How do emerging and experienced leaders cultivate the essential skills to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly advancing world?

With 1,133 registrants from around the globe, the 2025 Shelton Leadership Forum brought together diverse perspectives and insights to explore this vital question, connecting thoughts and ideas beyond borders. Accurately titled “Ethical Leadership in an Interconnected World,” the forum united professionals from all backgrounds to engage in conversations about what it means to put shared values and ethical decision-making first in their organizations and teams. Speakers delved into topics such as the power of inherent dignity, navigating complex decisions with integrity, and the critical role of active listening in effective leadership.

“This year’s forum was designed to equip today’s leaders with the skills necessary to lead ethically especially when the stakes are high,” Tiffany McLean, Senior Associate Director at the Shelton Leadership Center, said. “We wanted our participants to understand that recognizing and living your values when you are facing ethical dilemmas is critical to building trust with your colleagues, your teams, and your communities and makes ethical decision making so much easier for our organizations. We were also excited to bring the Forum free of charge to our audience for the second year, ensuring access to the Forum continues to increase.” 

Viewers joined the forum from 25 U.S. States and 15 countries including Singapore, Saudi Arabia, France, and Canada. Attendees included representatives from 160 different for-profit organizations and 53 different non-profit organizations, as well as 94 attendees from local, county, state, or federal government. The largest attendee population were professionals in higher education, who watched from 69 different universities and community colleges across the country. Thanks to generous support from State Farm, SLC was able to host 14 viewing parties across North Carolina at various extension offices and community colleges. Dr. Jason Boracco, the Owens-Shelton Distinguished Professor of Leadership at the SLC hosted a viewing party as well, with 20 registrants joining the forum right from Hunt Library. 

“The viewing party significantly enhanced the experience by providing dialogue. I believe it helped me engage fully with the forum.”
-2025 Attendee

The first keynote speaker of the day was Dr. Donna Hicks, Associate at the Harvard University Weatherhead Center for International Affairs and author of “Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture that Brings out the Best in People.” Her session focused on the importance of respecting dignity in the workplace, and about having awareness of the harm that can be done to another person’s emotional state when dignity is disrespected. She shared research and insights from her book and inspired powerful discussion about the value of regarding the dignity of others.

“I found Donna Hicks’ work on dignity extremely relevant and insightful and plan to incorporate it into my leadership development classes.” 
-2025 Attendee

William S. Cohen’s fireside chat session centered around finding common ground in the workplace. Cohen talked about his experience as a former congressman, senator, and secretary of defense, and explained how those positions helped him understand the power of collaboration. He emphasized the importance of leading with humility, drive, and confidence but not ambition. He also noted how ethical leadership starts at the top and sets the tone in a workplace as well as how blending perspectives is necessary to be an effective leader. 

Following the keynote addresses, viewers participated in one of four interactive workshop sessions. J. Spenser Darden, director at Blue Meridian Partners, led the first workshop, titled “Leading With Integrity: Mastering Crucial Conversations for Ethical Leadership.” The second workshop, “Global Acumen: Bridging Cultures for Strategic Impact,” was led by Becky Cibulskis, international programs coordinator at NC State’s Global Training Initiative. Stephanie Fruth, managing director of Vitalise Ventures, CEO of Kurated and MLP Games, and adjunct faculty member at Duke University, led the third workshop, titled “The Power of Collective Insight in Ethical Decision-Making.” Finally, Parker Watson, the SLC’s assistant director for pre-college programs and first-year experiences, and a 2025 Triangle Business Journal 40 Under 40 Leadership Award recipient, led “From Principles to Purpose: Aligning Your Group Through Shared Values. 

In a post-event assessment Viewers described these workshops as “interactive,” and said they provided “applicable, hands-on strategies.”

After a full program of expert speakers and thought leaders, participants left the forum with practical strategies to foster effective engagement, make decisions with ethical considerations, and prioritize shared values and perspectives.

“The quality of the speakers was exceptional, and the conversations around ethical leadership felt especially meaningful and relevant in today’s climate,” said Fallon Scott, one of the Forum’s virtual attendees. Scott has previously served as a Shelton Challenge facilitator, and holds an MBA from Eastern University. “It was one of those rare events that left me reflecting deeply on my own leadership journey and reminded me why values-based leadership is so essential. It brought such a sense of joy and authenticity to the day while still reinforcing the importance of kindness, empathy, and purpose in leadership. It perfectly captured the spirit of the Shelton Leadership Center. The forum was an incredible reminder of the impact that intentional, ethical leadership can have across every level of society. Thank you to you and the entire team for creating such an engaging, thought-provoking, and inspiring experience. I left feeling reenergized and proud to be part of the Shelton Leadership community!”