The Southwestern Advantage Global Leadership Summit (GLS) 2026 brought together hundreds of students, leaders, and families for a powerful three-day experience focused on growth, leadership, and long-term vision. Hosted January 16th – 18th at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel, GLS served as one of the most impactful events of the year for the Southwestern Advantage community.
Attendees included in-school and full-time recruiters, future first-year participants, and LEAD product members along with their families. While each group attended GLS with a unique purpose, the shared experience created a unified environment centered on learning, connection, and personal development.
Purpose and Vision of the Southwestern Advantage Global Leadership Summit
The Global Leadership Summit is designed to meet people exactly where they are in their Southwestern Advantage journey. For recruiters, the weekend focused on developing advanced skills, strengthening leadership identity, and gaining clarity on the long-term career opportunities within Southwestern. First-year attendees participated in GLS to prepare mentally, professionally, and practically for a successful summer, while LEAD members and their families focused on leadership growth, professional development, and understanding the broader Southwestern Advantage experience.
Throughout the weekend, training sessions, keynote messages, and workshops reinforced core Southwestern principles such as work ethic, coachability, emotional intelligence, and ownership.
Setting the Tone and Recognizing Excellence
GLS 2026 officially began Friday evening with a general session that welcomed attendees and outlined how to get the most out of the weekend. The session celebrated achievements across the organization, including recognition pins, team starts, ribbons, and the presentation of 10K Jackets, honoring top unit producers. A panel featuring 10K producers gave attendees an inside look at what it takes to perform at a high level while building sustainable success.
One of the most impactful moments of the evening came from Dan Moore, former Southwestern Advantage president and alumni speaker. His message focused on understanding people, developing emotional intelligence through recruiting, and recognizing the lasting impact leaders have on others. The session also highlighted positive momentum from fall recruiting and the transition into the next phase of growth for many leaders.
The evening concluded with director group training, allowing recruiters to break into focused sessions tailored to their specific roles and goals.
Leadership Culture in Action at GLS 2026
Before meetings started on Saturday morning, a small group of GLS attendees exemplified Southwestern Advantage’s culture of discipline and personal challenge by completing a nearly five-mile run through downtown Nashville in below-freezing temperatures. The run set the tone for the day ahead and reflected a shared mindset embraced throughout the weekend: growth happens when leaders choose effort ahead of ease.
That same spirit carried into the general sessions and workshops, where attendees were challenged to push beyond comfort, think long-term, and lead with intention.
Alumni Speakers Share Perspective and Vision
One of the defining elements of GLS 2026 was the presence of distinguished Southwestern Advantage alumni speakers, each offering a unique perspective shaped by their own journeys.
During Saturday’s general session, Senator Marsha Blackburn, a proud Southwestern Advantage alumna, shared her experience with the program and the appeal of building something through effort and ownership. She reflected, “To me, the challenge of running your own show, of working as many hours a week as you could work, and working on straight commission, and making whatever you decided you wanted to make – that was awesome! I said, ‘That’s the job for me!’” Her message resonated strongly with attendees who are learning to embrace responsibility and the freedom that comes with earning results through disciplined action.
Saturday evening featured Dr. Jason Kolb, another Southwestern Advantage alumnus, whose message, “Down the Mountain,” encouraged leaders to remain grounded, consistent, and purpose-driven regardless of success or position. On Sunday, Dave Brown delivered the ROR keynote, reinforcing the importance of responsibility, opportunity, and results as cornerstones of leadership.
Training, Workshops, and the Real Work of Leadership
Throughout GLS 2026, attendees participated in immersive training sessions and workshops focused on communication, resilience, objection handling, trust-building, networking, and vision casting. Sessions challenged participants to sharpen how they tell their story, communicate value, and emotionally connect with others while remaining confident in the face of rejection.
For many, the content reinforced that leadership is built through daily actions rather than titles. Future first-year participant Diego Oliver-Morales reflected on that takeaway, sharing, “One line from the summit has stayed with me: you do not deserve anything, you earn it… Nothing meaningful is handed to you. It is earned through action, consistency, and ownership.” His reflection captured the heart of GLS—leadership as a practiced skill shaped through effort and accountability.
Specialized Development for First Years and LEAD Members
In addition to attending key general sessions, first-year participants and LEAD members engaged in specialized training tailored to their experiences. First years focused on understanding what Southwestern Advantage does, why it exists, product knowledge, sales fundamentals, leadership development, and mindset training designed to help them maximize both their summer and their personal growth.
LEAD members and their families explored topics such as financial habits, teamwork, professional development, networking, and defining success on their own terms. These sessions helped connect the Southwestern experience to broader life goals beyond the program itself.
The Freddies Awards Banquet: The Grand Finale of GLS 2026
As the finale of the Global Leadership Summit, the 27th Annual Freddies Awards Banquet brought the weekend to a meaningful close—honoring excellence, growth, and leadership across Southwestern Advantage. More than a recognition ceremony, the evening reflected the collective effort, discipline, and development that defined the entire summit, from training sessions and workshops to conversations and connections built throughout the weekend.
For many attendees, the Freddies marked both a celebration and a transition forward. Recruiter Jaclyn Allyn, heading into her third summer with Southwestern Advantage, reflected on the weekend as a whole, saying, “Experiences like this continue to shape my vision for the future and remind me of the value of learning, connection, and being in rooms that challenge and inspire growth. I’m grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to applying what I’ve learned.” Her reflection captured the spirit of GLS 2026—closing the weekend with gratitude, momentum, and a clear focus on what comes next.
Freddies Awards:
Top Campus – Worldwide:
TalTech – 158,831 Units
Top in Sales – First Year:
Maxwell Paulin – 3,906 Units
Top in Sales – First Year Honorary:
Robert Veide – 4,066 Units
Top B Leader:
Patrik Roostfeldt – 8,325 Units
Top in Sales – Experienced:
Sindija Loze – 20,334 Units
Top in Sales – Experienced Honorary:
Kristaps Rupmanis – 17,620 Units
Most New LEAD Revenue – First Year:
Lauren Myers – $9,053
Most New LEAD Revenue – Experienced:
Mariliis Kalinina – $16,164
Top Online Subscribers: Global Academy – First Year:
Robert Veide – 53
Top Online Subscribers: Global Academy – Experienced:
Kristaps Rupmanis – 100
Top Team – In-School:
Cowbot Closers led by Patrik Roostfeldt – 10,101 Units
Top Team – Full-Timer:
The Stonecutters led by Ray Petroski – 10,956 Units
Student Excellence Award:
Bruno Binovskis, E1 – Euphoria
