Simple Doesn’t Mean Little: A Leadership Mindset
Keynote Speaker Drew Dudley
At some point, most of us were told that it’s the “little things” that make the difference: in business, in relationships, in life. The “little things” are the tiny moments of kindness, recognition, empowerment, and forgiveness that we choose to create as we move through the world. That’s certainly not a bad lesson, but it is an incomplete one. In this practical and provocative keynote, Wall Street Journal bestselling author Drew Dudley aims to show you what it’s missing, and how you can provide it.
Rooted in the idea that you don’t so much rise to the level of your goal as fall to the level of your systems, this presentation will provide a step-by-step process for embracing a different type of economy – one focused on personal growth and collective empowerment. Embracing this “economy of abundance” requires a fundamental shift in both mindset and action, and Dudley provides practical strategies for acting as a catalyst for that shift personally and professionally.
About Drew
Fifteen years ago, Drew Dudley was the head of Canada’s largest leadership program at the University of Toronto when a group of his students secretly nominated him to deliver a TED Talk that went on to be voted one of the “15 Most Inspirational TED Talks of All Time” and gave Drew the opportunity to travel the world trying to redefine leadership for as many people as possible.
Now a Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author, speaker and educator, Drew is on a mission to help people unlearn some dangerous lessons about leadership. With clients that have included some of the worlds most dynamic organizations--including the United Nations and over 100 colleges and universities--Drew draws on over two decades of experience to blend humor, storytelling and easy-to-implement strategies into some of the most engaging and practical leadership presentations in the world. Both TIME and Business Insider have identified his work as “one of the ten speeches that will make you a better leader.” Drew currently teaches at the University of California Irvine, acts as co-host of the “Good Company” podcast and splits his time between Toronto, Canada and Washington, DC.
The Economy of Work: School/Employer Panel
Panelists TBA
This panel will feature multiple experts from higher education and industry discussing key trends shaping the future of work, labor market dynamics, and economic forces impacting employment. Check back soon for more details!
Breakout Sessions
Session Title |
Speaker(s) |
Session Description |
Audiences |
A Strategic Advantage: Reducing Burnout & Increasing Active Awareness for Career Services Professionals |
Jenn Leard Director, Career & Life Design The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Sheila Mahony Associate Director, Coaching & Career Education The Johns Hopkins Carey Business School |
Career services professionals are essential to the success and well-being of graduate-level business students, and their own mental and emotional health is often challenged by constantly managing high expectations, deadlines, and student stress. Student-facing higher education professionals are prone to burnout, which can result in reduced effectiveness, limited creativity and problem solving, and increased professional fatigue. This session will explore the importance of recognizing and mitigating burnout within the career services profession itself, focusing on practical techniques for regulating the nervous system and increasing active awareness through mindfulness practices, as well as how staff can model these strategies for students. |
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AI & Careers Education: A Collective Exploration of Global Opportunities and Challenges |
Bernie Burke MBA LEAP Module Co-Lead & Careers Consultant UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School |
This session will provide a open forum to to explore the views, perceptions and experience of global careers educators with regard to artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the career development and employability of graduates. It will explore the role of AI in shaping the future of career education across the globe and in particular how it can be used to augment the learning experience for all and readiness for the modern workplace. Through an interactive discussion and group feedback, the session will aim to identify the opportunities and challenges facing business school educators and employers. |
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AI in the Job Search: A Tool, Not an Author |
Phenix Culbertson Associate Director of Employer Relations Georgia State University J Mack Robinson College of Business |
Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a role in every stage of the job search, from resume optimization and applicant tracking to networking, interview preparation, and personal branding. While AI can enhance these processes, over-reliance may hinder career prospects. Recruiters often detect AI-generated content, and excessive automation can weaken candidates’ ability to showcase authentic skills. This session explores ethical and practical AI use in job searches and recruitment practices, helping talent leverage AI as a tool that can benefit both the candidate and the employer. Attendees will gain insights into AI’s impact, ethical considerations, and best practices for integrating AI while maintaining authenticity in hiring processes. |
