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48th Annual Conference on Management & Executive Development (CMED)

Full Agenda

Agility in the Face of Disruption

November 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st, 2025 – In-Person (All times are Central US Time Zone)

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November 18, 2025
1:00 pm Launchpad Lab
1:00 pm-4:00 pm Pecan

This two-part training lab is designed to provide a hands-on experience in adopting generative AI. Part A will take place on Tuesday, November 18th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM , and Part B will continue on Wednesday, November 19th, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Imagine leaving the office on time. Imagine your marketing campaigns hitting the mark every single time, and your course content practically writing itself. Sounds like a fantasy, right? In a world of endless to-do lists and tight budgets, it often feels like we're just trying to keep our heads above water.

But what if you had a secret weapon?

Join us for a special two-part lab with Rihana Msadek, a Generative AI Specialist from Google, and step into a new reality. This isn't another lecture. It’s a hands-on adventure where you'll roll up your sleeves and discover how to make AI your most valuable new teammate.


Together, we’ll explore how you can:

Tell better stories to create marketing that draws in top talent and craft student outreach that feels personal and exciting.

Banish the blank page for good by learning to create finished case studies, course outlines, and even promotional videos in minutes, not weeks.

Find the gold hidden in your data by instantly seeing what your students love and what the market demands next, no complex spreadsheets required.

This is your chance to stop chasing the future and start building it. You’ll walk away with real skills to transform not just your daily tasks, but your entire executive education center.

You will discover how to:

1. Create marketing that people actually love to read, connecting with clients in a way that makes them feel truly understood.

2. Get your time back by learning the secret to going from a blank page to a finished case study or video in minutes, not weeks.

3. Banish the boring work by discovering how AI can handle tedious administrative tasks, freeing you up for the work that truly matters.

You’ll walk out with the skills to change not just your workday, but your entire center.

Business Operations Marketing and Information Systems Staff Development
Rihana Msadek
Rihana Msadek Generative AI Specialist and Reseach Engineer Google
1:00 pm-4:00 pm Timbers

“The real problem of humanity is the following: We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology.”
― Edward O. Wilson, American biologist, researcher, theorist, and author

In an era of constant disruption, business development for executive education programs requires agility. To communicate a program’s value takes not only a village, but a nimble approach to narrative development. Executive education leaders must inspire businesses and individuals to take action, and getting their attention is no small feat.

In a distracted, digital age, story must take precedence. Story is humans’ native language, and when used strategically, it becomes our most nimble tool for connecting with the right professionals at the right time.

In this energizing, hands-on session, Eric Harris — founder of GatherRound and Strategic Storytelling instructor at TCU Neeley — will introduce two of the most effective tools he teaches to business leaders:

● Audience Archetyping, a framework for understanding who’s listening so you can communicate with empathy and urgency.

● The Movie Trailer, a structure inspired by Hollywood that lets your audience see themselves as heroes overcoming disruption — thanks to your program.

You’ll also hear from Jim Roach, Executive Director of TCU Neeley Executive Education, who will share real-world examples of how storytelling has shaped TCU’s marketing and outreach strategies.

Attendees will leave with tools to better align their teams, organize their messaging, and deputize colleagues to tell the center’s story with clarity and impact.

Programs Strategy and Management of Centers Marketing and Information Systems Custom Programs and Business Development Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Eric Harris
Eric Harris Founder GatherRound
Jim Roach
Jim Roach Director, Executive Education Texas Christian University
5:30 pm
5:30 pm-7:00 pm Lobby (Food Area) Kickback – complimentary food and beverages
5:40 pm Networking Activity / Exploring the Local Scene
5:40 pm-9:00 pm

Get ready for one of the most memorable evenings of the conference—an unforgettable night at Chicken N Pickle – Grand Prairie!

📍 Location:
Chicken N Pickle – Grand Prairie
2965 South Highway 161
Grand Prairie, TX 75052
(Just 10 minutes from the hotel!)

🎉 What’s Happening:

Learn Pickleball: Beginners welcome! Professionals will guide you on two indoor courts.

Play Pickleball & Other Games: Jump in and try it out, or explore other fun activities.

Watch the Action: Sit ringside to cheer on colleagues while enjoying the energy of competitive Pickleball on reserved courts.

Feast & Refresh: Savor smoked chicken, tender beef brisket, and sip on ice-cold beer and wine.

👟 What to Bring:

Tennis shoes (required for the courts)

Casual clothes (shorts or long pants—no worries, the courts are air-conditioned!)

Your energy and sense of fun!

🎥 Want a sneak peek of the fun? Watch this quick video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V76DQmlxlHs

🍻 Bonus: You’ll receive three complimentary drink tickets to keep the evening flowing.

This evening is included in your conference registration—it’s food, fun, and Pickleball all in one!

Staff Development
Joseph Bork
Joseph Bork President ProEd
6:00 pm
6:00 pm-8:00 pm Local Restaurants Dinner on Your Own
November 19, 2025
7:30 am
7:30 am-8:30 am Lobby (Food Area) Full Breakfast
8:30 am Launchpad Lab
8:30 am-11:30 am Pecan

This two-part training lab is designed to provide a hands-on experience in adopting generative AI. Part A will take place on Tuesday, November 18th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM , and Part B will continue on Wednesday, November 19th, from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM.

