Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Sewell Leadership Event and made it such a success! We are already beginning preparations for next year's event! Join our network to stay in the loop regarding SLE 2025 - we can't wait to see you again next year!
Past Speakers
JOHN C. MAXWELL
AUTHOR, SPEAKER, PASTOR
John C. Maxwell is an internationally renowned leadership expert, coach, and author who has sold over 21 million books. Dr. Maxwell founded EQUIP and the John Maxwell Company, organizations that have trained more than 5 million leaders in 174 countries. Every year he speaks to Fortune 100 companies, international government leaders, and organizations such as the United States Military Academy at West Point, the National Football League, and the United Nations. A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week best-selling author, Maxwell’s The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership has sold more than 2 million copies. Developing the Leader Within You and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader have each sold more than 1 million copies.
TIM TEBOW
FORMER PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE, AUTHOR, SPORTS ANALYST
Tim Tebow is a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL draft pick, and a former professional baseball player. The four-time New York Times best-selling author, speaker, and football analyst is most passionate about his work with the Tim Tebow Foundation (TTF), whose mission is to bring faith, hope and love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need. The Tim Tebow Foundation is currently fighting for people who can’t fight for themselves in over 70 countries and counting through 4 primary ministry focuses with 16 initiatives. Tim is married to Demi-Leigh Tebow (née Nel-Peters), a speaker, influencer, entrepreneur, and Miss Universe 2017. Tim and Demi live in Jacksonville, Florida, with their three dogs, Chunk, Kobe, and Paris.
Ryan Leek
Ceo and executive coach
The CEO of a leadership development firm based in Dallas, Ryan and his team train over 15,000 leaders every year — from Fortune 500 companies to professional sports teams.
Ryan's passion is helping leaders push past autopilot and level up in their lives and careers. He spreads this empowering message through coaching, speaking, and leveraging the power of video to reach thousands through his online platforms.
Author of the USA Today bestselling book Chasing Failure and the Wall Street Journal bestselling book Leveling Up, Ryan and his work have been featured in dozens of media outlets, including Good Morning America and the Today Show.
JESSE COLE
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER AND ENTREPRENEUR
Jesse Cole is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and the owner of the Savannah Bananas. With one mission to Make Baseball Fun, the Bananas have quickly become known as the Greatest Show in Sports. The team has sold out every game since their first season and has a waitlist for tickets of over 100,000. The Bananas have more than 5 million social media followers and have been featured on Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, HBO Real Sports, Access Hollywood, and in Bananaland, a five-part documentary original series on ESPN+. Jesse is the proud inventor of Banana Ball, the fastest and most entertaining game of baseball that features a two-hour time limit, no walks, no bunting, no stepping out of the box, no mound visits, and fans can catch a foul ball for an out. He is the not-so-proud promoter of the Grandma Beauty Pageant, the Human Horse Race, the Living Pinata, and Flatulence Fun Night. A best-selling author of Fans First and Find Your Yellow Tux, international speaker Jesse continues to create fans all over the world. He’s a raving fan of his wife, Emily, kids, and peerless promoters like Walt Disney and PT Barnum.
LINDA KAPLAN THALER
AMERICAN ADVERTISER AND AUTHOR
Linda Kaplan Thaler is responsible for some of America’s most famous, relevant and touching advertising campaigns in the industry, including the Aflac duck and the daring “Yes, Yes, Yes” campaign for Clairol Herbal Essences. She has authored and composed jingles that are among the industry’s gold standard, including “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up, I’m a Toys ‘R’ Us Kid,” and “Kodak Moments.” Linda is an accomplished theatrical improviser, with a degree from the acclaimed Upright Citizen’s Brigade, and leads improvisational sessions for corporate meeting around the country.Linda is also a celebrated author and television personality. Her collaborations with coauthor Robin Koval have all become national bestsellers, including “The Power of Nice” and their newest bestseller, “GRIT to GREAT,” which has been listed as one of the top business books for 2015.