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Spring Marlin Business Conference: Leadership Reimagined
Join the next generation of leaders April 13–16 for a week of innovation, insight, and opportunity
University News | April 10, 2026
The Spring 2026 Marlin Business Conference is in capable hands as a team of student leaders steps into executive roles to bring this semester’s theme—“Leadership Reimagined”—to life.
At the helm is junior Sara Wall ’28, a business and earth and environmental science major from Collinsville, Virginia, who serves as Chief Executive Officer. For Wall, the role represents both an honor and a challenge.
“My goals include creating more opportunities for networking and connection, offering meaningful learning experiences, and ultimately planning an amazing conference,” she said.
Balancing her responsibilities as CEO alongside her leadership roles as head of the Disabled Student Union, Vice President of Panhellenic Relations, and Marketing Manager for Tri Sigma, Wall has gained valuable insight into time management and prioritization.
Wall and her classmates in Professor Frank Futyma’s MBE 301: Principles of Management course have spent months planning and executing every aspect of the four-day conference, scheduled for April 13–16. Functioning as a C-suite leadership team, students oversee operations ranging from marketing and logistics to finance and technology—an immersive, biannual experience designed to build practical business skills in product development, networking, and strategic planning.
Chief of Staff and Chief Financial Officer Brayden Thorne hopes the conference will reshape how students think about leadership.
“I hope it builds confidence and creates an environment where students can thrive as they pursue their goals,” said Thorne, a member of the VWU basketball team and student assistant at the Batten Center front desk. “More importantly, I hope it shows that leadership today is collaborative, innovative, and adaptable.”
Chief of Staff Courtney Mills shares a similar vision, emphasizing engagement and accessibility.
“We want our audience to stay energized and have a great time,” said Mills, a member of the VWU women’s soccer team. “The business world can feel overwhelming, so we’re focused on breaking it down—teaching the core traits and knowledge needed for success in a way that’s approachable and engaging.”
Rounding out the leadership team are Chief Operating and Logistics Officer Gavin Tanner, Chief Marketing Officer Bailey Gray, and Chief Information Technology Officer Daniel Dewing, each contributing specialized expertise to ensure the conference’s success.
To build excitement and keep the campus community informed, the leadership team has been actively promoting the conference on Instagram (@vwubusinessconference), encouraging students to stay connected for updates and announcements. For Gray, the experience has been both demanding and transformative.
“Although this class has been one of the most challenging I’ve taken, it has taught me what it truly means to be a leader,” Gray said. “I hope attendees leave inspired to pursue new goals and take the next steps in their business careers.”
The Conference Agenda: April 13 - 16
The conference will open Monday evening with a social hour in Brock Commons, offering attendees an opportunity to connect before the week’s programming begins. The evening will continue with a keynote address from iFLY Co-Founder Bob Pizzini —an award-winning CEO, consultant, speaker, retired U.S. Navy leader, and Bronze Star recipient—whose work centers on developing effective leadership and elevating organizational performance. Pizzini will share insights on entrepreneurship, risk-taking, and redefining leadership through innovation.
Programming will continue Tuesday morning as participants return to Brock Commons to begin a full day of sessions. The Ethics Competition will challenge students to think critically about decision-making in complex business environments. Later in the morning, Donna Norman of the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center will provide practical guidance on supporting and sustaining small businesses.
Following a lunch break, the conference will shift to professional development with Dress to Lead: Professional Dress Reimagined, encouraging students to consider how personal presentation intersects with leadership identity. An afternoon session will continue the conversation before attendees gather at The HIVE for an evening social hour. The day will conclude with a keynote address from Emily Archer, Director of Economic Development, who will highlight regional growth and the evolving role of leadership in shaping local economies.
On Wednesday, the focus will turn toward career readiness and innovation. Margaret Black of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council will speak on communication and workforce trends, followed by Bridge the Gap: Using Handshake & Forage to Lead Your Future, a session designed to equip students with tools to navigate career pathways. The highly anticipated Shark Tank Competition will showcase student entrepreneurship, as participants pitch ideas to a panel of judges.
In the afternoon, Scott Hickman will present Money Reimagined: Take Control. Get Ahead. Start Now., offering practical financial strategies for young professionals. The day will conclude with an Internship Panel, providing real-world insights from students and industry representatives.
The conference will wrap up Thursday with a final series of sessions emphasizing innovation and leadership development. The ISP Competition will highlight student research and problem-solving, while Professor Shalyn Lapke will explore the growing impact of artificial intelligence in accounting. Davie Drummond Sr. will close the speaker lineup with Leadership from Childhood, reflecting on the foundational experiences that shape effective leaders.
The week will conclude with a closing session in Brock Commons, bringing together the conference’s central themes—innovation, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership.
From competitions and panels to keynote addresses and networking opportunities, the Marlin Business Conference will offer attendees a dynamic and engaging reimagining of what it means to lead today—and into the future.