Nancy Lyons

Nancy Lyons

Nancy Lyons is an Emmy-winning speaker, author, and irreverent truth-teller who’s spent over two decades shaking up the status quo of work, leadership, life and culture. Most recently recognized as one of GO Magazine’s “100 Women We Love” (Class of 2025), she doesn’t just talk about building better workplaces – she’s lived it, led it, and helped others do it too.

As a co-founder of Clockwork and Tempo, two pioneering digital consultancies, and the best-selling author of Work Like a Boss, Nancy brings real-world experience and straight-up practical wisdom to the stage. Her talks are equal parts pep talk and gut punch – built to challenge how we lead, collaborate, and show up for ourselves and each other. She’s not interested in “best practices.” She’s here to help you unlearn old behaviors, own your power, and lead with radical accountability and a deeply human-centered mindset.

Nancy’s spoken at the White House Summit on Working Families and keynoted for brands and organizations across industries – from Fortune 500s to large conferences to state and local governments to grassroots groups – always with one goal: wake people up to their influence and inspire them to use it for good.

She’s been named a Most Admired CEO, a Minnesota Business Hall of Fame inductee, and one of the 101 Most Influential People in Work and Career. But what she values most is when someone says, “It felt like you were talking directly to me.”

Nancy Lyons doesn’t fit into neat boxes. She breaks them. And she dares others to do the same – with empathy, humor, and unrelenting honesty.

– Emmy Winner
– Author of Work Like a Boss
– Named one of GO Magazine’s 100 Women We Love – 2025
– Ground-breaking Entrepreneur & Inclusion Advocate

Amanda Brinkman

Amanda Brinkman

Amanda Brinkman is a sought-after speaker and storyteller, known for her fresh perspective on purpose and her ability to bring heart and humor to any stage. As a corporate leader, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and marketing innovator, Amanda has captivated audiences worldwide with her unique approach to blending purpose and business.

Her career began in marketing, where Amanda quickly rose to prominence by helping major brands connect with consumers in ways that matter. She then took her talents to the screen, where she hosted and produced “Small Business Revolution,” an Emmy-nominated series on HULU that highlighted
the resilience and spirit of small business owners across America. Through this, Amanda built a reputation not just as a speaker, but as a storyteller who brings real-life inspiration to audiences everywhere.

Amanda’s speaking engagements have earned her critical acclaim for their mix of authenticity, humor, and actionable insights. She has spoken on stages around the globe, from Fortune 500 conferences to intimate workshops to TED Talks, connecting with audiences on what matters most: living and working with purpose.

Whether she’s sharing stories from her career or discussing the importance of finding joy in everyday moments, Amanda has a natural talent for inspiring listeners to lead with heart, courage, and integrity.

With a message that resonates across industries and audiences, Amanda is a guiding voice for those ready to build lives—and businesses—that are both purposeful and powerfully impactful.

Jan Lehman

Jan Lehman is an international speaker, author, and CEO of CTC Productivity. Her motto is to “Change the Culture” so organizations minimize wasted time, talent, and technology. For over a decade, Jan’s talks have helped thousands to dramatically improve profitability, employee engagement, and job satisfaction.

Using a blend of psychology and technology, Jan’s approach to workplace productivity extends beyond simple hacks or a one size fits all solution. You’ll get an exciting blend of interactive lessons and immediately usable strategies to work smart and do more. The roots of Jan’s business acumen and people-first attitude come from her business degree in Operations and Systems Management with a minor in Psychology from Indiana University Kelley School of Business. Keynote speaking is the perfect forum for her to blend her people skills and productivity expertise.

As a former Fortune 500 technology executive, Jan created and led highly effective teams that streamlined business processes and automated workflows. Today she works with leaders to leverage insights, strategies, and solutions to minimize waste and create a culture of productivity throughout their organizationsAll of Jan Lehman’s in-person talks and virtual experiences are customized to meet the needs of your event and exceed the expectations of your audience. But there is a common theme: Jan helps leaders eliminate waste in their organizations so they can become truly effective in their role.

Tina VanSteenbergen

I learned too late in my life that women need women. To be successful in the workplace. To feel understood. To help us believe in ourselves. To feel less alone in the world. Women need women. Women deserve strong communities full of empathy, kindness, and empowerment at work, at home, and literally everywhere in their lives. That’s where I come in.

I help women tear down the walls built between us. My speaking style gives women permission to open up, have honest conversations, and connect. With a combination of authenticity, storytelling, and humor, I’ve been able to help hundreds of thousands of women build relationships with one another, believe in themselves, and take up space at companies, campuses, and organizations around North America.

My work sets my soul on fire. So does a good nap. An excellent pour of bourbon. A beautiful snow. A peaceful and reflective sunset flight. An episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race. A perfectly green avocado. The skyline of New York City. A warm and cheesy mac n’ cheese. A well-written West Wing quote. My husband, my son, and a Minnesotan accent, of course.

Steve Patterson

Steve Patterson is a veteran entertainment television and radio show host, whose energy and quick wit keeps audiences engaged from beginning to end! His ability to read a room and go off the cuff, combined with his skill to smoothly execute a show flow sets him apart as a truly unique talent.

Patterson hosts the long-running afternoon TV show Twin Cities Live, in addition to co-hosting the Donna and Steve radio show on MyTalk 107.1FM. He’s gained national recognition for his numerous appearances on LIVE! with Kelly and Ryan, where his subzero weather reports have gone viral. Before coming to the Twin Cities, Steve spent 4 years working for Hubbard Broadcasting in Los Angeles, California and Albuquerque, New Mexico for the company’s entertainment cable news network REELZ. During his time there, Steve served as a correspondent and anchor for the network’s daily entertainment news program, interviewing many of the biggest stars in Hollywood along the way.

