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The Annual Ultimate Culture Conference
 

We are now bringing the Ultimate Culture experience to regions throughout the US in partnership with major universities. Click here to learn about the Regional Ultimate Culture Conference.

Hundreds of culture champions came together on Tuesday, October 3, 2017, to engage in thought-provoking presentations, interactive sessions, and dynamic networking to learn more about the leadership and culture connection. The Ultimate Culture Conference inspired and empowered attendees to embrace change and improve the performance of leaders and organizations. Culture Conference attendees:

  • Gained new knowledge from innovators in culture and leadership, including Marshall Goldsmith, Peter Fuda, Robert Cooke, and Edgar Schein
  • Received signed copies of Marshall Goldsmith’s bestsellers: Triggers and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There
  • Connected with presenters and peers during interactive sessions
  • Enjoyed a marathon-themed evening event with culture success stories and networking
 

Presenters

Jo Amick_236x236

Culture Shift + Leadership Development = Sustainable Results for Advocate Health Care
(Poster Session)

Since 2005, Jo Amick has served as Vice President of Development for Advocate Charitable Foundation. In this capacity, she has executive responsibility for the vision, planning, implementation and management of charitable giving and fundraising for Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital located in Downers Grove, and Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois. During a span of 35 years as a fundraising professional, Jo has held executive and fundraising positions with the Greater Joliet Area YMCA; United Way of Will County; The Rialto Square Theatre; The Field Museum of National History; and The Salvation Army.

Advocate Health Care/Advocate Charitable Foundation

Joe Balistreri

Emotional Intelligent Habits that Build and Sustain a Constructive Culture
(Poster Session)

Joe is the CEO of The Liautaud Institute. A firm believer in Servant Leadership, Joe serves all his employees and partners ensuring they have the tools, knowledge, and skills needed for their success, and guides all short- and long-term plans and innovations. Joe is accredited in Management/Impact®, Leadership/Impact®, and Hay ESC, and was the champion who shaped the SEMCO process with CEO, YPO, and multiple organizations.

The Liautaud Institute

David_Byrum236x236

Linking Organisational Culture to Traditional Business Measures of Success
(Poster Session)

David Byrum has over 25 years of industry experience across all sectors, including executive leadership roles with Human Synergistics and Kepner Tregoe. His partnerships focus on enhancing the effectiveness of individuals, teams, and business processes to enhance organisational culture and bottom-line performance. David fulfills the role of coach and trusted advisor to individuals and teams at an executive level to enhance their awareness and develop action plans that support the use of constructive behaviors. He is an accomplished project manager, as well as an accredited practitioner and master trainer for all methodologies and diagnostics associated with Human Synergistics and Kepner Tregoe.

Human Synergistics Australia & New Zealand

Robert Cooke

Disentangling Culture from Climate
(Presentation)

Master Class for Members of the Global Change Circle
(Breakout Session)

Robert Cooke is CEO of Human Synergistics and Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is the author of the Organizational Culture Inventory® (OCI®), the world’s most widely used culture survey. Rob’s research has been selected for the William Davis Award for outstanding research and the Douglas McGregor Memorial Award for Excellence in the Applied Social Sciences. He is the recipient of the MBA Professor of the Year Award and the Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching at UIC.

Human Synergistics

Susan Dumke

Johnsonville Sausage: Ensuring a Culture for Growth
(Poster Session)

Susan Dumke recently retired from Johnsonville Sausage as a Research and Development Senior Project Manager, where she began her partnership with the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Professional & Executive Development. Prior to Johnsonville, she served in several Brand and Marketing Management roles in primarily consumer products companies. She received BS and MBA degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Johnsonville Sausage
(Retired)

Peter Fuda

Make an Impact, Influence Others and Transform Results

Dr. Peter Fuda is a prolific change agent, and a globally respected authority on business and leadership transformation. Peter and his team at The Alignment Partnership (TAP) have created some 40 published case studies of business transformation, and more than 1000 individual case studies of leadership transformation around the world. He is also an Adjunct Professor of management at Macquarie University, where he teaches his original content in Australia’s #1 ranked MBA, as well as a thought leader, author, and media commentator.
“Peter has changed my understanding of leadership and organizational transformation.”
Brene Brown

TAP, MGSM

Marshall Goldsmith

Creating Positive, Lasting Change in Leadership Behavior

Dr. Marshall Goldsmith is the author or editor of 35 books, which have sold over two million copies, been translated into 30 languages, and become bestsellers in 12 countries. He is a Professor of Management Practice at the Dartmouth Tuck School of Business and is one of a select few executive advisors who has worked with over 150 major CEOs and their management teams. Marshall is recognized as the World’s #1 Leadership Thinker by Harvard Business Review and Best Practices Institute and #1 Executive Coach by INC and Fast Company magazines.

