The DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC) invites educators, employers, parents, and community leaders to an inspiring and informative event, “Unleashing Passion, Purpose & Performance in Younger Generations,” featuring nationally recognized speaker and bestselling author Mark C. Perna. The event will take place on April 17 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Kishwaukee College in Malta. The event is free and includes a continental breakfast; pre-registration is required at DCEDC.org/events.

Mark C. Perna, author of Answering Why, is a dynamic performance expert known for helping organizations bridge the generational divide and unlock the true potential of today’s young people. During this engaging session, Perna will share groundbreaking strategies that are reshaping how educators and employers connect with, engage, and retain younger generations across the country.

“Mark Perna shows us that when we intentionally connect young people to passion and purpose, we elevate performance—and create lasting community impact. His message will challenge every leader in the room,” said DCEDC Executive Director Melissa Amedeo.

Purpose‑driven education and training are at the heart of Perna’s message. He emphasizes that when students understand why their learning matters, they are more likely to pursue passion‑driven careers, perform at higher levels, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. As the education‑to‑employment skills gap continues to widen, Perna’s insights offer actionable solutions to help communities tap into the creativity, intelligence, and potential of the next generation.

Drawing from both professional research and personal experience as a father of two successful young people, Perna provides clear insights into how younger generations think, what motivates them, and how they make decisions. Attendees will leave with practical tools they can apply immediately—both at home and in the workplace—to forge authentic human connections, move young people from static purpose to active purpose, and empower them to achieve at a higher level.

This event will benefit:

• Educators looking to bring relevance and purpose into the classroom
• Employers seeking to attract, engage, and retain young talent
• Economic developers and community leaders focused on strengthening the local workforce
• Parents and stakeholders wanting to better connect with and inspire young people

Participants will gain:

• Key insights into how young people think, what makes them tick, and how they make decisions
• Tools to connect, engage, and answer why to inspire greater effort and performance
• Clear action steps that can be implemented immediately
• Proven strategies to help young people move from potential to performance

Individuals across North America are already using Perna’s nationally acclaimed tools to improve outcomes for students, employees, organizations, and communities.

Pre-registration is required. Visit DCEDC.org/events for more information and to register.