We are thrilled to celebrate one of our 2026 Midwest Speakers Bureau Showcase speakers, Amber Swenor, who has been nominated for a prestigious Josie Music Award.

Amber is one of eight artists nominated for Artist of the Year, Rock, an award recognizing an artist’s overall body of work, including their music, message, influence, and impact both on and off the stage.

The 12th Annual Josie Music Awards will be presented on September 20, 2026, at the historic Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The awards honor independent artists, songwriters, musicians, producers, and other music industry professionals from across genres.

Leadership Lessons Through a Rock-and-Roll Lens

Before Amber takes the Grand Ole Opry House stage, you can experience her live at the 2026 Midwest Speakers Bureau Speakers Showcase on September 1 in Des Moines.

Amber is a leadership behavior change and team culture strategist who helps leaders and teams strengthen communication, collaboration, trust, and performance. She brings a perspective to the stage that few leadership speakers can offer: lessons drawn from her experience as the frontwoman of the symphonic metal band Morningstar.

During her showcase presentation, Power Teams Unleashed: Collaborations That Rock, Amber will explore how teams can work together more authentically and effectively, particularly in today’s fast-moving, high-pressure, and hybrid work environments.

Audiences will discover how to:

  • Strengthen communication and trust
  • Recognize and leverage each team member’s strengths
  • Replace internal competition with authentic collaboration
  • Create greater alignment and shared ownership
  • Build a culture where people and performance can thrive

Amber’s music-infused approach makes these leadership lessons memorable, engaging, and immediately relevant. There may even be a little music-making in store for the audience.

Get Ready to Rock the Stage

The theme of this year’s Speakers Showcase is Rock the Stage, and we cannot think of a more fitting speaker to help bring that theme to life.

Join us on September 1, 2026, at the Airport Holiday Inn in Des Moines to experience Amber and an outstanding lineup of professional speakers live. Each featured speaker will deliver a fast-paced keynote presentation, giving meeting professionals the opportunity to experience their message, delivery style, and audience impact firsthand.

From the Midwest Speakers Bureau stage to the Grand Ole Opry House stage, Amber is showing what can happen when powerful leadership, authentic self-expression, and a passion for music come together.

Congratulations, Amber! We cannot wait to see you rock both stages.