Leading by Faith 2024

"Becoming BYU"
Opening Keynote
JSB Auditorium 140
C. Shane Reese became the 14th president of Brigham Young University in May 2023, following his roles as BYU's Academic Vice President and Dean of the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. A renowned statistician and fellow of the American Statistical Association, Reese has applied his expertise to fields ranging from climate impact and solar storms to sports analytics, aiding the U.S. Olympic volleyball team and the Philadelphia Eagles. He holds a PhD in statistics from Texas A&M University and previously worked at Los Alamos National Laboratory before joining BYU's faculty in 2001.

"Finding Joy in Leadership"
Closing Keynote
WSC Main Ballroom
Kirby is an accomplished actor, narrator, musician, and comedian. He is best known for his roles in Saints and Soldiers, The Singles Ward, The R.M., The Best Two Years, Sons of Provo, and The Three Stooges. He has also starred in numerous TV series and national commercial campaigns. Kirby currently hosts the popular BYUTV show, “Making Good.” As an audiobook narrator, Kirby has been nominated for a Grammy, received two Odyssey Awards, and countless Earphones Awards for excellence in narration. He has narrated over 2000 audiobooks, including Brandon Mull’s DRAGONWATCH series. He loves spending time with his wife and kids.

"Solving Global Problems by Loving the One"
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Dr. Eva Witesman is a professor at Brigham Young University, where she leads the Ballard Center for Social Impact and teaches in the MBA and MPA programs. As founder of BYU’s GoodMeasure program, she has helped hundreds of organizations improve their social outcomes. Her work has been featured in LDS Living and media platforms, and she recently co-facilitated a global discussion at the United Nations. Dr. Witesman and her spouse, Owen, work together to promote social good, alongside their four children.

“Covenant Leadership”
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Barbara Morgan Gardner is an associate professor of Church History and Doctrine at BYU, with a focus on women in religious leadership, international education, and religious pedagogy. She is the author of The Priesthood Power of Women in the Temple, Church, and Family and holds a PhD in instructional psychology. Barbara serves as the chaplain-at-large for higher education for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, having previously served as the chaplain at Harvard and MIT. She resides in Highland, Utah, with her husband, Dustin, and their two children, and enjoys teaching, traveling, and the outdoors.

"Finding Joy in Leadership"
Closing Keynote
WSC Main Ballroom
Lisa Valentine Clark is an accomplished actress, writer, and host of "The Lisa Show" on BYUradio. A founding member of the improv troupe The Thrillionaires and former member of the comedy group The Garrens, she’s known for her comedic talents and creative work. Lisa played Gracie in the award-winning web series Pretty Darn Funny, which she also wrote and produced. Beyond her entertainment career, she is an advocate for authentic motherhood, as shared in her book Real Moms: Making It Up As We Go. Lisa lives in Provo, Utah, with her five children.

"Responding with Faith: A Four-Part Pattern to Answering Gospel Questions"
WSC Varsity Theatre
Dr. Anthony R. Sweat is a dynamic educator, accomplished author, and talented artist with a passion for sharing the gospel. He earned a BFA in painting and drawing from the University of Utah and a PhD in curriculum and instruction from Utah State University. Before joining BYU’s religion faculty, he spent 13 years teaching and leading in Seminaries and Institutes of Religion. Residing in Springville, Utah, with his wife, Cindy, and their seven children, Dr. Sweat continues to inspire through his writing, teaching, and art.

"Dynamic Creativity Comes from Christ"
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Adam Dyer, Associate Chair and Assistant Professor of Contemporary Dance at BYU, brings a wealth of experience from the world stage. Before joining BYU, Dyer danced in the Broadway National Tour of CONTACT and performed in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark. His career includes choreographing for Disney and performing globally, including in Franco Dragone’s The House of Dancing Water in Macau. Holding a BFA from Alvin Ailey/Fordham University and an MFA from NYU's Tisch School, Dyer now integrates his passion for dance with his commitment to spiritual growth, guiding students in both artistic and personal development.