Hosted by Abide & Lead—a community of CEOs, founders, and leaders pursuing Kingdom impact—the Forum is designed to inspire, equip, and connect leaders to live and lead from a place of abiding in Christ.

More than a forum, it was a sacred space for alignment. Led by Duane Donner, Founder and CEO of Founders Advisors, and a trusted group of facilitators, men were challenged to reflect not just on what they’re building, but who they’re becoming. Through teaching, testimonies, and intentional conversations, many experienced clarity, breakthroughs, and renewed vision—for their businesses, families, and walk
with the Lord.

Whether around the fire, over meals, or in quiet moments, a deeper brotherhood formed. Leaders were reminded they are not meant to lead alone and were called to remain connected to the Vine through a daily rhythm of abiding with Jesus.

This journey continues through huddle groups and the broader Abide & Lead community, with resources like the Impact CEO Podcast and Word of the Week to support ongoing growth. We’re expectant for what God will continue to do through these men for generations to come. Find out more about the Abide & Lead community at www.abideandlead.com or reach out to Hawk Cornwell.

The Founders team undertook an array of projects to enhance the school’s facilities and create a more engaging learning environment for students. From landscaping to spreading mulch to cleaning classrooms, our team was able to provide practical services to the school and the surrounding community while also enjoying spending time with each other outside of the office. By investing time, skills, and resources, our team demonstrated the value of community engagement and the importance of giving back.

Our team closed out the day together enjoying wings at Saw’s Juke Joint.

As evidenced by our Values, we place a tremendous emphasis on serving our clients, team, and the surrounding community, and we look forward to these opportunities where we can contribute and make a difference.

The evening kicked off with drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and good conversations in Founders’ new innovation space. As the night progressed, the party moved outside where the crawfish and boiled shrimp were in abundance! Along with the crawfish was a buffet of zesty Cajun specialties including jambalaya, shrimp rotini pasta and bread pudding.

We are so grateful for our incredible team, friends and colleagues that have helped shape our firm into what it is today. Check out a few photos from the evening below and click on this link Founders Crawfish Boil 2025 to see more pics from the event.

In a world that’s louder and more distracted than ever, these young men pressed pause. They stepped away from the noise of daily life to lean into deeper conversations, honest reflection, and the kind of authentic brotherhood that’s hard to find in the digital age.

This wasn’t just a retreat—it was a reset.

Over the course of the weekend, we created intentional space for each participant to reconnect with their purpose and be reminded of who God created them to be. Through dynamic teaching, raw and real group discussions, late-night fireside moments, and times of solitude and prayer, these leaders confronted barriers, shed performance-based mindsets, and found freedom in vulnerability.

The atmosphere was charged with transformation. From shared meals that turned into spontaneous encouragement, to quiet moments in nature that sparked powerful revelations, every element of the retreat was designed to awaken boldness, sharpen vision, and build lasting Kingdom legacy.

This invitation-only experience is more than an event—it’s a launchpad for the next generation of leaders to rise with confidence, clarity, and conviction.

If you’re interested in learning more about the H2 Young Leaders program or want to nominate a young leader for a future retreat, reach out to BJ Davis. We’d love to talk.

At our recent forum, we hosted a group of 25 high-capacity leaders who were equipped and challenged to develop a Heritage Vision©. A picture of a preferable future that includes assessing major aspects of one’s personal and professional life related to their purpose and legacy.

Interactive sessions were facilitated by a team of experienced leaders who specialize in their respective areas of expertise including topics such as “Beginning with the End in Mind”, “Life Purpose”, “Family Vision, Mission and Values”, “Unity and Harmony with your Spouse”, “Living Generously” and “Family Meetings”.

The forum culminated in a hike up the mountain to “the secret place” for a word from Chuck Scott and Duane Donner about the importance of staying connected to the vine of Christ, outlined in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

The Heritage Forum is an invite-only event designed for high-capacity leaders who desire to live to their full potential and lead their families toward an intentional, godly Heritage and Legacy. We strive to help leaders steward their families and businesses with a generational mindset through fellowship, practical teaching, and peer-based support.

“You only live once, but if you do it right (intentionally), once is enough.” – Mae West.

If you would like to learn more or are interested in attending the Heritage Forum, visit Heritage Forum and/or contact J. Lee Ellison for more information.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”  – Jeremiah 17:7-8

This intimate gathering of leaders created an environment of trust, focus, and authentic connection. The agenda centered around key biblical principles and best practices for building and leading a Christ-centered business—addressing real-world challenges like integrating faith and leadership, creating mission-driven culture, and sustaining lasting impact beyond profit.