Steve enjoys writing in the third person. He doesn’t think anyone actually reads an entire bio. So if you haven’t given up on this just yet, kudos! You done good, kid.

Joan Steffend

Joan used to be an actress, who studied at Warner Brothers. She used to be a national Emmy-winning news reporter and anchor at KARE-11(NBC) in the Twin Cities for almost two decades. She tried her hand as a television host of “Decorating Cents” on HGTV for ten years – hosting many “Dream Home” specials, and rating record setting “Christmas at the White House” specials. She was a guest on “Entertainment Tonight”, “The Today Show”, “The Oprah Show” and “Live, with Regis and Kelly.”

Today Joan speaks for organizations across the United States. She has a gift for lifting people up. She connects people to their own magnificence and to one another. A sense of community is only one of the many reasons to invite Joan to speak for your organization. One of her favorite topics is: reclaiming your most brilliant self…and using it to change the world for the better.

Joan is also encouraging others with her two books ( “…and she sparkled” and “peace in, peace out” ). Her non-profit, “peace begins with me” is her latest effort to ask the world (that’s you, by the way) to be a little kinder to itself.

When she heard that the Dalai Lama had said that the Western woman will save the world, Joan thought, “Let’s get started.”

Ben Utecht

Ben Utecht

Experience a commanding corporate presence that inspires, teaches, and coaches on building a world championship organizational culture with Ben Utecht. Standing at 6 foot 7 inches and weighing 260 pounds, Ben is not only an NFL Super Bowl Champion Tight End but also the Chief Culture Officer who received the esteemed “Uncommon Leader Award” from NFL Hall Of Fame coach Tony Dungy for his exceptional leadership performance on and off the field. After retiring from football, Ben embarked on a remarkable career path, becoming a sought-after speaker for Fortune 500 companies, sharing his expertise in building high-performing cultures.

As the Chief Culture Officer for True North Private Equity, overseeing a family of companies spanning multiple industries, Ben brings his passion for people and culture into corporate leadership. Additionally, he is culture and brand ambassador for Realty Group, an owner of Conquer Ninja Gyms, a top US Ninja Fitness/Entertainment Franchise, and the founder of SoleCareRx, and the Culture Operating Strategy. To further enhance his impact on talent acquisition and leadership development, Ben became a partner in Behavioral Essentials, a technology company specializing in customized behavioral assessments and benchmarking.

Ben firmly believes that culture can be designed intentionally rather than left to chance. Empowering companies to define, create, implement, and lead culture strategies that drive bottom-line improvement while inspiring and developing individuals is his primary focus. Ben is working with Wiley Publishing to release his business book “The Champions Creed: Build your Culture on the power of Belief!” The book will release this spring.

Above all, Ben treasures the joy of sharing his life with his wife and 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

Ross Bernstein

The best-selling author of nearly 50 sports books, Ross Bernstein is an award-winning peak performance hall of fame business speaker who’s keynoted conferences on all seven continents and has been featured on thousands of television and radio programs including: CNN, “CBS This Morning,” ESPN, and Fox News, as well as in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and USA Today. Keynoting more than 100 live events globally per year, Ross’ passion is studying just what it is that makes the great ones great – and then translating that to business through his “Champion’s Code” program in order to help people not just win, but to win with integrity.

Chad Greenway

Chad played 11 years for the Minnesota Vikings after finishing an All-American career at the University of Iowa. Growing up on a family farm in South Dakota, Chad learned the valuable lessons of hard work, perseverance, and dedication to a craft can bring success.

Rising from a small town of 350 people to being an 11 year pro, team captain and leader along with 4 time Walter Payton Man of the Year learn valuable concepts and characteristics of being team first. Learn the tools and mentality it takes to get to the highest level of achievement in a sport, and learn the against all odds story of determination.

Along with his playing career Chad ran and continues to run a successful non profit (Lead the Way Foundation) along with his business (Gray Duck Spirits).

Chad speaks on the topics of Business, Leadership, Teamwork and Success.
For local and non-profit organizations, Chad considers their budgets as his schedule allows.

Roxane Battle

Roxane Battle is a mental well-being advocate and masterful storyteller, best known for
her 20+ years as an award-winning journalist and media personality, most notably on
NBC-Minneapolis, CBS-Minneapolis and FOX.

For more than a decade, Roxane has specialized in customizing presentations on the importance of emotional intelligence, empathetic leadership and psychological safety. During the pandemic, she held executive-level positions inside Fortune 5 UnitedHealth Group, giving global talks on burnout, and appeared in her own mental health video series, “Checking in with Roxane Battle”, reaching 4 million subscribers. Her bestselling book, Pockets of Joy: Deciding to Be Happy, Choosing to Be Free, details her personal journey from depression and anxiety to joy.

She studied psychology through Harvard’s Extension School of Continuing Education, and earned a certification in Emotional Agility in the Workplace. She is a University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management Executive Education facilitator and serves on Carlson’s women’s advisory board.

Roxane is a proud alumna of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities where she completed a B.A. in journalism, prior to completing a M.A. journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Roxane is among the first cohort to be named one of Maria Shriver’s Architects of Change, and has been featured in numerous publications and podcasts.

She has an adult son, enjoys cycling,and makes a memorable mac and cheese.