Political Hostage Negotiator Mickey Bergman to Bring Lessons in Leadership Under Pressure to 2027 NextGenBaker Brunch

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is proud to announce that political hostage negotiator Mickey Bergman will serve as the keynote speaker for the NextGenBaker Brunch at the 2027 ABA Convention, taking place May 1–5, 2027, at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona.

The NextGenBaker Brunch will feature Bergman’s keynote, “Power of Empathy in Hostage Negotiations,” offering attendees a rare look inside high-stakes negotiations and the leadership lessons they reveal.

When an American is wrongfully imprisoned overseas, Bergman’s work puts him across the table from some of America’s toughest adversaries, navigating volatile personalities, political tensions, and seemingly impossible demands with a human life hanging in the balance.

Drawing on real-world hostage negotiations, Bergman will explore what it takes to think clearly, build trust, and find a path forward under extraordinary pressure.

He will share how empathy can become a powerful tool for breaking through stalemates, influencing others, and understanding people with vastly different perspectives.

Bergman will offer Convention attendees a unique perspective on leadership, decision-making, and the power of understanding the person on the other side of the table.

ABA’s NextGenBaker program provides the baking industry’s rising executive leaders with a dynamic platform to connect with peers, learn from experts, and invest in their professional growth.

Designed to cultivate leaders across the industry, the program helps participants develop the skills needed to lead with confidence, navigate complex challenges, build trust, and make an impact within their organizations.

ABA encourages senior leaders to join the Brunch, learn more about the NextGenBaker experience, and consider how future opportunities, including the Bakers Fly-In and Policy Summit, can support the growth of their organization’s rising leaders.

“The future of the baking industry depends on leaders who are prepared to navigate change and bring people together,” said Josh Bickford, NextGenBaker Co-Chair and President of Clyde’s Donuts.

“NextGenBaker helps develop those leaders by giving them access to industry best practices, experiences, and perspectives that strengthen how they lead. Mickey’s remarkable work demonstrates the importance of empathy, trust, and clear decision-making, skills that can help our rising leaders make an impact at every stage of their careers.”

“NextGenBaker is about giving emerging leaders experiences and perspectives they can carry with them throughout their careers,” said Jill Stang, NextGenBaker Co-Chair and Vice President of Sales at Lesaffre.

“Mickey’s approach demonstrates that empathy isn’t simply a soft skill; it can be a powerful leadership tool. His experiences will give attendees a new way to think about navigating difficult conversations, building trust, and finding common ground when the path forward isn’t obvious.”

The 2027 ABA Convention will bring together leaders from across the commercial baking industry for opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas, and explore the trends and issues shaping the future of the business.

To learn more about the 2027 ABA Convention and register for the NextGenBaker Brunch, visit www.americanbakers.org/convention.

About the American Bakers Association

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the largest and most established trade association for the commercial baking industry in the United States.

ABA’s community includes more than 350 baker and allied member companies, representing thousands of commercial baking manufacturing locations across the nation.

Since 1897, ABA has served as the voice of the baking industry, offering compelling advocacy, insightful thought leadership, and comprehensive research on industry trends.

ABA members also benefit from extensive business services, including premier networking events, impactful knowledge sharing, and effective workforce development programs and training resources.

ABA is committed to enhancing its mission by growing the category and promoting the industry as the destination workplace.

In 2025, ABA earned the prestigious Great Place To Work® Certification, underscoring its commitment to delivering on the Higher Level Impact strategic objective by fostering a strong internal culture that drives excellence for the commercial baking industry.