Session One (9:30am – 11am)
The Power of 4: How BoomingGenXMillenialZ Teams Win Together
When generations collaborate instead of colliding, innovation rises, culture thrives, and the bottom line grows.
Presented By: Barbara Brooks – Age Positive Speaker, Consultant & Founder of SecondActWomen
Age diversity isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a business superpower. In today’s workplace, Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z each bring distinct perspectives and strengths to their teams. By 2030, five generations will share the workplace – the opportunity to innovate, collaborate, and succeed has never been greater. But ageism still lingers, holding organizations back – ignoring it isn’t an option.
This session explores how leaders can harness generational differences to build stronger teams, improve collaboration, and create workplaces that attract and retain talent. Discover how fostering respect and dialogue across age groups drives innovation, satisfaction, and long-term business success. After all, research shows diverse teams are six times more likely to innovate and 21% more profitable when cross-generational collaboration is part of the fabric.
In this energizing keynote-meets-workshop, pro-age speaker, media contributor and SecondActWomen founder Barbara Brooks has the secret sauce to flipping the script on generational divides. Through real stories, data, Return on Experience Method, and a dose of cheeky real talk, Barbara shows leaders and teams how to turn age diversity into a business advantage.
This presentation will be followed by a Fireside Chat and Q&A with Barbara Brooks and Katy Anthes, PhD – Public Business & Education Coalition (PEBC)
- 9:30am – 10:30am – Presentation
- 10:30am – 11:00am – Fireside Chat and Q&A
Key Takeaways:
- How generational stereotypes kill trust, innovation, and performance.
- Why age-diverse teams outperform single-age groups in problem-solving.
- Simple steps to boost collaboration, belonging, and productivity across generations.
Why It Matters for Vail Valley Businesses:
- 60% of workers say they’ve experienced or witnessed age bias
- Multigenerational teams bring broader skills, deeper customer insight, and more resilience.
- By 2030, five generations will share the workplace – ignoring it isn’t an option.
- Deloitte says inclusive cultures are 6x more likely to innovate and 8x more likely to thrive.
Session Two (11:15am – 1:30pm)
Keynote with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston
Leadership That Unites
When values collide, truth is contested, and divides deepen, ethical leadership requires more than quiet consensus. It demands moral courage to face conflict, compassion to hear those we oppose, and the integrity to hold fast to what is right — even at great cost.
At the heart of this year’s theme are two truths:
- The highest form of leadership is bringing people together.
- Unity is not the absence of disagreement but the triumph of shared purpose over division.
In an era when democracy’s greatest strengths can also be its greatest vulnerabilities, we’ll explore how leaders can transform ethical challenges into fuel for progress — moving beyond polarization toward a future where differences sharpen our vision rather than shatter our bonds.
Keynote Spotlight: Mayor Mike Johnston
A former educator, state senator, and now Denver’s Mayor, Mike Johnston has earned national recognition for his ethical leadership and innovative responses to complex challenges — from homelessness and housing to human migration. With roots in Vail, Colorado, Johnston returns not only as a national leader but also as someone shaped by the very community hosting this year’s Forum.
Enjoy this inspiring keynote session over lunch, and reserve your place for an unflinching exploration of leadership at its most challenging — and most necessary.
