Montell Jordan (Opening Keynote Speaker)

Don't miss Montell Jordan's presentation on Monday, February 23, 2026.

The Billboard Top Ten songs chart for 1995 contains the following names: Coolio, TLC, Seal, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Madonna, and a man named Montell Jordan. This Is How We Do It was a breakout new jack-swing song that topped the Hot 100 for seven weeks and R&B charts for eight. Jordan, tall and handsome with a silky-smooth voice, established himself as a powerful presence in music, brimming with talent, savvy, and charm. Over his nearly twenty-year career in music, Jordan has released seven studio albums, fourteen singles, and is a Grammy Award winning artist selling more than 10 million records worldwide.

From South Central Los Angeles to Pepperdine University in Malibu, Montell was on course to attend law school when a professor said one of his biggest regrets was missing the chance to pursue music. In a flash, Montell recognized that if he was ever going to take a shot at music he needed to do it then. He put together a demo, which eventually landed in the hands of Def Jam Records and Russell Simmons. This Is How We Do It took off and his first of many number one singles was born.

Following years of awards, achievements and accolades that never seemed to satisfy, Montell learned that without music he’s a husband, a dad, and a friend. He stepped away from the music business for many years in search of significance over success. “I had to learn who Montell was outside of music to determine that I make music and music doesn't make me.” In that time away, Montell was able to reevaluate his priorities and ultimately find his passion. This was found as he connected with his childhood faith.

Montell began to realize the difference between gifting and calling. He was gifted to do music, but he was called to minister. Speaking, teaching, mentoring, counseling and writing are some of the many ways Jordan is fulfilling his purpose in ministry today. After serving as an executive pastor for Victory Church in Norcross, GA for nearly a decade, he now has a marriage ministry with his wife Kristin where they assist public marriages to heal in private.

Montell has authored 2 books: “Becoming Unfamous” (his autobiography) and “This Is How We Do It! Making Your Marriage A Masterpeace” co-authored with his wife Kristin. In his musical past, Montell had already shown an ability to stretch boundaries of genre and style and uses this same ability to influence, impact and inspire today. Montell brings the word of God and personal experience from the music business to provide a practical and applicable understanding of music and worship to light. He still performs on world tours and loves to bring the love of Christ outside the four walls of the church to concert venues all over the world. Montell is a Champion Ambassador for Special Olympics North America.

Montell was diagnosed with early stage one prostate cancer in February of 2024 and had a radical prostatectomy surgery in November of 2024. Nine months later, cancer was again found in the prostate bed and in a pelvic lymph node and proton therapy was administered at Emory in Atlanta. Montell was declared "undetectable" Christmas Day, 2025 and is cancer free. His music, ministry, marriage, and medical experiences have made Montell a sought-after voice of wisdom and leadership across all four areas.

Montell’s Faith is the reason he desires to share the good news of his journey with all who are willing to listen, be encouraged, and possibly transformed as he was. He and Kristin have been married for over 30 years to each other and they are the parents to Christopher, Catharine, Sydney, Steven, Skyler, Elijah, and Samantha. They are “Mimi and Big Poppa” to five grandchildren, Karden, Cruz, Cash, Kainen, and Koa.

Chuck Todd (Closing Keynote Speaker)

Don't Miss Chuck Todd's Presentation on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

Fifty years from now, one journalist will be the voice and face of our political era — and that journalist is Chuck Todd. A self-described political junkie, he has earned a reputation as one of the most passionate journalists and sharpest analysts in American media. He was the former NBC News chief political analyst and, from 2014-2023, served as the revered moderator of Meet the Press — the flagship Sunday morning public affairs program, the longest-running broadcast in television history, and the number one-rated Sunday public affairs program for several consecutive years. Todd also hosted the daily NBC News Now show, Meet the Press NOW, which builds on the success of its previous iteration, Meet the Press Daily, which Todd anchored for eight seasons.

Influencers and competitors praise him as “a tireless reporter” with “an encyclopedic knowledge of politics” and the ability to “break down barriers and get people off of their talking points.” With what Washingtonian calls a “savant-like knowledge of politics,” he has become a fixture in the White House press room, a steady and constant presence on television, and a tireless voice on the campaign trail. His up-to-the-minute poll analysis and insightful commentary have made him one of the most sought-after voices in American political coverage.

Previously, Todd served as NBC News chief White House correspondent (2008–2014), as well as the host of NBC News’ The Daily Rundown (2010–2014), featuring interviews with members of Congress and other newsmakers. As the network’s former chief political analyst, he played a key role in shaping the editorial for all aspects of NBC's political coverage. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Chuck Todd has the unique ability to deliver an all-consuming passion for politics with razor-sharp analysis. As the political news of today becomes tomorrow’s American history, he offers a comprehensive picture of the current political landscape and serves as the voice of America in the early 21st century.

A Star in Political Journalism. Todd was among the media’s most-trusted voices in the run up to the 2020 elections, during which he co-moderated two of NBC’s presidential primary debates. The first, in June 2019, set records as the most-watched Democratic presidential debate in history — a record that was broken by the second debate in 2020. During the 2008 presidential election, Todd became a frequent contributor to several television news outlets, and during the 2004 elections, he had the rare privilege of moderating one of the few presidential candidate forums in Iowa.

Todd also hosts The Chuck ToddCast and teaches a graduate-level political communications course at Johns Hopkins University. In 2012, GQ named Todd “The Most Powerful Journalist in Washington.” That same year, he also won the Jeopardy! Power Players match. In 2005, Washingtonian featured him in its “Best of” issue in the journalism section, and in 2009, the magazine named him one of the top 50 journalists covering Washington. In 2001, George magazine named Todd one of the 50 most influential people in politics.

Todd was one of the founders of Sports Business Daily (now known as Sports Business Journal) in 1994, serving as the publication’s managing editor before returning to politics in 1995.

Covering Campaigns, Candidates, and Everything in Between. Todd loves to follow races, issues, and campaigns, and when he isn’t following politics, he’s writing about them. He contributes to publications like the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Atlantic Monthly, where he is a contributing editor. In 2009, Todd co-authored the definitive election analysis book How Barack Obama Won. His second book, The Stranger: Barack Obama in the White House, was released in 2014.

In 2007, Tim Russert, then-Washington bureau chief and Meet the Press moderator recruited Todd to join NBC as the network’s political director. Before that, he was the editor-in-chief of National Journal’s The Hotline, Washington’s premier daily briefing on American politics. In his 15 years working at the Hotline or one of its affiliates, Todd became one of Washington’s foremost experts on political campaigns of all levels. He helped to grow the publication from a single daily political exposition into an elite paper at the epicenter of politics.