2025 Forum Keynote Speaker: Donna Hicks

A common characteristic of what it means to be human, is a shared desire to be treated with dignity. It is our highest common denominator. Can that shared desire become the foundation for bridge building when things break down? How can it be used during our day-to-day interactions, and use dignity to address conflict in our daily lives? If indignity tears us apart dignity can bring us back together again.

Donna Hicks, Ph.D, is the mind behind the Dignity Model. Formerly the Deputy Director of the Program on International Conflict Analysis and Resolution (PICAR) at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University, she is currently an Associate at the Center. An expert in human dignity and a specialist in conflict resolution, through her work Dr. Hicks has identified a major obstacle in our human relationships and shares how to use dignity as a way of repairing relationships and addressing conflict.

Dr. Hicks is the award-winning author of the book Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict. She broke new ground and established dignity as a universal, powerful and motivating force behind all human interaction. Now with her landmark book, Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture That Brings Out the Best in People, Dr. Hicks is empowering leaders everywhere. Her focus is on creating cultures of dignity as the key to fostering productive relationships, a sense of wellbeing and safe work environments where people and organizations are both thriving. Dr. Hicks says, “Our dignity is given to us in a sacred trust, it’s not just about taking care of our own dignity, but also taking care of others’ dignity as well.”

A dynamic and thought-provoking speaker, Dr. Hicks draws upon her extensive background in international conflict resolution and experience utilizing the Dignity Model. Her presentations provide a thorough understanding of the role dignity plays in human relationships and developing a healthy organizational culture. During more than three decades at Harvard, her work has focused on the world’s most intractable international conflicts, including extensive work on the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, a 10-year project on Sri Lanka, conflicts in Colombia and Northern Ireland, and several US/Cuba dialogues. Dr. Hicks has also been asked to address internal organizational conflicts in business, healthcare organizations, education, government, NGO’s and other fields.

Dr. Hicks is also the Vice President of Ara Pacis, an Italian organization working on dignity related conflicts in Northern Africa. She was a consultant to the BBC, co-facilitating encounters between victims and perpetrators of the Northern Irish conflict with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The encounters were made into three television programs entitled Facing the Truth. Dr. Hicks has
taught courses in conflict resolution at Harvard, Clark and Columbia Universities and conducts dignity leadership training and educational seminars around the world.

Dr. Hicks’ experiences resolving world conflict have been implemented to transform cultures within many organizations. She connects the essential human need for dignity to address the challenges facing organizations. Sharing real-world case stories, her insightful, highly human and brilliant presentations provide an eye-opening and actionable approach that is redefining effective leadership. Backed by research and case studies, Dr. Hicks shows how a creating cultures of dignity recognizes our shared humanity and leverages that truth for the benefit of all.

Topics:

• Bringing Dignity to Divided Times
• Dignity: Human Centered Leadership and The Role it Plays in Our Workforce
• Dignity Puts the Care in Healthcare
• Dignity: Your Secret Superpower For K-12 Education
• Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict