Gravity Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/michael-laidler

Website: https://michaelalaidler.com/

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Why Michael Laidler

Michael’s background and message align closely with the realities of public service. His work helps employees understand how self-leadership, emotional regulation, and resilience directly impact their ability to serve others effectively. For new FWC employees, his keynote provides practical tools for navigating pressure while staying grounded in purpose.

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Proposed Keynote

Fueling Resilience: Leading Yourself First to Turn Pressure into Growth

Drawing from real-world public-sector experience, Michael shows how internal pressure can be transformed into fuel for growth. Using his Failure F.U.E.L.S. Growth framework, participants learn how to lead themselves effectively so they can contribute positively to their teams and the broader mission.

Learning Objectives

• Identify how pressure impacts leadership and decision-making
• Apply resilience frameworks to real-world challenges
• Practice tools that reinforce sustainable mindset shifts

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Key Highlights

• 20+ years in law enforcement and federal leadership
• Framework-driven, practical approach
• Strong resonance with government audiences
• Focus on accountability, clarity, and service

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<sup>“I Experienced My First Mastermind Group Led By Michael And Hopefully Not My Last! Great Communication Skills And He Did A Great Job Leading The Group. His Perspective And Experience Is Highly Valued!”- ROSA MADRID, Loan Officer/Partner at Marketplace Home Mortgage

“Awesome Guy, Even Better Coach. He Definitely Reminded Me That It Starts With You. Anyone Looking For Guidance And Direction Would Benefit From His Services. Thank You For Your Time!!! - DWIGHT ALEXANDER,  Founder of Develop-U</sup>

More Testimonials: https://michaelalaidler.com/testimonials/‍

Speaker Reel - https://vimeo.com/1082633673?fl=pl&fe=sh

Gravity Speakers Profile: https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/diane-allen

Speaker Website: https://dianeallen.com/

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Why Diane Allen

Diane’s keynote is particularly impactful for helping new employees feel grounded, energized, and connected to purpose. Her work reinforces the idea that loving what you do—and understanding why you do it—leads to better collaboration, resilience, and long-term engagement. For a mission-driven agency like FWC, her message helps employees connect passion with responsibility.

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Suggested Keynote

Unlock Your Genius – Love What You Do

“Being while you’re doing is the key to thriving.”

Through music, storytelling, and neuroscience, Diane introduces participants to the flow state—where fear dissolves, engagement deepens, and purpose fuels performance. Participants learn how to navigate uncertainty, disruption, and burnout while reconnecting with what motivates them most.

Attendees Will Learn

• The neuroscience behind the flow state
• Two methods to spark sustained engagement and focus
• How to unlock signature strengths and love what you do

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Highlights

• Best-selling author of Flow: Unlock Your Genius, Love What You Do
• TEDxNaperville speaker with national media features (TED, ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX)
• 15-year Concertmaster leading high-pressure, high-visibility performances
• Creator of the proprietary Flow Strategy™ framework
• Delivers immersive keynotes combining live violin performance, neuroscience, and leadership development

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^{“Diane’s ability to talk about the philosophy behind her Flow State while simultaneously communicating it auditorily through her music was an incredible combination. It translates beautifully and it’s something you won’t want to miss!” — Elizabeth Williams, Editor, Modern In San Antonio}

^{“Diane impressed us with a terrific presentation full of insight, as well as some beautiful music that truly set her session in a different league.” — Robbie Heacock, Associate Director, Stringfellow Management Group}

Steve Fredlund Promo Video - Sept 2024 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTz3Flwwhf4

**Waiting on virtual video examples**

Speaker Website - https://stevefredlund.com/

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Why Steve Fredlund

Steve is an excellent fit for FWC University because his work speaks directly to the inner alignment that new employees seek when entering a mission-driven organization. His message helps individuals reflect on who they are, what they value, and how their work contributes to something larger than themselves. For a conservation and public-service agency like FWC, Steve’s keynote reinforces pride, purpose, and personal responsibility—without pressure or pretense.

Steve’s storytelling approach allows employees from diverse backgrounds and roles to see themselves in the mission, making his keynote particularly effective for a cross-division, new-hire audience.

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Suggested Topic

The Safari Way: A Roadmap to Leadership Fulfillment and Impact

A captivating journey that helps individuals rediscover purpose, fulfillment, and joy in how they lead and live.

Drawing from Steve’s humanitarian work and safari experiences in East Africa, The Safari Way™ explores what it truly means to live and lead with purpose. Through vivid storytelling, humor, and insight, Steve invites audiences to step beyond comfort zones and re-engage with the adventure of meaningful work.

This keynote introduces a simple, actionable roadmap that helps individuals align who they are with what they do—bringing more authenticity, energy, and impact to their roles.

