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2024 Speakers
Keynote Speaker
Tom Seeman SFS '77
Tom Seeman is a businessperson who has owned and led several businesses. He grew up in a family of fourteen on welfare and food stamps in the projects of Toledo, Ohio. He earned his B.A. in Economics from Yale, where he rowed on the crew team and graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, before going on to earn his J.D. at Harvard.
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Tom Seeman has recently authored A lyrical coming-of-age story set in the projects of Toledo, Ohio, Animals I Want To See. It explores themes of identity, ambition, religion, and friendship—often across racial and social lines—as it spotlights a family of fourteen and tracks a boy's journey from a child janitor with big dreams to a teenage petty criminal to a student at Yale and Harvard.
Keynote Speaker
Drew Dudley
Fifteen years ago, Drew Dudley was the head of Canada’s largest leadership program at the University of Toronto when a group of his students secretly nominated him to deliver a TED Talk that went on to be voted one of the “15 Most Inspirational TED Talks of All Time” and gave Drew the opportunity to travel the world trying to redefine leadership for as many people as possible.
Now a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, speaker and educator, Drew is on a mission to help people unlearn some dangerous lessons about leadership. With clients that have included some of the worlds most dynamic organizations--including the United Nations and over 100 colleges and universities--Drew draws on over two decades of experience to blend humor, storytelling and easy-to-implement strategies into some of the most engaging and practical leadership presentations in the world. Both TIME and Business Insider have identified his work as “one of the ten speeches that will make you a better leader.” Drew currently teaches at the University of California Irvine and splits his time between Toronto, Canada and Washington, DC.
Breakout Speakers
Mike Bell
Mike is the former Mayor of Toledo 2010-2013, former State Fire Marshal - State of Ohio, former Toledo Fire Chief and first African American, as well as the youngest person ever to lead the department. He has served multiple community-related civic organizations, volunteering his time and serving on such boards as the Boys & Girls Club, Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Boy Scouts of America, and Salvation Army just to mention a few.
Hannah Best
Hannah Best is a Talent Optimization Specialist at Real Good Ventures, LLC. Her experience as a former collegiate volleyball player and team captain has provided her insight on performance, team dynamics, and leadership. She is a certified Talent Optimization Consultant and a certified practitioner of The Predictive Index. Best is a graduate of St. Ursula Academy and earned a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Bowling Green State University. Her mission is to help individuals and teams find meaning, fulfillment, and success in their work.
Gene Gebolys SFS '82
Gene Gebolys is the founder and CEO of World Energy. For over 25 years, World Energy has been at the forefront of commercializing renewable fuels and was the world’s first commercial-scale sustainable aviation fuel producer. Today, World Energy is investing over $15 billion into major new projects in California, Texas, and Newfoundland to help leaders accelerate their efforts to make net-zero real.
Gene launched World Energy to accelerate the commercialization of alternatives to fossil-based motor fuels and has played a leading role in building today’s global biofuels industry. Under Gene’s leadership, World Energy is currently undergoing a $2.5 billion dollar conversion project at its Los Angeles facility that will convert the facility into a 100% renewable production hub. The Los Angeles project is the model for World Energy’s Houston facility conversion, currently underway. Once complete, the LA and Houston facilities will allow World Energy to produce a total of 500 million gallons of SAF by 2026.
Gene holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Science degree in economics & business management from The Ohio State University
Bill Geha SFS '64
Bill Geha is an Educator, Certified Drug Counselor, Prevention Specialist and Director of the Peace Project. He was recently selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award and as a Top Drug Counselor of the Year by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP), for his outstanding leadership and commitment to the industry.
Mr. Geha has over 4 decades of professional experience in education. He is a seasoned and trusted drug counselor and prevention specialist who has certainly proven himself as an accomplished professional and expert in the field. He has demonstrated success not only as an educator with his students but he has a strong reputation to go above and beyond in pursuit of making a difference in any life that he could influence.
