Olympic Gold Medalist and Navy SEAL Among Featured Speakers

Presented by the Community Development Foundation (CDF) for the fifth year in a row, IGNITE 2022 will take place Thursday, January 13, at The Orchard (1379 N Coley Rd., Tupelo). Offering both a morning and afternoon session, IGNITE is a half-day leadership summit featuring speakers who will inspire attendees to lead and create desired change within their organizations and communities.

“CDF is delighted to bring these world-renowned speakers to Tupelo. An Olympic gold medalist, bestselling author, Navy SEAL commander and HGTV star will provide a unique blend of information and motivation to the audience,” said CDF President/CEO David Rumbarger.

Dominique Dawes is a three-time Olympic gymnast, Olympic gold medalist, and the first African American gymnast to qualify for the Olympics. She was part of the “Magnificent Seven” U.S. gymnastics team that won the 1996 Olympic games. Continuing to inspire, motivate, and lead future generations by way of gymnastics, Dominique runs the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics Academy in her home state of Maryland.

David Horsager is CEO of Trust Edge Leadership Institute and a global authority on helping leaders and organizations become one of the most trusted in their industry. He is also the national bestselling author of The Trust Edge. David has traveled the world sharing his platform with clients ranging from Fortune 100 companies to professional sports teams and global governments.

CMDR Rorke Denver lead Navy SEAL missions all around the world. He is the author of Worth Dying For and New York Times bestseller Damn Few. Staring himself in the hit film Act of Valor, CMDR Denver is also the founder of Ever Onward, a brand designed to use Navy SEAL principles to teach leaders to perform at their highest levels.

Ben Napier will speak to the audience through an exclusively aired video presentation. Ben is a woodworker and entrepreneur with a degree in history, founder of Scotsman General Store & Woodshop and co-owner of Laurel Mercantile Co. He is a past president of Laurel's Main Street America chapter dedicated to promoting the rebirth of their historic downtown district. He and his wife Erin star in HGTV's Home Town television show and Ben hosts his own discovery+ show Ben's Workshop.

Tickets are limited but still on sale at ignite.ms or by calling the CDF office at 662-842-4521.