Listen 5 min
0:00 / 4:38
First speakers announced for The Power of Human Connection, April 8, 2027 at the Midland Theatre.
KANSAS CITY, MO — November 10, 2026 — As new tools change how people work, Leadercast is centering its flagship event on what technology can’t replace. Leadercast today announced the first four speakers for Leadercast Conference 2027: The Power of Human Connection, returning Thursday, April 8, 2027, to Kansas City’s historic Midland Theatre.
The one-day event brings together voices known for helping people lead one another well, from trust and teamwork to authenticity, culture and purpose. The first four confirmed speakers are:
- Jess Ekstrom – Entrepreneur, author, and founder of Headbands of Hope
- Jon Gordon – Keynote speaker, author, and consultant specializing in positive leadership and team culture
- Carla Harris – Internationally renowned speaker, author, and senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley
- Patrick Lencioni – Founder of The Table Group, bestselling author, and organizational health expert
Additional speakers and event details will be announced in the coming months.
The theme for Leadercast Conference 2027 is “The Power of Human Connection,” exploring the role of relationships in how people work and lead. Strong leadership still depends on trust, communication, and personal interaction. The conference will showcase how leaders can maintain the meaningful connections that help teams thrive and organizations succeed.
Tickets to Leadercast Conference 2027 are available now at leadercast.com/lc27, including premium packages and exclusive VIP experiences.
Leadercast Conference 2027: Featured Speakers
Jess Ekstrom is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker known for encouraging others to pursue their ambitions and embrace optimism. She founded Headbands of Hope, a company that provides headbands to children facing illness, and later launched Mic Drop Workshop to help women become more confident public speakers. Her message emphasizes entrepreneurship, resilience, and finding purpose in everyday life.
Jon Gordon is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and consultant specializing in teamwork, motivation, and organizational culture. He has written numerous books, including The Energy Bus, The Carpenter, and The Power of Positive Leadership. Gordon advises businesses, professional sports teams, schools, and other institutions on strengthening relationships, overcoming challenges, and building unity.
Carla Harris is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and senior client advisor at Morgan Stanley, with more than three decades on Wall Street. Her books include Expect to Win, Strategize to Win, and Lead to Win. Harris speaks internationally on career advancement, executive leadership, and navigating workplace challenges, drawing on her extensive background in the financial industry.
Patrick Lencioni is a bestselling author and recognized expert on leadership, teamwork, and company culture. He is the founder and president of The Table Group and a pioneer of the organizational health movement. Lencioni has written 13 books, including The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, with more than 8 million copies sold. He advises executives worldwide on building trust, resolving conflict, and improving team performance.
For more than 25 years, Leadercast has helped professionals at every level sharpen their decision-making, inspire others, and approach challenges with confidence. The 2027 event will continue that mission through keynote presentations, compelling storytelling, and practical lessons that attendees can apply to their careers, professional relationships, and everyday decisions.
Leadercast equips people to lead with wisdom and act with courage, all year long. In addition to the annual conference, organizations can host a Leadercast event for their own teams and communities, and Leadercast 365 offers talks from the Leadercast stage, backstage interviews, courses and meeting starters on demand.