Key Takeaways

• Rediscover Your Purpose: Reconnect personal values with daily work for greater fulfillment and impact
• Embrace the Adventure: Step beyond comfort zones and reignite curiosity, courage, and wonder
• Live and Lead Authentically: Follow a proven roadmap to bring more meaning, joy, and alignment to work and life

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Highlights

• Award-winning actuary; former Fortune 500 leader in investments, product, and workforce analytics.
• Best-selling author of Do the Unright Thing.
• Creator of the “Safari Way” framework for personal and team breakthroughs.
• Regular keynoter and facilitator for organizations seeking culture and performance lifts.

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^{“Steve was amazing. His down to earth message held the attention of all 300 employees. I received several compliments and was thanked several times for hiring Steve. We will hire again for future corporate events.” - Bill Eshleman, Costco‍}

^{“Steve’s message fit so well for our event. He was attentive to our content and incorporated an excellent session that resonated with our audience. His stories and message were a home run!” - Deb Stueven, Vice President, RBC Wealth Management‍}

^{“Steve Fredlund did an amazing job presenting to our management team at our Annual Meeting. His presentation was insightful and it was presented in a manner that was both engaging and relevant.” - Gary Brennan, President & CEO, Brosz Engineering, Inc.‍}

^{“Steve is a great storyteller and very easy to work with.  The audience enjoyed his presentation and many lined up to purchase his book afterwards.“ - Renee Lawler, Minnesota Bankers Association‍}

^{Steve was a pleasure to work from beginning to end. He gives you access to plenty of promotional materials to use to promote his presentation at your event and excellent communication from start to finish. He kept our crowd laughing and entertained the whole presentation. I recommend him to all groups who need to get the right people on board. - Annie Lallier, Iowa Grocery Industry Association}‍

Gravity Speakers - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/dave-sanderson

Speakers Website - https://davesandersonspeaks.com/

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Why Dave Sanderson

Dave’s story resonates strongly with public-service audiences. His message reinforces the importance of teamwork, accountability, and calm leadership in moments that matter. For new FWC employees, his keynote underscores the role each individual plays in supporting others and responding effectively to uncertainty.

Most recently, Dave’s 15th Anniversary tribute to the Miracle on the Hudson was honored with a Silver Telly Award for excellence in storytelling, underscoring both the credibility and lasting impact of his message.

• Here’s the link to view Dave’s Telly Award-winning video: Telly Award
• Survivor of the “Miracle on the Hudson” — Dave’s firsthand account of leading others to safety after US Airways Flight 1549 crash-landing is a powerful metaphor for courageous leadership in times of uncertainty.
• Embodies calm under pressure — his story illustrates how clarity, resilience, and human connection define leadership when everything is on the line.
• Perfect alignment with milestone moments — as Pella reflects on 100 years and looks toward its future, Dave’s message on turning setbacks into significance will resonate with top executives charting the next chapter.
• Corporate leadership background — Dave spent over 30 years in sales and sales management, allowing him to speak the language of business while grounding his message in real-world leadership challenges.
• Customizes every keynote — Dave intentionally weaves in company values, language, and priorities, making his message highly relevant and actionable for senior teams.
• Leads with humility and humanity — his authentic, heartfelt delivery leaves audiences inspired to lead with courage, compassion, and conviction.

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Suggested Topic

Your Pathway to a Limitless Lift

Dave Sanderson is a seasoned executive who has been a top producer in every organization he has been with, even the year he survived the iconic plane crash known as the Miracle on the Hudson. Dave is on a continual mission to share his insight while inspiring audiences to pivot adversity into opportunity. He provides thought provoking commentary on how redefining your goals with a fresh perspective can make all the difference when turning personal turmoil into triumph.

Dave uses the lessons he learned that day while submerged in the frigid water of the Hudson River as a springboard to discuss the essential facets of communication, teamwork, and leadership and, more importantly, how to foster a "bounce back" attitude no matter the challenges life throws at you. His wisdom resonates now more than ever, as people are eager to hear firsthand experiences after learning to exist in such a virtual based world. Whether used to overcome personal adversity at home or in the boardroom, Dave's tools can help foster a new type of resilience and a fresh attitude.
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Takeaways:

• How to change the narrative for your future
• Understand how the meaning you attach to something can affect the emotions in your life
• Learn the tool needed to defy adversity and face your challenges head on
• Developing a fresh perspective can be the first step in controlling any challenge you face
• The fuel is gratitude

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Change Your Narrative: Get Clear. Get Free. Get Going.

Life is defined not by what happens to us, but by how we respond and the story we choose to tell ourselves. In this powerful talk, Dave Sanderson, a survivor of the Miracle on the Hudson, shares how a single moment can reshape your perspective, reframe your narrative, and propel you toward extraordinary success.

