Featured Speakers and Presentations

Looking for a speaker for your next conference, seminar or event? Our team speaks on a variety of interesting topics and we custom fit every talk for your audience. On this page you will see our speaking team and a few of our past presentations.

Don Soderquist

Don Soderquist is the Founding Executive of The Soderquist Center. Don spent over 20 years with Walmart, and after Sam Walton died, Don became known as “The Keeper of the Culture.” Don led the company as Chief Operating Officer during a period marked by exponential growth. Under his watch, Walmart grew from being the largest retailer in the world with sales of $43.9 billion the year of Sam’s death, to becoming the largest company in the world with sales over $200 billion. Walmart’s success is grounded in the highly ethical, performance-focused, servant leadership philosophies that Sam and Don instilled in the hearts of every associate. Don's passion now is to teach those same principles to companies and organizations around the world.

Tom Verdery

Tom Verdery serves as Executive in Residence for The Soderquist Center and also teaches in the Graduate Business division at John Brown University. Tom has over 34 years of experience working with Procter & Gamble, of which the last 14 years spent at the senior leadership level working exclusively outside the US. Well known for his speaking from his heart with enthusiasm and passion, Tom has shared his messages in over 25 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. He is a storyteller who weaves his personal experiences into all his stories. Tom’s areas of expertise include: Strategic Planning & Execution, Executive Coaching, Leadership & Ethics, and Leading in the Global Marketplace. Tom holds an MBA from The University of Dallas and a BBA from Texas Tech University.

Watch the video below to see a sample of Tom's speaking style. This video is from a series The Soderquist Center produced for Sam's Club.

Chuck Hyde

Chuck Hyde is the Chief Executive Officer of The Soderquist Center. Chuck provides direct leadership in all areas of the Center including execution of vision and strategy, performance to budget, all human and capital resources, and long-term sustainability of the organization. He has provided leadership in a variety of capacities since he joined the Center in 2005. Prior to his work at the Center, Chuck spent 12 years leading teams and strategic projects for Kimberly-Clark Corporation. His professional experience includes roles both in manufacturing facilities and central staff assignments in operations, operations support functions, and project leadership. This experience provides significant insight into some of the greatest challenges leaders face and a connection to the alternatives that exist to meet them. Chuck earned his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Arkansas in 1992 and his MBA from John Brown University in 2008.


Chuck's speaking topics include:
• The Value of Values
• Creating a Culture of Engagement
• Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
• Creating Culture
• Does your work matter? And if so, to whom?
• Leadership Differentiators

Wendy Soderquist Togami

Wendy Soderquist Togami serves is our Director of Emerging Leaders and Communications. She provides our emerging leaders (graduate and undergraduate students) with real experiences through our Leadership minor, seminars, and fellowships. Wendy is responsible for marketing, research and development in our center and provides keynote speaking and facilitation to a variety of our customers. Wendy brings experience in innovative leadership development from several colleges and universities, including eight years of student leadership development at Taylor University. She has a particular passion for not-for-profit agencies and has several years of experience working in this arena. Wendy holds her Master of Arts in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education.

Sandy Tush

Sandy Tush serves as a Manager and Senior Facilitator on our Design & Delivery team. She is involved with the creation and facilitation of both customized and open enrollment programs. Sandy has a strong passion for helping people uncover their strengths and core values and live with purpose on a daily basis. Sandy brings over 25 years experience in education and people development. She served as the Executive Development Center program manager at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., before joining our team. Prior to that, she held the position of Content Developer / Facilitator for Home Office People Development. She also taught Computer Science courses at community colleges. Sandy is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the American Society for Training and Development (ASTD). She also has multiple certifications, including Professional in Human Resources (PHR), EQ-i, 360 By Design, The Birkman Method, and many more.

Sandy's speaking topics include:
• Living Your Values
• Leveraging Your Strengths

Bryson Moore

Bryson Moore is our Communications Manager. He leads our marketing and communication strategy in an effort to position the Center as a globally recognized resource on Values-Based Leadership and Organizational Development. He is a graduate of JBU with a Bachelors degree in Digital Media and a Masters in Business Administration. Bryson spent seven years at Gray Communications where he was most recently Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Freedom Begins Here (a brand owned by Gray Communications). Bryson is an avid blogger and you can read his thoughts on marketing, leadership and a variety of other topics at www.brysonmoore.com.

Watch the video below to see a sample of Bryson's speaking style. This video is from a series The Soderquist Center produced for Sam's Club.