Join us June 16-18, 2025
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Where Imagination Builds Excellence Leadership Summit
The Biggest & Boldest Event of the Year
We are VIRTUAL! Participate In-Person or Online.
In a world where purpose and connection are more important than ever, join us for an inspiring leadership summit to delve into what it means to lead with courage.
We will explore how being true to oneself can enhance leadership effectiveness, build trust, and inspire teams. Storytelling, as a vital leadership tool, will be highlighted, showcasing how sharing personal and organizational stories can foster deeper connections and drive change.
Save $100! Early bird registration has been extended through April 30, 2025
Share your story. Be inspired by others.
three inspiring days of speakers and sessions
What to Expect
Day 1: Optional Events, Meet-Ups & Reception (IN-PERSON ONLY)
Jumpstart the fun before the Summit kicks off with our exciting fringe events! Dive into “mentoring meet-ups” and explore site visits to local businesses. Then, join us in the evening for our lively Welcome Reception. Don’t miss out on the early action!
Mon. June 16, 2025
3:00pm-8:00pm
Day 2: Your Journey to Courageous Leadership (IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL)
The first day of the summit will push you out of your comfort zone, encouraging you to lead with boldness, resilience, and integrity. We need leaders who can navigate the complexities of the modern world with confidence and conviction.
Tues. June 17, 2025
9:00am-5:00pm (ET)
Day 3: Storytelling & Bringing Your Vision to Life (IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL)
Storytelling is a powerful tool for business school leaders to share our vision, inspire our teams, and drive change. During day 2 of the Summit we will focus on crafting our own compelling narratives. By the end of day 2 you will be sharing your vision clearly and passionately. Because it’s time to make your bold dreams a reality.
Weds, June 18, 2025
9:00 am to 1:00 pm (ET)
(Optional site visit 1:30pm-3:30pm)
Why Attend?
Step into the most engaged, welcoming, and dynamic community of thought leaders in business education.
This isn’t just another conference. It’s a space where bold ideas meet real conversations, and where collaboration leads to lasting impact.
Who Should Attend?
This summit offers tailored tracks to meet your unique needs of Business School Deans, Associate Deans, Administration, Directors and Faculty. Men and Women
Full Agenda
Day 1: Peer Mentoring & Site Visit (In-Person Only)
MONDAY JUNE 16, 2025
1:00-2:30pm Small Group Mentoring Meet-ups (Optional/Informal)
3:00-5:00 pm Site Visit to Local Business in Arlington
5:30 – 7:00 Welcome Reception
Day 2: Courageous Leadership (In-Person or Virtual)
TUESDAY JUNE 17, 2025
8:00-9:00 Registration Open
9:00-9:30am Welcome Address – Be Bold
Lisa Leander, Founder & CEO
9:30-10:30am Keynote: Courage is Clarity
Margaret Andrews, Managing Director, MYLO Institute
10:30-11:00 Tea Break
11:00-12:00pm Keynote: Focus on What’s Important
Sarah LaFleur, CEO, M.M. La Fleur
Moderated by: Liesl Riddle, Dean, George Washington University
12:00-1:00 Networking Lunch
BREAKOUTS
1:00-3:15pm Roundtable Topic Discussion Forums
- Buckle Up: Managing the Enrollment Roller Coaster
- The Art of Persuasion – Communicating for Impact
- Intrapreneurship in Higher Education: Innovating Within Your Organization
- Redefining Balance & Strategies for Thriving in Leadership and Life
3:30-4:30 Courage to Create: Designing a Future That Dares to Be Different
Shannan Herbert, CEO, Washington Area Community Investment Fund
4:30 – 5:00 Closing Team Activity
5:00-8:00 Small Group Dinner on your own
Day 3: Storytelling Workshop (In-Person or Virtual)
WEDNESDAY JUNE 18, 2025
If you’re focused on operational brilliance and leadership growth, today we will show you how to weave powerful stories into your daily leadership.
