Elevated Leadership. United in Growth.
EPIC21™ is Your Trusted Guide in Leadership
When C-suite leadership challenges demand fresh perspectives, executive mentoring, and proven solutions, our diverse team brings the right mix of industry expertise, business strategy, and peer advisory experience to guide your journey. Here, you’ll find the strategic partnerships and confidential executive mastermind groups that elevate both your leadership and impact.
Meet the Team: EPIC21™ 21st Century Leadership
Jim Naleid
Founder, CEO, & Executive Chair
As Executive Chair, CEO, and founder of EPIC21™ Executive Peers in Conference 21st Century Leadership, I understand the path many leaders are navigating today. My experience guiding organizations from startups to established enterprises, leading mergers and acquisitions, and driving transformative growth has taught me a fundamental truth: true leadership success emerges when we balance strategic excellence with personal growth.
My journey has taken me from the trading floor to the boardroom, across industries from construction and agriculture to banking and IT services. But what I’m most passionate about is what I call “Work Hard and Work Happy” – creating thriving organizations while maintaining whole-life balance and leadership clarity. This philosophy became the foundation of EPIC21™, a high-trust executive peer group designed to help C-suite leaders connect, reflect, and grow together.
Throughout my career – whether serving as a fiduciary advisor, hosting “The Robert James Exchange” radio program for 15 years, or providing business commentary for Bloomberg and ABC networks – I’ve seen how leaders face increasing complexity in today’s business environment. This understanding drove me to create EPIC21™, a confidential peer advisory group where executives can find both the strategic insights and professional leadership growth they need to succeed.
I believe in the power of vulnerability and humility in leadership. These aren’t just words to me – they’re principles I’ve tested through both success and failure. As Executive Chair of EPIC21™, I oversee a leadership mastermind program that creates confidential spaces for high-level executives to solve challenges, share wisdom, and grow together.
My mission is to help fellow leaders navigate uncertainty, drive meaningful change, and build organizations where talent thrives and people find purpose in their work. Through EPIC21™ C-suite networking and strategic leadership mentorship, we’re creating a community of forward-thinking executives committed to elevating both business and personal success.
I understand the high-stakes decisions you face as a leader today. If you’re ready to connect with an executive peer group committed to trusted mentorship and breakthrough results, let’s talk. Together, we can create the lasting impact you envision for your organization and your leadership journey.
Tim Brennan
EPIC21™ Group Chair
Leadership is about vision, strategy, and the courage to navigate complexity. For over 15 years, I’ve led a diverse portfolio of businesses including wholesale fuel marketing, agriculture, real estate development, weighing solutions, and fast casual dining—helping them scale, adapt, and thrive in ever-changing markets.
As President of Nesnah Ventures, I oversee company leadership, board governance, and a diverse portfolio of companies across multiple industries, drawing on my background in technology leadership, private equity, renewable energy, senior care, and business acquisitions. My role isn’t just about managing operations—it’s about developing leaders, fostering innovation, and ensuring long-term, sustainable success.
But leadership comes with unique challenges. The higher you rise, the fewer places you have to turn for candid conversations and trusted executive insights. That’s why EPIC21™ is so valuable. Having spent years making high-stakes business decisions, I know firsthand the power of a confidential peer group—a space where executives gain strategic perspectives, solve complex challenges, and refine their leadership approach.
I believe the best leaders never stop learning. Whether it’s navigating acquisitions, optimizing operational strategy, or building high-performing teams, I’m committed to continuous growth—for myself and those I work alongside.
If you’re looking for a trusted executive network to challenge your thinking, connect with high-level peers, and elevate your leadership, let’s start the conversation.
Tim Eimermann
EPIC™ Group Chair
As a Group Chair at EPIC21™, I draw on more than three decades of experience leading financial, operational, and strategic initiatives to help fellow CEOs, business owners, and corporate executives navigate their unique challenges.
My leadership journey through Trane Technologies and Kaplan Inc. – in roles spanning Credit and Collections, Market Insights, Strategic Pricing, and Continuous Improvement – has given me a comprehensive understanding of leadership strategy, business optimization, and organizational success.
My passion for leadership extends beyond the corporate world. Together with my wife Sheri, I embraced entrepreneurship when we launched Simply Entrée, bringing innovative meal prep solutions to the Coulee Region. This experience deepened my appreciation for the unique challenges business owners face and the importance of balancing vision with practical execution.
I believe in the power of C-suite peer advisory and continuous learning. As a founding member and past president of the 7 Rivers Lean Consortium, I’ve worked to foster positive organizational cultures through lean principles across the La Crosse area.
My commitment to executive leadership development extends to my ongoing education – from a BA in Finance, an MBA, certifications in Strategic Pricing from the University of Chicago and Operational Excellence from MIT,
What drives me most is helping leaders unlock their full potential. My Servant Leadership certification from Viterbo University aligns perfectly with EPIC21’s™ mission of peer-to-peer leadership growth. I understand that at the executive level, having a trusted space for confidential leadership mentoring and honest feedback is invaluable.
As your EPIC21™ Chair, I’m here to help you refine your leadership approach, strengthen your business strategy, and create an organization where your team thrives. If you’re ready to join a leadership mastermind group dedicated to trusted mentorship and strategic growth, let’s connect.
Michele Elliott
EPIC21™ Marketing Strategist & Digital Advisor
In my role as Marketing Strategist and Digital Advisor at EPIC21™, I bring over two decades of customer experience expertise helping leaders enhance digital strategies, build brand trust, and optimize growth through effective marketing.
Working with organizations from UnitedHealthcare to the U.S. Department of Defense, I’ve learned that sustainable business success comes from authentic digital relationships.
At EPIC21™, I help business executives and corporate leaders align their digital presence with their leadership strategy. My expertise spans email marketing, website optimization, SEO strategy, and digital brand development—but my real passion is helping organizations build trust-based customer relationships that drive long-term success.
I take a collaborative approach to digital strategy, working closely with leaders to assess what’s working, what needs improvement, and how to leverage digital tools to align with their vision.
Let’s connect and explore how we can enhance your organization’s digital leadership strategy while staying true to your core values and business goals.