Drawing from his near-death experience, Dave reveals how resilience, mindset, and decisive action can turn even the most challenging circumstances into opportunities for growth, leadership, and transformation. His journey from survival to success demonstrates how anyone - regardless of their past or current obstacles - can take control of their story and create a future of purpose, impact, and fulfillment.

Key Takeaways

• 100 Day strategy to get your outcome
• The key to having a consistent high-performance team
• High Velocity Decision Making - Speed is your competitive advantage
• Problem Solve via Anticipation - The power of pattern recognition
• Plural Pronouns - foster a sense of collaboration, unity, and shared purpose.

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Through personal insights, real-world applications, and actionable strategies, Dave will inspire you to embrace uncertainty, redefine your limits, and step into your next chapter with courage and conviction.

Your past doesn't define you - your next move does. Are you ready to change your narrative?

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Highlights

• Last passenger off Flight 1549; nationally recognized leadership voice.
• Inc. Top 100 Leadership Speaker; $14.8M+ raised for American Red Cross.
• Executive background; consistent top producer.
• Deep expertise in crisis leadership, teamwork, and communication.
• Audience-tested stories that translate to immediate action.

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^{“My mentor, Jim Rohn, got me to realize that the secret to life was to work harder on myself than my job or anything else because then I'd have something to give people. Having mentor is essential, as is getting the right one; they will inspire you to achieve more than you ever believed you could. Dave Sanderson found that mentor that helped him excel, and I was honored to help him take those lessons he learned and teach him distinctions that he used to become a true servant leader.” - TONY ROBBINS, Entrepreneur, #1 NY Times best-selling author, philanthropist, and the nation's #1 life and business strategist.}

^{“In organizing our LEADERCON Program, we researched many great authors, speakers, etc. During this process, we were impressed by the number of peer referrals you received, and believe that you definitely delivered, meeting and exceeding all expectations. I also ran across a great quote by John Quincy Adams, that to me pretty well meshes your vision with our conference mission, "If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” - MAJOR DAVID STUCKENBERG, Event Organizer, USAF}‍

Speaker Reel - https://vimeo.com/1104764662?fl=pl&fe=sh

‍Warsaw Growth Summit Event Reel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8SFyOqUOLc

Gravity Speakers Profile  - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/frankie-russo

Speaker Website - https://www.frankierusso.com/

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Why Frankie Russo

Frankie is particularly well suited for FWC University because his work directly addresses the foundational question new employees are asking as they enter public service: Why am I here, and how do I make a meaningful contribution? His message helps individuals connect their personal motivations and values to the broader mission of the organization, reinforcing pride in service and responsibility. Frankie’s approach is reflective rather than prescriptive, making it effective for a diverse, cross-functional audience navigating a large, mission-driven agency.

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Suggested Topic

Love Your Weird

Take your organization into a space where they feel free to dig into their early passions in order to foster authenticity, imagination, and, in turn, sustainable growth. Starting with a personalized dive into your unique organizational challenges, this keynote leaves your people inspired, poised to collaborate, ready to compete, and energized to create something new.

Audience Takeaways

• Harnessing Authenticity for Growth: Learn how encouraging employees to embrace their unique passions and talents drives authenticity, creativity, and sustainable growth.
• Fostering Imagination and Collaboration: Discover strategies for cultivating an environment where imagination thrives and collaboration becomes second nature.
• Building a Culture of Continuous Growth: Gain tailored insights into addressing cultural challenges and harnessing collective ingenuity to fuel innovation and long-term impact.

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Highlights

• Founder/investor with a multi-industry portfolio (technology, marketing, finance, etc.) since 2001.
• Led Potenza Inc. & 360ia to become America’s fastest-growing private organizations (Inc. lists, 8x).
• Media features: Forbes, Entrepreneur, TIME, CNBC, Bloomberg, Inc.
• Bestselling author of The Art of WHY and Breaking WHY.
• Recognitions: Entrepreneur of the Year, Top 20 Under 40, and Founders to Watch (2019).

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<sup>"Frankie’s 'Love Your Weird' presentation offered our team transformative insights and practical strategies for creating a culture of Continuous Growth. His impact is long-lasting." -John Zeigler, Chief Marketing Officer, Sinclair Inc.

"Innovate South attendees loved Frankie's talk on 'Love Your Weird.' He inspires true leadership and a Growth culture." -Destin Ortego, Innovate South Conference</sup>

^{"Frankie’s speech was the highlight of our annual event, offering actionable inspiration and insights for their organizations." -Louise Leopold, Executive, Digital Dealer Conference}

Gravity Speaker Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/taryn-brumfitt

Speaker Website - https://tarynbrumfitt.com/

Why Taryn Brumfitt

Taryn is especially effective with new employees because her work centers on confidence, self-belief, and ownership—critical qualities for individuals stepping into service-oriented roles. Her keynote helps people move past self-doubt, trust their ability to make an impact, and show up fully in work that matters. For FWC University, her message reinforces pride, motivation, and personal accountability at the very start of an employee’s journey.