Imagine leaving the office on time. Imagine your marketing campaigns hitting the mark every single time, and your course content practically writing itself. Sounds like a fantasy, right? In a world of endless to-do lists and tight budgets, it often feels like we're just trying to keep our heads above water.

But what if you had a secret weapon?

Join us for a special two-part lab with Rihana Msadek, a Generative AI Specialist from Google, and step into a new reality. This isn't another lecture. It’s a hands-on adventure where you'll roll up your sleeves and discover how to make AI your most valuable new teammate.


Together, we’ll explore how you can:

Tell better stories to create marketing that draws in top talent and craft student outreach that feels personal and exciting.

Banish the blank page for good by learning to create finished case studies, course outlines, and even promotional videos in minutes, not weeks.

Find the gold hidden in your data by instantly seeing what your students love and what the market demands next, no complex spreadsheets required.

This is your chance to stop chasing the future and start building it. You’ll walk away with real skills to transform not just your daily tasks, but your entire executive education center.

You will discover how to:

1. Create marketing that people actually love to read, connecting with clients in a way that makes them feel truly understood.

2. Get your time back by learning the secret to going from a blank page to a finished case study or video in minutes, not weeks.

3. Banish the boring work by discovering how AI can handle tedious administrative tasks, freeing you up for the work that truly matters.

You’ll walk out with the skills to change not just your workday, but your entire center.

Business Operations Marketing and Information Systems Staff Development
Rihana Msadek
Rihana Msadek Generative AI Specialist and Reseach Engineer Google
8:30 am-11:30 am Timbers

“The real problem of humanity is the following: We have Paleolithic emotions, medieval institutions and godlike technology.”
― Edward O. Wilson, American biologist, researcher, theorist, and author

In an era of constant disruption, business development for executive education programs requires agility. To communicate a program’s value takes not only a village, but a nimble approach to narrative development. Executive education leaders must inspire businesses and individuals to take action, and getting their attention is no small feat.

In a distracted, digital age, story must take precedence. Story is humans’ native language, and when used strategically, it becomes our most nimble tool for connecting with the right professionals at the right time.

In this energizing, hands-on session, Eric Harris — founder of GatherRound and Strategic Storytelling instructor at TCU Neeley — will introduce two of the most effective tools he teaches to business leaders:

● Audience Archetyping, a framework for understanding who’s listening so you can communicate with empathy and urgency.

● The Movie Trailer, a structure inspired by Hollywood that lets your audience see themselves as heroes overcoming disruption — thanks to your program.

You’ll also hear from Jim Roach, Executive Director of TCU Neeley Executive Education, who will share real-world examples of how storytelling has shaped TCU’s marketing and outreach strategies.

Attendees will leave with tools to better align their teams, organize their messaging, and deputize colleagues to tell the center’s story with clarity and impact.

Programs Strategy and Management of Centers Marketing and Information Systems Custom Programs and Business Development Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Eric Harris
Eric Harris Founder GatherRound
Jim Roach
Jim Roach Director, Executive Education Texas Christian University
8:30 am-11:30 am Boardroom

Anyone, at some point in time, may be expected to emerge as a leader, helping people achieve goals. We need to unveil our leadership potential to become an effective leader.

This, 3-hour, workshop allows participants to realize why they think and behave like they do. It also helps them understand how their thinking affects collaboration and goal achievement, thus their personal leadership effectiveness. Everyone, with the will and determination to change can increase their effectiveness. The process begins with a self-analysis using the LSI 1 assessment, developed by Human Synergistics, to determine the participant's thinking and behavioral styles. The LSI 1 measures the thinking patterns that drive an individual’s behavior. It is designed to help answer the fundamental questions, “Who am I, and what causes me to act the way I do?” Unlike many other self-assessment tools, the LSI 1 is a quantitative assessment that measures both enhancing and self-defeating behaviors, so the individual can be aware of his or her strengths and precisely target the areas to change to become more effective. Thus, it is a powerful feedback for change and development that provides scientifically proven direction.

• Know why we think and behave the way we do.
• Understand why we develop enhancing and self-defeating behaviors and how these affect our effectiveness.
• Identify what pattern of behaviors we are most likely to have.
• Develop action plans for maximizing effectiveness when working with others.

Leadership
Hector Rene Diaz Saenz
Hector Rene Diaz Saenz Emeritus Professor EGADE Business School of Tecnologico de Monterrey
11:30 am
11:30 am-1:00 pm Ballroom Lunch
1:00 pm
1:00 pm-1:15 pm Ballroom Conference Opening
1:15 pm Keynote
1:15 pm-2:00 pm Willow Ballroom

How do you win in a world constantly disrupted by change? Valorie Kondos Field—renowned championship coach, leadership icon, and author of Life is Short, Don’t Wait to Dance—will take the stage to challenge the traditional notion of winning. Known for leading one of the most accomplished collegiate gymnastics programs in history, “Miss Val” shares how she built a culture of excellence not by demanding perfection, but by leading with authenticity, adaptability, and empathy all the while modeling what it looks like to dream big and lean into grit and resilience.

