DARKE COUNTY – The Light Foundation and Darke County Economic Development will host the Darke County Leadership Conference on Thursday, October 15 at Chenoweth Trails, bringing together 100 hand-selected Darke County high school juniors and seniors for a day of leadership, character and professional development.
The conference, themed “Leading with Honor: Lessons from the Front Lines,” will challenge students to consider what it means to lead with integrity, responsibility and purpose. Teachers and staff members from all eight Darke County school districts have selected students from the 2026–2027 junior and senior classes to participate.
“Leadership is not simply about having a title or being the person in charge,” said Troy Eden, Chief Operations Officer of The Light Foundation. “It is about how you carry yourself, how you treat others and the choices you make when others are counting on you. This conference gives students the opportunity to learn those lessons directly from people who have lived them.”
“We want students to understand that leadership is something they can begin practicing now, regardless of their age or future career path,” said Olivia Schmitmeyer, Career Connections Coordinator with Darke County Economic Development. “This conference gives students the chance to learn from leaders with real-world experience, reflect on their own strengths and values, and see how integrity, communication and responsibility can shape the way they lead in their schools, workplaces and communities. Investing in these students today helps us build the strong workforce and community leaders Darke County will need in the future.”
Throughout the day, students will hear from leaders with experience in military service, business, and entrepreneurship. Vince Brantley, Sergeant Major, U.S. Army, will be the lead speaker and will focus on Leadership Development: Lessons from the Front Lines, sharing lessons in responsibility, teamwork and decision-making developed throughout his military career. Todd Gross, CEO and President of Ngenio USA, will lead a session on the MPO Solution tool. MPO Solution is a psychometric personal-development platform that helps individuals better understand their natural behaviors, strengths, communication styles, and areas for growth to improve self-awareness and personal effectiveness. During lunch, students will also hear from a panel consisting of veteran-owned business leaders and active-duty personnel, who will discuss their experiences transitioning from military service to entrepreneurship and leadership in the business community.
Students will also have an opportunity to continue their leadership development through an essay competition. By submitting a 250-word essay, students can earn the opportunity to attend a session of their choice through Leadership Darke County.
The conference reflects a shared commitment by The Light Foundation and Darke County Economic Development to invest in the next generation of Darke County leaders and provide students with meaningful opportunities to learn from those who have led in challenging environments.
The Darke County Leadership Conference is made possible through the generous support of local businesses and community partners who believe in investing in the next generation.
We extend our sincere thanks to Darke County Economic Development Partnering for Success, Brethren Retirement Community, Jafe Decorating, Midmark Corporation, Wayne HealthCare, and Dave Knapp Ford Lincoln for supporting this opportunity to bring 100 students together for a day of leadership development at no cost to participating schools or families. Their contributions help make this experience possible and support our shared commitment to developing the next generation of leaders in Darke County.