#1 Executive Coach

Gay Clark Jennings

Meaningful and Measurable Change in a Mature and Very Deeply Entrenched Culture

Gay Jennings is the first ordained woman to hold the position of President of the House of Deputies. As president, she is committed to fostering a new generation of leaders in the Episcopal Church. She works closely with the Presiding Bishop and other church leaders for wholeness, reconciliation, and justice in the Episcopal Church and the world. Gay has held many elected and appointed leadership positions since her ordination, including chairing the General Convention legislative committees on Structure, World Mission, Communications, and Canons. She has also facilitated culture change programs with dioceses in the Episcopal church.

The Episcopal Church

Cheryl_Kitchner_236x236

Culture Change at HKS: Resilient and Responsive
(Poster Session)

Cheryl spent 25 years working in commercial architecture and design, knowing there was something pivotal awaiting her in her career. She found her niche in professional development, connecting people to their purpose and passion. Today, she serves as director of professional development for HKS and leads culture, leadership, employee development and education. Inspired by HKS’ mission and people, Cheryl develops initiatives and implements programs for everyone to flourish. A Certified Professional Co-Active Coach, Cheryl focuses on neuroleadership, an emerging field of study connecting neurological science with the fields of leadership development, management training and change management.

HKS Architects

Cynthia Kivland

Emotional Intelligent Habits that Build and Sustain a Constructive Culture
(Poster Session)

Cynthia Kivland serves as Chief Learning Officer, Liautaud Institute, University of Illinois Chicago. She oversees global learning and talent development for The Institute’s corporate, university, and consultant partners. Cynthia has served as a Leadership Coach and Faculty member for ACHE since 2006, teaching the Leadership Development Program for healthcare executives. She has extensive healthcare leadership experience serving others in women’s healthcare and leading staff and community education programs, and is the author of Smart2Smarter — Seven Smarter Emotions Every Employer Wants and Every Employee Needs. Cynthia’s purpose is to build and broaden positive emotional connections that inspire community, meaning, and empowerment.

The Liautaud Institute

Bishop Lee

Meaningful and Measurable Change in a Mature and Very Deeply Entrenched Culture

Jeffrey Lee is the twelfth bishop of Chicago. He is the author of Opening the Prayer Book in the New Church’s Teaching Series; a member of the Board of Directors of Episcopal Relief and Development; and an associate of the Society of St. John the Evangelist. Bishop Lee leads 35,000 Episcopalians in 123 congregations across Northern Illinois. A charismatic preacher, liturgist and spiritual leader, he is committed to helping the congregations of the diocese grow the church, form the faithful, and change the world.

Episcopal Diocese of Chicago

Mike Marino

Experiential Workshop: Culture as an Accelerator to Performance
(Breakout Session)

Mike Marino is president and CEO of culture-shaping firm Senn Delaney. He is executive vice president and managing partner at Heidrick & Struggles and is also member of the Executive Committee. Mike has led strategic accounts in global and Fortune 500 companies across a wide range of industries. As a leader and advisor to leaders, Mike understands the unquestionable importance of creating a healthy, high-performance work culture and brings Senn Delaney clients the most current, time-tested approaches to organizational culture shaping that deliver results and create a meaningful and fulfilling work experience for all employees.

Senn Delaney, a Heidrick & Struggles company

Shaun McCarthy

Master Class for Members of the Global Change Circle
(Breakout Session)

Shaun McCarthy established Human Synergistics in New Zealand and Australia and brings with him a wealth of knowledge, experience, and anecdotes from a long and distinguished consulting career. He has worked with leading multi-nationals from the factory floor to the executive suite, and it is this depth of experience that has led to him being invited to lecture in university programs and speak at many national conferences, as well as being featured in the Australian Financial Review, Boss Magazine, and ABC radio.

Human Synergistics Australia & New Zealand

Gerard McMahon_236x236

Linking Organisational Culture to Traditional Business Measures of Success
(Poster Session)

Gerard was one of the SHAPE founders in 1989 and was formerly the Financial Director. He has over 25 years’ experience in the construction industry and is a Registered Building Practitioner in Victoria, Australia. His executive responsibilities include Finance, Business Technology, Strategy, Customer Experience and (his real passion) People & Culture. Apart from his accounting qualifications, he is also an accredited Human Synergistics practitioner.

SHAPE Australia

Edgar Schein

Evolving the Culture of Management to Facilitate Humble Leadership

Culture expert, Professor Emeritus at the MIT Sloan School of Management, and author of numerous books, including Organizational Culture and Leadership (2016 5th Edition with Peter Schein), The Corporate Culture Survival Guide, and Humble Inquiry, Edgar Schein is regarded as the most influential authority on organizational culture. He is the 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Scholar-Practitioner Award from the Academy of Management and the 2012 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Leadership Association. Ed was recently named to the “Top 30 Organizational Culture Gurus” 2017 global list curated by globalgurus.com.

