Kate Burns is the chief operating officer at Leading Authorities. With a 10+ year background with LAI, Kate is involved across the company in executing our plans for growth, helping build a company that creates value and opportunity for all of us in the years ahead.

With more than 20 years of experience as an event producer, Shannon Semler has developed and produced everything from multi-million dollar, nationally-televised events to a nationwide roll-out of intimate, in-person experiences for non-profit organizations.

Helena Lehman is a Senior Vice President of Leading Authorities, Inc. She is responsible for building the company’s business in content marketing strategy among its clientele of national trade and professional associations and corporate clients in areas such as; creative concepts and event messaging, video production and graphics, and the creative design and execution of live events and conferences. 

Helena specializes in building relationships across diverse industry groups and identifying common needs and best practices in content strategy and communications.

Matthew Jones is the president and chief executive officer at Leading Authorities Inc., one of the nation’s most prominent event design and lecture agencies, with unique capabilities in lecture representation, media and event production, and entertainment.

Prior to assuming his role as president and CEO, Jones served as chief operating officer at Leading Authorities from 2010-2019. Before joining the company, he worked on political campaigns in the advertising, media buying, and fundraising capacities.