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Summer Jelinek    

Leadership Development Speaker, Workshop Facilitator, Business Author; Empowering Leaders to Embrace Change & Growth Mindset to Improve Corporate Culture

With over 20+ years of experience in Hospitality Leadership, HR, and Corporate Learning and Development, Summer Jelinek is passionate about helping managers and leaders discover their unique strengths and translate these strengths to their organization’s benefit. Prior to starting her own Leadership Training business, Jelinek worked with companies such as Walt Disney World, the Disney Institute, H-E-B/Central Market, ski resorts, and even as a sous chef at a dude ranch. In fact, her first time training a large group was with the Disney Institute, where she delivered “backstage” tours to hundreds of executives from multiple industries and locations. A magical time was had by all. With her varied business background and authentic facilitation style, Jelinek is able to fit into corporate organizations with ease, and she is well-accepted by leaders at all levels.

Jelinek is the author of the best-selling book, “Unlocking the Magic of Leadership – 5 Keys to Inspire Yourself, Empower Others and Drive Extraordinary Results,” which was written based on her #1 requested Keynote of the same name.

Jelinek is currently studying for her Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro. Summer completed her MBA with a Leadership Certification at the HR.com #1-ranked Master's program from the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. She is certified in the Benchmarks 360 degree assessment, True Colors Personality Assessment, Lego Serious Play, FIRO-B, Workplace Big 5, Influence Style Indicator, and Core Clarity.

Jelinek has presented for organizations such as Apple, the Center for Creative Leadership, Leprino Foods, Texas University, Duarte, Walt Disney World, the American Heart Association, Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association, Inc., International Live Events Association, Waterville Valley Ski Resort, the Bar Lazy J Guest Ranch, and more.

Speech Topics


Unlocking the Magic of Leadership – 5 Keys to Inspire Yourself, Empower Others and Drive Extraordinary Results

Many Professionals look around and see leaders who are getting results. These leaders are hitting goals and have happy, high-functioning teams. From the outside looking in, these leaders appear to be performing magic.

But like all good magic tricks, it is easily replicated once you know how to perform it. Derived from Summer's experience working as a leader with Walt Disney World, Disney Institute, H-E-B, and Central Market, this session will open you up to the "Magic of Leadership," an easy-to-implement model that shows how you and your Senior Living Community can take very specific steps to create and maintain a high-performing culture.

By the end of this engaging and informative session, you will: - Discover why managing yourself is a critical piece of leadership - Identify why high morale is directly tied to holding employees accountable and receive actionable tips on how to do so in a professional and respectful way - Use effective strategies and resources to prevent fires so you can spend more time doing what you love

Beyond Tomorrow: Leading the Workplace of the Future

What do the internet, AI, and the lightbulb have in common? Each has revolutionized the workforce. Sometimes, it can feel like the workplace is completely unrecognizable from when the Leaders of today entered it. Technology is rolling out faster than we can keep up with it, employee expectations are escalating, and company standards are soaring. How are some leaders thriving while others are barely surviving? Is it magic?

Drawing from decades of diverse experience with renowned organizations like Walt Disney World, the Disney Institute, H-E-B, Central Market, and even a dude ranch, Summer will provide invaluable insights into the transformative power of adaptive leadership. Gain a fresh perspective on outdated workplace norms and unearth strategies to lead with confidence and innovation. Don't miss this opportunity to embark on a journey Beyond Tomorrow and redefine success in the ever-shifting landscape of the modern workplace.

By the end of this engaging and informative session, you will:

  • Examine the modern interpretation of work and its profound implications for effective teamwork and interpersonal interactions
  • Delve into the multifaceted landscape of AI, empowering leaders to proactively address concerns and capitalize on transformative possibilities
  • Explore the dynamics of the three distinct work environments and arm yourself with actionable leadership techniques to thrive in each setting

Reclaiming Your Energy: 3 Powerful Steps to Control Your Chaos and Boost Resilience

Are you running around with a fire extinguisher permanently strapped to your back? Do everyday crises run your life, both at work and at home? Do you find yourself consistently taking care of your clients, your family, and your friends, and you are left with no time to take care of yourself?

In this session, we dive into controlling your chaos and managing your energy. Make no mistake, this isn't your parent's time management class. It’s an energy management class developed on behalf of and with tired, frustrated, and burned-out Hospitality Leaders like yourselves! If you find yourself drained and drinking far too much coffee, this is the session for you!

By the end of this engaging and informative session, you will:

  • Explore the difference between time management and energy management
  • Discover your “time vacuums” and receive actionable tips on how to turn them off
  • Use effective strategies and resources to prevent fires so you can spend more time doing what you love

Make Difficult People Disappear (Without Breaking Any Laws)!

Have you ever found yourself wondering why people won't just listen to you? Or maybe you have found yourself surrounded by people that make your jaw clench...you know the people...the challenging people. Leaders walk a tight rope of being strong, but not aggressive, polite, but not a push over. It is exhausting! In this session, you will uncover the secrets to working with (and overcoming) challenging people derived from the decades of experience Summer brings from her time as a leader with companies such as Walt Disney World, the Disney Institute, H-E-B and even a dude ranch.

After this keynote, you will:

  • Discover the Jedi Mind Trick of Self-Management
  • Uncover the 4 types of difficult people and how to effectively interact with them
  • Walk away with actionable and immediate steps to take to improve relationships with your team, your leaders, and your peers

Thrive Amidst the Chaos - 3 Steps to Decrease the Overwhelm and Reclaim Your Energy

Are you running around with a fire extinguisher permanently strapped to your back? Do everyday crises run your life, both at work and at home? Do you find yourself consistently taking care of everyone else with no time left to take care of you? In this session, we dive into controlling your chaos and managing your energy. Make no mistake, this isn't your parent’s time management class. It’s an energy management class developed on behalf of and with tired, frustrated, and burned-out professionals like yourselves! If you find yourself drained and drinking far too much coffee, this is the session for you!

After this keynote, you will:

  • Explain the difference between time management and energy management
  • Discover your “time vacuums” and how to turn them off
  • Use effective strategies and resources to prevent fires so you can spend more time doing what you love

Technology, Change Management, and the Customer Experience

What do the internet, the iPhone and MyMagic+ have in common? Each has revolutionized the hospitality and events industry. With technology changing at the speed of light, what makes some companies successful at rolling out new technologies? Is it magic? In this conversation, you will dive into change management utilized on the front lines of Disney and beyond and discover why some companies are successful and how their success continues to ripple through the Customer and audience experience.

  • Learn why technology should not be the first answer to improving your Customer's Experience
  • Learn why the most effective technology inspires customer buy in
  • Understand the importance of having employees embrace new ideas during times of change

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5 Keys to Unlocking Your Potential - The Magic of Leadership

Many managers look around and see leaders who are getting the results. These leaders are hitting financial metrics, key performance indicators and have happy and highly functioning teams. From the outside looking in, it can appear that these leaders are performing magic. But like all good magic tricks, once you know how it is performed, it is easily replicated. A Peek Behind the Curtain will open you and your audience to the M.A.G.I.C. of leadership, an easy to implement model that shows how you and your organization can take very specific steps to create and maintain a high performing culture.

  • Learn why managing yourself is a critical piece of leadership
  • Learn the difference between management and leadership...and when to use each
  • Learn why high morale is directly tied to holding employees accountable and receive actionable tips on how to do so in a professional and respectful way
  • Learn why the best leaders are the most genuine leaders and understand what you can do to be your genuine self
  • Understand why inspiration is so important and how it can drive your team to the next level

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