Mr. Geha is currently working with Sylvania and Springfield Schools in Northwest Ohio and he is on the Board of the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Lucas County. As a drug counselor, prevention specialist and teacher, Mr. Geha has traveled worldwide spreading a drug free message. He co-directed America's Pride Drug Prevention Team of Toledo with Dr. Ken Newbury and is the Director of the P.E.A.C.E. Project. Mr. Geha's key responsibilities include working in drug prevention, developing anti-bullying programs, recruitment, working with the World Drug Conference, working with the Navajos of New Mexico, the Cree Indians in Canada and the Canadian and British Governments on prevention. Today the P.E.A.C.E. project has grown to over 1200 students, partnered with the Dixon Center in Washington and Global Easter Seals an dis going nationwide. The project is touching the hearts of kids who have been victims of bullying and kids who feel they did not fit in.
Tom Hosler SFS '86
Thomas L. Hosler is an award-winning school superintendent currently serving his 18th year as Superintendent of Perrysburg Schools and his 25th year as a school superintendent. Under his leadership, Perrysburg Schools—one of the fastest-growing districts in Northwest Ohio—has become recognized as one of the top-performing school districts in the state.
During his tenure, Mr. Hosler has successfully led the community in passing a bond levy that facilitated the construction and opening of Hull Prairie Intermediate School. He also spearheaded the creation of one of Ohio’s first public school Development Departments and expanded the district’s athletic facilities, including the Walt Churchill Track, the Huskisson Athletic Center, an auxiliary gym at Perrysburg High School, and the Leyland Family Baseball Field and Softball Fields.
Mr. Hosler's influence extends beyond the region. He has co-chaired the Fair School Funding Workgroup since its inception in 2017. This bipartisan group, composed of Ohio school superintendents and treasurers, developed a new state funding formula that is currently being phased in, aiming to create a comprehensive, fair school funding plan that will meet the needs of Ohio’s children, future workforce, economy, and communities. He also served as President of the Alliance for High Quality Education, representing more than 60 of Ohio’s highest-performing districts, and founded the Coalition of Advocates for Pre-K through 16 Education of Northwest Ohio (CAPE-NWO), focused on promoting quality education for all students in the region. As a Michigan school superintendent, Mr. Hosler was president of the Tri County Alliance, representing nearly 50% of all Michigan students.
Mr. Hosler’s leadership has earned numerous accolades, including the Exemplary Leadership Award from the Buckeye Association of School Administrators in 2016, 2020, and 2021. In 2018, he was honored with the Ohio Superintendent Outstanding Performance Award by the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation.
With 32 years of experience in education, Mr. Hosler has also served as a teacher, assistant principal, high school principal, and coach. During his coaching career, he was named Ohio District Coach of the Year and Michigan Regional Coach of the Year, holding positions at multiple schools, including St. Francis de Sales High School.
Mr. Hosler earned his Bachelor of Education and Master of Education in Educational Administration from The University of Toledo and his Education Specialist Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. He remains active in Perrysburg and Northwest Ohio, serving in various service organizations, advisory boards, and his church.
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Fr. Joseph Krupp
Fr Joseph J Krupp was ordained to the priesthood twenty six years ago in the Diocese of Lansing, Michigan by Bishop Carl Mengeling.
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His numerous assignments have included multiple parishes, as well as serving and teaching at Lansing Catholic High School and Michigan State University, Director of Campus Ministry at Michigan State University and Chaplain for MSU Football and the East Lansing Police Department.
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Fr Joe currently serves Bishop Earl Boyea as Pastor of Church of the Holy Family parish and school in Grand Blanc and St Mark parish in Goodrich as well as Regional Dean.. His nationally syndicated monthly column for Faith Catholic and his weekly podcasts and livestreams allow him to teach and serve a virtual following that spans the globe.
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He holds degrees from University of Michigan and Sacred Heart Major Seminary.
Ambrea Mikolajczyk
Ambrea is a creative married mother of 4 who wears multiple hats which include being a real estate developer, construction company owner, TEDx speaker and soon to be author. Ambrea left corporate America after 15 years as a pharmaceutical sales manager to pursue her passion of restoring old architecture. Ambrea uses her skill set to the growth and well-being of the companies she owns with her husband Kevin. To date the company has renovated several homes and buildings for themselves and clients throughout Northwest Ohio and own nearly 250 market rate and affordable apartments. ARK recently re-developed a former historic Wonder Bread Factory converting the structure into 33 luxury loft apartments, the project earned the American Institute of Architect Award as well as the Ohio Heritage award for outstanding large restoration project. Their newest projects will be the renovation of The Spitzer Arcade and The Nicholas buildings, the first skyscrapers built in Toledo.
