PRESENTERS
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DEREK DEPREY is a leadership coach, author, and keynote speaker dedicated to helping individuals become leaders they'd want to follow. He previously led employee success and leadership development at ETE REMAN, teaching over 100 managers core leadership principles. Before that, he spent 12 years at the Wisconsin Athletic Club, where he held various leadership roles and became a certified coach with the John Maxwell Team. In 2017, he published SHIFT: Move from Frustrated to Fulfilled and in 2024, Everyday Leaders: Small Actions, Big Results. Derek also spent eight years as an adjunct professor of leadership and has diverse experience in the NBA and NCAA. Outside of work, he's a husband, father, and youth basketball coach.
JARED OLDENBURG is the founding pastor of Eternal Rock Lutheran Church in Castle Rock, CO. In addition, Jared has presented around the country as a conference speaker and hosts a Church Planter Intensive to mentor new missionaries multiple times a year. He holds a Master of Divinity and has been published multiple times in Christian publications. Jared lives with his wife, Aimee, in Castle Rock, Colorado.
TOM PLATH joined International Paper in 1991 as a human resources associate at the Thilmany Mill in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. After progressing through HR roles, he became director of HR for International Paper Europe in 1997 and director of strategic planning in 2000. Between 2001 and 2010, he served in operations, marketing, and management roles within xpedx, the company’s distribution business, eventually becoming vice president of HR for xpedx.
In 2010, Plath was named director of HR for manufacturing and became a company officer in 2013. He advanced to senior vice president of HR and global citizenship in 2017, later adding Corporate Affairs to his role in 2023, overseeing HR, Aviation, Real Estate, and more. Plath serves on the boards of the Health Transformation Alliance and Reading is Fundamental. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Martin Luther College and an MBA from Vanderbilt.
LUKE THOMPSON taught philosophy courses at Wisconsin Lutheran College and Bethany Lutheran College before becoming a pastor in WELS. He served eight years in Ottawa, ON, Canada, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran, where he ministered to government workers, South Sudanese immigrants and university students His most recent divine call is to Martin Luther College, where he teaches theology, history, and philosophy. For the past ten years, he has worked closely with Rick Loewen and CrossTrain Ministries, and is co-writing with Rick a book on spiritual care.
DR. RHODA WOLLE serves as the Vice President of Culture and Engagement at Wisconsin Lutheran College. She is an educational psychologist who has spent most of her life supporting young people as they thrive. She has written a couple of books and a school curriculum, hosts a podcast, and has spoken on five continents on the topic of Thriving. Her goal each day is to celebrate what Jesus has done while she encourages those around her to use their gifts in service to God and all He has created! When she is not doing that, she loves traveling, reading, music, golf, walks, and especially time with her dog. You can find more information at: www.rhodawolle.com
DOUG WALDO is a Senior Consultant at Best Christian Workplaces, helping leaders foster healthy, mission-driven organizational cultures. With over 25 years in organizational consulting, he has served as VP of Research and CEO, focusing on employee development and cultural assessments. Doug created the REACH Quotient, a widely used tool for cultural development. His academic career spans 28 years as a professor of leadership and HRM, including developing a Christian-based master’s program in strategic leadership. Certified by SHRM and HRCI, Doug also holds credentials from Cornell, Wharton, and the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations. He serves on the advisory board for OrgDev Institute of Australia. Residing in Florida with his family, Doug is active in his church and has led Christian school and nonprofit boards for over 20 years.