The Columbus Emerging Leaders’ Summit is our signature spring gathering designed to equip rising professionals with the skills, confidence, and connections needed to lead in today’s evolving workplace and community. Young professionals and local employers participate as active participants in shaping the next generation of leaders — connecting professionals who are motivated, values-driven, and invested in their community. The summit reinforces the CYP Club’s commitment to leveling up leadership at every stage, while positioning Columbus as a city that intentionally develops and retains its emerging talent. View our sponsor packet

  • Join us at our next summit!

    Friday, March 27, 2026 • 8am-3pm • Capital Choice Furniture Showroom

    Reserve your seat
    Columbus Emerging Leaders' Summit

Past Summit Speakers and Panelists

  • Amanda Epp

    Amanda Epp

    CEO at ScriptDrop

  • Andy Igonor

    Andy Igonor

    Dean of Ross College of Business at Franklin University

  • Autumn Glover

    Autumn Glover

    Vice President, Provider + Community Partnerships at AndHealth

  • Barb Smoot

    Barb Smoot

    President & CEO at WELD

  • Ben Kessler

    Ben Kessler

    Mayor of Bexley, OH

  • Bill Nolan

    Bill Nolan

    Managing Partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP

  • Dave Kaufman

    Dave Kaufman

    President at Capital University

  • David Staley

    David Staley

    President of Columbus Futurists and host of Creative Mornings Columbus

  • Don DePerro

    Don DePerro

    President and CEO of the Columbus Chamber

  • Doug Kelly

    Doug Kelly

    CEO at Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana

  • Emily Quick Schriver

    Emily Quick Schriver

    Chief Executive Officer at The Matriots

  • Heather Whaling

    Heather Whaling

    Founder/President at Geben Communication

  • Janet Tressler-Davis

    Janet Tressler-Davis

    President/CEO at the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Javier Sanchez

    Javier Sanchez

    CEO / Founder at R.E.A.C.H. Communications, Inc.

  • Jerry Tsai

    Jerry Tsai

    President at Acceptd

  • Jordan Keiser

    Jordan Keiser

    Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Programs Manager at Quantum Health

  • Julie Wilkes

    Julie Wilkes

    Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker

  • Katy Smith

    Katy Smith

    Business Editor at The Columbus Dispatch

  • Kay Wilson

    Kay Wilson

    Author, Business Strategist, Youth Advocate

  • Kelly Kokesh

    Kelly Kokesh

    Product Director, Conveyance at Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc.

  • Kenneth Wright

    Kenneth Wright

    Mayor of Westerville, OH

  • Kim Norbuta

    Kim Norbuta

    Senior Content Manager, Technology Licensing at LinkedIn

  • Kylie Randall

    Kylie Randall

    VP of Marketing & Communications at Columbus Fury

  • Linda Lu

    Linda Lu

    Senior Vice President, Chief Litigation Officer & Employment Counseling at Nationwide

  • Max Joseph

    Max Joseph

    Founder of Marlowed

  • Michael Bivens

    Michael Bivens

    Mayor of Whitehall, OH

  • Michael Wilkos

    Michael Wilkos

    Director of Community Research at The Columbus Foundation

  • Rebecca Kemper

    Rebecca Kemper

    CEO of the Columbus Landmarks Foundation

  • Rene Delane

    Rene Delane

    CEO & Founder of Women Who Dare

  • Sarah Hider

    Sarah Hider

    Executive Director at Girls on the Run of Central Ohio

  • Sarah Wick

    Sarah Wick

    Lead Sports Nutritionist for the Ohio State University Athletic Department

  • Shara Hutchinson

    Shara Hutchinson

    Founder and Chief Change Strategist at Xposeyour

  • Steve Leppert

    Steve Leppert

    Founder at Collaborative Talent

  • Yiema John

    Yiema John

    Miss Ohio for America 2023

  • Yohannan Terrell

    Yohannan Terrell

    Partner at Warhol & Wall St and Create Columbus Commission