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Proposed Keynotes

Get It!

30/45-minute keynote speech + Optional Q&A

Taryn knows what it takes to break through self-doubt and turn dreams into reality. Now, she’s helping audiences all over the world get whatever they’re chasing.

Whether it’s professional ambition, personal growth, or lifelong dreams, this powerful keynote will help you Get It!

With her signature blend of heartfelt storytelling, humour, and practical wisdom,Taryn shares the powerful framework of taming DOubt and dialling up couRAge to take action — affectionately known by audiences as the DO-RA effect.Through candid insights and real-life strategies, Get It empowers audiences to dream big, back themselves, and take action — no matter the obstacles. This keynote is perfect for anyone seeking energy and inspiration — whether they’re sales-driven, performance-focused, or simply ready to level up.

Key Takeaways:

• Seven powerful tools to turn self-doubt into unstoppable momentum.
• Convert intentions into purposeful action that drives meaningful change in your personal and professional life.
• Harness the power of self-belief to push past fear and reach your next level.
• Turn setbacks into springboards and build confidence that lasts.

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Key Highlights

• 2023 Australian of the Year
• Global reach across 190+ countries
• Highly engaging, energizing keynote style
• Deeply relatable message for new hires and service-driven teams

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^{“We just love what Taryn brings  to the table. We go at it from a data perspective, thinking deeply about the things we can do to change the world, and we love how Taryn connects the data and the emotion together. Awesome and amazing presentation.” - Elle Duncan | Global Brand Solutions Lead, Google HQ}

^{“Taryn’s energy and leadership lit up the room.   Professional, inspiring and unforgettable - Taryn delivers a world-class keynote.” - Melinda Petrunoff, Managing Director, Pinterest}

^{“In a room filled with talent, Taryn stood out as a catalyst for change. As women working in the media, we are a discerning audience and hard to impress. Taryn’s remarks at the Women in Media National Conference 2023 ignited a conversation.” - Petra Buchanan | Women In Media}

Speaker Reel - https://youtu.be/kduvy9V_2Uc

Gravity Speakers Profile - https://www.gravityspeakers.com/speakers/andrew-mcmahon

Speaker Website - https://www.andrewmcmahonspeaks.com/

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Why Andrew McMahon

Andrew offers a powerful creative alternative to a traditional keynote. His storytelling and music create an emotionally resonant experience that helps audiences reflect on resilience, reinvention, and navigating change. For FWC University, he provides a memorable, human-centered perspective on adaptability and purpose that complements the agency’s mission-driven work.

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Topic

Mapping the Wild: Charting the Course for Reinvention in an Era of Volatility

Drawing from a career defined by reinvention, Andrew shares a creative roadmap for navigating uncertainty and embracing change. Through storytelling and lived experience—from building globally recognized bands to surviving cancer—he equips audiences with a mindset for adaptability, courage, and forward momentum.

Part keynote, part storytelling experience, this talk equips organizations and teams with the mindset and tools to stay adaptive, courageous, and future-focused. Because the path forward isn’t found by clinging to the familiar; it’s charted by those willing to explore the wild.

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Key Highlights

• Multi-platinum musician and cultural figure
• Founder of a nonprofit raising $1M+ annually
• Deep emotional resonance through storytelling and music
• Highly memorable, experiential keynote format

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^{“Watching Andrew transfer his in-depth knowledge of the creative process and his multidisciplinary reinventions applied to new fields and industries has been nothing less than breathtaking. More companies than ever feel like they have to grow in order to be successful in the current era of rapid change. Andrew's speech is the key to unlocking the courage to proactively transform.” - Josh Linkner, NYT Bestselling Author & Venture Capitalist Investor}

^{“Andrew's bravery to take on risk when others tread in place is an eye-opener. But his determination to dive into uncomfortable waters to grow as an artist has resonance for all. By sharing his truly inspirational story through his insights, motivations, and methods, he explains how anyone can figure their own path to do what they really want. No matter your line of work or stage of your career, this is an important reminder that we're on this planet for a very short time. He teaches us how to get out of our own way so we can appreciate the past, but more importantly, make the most of our future. It's a life-changing lesson, charmingly told.”- AUDREY FIX SCHAEFER, HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS, I.M.P./9:30 CLUB}

^{“Andrew is one of the most inspiring guest speakers that has ever met with our team. He has lived an extraordinary life, which has provided him with unique insights about reinvention, fear, and change that are relatable, and thought-provoking.” - Charlie Walker, President, C3 Presents}‍