Distinguished Professor of Servant Leadership at Viterbo University and voted the best professor in La Crosse. Thibodeau is a nationally recognized speaker who provides leadership and organizational culture development consulting to health systems, college systems, school systems, large cooperatives, communities, and organizations of all sizes across the U.S. He has been actively serving the La Crosse community for more than 20 years through his leadership on several community boards and committees and as founder and active member at Place of Grace, a local Catholic Worker House.

In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given less than a 1% chance to live.

This epic story of survival was first showcased in Overwhelming Odds, the book his parents wrote in 2006. It was this book that first invited John to embrace his miraculous recovery and share it with the world.

Today, John inspires tens of thousands of people at more than 100 live and virtual events each year. He partners with companies and organizations across fields, such as: sales, healthcare, safety, marketing, finance, faith, education and insurance.

Consistently described as “the best speaker we’ve ever had,” John’s tireless schedule is a testament to the power of his message. His emotional storytelling, unexpected humor and authenticity make each presentation unforgettable.

John is a two-time bestselling author of On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life and In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning and Joy.

John’s award-winning Live Inspired Podcast has more than seven million downloads and enjoys world-class guests such as Brené Brown, Mitch Albom, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Bob Costas.

Amazingly, John’s story is taking on a new form: a full-length feature film starring Joel Courtney, John Corbett, and William H. Macy. SOUL ON FIRE will be release in theaters nationwide on October 10, 2025.

Regardless of his professional accomplishments, John considers his greatest success to be his marriage to his wife Beth, their four children and his relationships with friends and family.

John will present: Live on Fire

Ryan Clark, Ed.D., has spent more than 20 years with Kwik Trip, Inc. and has worked in leadership development since 2008. He regularly speaks on servant leadership and has been honored to contribute to Viterbo University’s Conference on Servant Leadership, including serving as a presenter in 2022. He is also a guest panelist and speaker for the University of Wisconsin servant leadership certificate program.

A proud veteran of the United States Air Force, Ryan has served on the board of directors for Freedom Honor Flight since 2012, continuing his commitment to honoring and serving fellow veterans.

Ryan holds a Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership, as well as a Master of Arts in Servant Leadership and a Bachelor of Business Administration, all from Viterbo University. He lives in Onalaska, Wisconsin, with his wife and two daughters.

Ryan's breakout workshop is titled: Building Trust During Times of Leadership Transition

Ryan John Crain, Sr. proudly serves as Executive Director of Education for the Ho-Chunk Nation, leading with heart, humility, and a deep commitment to Servant Leadership. He believes leadership begins with listening—honoring the voices of students, families, educators, and community members to build a stronger future together.

Ryan is passionate about creating educational opportunities that are academically strong and culturally grounded. He works to ensure that programs reflect the values, traditions, and sovereignty of the Ho-Chunk people while preparing students to thrive in school and in life. By supporting staff, strengthening partnerships, and fostering collaboration, he helps cultivate environments where learners feel safe, supported, and inspired.

Education is a shared calling in Ryan’s home. His wife, Cassidee, is a dedicated first grade teacher who shares his love for helping children grow and succeed. Together, they are proud parents to their two sons, RJ and Cameron, who remind him every day why this work matters.

For Ryan, education is more than a profession—it is service to community, commitment to culture, and investment in the next generation.

At the Conference, Ryan will facilitate a discussion with Thomas Redbird and Dr. Bethany Redbird.

Dr. Walé Elegbede, EdD, MBA, PMP is the President of the Rochester Branch of the NAACP, where he leads one of Minnesota’s most active civil-rights organizations advancing justice, equity, education, health, and economic stability. His leadership is grounded in service, advocacy, organizational and personal transformation, and accountability, with a focus on fostering trust and advancing social justice and belonging across the community.

Inspired by the lives and leadership of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and John Lewis, Dr. Elegbede believes leadership requires moral courage, disciplined action, and a willingness to stand for justice. He is guided by the conviction that dignity and human worth must be actively defended, and that lasting change is achieved through collective responsibility.