Throughout the summit, participants engaged in rich discussions, heard powerful testimonies, and explored proven strategies from seasoned CEO’s who are actively living out their faith in the marketplace. From small-group huddles to interactive sessions, every element of the summit was designed to sharpen one another— “iron sharpening iron.”

One of the foundational messages of the Summit was the reality that as leaders of our companies everything begins and ends with our abiding walk with Jesus. The importance of staying connected to the vine of Christ outlined in John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” This theme underscored the entire experience and challenged leaders to abide in Him as they lead their organizations with courage, clarity, and compassion.

If you’re a CEO or business owner looking to clarify your God-given vision, cultivate Christ-centered values, and multiply your business’s eternal impact, we would like to help you in the process.  You can contact J. Lee here for more information.

Duane Donner has a heart for helping business owners and CEO’s build and lead faith driven companies and cultures.  Duane serves on the board of FCCI.  You can learn more about FCCI by visiting the FCCI Website.

FCCI Vision | Mission

Vision: To transform the world through Christ, one company leader at a time.

Mission: In pursuit of Christ’s eternal objectives, FCCI equips and encourages Christian business leaders to operate their businesses and conduct their personal lives in accordance with Biblical principles.

In today’s world, genuine human interaction feels like a rare commodity. As screens become substitutes for conversations and busyness overshadows meaningful moments, the need to intentionally disconnect from the noise and reconnect with what truly matters has never been greater. Now, more than ever, we must carve out time to step away from the distractions and refocus on authentic connections, deeper relationships, and the values that shape us.

The heart of this retreat was to help participants clarify the life purpose. Through powerful teaching sessions, intimate small group discussions, fireside chats, and heartfelt fellowship, we walked alongside these young leaders as they bravely faced personal barriers that might hold them back from reaching their full potential. In a safe, encouraging environment, participants were invited to set aside their masks, fostering genuine, transparent connections with other men and, most importantly, a renewed intimacy with God. We equipped each attendee with the tools and strategies to move forward with clarity and purpose.

The serene landscape served as a backdrop for moments of reflection and renewal, while exceptional meals and uplifting fellowship enriched every part of the journey. The H2 Young Leaders retreat is an invitation-only experience, thoughtfully crafted for emerging leaders who are committed to realizing a life full of abundance.

If you’re interested in learning more about the H2 Young Leaders program or wish to join us at the next retreat, please contact BJ Davis.

This year’s award was presented at the 35th Annual Jemison Award ceremony, hosted by the Alabama Venture Club. The Jemison Award is Alabama’s most prestigious honor recognizing high-quality, fast-growing companies based in the Birmingham area.

The recipient of the 2nd annual John Michael Pierce Award was presented to VeroSkills, a workforce platform aimed towards retraining refugees into great careers in AI, Automation, and Software Engineering. Founders team members, Duane Donner, Founder and CEO, and Chris Jenkins, Vice President and brother-in-law to John Michael, presented the award alongside the Pierce family to Daniel Walsh, Founder and CEO of VeroSkills.

If you are interested in learning more about the John Michael Pierce Foundation or feel led to donate to the Entrepreneurial Fund, you can find more information here.

At our recent forum, we hosted a group of 25 high-capacity leaders who were equipped and challenged to develop a Heritage Vision©. The Heritage Vision includes assessing major aspects of one’s personal and professional life related to their purpose and legacy. Interactive sessions were facilitated by a team of experienced leaders who specialize in their respective areas of expertise including topics such as “Beginning with the End in Mind”, “Life Purpose”, “Family Vision, Mission and Values”, “Unity and Harmony with your Spouse”, “Living Generously” and “Family Meetings”. The forum culminated with a trip up to the mountain to “the secret place” for a word from David Pursell, Founder and CEO of Pursell Farms, along with a time for reflection.

The Heritage Forum is an invite-only event designed for high-capacity leaders who desire to live to their full potential and lead their families toward an intentional godly Heritage and Legacy. “You only live once, but if you do it right (intentionally), once is enough.” – Mae West

If you would like to learn more or are interested in attending our next Heritage Forum, visit Heritage Forum and/or contact Duane Donner for more information.

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”  – Jeremiah 17:7-8

The evening kicked off with a rainy start, where the team and guests enjoyed drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and good conversations throughout the office. The night quickly cleared up, and the party moved outside where the crawfish and boiled shrimp were in abundance! Along with the crawfish was a buffet of zesty Cajun specialties including jambalaya, shrimp rotini pasta and bread pudding.

We are so grateful for our incredible team, friends and colleagues that have helped shape our firm into what it is today. Check out a few photos from the evening below and click on this link Founders Crawfish Boil 2024 to see more pics from the event.