University of Jamestown Hosts Phoenix Leadership Conference
Speakers Lean on Profound Life Experiences to Inspire
PHOENIX, ARIZONA — The University of Jamestown Unruh School of Character in Leadership recently hosted a dynamic one-day leadership conference at their Phoenix location.
The conference brought together established and emerging leaders from diverse industries, particularly local businesses and non-profit organizations. The event featured a series of engaging workshops, expert presentations, and valuable networking opportunities.
“All presentations centered on human connection and reflection about who we are and how we show up for others,” Dr. Elizabeth K. Hunt, Executive Director of UJ’s Unruh School of Character in Leadership, said. “Key takeaways include the ability to reframe challenges into opportunities and using faith to set clear and noble intentions in our work guiding others.”
In her workshop, Hunt shared evidence-based practices for encouraging authentic followership. Leaders discovered the power of perspective in engaging teams and creating environments of authenticity by balancing a peacock feather on the tip of their finger.
“One of the great challenges of leadership is to create organizational cultures where members can be seen, heard, and known,” Hunt said. “The peacock feather represents the change in perspective needed to begin building cultures of authentically engaged followers.”
Associate Professor Dr. Timothy H. Rice explored why leaders matter during his workshop. Rice, who has extensive experience in graduate and doctoral education that combines his passion for athletics with a never-ending love of learning, has coached golf, cross country, track and field, and soccer at both the high school and college level in the United States and Ireland. Many of his former student-athletes are now coaching and teaching across the country.
His “Holding the Ladder in Sport and Leadership” podcast is considered one of the world’s top five sport leadership podcasts. Rice explained to attendees that holding the ladder to help others reach greater heights transformed him personally.
“If you are looking for a thank you, you are in the wrong role. Be a servant leader and watch great things happen in your organization and you’ll find greater fulfillment too,” he said.
Director of the Master of Arts in Leadership program Dr. Brenda Kaspari delved into the meaning of resilience. After her husband passed away and her daughter recovered from a life-threatening disease that same year, she contributed her positive mindset and faith to her resilience.
“A lot of times, we think, ‘Why us?’ when faced with life’s challenges. I choose to think ‘Why not us?’ And use it to find hope,” Kaspari said.
Chris Hoke, Chief Informational Officer at the University of Jamestown, shared insights on sustaining leadership impact over time. Hoke has taught for the Unruh School of Character in Leadership program for nearly 15 years. Attendees gained valuable principles of self-renewal and finishing well, drawn from the expertise of leadership experts and authors Stephen Covey and Robert Clinton.
The conference concluded with a keynote address by Dr. Sharon Lamm-Hartman, Founder and CEO of Inside Out Learning, Inc. Lamm-Hartman shared practical tools from her best-selling book, “The Authenticity Code™,” offering participants immediate applications to enhance leadership, communication, presentations, and influence.
Faculty noted above all teach in leadership roles as part of the Unruh School of Character in Leadership at the University of Jamestown and are committed to providing impactful development opportunities, fostering growth, and empowering leaders for success.
“The ideals of leadership training and character development stem from the founding values of the University, as well as our mission to develop wholeness in students,” UJ President Dr. Polly Peterson said. “Through the Unruh School of Character in Leadership, we testify to our unwavering commitment of supporting all individuals in their journey towards personal and spiritual growth.”
About University of Jamestown
University of Jamestown is ranked as a “Best Regional University” in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Established as Jamestown College in 1883, UJ is a private, Christian, liberal arts university granting Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees as well as master’s degrees in Business, Education, Leadership, and Clinical Counseling. Doctoral degrees are available in Physical Therapy and Clinical Research. University of Jamestown Accelerated, UJ’s online division, is based in Phoenix and delivers intensive upskilling opportunities to learners in a variety of settings. For more information, please visit UJ.edu.
