Institute for Leadership Studies

Yesterday in our Leadership Academy, participants explored two complementary dimensions of leadership.

In the morning, former San Rafael City Manager Jim Schutz led a session on leading teams. He discussed how teams form, why they sometimes break down, and what leaders can do to build stronger, more effective teams. He brought these concepts to life by using Together San Rafael as a case study.

In the afternoon, Guryan Tighe connected the topic of fear to a team’s capacity for innovation. She challenged participants to consider how teams become more creative and adaptive when leaders create conditions where people are more willing to speak up, experiment, and contribute new thinking.

Grateful to Jim Schutz and Guryan Tighe for sharing their insight and experience.

Crisis is inevitable, but chaos is optional. Join Dominican's Institute for Leadership Studies and the North Bay Leadership Council for our next Business Edge Breakfast Briefing on what leaders need to do in the first 24 hours of a crisis. Featured speaker and crisis strategist Susan Barnes reveals a disciplined framework for leading under fire.

RSVP Here: https://bit.ly/4bVmfCz

On Saturday, more than 800 people filled a sold-out Angelico Hall for Senator Cory Booker in conversation with Steve Kerr. Senator Booker delivered an inspiring message with a powerful call to action: “This is an FDR moment — a time for American renewal.” He urged each of us to ask, “How am I going to participate in that?”

The Leadership Lecture Series is conducted by Dominican's Institute for Leadership Studies in partnership with Book Passage.

A strong launch today for the 2026 Leadership Academy.

Jorge Choy led the morning session on leadership, where we had a stimulating discussion on what leadership is, how leadership works, and what makes leadership effective. In the afternoon, Matt Stringer led an excellent session on leading in the age of AI—an increasingly important capability for leaders in every sector. Grateful to begin this year’s program with such timely and relevant conversations.

We had the honor of welcoming historian Jon Meacham on Sunday. By turns humorous and profound, he had the audience in stitches and in deep reflection, reminding us that “our character matters” and that democracy is, at its core, a moral undertaking shaped by all of us. When Meacham recognized former Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the audience, the room rose in a rousing standing ovation.

Congrats, Hunter !!

Our newest Penguin, Hunter Smith, capitalized on his first game with an electric goal. Running through multiple defenders Hunter showed his all around potential. Back in California after a semester back east, Hunter is looking to continue showing what California lacrosse is all about.

Announcing our Spring 2026 Leadership Lecture Series, held at Dominican University of California. Contact [email protected] for sponsorship opportunities.

More about the Lecture Series can be found at: https://lnkd.in/d7ACEyTC

So proud of 10,000 Degrees and what we do to advance our students to get to and through college

So proud of Dominican’s Rotaract Club In partnership with San Rafael Evening Rotary club

Thank you for embracing and inspiring all of us at Dominican University of California’s Institute for Leadership Studies’ Rotaract Club