Ambrea is obsessed with designing and creating something special from “undesirable properties” in neighborhoods who need it the most to restore and beautify buildings that have been forgotten about paying close attention to quality and detail.
A Toledo native, Ambrea is committed to the success of her hometown. She attended The University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy degree where she played Volleyball. Ambrea is immersed in the community and serves on the boards of The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Toledo Warehouse District Association, and The Metroparks Foundation. In 2019, Ambrea was given the prestigious 20 under 40 leadership award for the ongoing work she does in the community. In 2023 Ambrea was awarded a Milestone Award for business, one of the few awards for women in the state of Ohio presented by the YWCA. She is also a member of many organizations who strive to make the world a better place.
Ambrea’s mission is to serve the community through real estate development, construction, and motivation. To encourage others to leave their mark by using the natural gifts they were given.
Todd Mitchell SFS '84
Todd was a 1984 graduate he played both football and basketball at Saint Francis. However, after his sophomore year, he decide to focus more on basketball and in 1983 His team won the first ever state championship in Toledo‘s history and finished the year 27 and 1 ranked number 6 by USA today nationally and was a 2 time All State performer.
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Todd went on to earn a full scholarship to Purdue University where he was a four-year starter two time Big Ten champion a two-time first team all Big Ten player, received all American honors by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and was academic All Big Ten as a Senior.
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He then was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in the second round with the 43rd pick however he played for both the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs and after a two-year stint in the NBA he went to Europe and played in the top Italian, French and Greek leagues for 11 years.
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Todd then transitioned into the real world and settled in a career in the pharmaceutical industry. For the last 23 years, he has been in both sales and management and now lives in Boca Raton FL with his wife Danielle and youngest son Mason and is the Director of the southeast region of the United States for Ferring Pharmaceuticals.
Kevin Mullan
Kevin P. Mullan, founder of KPM Consulting, has worked in marketing, development, journalism and sales across the non-profit, for-profit and broadcast media industries.
Having spent most of his career in NW Ohio, Kevin knows not only how to get the job done, but who to call when the project needs a little extra nudge.
As a Certified Fundraising Executive, Kevin has spent the majority of his career "selling nothing for something" and keeping donors and prospective donors engaged and moving through the donor pipeline.
One former colleague of Kevin's once said, "He doesn't just think outside the box, he takes the box apart, and rebuilds a better box than you ever knew was possible."
In addition to KPM Consulting, Kevin is also the owner of Tapped419, the PA Announcer for the University of Toledo and co-host of The Four Hundred & Nineteen podcast.
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Jeff Smith SFS '91
Jeff Smith is once again glad to be doing what he loves in a place he adores.
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Jeff is originally from the Toledo area. He grew up in Temperance and Sylvania. He graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School and is an alumnus of Indiana University, Bloomington.
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Because of his local roots, Jeff makes it a point to give back to the community. Over the years he's been involved in activities and programs at his former high school and is at the beck and call of those who knew him back when and need help from him today.
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In 2008, Jeff took his love for journalism and education to his alma mater (St. Francis) - and began teaching a journalism class and moderating the production of the school's newspaper. He’s also taught at BGSU where he received a Master’s in Strategic Communication in 2020.
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Jeff’s journalistic journey started 1995. He spent two years in northern Michigan at WPBN/WTOM (Traverse City). He lived in Gaylord, Michigan, as a bureau reporter – responsible for 500 square miles stretching from Grayling to Alpena to Cheboygan … from the Soo Locks to Petoskey and Charlevoix. In addition to his work behind the desk, Jeff has been a producer, reporter, photographer, and editor.
