-host of the nationally-syndicated talk show "New Life Live” which is heard in 180 markets with 3 million listeners. He has been interviewed on venues such as Fox News television and published in magazines such as Personal Excellence and Leadership Journal.

Lee Ellis (Men’s breakfast speaker)

Lee Ellis is author of Leading with Honor (FreedomStar Media, 2012). In this insight-filled book, Ellis, retired Air Force colonel, former fighter pilot and devout Christian, shares candidly about his five and a half years of captivity as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and the 14 key leadership principles behind this amazing story. Ellis will draw from his book to share on leading with honor and authenticity.
 
Today, as a successful consultant and keynote speaker on leadership, teambuilding, and human behavior, Ellis helps leaders of Fortune 500 companies, healthcare executives, small business owners, and entrepreneurs utilize these pressure-tested principles to increase personal engagement and organizational success. Ellis is founder and president of Leadership Freedom LLC and FreedomStar Media.

Dr. Tim Elmore, (Next Generation Leaders – Forum Moderator)

Dr. Tim Elmore is founder and president of Growing Leaders, an Atlanta-based nonprofit which develops emerging leaders. Through Growing Leaders, he and his team provide public schools, state universities, civic organizations and corporations with tools to help develop young leaders who can impact and transform society. Elmore has written more than 20 books, including the best-selling Habitudes TM: Images that Form Leadership Habits and Attitudes, Life Giving Mentors, Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future, and Artificial Maturity: Helping Kids Meet the Challenge of Becoming Authentic Adults. He has worked alongside internationally recognized leadership expert Dr. John Maxwell for the past 25 years. According to Maxwell, "No one teaches leadership better than Tim Elmore.”

Shaunti Feldhahn Christian (Women in Leadership Forum Moderator)

Bestselling author Shaunti Feldhahn began her career as a Wall Street analyst. Her recent bestsellers, more than one million copies sold, have been translated into 18 languages. The books in her popular "only” series include For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men, and For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women. She holds a master’s in public policy from Harvard, and a bachelor’s in government and economics from William & Mary. She recently concluded six years as a nationally syndicated columnist on women’s issues,

Phyllis H. Hendry (Christian Women in Leadership Forum Moderator)

Phyllis Hendry is president and CEO of Lead Like Jesus, an organization that glorifies God by inspiring and equipping people to lead like Jesus. Under her capable leadership since 2002, Lead Like Jesus has had global impact. She is a woman of passion and purpose who speaks from the overflow of her heart. Phyllis is a highly sought keynote speaker who delivers messages of truth that are clear, humorous and life-changing. She has had a sense of personal calling as she has felt God’s hand on every stage of her life and leadership in family, ministry, corporate America and nonprofit.

Bruce McNicol (CEO Forum Moderator)

Dr. Bruce McNicol is a leading thinker on authenticity and leadership and bestselling author. He has authored books such as: The Cure: What if God isn’t who you think He is, and neither are you?, Bo’s Cafe, and The Ascent of a Leader: How ordinary relationships develop extraordinary character and influence. With degrees in finance law, theology, leadership, and organizational development, McNicol connects with diverse leaders in the best-sellers he has co-authored.

After nearly 60 collective years working with leaders in various countries in the fields of business, government, education, the arts, media, and the church, Bruce and Janet McNicol and Bill and Grace Thrall decided in 1995 to give their lives to offering the solution of God’s grace to the problem of the lack of authenticity.

David Teems (Performance Artist)

David Teems is an author, musician and powerful communicator. He has now recorded eight albums, including three featuring voiceover/music: Hope, More Hope, and his latest, Speak To Me: For A Faith That Comes By Hearing, featuring the ambient music of Phil Keaggy and Nashville studio guitarist, Tom Hemby.

Teems is also an author of several books including his most recent, Tyndale: The Man Who Gave God an English Voice (Thomas Nelson, 2012), Majestie: The King Behind the King James Bible (Thomas Nelson, 2010), Discovering Your Spiritual Center: The Power of Psalm 119 (Leafwood, 2011), And Thereby Hangs A Tale (Harvest House, 2010), and To Love is Christ (Thomas Nelson, 2005).

33 Miles (Special Music)

Pursuit of a Christ-focused, heaven-minded life, fuels everything 33 Miles does, especially their music. Comprised of Jason Barton and Chris Lockwood, the band has received multiple GMA Dove Award nominations, including one for "New Artist of the Year” for their self-titled debut. Their most recent release is entitled Today, and it amplifies the truth that to make every day count, we’ve got to live with eternity in mind. As Lockwood said of Today: "Nothing we can accomplish in business, no amount of education, nothing compares to Jesus. But how our salvation translates to how we live today is the question…” 33 Miles returns to CLA after their much acclaimed appearance at the CLA 2012 Orlando conference.

Ryan Kirkland (Worship Band Leader)

Ryan Kirkland is the Worship Arts Director for Mountain View Church (MVC) in Mission Viejo, Calif. In addition to his role leading music full-time at MVC, Kirkland is also working on a new worship album that he hopes to release at the beginning of next year. He was always in bands while growing up in Orlando, Florida. In fact, he signed a major record deal, released three albums, and toured to amazing places just out of high school. In Spring of 2010, he and his wife Monika felt called to step out of that stage in his musical career, to follow God’s call to Kirkland’s current role at MVC.