KANSAS CITY, MO — January 30, 2026 — Leadercast today announced AdventHealth as the presenting sponsor of Leadercast 2026: Champion the Leader Within, the organization’s flagship live leadership experience returning April 9 to Kansas City’s historic Midland Theatre. The announcement also includes the unveiling of the event’s guest speaker lineup, featuring five renowned leaders, authors and motivators:
- Kim Anthony – Author, speaker and former national champion gymnast
- Matt Besler – Former Sporting KC captain and U.S. National Team defender
- Gen. Paul Funk – Speaker, advisor and retired four-star general in the U.S. Army
- Patrick Lencioni – Best-selling author and organizational health expert
- Andy Stanley – Best-selling author and founder of North Point Ministries
AdventHealth, a world-class and industry-leading health care organization with a growing hospital network that spans nationwide, will serve as presenting sponsor of the one-day showcase. The partnership unites two organizations that champion impactful leadership in building healthy teams, strong cultures and thriving communities.
“Leadercast has spent more than 25 years shaping stronger, more effective leaders, and we’re proud to partner with an organization that shares our own commitment to growth and advancement of team members,” said Sam Huenergardt, President and CEO of AdventHealth Mid-America Region. “Together, we look forward to providing a full-day experience that will guide leaders and help them recharge, refocus and thrive.”
“Leadercast is proud to work alongside AdventHealth, an organization that deeply believes in leadership development and empowers its people to be their best, no matter their title,” said Kevin Farrell, Leadercast board member.
The event’s 2026 theme, Champion the Leader Within, reflects the growing sentiment that effective leadership is rooted not in position but in self-awareness, clarity and intentional action. The immersive experience is designed to give leaders at all levels practical takeaways and fresh perspectives to help them navigate today’s workplace and strengthen their impact on teams, organizations and communities. Programming will feature keynote messages from five iconic figures in their respective fields.
Leadercast 2026 Presented by AdventHealth: Guest Speakers
Kim Anthony is an author, keynote speaker and leadership development professional who helps women lead with confidence. A former elite gymnast, she is a four-time NCAA national champion and the first Black woman to win an NCAA gymnastics title. She later became a Hollywood stuntwoman, ESPN analyst and board member of a billion-dollar company. Anthony hosts the Resilience to Brilliance podcast.
Matt Besler is a former soccer star for the U.S. Men’s National Team and one of the most accomplished players in Sporting Kansas City history. He spent 12 seasons with his hometown club, captaining the team for seven years and winning four major championships. The five-time MLS All-Star also represented the U.S. at the 2014 World Cup.
Gen. Paul Funk is a recognized leader in large-scale organizational transformation. During his U.S. Army career, he led multiple international coalitions, including the largest in military history. Funk revolutionized the Army’s recruitment and retention practices and served as chancellor of Army University. He now advises executives of all backgrounds and speaks on leadership, strategy and high-performance teams.
Patrick Lencioni is one of the world’s most prominent voices on leadership, teamwork and company culture. He is a founder and president of The Table Group and a pioneer of the organizational health movement. Lencioni is the author of 13 books with more than 8 million copies sold. He advises leaders and speaks globally on building strong, healthy organizations.
Andy Stanley is a globally recognized pastor, bestselling author and leadership expert. He founded North Point Ministries in Atlanta in 1995, which now includes eight campuses and a network of more than 225 churches. Host of Your Move and the Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast, Stanley has written more than 20 books and speaks worldwide.
Leadercast will be hosted by Jordan Montgomery, a bestselling author, performance coach and keynote speaker who works with business leaders, sales teams, athletes and entrepreneurs. He leads Montgomery Companies, a nationally recognized team helping organizations and individuals reach peak performance.
Leadercast will draw business leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, educators and emerging leaders from across the Kansas City region and beyond. As a year-round leadership development organization, Leadercast focuses on practical, accessible learning experiences for individuals and teams.
Tickets for Leadercast are now available at Leadercast.com. Organizations can also explore corporate sponsorship opportunities, including exclusive branding, engagement opportunities and access tailored to leadership development and team growth.
Media are encouraged to RSVP. Credentialing information will be distributed at a later date.