9:00am-10:30am Courageous Storytelling Workshop
Lesley Lopez,Program Director, Public Relations and Communications; Assistant Professor,
George Washington University & Maryland State Delegate
10:30am-11:00am Networking Tea Break
11:00am-12:00pm Storytelling in Action (Cont.)
12:00pm-1:00pm Networking Lunch
1:30pm-3:00pm Optional site visit to M.M. La Fleur, Georgetown
What to Expect
This isn’t just another conference. It’s a space where bold ideas meet real conversations.
Hear from trailblazing leaders who are shaping the future of business education, driving change, and redefining leadership.
Whether you’re leading a table discussion, networking over coffee, or exchanging ideas in a hands-on session, you’ll be in the company of those who truly get it, peers and mentors invested in your success.
WIBE is more than a network, we are a movement! Expect a supportive, high-energy atmosphere where everyone is valued and no one gets lost in the crowd.
How to Get Involved
Become A Member
Become a member today! Learn more about our group and individual memberships. Click here to learn more.
Upgrade to a Group Membership
Don’t go on your journey alone, bring your colleagues with you! WiBE offers group discounts for all in-person events to our group memberships. Click here to download group brochure.
Sponsor the Leadership Summit
The WIBE Leadership Summit is open to corporate sponsors and university partners. SPONSORSHIP IS FULL THIS YEAR.
Meet Our Sponsors
Registration
Member Rate In-Person (Arlington)
$625
Increases to $725 on April 30, 2025
WIBE Membership required.
Join us in-person for 3 amazing days in Arlington.
Virtual Ticket Join us Online!
$625
BUY ONE VIRTUAL TICKET, GET ONE FREE
All Virtual Tickets can bring a buddy for free!
Use code BRINGABUDDY for your free ticket.
Non-Member Rate In-Person (Arlington)
$925
Must be a current business school dean, associate dean or faculty.
Vendors and exhibitors must register as sponsors.
The most dynamic, interactive, and inspiring leadership experience you will attend this year
WALK AWAY WITH FRESH STRATEGIES, AND A COMMUNITY THAT GETS YOU.
Designed for forward-thinking business educators, this summit is all about creative leadership, deep connections and real-world imapct.
CONFERENCE VENUE
The University of Virginia Darden School of Business, Sands Family Grounds
Arlington, VA
Nestled in Arlington’s vibrant Rosslyn neighborhood, just 10 minutes from Ronald Reagan International Airport and a stone’s throw from Washington, DC, the UVA Darden DC Metro campus offers breathtaking panorama views of Georgetown and the nation’s capital.
The bustling Rosslyn area where we will be staying is surrounded by trendy restaurants, chic shops, and lively cafes, making it a perfect spot to network. Plus, with the Metro one block away, we can hop into DC.
Only one block from the conference venue, an dimmediately above the Rosslyn metro for convenience to Washington DC.
CONFERENCE HOTEL
Hyatt Centric Arlington
Only one block from the conference venue, and immediately above the Rosslyn metro for convenience to Washington DC.
Rooms: $279/night plus 8.5% tax
1325 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, Virginia 22209
Meet our Speakers
“Courage is Clarity”-Margaret Andrews, Managing Director, MYLO Center
Margaret Andrews is on a mission to improve the craft of leadership. Her course, Managing Yourself and Leading Others, is among the most popular classes and executive programs at Harvard and the foundation for much of her speaking and writing.
Margaret has over 30 years of business and academic leadership experience. On the business side, she started her career as a CPA in San Francisco, and has also been a marketing executive and a long-time strategy consultant. She now leads The MYLO Center, a private leadership development firm.
On the academic side, Margaret ran the MBA program at the MIT Sloan School of Management before becoming Associate Dean for Management Programs at Harvard University. She currently teaches courses and executive programs at Harvard, which also includes Creativity and Innovation, Leading with Emotional Intelligence, and Understanding and Evolving Organizational Culture. She is also Co-Faculty Director for a new executive program through Harvard Medical School, the Pharmaceutical Executive Program in Leadership.
Margaret earned an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Berkeley and her graduate degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). She is currently writing a book for talented, ambitious leaders, based on her popular Managing Yourself and Leading Others course.