In this powerful and thought-provoking keynote, Miss Val will explore the new competitive edge … It’s not technology or talent but agility in mindset and intentional choice. She’ll share personal stories of navigating disruption, transforming toxic environments, and redefining “winning” in a way that drives both performance and well-being. You will be invited to think of disruptions and challenges as an invitation for growth. As anyone who has ever experienced greatness knows, there is no triumph without struggle.

This keynote will leave you energized, inspired, and better equipped to face disruption with confidence, agility, and yes… enthusiasm.

Staff Development
Valorie Kondos
Valorie Kondos Athletic Hall of Fame Coach UCLA
2:00 pm Plenary
2:00 pm-2:45 pm Willow Ballroom

Starting the conference with a high energy, interactive and super fun experience that will immediately lower inhibitions, build trust, create chemistry, and energize everyone!

Welcome to Chemistry Class 2025! Though '25 will be different than '24, the outcome will be the same and You've Seen The Chemistry Will Create! This will be a fun, interactive opening session that is specifically created to lower inhibitions, connect people, put everyone in an open mindset, and energetically kickoff CMED.

Set the tone for the entire conference with energy! Attendees will gain hands-on experience using fun, new skills for socialization and small talk, which they can apply immediately, throughout the CMED conference. More, attendees will have an incredibly dynamic, energizing, impactful, fun and (perhaps most importantly) super memorable experience that will look back on fondly.

Recognizing barriers & aids to collaborative communication and relationship building

Understanding “why improv?” and fine-tuning the definition (Reacting, Adapting & Communicating)

Developing and aptitude for better adaptive communication and thinking on your feet

Designing Psychological Safety as a foundation for the entire conference

Cultivating relationships through vulnerability, humility, personality and care

Leadership Staff Development
Bob Kulhan
Bob Kulhan Founder & CEO Business Improv
2:45 pm
2:45 pm-3:00 pm Ballroom Lobby Break
3:00 pm Concurrent sessions
3:00 pm-4:00 pm Willow A

You aspire to be a great leader, and you discovered that leading in 2025 has challenges that differ wildly from “classic leadership models”. Today’s leaders need to agile, adaptable, collaborative, understanding, empathetic and communicative.

Leaders need opportunities to practice and develop the skills and behaviors that give rise to a great work environment. A critical component of communication in the workplace is the ability to effectively shape an interaction while being considerate of the style, interests, and focus of others in an exchange. Individuals with improvisational leadership skills integrate ideas quickly while balancing reactions to a situation in a thoughtful manner.
Let’s practice these skills!

This interactive presentation is an energizing opportunity to work out.
• Agility and Flexibility as Leaders in the Virtual / Hybrid World
• EQ + IQ - Mental, Physical and Emotional Focus (Attunement)
• Becoming an Agent of Change
• Building Nimble Virtual / Hybrid Teams
• Building Virtual & Hybrid Leaders
• Creating a Virtual / Hybrid Culture
• Creativity & Innovation on Virtual / Hybrid Teams
• Accountability, Transferability & Sustainability in a Hybrid World

This skillset is essential for leaders.
This is not your typical presentation! This energizing, interactive, (fun!) session demonstrates the tenets of Business Improvisation and how they link to the real-world in an incredibly entertaining and thought-provoking way.

Learning Outcomes
• Cultivating a greater sense of self-awareness; maintaining accountability to oneself under pressure
• Developing an aptitude for better adaptive communication and thinking on your feet
• Strengthening empathetic communication and connection
• Promoting an understanding of how energy + attitude + simple framing of language can influence others positively

Leadership Custom Programs and Business Development Staff Development
Bob Kulhan
Bob Kulhan Founder & CEO Business Improv
3:00 pm-4:00 pm Willow B

Creating Unique Learning Experiences from Community Assets

Every community holds a wealth of untapped potential—from small businesses and cultural institutions to local leaders, historic landmarks, and regional expertise. This interactive professional development program empowers participants to discover and leverage the unique assets in their own communities to design impactful, engaging, and relevant learning experiences for their customers or learners. Participants will explore strategies for identifying local resources, forming community partnerships, and integrating authentic, place-based elements into their programming. Whether you're in education, workforce development, training, or outreach, this session will inspire you to think creatively about what’s already around you—and how it can elevate your customer experience.

Identify and map community assets relevant to your organization’s mission

Explore models for experiential and place-based learning

Develop a framework for designing localized, high-impact programs

Learn from case studies and peer examples of community-based initiatives

Programs Custom Programs and Business Development
Carol Turchick
Carol Turchick Director Ohio Northern University
Sanjay Dhebar
Sanjay Dhebar Managing Partner Leonnova
Sunita Dharani
Sunita Dharani Associate Director Executive Education Rice University
3:00 pm-4:00 pm Cottonwood A

University-based executive education leaders often operate in isolation, with few peers on their own campuses. This roundtable provides a rare opportunity to connect with others facing similar challenges—people who understand the nuances of your work. The session is designed to spark conversation, surface trends, and share real-world solutions to operational and strategic questions you might not get to explore elsewhere.

This session brings together university-based executive education leaders who often work in isolation to share insights and strategies. It is designed to spark conversation, surface emerging trends, and provide practical solutions to both operational and strategic challenges. Participants will explore themes such as strategy, structure, skills, systems, leadership culture, and program design through facilitated discussion. The session closes by synthesizing key themes and highlighting opportunities for future collaboration and benchmarking

Session Objectives:
1. Build connections among professionals in executive and professional education roles.
2. Exchange both strategic insights and operational approaches across institutions.
3. Identify shared trends and priorities to help guide future benchmarking and collaboration.

