Pittsburgh Executive Summit
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 7:15 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. EDT
Beyond Limits
You’re not just a CEO. You’re a visionary, driven to grow faster, scale smarter and lead with purpose. To climb higher, you dig deeper and tap into collective wisdom.
The climb isn’t a solo journey. It thrives on the strength of a global network – from your Chair, to your group, to peak-performing peers. The Vistage Executive Summit is your launchpad: a moment to elevate your vision, expand your impact and explore new vistas.
Key Takeaways:
- Access Expertise & Build Relationships: Tap into diverse perspectives to solve challenges with innovative solutions, strengthen your network, and find motivation through shared experiences.
- Unlock Business Opportunities: Build meaningful connections that lead to new partnerships and strategic referrals for long-term growth.
- Gain Cutting-Edge Insights: Stay ahead of economic shifts, identify growth opportunities, and enhance business resilience with actionable advice.
- Sharpen Leadership Vision & Wellbeing: Gain strategies to make confident decisions, boost productivity, avoid burnout, and build emotional resilience to navigate stress and uncertainty.
This is more than an event; it’s a community where leaders inspire new perspectives and forge meaningful connections. Boundaries are not just challenged – they’re transcended. You shape the future of business and innovation. Let’s redefine what’s possible.
Dr. Greg Wells Invites You to Attend
Event Speakers
Lauren Saidel-Baker
Economist, ITR EconomicsPlan for Rise Ahead
2025 will be a year of macroeconomic economic growth, but the fact of rise or the rate of growth will vary by industry. We will look at the various industries so each can plan accordingly. There will also be factors that are universally applicable. We will examine those factors and discuss how to plan most effectively for 2025 and beyond. International trade, interest rates, inflation, consumer strength and business-to-business activity and more will be part of the discussion. This outlook will require a change in perspective so that you can successfully plan and change to maximize your profits in both the near and longer term.
Dr. Greg Wells
Founder, Wells Performance, Inc.The Adaptation Advantage: How High Performers Can Thrive in an Era of Change
In an era of rapid disruption and uncertainty, the ability to adapt to change isn't just beneficial—it's essential. Global shifts, technological advancements, and unforeseen challenges are rapidly transforming the way we live and work. Amidst these changes, high performers are expected to deliver more impactful results than ever before.
The pressing question is: How can we not only navigate disruption but harness it to achieve growth and sustainable high performance? In this session, you will learn:
- How the Brain Processes Change: Understand how we perceive and respond to change, and how to rewire your thinking for positive adaptation.
- Physiological Adaptation Mechanisms: Discover how the body adapts to stress in both the short and long term, and how to support this natural process.
- Managing Mental and Physical Impact: Learn tactics to mitigate the effects of a challenging environment on your well-being.
- Leadership in Disruptive Times: Explore strategies for maintaining peak performance and guiding your team through high stress and rapid change.
- The Scientific Shift for Positive Growth: Uncover the key physiological approach that enables leaders and teams to adapt positively and thrive.
Local Leader Fireside Chat
Will Allen, Board Member, The Pittsburgh Foundation and Former NFL Player, Pittsburgh Steelers
Will Allen is a Partner and General Partner at MVP, a $50M venture fund investing in applied AI and automation companies transforming traditional industries across the Midwest. With over a decade of experience as a business executive, board director, and private investor, he brings strategic insight to sectors such as healthcare, financial services, logistics, and retail. He holds an M.S. in Business Management & Analytics from the University of Dayton and a B.A. in Strategic Communication from The Ohio State University. Will serves on the boards of Highmark Health and The Pittsburgh Foundation, and is a 12-year NFL veteran and former Consensus All-American from Ohio State’s 2002 National Championship team. He is also the founder of the Will Allen Foundation, dedicated to preparing students for life readiness.
Daniel Rooney, Director of Business Development and Strategy, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dan Rooney is the Director of Business Development and Strategy for the Pittsburgh Steelers, a role he’s held since 2022. Son of team President Art Rooney II, Dan helps to guide both the football and business sides of the organization. He is responsible for the team’s football development initiatives. Under his leadership, the Steelers played a pivotal role in the sanctioning of high school girls' flag football in Pennsylvania commencing with the 2025–26 school year. Dan also spearheads the Steelers international inititves with a focus on Ireland, Mexico, and Germany. As part these efforts, the NFL selected the Steelers to play the first-ever regular season game in Ireland in 2025. Dan also helped secure the 2026 NFL Draft for Pittsburgh.
Previously, he worked at the NFL, Courtside Ventures, Arctos Sports Partners, and StatusPro. Dan also worked throughout the Steelers organization early in his career across scouting, coaching and business. Dan holds degrees from Dartmouth College and The Wharton School, and serves on the boards of the Pittsburgh Children's Museum and the Buhl Foundation.
Anne Petrik
VP of Research, Vistage Worldwide, Inc. | Summit EmceeInflection Point: Growth at the Speed of Now
To navigate through inflection points in the business cycle, Vistage Research reveals that CEOs must focus on growth, talent, infrastructure and technology. Learn insights and sentiment from your peers as well as expert perspectives from trusted Vistage community experts in this presentation featuring the latest Vistage CEO Confidence Index data.
Breakfast buffet served
A deep dive into the economic forecast facing your market.
The Adaptation Advantage
Celebrate your community's Vistage Member Excellence Award winners and finalists and connect with fellow peers. Refreshments to be served in the Marketplace.
Breakout sessions
7:45 - 8:45 a.m.