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Beyond Campus: Strategies and Shared Insights to Support Online/Part-Time Students |
Valerie Adams Senior Associate Director, PTMBA Career Coaching Michigan Ross |
While some online masters students might participate in traditional internship or full-time recruiting, many will have other needs such as promotional opportunities in their current companies, job changes during programs, career development with more than 10 years of work experience, and geographic constraints in the job search. This session will outline 3 key strategies that Michigan Ross is using to provide career development support for these students, who are in a flexible program, and offer an opportunity for participants to share their best practices. |
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Career Action Plans: – Setting up Our Grads for Successful Career Management |
Andrea Carpenter Assistant Dean, Career Development Kogod School of Business, American University
Caroline Figueiredo Hausmann Assistant Director, Graduate Professional Development Kogod School of Business, American University
Robin Marks Associate Director, Graduate Career Development Kogod School of Business, American University |
Students deal with competing priorities while in grad school, with careers (the end goal) sometimes being pushed to the back burner. To help address this, we’ve developed a Career Action Plan for MS and MBA students to help direct their search, help them stay organized, and encourage them to own their career management. Special components of the plan include: identifying goals and gaps, mapping steps, a student-led component, and strategies which include non-USA opportunities for our international students. Join us to learn about this budget-wise tool and how you can use to consider the unique needs of your student population through discussions and activities. |
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Career Activism for Aspiring, Emerging and Established Leaders |
Sarah Rourke Careers and Professional Develpment Coach |
Looking for a way to engage students in career development conversations? This session introduces a practical and no cost diagnostic tool that can be used to engage students in career coaching by business schools, longer term organisational career thinking by employers or as a tool for personal career management. The visual aspect of the tool guides people through a process that has them considering their career moves, even when they don’t have a goal in mind. Attendees will experience the tool as they look at their own career through its lens and produce useful reflective questions to deepen their understanding of where to focus their time, effort, and energy in their own career development. |
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Career Insights Week: A Data-Driven Approach to Student Engagement and Career Outcomes |
Liz Stanson Associate Director, Employer Engagement & Recruiting UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
Natalie Viernes Associate Director of Operations, MBA Career & Leadership UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School
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At UNC Kenan-Flagler, we are focused on streamlining effective communication and strategy, heightening student engagement, and enhancing enterprise-wide participation. Career Insights Week (CIW) is a key deployment of this strategy, using data-driven outreach and collaboration to drive meaningful student interactions and improve career outcomes. This session will explore how we refine communication, leverage data insights, and engage stakeholders (MBASA, faculty, MARCOM, Student Engagement, Admissions, etc.) to create a more intentional and effective career services experience. We will also identify how CIW enhances relationships with employers through data touch points and storytelling efforts. |
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Career Services and The Classroom: Designing a Bridge Over the Divide |
Rachel White Associate Director, Employer Relations | Graduate and Alumni Development Bentley University |
The divide between the academic function (Program and Faculty Directors) and Offices of Career Services is no secret. This is due to a focus on micro goals misaligned with the authentic macro purpose and goals of the two bodies as facilitators in the environment of higher education. This session presents a case study of a practical model for renewed partnership between the two functions built on re-aligning an effective partnership via a focus on symbiotic macro goals, communication theory, and change management strategy. |
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Cultivating Community & Belonging |
Kate Guerrero Director, Business Career Services California State University, Fullerton
Maggie Tomas Executive Director, Business Career Center University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management |
Research increasingly shows that one of the strongest predictors of success, productivity, and retention is a culture that fosters a true sense of belonging.
In this interactive session, we’ll begin by exploring current research, best practices, and cases for building healthy, inclusive cultures within teams and student communities. Then, we’ll break into small groups to share experiences, ideas, and strategies—highlighting what’s worked in your own efforts to create environments where people feel seen, supported, and connected.
