Leadership Development Series Schedule

Sept. 24 @ 7 p.m.: "How to Influence Without Authority"

Presented by: Amber Vanderburg, MA

In today’s fast-paced tech environment, developers are increasingly required to lead projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and influence decisions—all without formal managerial authority. This session equips developers with practical tools to build credibility, foster collaboration, and drive impact, regardless of their title. Through interactive discussions, real-world examples, and actionable frameworks, participants will learn how to effectively influence stakeholders, navigate team dynamics, and lead with confidence. Whether working on a complex project or advocating for innovative solutions, this session empowers developers to become influential leaders in their organizations.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the Foundations of Leadership Without Authority: Learn the principles of informal leadership and how to build trust and credibility within a team or organization.
2. Develop Effective Communication Strategies: Master techniques to articulate ideas clearly, tailor messages to diverse audiences, and manage difficult conversations with confidence.
3. Enhance Collaboration Skills: Explore methods to foster collaboration and inspire team members to align around shared goals, even in matrixed or remote environments.
4. Gain Tools to Influence Stakeholders: Discover practical frameworks for influencing decisions, managing up, and driving alignment across cross-functional teams.
5. Apply Leadership Techniques to Real-World Scenarios: Practice strategies through case studies and interactive exercises that mirror common challenges faced by developers in technical and collaborative settings

Biography: Amber Vanderburg, MA is a multi-award winning international businessperson, keynote speaker, author, and founder of the international learning development company, The Pathwayz Group which has led 850,000+ learners in more than 75 countries in action-focused leadership and team development learning journeys. Amber's history in talent development includes talent development with Adidas Gameday Academy and Paris Saint Germain Academy in Bangalore, India, authoring top-reviewed online learning courses for platforms such as LinkedIn Learning, Lecturio, and PluralSight, and acting as HR Director of Paradigm Shift Leadership. In 2022, she published her first business adventure book, Uniquely Better, about building higher team performance.

Level Up area of focus: Delivering Results

Nov. 10 @ 7 p.m.: "Creating & Communicating a Shared Vision That Moves People"

Presented by: Dioane Gates

In a world overflowing with ideas but starved for alignment, vision is the gravitational force that holds people together and propels them forward. In this interactive session, Dioane Gates explores how a clearly articulated, emotionally resonant vision can mobilize action, bridge divisions, and sustain momentum. Drawing on his work with the Kansas Leadership Center, Gates demonstrates how storytelling and strategic communication transform abstract purpose into shared commitment. Participants will leave with practical tools to craft and convey a vision that not only inspires — but moves people to act.

Biography:

Three words that describe the Kansas Leadership Center’s (KLC) Chief Civic Leadership Officer Dioane Gates are encouraging, pioneering and entrepreneurial.

With 18 years in law enforcement, 24 years in ministry leadership and over 14 years as a small business owner, Dioane possesses a versatile skill set that equips him to connect thoughtfully with various audiences as a trainer and communicator.

With his roots in Wichita, Dioane is actively involved in the community. He serves as a board member with the Alzheimer’s Association in Central and Western Kansas, The Create Campaign and HumanKind Ministries.

After taking the “scenic view” of postsecondary education, he graduated in 2008 with his bachelor’s in business. A native of Wichita, Dioane is a proud alumnus of a university less than a mile from where he grew up.

Dioane is stirred by learning, teaching and practicing leadership. Some of his greatest teachers have been Heather and their three children, sons Isaiah and Elijah and daughter Malone. He finds relaxation in drinking good espresso and yelling at the TV during Dallas Cowboys games.

Level Up area of focus: Creating and Communicating a Shared vision

Jan. 13 @ 7 p.m.: "Engineering Empathy in Your Organization"

Presented by: Dr. Nicole Price

CHALLENGE:
We value our employees and we embrace our values. Wait? That’s not the challenge! The challenge is that living these values is tough when everyday things get in the way of the leadership basics. Today’s leaders make hundreds of decisions that often affect thousands of people daily. These decisions are coupled with developing partnerships, leadership coaching, cost targets, quality expectations, team meetings, project work, and engagement survey action plan deliverables. Given the magnitude of these daily responsibilities, rarely are decisions aligned in a concrete way to the mission and vision of the organization. This lack of focus results in tons of initiatives, much burnout, and marginal results.