A leader of action, Dr. Elegbede has been at the forefront of social justice–centered efforts in the Midwest. In Rochester, Minnesota he has led calls for accountability and justice during moments that tested the community’s values and resolve. In La Crosse, Wisconsin, he led community responses addressing hate crimes, working alongside civic, business, law enforcement, and faith leaders to affirm shared values and public safety. A bridge builder and a servant leader, he partners across sectors to ensure communities remain inclusive, safe, and resilient.

Dr. Elegbede’s commitment to justice and ethical leadership is deeply personal. Born in Nigeria and raised across West Africa, he grew up witnessing the appalling effects of fear, prejudice, and bias under autocratic rule. He observed military governance in Nigeria and, while living in Togo, experienced life under the long-standing authoritarian regime of Gnassingbé Eyadema. These formative experiences shaped his lifelong commitment to human dignity, equity, and the moral responsibility of leadership.

An interfaith leader, Dr. Elegbede is a founding member of the La Crosse Interfaith Shoulder to Shoulder Network, established to empower people of all faiths—or no faith—to stand against anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant hate and to build solidarity through education, advocacy, and action.

Beyond his civic leadership, Dr. Elegbede is a healthcare leader and scholar, serving as Director of Strategy Management Services at Mayo Clinic’s Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, where he leads PMO strategy-to-execution transformation initiatives for patient benefit. He holds a Doctorate in Ethical Leadership from Viterbo University and is the creator of the TEACH Framework™, a culturally responsive leadership model grounded in Trust, Empathy, Accountability, Cultural Awareness, and Honest (Inclusive) Communication.

A nationally and internationally recognized keynote and TED Talk speaker, Dr. Elegbede engages audiences on ethical leadership, servant leadership, and building trust across difference. His life and work reflect a steadfast belief that the highest calling of leadership is service—and that progress is made when communities move from reflection to action.

Walé's presentation is titled: The Courage to Serve: Leadership, Trust, and Revival in Divided Times

Clara is a community development advocate and entrepreneur based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. As the founder of the Rivoli Arts District and co-owner of the historic Rivoli Theatre, she is passionate about revitalizing spaces that bring people together through arts, culture, and shared experiences. She holds a Master’s degree in Economic Development from American University and spent her early career working in international economic development. With that background she enjoys bringing a global perspective to her local initiatives. She currently serves as President of the La Crosse Area Family YMCA board, Vice Chair of the La Crosse Area Community Foundation, and Vice Chair of the Trust Point board, contributing to a wide range of efforts that strengthen the community. Outside of her professional and civic work, she stays busy keeping up with her three teenage children, who happily take up much of her time.

Clara's breakout workshop is titled: The Show Goes On: Resilience at the Rivoli

With almost three decades of experience in education, Tammy recently joined the faculty at Cashton Middle School as a grades 6-8 literacy teacher. This return to the classroom follows a diverse career that includes 21 years at Westby High School, where she taught sophomore English alongside college-level writing and speech. During her tenure at Westby, she also balanced administrative and extracurricular roles, serving as Dean of Students and online learning coordinator, coaching forensics for 16 years, and assisting with 17 musical productions. Tammy holds an undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from UW-River Falls and two Master’s degrees: one in Professional Development from UW-La Crosse and a second in Servant Leadership from Viterbo University, completed this past December. Her background also includes two years in student life at Viterbo and a dedicated history of service, including volunteer work at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and at Casa Hogar in Peru.

Tammy's breakout workshop is titled: When Life Gives You Lemons, Earn a Degree in Servant Leadership

Misty founded her dance studio, Misty’s Dance Unlimited, LLC, in 1999 at the age of 21 out of a passion for teaching and inspiring the next generation of dancers. She extended her vision to include helping studio owners develop best management practices by building More Than Just Great Dancing!® in 2012 and the Youth Protection Association for Dance in 2022. Currently, as President of Schools for Ensemble Performing Arts, Misty oversees professional development initiatives and standards across music and dance studios. Misty graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a Master’s of Education-Professional Development and is currently working on her dissertation for a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Concordia University in Chicago. She authored “One Small Yes: Small Decisions that Lead to Big Results”, a number one best seller on Amazon.com. Misty speaks nationally to varied audiences including women’s events, conferences for entrepreneurs, leadership trainings, educational settings, churches and dance events. Her personalized, high-energy presentations combine wit and wisdom from the trenches of entrepreneurship, motherhood, and building community. Misty is married to her high school sweetheart and is a mom to five amazing children.