This session is ideal for anyone who works on a team, leads one, or helps shape the culture of student groups or organizations. |
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Embedding Employability and Work-Integrated Learning into the Curriculum: A Global, Co-Created Case Study |
Bernie Burke MBA LEAP Module Co-Lead & Careers Consultant UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School |
Discover how an award-winning, for-credit employability and work-integrated learning module has been designed and integrated into the core curriculum of a business school programme. Co-created with the programme, employers, students, alumni and leveraging AI-augmented learning, the module is scalable, inclusive, and future-focused. Rooted in evidence from industrial psychology and universal design principles, it addresses the evolving global employment landscape and educational goals, ensuring measurable outcomes for international and diverse student cohorts. Attendees will gain actionable insights into co-creation processes, curriculum design, and the application of research-based strategies, equipping them to optimise employability and work-integrated learning initiatives for their institutions. |
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Engagement Unlocked: Innovative Approaches to Employer Involvement |
Amanda Castello Associate Director, Employer Engagement UC San Diego Rady School of Management
Stephanie Sperow Career Operations & Project Supervisor UC San Diego Rady School of Management |
Employer engagement is a critical challenge in career services, requiring innovative strategies to connect students with hiring managers in meaningful ways. This session will showcase how our team has successfully enhanced employer involvement through strategic initiatives, including collaborations, marketing innovations, and lead-generation activities. Some actionable takeaways we’ll highlight include: hosting collaborative career fairs (with other universities and schools on campus) to expand outreach (including a faculty component), collaborating with student clubs on employer sessions to strengthen the student-recruiter bond, and different ways to measure employer relationships and market employer partners. Employers will hear how inter-departmental and inter-school collaborations can lead to success. |
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Frameworks for International Students to Quickly Adapt to US Interview Norms |
Steve Dalton Founder Contact2Colleague
Jennifer Krupp Assistant Director, Career Development - Center for Career Engagement Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis |
B-school job search acclimation is difficult for everyone, and even more so for those working in a second or third culture or language. Hiring activities are starting earlier than ever, allowing less time for acclimation before stakes rise dramatically. At WashU Olin, we taught our students frameworks to help them quickly adapt to US interviewing norms (including small talk and thank you notes) that were well-received and helped level the playing field. Attendees of this session will learn these frameworks and how the introduction of them has benefited our students. |
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From Idea to Impact: Creating RED Talks for Employer Partners |
Martha Day Sanford Executive Director, Industry Engagement Boston University, Questrom School of Business |
In this session, we’ll go behind the scenes of how Boston University designed and delivered a series of RED Talks—our version of TED Talks—tailored specifically for employer partners. We will share the strategy behind the vision and topics, the structure of the talks, and how they’ve helped employers engage more effectively with our school and the employer relations team. Whether you’re looking to enhance your employer programming or looking for ways to create more meaningful connections, this session will provide insights and practical takeaways to elevate your approach. |
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From Idea to Impact: Expanding International Student Services with Limited Resources |
Julian Huenerfauth Assistant Director for International Student Career Services Rochester Institute of Technology |
How do you build a high-impact international student career program as a solo practitioner? This session explores the evolution of Find Success in the USA, from a small workshop to a multi-faceted program featuring workshops, drop-ins, and a weekly newsletter. Learn how strategic planning, AI tools like ChatGPT, and resourcefulness can amplify engagement. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for scaling programs, leveraging technology, and maximizing impact with limited staffing. |
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From Overwhelmed to Optimized: Scalable, Sustainable, and Successful Ways to Teach Career Skills |
Erin Allen Associate Director Kelley School of Business
Darbe Allison Associate Director Kelley School of Business
Beth Barnhart Associate Director Kelley School of Business |
As career services professionals are asked to do more with less, scalable solutions are essential. This session will share how we redesigned our career skills course to engage students earlier, maximize learning outcomes, and create a more efficient coaching model. Learn how self-reported data informed our strategy, how partnerships drove buy-in, and how adult learning frameworks increased engagement. We’ll also explore ways to leverage existing resources to create sustainable, high-impact content—freeing up coaching time for deeper interactions. Walk away with actionable strategies to enhance efficiency while strengthening student support. |
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Innovative Strategies for Specialty Master's Program Employment Outcomes During Economic Downturns
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Myranda Kimble Associate Program Director Mays Business School, Texas A&M University |
This session will present an in-depth educational case study focused on the strategic innovations implemented by a specialty master’s program to enhance student employment outcomes during challenging economic times. Attendees will gain insights into the adaptive measures and creative solutions that can be employed to maintain and improve employment success, including revamped career teams, resource team partnerships, and increased student engagement programs. |
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Leveraging AI, Experiential Learning, and Alumni Engagement to Reimagine Career Treks |