The Organizational Culture and Leadership Institute
(Presenting Virtually)

Peter Schein

Evolving the Culture of Management to Facilitate Humble Leadership

Peter Schein is a strategy consultant in Silicon Valley and co-founder of The Organizational Culture and Leadership Institute. His expertise draws on over 20 years of industry experience in marketing and corporate development at technology pioneers including Apple, Silicon Graphics, and Sun Microsystems, where he led numerous strategic investments and acquisitions. Managing inorganic growth at Sun, Peter developed a keen focus on the underlying organizational culture challenges that growth engenders in innovation-driven enterprises.

The Organizational Culture and Leadership Institute
(Presenting Virtually)

Linda_Sharkey_236x236

How to Future-Proof Your Organization Today with a Constructive Culture to Thrive Tomorrow
(Poster Session)

Dr. Linda Sharkey is a trusted transformational expert, inspiring keynote speaker, author, and global leadership development coach. Through her programs and no-nonsense approach, she helps create high-potential leaders and shapes company culture. Linda has deep experience working with Fortune 50 companies, and held senior human resource executive positions at Hewlett-Packard and GE Capital. She is the co-author of The Future-Proof Workplace - Six Strategies to Accelerate Talent Development, Reshape Your Culture, and Succeed with Purpose, and her co-authored book Winning With Transglobal Leadership was named one of the top 30 best business books for 2013.

Speaker, Author, & Leadership Expert

Diane_Stuart_236x236

Culture Shift + Leadership Development = Sustainable Results for Advocate Health Care
(Poster Session)

Diane Stuart is an Organizational Development professional specializing in culture transformation and leadership development work. She customizes practical yet creative solutions using daily work activities, familiar interactions, and team practices as a backdrop for teaching leaders and teams “how and what” to change. She maximizes the impact of research-based tools by using qualitative and qualitative data. This enables leaders and teams to use the tools and techniques to their fullest extent. Diane is an RN with 10 years of healthcare management experience. She designs, implements, and manages strategic learning initiatives that deliver sustainable results. Diane is the Program Director for the Advanced Management and Leadership Certificate at UW-Madison’s Center for Professional and Executive Development.

Organizational Development Consultant

Trent Sunde

Going Beyond High Performance to Enable a Growth Culture

Trent Sunde is the Vice President – Manufacturing & Operations Services for The Clorox Company. Prior to this role, he held several technical and operational roles including Director – Technical Services; Director – Corporate Quality; Plant Manager – Glad; Plant Manager – Brita; Operations Manager; Production Supervisor; and Contract Manufacturing Manager. Prior to joining Clorox, Trent worked as a contract manufacturer for Clorox and other CPGs, holding leadership roles in sales administration, customer service, procurement, planning, technical services, and manufacturing/operations.

The Clorox Company

Mark Wilson

Experiential Workshop: Culture as an Accelerator to Performance
(Breakout Session)

Mark Wilson is Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Labour Relations for Loblaw Companies Limited. With 200,000 employees in more than 2,000 stores, Loblaw is Canada’s largest food distributor and one of its largest private sector employers. Mark has enjoyed a 25-year career in Human Resources and Labour Relations, holding progressively more senior roles and experience in four different industries. He joined Loblaw in 2006 and assumed the leadership of Human Resources and Labour Relations in 2015, striving to help Loblaw achieve its purpose to Live Life Well and support the needs and well-being of Canadians.

Loblaw Companies Limited

Lisa Yaffe

Johnsonville Sausage: Ensuring a Culture for Growth
(Poster Session)

As adjunct faculty with the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Executive & Professional Development, Lisa is the Program Director for the Executive Leadership Certificate, an instructor, and an executive coach. She has held a variety of roles in HR, applying experience and expertise in leadership development, culture, employee engagement, and change management. She counsels managers, leaders, and executives on how to interpret and apply leadership, culture, and change management concepts and insight.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Executive and Professional Development

Downloads

  Download the Ultimate Culture Conference Agenda

  Download the Ultimate Culture Conference Flyer

Accolades from Conference Attendees

"What a wonderful conference! Kudos to all of you who conceived it and made it happen. I look forward to next year."


“This was an insightful, very serious, advanced conversation—LOVE IT!”


"What an invigorating day!"


“Great speakers, perfect content, awesome location; food was fantastic.”


“What a great learning and energizing opportunity!”

 

Training

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Training

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Assessments & Simulations
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Change Solutions

Assessments & Simulations

Our suite of assessments and simulations can help you measure and develop every level of your organization.

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 800.622.7584 (US Only)

 847.590.0995

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