Business Operations Strategy and Management of Centers Leadership Staff Development
Kelly Bean
Kelly Bean Executive in Residence University of Miami
Haniyeh Yousofpour, PhD
Haniyeh Yousofpour, PhD Partner Leonnova
Clayton Dean
Clayton Dean Vice President, Partnerships & Growth Ziplines Education
3:00 pm-4:00 pm Cottonwood B

​​Learn how to build a meaningful collaboration with a community partner to develop a market-aligned continuing education program, from the initial conversation to actionable outcomes.

This presentation will guide participants through the process of developing a continuing education program in direct collaboration with a community partner. The program, Fundamentals of Nonprofit Management Program, was designed from an existing Masters program so it was able to be adapted into a 9-week Certificate in a relatively short time frame.

We will draw key lessons from a partnership between Continuing & Professional Studies (CAPS) at Washington University in St. Louis and United Way of Greater St. Louis. The presentation will focus on how the process evolved from the initial conversation with the partner to the final program evaluation.

Attendees will learn how to identify both explicit and implicit partner needs, goals, and target audience and how these elements will serve as a solid foundation for the program’s development. The key focus will be on how to build a need-based program with insights from the perspective of both CAPS and United Way, and how to develop a relevant program that resonates with the audience. Practical lessons for creating a clear timeline, budgeting, partner communication strategies, and resource allocation will be discussed as well.

· Learn how to structure initial conversations to better understand a partner’s needs, goals, and target audience
· Learn how to identify opportunities and challenges in program development
· Learn how to transform an initial exploratory conversation into a structured, actionable plan in a short time frame by reusing existing content in a degree program
· Discover strategies for creating engaging and practical experiences within a continuing education program that yielded positive participant feedback

Programs
Jodie Lloyd
Jodie Lloyd Director, Business Development & School Initiatives Washington University in St. Louis
Joe Cruz
Joe Cruz Academic Director Washington University in St. Louis
Carla Reid
Carla Reid Director, Agency Capacity Building Initiatives United Way of Greater St. Louis
4:00 pm
4:00 pm-4:05 pm Ballroom Lobby Break
4:05 pm Keynote
4:05 pm-4:45 pm Willow Ballroom

In a world marked by constant change, disruption is no longer an exception—it's the norm. Success hinges not just on reacting to the unexpected, but on cultivating the mindset and leadership style to thrive in it. Professor John Daly will explore the principles of agile leadership and how they can be applied to executive education and organizational strategy in times of uncertainty.

Drawing from real-world experiences and proven frameworks, this session will challenge leaders to reimagine how they lead through disruption—by fostering adaptability, empowering teams, and creating a culture of learning and innovation. Whether you're navigating digital transformation, market shifts, or internal change, he will provide insights and inspiration so you can lead with clarity, confidence, and agility.

Leadership
John Daly
John Daly Professor University of Texas, Austin
5:00 pm Other / idea
5:00 pm-8:30 pm

Just minutes from the conference hotel, this exclusive VIP learning tour, sponsored by the Michigan Ross Executive Education, offers an unforgettable example of how community partnerships and regional assets can elevate learning experiences. You will explore how a world-class venue like AT&T Stadium transforms into a living classroom, illustrating the power of place-based learning and community collaboration.

This immersive visit brings to life the concepts explored earlier in the session, Leveraging Unique Local Assets in Programs to Accelerate Learner’s Experience, showcasing how local institutions, industries, and cultural landmarks can be harnessed to design authentic, high-impact programs for learners and customers alike.

During the tour, you will:

- Discover how AT&T Stadium serves as a living classroom for leadership, operations, and brand strategy.
- Visit the Dallas Cowboys Locker Room, Cheerleaders Locker Room, Field Clubs, Post-Game Interview Room, Upper Concourse, Luxury Suite, Field Time, and Club Level.
- Learn how large-scale venues collaborate with educational and corporate partners to create innovative learning environments.
- See first-hand how leveraging a community’s signature assets can deliver impactful, place-based learning experiences.
- Network with your peers during a buffet dinner.

Staff Development
Nicholas Hamilton-Archer
Nicholas Hamilton-Archer Chief Executive Education Officer University of Michigan
November 20, 2025
7:30 am
7:30 am-8:30 am Lobby (Food Area) Full Breakfast
8:30 am Keynote
8:30 am-9:15 am Willow Ballroom

How we navigate periods of intense pressure has a huge impact on the trajectory of our lives. It impacts how successful we are in our careers, how much we enjoy the journey, and how much regret we carry.

Audiences will hear unforgettable stories of pressure, learn practical skills for performing in peak moments and over the long haul, and come away with renewed energy for tackling the biggest sources of pressure in their lives.