Tyler Hough Director, Employer Engagement Rice Business
Tiffany Stott Director, Career Education and Advising Rice Business |
Career Treks provide MBA students with invaluable exposure to industries, companies, and career pathways. At Rice Business, we have reimagined the Career Trek experience by enhancing student learning assessment, integrating AI-driven tools for student preparation, and piloting case-based engagements with employers. This session will explore how these innovations have deepened student engagement, strengthened employer relationships, and increased Trek impact for both our school and our employer partners. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for schools and employers to work together to design treks, including: designing more immersive career exploration experiences, leveraging technology to streamline planning, and incorporating experiential learning components that go beyond traditional company visits. |
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Mental Resiliency: The Desired Skill for 2030 |
Mark McGarry Associate Director, MBA Career Development Boston University |
In this session, we will explore the Science of Resilience as it relates to working with students and within the workplace in general, including:
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Navigating Uncertainty: How Authentic Connections Can Unlock Career Opportunities in a Turbulent Job Market |
Arianna Emanuel-Wright Associate Director, Graduate Career Advising and Education William and Mary Raymond A Mason School of Business |
This session explores the critical role of interpersonal connections in navigating the uncertain job market of 2025. It moves beyond traditional resume-centric approaches, emphasizing authentic relationship-building as a key driver of career and hiring success. Attendees will gain actionable strategies for fostering genuine connections with professionals, mentors, candidates, and employers. Takeaways include practical networking techniques, guidance on building rapport, and insights into leveraging relationships for career and recruiting success. School participants will leave equipped to empower students to thrive in a volatile job market by prioritizing human connection. Employer participants will gain practical tips for streamlining recruitment processes by focusing in interpersonal skills and relationship-building. |
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Rethinking Employer Engagement: Building Strategic Partnerships in Uncertain Times |
Mitch Kam Senior Director University of California San Diego - Rady School of Management
Chris Kovitz Senior Associate Director, Employer Relations UC Irvine the Paul Merage School of Business
Heidi Cuthbertson Campus Relations and Strategies Lead BAE Systems, Inc. |
This session will begin with a presentation sharing some of the challenges employers are facing post-Covid, their need to adapt, and how schools can support them. We will explore innovative approaches to employer engagement and partnership-building in today’s rapidly evolving environment. An overview of existing use cases will be presented, followed by actions schools and employers can take to maintain engagement during these rapidly changing and uncertain times. Attendees will also engage in interactive breakout discussions, where they will work together to reimagine their own collaboration models, adapt to changing market dynamics, and generate fresh strategies for strengthening employer-school relationships. Primary takeaways will include collective insights and solutions to further school employer partnerships in today's environment. |
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Rewriting the Social Contract: Evolving Expectations Among MBA/Masters Students, Employers, and Career Centers |
DW Lee
Maggie Tomas |
MBA and specialty masters career ecosystems are undergoing a significant shift—students are demanding more personalized and value-aligned opportunities, employers are re-evaluating pipelines and timelines, and career centers are being asked to do more, faster, and with broader reach. This session will explore how the traditional “social contract” between career centers, students, and employers is being redefined across global markets. Drawing on insights across EMEA/APAC regions and the United States, DW Lee and Maggie Tomas will highlight key trends shaping the evolving relationships among these stakeholders. For employers, this session offers a window into how peer organizations and academic institutions are adapting to meet the changing expectations of masters talent. Attendees will gain insights on how to enhance their engagement strategies, better align with evolving student values, and strengthen long-term recruiting outcomes. Through case studies, and campus-level insights, this session will provide attendees with a cross-regional view of how the "career promise" is transforming—and invite dialogue on how institutions should respond.Following the brief presentations, the session will open into a dynamic audience discussion to surface emerging models, shared challenges, and ideas for redefining success in this new landscape. |
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Selling the Career Services Advantage: Using Data to Tell Impactful Stories, Optimize Student Engagement, and Drive Employment Outcomes |
Audrey Au Career Consultant, Master of Management Analytics Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto |
Imagine a Career Services department that uses the power of data to clearly demonstrate its impact—proving that student engagement leads to better job outcomes. With a strong data collection, analysis, and visualization strategy, Career Services can craft compelling stories that boost engagement, enhance job readiness, and improve programming. Learn how the Rotman School of Management used data-driven insights to double student engagement, show that engaged students secure jobs faster, action real-time employer feedback, and strengthen professional fluency. Leave the session with the skills to visualize insights on a real-time dashboard, enabling data-driven strategic decisions instead of relying on instinct. |
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Structured Career Readiness: An Advising Framework for Student Engagement |
Manish Bengani Associate Director Mays Business School, Texas A&M University |
