IMPACT CEO

What does it take to build a business that thrives for generations—not just financially, but spiritually? In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner welcomes Price Hightower, founder and CEO of Tower Homes, for a rich conversation about leadership, legacy, succession, and the power of surrounding yourself with wise counsel. From launching his business at just 27 years old with little experience a...

What happens when your biggest failure becomes the doorway to your greatest purpose? In this special installment of the Impact CEO Summer Stories Series, Duane Donner shares one of the most pivotal chapters of his life, how the collapse of a business dream, a season of personal brokenness, and an unexpected encounter with God completely changed the trajectory of his future. After walking away from...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with Drew Hiss, founder of Acumen Impact and co-author of The Guidebook for Business Ownership. Together, they explore the intersection of faith, entrepreneurship, leadership, and legacy, and why the business platform may be one of the most powerful ministry opportunities available today. Drew shares his journey from corporate life to entrepren...

In this powerful episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner shares the personal story of how chasing success, money, and achievement nearly cost him everything. From building a fast-growing business in his 20s to battling overwhelming stress, burnout, and panic attacks, Duane opens up about the breaking point that changed his life forever. This honest conversation explores ambition, identity, failure, fa...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner talks with Justin Forman, co-founder of Faith Driven Entrepreneur, exploring how God is awakening a new generation of leaders to build companies with kingdom purpose, eternal impact, and bold faith. Justin shares how entrepreneurs can integrate faith into business, overcome isolation through community, and use their companies to solve real-world problems...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner and J.Lee Ellison explore marketplace ministry and how to integrate faith into your business in a natural, authentic way. Duane shares practical strategies for building a faith-driven culture, investing in your team, and leading from a place of abiding in Christ. Drawing from over two decades of experience building Founders Advisors, Duane shares how a s...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner and J. Lee Ellison sat down with John Burdett, founder and CEO of Fast Slow Motion, to explore what it truly means to build a scalable business rooted in stewardship, purpose, and faith. John shares how implementing the right systems and processes not only helps companies grow, but also creates the freedom to enjoy life, invest in relationships, and lead...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with J. Lee Ellison to explore the powerful principle of sowing and reaping and how it shapes every area of life: faith, family, leadership, and business. Drawing lessons from nature and experiences at Heritage Farms, the conversation highlights how intentional investments of time, energy, and resources ultimately produce a harvest over time. D...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with Ken Polk, Founder and CEO of Arlington Family Offices, for a powerful conversation on legacy, longevity, and what it truly means to preserve wealth. Drawing from nearly three decades of serving multi-generational families, and from his book The Spirit of Wealth Preservation, Ken shares why money without meaning is ultimately empty and how...

In this episode of Impact CEO, the conversation centers on the power of divine order and how prioritizing the right things can transform your leadership, relationships, and long-term impact. The discussion explores how putting first things first; faith, family, health, and stewardship, creates clarity, peace, and sustainable success in both life and business. When leaders operate with intentional...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with visionary entrepreneur David Pursell, steward of Pursell Farms, for a powerful conversation about faith, creativity, hospitality, and trusting God through uncertainty. David shares the remarkable, multi-generational story behind Pursell Farms—from its roots in a fertilizer business to becoming a world-class hospitality destination and mini...

As leaders step into a new year, the question isn't just what we're building, but how we're leading and who we're becoming in the process. In this special bonus episode of Impact CEO, J. Lee Ellison and Duane Donner pause the usual CEO interviews to reflect on vision, rhythms, and spiritual alignment as they step into a new season of leadership. This conversation introduces the heart behind Abide...

On this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner talks with Bobby Mason, CEO of SPOC Automation, about building a thriving, profitable company rooted in faith, love, and servant leadership.  Bobby shares how his company's culture of "lifting others" has transformed lives, strengthened performance, and even helped save an employee's life. A compelling conversation on leadership, culture, abiding in Chri...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner talks with Nick Madden, CEO of Red Door Escape Rooms and leader at SENT Ventures. Nick shares his journey from Harvard to entrepreneurship, how his company grew to 20+ locations, and the intentional ways he embeds faith, culture, and excellence into every part of the business. He also discusses the importance of spiritual rhythms, abiding in Christ as a...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with Pete Ochs—founder of Enterprise Stewardship and a pioneer in Kingdom-focused business. Pete shares his journey from pursuing success to living a fully surrendered, stewardship-driven life, and how that shift led to transformational work in prisons, manufacturing, and leadership development. They unpack practical ways to build flourishing w...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with Scott Wozniak—leadership strategist, author, and CEO of Swoz Consulting. Scott has played a key role in shaping world-class cultures for organizations like Chick-Fil-A, Google, Toyota, and more. Scott and Dwayne unpack how long-term thinking, clarity, operational excellence, and genuine care create organizations that both perform at the hi...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner sits down with Heath Hill, Founder & CEO of Lime Media, whose journey from near-bankruptcy to leading a top experiential marketing company is rooted in bold obedience and radical faith. Heath shares how God transformed his business, why he gives off gross revenue, how he built a culture of generosity and people-first leadership, and why helping his team...

In this special two-part episode of Impact CEO, host Duane Donner sits down with Pastor Chris Hodges, founding pastor of Church of the Highlands and Chancellor of Highlands College, for a personal and powerful conversation about faith, leadership, and the 25-year discipleship journey they've walked together. Pastor Chris shares the early days of Church of the Highlands, his heart for helping leade...

In this episode of Impact CEO, Duane Donner continues his powerful conversation with Pastor Chris Hodges, diving deeper into what it means to discover God-given purpose, live an integrated life, and lead for eternal impact.  Pastor Chris unpacks the spiritual journey from knowing God, to making a difference, highlighting how purpose is revealed through design, and how leaders can align their gifts...

Welcome to Impact CEO, where real CEOs share how they integrate faith and leadership to build companies with eternal impact. In this kickoff episode, Duane Donner, founder of Abide & Lead and CEO of Founders Advisors shares the story behind Abide & Lead, how his faith reshaped his approach to business, and why abiding in Christ is the foundation for effective leadership. You'll hear practical insi...