Scott is the Chief Economist and Director of Fixed Income Management with Commerce Trust. He joined Commerce in 1993 and has investment responsibilities for over $24 billion in fixed income assets. Scott oversees all fixed income strategies for both Commerce Bank and Commerce Trust and directly manages the flagship Commerce Bond Fund and the Commerce Short-Term Government Fund.

Prior to joining Commerce Bank, Scott worked for the Cincinnati Gas and Electric Company (now Duke Power), Fifth Third Bank, and ARMCO, Inc. (now Cleveland Cliffs). Scott received his Bachelor of Science degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1986 and received his Master of Business Administration from Xavier University in 1988. He has been both a director and president of the Chartered Financial Analyst Society of St. Louis and is on the President’s Advisory Council at Xavier University.

From Google to Story Arc Consulting, Steve Lerch has traveled the globe as a keynote speaker, partnering with the world’s most prestigious companies and industries. He’s helped countless organizations embrace innovation and redefine “possible,” while also helping thousands of brands rethink how they understand and influence modern consumers.

Steve's unique ability to simplify complex ideas and connect them to real-world challenges has made him a sought-after expert for both audiences and businesses. His passion for storytelling and data-driven insights ensures every interaction leaves a lasting impact

Jeff Noel is a former Disney Institute keynote speaker and a 30-year Disney leadership veteran who has inspired more than one million professionals worldwide. As Disney Institute's highest-rated and most requested speaker, Jeff shares practical strategies on leadership, organizational culture, customer experience, creativity, and innovation. A two-time Disney Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, he helps organizations apply the timeless principles behind Disney's success to create engaged teams, exceptional customer experiences, and lasting business results.

In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given less than a 1% chance to live. This epic story of survival was first showcased in Overwhelming Odds, the book his parents wrote in 2006. It was this book that first invited John to embrace his miraculous recovery and share it with the world.

Today, John inspires tens of thousands of people at more than 100 live and virtual events each year. Consistently described as “the best speaker we’ve ever had,” John’s tireless schedule is a testament to the power of his message. His emotional storytelling, unexpected humor, and authenticity make each presentation unforgettable. John is a two-time bestselling author of On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life and In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning and Joy.

John’s award-winning Live Inspired Podcast has more than seven million downloads and enjoys world-class guests such as Brené Brown, Mitch Albom, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Bob Costas. Amazingly, John’s story is now a full-length feature film starring Joel Courtney, John Corbett, and William H. Macy. Soul on Fire was released in theaters nationwide on October 10, 2025.

Regardless of his professional accomplishments, John considers his greatest success to be his marriage to his wife Beth, their four children, and his relationships with friends and family.

Phil Plourd is Head of Insights for Ever.Ag. He has been involved in dairy, commodity market, and macroeconomic analysis, research, forecasting, consulting, and risk management activities for more than 25 years. Phil draws on that experience to lead an expert team that helps clients find better ways to do business across supply chains and around the world. He is a popular speaker who engages audiences on a variety of topics.