The enduring mission of the Tobias Center is inspiring leadership excellence on a national scale. Special access to the Center’s work will be furnished to Indiana citizens for the distinct purpose of enhancing leadership within the state.
The Semler Lecture on Leadership honors the work and spirit of Jerry Semler who is widely recognized throughout the Indianapolis community as a giver and doer.The purpose of the lecture is to inspire leaders to give their time, talent and treasure, thus perpetuating the ideal of “service-in-action” exemplified by Jerry Semler. It is designed to speak to all leaders of our community whether they are seasoned veterans or young emerging leaders.The purpose of the lecture is to bring people together to think about community leadership and to renew across generations the spirit of leadership that is a part of the success of Indianapolis and is exemplified by Jerry Semler.
This year's speaker is Wintley Augustus Phipps, a Chief Executive Officer, humanitarian and visionary, who inspires others to excellence and the realization of their life goals.
Wintley Augustus Phipps was born in Trinidad, West Indies and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He attended Kingsway College, a Christian Academy; Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama where he received a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Theology; and earned a Masters of Divinity Degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Mr. Phipps holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Waynesburg College.
Phipps is a world-renowned vocal artist, education activist, and motivational speaker. For more than twenty-five years, he has traveled every continent of the world delivering messages of hope, advocacy, and equality to thousands. He is the founder and president of the U.S. Dream Academy, Inc, a non-profit organization that provides mentoring and tutoring to children of prisoners and children falling behind in school. He is also the founder of Songs of Freedom Publishing Company and Coral Recordings Recording Company.
Phipps has been the featured speaker and performer for many notable occasions. He has sung for Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, William Clinton, and George W. Bush. He also performed for the Oprah Winfrey Show, the National Urban League, Dr. Robert Schuller’s Hour of Power, and the Billy Graham Crusades. He was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1989 and 1998. He has lectured in Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
Phipps currently serves on the Scholarship America Board of Trustees, the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Board of Directors, the Three Angels Broadcasting Network Board of Directors, and the Advisory Board of Directors of Family Justice. He has brought his considerable skills to a number of organizations and has received numerous awards: The Excellence in Mentoring for Program Leadership Award from MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, the Oprah Winfrey Angel Network Use Your Life Award, and Philanthropist of the Year Award from The National Center for Black Philanthropy, Inc.
Phipps was born in Trinidad, West Indies and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He attended Kingsway College, Oakwood College where he received a Bachelors of Arts Degree, and Andrews University where he earned a Masters of Divinity Degree. He also holds an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Waynesburg College.
Phipps is married to Diane Galloway Phipps, RN and they have three sons.
