Keynote Speakers

David Horsager
Keynote Speaker

The Wisconsin State Education Convention is proud to bring back David Horsager as the opening keynote.

David Horsager is the CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute and a global authority on helping leaders and organizations become the most trusted in their industry.

Horsager is the national bestselling author of “The Trust Edge,” inventor of the Enterprise Trust Index™, director of The Trust Outlook™ and trust expert in residence at High Point University.

“A lack of trust is your biggest expense,” he says. Without trust, transactions cannot occur. Without trust, influence is destroyed. Without trust, leaders lose their people. Trust can be either your most vulnerable weakness or your greatest asset.

David’s work has been featured in prominent publications such as Fast Company, Forbes and The Wall Street Journal. David has advised leaders and delivered life-changing presentations on six continents, with audiences ranging from FedEx, Toyota and global governments to the New York Yankees and the Department of Homeland Security.

Listen to this recent WASB Connection Podcast episode featuring David:

Sarita Maybin
Keynote Speaker

Sarita Maybin shows her audiences how to transform uncomfortable conversations into constructive communication. With real stories, real solutions and a relatable presence, she breaks down barriers to reveal how to work together better.

Raised as a “military brat” moving from country to country, Sarita mastered making fast friends and finessing stressful situations. She quickly learned that it wasn’t just what you say, but how you say it that matters.

In her 20+ year career as a professional speaker, this former university dean has made it her mission to motivate others to embrace positivity, even amid the challenges of our ever-changing high-tech times. She has spoken in 50 states, 10 countries and on the prestigious TEDx stage.

Plus, she literally wrote the book on how to answer the perpetually perplexing question: “If You Can’t Say Something Nice, What DO You Say?” She continues the conversation in her new book, “Say What You Mean in a Nice Way.”

Listen to our WASB Connection Podcast episode featuring Sarita:

Tom Thibodeau
Keynote Speaker

The WASB Breakfast on Thursday, Jan. 19 will feature Tom Thibodeau.

Thibodeau is a husband, father, grandfather, teacher and an active community member from Wisconsin Rapids who has done nothing but inspire students and change the world since coming to Viterbo University in 1984.

Through the years, his infectious enthusiasm, compassion and commitment to leadership and service have inspired countless colleagues and community members. He is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the first master’s degree of its kind in the nation, and also a founding member of Place of Grace, a hospitality and fellowship resource in La Crosse.

Thibodeau is a popular professor, talented public speaker and extremely active community member. He regularly leads The Ethical Life seminars and also offers a Serving the Common Good seminar focused on homelessness.

Courtney Clark

Keynote Speaker

Clark is the luckiest unlucky person in the world. After a series of major struggles beginning in her mid-20s, she has built two successful businesses and is the author of three books. Her most recent is titled “ReVisionary Thinking: When You Have to Change Your Plan to Reach Your Goals.”

She works with people who want to adapt faster and achieve more and has spoken worldwide to organizations like Procter & Gamble, Dell, S&P, Humana, Cisco and Cardinal Health.