Gene Gelgelu PhD (MBA), President and CEO. Dr. Gene Gelgelu is a visionary leader. He is founder, president and CEO of African Economic Development Solutions and Little Africa. He has more than 25 years of leadership, operational, creative entrepreneurship, and creative placemaking expertise. Originally from Ethiopia, Gene has deep connections to Minnesota’s African immigrant communities and a unique cultural competency to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and languages. He has a bachelor’s degree from Metropolitan State University and an M.B.A in Finance and Doctor of Education in Leadership from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Dr. Gene also served as a planning and human rights commissioner for the city of St. Paul from 2010-2017. Gene is Shannon Institute leadership fellow, the Roy Wilkins Community Fellow, the Bush Foundation leadership Fellow, and awarded certificate of completion from Harvard University for the NeighborWorks Achieving Leadership Excellence program. Gene served on many boards and currently serving on MCN.

Dr. Artika Tyner is committed to creating a world of inclusive leaders who will meet the pressing needs of today and work towards a better future where racial justice and economic justice reign supreme. As a motivational speaker, author, and educator, Dr. Tyner helps people of all ages connect with their gifts and develop tangible tools for bringing forth sustainable, durable change in the family, workplace, community, or school. By building and leveraging the tools in The Inclusive Leader, she has inspired thousands of people to lead with their own gifts and plant a seed of social change. Dr. Tyner’s work is grounded in extensive experience as a law and leadership professor, lawyer, social change agent, researcher, and nonprofit founder and leader. She is well-known as a thought leader, author, and designer of high-profile programs to drive organizational DEI initiatives and create inclusive leaders. Her impact spans Fortune 500 companies, startup tech companies, healthcare providers, government services and agencies, higher education institutions, and grassroots organizations. Dr. Tyner is deftly able to ask the big questions, strategically innovate real solutions, and then lead the way. She intentionally invests her time and energy in inspiring change and welcomes opportunities to present, collaborate, and innovate with key stakeholders seeking to impact social change and do what no one has done before.

A Global Force for Transformation A dynamic global citizen and motivational force, Dr. Price was born in The Bahamas and has impacted communities worldwide—from Kenya to China, from corporate boardrooms to correctional facilities. Recognized as one of the most motivating professors in her field, her work transcends boundaries, cultures, and industries. Whether engaging high school students, the incarcerated, or Fortune 500 executives, she delivers a universal message of empowerment, resilience, and possibility. Unlocking Human Potential, One Leader at a Time Dr. Verna Cornelia Price is an internationally renowned human potential expert, celebrated keynote speaker, best-selling author, consultant, and leadership coach. Her groundbreaking Power of People™ framework has transformed individuals and organizations worldwide by unlocking potential, inspiring action, and driving meaningful change. At the heart of her work is a powerful construct which she created and developed: every person operates as a Multiplier, Adder, Subtractor, or Divider—and by understanding these dynamics, leaders and teams can amplify strengths, eliminate roadblocks, and cultivate a culture of resilience, engagement, and high performance. Through keynote speeches, executive coaching, and workshops, Dr. Price delivers contagious energy, authenticity, and actionable strategies that leave a lasting impact. Her Power of People™ Approach is more than a leadership model—it is a movement that empowers individuals to step into their power, lead with purpose, and achieve extraordinary results. Acclaimed Author & Transformational Educator A bestselling author, Dr. Price’s books have changed lives across the globe: The Power of People: Four Kinds of People Who Can Change Your Life The Silent Cry: Dealing with Subtractors in Work and Life Change Your Life in 30 Days Decorated Leader with a “Go-Giver” Mindset Dr. Price has founded and led some of the most impactful leadership programs in the nation, including co-founding the Undergraduate Leadership Academic Minor at the University of Minnesota, the largest program of its kind in the world. Mission: EmPOWERment Dr. Price’s mission is to Empower, people to optimize their human potential and become their most excellent self both personally and professionally.