Drawing from personal experience as an international student and an international professional in the US, this session presents a structured career readiness framework designed to engage students through milestone-based advising strategies. Attendees will explore how to implement pre-arrival preparation using LMS modules, conduct effective intake appointments, and integrate AI with human touch to resume reviews and mock interviews. The framework emphasizes continuous student engagement through relationship-building exercises and career development tasks, helping students understand the ”WHY” behind U.S. workplace practices and build professional competencies and confidence for the job market. |
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Supporting the Career Needs of Working Professionals - A working session to discuss insights, needs and best practices for Online & Executive MBA students as well as alumni |
Andrea Carpenter Assistant Dean, Career Development American University, Kogod School of Business
Noel Paul PE MBA Founder, President & CEO Tiger Careers |
This session will address the evolving career development needs of online and Executive MBA students and alumni. Participants will learn about current challenges faced by career centers in meeting diverse demands these populations have for career development, executive coaching, leadership coaching, and startup coaching. Insights from a pre-conference survey of career service leaders will be shared, highlighting innovative solutions for maximizing limited budgets. Attendees will engage in small group discussions to explore additional best practices and develop strategies for enhancing support. Key takeaways will include actionable strategies to improve services and establish valuable connections with peers for continued collaboration. |
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Systematizing Career Services: Smarter Resource and Data Management at Scale |
Rachel Gross Corporate Recruiting Assistant University of California San Diego, Rady School of Management
Stephanie Sperow Career Operations and Project Supervisor University of California San Diego, Rady School of Management |
Career centers today juggle an expanding mix of digital tools, student-facing platforms, and reporting responsibilities. Without strong systems in place, it’s easy for resources to go underutilized or for data collection to become a fire drill. This session will walk through how we created an efficient systems management model to optimize both resource usage and employment data collection. We will share how we developed a centralized tracking timeline, targeted marketing and programming, and improved data visibility for better planning and increased bandwidth. Attendees will leave with replicable frameworks and simple tools to better manage operations, drive usage of costly platforms, and streamline employment data reporting—all without requiring fancy systems or major budget increases. |
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The Engagement Challenge: Building Trust & Buy-In from Day One |
Bobby Lange Associate Director, Career Coach University of California, San Diego
Kyle Santos Associate Director, Career Coach University of California, San Diego |
Engaging graduate business students in career coaching can be a challenge, but intentional strategies can drive participation and impact. In this session, we’ll share how we revamped orientation to foster early buy-in, implemented a mix of formal and informal coaching approaches to meet students where they are, and built trust as a foundation for engagement. Attendees will leave with actionable insights on creating meaningful student connections, increasing engagement, and enhancing career coaching effectiveness, including blueprints and menus to set the foundation for long-term engagement. Whether at a small or large program, these strategies can be adapted to strengthen student relationships and drive career outcomes. |
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The Humble Job Search- How Humility Can Overcome Unrealistic Expectations for Seekers |
Jared Rizzo Associate Director, Graduate Business Career Services University of Florida Warrington College of Business |
Student’s expectations of landing their dream job with the dream salary have never been higher. Their confidence in their abilities can sometimes skew their perception of how much education can affect their job search outcome. Studies show that students who have an accurate depiction of their education and experience tend to land jobs more frequently than their counterparts. Unrealistic expectations that can sometimes be driven by ego, while used as a coping mechanism, causes disconnect and disappointment for students and employers. This session is designed to identify these tendencies and teach coaches how to instill humility in their students. |
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Unwritten Rules: What Social Science Can Teach Us About Hiring |
Doug Mayes Associate Director of MBA Career Services Fuqua School of Business at Duke University |
As career services professionals preparing students for the job search, we would benefit from a deeper understanding of how elite employers evaluate and select candidates. Some elements of the selection process are merit-based and rigorous while other subtler criteria are harder to understand. Current social science research gives us new tools to understand how characteristics like social class, socio-economic status, institutional prestige, student cultural capital and even extracurricular pursuits can influence employment outcomes. Master the unwritten rules to better prepare your students. |
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Why “Go Network” is the Best and Worst Advice |
Nav Dutta Head of Career & Employer Relations Hult International Business School
David Lee Founder @ MBA Career Coach & Career Consultant @ Hult International Business School MBA Career Coach Inc & Hult International Business School |
Despite countless programming and advice on networking, our students still struggle with networking—especially international and nontraditional students. Students understand its value. However, they fear making bad impressions, missing cultural gaps, asking wrong questions, and being too transactional. While we need to encourage networking, our students need more than frameworks. Practice is the best way to learn how to network and overcome fears. This program offer actionable insights from research and observations on social connections and networking; simulated coffee chat workshops; and vision of helping students practice with their peers across schools and find joy in making human connections. |
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Check back often as program details are updated!
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