Participants Will Learn to:
• Use the ‘pressure equation’ of importance, uncertainty and volume to anticipate and prepare for pressure
• Nail the peak pressure moments that can make or break a big sale, a crucial meeting, or define a career
• Maintain energy and motivation through long periods of sustained pressure to emerge with satisfaction and free from regret

Business Operations Faculty Strategy and Management of Centers Leadership Staff Development
Dane Jensen
Dane Jensen Chief Executive Officer Third Factor
9:20 am Keynote
9:20 am-10:15 am Willow Ballroom

Culture as a Catalyst—or a Constraint—in Times of Disruption

In this transformative keynote, Dr. Marcus Collins unveils the hidden force that drives organizational success: culture. Drawing from his extensive research and real-world experience, Dr. Collins demonstrates how culture is the most influential external force on human behavior and the key to unlocking your organization's full potential.

Strategy and Management of Centers Marketing and Information Systems Leadership
Marcus Collins
Marcus Collins Faculty University of Michigan
10:15 am
10:15 am-10:30 am Ballroom Lobby Break
10:30 am Concurrent sessions
10:30 am-11:45 am Willow A

In a disrupted and highly competitive learning marketplace, standing out requires more than compelling content—it demands a deep connection to your institution’s identity and values.

This session explores how aligning your marketing strategy with your organization's unique culture can inspire engagement, build trust, and differentiate your executive education offerings. Through real-world examples and strategic insights, participants will discover how culture can be embedded into messaging, branding, and outreach to create authentic connections with clients and partners. Whether you're building new programs or reinvigorating existing ones, this session offers actionable approaches to make your marketing not just effective—but meaningful.

Strategy and Management of Centers Marketing and Information Systems
Marcus Collins
Marcus Collins Faculty University of Michigan
10:30 am-11:45 am Willow B

Learning agility is becoming increasingly important as the world changes rapidly and unpredictably. It involves the ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.

This session explores the growing importance of learning agility as a critical capability in today’s rapidly changing and unpredictable environment. Participants will examine how learning agility encompasses the ability to draw lessons from experience, integrate cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social dimensions, and adapt effectively to future challenges. The discussion will highlight how organizational culture—through psychological safety, growth mindset, experimentation, and valuing agility—shapes its development, and how it can be intentionally integrated into talent management practices such as selection, development, and performance management. Finally, the session will surface ongoing research questions and practical strategies for leaders, managers, and coaches to foster learning agility in themselves and their teams, positioning it as a key driver of future leadership effectiveness and organizational resilience.

Key aspects of learning agility include:

- Learning from experiences

- Incorporating thoughts, emotions, behaviors, motivations, knowledge, and social interactions

- Adapting successfully to future situations

Business Operations Programs Strategy and Management of Centers Leadership Custom Programs and Business Development Teaching Methods and Pedagogy Staff Development
Luigi Pecoraro
Luigi Pecoraro Executive Director of Executive Education Various Universities
10:30 am-11:45 am Cottonwood A

Based on the wealth of experience with elite Olympic athletes and senior corporate executives, this session introduces practical techniques to grow through pressure, recover and respond in the face of setbacks, and perform under pressure.

When you are under pressure, there is an additional layer of skills required to be effective. Over the long term, success in high pressure situations hinges not just on your skills and knowledge, but also on your ability to recover, remain focused, stay energized, and show up motivated every day; in other words, your ability to be resilient. This session is uniquely practical and motivating, and overviews a resilience toolkit used by elite performers in sport and business to excel under pressure and recover from setbacks.

Participants leave the session with:
• A clear understanding of resilience and its importance in navigating constant change.
• Awareness of the four choices they can make to strengthen their own resilience.
• Greater mindfulness and self-awareness under pressure.
• Strategies to conserve energy throughout the week, recover effectively, and sustain performance.
• The ability to focus on what matters most, reducing errors and missed information that can lead to 'choking'.

Programs Leadership Staff Development
Christopher Gentile
Christopher Gentile Director, Strategic Partnerships & Accounts Third Factor
Dane Jensen
Dane Jensen Chief Executive Officer Third Factor
10:30 am-11:45 am Cottonwood B

Team building as a human laboratory - with participants in the dual roles of subject and Scientist. People, Experiences, applications.

Targeted, team building initiatives and techniques are used as scientific experiments. Everything counts. Every moment, from the moment before people enter until the final wrap up is factored into the insights, discoveries, takeaways - about the participants themselves, each other, the group, centers and society - while in the safe, controlled environment of the session.

Participants in this session will be actively engaged. This is a participatory lab. People leave with tangible evidence, direct observations of themselves and the other “scientist/subjects” - what is missing; what works; what is required, to successfully take on their upcoming challenges.

In this session participants will learn:
* Initiatives, rules and procedures that they can recreate at home
* Processing techniques - bring value beyond building teams
* A comprehensive overview of team building and Challenge Course programs
* Understanding of the experiential process and how it fits into an Executive Business school’s curriculum or as a valued part of a Center's collateral offerings.
* Personal insights, commitments and possibly, inspiration.

Programs Leadership Teaching Methods and Pedagogy Staff Development
Clay Goldstein
Clay Goldstein Experiential Learning Trainer Various Universities
11:45 am
11:45 am-1:00 pm Ballroom Lunch
1:00 pm Concurrent sessions
1:00 pm-2:15 pm Willow A

This session provides a comprehensive exploration of the financial, strategic, and leadership dimensions of running a successful center.

