The program
True transformation requires determination, dedication, and the right guidance.
The Telluride Leadership Summit program is specifically designed to help you:
rewire how you lead
Develop the courage, resilience and innovative skills to thrive in uncertainty. Leaders shift from reactive to proactive, reframing uncertainty as opportunity.
build what's next
Leave with actionable, battle-tested strategies designed in immersive labs. Each leader builds a personalized playbook ready to deploy back at the office — no shelfware, just impact.
expand your network
Forge powerful connections with a curated community of executives and innovators. These peer-to-peer relationships become an enduring advisory board long after the conference ends.
elevate your perspective
Gain clarity at altitude. The mountains provide the reset needed to see beyond the immediate — sharpening focus, expanding perspective, and igniting long-range vision.
our speakers
The Telluride Leadership Summit brings together a curated faculty of trailblazers, innovators, and change agents who are redefining what leadership looks like in a rapidly shifting world. From global CEOs and visionary entrepreneurs to mindfulness experts, behavioral scientists, and creative pioneers, each speaker is chosen for their ability to translate real-world experience into actionable insight.
These are not talking heads – they are practitioners of transformation. They’ve led through disruption, built cultures of trust, and inspired movements that transcend industries. Across keynotes, immersive labs, and fireside dialogues, they’ll challenge assumptions, share hard-earned wisdom, and invite participants to explore leadership at its highest level: grounded in purpose, fueled by curiosity, and driven by courage. Because at this Summit, we don’t just listen to great leaders — we learn to become them.
KEYNOTE
PRESENTATIONS
KEYNOTE 3: Laura Miele
President of EA Entertainment & Central Development
Details coming soon
KEYNOTE 1: Nick Heddy
President/Chief Commerce Officer, Pax 8
Details coming soon
KEYNOTE 2: Hal Adler
CEO/Founder, Leadership Landing
Leading Performance
Details coming soon
learning
labs
The Entrepreneur’s Journey
How purpose fuels a lifetime of leadership.
Lauren Casentini, CEO/Founder, Resource Innovations.
Presentation details coming soon.
CEO Succession & Boards
The successful transition at TRUEWERK.
Brian Ciciora, Founder, TRUEWERK
Presentation details coming soon.
Great story telling
And how execs like you do it!
Ryan Walsh, Chief Strategy Officer/Chief Channel Officer, Pax8
Presentation details coming soon.
Self-Awareness
Executive Presence and the 5 Attributes of Great Leaders.
Speaker and more presentation details coming soon
Leading profound change
The story of Project Moonshot at American Public Life.
Susan Relland, Board Chair and President, Operations, APL.
Presentation details coming soon
Executive Burnout
And what to do about it!
Isa Gucciardi Ph.D, Founding Director, Foundation of the Sacred Stream
Presentation details coming soon.
It’s all about Trust
Building a great place work.
Michael Burchell, CEO Great Place to Work, Middle East
Presentation details coming soon.
Just Say Yes
The Coffee Cowboy story from right down the street.
Speaker and presentation details coming soon.
TRANSFORMATIVE
experiences
Via Ferrata: Leading on the Edge
Clipped to steel cables along sheer cliffs, the Via Ferrata forces leaders to confront fear, trust the system, and commit fully to each step forward. This is not just a climb — it’s a masterclass in risk management, calculated decision-making, and trust under pressure. Leaders learn to embrace discomfort, focus in high-stakes moments, and push through fear with clarity — exactly what modern leadership demands.
Mountain Hike: Endurance, Vision, and Team Pace
Ascending a mountain trail is leadership in motion. Some move quickly, others need encouragement, and the group only succeeds if it reaches the summit together. Hiking becomes a living metaphor for strategic pacing, resilience, and the balance between individual drive and collective progress. At elevation, leaders practice zooming out to see the bigger picture while still managing the small steps underfoot.
