by Madison Dors
Cedarville University will host its third annual Impact Conference October 27-28, 2026, bringing together leaders in business, ministry, education and the public square to explore how Christian faith can shape leadership and professional influence.
Among the featured speakers is Mark Whitacre, executive director of the t-factor initiative at Coca-Cola Consolidated Inc., whose personal journey includes a federal prison sentence, a conversion to Christianity and a commitment to sharing his faith with others. Whitacre's involvement in a corporate scandal was portrayed in the 2009 film “The Informant!” starring Matt Damon.
Cedarville recently established a partnership with Coca-Cola Consolidated, a company that emphasizes faith-based leadership and workplace culture. As part of this partnership, the t-factor initiative will sponsor Impact 2027. The initiative is a Coca-Cola Consolidated program designed to equip leaders to build a God-honoring, purpose-driven corporate culture.
The Impact conference emphasizes the connection between professional excellence and biblical leadership. Through keynote presentations and conversations with experienced leaders, attendees will explore practical ways to integrate their faith into the workplace, navigate professional challenges and use their careers and ministries to advance the gospel.
Additional speakers include Bill Yeargin, chairman and former CEO of Correct Craft; Ryan Bangert, senior vice president for strategic initiatives at Alliance Defending Freedom; Daryle Doden, CEO of Ambassador Enterprises; and Dr. Thomas White, president of Cedarville University.
Dr. Jeff Haymond, dean of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business, said the conference is designed to give attendees biblical principles and practical strategies they can apply in the workplace
Registration for Impact 2026 is open, with tickets available at https://www.cedarville.edu/
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,542 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation’s top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal’s 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.
