Inspiring Conversations Series
Spring 2021 Series
Transforming Lives and Lives Transformed
Notre Dame’s Inspired Leadership Initiative is launching its second installment of the highly successful digital series begun last fall featuring leaders from across many disciplines and industries. This semester Inspiring Conversations will have the theme of "Transforming Lives and Lives Transformed" and will focus on three critical and timely topics: pursuing a second act, the intersection of spirituality and leadership, and solving societal problems.
Each guest speaker will share stories, perspectives, and lessons learned from their own experiences as leaders – personally, within their organizations, and in their communities. Our focus will be on the human side of transformation – their catalysts, purpose, and mission. It is our hope that participants will walk away enriched and inspired to take action.
This digital series is open to all and offers a unique and engaging opportunity to connect with industry leaders and Notre Dame’s academic leadership. The Inspiring Conversations series is exclusively offered through ThinkND, the University’s open online learning community. If you registered for the fall series, you do not need to do so again. If not, we enthusiastically invite you to do so now.
March 2, 2021
Paul Grangaard, Chairman and CEO, Faribault Woolen Mill Co.
"Art of Creating Renaissance"
Watch Listen
March 9, 2021
Dr. Juliana Otieno, Senior Lecturer, Uzima University, Medical School & Founder, Rusalia Resource Foundation
"Inspiring Girls to Achieve"
Watch Listen
March 30, 2021
John Ebert, President of J.W. Ebert Corporation, which owns and operates more than 40 McDonald's
"Leadership Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic"
Watch Listen
April 6, 2021
Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., President Emeritus, University of Notre Dame
"Chosen to Lead"
Watch Listen
April 13, 2021
Sr. Gabriella Bottani, SMC, Talitha Kum, the International Network of Consecrated Life Against Trafficking &
Sr. Ann Oestreich, I.H.M., President, U.S. Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking
"The Myths and Terrible Truths of Human Trafficking"
Watch Listen
April 21, 2021
Karl Racine, Attorney General for the District of Columbia
"The American Justice System and the Future"
Please note that this event is on Wednesday.
May 18, 2021
Dr. Adrienne Boissy, Chief Experience Officer, Cleveland Clinic
"Why Care? Crafting a Leadership Grounded in Truth and Empathy"
Fall 2020 Series
Leading People in an Ever Changing World
The Inspiring Conversations digital series launched in Fall 2020 with the theme of "Leading People in an Ever-Changing World." The series featured leaders from across many disciplines and industries. Led by Tom Schreier and Chris Stevens, and co-sponsored with the Inspired Leadership Initiative and the Notre Dame Alumni Association, the series explored the concepts of human-centered leadership – mission, empathy, courage, and adaptability. Recordings of the live Zoom sessions are available below.
August 25, 2020
Dr. Penny Wheeler, President and CEO, Allina Health.
"Embracing the Mind, Body and Spirit through Health Care"
Watch Dr. Penny Wheeler's Talk Listen to Dr. Penny Wheeler's Talk
September 8, 2020
Dave MacLennan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cargill.
"Sustainably Nourishing a Challenged, Changing, and Hungry World"
Watch Dave MacLennan's Talk Listen to Dave MacLennan's Talk
September 22, 2020
Muffet McGraw, former head women’s basketball coach, Notre Dame.
"Building a Winning Team"
Watch Muffet McGraw's Talk Listen to Muffet McGraw's Talk
October 6, 2020
Paul Karos, past president investment banking and equities, Piper Jaffray;
Cindy Karos, Founding Inaugural Member, The Order of the Myrrhbearing Women.
"How our shared faith has guided our life, our professions, our family and our path forward, even in the face of personal obstacles like blindness"
Watch Paul and Cindy Karos's Talk Listen to Paul and Cindy Karos's Talk
October 20, 2020
Hubert Joly, former chairman & CEO of Best Buy & senior lecturer at Harvard Business School; author of the forthcoming book "The Heart of Business: Leadership Principles for the Next Era of Capitalism"
Hortense le Gentil, author of "Aligned: Connecting Your True Self with the Leader You're Meant to Be"
"Leading with Purpose and Humanity by Aligning Head and Heart"
Watch Hubert Joly and Hortense le Gentil's Talk Listen to Hubert Joly and Hortense le Gentil's Talk
October 27, 2020
Louis King, II, President & Chief Executive Officer, Summit Academy OIC
"The Day After Tomorrow"
Watch Louis King, II's Talk Listen to Louis King, II's Talk
November 17, 2020
Fr. Dan Groody C.S.C., VP and Associate Provost, Notre Dame
"The Heart's Desire and Social Change: Finding the Path to Meaning and Mission";
Watch Fr. Dan Groody C.S.C.'s Talk Listen to Fr. Dan Groody C.S.C.'s Talk
December 1, 2020
Richard Leider, founder, Inventure–The Purpose Company and author
"The Path of Purposeful Leadership"
Watch Richard Leider's Talk Listen to Richard Leider's Talk