E-Bike Tour: Innovation, Momentum, and Adaptability
On an e-bike, the pedal assist changes the game: you still pedal, but the innovation accelerates what you can accomplish. Leaders experience firsthand how technology doesn’t replace effort — it amplifies it. The ride illustrates lessons in leveraging innovation, adapting to new tools, and understanding when to conserve energy vs. when to accelerate. Leaders return with clarity on how to adopt disruption without losing authenticity.
JEEP TOUR
Get out in the rugged beauty and rich history of the San Juan Mountains. Take a thrilling ride through rugged landscapes while learning about the rich history, geology and wildlife of the area.
Historical Tour: Context, Perspective, and Legacy
Walking through history reveals that every generation faced disruption, reinvention, and moments of choice. A historical tour becomes more than sightseeing; it’s a mirror for modern leadership, showing how past leaders navigated uncertainty, built communities, and left legacies that still shape today. Participants reflect on their own leadership timeline: What stories will be told of their decisions? What kind of legacy are they building now?
travel & lodging
Getting to Telluride
Your leadership journey begins the moment you set your sights on the San Juan Mountains. While Telluride may feel like a world away, it’s remarkably accessible.
by air
The nearest airport is Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), just 65 miles from Telluride with nonstop service from major U.S. hubs. Shuttles, private transfers, and rental cars are available for the scenic 75-minute drive into town.
by car
For those driving in, the journey is part of the experience — winding mountain roads open into breathtaking views as you approach the valley.
By Private Charter
Leaders seeking direct access can also fly into Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), just 10 minutes from downtown and the conference venues.
Accomodations
This conference is more than a schedule of sessions — it’s an immersive experience. Staying in Telluride keeps you at the center of it all: fireside dialogues after dark, sunrise hikes, and impromptu conversations with fellow leaders who may just become future collaborators.
We’ve curated a selection of accommodations designed to match the caliber of the Summit experience.
Our Hotel Partner
We’re excited to share that our home for the summit will be the stunning Madeline Hotel. Widely regarded as the most beautiful property in Telluride—and recently named the only Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Resort in town—the Madeline offers a setting that matches the sophistication of our speakers, the depth of our content, and the caliber of our guests.
To Book your room at our negotiated rate, please click here, call the Madeline directly (877-797-9806), or email reservations at [email protected].
If you’re calling or emailing, please mention that you’re in Telluride for the Leadership Summit.
Our negotiated rate applies to not just the conference dates, but also the 3 days before and after. So, make a trip of it if you like!
schedule &
pricing
schedule:
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2026
12:00-8:00 — REGISTRATION OFFICE HOURS
6:00-7:30 — WELCOME RECEPTION
MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2026
7:30-8:45 — BREAKFAST
9:00-9:45 — KEYNOTE
9:45 -10:30 — KEYNOTE
10:30-11:00 — BREAK
11:00-12:15 — LEARNING LABS
12:15-1:15 — LUNCH
1:30-5:30 — TRANSFORMATIVE TRAILHEADS
7:00-9:00 — DINNER RECEPTION
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2026
7:45-8:45 — BREAKFAST
9:00-9:45 — PANEL DISCUSSION
10:00-11:15 — LEARNING LABS
11:30-12:15 — LEARNING LABS
12:15-2:30 — LUNCH SIESTA
2:30-3:45 — LEARNING LABS
4:00-6:00 — CLOSING KEYNOTE: LEADING PERFORMANCE
7:00-9:00 — DINNER RECEPTION
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026
VARIED TIMES — GROUND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTURES
pricing:
Focused access package
Early Bird Pricing through April 1st, 2026: $3300
Focused access for leaders seeking balance.
A comprehensive package offering the core transformational elements of the Summit, with flexibility for those seeking structured learning and powerful connections without the full premium add-ons.
Includes:
- Access to all keynote sessions, immersive labs, and fireside dialogues
- Your choice of transformative experiences
- Access to conference networking events & curated peer sessions
- Digital library of session recordings and resource
PLUS ONE package
Early Bird Pricing through April 1st, 2026: $1300
Includes both conference dinners and networking events.
Summit keynotes and learning labs are not included with this add-on pricing.