“Focus on What’s Important” -Sarah LaFleur, Founder & CEO, M.M.LaFleur
Sarah founded M.M.LaFleur in 2013 with a mission to help women take the work out of getting dressed, so they can focus on the work that matters to them. Prior to founding M.M.LaFleur, she worked at Bain & Co. in New York and TechnoServe in South Africa. Sarah sits on the Advisory Council of the New York Federal Reserve and is a board member of the Downtown Alliance of New York City. Most recently, she is a Henry Crown Fellow within the Aspen Global Leadership Network at the Aspen Institute. She graduated from Harvard University. M.M.LaFleur is named after her mother, whom she calls her biggest inspiration.
Hear From Leaders
in Industry & Academia
Stay Tuned for more updates on our panels, speakers and workshops.
Registration
Not yet ready? Subscribe to our list for updates on the agenda and activities.
Site Visit: Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes:
Georgetown M.M. LaFleur Experience
(IN-PERSON ONLY)
Get ready to be inspired by M.M. LaFleur’s CEO, Sarah LaFleur, as she shares her fearless journey of building a successful fashion brand at our Summit. WiBE members are then invited to a special, private event at the M.M. LaFleur shop in Georgetown. After a short presentation where we’ll learn more about the brand’s story, products, and unique styling offerings.
A Message From Our Founder
It’s time to go big. Time to be bold.
Do you have the courage to make difficult decisions, embrace innovation, and confidently guide your team through uncertainty and change?
Bold leadership involves taking calculated risks, inspiring others to think creatively, and maintaining a clear vision even in the face of uncertainty.
But remember, everything
you need is already within you.
I know that you already have what it takes to be a bold leader. We need to tap into who you truly are and the strength that has brought you this far.
Join us for three days to bring your story to life, to unleash your boldness, and to bring your inner energy into outward action.
Come be inspired, shout, laugh, and connect with our amazing community.
I invite you to join us at the Boldly You Leadership Summit. –Lisa Leander, Founder & CEO
What Our Members Say
The energy and inspiration I get from WIBE has been so uplifting and incredible.
WIBE is a wonderful support system for all business academics. The professional development, upskilling, and networking opportunities are phenomenal.
Wonderful summit! There were so many ideas shared and connections made that I can’t wait until the next one
Academia can be lonely and isolating, WIBE provides a great platform to build connections to other academics around the world.
FAQ
All Your Questions Answered
What makes the Boldly You Leadership Summit unique?
Ask any of our members who have attended previous conferences; our summit is anything but boring!
We focus on building connections and community, featuring incredible speakers, engaging sessions, and plenty of fun. This year’s summit stands out by combining the principles of courageous leadership with the art of storytelling.
It’s not just about learning leadership skills; it’s about changing how you lead by embracing courageous, bold and powerful narratives.
It’s a celebration of how great YOU are, exactly as you are.
Who can attend the Boldly You Leadership Summit?
This summit is exclusively for Deans, Associate Deans, Administrators, and Faculty in business education.
We encourage men and women to register and attend.
WIBE Membership is open to both men and women at business schools! Learn more at www.wibenetwork.com/membership
Not at a university? We have 10 sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities available. Please email membership@wibenetwork.com for more information
I can no longer attend, can I get a refund?
You can get a full refund for for in-person prior to March 1, 2025.
After March 1, 2025 your reigstration fees may be used towards a future WiBE event.
You may also transfer the ticket to another individual at anytime before the event.
What should I expect from the storytelling sessions?
Heads up: We’re diving deep.
Our storytelling sessions are crafted to help you create and deliver narratives that truly inspire and engage. You’ll learn techniques to clearly and passionately articulate your vision, making your goals and strategies relatable and impactful. Expect small group discussions, practical exercises, and inspiring talks to elevate your storytelling skills.
But remember, the most powerful stories are also the most vulnerable and difficult to tell.
Because it’s when we share our weaknesses and failures that we connect on the deepest level and create the most profound impact.
Watch the Recap from our Last Summit!
Registration
Members register today for early bird! Not yet ready?