Local Leadership Summit 2027
An Investment in Leadership. An Investment in Community.
Why Attend?
This is the second year of The Local Leadership Summit in Wilmington, NC. It brings together leaders from across sectors to learn, connect, and grow. Your minimal registration fee directly supports local leaders and students by covering their registration costs to attend the Global Leadership Summit live stream in August 2027.
Your Impact
When you register, you're not just investing in your own growth—you're investing in the next generation of leaders in our community.
What Makes This Summit Special
Interactive Panel Discussion
Hear directly from 4-5 students and young leaders from the Cape Fear Region as they share their perspectives on leadership.
Table Host Discussions
Enjoy lunch while engaging in facilitated conversations with fellow leaders.
Bridge to August
Attendees receive special registration benefits for the Global Leadership Summit in August.
Sample Schedule of Events
A full day of learning, connection, and inspiration
Doors Open – Registration & Networking
Connection – Worship & Continental Breakfast
Welcome – Christina Dees
Keynote – Matt Ham / Leadership Foundations
Community Spotlight – Jerry Coleman
Keynote – Keesha Starr / Building Bridges in Leadership
Networking Break
Keynote – Girard Newkirk / Leadership in Action
Non-Profit Spotlight – One Christian Network
Keynote – Sheriff McMahon & Sheriff Chism / Community Leadership
Lunch with Table Hosts
Student Leadership Panel / Facilitator Christina Dees
Networking Break
Keynote – Khalilah Olokunola / Leading From Where You Are
Bridge to August – Adam Tartt
Send-off
Meet Our 2026 Speakers
Leaders from business, community, and public service sharing their insights. 2027 Speakers Coming Soon.
Matt Ham
Keynote Session 1
Leadership Foundations: Leading with Purpose
Keesha Starr
Founder, Bridge to Wilmington
CEO, KStarr Coaching and the Starr Network
Keynote Session 2
Building Bridges in Leadership
Girard Newkirk
Keynote Session 3
Leadership in Action: From Vision to Action
Sheriff Ed McMahon & Sheriff Chism
Keynote Session 4
Community Leadership
Khalilah Olokunola
Keynote Session 5
Leading from Where You Are
Christina Dees
Co-founder of Bridge to Wilmington
CEO, Hourglass Media
Event Host & Panel Moderator
Call for Speakers: Local Leadership Summit (LLS) 2027
Shape the Future: Lead the Next Generation of Wilmington’s Top Talent
Join us on Thursday, February 11, 2027, for the annual Local Leadership Summit (LLS). This year, our collective focus centers on a vital mission: “Leading the Next Generation of Wilmington’s Top Talent.”
We are seeking visionary leaders, professional services experts, and community changemakers to share actionable insights that challenge, inspire, and equip our local workforce ecosystem. To anchor our conversations, LLS 2027 applies the Social Change Model of Leadership Development across three core levels: Individual, Group, and Community.
If you have a powerful perspective on driving cultural engagement, navigating high employee turnover, or scaling local organizational operations, we want to hear from you.
Special Testimonials
Jerry Coleman
Jerry will share his personal experience at the Global Leadership Summit and how it transformed his approach to leadership.
Adam Tartt
CEO, CAP3
Adam will discuss how GLS principles have driven business growth at CAP3 and the ROI of leadership development.
Our 2026 Partners
Thank you to the partners who made this event possible. We are looking for 2027 Sponsors, now.
Location Sponsor
Marketing & Production Partners
Event Sponsors
Partner With Us
We're actively seeking partners for sponsorship opportunities for the 2027 Summit.
These sponsorships offer excellent visibility, meaningful alignment with leadership development, and direct community impact.
Contact Us About Sponsorship