The CEO's Guide to Strategically Scaling Sales
Presenter: David Mullins, Strategic Sales Coach | SalesStar
Unlock the secret to scalable, measurable, and predictable sales growth in this exclusive session designed for CEOs. Learn how to build a strategic sales system that drives consistent results and empowers your sales force.
Attendees will leave with actionable takeaways:
- Proven methodologies to streamline sales processes and drive consistent results.
- Strategies to leverage data for better decision-making and measurable outcomes.
- Insights to achieve sustainable growth and elevate your company's performance.
This session is for CEO's who want a clear path to building a strategic sales system that is scalable, measurable, and predictable.
Topic: Customer Engagement: Sales & Marketing
7:45 - 8:45 a.m.
Your Digital North Star in the world of AI and Intelligent Automation
Presenter: Mark Shivers, Founder & CEO | Ignite IPA
Overwhelmed by AI and automation? Unsure where to start or which technologies will truly impact your business? Tired of hearing about ChatGPT? Navigating this new AI world can feel daunting. In this session we'll:
- Simplify the concepts of AI and intelligent automation, helping you align these solutions to your business goals, demonstrating real case studies and demos from real clients with big financial impact.
- Learn how automation can cut costs, streamline operations, scale your business efficiently, and enhance customer experience.
- Discover your company’s unique digital path and how to leverage intelligent automation to boost margins and confidently navigate the future.
Topic: Business Operations: Technology
7:45 - 8:45 a.m.
Accelerate Growth With a Revenue Generation System
Presenter: Kristin Stricker, President & Bob McCarthy, VP Creative & Campaign Strategies | Sales Empowerment Group
Most businesses are missing their revenue goals. Across the board, missed quotas are the norm, sales cycles are longer, and win rates and deal sizes are smaller. We have more technology and channels than ever. Growth should be easier. So what’s missing?
The best businesses have a system for everything – from hiring talent to delivering products and services. To meet today’s unique challenges, you also need a system for revenue generation. This session will explore:
- How the current environment makes scalable growth difficult
- The core components of a revenue generation system
- Key considerations for systematizing marketing, talent, training, and technology
Topic: Customer Engagement - Marketing
7:45 - 8:45 a.m.
Artificial Intelligence For Every Department – Moving Past ChatGPT
Presenter: Chris Tamm, Managing Partner & Founder | CAST Services
Do you know how to use machine vision, machine learning, robotic process automation, and large language models to gain efficiencies across departments? Join Chris Tamm, Vistage member, seven-time founder and CEO, and highly sought-after speaker on AI and automation —Speaker of the Year in 2023 and Top Performing Speaker in 2024—, to explore the transformative power of AI. (This is not about ChatGPT!)
Equip yourself with the knowledge to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving technological landscape:
- The latest advancements in AI usage, applications, and robotics
- Practical implementation examples with ROI
- Guardrails and discussing these tools with your teams
- Don't wait on your vendors to roll out an AI feature or two
Topic: Business Operations: Technology
12:10 - 1:20 p.m.
Unlocking Business Value: A CEO’s Guide to Exit-Ready Growth
Presenter: Paul J. Brahim, CFP®, CEPA®, Managing Director, Financial Advisor | Wealth Enhancement Group
Less than 25% of businesses have a formal succession plan, and over 75% of business owners regret selling their business within the first year. Nearly 98% of owners don’t know their business’s value. Facing the reality of eventually stepping away can be challenging, but successful business exits don’t happen by accident. They require careful planning, informed decision-making, and strategic timing. Paul Brahim’s "Walk-away money" session provides a six-step framework designed to help you optimize business value, align personal and business wealth, discover options, and transform your business into sustainable income for the rest of your life.
Topic: Financials - Financial Management
12:10 - 1:20 p.m.
Maximize the Transferrable Value of Your Business
Presenter: Mike Silverman, Shareholder & Matt Clark, Shareholder | Dentons
The value of your business has been created through decades of hard work and is typically the largest asset in your personal net worth statement - often representing 80% or more. In this session we’ll define the building blocks for creating, growing and protecting the transferrable value of your business. We will focus on the proven components of a well-designed exit plan:
(1) Defining goals
(2) Eliminating risks
(3) Protecting the value of the business
(4) Designing Incentive Compensation and Retention Agreements
(5) Creating key value drivers
(6) Implementing a growth plan, a financial plan, a succession plan and an exit plan
Topic: Personal Development: Exit & Succession Planning
12:10 - 1:20 p.m.
Grow Profits Through Process Automation
Presenter: JJ Russell, Director of Sales | Vsimple
Generative AI is transforming how businesses scale and operate - but most leaders lack a clear path forward. In this session, you’ll get an executive playbook to drive immediate ROI with AI-powered automation. Learn how to cut manual work, reduce costly errors, and gain real-time visibility to grow faster.
You’ll walk away with:
- A CEO-level understanding of why clean, connected data matters
- Real-world examples of AI unlocking efficiency and capacity
- A tactical roadmap to implement automation - fast, without disrupting your team
Topic: Business Operations: Technology
12:10 - 1:20 p.m.
The RIGHT Right Hand
Presenter: Ben Wolf, CEO | Wolf's Edge Integrators
Most small business owners struggle to find the right support and end up stuck in both Visionary and Integrator roles. This interactive workshop helps CEOs step out of the “Chief Everything Officer” role by providing clarity on what a #2 leader truly is—and which type their business needs. Through a proprietary assessment, attendees will gain immediate insights and actionable next steps to strengthen their leadership team.
Attendees will:
- Discover the core functions and types of #2 leaders
- Identify which type fits their current business stage
- Take home practical steps to start delegating and scaling
Topic: Leadership: Strategic Planning
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