Igniting Legendary Leaders, a statewide leadership conference, will inspire participants to enhance their personal and community leadership skills, and help create the community in which they want to live.

The conference, hosted by the North Dakota State University Extension Service and North Dakota Leadership Network, will be held April 27-28 at the Bismarck State College National Energy Center of Excellence.

“Developing and inspiring North Dakota leaders is a key mission of the NDSU Extension Service,” says Lynette Flage, director of the NDSU Extension Service Center for Community Vitality. “With that in mind, we are excited to kick off this first leadership conference in hopes that it will be a catalyst for an annual event. Our goal is to engage and excite current and future leaders.”

National and statewide speakers will share their expertise with participants during the event. Author and motivational speaker Morris Morrison is the keynote speaker and emcee.

He has presented for corporate giants such as GE, Microsoft, CBS, Pepsi and the NBA. He also has spoken at many major colleges and youth organizations. Morrison’s highly popular “Positioned for Success” program encourages and inspires students on a journey toward personal growth, and he challenges them to make intentional choices to apply their “lead-ur-ship” skills.

“We are extremely thrilled to have Morris join us for our event,” Flage says. “His high energy, natural enthusiasm and dynamic message will be sure to inspire and motivate.”

Greg Tehven, co-founder and executive director of Emerging Prairie in Fargo, will share his story. While an undergrad in the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota, he co-founded Students Today Leaders Forever. In the Fargo-Moorhead (Minn.) area, Tehven is a leader who organizes and manages numerous entrepreneurial events, including TEDxFargo and 1 Million Cups Fargo, which is the largest and most active 1 Million Cups program in the nation.

The conference also will include three breakout sessions. The presenters and their topics are:

• Katie Pinke, a small-business owner, community volunteer and blogger from Wishek, will talk about building and connecting rural engagement on and offline.
• Ryan Taylor, state director for U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development in North Dakota and the author of the syndicated column “Cowboy Logic,” will discuss leadership, change and cowboy logic.
• Ben Winchester, senior research fellow at the University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality, will speak on rural leadership supply and demand.

“Plus, in keeping with our fast-paced world and our need for quick information, we will be highlighting North Dakota speakers who will deliver Ignite Talks on leadership,” Flage says. “Ignite Talks, or presentations, are five-minute, fast and fun informative talks that are being held worldwide.”

Some of the Ignite presenters are:

• Sean Gierke, a high school student from Beulah who has led a major community project
• Megan Laudenschlager of Minot, who started a nonprofit organization called Strengthen ND
• Megan Myrdal of Fargo, who is involved in leading local foods efforts
• Michelle Walker and Andrea Fonkert of Bismarck, who led a universal playground project for the community

“In addition, the conference will showcase representatives from North Dakota organizations who have participated in and/or benefited from leadership training,” says Marie Hvidsten, director of the NDSU Extension Service’s Rural Leadership North Dakota program.

Space is limited, so those planning to attend should register as early as possible. Visit https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ignite for more information and to register.

NDSU Agriculture Communication - March 4, 2016