Workshops and Speakers
Dive into an array of engaging workshops designed to inspire growth, innovation, and leadership. From understanding the future of work to building bold brands, each session is led by industry experts who bring decades of experience and insights into their fields. Whether you’re here to learn, connect, or spark new ideas, the Illuminate Summit agenda is crafted to ensure a fulfilling and impactful experience for all.
The Future of Work
Michael Dana
We’ll explore how the rise of artificial intelligence and the shift to remote work are shaping the future of business. We’ll dive into ways service-based companies can elevate their client experiences with AI-powered tools and adapt seamlessly to hybrid and remote environments.
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Michael offers tax and corporate law guidance to businesses at all stages, focusing on U.S. federal income tax, acquisitions, reorganizations, and cross-border transactions. He advises on Subpart F, GILTI, foreign tax credits, and tax treaties, enhancing value for private and multinational enterprises.
Bold Brand Leadership
Wayne Brannon
This talk shares the dramatic turnaround of a failing business through brand reinvention and team passion. It highlights the importance of prioritizing customers, using creativity to reshape the competitive landscape, and fostering a belief that winning is the only option.
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Wayne, a seasoned leader, brings decades of experience in global business. Formerly GM’s VP for Overseas Development and CEO of GM Europe, he relaunched Chevrolet in 37 countries. Now, as Gr8Road Partners’ CEO, he provides C-suite support, business development, and executive coaching.
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The Entrepreneurial Paradox
Peter Ocsody, PhD
What drives the creation of groundbreaking ventures? Explore the unique forces and paradoxes that propel entrepreneurial ingenuity.
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Entrepreneurship is the heartbeat of innovation. In this session, discover what it takes to navigate these forces, and challenge yourself to see if you have the mindset and resilience to innovate and lead.
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Peter Oscody, Founder of PreneurDomain, partners with entrepreneurs to achieve goals through agile management, systems design, and coaching. He also teaches at Maharishi International University, holding a PhD in Management, and focuses on fostering social impact through innovation and knowledge.
Growing Digitally: How to
Approach Marketing in 2025
Harrison Ambs
An educational seminar on the executive-level approach and thinking on how to manage the marketing in their business, with an emphasis on digital approaches and reporting.
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Harrison Ambs, Chief Strategy Officer at Vectra Digital, leads innovative AI-driven strategies, giving clients a competitive edge. Vectra Digital has earned awards like the International Davey, Addy Awards, and Inc. 5000. Harrison, recognized as a top leader, delivers impactful client results.
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Becoming Opportunity Maximizing Masters
Marty Jacknis
Becoming Opportunity Maximizing Masters! Powerful tools and techniques that explain how to capture, replicate, and inculcate the thinking, planning, decision-making, and communication methodologies of top performers throughout an organization to gain and maintain competitive advantage.
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Marty Jacknis, President of Opportunity Maximizers, is known as the “Ultimate Opportunity Maximizer.” A nationally recognized speaker, consultant, and executive coach, he helps Fortune 500 companies and startups boost sales and marketing with innovative strategies and execution techniques.
Leadership To Drive Engaged Teams & Remarkable Service
Sara Mueller
Leadership research shows that emotional intelligence (EQ) is the key to leadership success, surpassing IQ and expertise. Linked to higher engagement, productivity, and well-being, EQ also reduces burnout and turnover. Join keynote speaker Sara Mueller to explore the four pillars of EQ.
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Sara Mueller, a Harvard-trained emotional intelligence expert and bestselling author, is CEO of Joy Discovered, where she guides managers to lead engaged teams. A contributor to Brainz Magazine and mental well-being expert for Florida’s Health Plan, Sara champions connection, courage, and authenticity in leadership.
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Cyber Threats and Business: How to Protect What Matters
Brian Bonacci
Explore the unique challenges entrepreneurs face as they balance opposing values, directions, and goals. This session dives into the paradoxes of leadership and growth, offering insights to help founders navigate complexity and maintain motivation. Perfect for those ready to embrace the dualities of entrepreneurship.
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With over two decades in IT, including Managing Partner of BT Align, Brian specializes in cybersecurity, business continuity, IT assessments for organizations across industries and managing Fortune 500 projects, leading acquisitions, and securing data for a $7 billion corporation, in his session Brian will Review the evolving types of cyber-attacks that threaten businesses of all size with specific preventative measures to lessen the overall risk.
Transform Chaos into Cohesion: Building High-Performance Teams
Tracey L. Pirozzi
Break free from mediocrity by building a truly collaborative and engaged team. This interactive session helps leaders and team members understand and value each other's work preferences. Discover practical strategies to improve communication, boost productivity, and create a culture of remarkable service.
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​Before energizing audiences from the stage, Tracey Pirozzi was creating HR training for companies across New York, New England, and the mid-Atlantic. Today, she helps leaders retain top talent through effective communication and collaborative cultures. Tracey’s clients include the American Business Women’s Association, HR Collier, and Mott MacDonald.
Maximizing Your Leadership
to Increased Profits
Steve Krivda
Learn from leadership expert Steve Krivda as he shares strategies to transform your organization and drive profitability through effective leadership. Drawing from his $100 million success track record, Steve provides tools to boost revenue, efficiency, and team productivity. Join this session to unlock your potential as a leader and empower your team to champion change.
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Steve Krivda, a global authority in leadership coaching, specializes in developing internal change agents to transform organizations. With $100 million in contract experience, he drives revenue and productivity. A certified Ziglar and John Maxwell Coach, Steve empowers teams to lead change. Based in Naples, Florida, he's also a devoted husband, father, and community volunteer.
Your Messaging: Is your Intro Pitch working for you?
Sergio DeCesare
Networking is a viable approach to client acquisition. Are you introducing yourself in a way that garners interest or does it go into one ear and out the other? Learn how to refine your introduction so it leads to conversations which lead to relationships in this Interactive Workshop.
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Your instructor, Sergio DeCesare, is a Certified Business Coach, Certified Profit and Growth Expert, Certified ValueBuilder™ and business broker, who has spent the last decade teaching small business owners how to effectively build value and grow their businesses to the highest potential profitability. His firm is also the recipient of the 2024 Best of Florida Award for Business Consulting. He himself has been an owner of several small businesses in the field of IT, construction, finance and real estate. His no-nonsense systematic approach to maximizing profits, messaging, and operations, has allowed his clients double or even 5X their businesses in as little as one year. He is also the author of a #1 Best Selling book on Amazon for Leadership/Business.