Expand the lens to market dynamics and innovation, covering the full lifecycle of centers—from launch to maturity. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and peer learning, participants will examine differentiation strategies, digital transformation, and models for sustainable growth.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

- Apply financial strategies to budget management, resource advocacy, and communication with university leadership.
- Design and implement phased strategic plans that align vision with execution and foster organizational change.
- Analyze the lifecycle of executive and continuing education centers to identify growth opportunities and potential challenges.
- Integrate innovation practices, including digital transformation, into program design and delivery.
- Build peer networks to share best practices and sustain collaboration beyond the session.

Strategy and Management of Centers Leadership Staff Development
Daniel Rundhaug
Daniel Rundhaug Executive Director, IPEx Davenport University
Nicholas Tobey
Nicholas Tobey Executive Director, Executive Education University of Oklahoma
1:00 pm-2:15 pm Willow B

This session explores how university-based executive education centers can design and deliver programs that achieve both organizational impact and measurable return on investment. Participants will learn the defining principles of high-impact programming—strategic alignment, applied learning, behavioral change, and measurable outcomes—and examine real-world examples of how these principles translate into signature programs centers offer.

Through interactive discussion, attendees will analyze how to position their centers as strategic partners to organizations, moving beyond transactional training to transformational impact. The session will close with key takeaways and tools for designing or refining programs that strengthen organizational relationships, demonstrate value, and differentiate their center in a competitive market.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

- Define the key principles of High Impact, High Return programs.
- Identify strategies for aligning executive education with organizational strategy.
- Describe methods for embedding applied learning projects that deliver tangible business outcomes.
- Assess ways to measure program ROI and communicate value to sponsors and stakeholders.
- Apply frameworks to strengthen program design and long-term client impact.

Business Operations Programs Faculty Strategy and Management of Centers Marketing and Information Systems Custom Programs and Business Development Teaching Methods and Pedagogy Staff Development
Stephanie Lowe
Stephanie Lowe Director of Executive Education University of Alabama
Jim Roach
Jim Roach Director, Executive Education Texas Christian University
Mike Ash
Mike Ash Director, CTME California Institute of Technology
Zoran Perunovic
Zoran Perunovic Senior Director of Executive Education Rice University
Lesa Bergsma
Lesa Bergsma Director of Learning and Development Davenport University/ Ipex
1:00 pm-2:15 pm Cottonwood A

Join us as we discuss how Exec Ed teams, such as the one at University of Oklahoma using agile program development to scale their high impact program delivery apparatus while reducing dependency on other departments.

Your team has built a program and run a few pilot customers to great success. Now you are faced with the next great hurdle: scale.
Although many organizations are delivering impactful learning programs, many struggle with expanding and personalize those programs due inefficient, time consuming administration and a reliance on static, legacy technologies.

Join us as we explore new and evolving approaches to ramp and adapt programs for expanded, diverse audiences while ensuring you maintain high quality of education to ensure best-in-class experiences.

We will be joined by our colleagues from the University of Oklahoma as we shine a light on how agility can overcome the challenges to scale while investigating examples of how data powered automation and AI can alleviate these strains.

- Insights into key challenges that impede growth for learning organizations
- Guidance on how to blend AI and agile approaches to rapidly meet the needs of various audiences and customers
- Practices on how to automate high-effort, low impact activities to save facilitators and administrators time to focus elsewhere
- A look under-the-hood at the agile technologies powering the growth of executive programs worldwide and how you can use automation, AI, and analytics to scale, observe, and enhance programs no matter their size

Business Operations Custom Programs and Business Development Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Meg Tobin
Meg Tobin Senior Account Executive NovoEd
Rhys Goulbourn
Rhys Goulbourn Solutions Consultant NovoEd
1:00 pm-2:15 pm Cottonwood B

University-based executive and continuing education centers face growing pressure to adapt quickly, expand offerings, and deliver measurable impact—yet many struggle with building the internal talent capacity to meet these demands. This session explores how center leaders can develop a future-ready talent pipeline within their own organizations to ensure sustainability and growth. Participants will examine strategies for recruiting, retaining, and developing staff with the right mix of skills in areas such as digital learning, client engagement, program design, and business development.

Through case examples and peer exchange, attendees will discuss how to create career pathways, invest in professional development, and build cultures of agility and innovation within their teams. The session will provide tools and insights to help leaders anticipate future skill needs, strengthen bench strength, and prepare their centers to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

- Identify emerging internal skill needs for executive and continuing education centers.
- Explore strategies for building staff capacity through recruitment, training, and career pathways.
- Apply approaches for fostering team agility, innovation, and adaptability.
- Develop actionable steps to strengthen their center’s long-term talent pipeline.

Business Operations Strategy and Management of Centers Staff Development
John O’Connor
John O’Connor Managing Director Rice Cohen International
2:15 pm
2:15 pm-2:30 pm Ballroom Lobby Break
2:30 pm Concurrent sessions
2:30 pm-3:45 pm Willow A

The purpose of this session is to trace the internationalisation of higher education, enumerating its different phases, detailing its various forms, and highlighting some of its fads.

The internationalisation of higher education is as old as the university itself. Indeed, the University of Karueein, which is often touted as the world’s oldest institution of higher education, has welcomed Muslim scholars from across the Islamic world since its founding in 859. The history of the internationalisation of higher education since then, however, can be viewed as a series of phases, each of which reflects the development of different forms of internationalisation, and the dominance of different internationalisation fads. The purpose of this session is to trace the internationalisation of higher education, enumerating its different phases, detailing its various forms, and highlighting some of its fads. During the session, participants will also reflect on the internationalisation of their own institutions.