Misty's presentation is titled: Leading So Others Can Flourish

An Emmy award winning journalist with WXOW 19, Dustin Luecke made his documentary directorial debut with "Come Here Brother Wolf: A Veterans Pilgrimage." His new venture, ProAmo Creative LLC, seeks to fulfill a passion for video and theatrical production. Dustin also performs in local stage productions, recently appearing in the regional premiere of "Come From Away" at La Crosse Community Theatre. He lives on French Island with his wife, Dominique, and his three children.

Dustin will present "Faith in the Journey" with Fr. Conrad Targonski.

Jim is a Senior Executive Leader and Consultant with experience in global operations, leadership, strategy, operational planning, and education & training.

He was commissioned through St. Bonaventure University ROTC. Over a thirty-year career in the United States Army, he served in a diverse array of command and leadership positions, with the majority in special operations to include service with the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), and the Joint Special Operations Command. He also commanded the U.S. Army’s installation Fort A.P. Hill, VA, and the Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group. His final assignment was as the Deputy Director/Dean of Students at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.

Following retirement from active duty, Jim served as an Assistant Professor at the Joint Special Operations University and as the Deputy Director of Operations and then, Chief of Staff, Special Operations Command South.

Jim’s operational and combat deployments include the Sinai, Panama, Ghana, Haiti, Senegal, Ecuador, Afghanistan, Paraguay, and Colombia. In addition to his military awards and decorations, he was the recipient of the U.S. Army’s General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award.

Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint Bonaventure University, as well as a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from both the Naval War College and the Marine Corps War College. He is currently working on his Doctorate in Education in Ethical Leadership at Viterbo University.

James' breakout workshop is titled: Organizational Resiliency in the Face of Adversity

Thomas Redbird III is the School Community Relations Specialist for the Ho-Chunk Nation Education Department. He really loves working with the Ho-Chunk Nation Tribal members and their students, and it shows in his efforts to connect with school district staff and the community. He’s all about improving communication and building relationships with parents, students, and schools, which keeps him on his toes. He understands that every situation is unique, and he balances empathy and determination to give families and school districts the best support and resources to help students thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Thomas has been with the Ho-Chunk Nation for over 32 years now. In the last 8 years in the Education Department, he’s truly found his passion for working with Ho-Chunk Nation families and students. His dedication to serving his community means a lot to him, and it’s a big part of his life, both at work and home. He’s been a member of the Osseo Lions Club for 16 years, which has opened up some amazing opportunities for him. It’s been a journey of learning what it means to serve and channeling that into his work life, too. Thomas is happily married to his wonderful partner in service, Denise, and they have 5 kids, 4 grandkids, and a loving dog.

Thomas will present: Resilience and Revival: The Ultimate Act of Servant Leadership: A Story of Courage, Care, and the Power of a Second Chance

Dr. Bethany Redbird serves as the School Community Relations Director for the Ho-Chunk Nation Education Department. She is committed to serving Ho-Chunk and Native American students and families in PreK-12 education by advocating and supporting the importance of Native identity within school classrooms and curricula. Promoting education through an equitable, inclusive lens is at the forefront of all the professional development she provides to school district staff. Students need to feel they are a part of their education to be invested in it, and Native identity and culture must be recognized and celebrated throughout all classroom subjects and in all classrooms.

Bethany graduated with a B.A. in History from Bemidji State University and an M.A. in Museum Studies from the University of Oklahoma. She received her Ed.D. in Educational Sustainability from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She is a nationally trained Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED) facilitator and promotes crucial conversations about social justice with multiple groups each year. She has worked for the Ho-Chunk Nation in different capacities for over 25 years.

