GLS Premier

Globally recognized as a leader of leaders, Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of Life.Church, a three-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient. Known for its missional approach to leveraging the latest technology, Life.Church is the creator of the YouVersion Family of Bible Apps — installed on over a billion unique devices worldwide.

He hosts the top-ranked “Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast” and is a New York Times bestselling author. His latest book is “Heal Your Hurting Mind: Biblical Hope for Anxiety, Depression, Burnout, and the Emotions No One Talks About.”

Priscilla Shirer is the cofounder of Going Beyond Ministries, which creates books, Bible study resources, conferences and films such as “War Room,” “I Can Only Imagine” and “The Forge.” Shirer has authored more than two dozen books and two New York Times bestsellers, including
“Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer,” which was named the 2016 Christian Book of the Year.

A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Priscilla holds a master’s degree in biblical studies and considers it a privilege to serve people from every stream of the global Church. Shirer’s latest offering is a book on discipleship called “I Surrender All.”

Jim Collins is a student and teacher of exceptional human endeavor and a Socratic advisor to leaders across all sectors. Having invested more than three decades in rigorous research, he has
authored or coauthored books that have sold more than 11 million copies, including the #1 bestseller “Good to Great” and the enduring classic “Built to Last.” His newest book, available April 2026, tackles the big question implicit in its title: “What to Make of a Life.”

In 1995, Collins founded a management laboratory where he conducts research and engages with CEOs and senior leadership teams. Concepts that emerged from his earlier work have become part of the leadership lexicon, such as Level 5 Leadership, the right people on the bus, the Hedgehog Concept, the Flywheel and Big Hairy Audacious Goals. In 2017, Forbes selected him as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds.

Vanessa Van Edwards is a renowned behavioural researcher, international bestselling author and instructor at Harvard University. Her books “Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People”
and “Cues: Master the Secret Language of Charismatic Communication” have been translated into over 18 languages. More than 100 million people watch her YouTube tutorials and TEDx Talk.

Van Edwards shares tangible skills to improve interpersonal communication and leadership. She has taught science-backed people skills to audiences worldwide, including Harvard, SXSW, MIT and Stanford. Hundreds of thousands of students have taken her popular communication courses on LinkedIn Learning, and thousands have taken her advanced social skills course, “People School.” Van Edwards has also been featured on CNN, BBC, CBS Mornings, Fast Company, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, USA Today, The Today Show and many more. She regularly speaks to innovative companies, including Google, Facebook, Comcast, Frito Lay,
Microsoft, Amazon and Univision.

Candace Cameron Bure is an actress, producer, entrepreneur and New York Times bestselling author with a career spanning more than three decades. Known to millions as D.J. Tanner from “Full House” and “Fuller House,” she has starred in more than 50 films across the Christmas, family and mystery genres and previously served as a cohost of “The View.”

Beyond her on-screen work, Cameron Bure is a seasoned executive and creative leader. She is CEO of Candy Rock Entertainment, overseeing film, television and media projects, including her self-titled podcast. Her entrepreneurial portfolio includes a successful clothing line with QVC and Bure Family Wines, reflecting leadership across entertainment, consumer goods and media.

Arthur C. Brooks is a professor at the Harvard Kennedy School and the Harvard Business School, where he teaches courses on leadership and happiness. He is also a CBS News Contributor, columnist with The Free Press and host of the weekly podcast “Office Hours With Arthur Brooks.”

Brooks is the author of 16 books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers, “Build the Life You Want,” coauthored with Oprah Winfrey, and “From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life.” His most recent book, “The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness,” releases March 31.

Brooks is one of the world’s leading experts on the science of human happiness, teaching people in private companies, universities, public agencies and faith communities how they can live happier lives and bring greater well-being to others.

Julio García, cofounder and CEO of Ambriza Social Mexican Kitchen, is a visionary entrepreneur committed to creating opportunities for others. Born in Mexico City, he came to the U.S. with no English but with big dreams and relentless drive. Early on, he witnessed the darker
side of the restaurant industry — where hard work was often met with mistreatment and little opportunity. García promised: “If I ever get the chance to build something of my own, I’ll build it differently.”

Ambriza Kitchen was born from that promise. Now with three locations and three more underway, it has grown into a recognized name in Houston’s culinary scene. García, who holds a degree in economics and finance from the University of Houston, is passionate about developing future leaders within his company, helping them become franchisees and business owners.

Ryan Leak is a New York Times bestselling author, podcast host and strategic advisor renowned for his ability to inspire and transform individuals and organisations. As the CEO of a leadership development firm based in Dallas, Leak and his team train over 30,000 leaders annually — from Fortune 500 companies to professional sports teams — using research-backed strategies that drive real results.

He is the author of “Chasing Failure,” “Leveling Up” and his latest release, “How to Work With Complicated People.” Leak also hosts “The Ryan Leak Podcast,” where he shares short, impactful leadership insights drawn from his coaching, research and real-world experience. His work has been featured in numerous media outlets, including “Good Morning America” and “The Today Show.” Whether through his powerful keynote speeches, bestselling books, podcast or social media presence, Ryan Leak inspires over 50,000 individuals every month to reach their God-given potential.