 |
|
Clay Jenkinson as President Thomas Jefferson
Humanities Scholar | Author | Educator
Presented by Platinum Sponsor: Cornerstone Bank
Clay Jenkinson is a public humanities scholar, a writer, a master interviewer and moderator, documentary filmmaker, and a historical impersonator (a Chautauquan). He is the author of 13 books spanning topics from Thomas Jefferson, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Theodore Roosevelt, the literature of pandemics, and his beloved North Dakota. He is frequently featured as an expert commentator on historical documentaries, collaborating with the likes of Ken Burns and Doris Kearns Goodwin. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth Kelly
Chair | American Bankers Association
Detroit, MI
Kenneth Kelly is Chairman and CEO of First Independence Corp and First Independence Bank, a minority depository institution headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. A respected leader in the banking industry, he has guided the organization through significant growth, doubling its book value over the past five years.
In October 2025, Kenneth became Chair of the American Bankers Association, representing the voice of the nation’s $25 trillion banking industry. He has also served on several national banking and regulatory advisory groups, including with the FDIC and Federal Reserve, helping shape policies affecting community banks.
Before entering banking, Kenneth spent 27 years with Southern Company in the electric utility sector, where he worked on major renewable energy acquisitions. He is a graduate of Auburn University and holds NACD Directorship Certification.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Lise Kruse
Commissioner
ND Department of Financial Institutions
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas Landstreet
Analyst | Investor | Speaker
Presented by Diamond Sponsor: First PREMIER
Tom Landstreet is an analyst, investor, and speaker who brings sharp insight—and humor—to conversations about the global economy, financial markets, and government policy. As a macro-oriented investor and founder of Trusco Investment Management and N3L Capital Management, Tom applies his ideas directly in the marketplace, advising institutional investors and managing investment portfolios.
Tom previously worked with renowned economist Dr. Arthur Laffer, gaining deep expertise in the economic impact of government policy. A former contributor to Forbes.com and frequent media guest, he’s known for delivering content-rich presentations that make complex topics engaging and accessible. Before his finance career, Tom even spent time performing stand-up comedy in New York—an experience that still shapes his entertaining speaking style today.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Ryan Miller
ABA Policy Expert | Compliance Professional
Ryan Miller is the vice president and senior counsel of innovation policy, American Bankers Association. He is a public policy executive, attorney, and compliance professional specializing in financial institutions. He thrives in the nebulous environments that stem from emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, data access, privacy, and digital assets/distributed ledger technology. He has cultivated the ability to build consensus on ambiguous issues and enjoys collaborating with various stakeholders in developing optimal outcomes.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Lt Col Dan Rooney
Fighter Pilot | Founder & CEO Folds of Honor
Presented by Diamond Sponsor: Bank of North Dakota
A decorated F-16 fighter pilot who flew three combat tours in Iraq, Lt. Col. Rooney turned a life-changing moment in 2007 into a national movement. He founded Folds of Honor to provide academic scholarships to the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders. Since its inception, the organization has awarded tens of thousands of scholarships — representing hundreds of millions of dollars in life-changing educational support.
Beyond his military service, Rooney is the only fighter pilot who is also a PGA golf professional, a USA Today best-selling author, and a nationally recognized motivational speaker.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
Rebecca Undem
Author | Consultant | Speaker
Rebecca Undem helps North Dakota communities thrive as a speaker, advocate, and host of The Growing Small Towns Show. As founder of the nonprofit Growing Small Towns, she strengthens rural areas by growing their human, social, and cultural capital, fostering places people are proud to call home. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|