SOLUTION:
Give it to HR! No. Just kidding. The answer is simple but it is not easy–focus on logical, empathetic, accountable, decision-making (LEAD). The work cannot get done without the people therefore we must center a spirit of empathy in every decision. In the Empathetic Leadership keynote, we restore levels of happiness and engagement by reminding participants of some critical truths.

Participants will:
● Improve communication on teams.
● Restore energy, passion and commitment for their work.
● Understand their role in strategically creating an empathetic work climate.
● Understand that the entire workplace culture is better when leaders lead with empathy.

Biography: Dr. Nicole D. Price gets it. She understands that if leadership is anything, it is personal, and that everyone can be a great leader — everyone can lead his or her own, whole life. So she gets personal. Dr. Price’s transparency allows others to learn from her mistakes and helps them avoid the same pitfalls. She gets real. She will tell you, yes, having differences within a team can be harder, but that hard work can really pay off — both professionally and personally.  And she gets wise. She’ll tell you, in a heartbeat, how she’s gotten a few things wrong over the years, but a little grace and some solid coaching saved her. 

Can you make mistakes and still be an awesome leader? Is it possible to lead effectively with so many personalities on one team? Can you genuinely lead people and still have a decent life and energy left to live it? If you ask Dr. Price, the answer is absolutely yes.

Through leadership development, coaching, consulting, keynotes, and other resources, Dr. Price encourages and enables others to live their lives in excellence. Her energetic and engaging sessions leave participants with strategies and specific tools that they can apply right away. Her lively presentation style garners rave reviews and, very often, an invitation to return.

Dr. Price received her B.S. in chemical engineering from North Carolina A&T University, her master’s degree in adult education from Park University, and her doctorate in leadership and management from Capella University. For more information about Dr. Price and Lively Paradox programs, please visit livelyparadox.com/our-team.

Level Up area of focus: Care of Self and Others

Feb. 23 @ 7 p.m.: "Permission to Be Human: Rewriting the Gifted Identity to Prevent Burnout"

Presented by: Dr. Rebecca Hubbard

Description: Many gifted people will recognize the weight of high expectations and how it can shape an identity rooted in achievement, perfectionism, and over-functioning. In leadership roles, this identity can drive excellence and also makes burnout more likely. This talk explores how the early formation of a "gifted identity" can become a double-edged sword, especially when adult realities don't match childhood projections of exceptionalism. We'll examine how reframing identity to include the core of being human can open the door to self-compassion, sustainable self-care, and more effective and inclusive leadership. By understanding limits, imperfections, and vulnerability in a new way, gifted leaders can protect their well-being and lead others with greater empathy and authenticity.

Biography: Dr. Rebecca Hubbard is a licensed clinical psychologist, TEDx Speaker, and certified Kemetic yoga instructor based in Chicago. With personal experience navigating hustle culture, she understands the toll that burnout and chronic overworking can take on mental health, especially for high-achieving individuals. Since earning her doctorate in Counseling Psychology in 2014, she has provided therapy in private practice to athletes, graduate and professional students, and people with immigrant backgrounds. She uses both clinical tools and holistic practices to help clients reconnect with themselves and avoid burnout. Dr. Hubbard is deeply committed to helping others redefine success, reclaim rest, and thrive beyond the demands of constant productivity.

Level Up area of focus: Care of Self and Others

Mar. 4 @ 7 p.m.: "Lead With Relationship"

Presented by: Jason Lauritsen

Description: We ALL experience work like a relationship. 

That means we crave the same things from work that we do ANY important relationship in our lives: acceptance, appreciation, and commitment.

Through this eye-opening talk, Jason delivers an experience that helps leaders put an end to any outdated ways of managing people, so they can instead liberate employees to deliver their best.

Biography:

A dynamic keynote speaker, Jason Lauritsen is a true thought leader in the world of work and employee engagement who is dedicated to revolutionizing the way we Lead With RelationshipTM.

He fearlessly challenges traditional norms to reshape the employee experience by consistently placing authentic human connection at the heart of leadership.

Jason is the author of two books, Unlocking High Performance and Social Gravity. His thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Talent Management magazine, HR Executive magazine, and SHRM publications.

Level Up area of focus: Creating Culture

May 6: Program TBD

Presented by: Carlos Kidman

Level Up area of focus: Developing People