Kansas City Executive Summit

11:35 - 12:35 PM

The Dark Side of Private Equity: Missteps that Could Cost You Millions

Presenter: Brian Daley, Director of Strategic Partnerships | Founders Advisors

With more Private Equity (PE) firms targeting private companies, business owners must be equipped to navigate this complex world successfully. Using case studies, data-driven insights, and over two decades of M&A experience, we’ll discuss the PE investor ecosystem, how they exploit inexperienced business owners, and strategies to help you protect your equity.

You’ll learn:

• 7 reasons your business is not qualified for PE investment (and what to do)


• Essential questions to answer before engaging PE


• The truth about “Minority Investors” and “Founder Aligned” PE


• Why 90% of founders lose in PE negotiations


• Enterprise Value Coaching through Industry Driven Valuation Scorecards

Topic: Financials - Mergers & Acquisitions

11:35 - 12:35 PM

CEO's Candid Guide to Right People, Right Job, Right Fit To Scale the Business

Presenter: Gretchen Adamson, Executive Advisor | Culture Index

Join the Culture Index team to reveal the true fit of your executive team and leaders- who is in the right seat and who is not? Do you have the right team in place to scale your business? Not getting the top and bottom line growth by not hiring and obtaining the right team?

In this session, you will be prepped to utilize data to make more objective human decisions in securing the right talent in order to drive sustainable growth. Walk away with new insights, tips, and practices to implement into your business and better align your people.

Topic: Leadership - Hiring Recruitment & Sourcing

11:35 - 12:35 PM

Unlocking Business Value: A CEO’s Guide to Exit-Ready Growth

Presenter: Paul J. Brahim, Managing Director, SVP - Financial Advisor | Wealth Enhancement Group

Most business owners don’t plan to sell tomorrow—but the smartest ones prepare as if they might. Whether you're 2 years or 10 years from stepping away, the decisions you make today will shape your future options—and financial outcomes. In this session, Paul Brahim shares a 6-step framework to drive value, align your business with personal goals, and ensure you’re ready when the time comes.

You’ll walk away with tools to:

• Assess and grow the value of your business


• Align personal wealth goals with business strategy


• Identify and enhance key value drivers


• Evaluate potential exit options


• Build a business that’s ready to sell—even if you're not ready to exit yet

Topic: Financials - Financial Management

11:35 - 12:35 PM

The Million-Dollar AI Gap: Are You on the Wrong Side?

Presenter: Steve Russell, Founder & CEO | Upstart 13

Most companies think they’re leveraging AI because they use ChatGPT. That’s shortsighted. AI isn’t just a tool—it’s reshaping industries, redefining competition, and widening the gap between leaders and laggards.

The hard truth? Scattered AI use—like chat features—isn’t a strategy. Are you on the wrong side of AI transformation?

This session will give you clarity and direction.

In this session, you will:

• Assess your AI maturity and identify gaps.


• Learn why most AI initiatives fail—and how to succeed.


• Walk away with a clear AI roadmap for measurable impact.

Move now, or watch your competitors take the lead.

Topic: Business Operations - Technology

1:30 - 2:15 PM

The Scalable Business Framework™: The Proven Method to Scale

Presenter: Michael Johnson, Director of Growth | Fast Slow Motion

Scaling a business is one of the most complex challenges founders and CEOs face. Often, the roadmap isn’t clear. In this session, Michael Johnson, bestselling author of The Scalable Business Framework™, will unpack a practical and proven operational framework for scaling that balances strategy, systems, and execution. You’ll walk away with the ability to:

1. Answer the question "How can I scale?" with a proven methodology.


2. Understand how to leverage your underutilized CRM and get adoption.


3. Walk through real-world examples and use cases.

Topic: Business Operations - Productivity & Execution

1:30 - 2:15 PM

Beyond ChatGPT: Moving from OMG to Operations with AI

Presenter: Jeremy Stephens, President | Fluent Consultants

This session is for executives who want to separate reality from hype and find practical ways to use AI in their day-to-day operations. In this session attendees will learn:

• Common use cases beyond content generation where AI can improve your business


• Key challenges and risks of adopting AI now vs later


• Questions to ask to determine your organization’s AI readiness


• How to establish a technology roadmap to implement AI

Topic: Business Operations - Technology

1:30 - 2:15 PM

All In on Sales Hiring: Bet Smart, Win Big, Build a Dream Team

Presenter: Steve Heroux, Founder | The Sales Collective

Tired of hiring “rockstar” salespeople who flop fast? You’re not alone. The average bad sales hire costs $1.3 million in lost revenue, and traditional hiring methods only work 23% of the time. In this no-fluff session, you’ll learn how to spot bluffers before they get through the door. By combining sales analytics with the psychological tactics of elite poker players, you’ll walk away with a smart, predictive, and nearly bluff-proof hiring process.

• Attract and retain elite sales talent (not professional interviewers).


• Use the Sales DNA Test to decode the invisible traits of great salespeople.


• Triple your hiring accuracy and make confident, data-driven decisions.

Topic: Customer Engagement - Sales

1:30 - 2:15 PM

Illiquid, Not Invisible: Managing Wealth Tied to Your Business

Presenter: Susan Brown, Partner | Moneta

Business success often means personal wealth is concentrated in one place and inaccessible. Learn how to strategically de-risk, plan for future transitions, and create a diversified financial foundation that supports your family's long-term goals, independent of your enterprise.

• Diversify beyond the business using holistic and generational planning tools that consider your financial picture now and where you want to be in the future.


• Optimize succession planning and assess options, including sale, family transfer or management buyout of the business.


• Align your values with your wealth by incorporating family legacy and philanthropic giving strategies.

Topic: Personal Development - Asset & Estate Planning