Bethany is married to Curtis, the mother of 7 children, grandmother (Gaga) to three, and dog mom to 7 fur babies.

Bethany will present: Resilience and Revival: The Ultimate Act of Servant Leadership: A Story of Courage, Care, and the Power of a Second Chance

Jon Reiner is an executive leader, speaker, Amazon bestselling author, adjunct instructor of Holocaust studies at Viterbo University and a lifelong lover of stories. He currently serves as the Executive Ministry Engagement Officer for the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse.

A former pastor, credentialed Holocaust scholar, and two-time cancer survivor, Jon brings a message shaped by both study and lived experience—that life is truly beautiful and meant to be lived well, and that every human being, created in the image of God, is worthy of being seen.

Above all, Jon considers his greatest calling to be a husband to his wife, Emily, and a proud “girl dad” to their three daughters.

Jon's breakout workshop is titled: I Am Becoming Me: Calling, Cancer, Ceilings, & Careers

Maya Roberts is an event planner for the North Memorial Health Foundation in the Twin Cities and holds her Master of Arts in Servant Leadership from Viterbo University. She views her work as a form of stewardship, using her role to facilitate the connections that turn community generosity into healthcare access. From her early work matching volunteers with seniors at a non-profit to her community outreach efforts at Fulcrum Publishing, Maya has consistently focused on hospitality and community-building. Beyond her professional role, she is a member of the Endeavor Charter School board and a volunteer with local seniors.

Maya's breakout workshop is titled: Resilience Lives in the Circulation of Love

Heidi Siefkas is an author, TEDx speaker, podcaster, and adventurer. Originally from the La Crosse, Wisconsin area, she now calls Nashville, Tennessee, home. She has authored four books: When All Balls Drop, With New Eyes, Cubicle to Cuba, and Look Up—Global Stories of Resilience. Heidi has delivered TEDx Talks, including “Overcoming Obstacles and Evolving to Life 2.0” and “The Life Hack the Gurus Don’t Tell You About.” Also, she is host to the Look Up Mindset Podcast. To learn more, connect with Heidi at the website linked below.

Heidi's presentation is titled: Resilience, Rewired: Look Up, Adapt, & Rise Through Community & Courage

Dr. Sood is the CEO of the Global Center for Resiliency and Wellbeing and The GRIT Institute. He is internationally known for his work on stress management, resilience, wellbeing, mindfulness, and burnout. He is a former Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic, Director of the Mind-Body Medicine Initiative, and Carla J Paonessa enterprise chair of student life and wellbeing.

Dr. Sood completed his medical school at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, residencies in internal medicine at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, and Albert Einstein School of Medicine, New York, an integrative medicine fellowship at the University of Arizona and earned a master’s degree in clinical research from Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He has received several National Institutes of Health grants and foundation awards to test and implement integrative and mind-body approaches within medicine.

Dr. Sood has authored or co-authored over 80 peer-reviewed articles, editorials, book chapters, abstracts and letters. He developed the first Mayo Clinic iPhone app for meditation training. He has also authored multiple books including The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress-Free Living, The Mayo Clinic Handbook for Happiness, Immerse: A 52-Week Course in Resilient Living, Mindfulness Redesigned for the Twenty-First Century, Stronger, SMART with Dr. Sood, 2021: Your Year of Healing, and That Makes Sense: Bite-sized resilience insights to lift your day.

Dr. Amit Sood is married to his lovely wife of 33 years, Dr. Richa Sood. They have two daughters, Gauri (age 21) and Sia (age 15).

Amit's presentation is titled: How to Get More Mileage from Your Brain

United States Navy Captain (Retired) Conrad A. Targonski is a Roman Catholic Priest of the Franciscan order and has been University Chaplain at Viterbo University in La Crosse since 2011.

