LIVE2LEAD
Premier Community Leadership Summit

PRIVATE EVENTS

Jesse Cole

Jesse Cole is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner of the Savannah Bananas. He’s fanatic about fandom and launched the Savannah Bananas with one mission: to spark a fan-focused movement. Whether at the ballpark, on social media, onstage delivering keynotes, in features for ESPN and Entrepreneur, or in his first book, Find Your Yellow Tux, Jesse continues to create fans all over the world.

The Bananas have sold out every game since their first season and have a waitlist for tickets in the thousands. They have entertained millions of fans in Savannah and at ballparks all over their country on their Banana Ball Tour.

Jesse is the proud inventor of Banana Ball and Dolce & Banana underwear and not-so-proud promoter of the Human Horse Race and Flatulence Fun Night. He’s a raving fan of his wife, Emily, his kids, and peerless promoters like Walt Disney, PT Barnum, and Bill Veeck. Jesse owns seven yellow tuxedos.

John Maxwell

is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, speaker, coach

and leader who has sold more than 34 million books. He is the founder of Maxwell Leadership®— a leadership development organization that has trained tens of millions of leaders in every nation. Having been recognized as the #1 leader in business and as the world’s most influential

leadership expert, Maxwell continues to influence individuals and organizations worldwide—from

Fortune 500 CEOs and national leaders to entrepreneurs and the leaders of tomorrow.

Craig Groschel

Craig is the founding and senior pastor of Life.Church, an innovative multi-site church and creators of the free YouVersion Family of Bible Apps. He’s a New York Times bestselling author and has written 20

books. Through the top-ranking Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast, he prompts innovative thinking in leaders at every level within a diverse spectrum of organizations. Under his leadership, Life Church is also a three-time recipient of the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, which is based on employee-submitted data and recognizes the most engaged

workplace cultures in the world.

Melahni Ake-Event HOST

Maxwell Leadership Coach, Speaker and Trainer

Founder, Everyday Leaders

Professional and Personal Growth Strategist 

is a dynamic and visionary leader passionate about driving positive change in the world. She graduated from Greenwood High School, where she was a catalyst for starting the first girl's softball team. She holds a Bachelor's and Associate's degree from UIndy in Business and Psychology. She is a certified speaker, coach, and trainer with John Maxwell's Maxwell Leadership Team and the first WHY Affiliate Coach in the US.  Her innate confidence and strategic mindset come from growing up playing ice hockey in an all-boys league for over twelve years and a twenty-five-year career in sales, sales training, and executive leadership in the medical device industry working with innovative thought leaders equipped her as a successful entrepreneur, community builder, and dynamic business strategist.  Melahni has founded and led several successful ventures and start-ups, leveraging her entrepreneurial spirit and strategic insight to create innovative solutions for today's challenges with Leadership, Communication, and Teamwork for personal and professional development. She works with the USAF, corporations, educators, non-profits, and entrepreneurs.

She is a wife, daughter, athlete, founder, co-founder, board member, author, co-author, leadership podcast host, content creator, social media influencer and advocate, community builder, entrepreneur, and visionary leader who believes in using her voice to make a greater impact. She resides on the south side of Indianapolis with her husband, Joe. 

Melahni is a dedicated advocate for social causes and actively engages in her community and philanthropy. Her unwavering commitment to social impact has earned her recognition as a change-maker and a role model. Melahni Ake is a true catalyst for change; her journey is a testament to the difference one can make in the world once you take that first action step. 

Joe Ake Event CO-Host and Media Sponsor

Maxwell Leadership Coach

President, JoeAkeStudios, LLC

Strategic Media Mentor

Joe is a highly recognized media producer who creates, produces, and teaches media and broadcasting from idea to execution. He is a director and producer for commercial branding media projects with industry leaders in healthcare, nonprofits, finance, media technology, and more.

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Locally, you may find this team contributing to the community through LIVE media streaming and broadcasting, podcast productions, teaching technical and supporting media productions, and community events, including Everyday Leaders, Stage 1 Dance Academy, Top Floor Women, Aspire Johnson County Chamber Coffee Connections, Leadership Johnson County, and more.