By the end of this session you will be able to:
- Reflect on the different rationales/motivations for internationalisation.
- Enumerate the different types of internationalisation.
- Consider the opportunities and challenges of opportunities.

Strategy and Management of Centers
John Branch
John Branch Professor Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
2:30 pm-3:45 pm Willow B

In today’s competitive landscape, executive education clients want more than theory—they want immediate, measurable results. This session explores how applied learning can be the key to delivering both leadership growth and organizational impact.

Through an engaging case study from the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma, you’ll see how programs grounded in real-world application create lasting value for clients. Participants will also experience two proven workshop activities used by leading executive education providers around the globe. You’ll leave with actionable ideas and design approaches to strengthen your portfolio, accelerate skill development, and help clients achieve tangible outcomes faster.

During this session you will:
- Understand how applied learning can simultaneously build leadership capability and advance real organizational work.
- Analyze a real-world example of how the University of Oklahoma’s Price College of Business redesigned programs for greater client impact.
- Experience hands-on tools and methods used by top executive education schools to drive engagement and results.
- Identify practical strategies to integrate applied learning into your own program design and delivery.

Leadership Custom Programs and Business Development Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
Christa Yoshimoto
Christa Yoshimoto VP Sales & Marketing ExperiencePoint
Dave Daniel
Dave Daniel Account Executive, Academic Partnerships ExperiencePoint
2:30 pm-3:45 pm Cottonwood A

A world of possibilities opens up when a Center joins with a corporation to serve its customers - join us for an inside look at this triangle of agility.

The presenter is an eight-year veteran of the Boeing Global Strategic Initiatives team (GSI), which partners with university-based Executive Education Centers to offer learning programs to its own aviation customers. When covid hit, the GSI team faced a decision point: innovate or die. This is an interactive session to take a fresh look at agility and innovation in the three-way partnership triangle: Center+Customer+Customer’s Customer. Through stories from the Boeing team's experience and other events we will explore ways to increase agility and broaden scope. Participants will take up questions, such as: 1) How do companies use learning to strengthen their customer relationships and what’s a Center’s role in that? 2) How can the collaborating parties work together to insulate themselves from and prepare for disruption? 3) How can this triangle of partnerships be leveraged to multiply real benefits for all? Join us as we engage with each other to imagine the possibilities and unpack the relationships between the three points of the triangle.

Through this talk a mosaic of relationships and possibilities will emerge. Three parties - the Center, the Center's Customer, and the Customer's customer - all join together in a leadership or executive development experience that is mind-expanding not only for the end user (the customer's customer), but also for those developing and delivering the program. All three parties are interested in the program’s success and need to navigate an increasingly uncertain planning process due to many factors, including epidemics, supply chain disruption, macro-economic instability, tariffs, weather and more. Based on real experience from the Boeing Sales and Marketing environment, participants in this talk will leave with an expanded set of ideas and approaches on:
• expanding the potential customer base to fill the pipeline
• broadening program offerings
• drawing on the local community
• strengthening relationships with other parts of a university
Additional items on this list may be generated as a result of live engagement amongst participants on the spot.

Programs Strategy and Management of Centers Custom Programs and Business Development
Janet Livingstone
Janet Livingstone Leadership Development Consultant Independent, former Boeing
3:45 pm
3:45 pm-4:00 pm Ballroom Lobby Break
4:00 pm Keynote
4:00 pm-5:15 pm Willow Ballroom

This big-picture keynote explores the key generative AI trends that are reshaping marketing for executive education. The session focuses on how AI will change client connections, content creation, and brand reputation, providing the insights needed to make smarter strategic decisions for the future.

Marketing is changing fast. What works today might not work tomorrow, especially with AI. To stay ahead, you need to know what's coming next.

In this keynote, Rihana Msadek will share the key trends in generative AI that will influence executive education and professional development. It’s a big-picture look at the future of marketing, designed to help you plan your strategy.

We’ll look at:

1. How will AI change the way you connect with potential clients?

2. What new types of content will you need to create to get noticed?

3. How can AI help you understand if your marketing is actually working?

4. How will these trends affect your center's brand and reputation?

This session will help you make smarter marketing decisions for the years to come.

In this session participants will learn to:

1. An understanding of how AI will change the way they connect with and engage potential clients.
2. Insight into the new types of content they will need to create to get noticed and how AI trends will affect their brand's reputation.
3. The ability to make smarter marketing decisions by learning how AI can help measure if their marketing is working effectively.

Marketing and Information Systems
Rihana Msadek
Rihana Msadek Generative AI Specialist and Reseach Engineer Google
5:30 pm
5:30 pm-6:15 pm Lobby (Food Area) Kickback – complimentary food and beverages
6:15 pm
6:15 pm-7:00 pm Ballroom Lobby Swag Swap
7:00 pm
7:00 pm-8:00 pm Ballroom Group Buffet Dinner
8:00 pm
8:00 pm-9:00 pm Ballroom Name That Tune
November 21, 2025
7:30 am
7:30 am-8:30 am Lobby (Food Area) Full Breakfast
8:30 am Concurrent sessions
8:30 am-9:45 am Willow A

The session will explore implementing a data-forward approach to measuring and communicating Exec Ed’s impact on stakeholders. Topics include defining success criteria, increasing Center visibility both on and off-campus, and stakeholder management.

