EMERGE 2024 KEYNOTES
Vera Jones
Motivator, AUTHOR, & BROADCASTER
> WEDNESDAY Breakfast SESSION
Vera Jones is a Motivational Speaker, Professional Development Coach, Author, Award-Winning Television and Radio Broadcaster, and Syracuse University Hall-of-Fame Scholar-Athlete. She is a relatable and often humorous speaker who thrives on empathy and emotional intelligence to connect and encourage. She is also known for her extensive background in broadcasting, serving over 30 years as a Women's Basketball Analyst and Reporter for various networks, including ESPN, Fox Sports, Madison Square Garden Network, NBA-TV, and the Big Ten Network.
With the emergence of Vera's signature platform speech, Trust Your Vision, in a 2017 Goalcast viral video of over 46 million views, Vera has commanded global recognition as an inspirational phenom. VERA passionately moves her audiences towards empathy, significance, service, and purpose. In line with her sports experience and philosophies, she helps individuals and teams "Play Through the Foul" with the power of faith, focus, and fortitude. An accomplished author, Vera's books also reflect these powerful themes.
Liz Bohannon
Social Entrepreneur, Speaker, & Author
> WEDNESDAY LUNCH SESSION
Liz Bohannon is the CEO of the socially conscious fashion brand Sseko Designs. She will share lessons from her 10-year journey growing Sseko from three women under a mango tree into a thriving international brand that provides employment, educational and entrepreneurial opportunities to thousands of women across the globe. Liz continues to channel her inner beginner as she manages 100s of employees across multiple continents as a courageous, creative, and effective leader.
Liz now splits her time between Uganda and Portland, Oregon, where she and her husband, Ben, run Sseko Designs and raise their two young sons.
Ryan Leak
Motivational Speaker & Author
> THURSDAY LUNCH SESSION
Ryan Leak is an author, executive coach, teaching pastor, and motivational speaker who inspires over 50,000 people monthly. He trains over 15,000 leaders yearly, from Fortune 500 companies to professional sports teams. He’s the author of the USA Today best-selling book Chasing Failure: How Falling Short Sets You Up for Success. His most recent book, Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate Your Personal And Professional Development, is a Wall Street Journal Best Seller. He’s married to Amanda and is also the assistant coach for his son’s basketball team.
Michael Jr.
COMEDIAN & MOTIVATOR
> THURSDAY CLOSING EVENT
We are excited to announce Michael Jr. will be joining us at the Emerge Closing Event! Known as one of today's most gifted communicators, Michael Jr. brings laughter and encouragement to audiences all over the world. Using comedy and dynamic storytelling, he inspires audiences to discover and activate their purpose. This unique skill set has landed him on stages like The Tonight Show on NBC, TEDx talks, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. His mission to make laughter commonplace in uncommon places means that he also seeks opportunities to share his gift with those in homeless shelters and prisons. You can find him in Sony Pictures' feature film War Room, as well as starring roles in Selfie Dad, Laughing on Purpose, and More Than Funny.