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In September of 2008, Jeff, along with three co-workers, spent a week in Houston covering the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. He's an award winner for reporting and has been involved with numerous presidential visits. He once traveled with the Coast Guard during an 11-hour trip across a frozen Lake Michigan to deliver fuel oil to a struggling island (It had been a long, hard winter). That trip during the summer takes 30 minutes!
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In his spare time, Jeff loves to cook, find his old albums on Spotify, and coach baseball. Jeff is married to Lisa (Key Realty) and is the proud father of daughter, Parker Jayden (P.J.), and sons Dugan Jeffrey (D.J.), and Keaton James (K.J.).
Aly Sterling
Aly is the president and founder of Aly Sterling Philanthropy, a national consulting firm that helps nonprofits, individuals and families, foundations, and corporations meet their philanthropic goals and positively impact their communities.
In 2023, Aly and the firm were named the inaugural winners of the University of Toledo Family Business Center’s Doing Right for the Future of Humankind award. In 2018 Aly and the firm were inducted into the Northwest Ohio Entrepreneur Hall of Fame.
Aly serves on various local, regional and national boards, holds a master’s degree from the University of Toledo and proudly teaches a course on women and entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility at Bowling Green State University.
In 2020, Aly published a book about her experiences transcending personal and professional barriers to becoming a female entrepreneur titled, 37: The Year I Stopped Making Excuses, Embraced My Power & Launched My Million-Dollar Business.
Aly tries to split her time between Ohio and South Carolina, and enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis, traveling, and finding small ways to improve the human condition.
Master of Ceremonies
Clint Longenecker, Ph.D.
Clinton Oliver Longenecker, Ph.D., an award-winning educator, is one of “America’s leaders in creating high performance leaders and organizations” and is a Distinguished University Professor of Leadership Excellence Emeritus of The College of Business and Innovation at The University of Toledo.
His teaching, research and consulting interests are in high performance leadership and creating great organizations. He has been the recipient of over sixty (60) outstanding teaching, service and research awards and numerous industry awards including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Toastmasters International Leadership Award, The Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service, and numerous “Best Professor” recognitions. In addition, he has also been recently recognized by The Economist as one of the Top Fifteen Business Professors in the World. In 2017, Clint was recognized as one of the top three University Professors in the USA as a Finalist for Baylor University’s Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching and as one of the top thirty (30) “transformational leaders” in America by The John Maxwell Organization.
He has published over 200 articles and papers in leading academic and professional journals including the Sloan Management Review, Industrial Management, Business Horizons, European Business Review, and Organizational Dynamics among others. He is a frequent media source and his research has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, MSNBC, NPR, and a wide variety of media outlets. Clint is also a critically acclaimed professor in The Great Courses Critical Business Skills Series – Organizational Behavior Course released in 2015. His newest book, The Successful Career Survival Guide is a chronicle of best practices and key research findings designed to help readers improve their personal effectiveness and career trajectory. He is also the co-author of two best-selling leadership books, Getting Results: Five Absolutes for High Performance and Two-Minute Drill: Lessons for Rapid Organizational Improvement from America’s Greatest Game.
Clint is an active management consultant, educator, and executive coach whose clients include a wide variety of Fortune 500 firms and entrepreneurial organizations including: Harley-Davidson, ConAgra, SSOE, ProMedica Health Systems, Whirlpool, Eaton Corporation, Cooper Tire, Dana Corporation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and O-I Inc. among others. Clint has been described by Career Publications as, “one of the top motivational speakers in the U.S. who can blend cutting edge research, common sense, humor and conviction into a real and inspiring call for better performance that can help us all!”
Dr. Longenecker has also served as a Visiting Lecturer at the University of the West Indies Barbados and has also lectured extensively in Poland, Hungary, and Russia. He holds a B.B.A. in marketing, an M.B.A. in management, both from the University of Toledo, and a Ph.D. in management from The Pennsylvania State University.
Clint is an active community servant, a committed member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, and an active Bible study leader and Christian speaker. He has spent extensive time working in the country of Haiti managing missionary school and hospital construction projects. Clint is very happily married to the former Cindy Breese, and they have three children: Clinton Charles, Shannon Marie, and Stephen Lorenzo.​