Panelists will lead a discussion with the audience and share strategies and tactics around the theme of quantifying and communicating Executive Education’s impact, including financial measures, impact on stakeholders, and influence on institutional reputation.
Topics will include the following:
● Crafting dashboards and tracking tools for measuring and reporting success
● What to count and report and why it matters
● Quantifying the intangibles
● Tailoring your leadership approach to effectively communicate your Center’s story
● Internal and external stakeholder management

In this session participants will learn:
● Templates, and frameworks for success metrics
● Examples of dashboards
● Ideas for engaging your team in measuring success

Strategy and Management of Centers Marketing and Information Systems Leadership
Kris Risi
Kris Risi Assistant Dean, Executive Education Carnegie Mellon University
Sarah Andrews
Sarah Andrews Executive Director, Vistex Institute for Executive Education Lehigh University
Cheryl Bates
Cheryl Bates Director of Open Enrollment, Executive Education University of Texas at Austin
Jenifer Renshaw
Jenifer Renshaw Director, Executive Education Coles College of Business, Kennesaw State University
8:30 am-9:45 am Willow B

This training session will focus on the practical application of creating effective generative AI programs for clients. It is scheduled for Friday, November 21st, from 8:30 AM to 9:45 AM.

Option 2 : As demand for Generative AI training explodes, the challenge isn't just offering a program : it's creating one that delivers real impact. This practical session provides a playbook for structuring and building high-quality Generative AI programs for your clients.

This session focuses on the fundamentals of effective program design. You will learn how to:

1. Identify the specific, high-value AI skills that executives are demanding and structure them into a logical curriculum.
2. Choose the right delivery formats, from technical labs to strategic leadership workshops, to align with your clients' goals.
3. Develop relevant case studies and hands-on exercises that demonstrate tangible, real-world applications of AI.
4. Define clear learning outcomes that articulate the direct value and ROI your program will provide to participants.

You will gain:
1. The ability to identify the most in-demand Generative AI skills and structure them into a logical curriculum for executives.
2. The skill to choose the right delivery format for their programs, from hands-on technical labs to strategic leadership workshops.
3. The knowledge of how to develop relevant case studies and practical exercises that show the real-world application of Generative AI.
4. A tangible framework for designing and building a successful Generative AI program from the ground up.

Custom Programs and Business Development
Rihana Msadek
Rihana Msadek Generative AI Specialist and Reseach Engineer Google
9:45 am
9:45 am-10:00 am Ballroom Lobby Break
10:00 am Plenary
10:00 am-10:45 am Willow Ballroom

Join a capstone session led by our esteemed Advisory Board members as they synthesize the conference's most compelling insights and themes.

Designed as an engaging reflection space, this session invites participants to revisit core learnings from the agenda, explore emerging patterns across sessions, and surface practical implications for their own executive and continuing education centers. Through guided dialogue, the Advisory Board will highlight strategic shifts, innovative approaches, and actionable ideas that emerged throughout the conference. Attendees will also have the opportunity to share key takeaways from their peers and collaboratively identify priority areas for future exploration and institutional application.

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

- Summarize the most powerful insights, trends, and shared experiences captured during the conference.
- Reflect on how these themes intersect with the strategic goals and operational realities of their centers.
- Identify 2–3 actionable strategies or innovations to pilot or explore further post-conference.
- Connect with Advisory Board members and fellow leaders in a structured forum that encourages peer learning and forward momentum.
- Plan next steps—whether as individual initiatives or collaborative projects—rooted in both personal and institutional priorities.

Business Operations Programs Faculty Strategy and Management of Centers Marketing and Information Systems Leadership Custom Programs and Business Development Teaching Methods and Pedagogy Staff Development
Daniel Rundhaug
Daniel Rundhaug Executive Director, IPEx Davenport University
Carol Turchick
Carol Turchick Director Ohio Northern University
Vanessa Kannemeyer
Vanessa Kannemeyer Director Rollins College
10:45 am Keynote
10:45 am-11:30 am Willow Ballroom

In a world where disruption is no longer the exception but the norm, leaders must evolve from reacting to anticipating. Join Bobbie Wells—Vice President of Safety Systems, Efficiency & Compliance at American Airlines—for a dynamic keynote that explores what true agility looks like in high-stakes, high-impact environments.

Drawing on her experience at one of the world’s largest airlines, Bobbie will share how operational resilience, strategic foresight, and a people-first approach drive success amid constant change. Whether managing global crises, regulatory shifts, or internal transformation, she brings powerful insights into how organizations can remain focused, flexible, and future-ready.

This keynote will equip attendees with actionable strategies for navigating complexity, fostering innovation, and leading with purpose—even when the path forward is unclear.

Business Operations Strategy and Management of Centers Leadership Staff Development
Bobbi Wells
Bobbi Wells VP Inflight Base Operations, Training and Support American Airlines
11:30 am
11:30 am-12:00 pm Ballroom Conference Closing
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