Born in Chicago, Chaplain Targonski was commissioned in the United States Navy Chaplain Corps in October 1987. He served in Okinawa, Korea, United Arab Emirates, and deployed onboard the aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) with Operation Southern Watch 1994-95. He deployed as Supervisory Regimental Combat Chaplain with 7th Marine Regiment (OIF 2.1/2.2) and engaged both battles of Fallujah and Anbar Province from February 2004 through March of 2005. Chaplain Targonski retired from the United States Navy on Sept 1, 2010 as Assistant Chief of Staff for Religious Ministries at the United States Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, 29 Palms, California. His personal decorations include: the Legion of Merit; the Navy/Marine Corps Meritorious Medal (3rd award); Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat V; Combat Action Ribbon and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3rd award).

In additional to his university duties, Father Targonski continues his passion for the care and “re-setting” of returning warriors by leading pilgrimages of healing to Rome and Assisi, Italy.

Fr. Targonski will present "Faith in the Journey" with Dustin Luecke.

Nicole Thibodeau is the Head of HR, U.S./Global Sales HRBP for Esker, Inc., a global B2B SaaS company. With a background in labor and employment law and HR leadership, she focuses on organizational design, leadership development, and employee engagement during periods of growth and transformation. Nicole is passionate about helping leaders build resilient teams and practical people strategies that support both organizational performance and employee well-being.

Nicole will lead a breakout session with Tom Thibodeau titled: HR Resilience and Renewal

Gerard Vriens started his leadership career in 1991 as a sergeant in the military. After military service, Vriens learned a lot about leadership in combination with behavior. After several years in business, Vriens went into education. He wanted to motivate young people to get the best out of their lives and career. In 2016, Vriens joined Per4mance as a managing partner. The name says it all: Per4mance focuses on performance and results. Better results are achieved by understanding, influencing, and changing your own behavior and that of your employees. But more importantly: Per4mance creates energy that ensures that employees are really getting into action. Per4mance’s mission is to inspire individuals, teams, and organizations to unlock their full potential.

Gerard's presentation is titled: Sparklers and Resilience

Tonya Wagner serves as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Institutional Effectiveness at Viterbo University in La Crosse. With more than a decade of leadership experience in higher education, she is dedicated to expanding access and opportunity for all students while preparing them for meaningful lives and careers. Her work has focused on building innovative academic pathways and programs that respond to community and workforce needs. A committed advocate for servant leadership, Tonya brings a values-driven approach to leadership that emphasizes service, collaboration, and the common good. Prior to entering higher education, Tonya was a leader in the Specialty Coffee industry in Seattle. She loves writing, a good cup of coffee, food, and time spent outdoors with her husband and three kids.

Tonya's presentation is titled: Cultivated in Challenge: Lessons from High Altitude Leadership

A proud Eau Claire, Wisconsin native, MaiVue’s story is one of returning, rebuilding, and reimagining what’s possible for a community she deeply loves. After leaving to pursue her education, she felt a calling to return home—not just to practice law, but to be part of something bigger: the renewal and flourishing of the place that shaped her.

For more than 15 years, MaiVue worked alongside business leaders through their seasons of growth, challenge, and change. As a trusted legal advisor, she helped others navigate complex situations – developing a leadership style rooted not in authority, but in service, listening, and steady guidance through uncertainty.

That same calling to serve led MaiVue to step into her role as Executive Director of the Pablo Foundation in 2020. Inspired by the power of intentional investment and collective vision, she now leads work that strengthens resilience and sparks lasting revival across communities. She believes that true transformation begins when leaders choose to serve first—building trust, empowering others, and creating pathways for shared success.

MaiVue’s commitment to expanding opportunity is also reflected in her role as co-founder of Unity Title Services, the first Hmong title company in the United States. Through this work, she has helped open doors for greater inclusion, representation, and economic empowerment.

MaiVue’s journey is a testament to the power of coming back, giving forward, and leading in a way that helps others rise. Beyond her professional work, MaiVue enjoys traveling, hiking, boot-camp style workouts, hot yoga, and most of all, spending time with her husband and their four kids.

MaiVue will lead a breakout workshop titled: Come Back. Give Forward. Lead Boldly.